PULSE of TURKEY No: 11-21 ....................................................JUNE 1998

PULSE of TURKEY No: 11 CONFUSION IN TURKISH-FRENCH RELATIONS
French National Assembly “recognizes Armenian genocide”. What is the significance of “unanimity”? Turkey reacts promptly and resolutely. Who will be the loser of irrational move?

PULSE of TURKEY No:12 CAUTIOUS RELAXATION AFTER YILMAZ-BAYKAL AGREEMENT
How realistic is the Yılmaz-Baykal agreement? Who is the winner? What is at stake for the country and the economy? Elections under which system? What is the priority in legislating bills? How many of the bills will be enacted?

PULSE of TURKEY No: 13 NEW GOVERNMENT BEFORE ELECTIONS
The Ball is in the President’s Court. The President does not have to designate as Prime Minister the majority party leader. Sublime interests of the country come first. Avoidance of crisis is above all, says the President.

PULSE of TURKEY No: 14 YILMAZ GOVERNMENT’S FIRST YEAR IN THE ECONOMY
Taner boasts of reducing inflation in 10 months to the level he took over. Structural changes in the fundamentals with the help of luck – falling oil prices. Monetary policy under careful quarterly review. Interest rates fall sharply but will it yield expected results? Tansu Çiller surpises economists. The Central Bank decides to stop foreign exchange purchases, but cannot stick to it. The key to success in inflation fight: sustainability. The Government’s trump card for the success is $12 bn privatization income

PULSE of TURKEY No: 15 GENOCIDE CLAIM MAKES FLOURISHING FRIENDSHIP DROOP
Turkey says “no” to the Sword of Damocles. Armenian issue has deeper motives than what is on the surface. The stale indictment British justice rejected 80 years ago is heated up and brought against Turkey within a scheme, believes Ankara. Pres. Kocharian after “western Armenia” claims. Is the Turks’ shortcoming about effective PR causing unnecessary feuds with friends and allies, or is the “Great Game” for oil at work?

PULSE of TURKEY No: 16 AUTOMATIC PRICING FOR FUEL – DEREGULATION WITH DIPLOMATIC CONSEQUENCES
Six-month price check to curb inflation is ending with a basic change in oil price system. Will it result in unleashed price increases? What structural measure has been taken to prevent this possibility? Does it involve a major policy change in oil and energy? Can foreign policy remain aloof to it? How effective is it for the economy and foreign policy for that matter?

PULSE of TURKEY No: 17 BACKGROUNDER

PULSE of TURKEY No:18 TURKEY CAUTIOUS ABOUT NATO ENLARGEMENT
Military cooperation agreement signed with Poland. Turkey insists on priority to Bulgaria and Romania for NATO enlargement. Changed structure of threat induces Ankara to other security calculations. The Orthodox allegiance in the Balkans leads to Multinational Peacekeeping Force with Turkey’s initiative.

PULSE of TURKEY No: 19 PURRING BUDGET PERFORMANCE IS LOST AMIDST NOISE
IMF agreement sought merely to gain credibility. First five months’ budget returns are better than budget estimates. Interest rates continue to fall. TL to be equal to Euro by knocking off five zeroes.

PULSE of TURKEY No: 20 TURKEY STEPS INTO NUCLEAR ENERGY
Reactors constitute no danger to the nation or environment, says President. The initiative has nothing to do with atom bombs. Nuclear norms are most sophisticated, radiation dangers minimal. Casualties of reactor accidents are unbelievable. Chernobyl has a special place in reactor accidents. Nuclear power distinguishes itself in electricity generation.

PULSE of TURKEY No: 21TURKISH TECHNOLOGY FOR NUCLEAR ENERGY
Turkey is blessed with thorium for nuclear fuel, but needs technology for it. Indigenous technology is sought with external cooperation. 1998 starts big investment in nuclear industry in Turkey. Reactor safety is top priority. It is a matter of 15-20 reactors with 20,000 mw installed capacity by 2030.

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