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Turkish Press Review, 99-06-03Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>03.06.99Summary 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] OCALAN DRAWS TO AN ENDThe trial of Abdullah Ocalan is drawing to an end as on Wednesday Presiding Judge Turgut Okyay adjourned to today the proceedings asking the prosecutor and defense to prepare their final presentations; this is much earlier than the deadline set previously. On Wednesday the court continued interrogating the separatist chieftain, who admitted overall responsibility for PKK terrorism but denied responsibility for most of the gang's deadly attacks. He also denied ever ordering the murder of disobedient gang members.Continuing to reveal the gang's foreign collaborators, Ocalan reconfirmed that the PKK received financial assistance from Greece as well as being provided with training bases on Greek territory. He also confirmed that the Greek-Cypriot administration has been sending money to the separatists and claimed that several other European countries have been providing them with financial assistance. /All papers/ [04] ECEVIT PLEDGES A FRUITFUL GOVERNMENTPrime Minister and Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Bulent Ecevit said that the coalition government, which is expected to get the vote of confidence next week from Parliament, will be harmonious and fruitful and promised huge developments in the coming few months'. Speaking at his party's group meeting in Parliament, Ecevit said that the lawmakers should settle for a short recess and must complete the passing of amendments to the laws and the Constitution during the summer. Apart from this, the most important issue for the government is approving the 1999 budget, Ecevit stressed.Constitutional amendments, to change the structure of the State Security Courts, limit the immunities of deputies, ministers and the prime minister, pass the banking and repentance laws and social security reforms are also top issues, said Ecevit. /All papers/ [05] ECEVIT: "OCALAN TRIAL IS TURKEY'S PRIDE"Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that the Ocalan trial process has been going smoothly. However, he added, it was the shame of other countries which had tried to teach Turkey about human rights, democracy and civilization. In his party's assembly meeting yesterday, Ecevit said that there was a perfect system underway in the Mudanya-Gemlik-Imrali triangle and added that Ocalan's announcements had clearly disclosed what kind of international conspiracy Turkey has been faced with for years. Recalling that those countries which had refrained from trying Ocalan, had no right to cast a shadow on the Turkish legal system, Ecevit noted that the Italian members of the press had left Imrali as they had not found any issue to exploit. He stressed that the trial would be an important step in drying out both national and international sources of terrorism in Turkey. /Turkiye/[06] BARSONY: "OCALAN'S TRIAL IS FAIR"A member of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly, Hungarian Deputy Andras Barsony, said that the trial of the head of the PKK terrorist organization, Abdullah Ocalan, has been fair to date. Barsony who followed the third day of the trial on behalf of the Parliamentary Assembly remarked that the trial was completely above-board and was running smoothly. Meanwhile, another member of the Parliamentary Assembly, Walter Schwimmer, said in a statement in Vienna yesterday that the trial was being held in a fair atmosphere. /Hurriyet/[07] EUROPE CUTS ITS SUPPORTA senior official from the Greek Embassy in Ankara said yesterday in reference to Ocalan's accusatory statements about Greece, a country which did not give him political asylum, that it was not the first time that Greece had been faced with such unjust claims. The Greek SKY TV correspondent in Mudanya noted that if Ocalan declared that he had met Simitis, this would cause great problems with Turkey. Meanwhile, the British Embassy in Ankara announced that it was wrong to comment on a trial still in progress and they had no intention of intervening in Turkey's domestic issues. Moreover, the British media did not cover the Ocalan trial very much yesterday although Ocalan's statements against Britain were censured. The British media was highly critical of Ocalan's cowardice.Furthermore, the Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman, H. Riza Asefi, yesterday rejected Ocalan's claims that the PKK has a hospital in Iran. /Aksam/ [08] CIVILIAN RESERVE JUDGE ON OCALAN'S TRIALA civilian reserve judge Mehmet Maras is also attending Ocalan's trial, which has been in progress for three days on Imrali Island. It is reported that Maras is following the trial in case of an amendment to the structure of the State Security Courts (DGMs). If the DGMs are put under complete civilian control, military judge Colonel Abdulkadir Davarcioglu will withdraw from the trial. /Hurriyet/[09] OCALAN'S LAWYER: "RESPECTABLE TRIAL"One of the lawyers of Abdullah Ocalan, Kemal Bilgic, made a statement yesterday and said that the trial has been continuing respectably for three days. Thus, a response has been given to some Western critics who claimed that Ocalan's trial in Turkey would not be fair. /Hurriyet/[10] NO LAWYERS TODAYThe lawyers who have undertaken Ocalan's defence and the relatives of Abdullah Ocalan declared that they would not attend today's hearing. Remarking that they are faced with grave difficulties in finding a hotel in Mudanya or Bursa, Niyazi Bulgan, one of Ocalan's lawyers, said, "It is a de facto impossibility to carry out a defence under these circumstances. We have been looking for a hotel in Bursa and Gemlik but nobody has provided us with accomodation. Those hotel managers who have let us stay have been subject to threats and eventually changed their mind. We are not going to attend the hearing, and nor will Ocalan's family. Yet we are not withdrawing from the defence. We will simply not attend today's hearing. Then we will evaluate the situation." /Sabah/[11] OCALAN CHARGES BRITAINIn the third day of his trial, Abdullah Ocalan brought heavy charges against Britain. Ocalan said, "Britain broadcasts against me. I believe that they have strong manipulative tendencies and are pursuing a deliberate Kurdish policy in this way. Britain wants the Kurds to remain a problem for Turkey; I have developed my own attitude against this." /Hurriyet/[12] PALESTINE DENIES SUPPORT TO PKKFuat Yasin, the Palestinian Ambassador to Ankara, has denied Ocalan's argument that PKK militants had been trained in camps belonging to the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and said, "The PLO has never supported the PKK". Remarking that they had no ties with either the PKK or Abdullah Ocalan, Yasin said that certain groups excluded from the PLO might have supported the PKK. /Milliyet/[13] FOREIGN PRESS ON OCALAN'S TRIAL`La Repubblica': An article written by Giorgio Bocca claimed that Ocalan was forced to speak. Il Messaggero: Ocalan does not agree with the accusations and blames someone else. La Stampa: The representative of the PKK, Abdurrahman Cadirci, said: "It would be better to bargain with the PKK".`The New York Times': Ocalan's extra-ordinary statement has confused everyone. Washington Post: Ocalan wanted the Turkish state to spare his life. `La Libre Belgique': Ocalan's repentance left the PKK breathless. Le Monde: Ocalan's statement was based on his wish to live. `Daily Telegraph': Ocalan who initially seemed to be calm later became anxious following statements by members of those families who had lost their relatives due to PKK activities. `The Times': Very emotional moments were experienced at Tuesday's session when family members who had lost their relatives during the struggle against the PKK made their statements in court. `Bild': Ocalan, supposedly so charismatic, appeared extremely cowardly during the hearing; Ocalan asked for forgiveness and for his life to be spared. `To Vima': A hero can afford to lose his life for his principles; Ocalan cannot be a hero. Etnos: While listening to Ocalan's statements full of betrayal, I was ashamed on behalf of those who had burnt themselves and gone to prison for Ocalan. Ocalan does not deserve them. Katimerini: Ocalan has become a mere tool in the hands of Turkey. /Hurriyet/ [14] WALL STREET: "WE ADVISE YOU, APPROACH THE TURKS"An article drawn up by Robert Pullock, the chief editor of the Wall Street Journal Europe, begins with these words: "If one seeks for a good friend, I advise him to approach the Turks." The Wall Street criticizes the West which always tries to undermine Turkey: "They are always loyal to the NATO Alliance. Turkey is the most democratic and liberal country in the Muslim world. Yet, whenever the foreign media turns its spotlight on this country, they always see violations of human rights, antidemocratic incidents, attacks against the Kurds or attempts to counter the Islamic extremists. They have done the same thing in the trial which started this week; they have concentrated on the Turkish legal system, the State Security Courts (DGMs) and the death penalty. They have ignored the discussion of whether or not Ocalan is a bloody murderer responsible for the deaths of 37 thousand people. If there is something which should be scrutinized by the West, it is definitely the successes of Turkey on the path to modernization and freedom initiated by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk 75 years ago. However, even this has been unable to persuade the West. They are still refusing Turkey entry to the EU. This results in the stregnthening of extreme factions inside the country. The incredible liberalization in the Turkish economy should be appreciated by European critics. Even though the standards of Turkish institutions are not sufficient for unification with Europe, Turkey's integration with the West is an inevitable fact." /Sabah/[15] PKK TO ABANDON ARMSThe PKK's news agency, DEM, sent a fax message to the French AFP News Agency yesterday saying that the PKK will put down its weapons. Meanwhile, depending on PKK sources, the German SAT 1 TV channel announced that the 15-year long armed conflict was over. DEM announced that Ocalan's declarations were "comprehensive declarations for a political solution, peace and brotherhood. It added that the PKK organization would fight for another fifteen years if necessary but this was enough. /Turkiye/[16] DEMIREL SCOLDS EUROPEPresident Suleyman Demirel gave a conference on "The World and Turkey in June 1999" yesterday at the War Academy Headquarters in Istanbul. In his speech Demirel scolded European countries who supported to the PKK. He noted Turkey had signed 11 international cooperation agreements against terrorism. However, he added, European countries who were members of NATO, the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) continued their support for terrorism. The President also criticised some opinion who have likened the circumstances in Kosovo to the situation in Southeastern Anatolia. He made a call to the world asking for a more objective approach to the situations. /Sabah/Turkiye/[17] ECEVIT SENDS A MESSAGE TO EUPrime Minister Bulent Ecevit sent a message to the current European Union (EU) Chairman and German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroder, asking him to take care of Turkey at the Cologne Summit. The message said, "In order to improve Turco-European Union (EU) relations, please be concerned Ankara's anxieties. Turco-EU relations should be saved from the prejudice of Greece. The political will exists to improve mutual relations between Turkey and the EU." Diplomatic circles noted that Germany is the key country which can protect Turkey from Greek veto. /Aksam/[18] "TURCO-EU RELATIONS SHOULD BE SET ON NEW FOOTING"Belgian Prime Minister Jean-Luc Dehaene said that Turkey was accepted within the European Union (EU) and relations between Turkey and the EU should be set up again on a new footing. He noted that Ankara should hold special status adding, "Turkey is a NATO member country and has a particular status in the Western European Union. Additionally, Turkey's place within the new European defence system will be described." /Turkiye/[19] TURKEY WANTS EU TO TAKE STEPSIt is expected that a hope-inspiring message will be issued following the EU summit which will start in Cologne today. Turkey wants the EU to take concrete steps to normalize Turco-EU relations and to correct the mistake it made during the Luxembourg summit. However, it is reported that the probable death penalty verdict following Ocalan's trial on Imrali Island may cause strained relations between Turkey and the EU. /Cumhuriyet/[20] "WE INVITE ATHENS TO ACT MORE RATIONALLY"Defence Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu said that Greece not only created problems in the Aegean but also set up her foreign policy on these problems and called for Athens to act more rationally. He noted, "Certain islets in the Aegean have been inherited by us from the Ottoman period. If there were any international agreement following a war which determines which islet belongs to which country, Turkey would obey it. However, if there is no such distinction decided by an agreement, the islets belong to the country which inherited them; this is a principle of international law." /Aksam/[21] NIKOLAU: "TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER'S LETTER IS BEING EXAMINED"The Deputy Spokesman of the Greek Government, Yannis Nikolau, said that the letter sent by Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem to Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreu was being examined by officials. Nikolau stated at a press conference that Cem had proposed cooperation on security issues. Nikolau added: "Greece has not issued a response yet but will do so in the near future", the Anatolia News Agency reports.[22] PKK CRUMBLESThe dissolution begun within the terrorist PKK organization following the capture of Abdullah Ocalan has increased at a remarkable rate with the Imrali Trial. The most interesting example of this dissolution has been observed in Gaziantep Prison, where 50 prisoners applying to the administration have changed their wards and have hung Ataturk's poster and the Turkish flag on the walls of their new ward. /Sabah/[23] 'A SUICIDE BOMB' IN SIRNAKTwo members of the PKK terrorist organization carrying a bomb wished to enter the 23rd Gendarmerie Border Division Command in Sirnak yesterday. A village guard stopped these men and requested them to reveal their identities. The terrorists panicked and exploded the bomb. As a result of the explosion, the daughter of the village guard was seriously wounded and taken to hospital. One of the terrorists died, while the other managed to escape; Officials remarked that a search to find the terrorist was underway.Meanwhile, PKK terrorists attacked a military unit patrolling near Kusan, a village in the Mazgirt district of Tunceli, two days ago. Two soldiers died while one was wounded. A group of PKK members attacked village guards in Icpinar, a village in Bingol; one person died during the attack. /Hurriyet/ [24] ERSUMER, "WE ACCEPT INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION"The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Cumhur Ersumer, said that the coalition government was determined to lift the Constitutional obstacles in front of foreign investment in order to meet Turkey's energy requirements. In his statement to the press in Antalya, Ersumer noted that the energy sector is Turkey's most dynamic sector adding that the present 21,000 megawatt energy capacity will increase to meet Turkey's energy needs till the year 2020. He said, "Dams, power stations and natural gas pumping stations have been put out to tender. We have signed agreements with the U.S., Canada and France concerning how to put Turkey's hydro-electric resources to be put into service. Also, power stations which have received approval to be handed over to the private sector will be transferred very soon and in return we will obtain $ 200 million in revenue. The only problem in the energy sector is that there are some obstacles in the way of transferring foreign investment to Turkey for those projects benefitting from credits. The 57th coalition government is determined to make the necessary legal arrangements in the Constitution to ease the situation." /Aksam/[25] BAKU-CEYHAN SUMMIT IN ANTALYAEnergy and Natural Resources Minister Cumhur Ersumer yesterday visited Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev, who is currently on holiday in Antalya. Aliyev and Ersumer evaluated the recent developments in the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline project and decided to accelerate the process concerning the project. Ersumer remarked that four agreements regarding the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline project will be signed next month. /Hurriyet/[26] TURKISH DEFENCE INDUSTRY SELLS 200 ARMOURED VEHICLES TO MALAYSIAThe final stage has been reached in the sale of 200 armoured vehicles worth $350 million by the Turkish FNSS firm to the Malaysian army. It is reported that recent details are being discussed between Turkish and Malaysian officials and it is expected that a Malaysian delegation will come to Ankara shortly.Meanwhile, the FNSS firm started the initial delivery of the 133 armoured vehicles worth $75 milllion to the United Arab Emirates (UAE); an agreement was signed between the Turkish FNSS firm and the UAE two years ago for this purpose. /Hurriyet/ [27] REPRESENTATION OF PEOPLE OF TURKISH ORIGINAhmet Dogan, the leader of the Rights and Freedoms Movement (HOH), consisting of Turks living in Bulgaria, said that the Turkish minority should be represented in all public institutions especially in the Armed Forces. Dogan stated that Turks constituted 10 % of the Bulgarian population. /Cumhuriyet/[28] COOPERATION PROTOCOL SIGNED BETWEEN TURKEY AND SPAINThe Research Center for Development of Exports (IGEME) and the Spanish Foreign Trade Institute (ICEX) signed on Wednesday a cooperation protocol within the scope of the Spanish Industry Fair (Expotecnia 99), reported the Anatolia News Agency. The protocol, which was signed by Kursat Tuzmen, the Deputy Undersecretary of Foreign Trade and the Secretary of the IGEME, and by Jose Manuel reyero, the Deputy Chairman of ICEX, foresse development of economic cooperation and trade between the Turkish and Spanish companies. The protocol, which determines the project and target fields for interests of the sides, also foresses the development of an action plan to encourage investments.[29] ERKAN MUMCU: "TOURISM WILL BE GIVEN PRIORITY IN THE BUDGET"Minister of Tourism Erkan Mumcu received the chairmen and members of the executive boards of the Turkish Travel Agencies' Union, the Turkish Hotels' Union and the Turkish Tourist Guides' Union yesterday. He was informed about the recent situation in the tourism sector. Mumcu remarked that tourism would be given priority in the Budget. /Cumhuriyet/[30] HUNGARIAN DELEGATION TO VISIT GAPA Hungarian delegation will visit the southeastern Sanliurfa province and hold contacts with Turkish officials in the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region. According to the statement issued by the GAP Regional Development Directorate, the delegation headed by Zoltan Csomos, the Chief Consultant of the Hungarian Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry, will arrive in the region today. The delegation will visit the Korkuteli Observation Station, the historical Harran ruins and the Free Trade Zone in the region, reports the Anatolian News Agency.[31] THE NEW PROJECT OF FIAT ON TURKISH ROADSTofas-Fiat, which has changed its image with new generation automobiles like the Marea and Bravo to be produced in Turkey as well as Palio, is a strong candidate for a new automobile project by Fiat. Jan Nahum from the Executive Board of the Tofas Factory declared that Fiat is currently on the way to implementing a new automobile project of which 80% of the production will be exported; the factory in Turkey is among the strongest candidates for this project due to its effective capacity. Remarking that Tofas has started branched out and begun to export a remarkable amount, Nahum said, "The Palio Weekend exports to Europe have already started and numbers are increasing daily." /Sabah/[32] BANVIT TO INVEST IN ROMANIABanvit is to set up a factory in Romania. The Banvit Executive Board announced that they have decided to set up a company in Romania, "S.C. Banvit Aliment Romania S.R.L.", with a capital investment of $ 50,000 in Romania.In another development, the Executive Board of Isiklar Packing has decided to purchase the 50 % share of the Egypt Sack factory in return for $ 2 million. The factory has the capacity to produce 80 million sacks. /Star/ [33] WORLD ADVERTISING AGENCIES IN TURKEYThe International Open-Air Advertising Agencies' Union (FEPE) is holding its General Council meeting in Istanbul. During the meeting to be attended by nearly 200 members, recent developments in the world advertising sector, the situation of the sector in the future and joint marketing strategies will be discussed. The meetings which started yesterday will end on June 5. /Hurriyet/[34] TURKISH EMBROIDERY IN THE USBroderi Narin will advertise its products in the US after campaigns in Germany, Spain and Japan. Cengiz Narin, the head of the Executive Board of Broderi Narin, a company which has been active in the home textile sector for 75 years, remarked that they aimed to promote Turkish embroidery to the whole world. /Hurriyet/[35] SIXTH INTERNATIONAL ISTANBUL JAZZ FESTIVALThe sixth International Istanbul Jazz Festival will be held between July 7-18, 1999. Almost 300 Turkish and foreign musicians will attend the Festival organized by Istanbul's Culture and Art Foundation. /Hurriyet/[36] FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS[37] IMRALI CASE, TERRORISM AND DEMOCRACY - BY ALI BAYRAMOGLU (STAR)Columnist Ali Bayramoglu comments on the situation in Southeastern Anatolia. A summary of his column is as follows:"During the trial on Imrali, along with the revelations of Ocalan, and the change in the structure of the State Security Courts (DGM) there is another problem which has to be discussed in all its facets and implications: the situation in Southeastern Anatolia. Not only the problems created by terrorism or the loss of thousands of lives due to terrorism, but also polarization within the country, tension, the political future of Turkey, the relation between the military and civilian authorities , Turkey's relations with the West, and the choices she has to make entering the 21st century are based on the Southeastern Anatolia issue and it seems that this tendency will continue. We need to open a debate on the widespread belief that if Ocalan is the only person responsible for the problems experienced in Southeastern Anatolia, will his punishment or execution end all these problems? The question of how to prevent terrorism has gained the utmost importance. Will it be quelled by security measures or by introducing democracy and freedom of expression? The answers to these questions are concerned with the definition of terrorism, or the source and relation of terrorism to the society. Despite finding a correlation between terrorism and social demands, those who say that this relationship is dangerous and destructive and the problem could only be solved by its eradication favour democracy. On the other hand, the understanding which believes it to be a crime to express any correlation between terrorism and social demands, in fact, encourage the very existence of what they want to suppress by their policies. Turkey is not only paying for the murders committed by this terrorist organization but also for the misguided steps taken. It is still in Turkey's hands to change these mistaken policies." [38] AFTER OCALAN - BY DERYA SAZAK (MILLIYET)Columnist Derya Sazak writes on Ocalan's trial and questions his words. A summary of his column is as follows:"As the trial on Imrali Island proceeds, it becomes clear how Ocalan has used the 'Kurdish Identiy' as a 'separatist' weapon against Turkey. In his written statement Ocalan denies 'separatism' and mentions the 'National Pact' and how the Kurds helped in the foundation of the Republic. Starting with this, he is trying to explain how he organized the second biggest uprising in Republican history. How else can you define 'treason'? Start a guerilla war based on ethnic reasons like a civil war, cause the deaths of 30 thousand people in 15 years and then apologise and try to politicize the PKK in court! We are suprised at Ocalan's courage. No one should define him as a coward because he has apologised, it should not be forgotten that he may think of tactical moves which will create problems for the Turkish State before the trial is over. Ocalan describes the trial on Imrali as a milestone for peace and confesses that the dream of a Kurdish State for which he has led thousands of young people into the mountains was not realistic. The head of the PKK says to the militants in the mountains that only the democratic Republic can protect them. Turkey has to plan for the period after Ocalan without waiting for the decision of the court. It is the right time to view Southeastern Anatolia through the eyes of democracy and take the Kurdish card from the hands of the separatists. This chance should not be lost. [39] * * * *[40] SPECIAL KOSOVO[41] CEM: "WE ARE IN FULL AGREEMENT ON KOSOVO"Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem said yesterday that there was full political agreement in Turkey concerning the NATO air strikes against Yugoslavia. He added that the ground operation, at the moment, is not on NATO's agenda of NATO. /Aksam/[42] TSK STATEMENT ON KOSOVOIt is reported that the involvement of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) in NATO air strikes against Yugoslavia is continuing in line with the rules outlined in both the Constitution and laws. According to a statement issued by the Hasan Tahsin Information Centre at the General Staff's Office, if the Kosovo Peace Agreement is signed, a 950-strong battallion from Turkey will participate in the peace-keeping force established by NATO in order to assist the implementation of the agreement, the return of Kosovar refugees to their homes and to support infrastructural services. Decision No.596 was approved by the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) for that purpose. /Cumhuriyet/[43] RED CRESCENT CAMP IN MACEDONIAA Turkish Red Crescent (Kizilay) camp in Macedonia is providing services to thousands of Kosovar refugees. There are currently 3,000 refugees in the camp, set up by NATO at the beginning of April, in Boyana near the Macedonian capital of Skopje. Nearly 10 days after its establishment, the camp was handed-over to the Red Crescent. /Cumhuriyet/[44] 16,790 KOSOVAR REFUGEES IN TURKEYThe number of Kosovar refugees who were forced to leave their homes due to the ethnic cleansing campaign in Kosovo, and took shelter in Turkey, have reached 16,790, reports the Anatolian News Agency. According to the statement issued from the Ministry of the Interior, a total of 7,484 Kosovars have arrived in the Corlu Airport in Tekirdag, 7,194 regugees have entered Turkey from the Kapikule Border Gate in Edirne, whereas 2,112 others have arrived in the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul. The statement noted that 7,233 of these Kosovars have been provided with shelter in the Gaziosmanpasa Refugee Camp in Kirklareli.END Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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