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Turkish Press Review, 99-05-18Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>18.05.99Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS[02] SPECIAL KOSOVO[03] DEMIREL PROPOSES COMPROMISEPresident Suleyman Demirel has asked the party leaders to compromise. Demirel called on Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Bulent Ecevit and Nationalist Action Party leader Devlet Bahceli to "soften" their approach in order to reach a compromise. He added that he would not approve of a minority government.Meanwhile, Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz visited President Suleyman Demirel at Cankaya Palace. Following the visit, Yilmaz stated that if Ecevit and Bahceli were more relaxed then the possibility of setting up a DSP-MHP-ANAP coalition government would increase. /Sabah/ [04] YILMAZ THE MEDIATOR TO REPAIR RELATIONS BETWEEN DSP AND MHPThe Motherland Party (ANAP) has taken on the role of mediator in order to repair relations between the Democratic Left Party (DSP) and the Nationalist Action Party (MHP). Coalition talks between the two parties were broken off due to some uncomplimentary remarks about the MHP made by DSP Deputy Chairman Rahsan Ecevit, the wife of Prime Minister-designate Bulent Ecevit.Yilmaz had an hour-long meeting with Ecevit yesterday during which he asked for time to negotiate a solution to the crisis and restart coalition talks between the DSP and MHP. Yilmaz then visited President Suleyman Demirel to discuss the situation with him. Ecevit postponed a planned meeting with True Path Party (DYP) Leader Tansu Ciller in order to give Yilmaz the time he requested. However, Ecevit also declared that he would be willing to work on a DSP-DYP-ANAP coalition formula if the MHP cannot be brought back to the table. /All papers/ [05] ANKARA WANTS EU TO BE SINCEREAnkara expects that the European Union (EU) will be more sincere in its meeting on 4 June in Germany. Turkey feels uneasy about the EU's 'word-games' against Turkey since the Luxembourg Summit. Diplomatic circles noted that if Turkey is announced as an official EU member candidate, she is ready to start a new period in her relations with the EU. At the end of President Suleyman Demirel's intense round of talks during last month, both Germany and France had changed their negative attitude concerning Turkey's EU membership, said diplomatic circles. However, they added, the EU ought not to yield to the Greek veto. Although Turkey will not attend the meeting, the Turkish Embassy in Bonn will follow it closely. /Hurriyet/[06] TEHRAN SUPPORTS PKKIt has become evident that Iran has replaced Syria as the main supporter of the PKK terrorist organization; Turkish intelligence units have documents proving this. It is reported that a base established by the PKK in Tehran has been supported by Iranian officials. The building 'Media Hall' in central Tehran is being used as a PKK base. What is more, intelligence units took a photo of the building decorated with PKK flags on March 22, 1999.Meanwhile, a PKK terrorist, Umut Gulay, who was captured in Mus two days ago, stated that he had been trained in Iran. He added: "After I had received training in a camp in the Baskale district of Van, I went to Iran where I was instructed in warfare. Then I came to Turkey and assumed an active role in the PKK". /Aksam/ [07] OCALAN'S 12 LAWYERS DETERMINEDThe 12 lawyers who will defend Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the terrorist PKK, during his trial on Imrali Island beginning on May 31 have been determined. Hasip Kaplan, one of his lawyers, said that no reservations have yet been made to accomodate these 12 lawyers on the Island. Meanwhile, 12 relatives of Ocalan, including his brothers, sister, nephews and other relatives, have applied to Ankara's State Security Court (DGM) via lawyer Ender Buyukculha. Those lawyers who will defend Ocalan are as follows: Ercan Kanar, Hasip Kaplan, Irfan Dundar, M.Fehim Gunes, Mukrime Tepe, Aysel Tugluk and Dogan Erbas from the Istanbul Bar; Ender Buyukculha from the Ankara Bar; Niyazi Bulgan from the Gaziantep Bar; Mahmut Sakar from the Diyarbakir Bar; and Hatice Korkut and Kemal Bilgic from the Izmir Bar. /Milliyet/[08] THE US TO REBUKE ATHENSThe Washington administration will rebuke the Greek government which has not taken any measures against terrorist organizations, such as the PKK and '17 November', and has not shown any developments concerning the issue over the last 20 years. Prior to the PKK chief Abdullah Ocalan's trial, the Washington administration plans to take steps in order to prevent a probable increase in the tension between Turkey and Greece.American officials advise Athens to engage in a serious struggle against the '17 November' terrorist organization and request her to close down terrorist training camps in Greece, where mostly PKK militants are trained. /Sabah/ [09] CLINTON'S SPECIAL INTEREST IN TURKEYOfficials from the White House's National Intelligence Council assigned by US President Bill Clinton visited the Virtue Party (FP) yesterday as part of a report to be prepared on Turkey's political situation. The US officials met the FP Deputy Chairman, Abdullah Gul. According to information furnished by the US Embassy in Ankara, the delegation headed by Billy Lowenkion from the White House Council's European Affairs Department, will also visit other parties in Turkey. The delegation will later present their report to Clinton. /Aksam/[10] CONGRESS APPROVES SALE OF BLACK HAWKS TO TURKEYThe US Congress has approved the sale of 50 S-70 Black Hawk utility helicopters which will be transferred from Sikorsky to the Turkish Armed Forces, the Anatolia News Agency reported from Washington. The Pentagon informed Congress early in May about the sale, worth $560 million. A direct procurement contract between the Turkish Armed Forces and Sikorsky was signed last autumn; delivery is expected to start this year.Meanwhile, the Undersecretariat of Defence Industries (SSM) will initiate a tender to buy eight cargo helicopters; proposals from firms wishing to bid will be received in the coming days. [11] NATO TRAINING MEETING IN ISTANBULThe Spring Meeting of the NATO Training Group's Joint Services started yesterday in Istanbul hosted by the Turkish Armed Forces. According to military sources, the aim of the meeting is to exchange information concerning training capacity, to improve training possibilities and to create mutual training opportunities. /Cumhuriyet/[12] G-8: UNEASINESS OVER CYPRUSTurkey has presented noted her anxious concern to the G-8 countries which have announced that they would mediate in order to solve the Cyprus issue. Recalling that a process under the auspices of the United Nations' (UN) General Secretary has been attempting to solve the problem, Turkey disclosed her worries saying that "the process will be tranferred to other platforms". Turkey also did not welcome the British initiative to prepare a constitutional draft bill in order to ensure a "two sides-two federations" federal solution to the Cyprus issue. The Turkish Foreign Ministry underlined Turkey's perturbation to the G-8 countries, the US, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, Japan and Russia, through diplomatic channels. A senior official from the Ministry said that the recent G-8 initiative aims to put more pressure on Turkey to obtain more than the expected compensation. /Cumhuriyet/[13] DENKTAS MEETS GEN.BIRThe President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Rauf Denktas, met the First Army Commander Gen.Cevik Bir yesterday. Following the meeting, Denktas stated that nearly 10,000 Greek Cypriots had held a parade in support of the Serbs two days ago. Denktas said: "Greek Cypriots are continuing with their provocations along our border. They view themselves as the owners of Cyprus. However, they can never realize their dream and the world should understand the truth of the situation". /Aksam/[14] FINAL DECISION ON KAVAKCI TO BE DECLARED BY THE TGNAThe investigation into the revocation of the political status of Virtue Party (FP) MP Merve Kavakci by the Supreme Election Board (YSK) has ended. The YSK Deputy Chairman, Sabri Coskun, said that the decision concerning the revocation of Kavakci's deputy status should be declared by the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA). Meanwhile, today Merve Kavakci is expected to apply to the Council of State to appeal against the Council of Ministers' decision to revoke her Turkish citizenship. /Aksam/[15] GENDARMERIE COMMANDERS' 1998 SECURITY REPORTThe "1998 Security Bulletin" issued by the Gendarmerie Commanders was published yesterday. According to the report, 1,078 terrorist actions took place in those regions under the responsibility of gendarmerie forces; by the end of these incidents, 1,508 terrorists and 347 members of the security forces had been killed. It added that artillery, missiles, rocket launchers, mines, hand-grenades and various types of gun were seized. It noted that 4,214 people had been arrested for tax evasion, the possession of illegal arms, and drug smuggling. /Cumhuriyet/[16] 73 TERRORISTS KILLEDDuring operations carried out by Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) along the Turkish-Iraqi border between May 12-17, 1999, 73 members of the PKK terrorist organization were killed. Four Turkish security forces' members died during the operations, according to a statement issued by the General Secretariat of the Office of the General Staff. A great deal of ammunition was also seized during the operations. /Aksam/[17] TERRORISTS KIDNAP TWO TEACHERSMembers of the PKK terrorist organization kidnapped two teachers in Sarmac, a village of Van yesterday. Meanwhile, during a conflict with PKK terrorists, who attacked a radiolink station near Cardak village, a village guard was wounded. Officials stated that rooting-out operations were on-going. /Turkiye/[18] TURKISH MILITARY FORCES TO HOLD MANOEUVRES IN THE AEGEANTurkish military land, air and naval forces will conduct manoeuvres in the Aegean region starting next week, a statement from the General Staff said yesterday. The manoeuvres, Efes-99, will include air and naval exercises in international Aegean airspace and international waters, as well as drills on land in the Doganbey-Seferhisar area, the statement said.It added that more than 30 observers from NATO and the Organization's Partnership for Peace (PFP) programme will monitor the manoeuvres, which are scheduled to start next Monday and end on June 11. /All papers/ [19] TURKISH FISHERMEN RELEASEDThree Turkish fishermen were arrested by Greek Coastguard officials four days ago in the Kuskayasi region located between Sutluce and Babakale in Ayvacik, a district of Canakkale, and sent to Mitylene Island; of these three, two fishermen were released yesterday. The other man's trial will be held today. It is reported that the two already released will be sent to Turkey on Thursday, while the third one is hoping to return to Turkey pending a court decision today. /Turkiye/[20] DB: "NO PROBLEM IN REPAYMENTS BY TURKISH BANKS"According to Deutsche Bank (DB), Turkish banks have no problem when it comes to repaying their debts. The DB remarked that Turkish banks are able to borrow foreign currency and to repay syndication loans. Meanwhile, Turkish banks, which are to repay syndication loans worth $4.246 billion this year, repaid $1.177 billion of this amount during the first four months of this year. /Aksam/[21] EMBARGO ON IRAQ NEGATIVELY AFFECTS TURKEYThe embargo imposed on Iraq has negatively affected Turkey from the economic and social standpoints. The Chairman of the Gaziantep Chamber of Trade (GTO), Mehmet Aslan, said that Turkey was the country which has experienced the greatest effects of the embargo imposed on Iraq. He added: "Even though everyone knows this situation, it is incomprehensible that a right enjoyed by Jordan for years has been prohibited to Turkey". He stressed that the losses were not only limited to Turkish exports to Iraq and pointed out that many businesses in the region had been closed, freight transport had ended and terrorist activities had increased because of the economic troubles and vacuum of authority in Northern Iraq. /Turkiye/[22] CAPACITY UTILIZATION INCREASES BY 0.04 %Capacity utilization based on production values stood at 77.7 % in April 1999. This figure was 77.3 % in April 1998. According to the results of the 'Monthly Manufacturing Industry's Trend Survey' carried out by the State Institute of Statistics (DIE), capacity utilization rose from 78.9 % to 88.4 % in public institutions while it fell from 76.6 % to 70.9 % in the private sector when compared to the same month last year. /Aksam/[23] EMPLOYERS DEMAND CHANGES OF NEW PARLIAMENTIn a report prepared by the Turkish Confederation of Employers' Unions (TISK) it was stated that a stable government that protects the basic principles of the Republic should be formed, and this new government should speedily carry out the necessary structural reforms, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[24] PETROLEUM '99 FAIR FOCUSES ON INTERNATIONAL PIPELINE PROJECTSThe Privatization Board (OIB) Chairman Ugur Bayar gave a speech entitled 'The Influence of Petrol Ofisi and Tupras on the Oil Sector and Difficulties in Privatization' held as part of the Third International Petroleum Fair (Petroleum'99). The world has entered an entirely different era, said Bayar, adding: "I am absolutely opposed to involvement of the public sector in any industrial or commercial activity".Energy will remain one of the most critical factors in national economies in the 21st century, said Energy and Natural Resources Minister Ziya Aktas. Aktas made a speech on 'Caspian Petroleum and Turkey's Strategy over the Transportation of Petroleum'. He said that providing for the transportation, distribution and marketing of energy is as important as owning energy sources for strengthening one's position in international bargaining talks. Turkey is a natural bridge between the Middle East and Central Asia, where most of the world's energy resources are located, and Western countries, which are the major consumers of energy, giving Turkey a great advantage. /All papers/ [25] STATE MINISTER GEMICI IN ALGERIAAn official delegation headed by State Minister, Hasan Gemici, left on Sunday for Algeria. The Foreign Trade Undersecretariat issued a statement saying that the delegation is paying an official visit to Algeria upon the invitation of the Algerian Co-President of the Turco-Algerian Joint Economic Commission (JEC), the Anatolia News Agency reports. The delegation is expected to return to Turkey on May 21.[26] TURKISH FAIR IN ALGERIAThe Turkish Export Goods Fair, the biggest fair organized by Turkish firms abroad, will be opened today in Algeria. Four hundred businessmen and 160 firms from nine sectors will attend the Fair. Turkish businessmen expect to increase their exports to Algeria and to engage in joint investments. /Hurriyet/[27] EUROPE-MEDITERRANEAN ENVIRONMENT PARTNERSHIPCivil environment organizations have determined the factors threatening the Mediterranean and have asked the Europe-Mediterranean Partnership countries' Foreign Ministers to be more careful concerning the environment. The Partnership member countries' Foreign Ministers announced that they would give priority to both "environmental" and "water policies" issues immediately. The Eastern Mediterranean Environment Organization represented Turkey at the "European Environment Civil Forum" held on 13-15 April in Stuttgart. /Cumhuriyet/[28] CITIBANK's "JOINT ACCOUNT"Citibank has launched "Joint Accounts" application in Turkey. Under this scheme, deposit and current accounts are united. Citibank Representative, Ashok Vaswani, said that this was something special to Turkey, which has a great potential in the banking sector. Noting that although Citibank has been in Turkey for only three years, it has rapidly developed in the market; he he added that they also planned schemes for Turkish investors. /Hurriyet/[29] FRENCH CLIO TO BE PRODUCED IN TURKEYRenault Mais will produce its Clio in Turkey. Onur Baytok, the General Director of Renault Mais, said that they exported 70 thousand cars to Europe last year. He added that now their aim is to produce the Renault Clio. in Turkey and to export the cars to Europe. /Sabah/[30] TEXTILE SECTOR TO BE DISCUSSED IN ANTALYATurkish textile employers will meet between 22-27 May in Antalya to discuss the current problems in the sector. Foreign Trade Undersecretary Yavuz Ege, State Planning Organization Undersecretary Orhan Guvenen and the Chairman of Turk-Is Bayram Meral, will also attend the seminar on "Restructuring the in Textile and Ready-to-Wear Sector" in Antalya. /Sabah/[31] 52ND ANNUAL ASSEMBLY OF WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATIONA delegation headed by Rustem Zeydan, the Deputy Undersecretary of the Health Ministry, has gone to Switzerland in order to attend the 52nd Annual Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) which will be held in Geneva between May 17 and 25. Several issues including the budget for the years 2000-2001, struggle against polio and malaria, preventative medicine, the anti-smoking campaign, cloning in human health, and international health regulations will be discussed at the meetings. The delegation is expected to return to Turkey on May 26, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[32] TIME MAGAZINE DROPS ATATURKThe American magazine Time has withdrawn Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's name from its list for 'Person of the Century', the Anatolia News Agency reports. Ataturk had previously been dropped from the vote for the magazine's list of 'People Who Marked the Century' as well. Turkish Internet users living in the US reported that Ataturk was removed from the list for no obvious reason, despite holding the eighth position.[33] FREE ENTRY TO MUSEUMS DURING MUSEUM WEEKThe Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara will be celebrating 'Museum Week' from May 18-24. Designated by UNESCO as 'Protection of World Heritage Week', the event has been observed in Turkey since 1982. Entrance to museums around Turkey will be free during this one-week period. /All papers/[34] INTERNATIONAL TURKISH MAGAZINE: INVESTORNeptune Publications is continuing to issue the bi-monthly economic review, `Investor Turkey', which focuses on recent developments in the monetary and financial markets and relevant commentaries by analysts and economists. The magazine addresses itself in particular to portfolio investors. In its latest issue, `Investor Turkey' examines the privatization process in Turkey, new investment opportunities in the energy sector and the specifics of the new tax law. /Milliyet/[35] FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS[36] THE COST OF RADICALISM - BY ENIS BERBEROGLU (HURRIYET)Enis Berberoglu, a columnist for `Hurriyet', reflects on the current tension between the Democratic Left Party (DSP) and the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) which challenges the possibility of forming a feasible coalition government. Berberoglu writes:"Radical discourses limit one's scope of action in politics. Those who want to come to power have to put up with even the heaviest of criticisms. In an elegant maneouvre, Bulent Ecevit, the leader of the DSP, has changed his route towards the Opposition and left the burden of responsibility down to the MHP. For my own part, the results of the April 18 elections generated the most awful trouble for the DSP. It could not dare to form a coalition with the MHP because of the bad memories of the past. Declarations by the MHP officials that they have not changed since the 1970s, the headscarf dilemma of this party, and its apparent desire to place its own proponents in state organs heralded the coming of a difficult bargaining period. The DSP was aware of the fact that a government without the MHP was politically impossible for the future. Yet a partnership in government is not a destiny. The radicalism of the MHP has given the DSP the trump card that it had already been seeking. The leading figures of the MHP first denounced those journalists who were critical of them. Then they were `provoked' by the statements of Rahsan Ecevit and imposed the condition that Ecevit `apologize' from the MHP in order to continue the bargaining for the government. Consequently, the DSP has achieved what it wants. If MHP radicalism which it has conveyed from the street to politics were only to result in the interruption of the bargaining over a possible DSP-MHP government, it might be tolerated. However, the leader of the MHP is the most powerful candidate for Prime Minister. Now he has a greater chance to become the Prime Minister. Does Devlet Bahceli, the MHP leader, have the opportunity to repeat the radical discourse he has displayed against Ecevit on every platform and in every situation? For example, can he repeat it before the National Security Council while defending the `headscarf' issue? Can he do so when he is pressed by Clinton on the issues of Cyprus and human rights during a possible visit to Washington? Can he do so when criticism from both the national and international press hots up? Will he break the links with them, as he did with Ecevit, or will he stand for the rights of his voters? The question that distinguishes a party leader from a statesman is that simple. Perhaps, what Bulent Ecevit wants to remind Devlet Bahceli of is the `cost of radicalism'. Consequently, a possible partnership between the DSP and the MHP will rest on a more robust ground if it passes this examination." [37] ECEVIT AND TURKEY'S EXPECTATIONS - BY DOGAN HEPER (MILLIYET)Columnist Dogan Heper writes on the latest crisis in the formation of a government. A summary of his column is as follows:"Whatever Rahsan Ecevit says cannot be considered her own personal views. As opposed to the wives of other leaders whatever she says may be viewed as reflecting the opinions of her husband, Bulent Ecevit. It is of great importance these days when her words concern the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) with which Ecevit has been hesitating to form a coalition goverment for days.... The public is curious to know why the Ecevits have felt compelled to make such harsh statements concerning the MHP which was seen as a probable coalition partner for the Democratic Left Party (DSP). Turkey is in a bottleneck both in her domestic and foreign policy affairs. Therefore, the DSP may hesitate to stay in power. This unexpected statement may be an excuse for not coming to power. On the other hand, they may be trying to get advantage points for the DSP by squeezing the MHP into a corner. Then again, the DSP may want to lead Turkey ito a new Election where it hopes to get better results. If the real reason was a belief felt within the DSP and the general public that it was too early for the MHP to become a coalition partner, shouldn't they have stated it clearly and earlier? Maybe Ecevit has tried to destroy the probability of a partnership which was not damaged by the leaking of the protocol to the press, through the words of Mrs. Ecevit. Thus, the MHP would be the party which would have closed the doors to partnership expectations. On the issue, President Suleyman Demirel urges the leaders to let bygones be bygones and says that, if not, no one would be able to find a party with whom to enter into a coalition. He added that recalling the past would not be productive and both the conditions and the people in politics have changed. What he is suggesting is to turn over a new leaf for the benefit of the country. Therefore, in addition to the efforts of Bulent Ecevit, he is also working on the formation of a government in conjunction with Mesut Yilmaz. The DSP and the MHP are the parties which may be considered the last to agree on issues but the conditions compel them to do so. As Ecevit cannot stay in power with only 22% of the votes, is there any other way but to agree? Twenty-two days have passed since he was assigned to form the government, and Turkey is faced with problems which cannot wait any more. The economy is sounding the alarm, the budget law has not been passed yet, and what is more Greece is forming a network of missiles near our borders. These are only some of the problems facing us. Before the Election, Ecevit had said that the people would determine his partner. If he believed that he would succeed in forming a coalition with the Motherland Party(ANAP) and the True Path Party(DYP) why did not he say so from the beginning? The fact that the politicians are dragging their heels is costing the country a great deal." [38] SPECIAL KOSOVO[39] TURKISH F-16 FIGHTERS JOIN BOMBARDMENT OF YUGOSLAVIAFollowing the decision to open up bases for NATO use, Turkish aircraft are said to be participating more actively in the bombardment of Yugoslavia. Meanwhile, the daily briefing by the Turkish General Staff reported yesterday that NATO jets flew a total of 394 hours over Yugoslavia. Turkish jets contributed 29 hours to that total. Turkey has taken in more than 15,000 Kosovar refugees since the NATO bombing campaign began on March 24.On the other hand, as poor weather forced the cancellation of most NATO flights over Yugoslavia over the past 24 hours, diplomatic traffic accelerated yesterday in attempts to settle the conflict in the embattled Serbian province. In a further development, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder made an unexpected trip to Finland yesterday, increasing speculation that Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari is preparing to take a central role in seeking a solution to the Kosovo crisis. Viktor Chernomyrdin, Russia's Balkans envoy, said yesterday that he would visit Yugoslavia and Finland within the next few days to continue Moscow's efforts to resolve the crisis. /All papers/ [40] TURKISH PILOTS ON CNNThe Turkish F-16 squadron posted Ghedi AirBase in Italy has been very successful in hitting its targets since the beginning of the conflict in Kosovo. The success of the Turkish pilots has been broadcasted by the CNN television station. It is reported that the Russian-made SAM missile system, which warns the pilot of any attack, are loaded onto Turkish F-16 aircraft. It is added that Turkish pilots have gained a great deal of experience during these strikes.Meanwhile, Turkey will send eight more F-16 aircraft to take part in the NATO operations in Kosovo. Once NATO aircraft are based at Balikesir and Bandirma, these eight F-16s will be under NATO command. /Sabah/ [41] US, NATO, KOSOVO - BY HIKMET CETINKAYA (CUMHURIYET)Hikmet Cetinkaya, a columnist for `Cumhuriyet', reflects on Turkey's decision to open up her airbases to NATO forces for the ongoing airstrike against Yugoslavia. Cetinkaya writes:"While we are discussing Merve Kavakci and the forming of the new government, Turkey has entered the war in the Balkans. From now on, NATO will strike Serbia using fighters departing from Turkey. Intensive preparations are in progress in Balikesir and Bandirma airbases. Italy, Germany and Greece have already declared their political opposition to the current operation. In this respect, it becomes crucial to consider US aspirations for the next century. In `Covert Action', a dissident magazine issued in the US, Ellen Ray and Bill Schaap evaluate the Kosovo operation conducted by NATO and make an important remark on the `global policing' function of the US. They say, `The strategy of the US Administration, in order to play its self-evident global policing role is now defined in terms of a US military one-sidedness, evolving both within and outside the US. Following the end of the Cold War and the erosion of the Soviet Bloc, it has been eventually understood that the main goal of the US is to become the only superpower in the world. In spite of the fact that Washington (and the Wall Street) have always been quite passionate about controlling the world economy (and this is what we call "globalization"), now it is accepted in many circles that it tends towards achieving this goal with recourse to direct military methods.' Is Turkey a strong power in NATO? Our answer is, `No!'. For if it had been strong, it would have rejected the US demand to use Turkish air bases for the airstrike. Now, Turkey has directly entered the war; she has fallen within the circle of fire. While most of the world has denounced the strike on the Chinese Embassy by NATO missiles, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem say, `As NATO, we have fulfilled our task!' Now let us have a look at Ray and Schaap's US-NATO scenario: `In order to prevent any possible veto against her military adventures, the US has shown an increasing preference for NATO rather than the UN. However, since there is also a certain amount of opposition within NATO, the Pentagon acts either solely or in conjunction with one of her docile allies. The attacks against Sudan and Afghanistan last August were recent examples of military actions engaged in by the US on its own. Whereas the latest bombings against Iraq, a US-UK joint operation, have been carried out without the consent of either NATO or the UN. Despite the disenchanted and its opponents, Washington never ceases to involve in new plans for new formations which will compete with NATO, if not replace it, if those US "cowboy" operations are hampered. This programme has already gained roots in Eastern Europe, where the Pentagon has endorsed dual military agreements with 13 countries. The aim is to expand towards Caucasia and the former Soviet Asia. The result is an unofficial alliance which is paralle to NATO but which is more loyal to US benevolence. Another consequence of this programme is that the Pentagon has been gradually shadowing the US State Department as the most visible element of US foreign policy.' All those recent developments have reminded us of a January 1999 report by Judith S. Yaphe, an experienced researcher from the US National Defence University. She says, `Turkey has troubles with all of her neighbours. Despite US interests, she may restart her multidimensional relations with her neighbours, namely Iran and Iraq. Now Turkey has entered the war. She is in the midst of a dangerous game." Note: Turkish Press Review will not be issued tomorrow on the occasion of the May 19 Youth Festival. Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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