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Turkish Press Review, 97-09-05Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>CONTENTS
TURKISH PRESS REVIEWFRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1997Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning. [01] S-300 MISSILE CRISIS ESCALATESTensions related to the S-300 missiles sold by Russia to the Greek Cypriot administration are gradually escalating. Greek Defence Minister Akis Cohacopulos poured fuel on the current controversy by saying that a Turkish attack against the missiles would be interpreted by Greece as a declaration of war. Turkish National Defence Minister Ismet Sezgin in turn invited the Greeks to abstain from resorting to "frantic moves". On his returm from France, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem stressed that Turkey will defend its security and interests utilizing all the opportunities provided by international law. At the same time, the Turkish Foreign Ministry has notified Egypt that the delivery to the Greek Cypriots of the missile parts found on board an Egyptian vessel passing through the Bosphorus will be interpreted as an act justifying war.At the same time, daily papers draw attention to the fact that Turkish F-16 jet fighters are equipped with defence systems able to render ineffective the Russian-made S-300 missiles, adding that F-4 aircraft could be equipped with similar systems. /All papers/ [02] RUSSIA REACTS AGAINST TURKEYRussia has reacted mildly to Turkey's investigation into ships sailing through the Bosphorus Straits. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Gennadi Tarasov said that they were following the developments through the press, adding that if the reports were correct, then the controls would be in contradiction with the principle of sailing freely through the Straits. Tarasov did not directly criticise the government. /Milliyet/[03] PRESIDENT DEMIREL VOICES SUPPORT FOR HUNGARYPresident Demirel who has just paid an official visit to Hungary, voiced support for the Hungarian drive to join NATO. At a joint press conference with his Hungarian counterpart Arpad Goncz, Demirel said that Turkey will back Hungary in its efforts to become a NATO member. In an address to the Hungarian Parliament, Demirel pointed out that after the collapse of the Iron Curtain Turkey emerged as a strategic bridge between Europe, the Middle East, Russia, the Caucasus and Central Asia. "Democracy is the only guarantee of the right to be different. A society with strong civil traditions is the only mechanism to protect democratic pluralism," the Turkish president stressed. He noted that Turkey's desire to reach the high development targets set by Ataturk was the driving force behind Turkey's efforts for integration with Europe, but added that if integration with Europe was not included in the process of EU expansion "this will not be the end of the world for Turkey." At a Turco-Hungarian Business Council meeting Demirel urged entrepreneurs from the two countries to cooperate and invited Hungarian businessmen to take a share in huge Turkish energy investments. /All papers/[04] 33 PEOPLE KILLED IN TRAFFIC DISASTERThirty-three people died yesterday in a traffic accident on the Ankara-Istanbul motorway near Bolu. A bus travelling from Istanbul hit a traffic island and veered into the path of ongoing traffic where it collided with another bus and a truck. The driver of the bus reportedly fell asleep at the wheel causing the accident. Another 48 passengers were injured in the accident. Daily papers provide extensive first-page coverage to the horrible accident and urge the government to initiate measures designed to end traffic terror. /All papers/[05] DRAFT AMENDMENTS TO LIMIT CABINET IMMUNITIESThe Motherland Party (ANAP), senior partner of the ruling coalition government, is seeking a constitutional amendment to limit the scope of legislative immunity of deputies and ministers, including the prime minister. Under the new rules, ministers will be exposed to interrogation and prosecution by the Court of Appeal prosecutor when accused of crimes described as "shameful crimes" by the Turkish law, such as bribery, embezzlement, larceny, swindling, counterfeiting, smuggling and committing irregularities in state biddings. The new draft law envisages trial for such crimes by the Constitutional Court. Under the current system this is possible only with Parliament's permission. /All papers/[06] RP GETS ADDITIONAL 30 DAYS TO PREPARE DEFENCEThe Constitutional Court on Thursday granted the Welfare Party (RP) an extra month to submit its main defence statement on a case filed for the closure of the party. The additional period starts on September 5, the former deadline for submitting the defence statement. A closure case was filed last May against the RP by the Court of Appeal. Court of Appeal Prosecutor Vural Savas accused the RP of "being the focal point of anti-secularist activities". /Sabah/[07] POSITIVE ATTITUDE FROM IRANPolitical observers report that President Suleyman Demirel's message to his Iranian counterpart Muhammed Hatemi will normalize diplomatic relations between Turkey and Iran. According to yesterday's editorial in the "Iran News" daily newspaper, a diplomatic crisis which flared up last February was rooted in misunderstanding and lack of official relations at every level between the two countries. The same editorial noted that although national advantages were more important than anything else, they should not be given priority over joint regional security and stability. /Milliyet, Sabah/[08] ECEVIT MEETS WITH ATUNDeputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit met with Republican Assembly Speaker of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Hakki Atun yesterday. Delivering a speech prior to the meeting, Ecevit said that because of over-armament, and the contributions of the European Union (EU), Russia and Greece, Greek Cypriots were "filled with courage" and did not want a lasting solution to island problems.Turkish Parliament Speaker Mustafa Kalemli also received Atun. Noting that the Turkish Parliament was doing its best for a solution on Cyprus, Kalemli pointed out that Turkey would not accept a solution which the TRNC did not approve. Atun said, for his part, that the TRNC was suffering from an extensive embargo and stated that the Turkish-Greek balance should be safeguarded and that Turkish Cypriots should also come under the roof of the EU. /Cumhuriyet/ [09] TUYGAN TO VISIT MOSCOWDeputy Undersecretary of the Turkish Foreign Ministry Ali Tuygan will visit Moscow next week. Tuygan will want Russia to stop selling S-300 missiles to the Greek Cypriots. He will stress that Russia will be responsible for the negative results of the delivery of the missiles to the Greek Cypriot community on Cyprus. /Hurriyet/[10] EKK AGAINST PKKChairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP) Deniz Baykal has stated that they are preparing a comprehensive project to solve the Southeast problem. The project called "EKK against the PKK" aims at establishing an 11-member Economic Development Council (EKK) for the Southeastern region. Baykal received members of the executive board of the Southeast Industrialist Bussinessmen's Association yesterday. He noted that the EKK would end the PKK terrorist organization's activities. With a programme under EKK management, the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) will not only be an energy and irrigation project but also will be an integrated development project.Meanwhile, the previous day militants of the PKK terrorist organization seized the weapons of village guards in Yesilyazi Village, Hinis. /Hurriyet-Milliyet/ [11] HOUSING PROJECT IN SOUTHEASTThe government is developing a huge housing project in the southeastern regions in oder to help people who would like to return to their homes after being forced to leave because of terrorist activities. The project will be reviewed on 16 September in a meeting of the Council of Ministers to be held in Sivas. Sabah_[12] HEZARFEN-97 EXERCISEThe Hezarfen-97 exercise will be held in Kayseri-Erkilet under the responsibility of the 12th Air Transportation Base Command between 8-12 September. According to a statement made by the General Secretariat of the Air Forces Command, the aim of the exercise, which will be held in Turkey this year for the first time, is to ensure cooperation among commanders and headquarter officers of the member countries of NATO and Partnership For Peace (PFP). /Cumhuriyet/[13] THY PLANNING TO BUY 49 AIRCRAFTTurkish Airlines (THY) will purchase 26 middle-range aircraft to be used in flights to Europe, Northern Africa and the Middle East and in domestic lines, with another 23 planes on option. According to a THY statement, initiatives will be launched for the purchase of a total 49 aircraft between 1998-2002. The statement noted that THY was in a process of rapid growth and development. /Hurriyet/[14] AMERICAN SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION PROGRAMMEOne of the leading US transportation companies, United Parcel Service (UPS), will construct a huge education complex in Zeytinburnu, Istanbul. The project, which will cost TL 216 billion, includes a school building, open and closed sports centers and social facilities. Representatives of the company said that they would be very happy to share in the education movement in Turkey. /Sabah/[15] STOCK EXCHANGE UPThe Istanbul Stock Exchange - 100 Index increased to 2,085 points with an increase of 31 points yesterday. At the end of the second trading sessions the index reached to 2,100 points. Transactions intensified in the public, banking and energy sectors. /Milliyet,Sabah/[16] INTERNATIONAL BANKING CONFERENCE IN ISTANBULRepresentatives of leading computer, software and financial information services companies met yesterday in Istanbul for an international conference on emerging markets. Prominent editors, bankers and financial experts from Turkey, Britain, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Canada will deliver speeches at the conference. /All papers/[17] TURKISH SPACE AGENCY TO BE ESTABLISHEDDeputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit stated that it was decided at a Communications High Council meeting that a Turkish Space Agency would be established to determine the national space policy. The Communications High Council headed by Ecevit gathered yesterday. During the Council, it was also decided that the planned Turkish Space Agency would participate in international projects and that a comprehensive draft law would be prepared because of the developments in communications technologies. /Sabah-Cumhuriyet/[18] WORLD BANK AIDThe Executive Board of the World Bank will hold a meeting today and discuss the aid strategy to be extended to Turkey for the next three years starting at the beginning of 1998. Within the framework of a Country Aid Strategy (CAS) programme, the World Bank will extend project credit worth $1.5 billion to Turkey for the next three years. Prior to the meeting, World Bank officials submitted a report to the executive board of the bank and said that the new Turkish government was determined to secure financial stability, continue with privatization, implement a social security reform and a rational agricultural policy. /Cumhuriyet/END Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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