STOP NATO: ¡NO PASARAN! - HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK --------------------------- ListBot Sponsor -------------------------- Get a low APR NextCard Visa in 30 seconds! 1. Fill in the brief application 2. Receive approval decision within 30 seconds 3. Get rates as low as 2.99% Intro or 9.99% Ongoing APR and no annual fee! Apply NOW! http://www.bcentral.com/listbot/NextCard ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [Via... http://www.egroups.com/group/Communist-Internet ] . . ----- Original Message ----- From: Downwithcapitalism <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2001 12:27 AM Subject: [downwithcapitalism] IMF leans on Turkey New York Times. 5 June 2001. Turkey Tentatively Agrees European Union Force May Use NATO Bases. Excerpts. LONDON Diplomats from Britain, the United States and Turkey have drafted an agreement that would eliminate one of the main barriers to the establishment of a new European defense force. Under the draft accord, Turkey would withdraw its objections to a proposed European Union force with 60,000 troops, thus easing cooperation between the union and NATO. Turkey, a member of NATO but not of the European Union, would not be given a veto over military activities undertaken by the European Union. The compromise, which was hammered out in secret talks in Istanbul late last month, has yet to be approved formally by the 15-member European Union or by Turkey. But diplomats hope a final agreement can be reached by mid-June, when President Bush is scheduled to visit Europe and a European Union summit meeting is to be held in Gothenburg, Sweden. The question of Turkey's role has emerged as one of the main barriers to a new rapid reaction force, which European Union nations hope to develop by 2003. Turkey has sought to maintain some control over European Union operations in its region, especially since Greece, its rival, is a member. What has made Turkey's objections so important is that the European Union would like to be able to use NATO's bases, aircraft, planning abilities and other assets if it conducted major military operations. As a NATO member, Turkey is in a position to block that. The most important element would be procedures for managing a military operation. If it looks as if a military operation is likely, a Committee of Contributors would be convened. The committee was provided for in the understanding that emerged at the European Union summit meeting in Nice in December, but the British considerably expanded its role in their paper. The committee could review the commander's plans before an operation began and then oversee its day- to-day management of the operation. Turkey could be included under two possible situations. If the European Union force used NATO assets, Turkey would have a right to participate in the operation and to serve on the committee. If it did not use NATO assets but planned an operation near Turkey, the British paper states, it would be of "particular benefit" to include Turkey. The language is the most sensitive aspect of the proposed compromise. It stops short of an iron-clad guarantee that Turkey will be included in that scenario, and leaves open the possibility that Greece could block the move. <>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<> Turkish Daily News. 6 June 2001. IMF cautions government against breaching program. Excerpts. An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team presently visiting Turkey for a review of the stand-by deal cautioned the government against straining the limits of its commitments, spelling further trouble on already unsettled financial markets. IMF Turkey desk chief Juha Kahkonen said debates arising from the implementation of Turkey's economic program could create disturbance in domestic and international markets, State Minister and government spokesman Tunca Toskay announced after meeting the IMF officials yesterday. The IMF team was referring specifically to wage negotiations in the public sector and grain price increases. Turkey is facing a deficit of TL 600 trillion due to wage increases allowed to public sector workers, Toskay said of the recently announced deal on which the government was seen deviating from the IMF-backed program. [NOTE TO TURKEY. The IMF does not like workers, state or otherwise, to receive wage increases.] * * * * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ ______________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
