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Turkish Press Review, 99-03-16Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>16.03.99Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] FROM THE COLUMNS....FROM THE COLUMNS....FROM THE COLUMNS....[02] DEMIREL: 'TURKEY IS A GREAT INVESTOR'President Suleyman Demirel, who arrived in Uzbekistan to open a truck and bus factory built by Koc Group in Semerkand, said: "Turkey plays a pioneering and determining role in the economic development of Central Asia." Noting that Turkish entrepreneurs were among the leading investors in Russia, Caucasia and Central Asia, Demirel stated that this investment by the Koc Group was the largest foreign investment in Uzbekistan and therefore would bring a new and important dimension to the economic cooperation between Turkey and Uzbekistan. /Turkiye/[03] VIOLENCE DENOUNCED BY THE US AND FRANCEOn Saturday, the US denounced the arson on 'Mavi Carsi', Istanbul where 13 people lost their lives. US State Department Spokesman James Rubin stated, "The US denounces such acts of violence and extends its condolences to the families of the victims." In another development, the French Foreign Ministry Spokesman said, "We have sadly learned of the violence which cost the lives of 13 people. We denounce all acts of terrorism. We extend our condolences to Turkish officials and the families of the victims." /Turkiye/[04] COUNCIL OF EUROPE CONDEMNS TERRORIST ATTACKS IN TURKEYThe Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, British Parliamentarian Russel Johnson, stated that he condemned the terrorist attacks which have recently occurred in Turkey. Johnson noted that the attacks which caused the death of innocent people were disgusting and terrorism was a big threat to democratic societies, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[05] ORDER FOR ARSON FROM MED TVOne of the leading Belgian newspapers 'Le Soir' noted that terrorists who recently murdered civilians in Istanbul took their orders from the separatist broadcasting organization MED-TV. In an article entitled "Who Are Exploding the Bombs?", the newspaper stated the terrorist incidents, which took place in Istanbul and other regions since the capture of the PKK chief, drew attention to the fact that in the programmes of MED-TV broadcasting from studios in Belgium, calls for violence were made. /Aksam/[06] PKK DOES NOT CARE FOR EUROPEAN VIEWSAn English prestigious newspaper 'The Times' gave wide coverage to terrorism. The Times said that two hitherto unknown organizations had undertaken the responsibility of the bombing and that they are believed to be in active under the umbrella of ERNK, the political wing of the PKK. The newspaper noted that the Western stance supporting the terrorist organization was strongly criticized in the Turkish press following the explosion of the bombs killing 13 people. The Times also recalled that these incidents were exceptions to the generally calm atmosphere in Turkey due to the efforts of the Security Directorate General. The newspaper went on to say that the PKK had avoided bloody incidents in order not to blur its image in the West, however following the capture of its chief it did not believe that they had anything to gain by avoiding such incidents. /Aksam/[07] ANKARA TO ATHENS: "FIRST CLEAR YOURSELF"Ankara has given a negative respond to Greek efforts to establish dialogue between Turkey and Greece. Ankara has said that the Athens Government should initially stop supporting terrorism and added: "First, clear yourself, then demand dialogue". Meanwhile, the former Greek Foreign Minister, Theodoros Pangalos, noted that the Kurdish violence should not be described as terrorism. /Cumhuriyet/[08] BULGARIA EXTRADITES FUGITIVE PKK MEMBERBulgarian authorities have apprehended and extradited to Turkey a member of the PKK who was trying to pass through Bulgaria illegally, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Ismail Gonen, 30, participated an armed attack on Turkish security forces in Adana in 1995 and a number of PKK propaganda activities, Turkish officials said.[09] 'PKK LEFT OCALAN ALONE'An official from the Greek Intelligence Service, Savas Kalenderidis, who has accompanied the PKK Chief Abdullah Ocalan for 17 days, made statements to the Athens Prosecutor's Office and said that the PKK has not given $15 million to save Ocalan. Kalenderidis' statements to the Athens Prosecutor's Office for two days were published by the 'Ta Nea' newspaper yesterday. /Hurriyet/[10] DISGRUNTLED DEPUTIES SHAKE THE GOVERNMENTYesterday, a censure motion was presented to the Parliament Speaker against the Government with the signatures of 23 deputies from the True Path Party (DYP), the Motherland Party (ANAP) and the Democrat Turkey Party (DTP). In the censure motion, it was noted that even though in tense periods all democratic governments find solutions with the support of the legislation, the Ecevit Minority Government was attaching importance to the election propaganda. Meanwhile, the number of disgruntled deputies should be 276 in order to topple the Government. On the other hand, the Virtue Party (FP) stated that it would support the censure motion.Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit who made a statement on this issue said that deputies had the right to submit a censure motion and added that however the nation would decide on whether they are right or not. /Cumhuriyet/ [11] TACTICAL GAMESTo counter the attempts of the deputies calling Parliament to convene with the excuse of terrorism and then deciding on working, Motherland Party (ANAP), True Path Party (DYP) and Democratic Left Party (DSP) decided to act jointly. However, the three party bloc which will try all filibustering concerning the drafts or proposals mainly depends on the support of the Republican People's Party (CHP). If the signatory deputies give a censure motion, Prime Minister Ecevit will not resign and both the ANAP and the DYP are supporting him. /Turkiye/[12] WORLD CONSUMER RIGHTS DAY CELEBRATEDWhile March 15 World Consumer Rights Day was celebrated with various activities throughout the country, President Suleyman Demirel said that Turkey, which was further covering the path towards a contemporary producer and consumer country, rapidly completed necessary legal arrangements in order to protect the rights of consumers. /Cumhuriyet/[13] KLERIDES CONFESSES: "WE DO NOT WANT A SOLUTION"The Leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration, Galfkos Klerides, has confessed that their aim is not a solution to the Cyprus problem. Klerides noted that the future of the Cyprus Hellenism would be taken under security and they wanted a state within the framework determined by UN Resolutions. Klerides stated that Cyprus should be a unitary state with an international identity.Meanwhile, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Greece, Yannos Kranidiotis, claimed that Turkey would enter an impasse on the issue of the PKK chief Abdullah Ocalan. Kranidiotis who made a statement to a Greek Cypriot radio supported the policy pursued by the Greek Government on this issue and added that however, the Greek foreign policy should not be focused on the Kurdish issue. /Hurriyet/ [14] KASULIDES IN GERMANYThe Foreign Minister of the Greek Cypriot Administration, Yannis Kasulides, who arrived in Bonn yesterday, met German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer. In a press conference following the meeting, Fischer pointed out that they would support the initiatives by the Greek Cypriot Administration to solve the political problem and said: "I hope that there will be a more convenient atmsophere in Turkey following the General Elections for the solution of the Cyprus problem". Kasulides said for his part that during a G-8 summit to be held in June, their stance would be positive for unconditional meetings between the two sides in Cyprus in line with UN Resolutions. /Cumhuriyet/[15] FIKRET MUALLA EXHIBITION IN PARISAn exhibition of the noted Turkish painter, Fikret Mualla, which was held at the Petite Galerie in Paris in 1998 and received great interest, will again be held in Paris on March 22-April 17, 1999. /Cumhuriyet/[16] TURKISH LAWYER IN BONNA lawyer from the Izmir Environment Movement, Senih Ozay, will deliver a conference in Bonn, Germany. During the meetings to be organized by the Gustav Stresemann Institute in Bonn on April 16-18, Ozay will deliver a conference on 'The Environment, Law and Bergama in Turkey'. People living in the Bergama district of Izmir have been opposing the initiatives to operate gold mines through a method with cyanide. /Cumhuriyet/[17] AN ENGINE OPERATING WITH WATERA Turkish inventor, Kemal Rusen Ozcelik, has achieved to decrease the fuel consumption by 37-45 % by using water in engines. Ozcelik, who has secured the patent of his invention, noted that his method could be used in many cars. Ozcelik said that the cost of the method in a car was nearly 200 million TL. /Hurriyet/[18] TREASURY EXPORTS BONDSThe Treasury will export two bonds today. During the exports of bonds, one for 13 months and the other for six months, a 500-650 trillion TL-sale is expected. The repayment of the bonds will be April 19, 2000, and September 15, 1999, respectively. /Hurriyet/[19] TURKEY TO PAY $93 BILLION IN FOREIGN DEBTSTurkey will pay off a total of $92.977 billion in foreign debts in the middle and the long-term. Out of this total, $75.6 billion constitutes the debts while $17.4 billion is interests. Meanwhile, the Central Bank is expected to pay off $5 million in foreign debts. /Hurriyet/[20] SAVAS CRITICIZES REPEAL OF PENAL LAWVural Savas, the Chief Prosecutor of the Court of Appeals, has complained about the repeal of Article 163 of the Turkish Penal Code, saying that it has now legalized treason, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Savas, who spoke at a press conference at his office yesterday, said that 'those who have separatist beliefs and exploit religion' are now trying to remove Article 312 of the same law.[21] TURKEY TO ENTER AFRICAN MARKET THROUGH NORTHFree trade agreements which Turkey signed for harmonization with the EU's common trade policy objective presents Turkey many opportunities concerning diversifying export markets. By the end of the year, Turkey will conclude free trade agreements with Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco and Palestine, which have a combined population of 100 million. Trade links between these countries and other North African and Central African countries will provide Turkish companies a means to more easily form contacts in these regions. Talks with Morocco started in mid-February, and second-round talks will be held with Egypt in March. /All papers/[22] TURCO-GERMAN BUSINESS CENTRE TO BE LAUNCHEDThe project for the Turco-German Business Centre was introduced at a meeting at the Istanbul Trade Chamber (ITO) yesterday. The Turco-German Business Centre, which will be established in Munster, Germany with the cooperation of the Munster and Greven municipalities, will soon be completed. A 10-person delegation including authorities from the Dusseldorf Economy Bank and Greven Mayor Rudolf Steingrube came to Istanbul to introduce the business centre two days ago. /All papers/[23] 48 HELICOPTERS TO BE PURCHASED FOR THE POLICEThe Security Directorate General wanting to struggle more effectively against terrorism is strengthening its equipment and vehicle forces. Defence Industry Undersecretariat is going to purchase 48 helicopters to be given to the Security Directorate General. A tender of $300 million has been put out for three types of helicopters. The bids will be received on April 5, 1999. /Turkiye/[24] ISIKLAR HOLDING IN EGYPTIsiklar Holding which is a leading company in the producing Kraft packages (cement sacks) has made Turkey's third industrial investment in Egypt. Isiklar Holding has entered a joint venture with leading Eyptian firm EDIC in Cairo. The Chairman of the Isiklar Holding, Riza Kutlu Isik, said: "It gives us a great pleasure to invest in Egypt with which we have historical ties. While this plant provides employment opportunities for Egyptians, it will open us the road to Africa." /Turkiye/[25] RECEP MIZRAK JOINS MHPRecep Mizrak, the Independent Deputy from Kirikkale who resigned from the Motherland Party (ANAP), joined the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) yesterday. Following Mizrak's participation in the MHP, the number of the independent deputies reduced to 28, while the number of the MHP deputies increased to four in Parliament, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[26] LITHUANIAN PRESIDENT TO VISIT TURKEYLithuanian President, Valdas Adamkus, will visit Turkey on 18 March to hold official contacts with Turkish officials, the Anatolia News Agency reported. According to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Adamkus will come to Turkey upon the official visit of his Turkish counterpart Suleyman Demirel. During the meetings to be held under the chairmanship of the two Presidents, Demirel and Adamkus, bilateral relations, regional and international issues will be discussed. Also an agreement concerning military training will be signed.[27] NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL SOLANA TO COME TO TURKEYNATO Secretary-General, Javier Solana, will pay a one-day visit to Turkey on 18 March, the Anatolia News Agency reported. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Solana will be received by President Suleyman Demirel and meet Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, (TGNA), Hikmet Cetin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem, and Minister of Defence, Hikmet Sami Turk.[28] MINISTER OF CULTURE IN ISRAELMinister of Culture, Istemihan Talay went to Israel to open an exhibition of the Ottoman-Turkish rug collection. Prior to his departure from Ankara's Esenboga Airport, Talay said that there were historical relations between Turkey and Israel, adding that it was the first time that Turkey would celebrate the 700th anniversary of the Ottoman Empire abroad. He noted that besides the exhibition, Turkish singers would give performances during the exhibition. Talay and the Turkish delegation will return home on 17 March. /Sabah/[29] HAKTANIR IN CHINAUndersecretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Korkmaz Haktanir went to China and met Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tang Jiagsuan, the Anatolian News Agency reported. After the meeting Tang said that they believed that present relations between Turkey and China would be improved with the efforts of both sides. Haktanir said, for his part, that Turkey attached great importance to her relations with China, which played an important role both in international and regional issues. Turco-Chinese technical delegations had already started meetings to discuss bilateral and international issues. Haktanir and the Turkish delegation will return to Turkey on 20 March.[30] HOLLYWOOD CINEMA INDUSTRY TO COME TO TURKEYOne of the most improved film studios of the world has been established in Candir township of Antalya. "Antalya Studios" is the biggest studio of Europe which is ready to host huge world productions, world famous directors and artists. American director and producer Michael Tabori is the manager of the huge complex. When Tabori came to Turkey five years ago, he decided that Turkey was a natural film studio with its historical and natural assets. Tabori claimed that most of the studios in Hollywood are small, insufficient and very expensive. He added that world famous directors like Steven Spielberg and Oliver Stone were in difficulty to find suitable Hollywood studios in order to meet their requirements. Tabori said that now Antalya is the new center for Hollywood directors who could not find available studios to take films. /Sabah/[31] FASHION SHOW IN ISTANBULWorld famous Turkish designer Atil Kutoglu is preparing a very special fashion organization within the framework of the 700th anniversary of the establishment of the Ottoman Empire. Kutoglu, who is still living in Austria, will hold a fashion show entitled "The Ottoman Collection", at the end of March at the Yildiz Shale Kiosk in Istanbul. Regarding the show Kutoglu said that it would be very exciting to promote the Republic of Turkey with the traces from the Ottoman Empire on the threshold of the 21st century. It is reported that members of European press and also European high-society will gather in Istanbul to watch the special fashion-show. /Sabah/[32] ARMENIA DECEIVES PKKArmenia has used the PKK to reach its targets while supporting the terrorist organization. It is known that Armenia-PKK cooperation has been continuing for 10 years. However, Armenia deceived the terrorist organization during recent years; for instance: Armenia did not want to shelter Ocalan after his deportation from Syria; Armenia sold $ 1.6 million worth arms to the terrorist organization in 1993 but most of them were old; the PKK paid $ 120,000 to Armenia to establish a radio-station but Armenia did not keep its promise. According to the Turkish Intelligence Service Armenia reached an agreement with the PKK to invade the East and Southeast Anatolia but this plan failed as ASALA and PKK fell into a disagreement concerning their shares. /Sabah/[33] "VOLVO" IN TURKEYSwedish automobile producer Volvo decided to reach the Central Asia via Turkey. And that the company announced that it would enlarge its distributors and service network in Turkey. Representatives of the company said that they would accelerate their investment plans in the first half of 1999. They also noted that they would establish technical service training schools in Turkey. "Turkey is a very big market and it will help us reach the Central Asian Republics very easily," they said. /Sabah/[34] TURKISH TEKEL TO OPEN ITS DOORS ABROADThe representatives of the State Monopolies (Tekel), which is within the scope of privatization, are holding investment meetings in Moldovia, Georgia and Russia. General Director of Tekel, Mehmet Akbay, said that they continued with their investments abroad. Akbay added that negotiations with the representatives of Moldovian, Georgian and Russian public institutions in order to establish partnership were still going on and would be finalized in a short period of time. /Sabah/[35] GERMANY'S SECRET MESSAGE TO ECEVITGerman Prime Minister Gerhard Schroeder sent his special envoy, Laisler Kiep, to Turkey in order to stress the importance that he attaches to Turco-German relations. It is also announced that German Prime Minister planned to visit Turkey in 1999. Laisler Kiep came to Turkey last weekend and met Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. At the meeting Kiep pointed out that Schroeder felt great unease concerning the damaged relations between the two countries. He said that Germany wanted Ankara and Bonn to re-establish deep and intensive relations. The special envoy said that Germany, as the European Union (EU) term-president, would do her best for the official approval of Turkey's membership to the union. Kiep pointed out that Prime Minister Schroeder planned to visit Turkey within this year. Concerning the PKK terrorist organization, Kiep assured that Germany would continue its restrictions against the PKK activities and added that PKK terrorists were still being tried at the German courts.Bulent Ecevit said, for his part, that he attached importance to Turco-German relations, too. He added that the official approval of Turkey's EU membership would not be enough but Turkey should be included in every mechanism established for the integration of other candidate countries with the EU. Regarding the PKK, Ecevit asked Kiep to prevent the activities of terrorist organizations which have relations with the PKK in Germany. He also condemned Greece about its support for the PKK. /Milliyet/ [36] GREECE SEEKS DIALOGUE WITH TURKEYGreece looks for new ways to ease the tension between Ankara and Athens and to establish dialogue with Turkey. Within this framework, news in Greek media claiming that Minister of Foreign Affairs George Papandreu thought on suggestions to meet with his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem are evaluated to observe the feelings of Turkey.Meanwhile, Washington increased its pressure on Athens to announce the PKK as a terrorist organization. /Milliyet/ [37] FROM THE COLUMNS....FROM THE COLUMNS....FROM THE COLUMNS....[38] "FIRST, A CLEAR ATTITUDE" -BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)Sami Kohen, today, wrote about the recent Greek attempt to establish a dialogue with Turkey. Kohen, yesterday, talked over the issue with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem, who noted that there had been no official initiative by Greece regarding the issue, adding if she was serious to establish a dialogue then she should officially convey this proposal to Ankara. Kohen noted that Papandreu disclosed the idea while talking to Greek journalists. Papandreu had wanted to "check the ground" and on the other hand Cem wanted him to use diplomatic ways if he was sincere in his thoughts, said Kohen.Sami Kohen said: "Cem's approach towards the issue does not mean that Turkey will immediately accept Greek suggestion. It is a reality that Turkey has always suggested dialogue to solve disagreements with Greece. Now, Papandreu suggests a dialogue. By the way, conditions have changed a lot. Will Turkey sit on the table with Greece which has not proved that it changed her attitude towards terrorism. Turkey's stance is very clear on the issue: First, Greece should take a clear stand against terrorism and implement the necessary measures. Unless these conditions are met, there will be no dialogue." "It is impossible that the Greek government does not know Turkey's expectations. And moreover, some foreign countries extended the necessary messages to Athens concerning the issue." "Recently, it seems that the Greek government has been softening its attitude. Both inside and outside elements have forced Greece, which is in a trap after the Ocalan issue, to act more flexible. However, Turkish officials want Greece "to prove with its actions" that she has changed her policies concerning Ocalan and the PKK." Kohen resulted his article asking if these recent Greek statements will be the signal of a serious change in her attitude? [39] THE NEST OF TERROR, EUROPE -BY EMIN COLASAN (HURRIYET)Columnist Emin Colasan analyzes the support given to terrorism by Europe. A summary of his column is as follows:The PKK terrorism is going on. Shopping malls are burnt, vehicles bombed, innocent people murdered. None of the newspapers or broadcasting stations are supporting this violence in Turkey even if they want to! However the situation is somewhat different in "civilized" Europe. Particularly in Germany. A newspaper, the organ of the PKK terrorist organization, published in Germany encourages terrorism in Turkey, gives terrorist incidents in the headlines and praises terrorism. Don't the German officials see this newspaper? Can this be merely called the freedom of expression? Many Anatolians are losing their lives due to terrorism. Until now 40 thousand people have lost their lives because of terrorism and many are left maimed. The PKK terrorists are included in this figure. I see them, and their provocators as "one of us". They are all Anatolians. If one in a thousand of these incidents had took place in Europe, a great tumult would have been created. If, someone else had supported terrorism in Europe as they are doing it for Turkey they would have been highly agitated...Television station called MED-TV broadcasting in the name of the PKK, praises its terrorist activities and clearly encourages terrorism... From where do you think this MED-TV channel broadcasts? Its central studios are in Brussels and it broadcasts over London. The newspaper supporting terrorism is published in Germany, and the television channel supporting the activities of the PKK broadcasts over Brussels and London. Europe permits and Turkey is faced with terrorist incidents. Our people lose their lives because of them. Does Europe feel any embarrassment, shame at all? Are the European countries and institutions which give free advice and send delegations to Turkey on "democracy" and "human rights" every week aware of this fact? How can they permit publications or broadcasts supporting terrorism? How? Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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