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Turkish Press Review, 99-06-04Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>04.06.99Summary 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] 57TH GOVERNMENT PROTOCOL BEFORE PARLIAMENTThe protocol of the 57th government of Turkey is to be presented to Parliament's General Assembly today. The government is expected to receive a vote of confidence from Parliament next Wednesday. Debates on the government protocol are to begin on Monday, the Anatolia News Agency reported. All political parties in Parliament will have the opportunity to express their thoughts on the protocol before the General Assembly. According to the Constitution, a simple majority of 276 votes of the total 550 are needed for a vote of confidence.[04] REGARDING OCALAN'S TRIALIn his statement drying yesterday's hearing, the PKK chief Abdullah Ocalan said that after 20 years, the PKK leadership had reached the conclusion that no solution to the problem could result from terrorism. "Now I would like to call on the PKK to convene for peace taks. We previously reached the decision to make peace. All I want is a positive reply," he said.He presented an 81-page written defence to the court calling for an historic political reconciliation, an opportunity for the settlement of what he described as the "Kurdish problem" and an end to the PKK-led latest upsurgence of the Kurds. /All papers/ [05] EU REPORTER: "OCALAN CONTRADICTS HIMSELF"Andreas Barsony, the EU's Reporter for Turkey, said that Abdullah Ocalan while making calls for peace is contradicting himself and he seems to have lost his control over the organization. Watching the fourth day of the Ocalan trial, Barsony answered the questions of a group of journalists. Barsony said that Ocalan seems healthy and it is apparent that he is being held in comfortable conditions. Answering a question concerning Ocalan's wish for peace, Barsony said, "They have made calls for peace before as well. He contradicts himself; he says `I can ensure the surrender of those PKK militants in the mountains and thereby stop terrorism', but when questions about the actions of the PKK, he says `I do not know". It seems he has lost his control over the PKK. You cannot trust Ocalan." Barsony also added that the trial process is just. Meanwhile, responding to an American journalist's claims that there are considerable restrictions on the prtess in Turkey, Barsony answered, "I was told that Kurdish newspapers were banned. However, I bought a Kurdish newsapaper in Diyarbakir. There was an interview with Ocalan in it. Notwithstanding, I was not subject to any kind of maltreatment." /Milliyet/Hurriyet/[06] LEBEDEV: "A JUST TRIAL IN A MODERN ATMOSPHERE"Alexander Lebedev, the Russian Ambassador to Ankara, said that the trial of Ocalan is being undertaken in a "modern atmopsphere, as in modern states", adding "Ocalan has been tried justly so far. I hope it will carry on this way." Stressing that Turkey is a modern country, the Russian Ambassador said, "I do not think that this issue will influence Turkey's image. Russia regards this question as a domestic problem for Turkey. We believe that there are other issues between Russia and Turkey which deserve priority." /Hurriyet/[07] THE TIMES: "OCALAN IS INCONSISTENT"`The Times' reported that the statements of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the terrorist PKK, during his trial on Imrali are full of inconsistencies. In an article published in yesterday's `Times', it was said, "While on the one hand Ocalan says that he is ready to persuade the PKK to give up the armed struggle, on the other, he argues that the most terrific violent actions of the organization were committed by those groups outside of his control. During Wednesday's hearing, when he was asked whether or not there is a Kurdish question in Turkey, he said that Kurds had been deprived of the right to speak their own language between 1983-1991 but that the human rights record of Turkey has recovered since then. In this respect, he has lost the opportunity to explain for what he has been fighting up to now." On the other hand, `Financial Times' wrote, "Ocalan has accepted the charges made against him; he is in an attitude of complete surrender." Meanwhile, the Italian `Il Messaggero' daily argued that Ocalan disappointed those people who fled the region, leaving their 4,000 villages behind. /Hurriyet/[08] 1,028 MEMBERS OF THE PRESS USING PRESS CENTRE1,028 members of the domestic and foreign press applied up to now to the press centre set up by the General Directorate of Press and Information. It is announced that the authorization of foreign press members is still continuing. News from the Anatolia News Agency is being translated into English, German and French and being issued to foreign media representatives. /Turkiye/[09] PKK OFFENDED BY OCALANThe terrorist PKK organization has been shocked by the statements of Abdullah Ocalan. PKK terrorists, particularly those who are still in prison, refuse to listen to TV or radio bulletins so as not to hear any news concerning Ocalan's statements. Other groups who are still in the mountains talk to each other through radio-communications asking, "Have we suffered a miserable life for years for nothing?" Terrorists are realizing that they have been dying for nothing and chasing for a dream which could never be achieved.Meanwhile, most of the terrorists in prison have declared stated their loyalty to the State and some still in the mountains have yielded to the State. /Aksam/ [10] PKK CAMPS IN THE NETHERLANDSIt has been proved that the PKK has training camps in the Netherlands. According to the Dutch Intelligence Service (BVD), the PKK set up political and military camps in the Netherlands in order to train those PKK members who come from Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia. It is reported that young people from other European countries were also trained there. The Dutch "De Telegraaf" newspaper reported that the government is aware of the existence of these camps. /Sabah/Star/[11] PKK TERRORISTS ISSUE A 'LOYALTY' PETITIONEight members of the PKK terrorist group in the Kahramanmaras E-category prison sent a petition to the Ministry of Justice in which they expressed their loyalty to the Turkish Republic. They declared their full belief in the unity of the State and their devotion to the Turkish Republic adding that the PKK is a terrorist organization.Elsewhere, a PKK terrorist was sentenced to a twelve-and-a-half-year prison term due to receiving explosives training in Romania. Furthermore, eight PKK terrorists were sentenced to death and another eight of them were sentenced to imprisonment between three and 10 years by Diyarbakir No.3 State Security Court. /Sabah/Star/ [12] PKK IN PANICIt is reported that PKK militants in the mountains of Northern Iraq have responded to Abdullah Ocalan's calls for peace during his trial on Imrali. According to data provided by the Turkish intelligence units, in a radio conversation between three PKK militants it was decided to support the `peace and democratization process' proposed by Ocalan. Experts commenting on the current situation of the terrorist organization remark that the PKK may concentrate on an `active defence system' and tend to merely respond to operations carried out by security forces, avoiding separate offensive actions of its own. /Milliyet/[13] IRAN PREVENTS DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST TURKEYIranian police did not permit a demonstration by a group of terrorists wishing to demonstrate against Turkey in front of the Turkish Embassy in Tehran. It was reported that some of the demonsrators were taken into custody. Since the capture of Ocalan, more than 10 demonstrators have died during pro-Ocalan demonstrations in various regions of Iran. /Aksam/[14] PKK MASSACRE IN NORTHERN IRAQ: 5 DEADAttacking a village under the control of Mesut Barzani's Kurdistan Democratic Party in Northern Iraq, PKK terrorists killed 5 persons, including women and children, and injured 11 others. Eyewitnesses reported that the PKK terrorists came from the Iranian border and fired rockets and automatic rifles on the village. /Hurriyet/[15] "SUPPORT FOR TERRORISM CANNOT BE FORGOTTEN"It is reported that Greece aims to evaluate the `joint anti-terrorism cooperation agreement' between the two countries, proposed by Ismail Cem, the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, only after the end of the current turmoil. Meanwhile, Turkish bureaucrats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Greece is simply striving to suppress the links between the PKK and Greece revealed during the process leading to the capture of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the terrorist organization. On the other hand, a Greek diplomat remarked that Greece's response to Cem's `three-paragraph' letter had been delayed due to the intense schedule of Greek Foreign Minister Papandreu, and said, "For such an agreement we need a more peaceful, tension-free athmosphere." In turn, sources from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted, "Recently Greece has been trying to give the impression that she enjoys good relations with Turkey. Yet their ultimate goal is to suppress their apparent ties with the PKK revealed during the capture of Ocalan. However, we have not let it be forgotten and we will continue to bear it in mind." /Milliyet/[16] GREEK HARRASMENT IN THE AEGEANSix Turkish aircraft flying from Balikesir and Bandirma to take part in Efes-99 exercises in the Aegean have been harrassed by Greek aircrast while flying over the northern parts Midilli Island. During the exercises, Greek aircraft followed Turkish aircraft closely distance, military sources reported. /Turkiye/[17] AKIN BIRDAL IN PRISONAkin Birdal, the President of the Human Rights' Association (IHD), who was sentenced to a one-year punishment due to a speech he delivered on World Peace Day, has been sent to prison. Issuing a statement prior to his entrance into prison, Birdal argued, "Parliament has turned Turkey into a semi-open prison by not removing the obstacles to freedom of thought and expression." /Milliyet/[18] ECEVIT'S HEAVY AGENDAPrime Minister Bulent Ecevit met the Chairman of the British Off-shore Trade and Investment Council, Prince Michael, yesterday in Ankara. At the meeting Ecevit informed his British guest of the goverment's aims and policies.Ecevit later met the representatives of some workers' associations and listened to their expectations of the new government. /Turkiye/ [19] EUROPEAN PMs DISCUSS TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENTPoliticians and experts from 25 European countries gathered in Ankara yesterday to discuss technological developments, as well as cooperation in solving the social problems they cause. The two-day conference is the work of the European Research and Coordination Assembly (EUREKA). Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli delivered the opening speech to the gathering. The participants will have been discussing three main topics: "The political determination to strengthen and renovate EUREKA," "Research and Development" and "EUREKA as an industrial witness." The conference ends today. /Sabah/[20] CAKICI FACES THE COURTThe trial of notorious mafia leader in detention Alaattin Cakici, who was arrested in France and has been detained there since 17 August 1998, got underway yesterday. It is expected that the criminal boss will be acquitted of the charges he is facing. /All papers/[21] FP'S SOUTHEASTERN MEASURESThe Virtue Party (FP) has called on Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to declare Turkey's Southeastern region a disaster area in a report entitled "The Southeastern Declaration". Some of the measures suggested by the study are as follows: the region should be declared a disaster area, the debts of Southeastern municipalities should be cancelled, Social Cooperation and Solidarity Fund resources should be distributed to residents of the region and mobile soup kitchens should be introduced. /All papers/[22] IMF REPRESENTATIVES TO ARRIVE ON 15 JUNECuneyt Sel, the Deputy Undersecretary of Treasury , announced that representatives from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would arrice in Turkey on 15 June for an exchange of views with Turkish economic experts. Sel added that the meeting would be no different from the usual meetings between Turkey and the IMF. Meanwhile, State Minister Hikmet Ulugbay said that Turkey would continue her consultations with the IMF in order to sustain the struggle against inflation. He added that Turkey aimed to receive the support of the IMF and international finance circles' for its anti-inflation programme. /Sabah/[23] 10 TRILLION TL FOR INCOMPLETED INVESTMENTSDeputy Undersecretary of the Treasury Ferhat Emil said that 10 trillion TL will be offered to incompleted investments in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia. In his speech to the Diyarbakir Trade and Industry Chamber Emil noted that they the decision of how to use the 10 trillion TL would be reached following meetings with regional businessmen. He added 26 provinces would be granted the benefits of the credit. /Aksam/[24] TURKEY PAYS BACK $3.5 BILLION FOREIGN DEBT IN FIVE MONTHSIt is reported that Turkey has repaid a total of $680.99 million in foreign debts in May 1999, a huge amount of which belongs to the Treasury. Meanwhile, a total of $3,549.69 million in foreign debts has been repaid in the first five months of 1999. /Hurriyet/[25] BUSINESSMEN MAKE PEACE WITH ITALYTurkish and Italian businessmen have decided to revive commercial relations between the two countries which were stretched to breaking-point following Italy's refusal to extradite the PKK chief, Abdullah Ocalan, to Turkey last winter. In this respect, Carlo Sangalli, the Chairman of the Milano Chamber of Commerce visited the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) and met Chairman Mehmet Yildirim. During the meeting, Yildirim said, "We were faced with a number of difficulties due to a misunderstanding. Following this meeting between the ITO and the Milano Chamber of Commerce, I believe we will turn back to the friendly days of old." In turn, Sangalli emphasized that they want to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. /Milliyet/[26] FOREIGN CREDIT FOR HALKBANKHalkbank has received a $ 200 million long-term credit from foreign sources. According to Halkbank representatives, the credit will be offered for the use of Small-and-Medium Scale Enterpreses (KOBI) in order to finance their exports and investments. /Sabah/[27] SPANISH PRINCE IN ISTANBULPrince Felipe de Borbon od Spain has arrived in Istanbul to attend a series of meetings organized in line with a cooperation protocol agreement signed between the Spanish Foreign Trade Instititution (ICEX) and the Research Centre for Improving Exports (IGEM) under the auspices Spanish Industrial Fair, "Expotecnia 99". During his visit the Prince will meet President Suleyman Demirel and various Ministers. Immediately after arriving yesterday in Istanbul, the Prince toured the Expotecnia 99 Fair and was informed about it. At the end of the visit, Borbon said that both Turkey and Spain have the political will to expand on their links in every field. /Sabah/[28] TREASURY PREPARATIONS FOR THE YEAR 2000The Treasury is continuing its work towards the more advanced liberalization meetings expected in the year 2000 under the chairmanship of the World Trade Organization. The Deputy Undersecretary of the Treasury, Cuneyt Sel, said that international discipline has taken the place of a national approach to trade. He added at the Uruguay Round of talks that it had been dec.ded to apply international principles to the services sector in order to increase its competitiveness in international trade. /Cumhuriyet/[29] G.I. JOE's TROUSERS PRODUCED IN ERZURUMTrousers used by the US Army are now being produced in Turkey. Farteks, an Erzurum-based Turkish textile company, has reached an agreement with US military officials to produce 100 thousand pairs of trousers for the US Army, to be delivered in July. Cem Cil, the General Director of Farteks, said, "Our target was to enter foreign markets and we have succeeded in doing so in a relatively short time. First, we produced nearly two million shorts for the Netherlands. Then we offered to manufacture trousers for the US Army. We yielded positive results from our efforts and have given the guarantee to deliver 100,000 pairs of trousers by July 1999." Cil added that their next goal is to enter the French market. /Hurriyet/[30] ERCIMSAM: AN EXAMPLE OF SUCCESSFUL PRIVATIZATIONErzurum Cement Company's (ERCIMSAN) production doubled after the company's privatization. The number of workers decreased and a substantial amount of money was saved after the privatization of ERCIMSAN, which is shown as a successful example of privatization in the Eastern Anatolia region, the Anatolia News Agency reported. Chairman of the ERCIMSAN Executive Board Lutfu Yucelik said that production increased from 208,000 tons to 400,000 tons a year and the target for this year is 600,000 tons. All debts to the Privatization Board have been paid off, said Yucelik, adding that their purpose is to initiate new investments with the income earned.[31] `SILK RAILWAY' PROJECT WITH GEORGIAThe 'Silk Railway' project, a joint venture between Turkey and Georgia, is being taken on board by the General Directorate of the Construction of State Harbours and Airports (DLH). Now, it is expected that the DLH will put the construction of the project. out to tender at a future date as yet to be announced. /Cumhuriyet/[32] TURK TELECOM ON INTERNETThe Turk Telecom web page - www.telekom.gov.tr. - has been opened for the use of Internet surfers. The page provides information about Turk Telekom, its services and application forms. /Cumhuriyet/[33] NAZIM HIKMET COMMEMORATEDTurkish poet Nazim Hikmet has been commemorated on the 36th anniversary of his death. Turkish artists, representatives of the Nazim Hikmet Foundation, the Mosturk Culture and Arts Foundation in Moscow, the Chairman of the Turco-Russian Business Council, Ali I. Ahiskalioglu, his friends and other Turkish and Russian officials attended the ceremony held at his grave in Moscow. /Cumhuriyet/[34] FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS[35] TRIAL: TURKEY'S ACHIEVEMENT - BY KURSAT BASAR (STAR)Columnist Kursat Basar writes on the Ocalan trial taking place on the island of Imralý. A summary of his column is as follows:"...Turkey's fight against Ocalan, beginning with his expulsion from Syria,is one of the most successful operations in history. The pressure put on Russia, Italy and Greece, the diplomatic initiatives taken, the bringing-back of Ocalan is a great achievement even if there had been US support behind it as some people claim. This is not only the feat of the government or of those handling the operation. The calm approach shown by the Turkish people towards this case can serve as an example to all. The chief of a terrorist organization which has been killing children and adults, even those it claims to defend, the purpose of which could not be understood, has been arrested; mothers who have lost their children because of him can only weep holding bills in their hands. Nobody even rails against Greece who is known to be behind this terrorist organization. Everyone is awaiting the outcome of the trial and believes that justice will prevail. Ocalan himself said that he has not been maltreated, and most important of all, stated that there is democracy in Turkey. He also expressed his readiness to serve in stopping the bloodshed in Turkey and apologised to the families of those killed. Turkey is working to put some technical details written in international agreements to practice. Everywhere people are voicing their opinions on the case freely, some saying that he should be executed, others saying that life-imprisonment for him would be better for Turkey's international relations. It is understood which foreign powers have been supporting terrorism in Turkey from what Ocalan has revealed. The European community, which does not believe the information we have on the matter, may believe Ocalan whom they favour. Leaving this aside, Turkey should continue its resolute stance and encourage Europe to take action against those of its members who support terrorism in neighbouring countries. The European press, which has been following the statements and stances of Ocalan at the trial, isawakening from its dreams of a romantic liberation movement. It seems that a change will be made in the structure of the State Security Courts. As the events the families of those killed because of the terrorist organization recount will be listened to, maybe Europe will see the other side of the coin which for years we have been unable to tell." [36] ULUGBAY'S DIAGNOSIS - BY FIKRET BILA (MILLIYET)Fikret Bila, a columnist for `Milliyet', reflects on his interview with State Minister Hikmet Ulugbay, a leading figure responsible for economic development in the new government, concerning the economic targets of the 57th government. Bila writes:"As Prime Minister Ecevit frequently stresses, one of the predominant targets of the 57th government will be the revival of the economy. What are the dimensions and characteristics of the current problem in the Turkish economy? We addressed this question to State Minister Hikmet Ulugbay. His diagnosis was as follows: `Since the economic crisis in Russia hit those sectors oriented towards the Russian markets, recovery in these sectors has been relatively slow. The growth rate of world markets this year is not expected to reach the levels of 1996-1997. That is, we are expecting a 3% rate of growth instead of the 9% experienced in the previous years. This tardy growth in the world markets is a contracting factor for us.' According to Ulugbay, these foreign factors have significant repercussions on the Turkish economy. He says, `It should be added that under these circumstances, a 7-million-dollar caqpital resource which left Turkey last year has not returned yet. It follows that there is an upward trend in interest rates, whereas domestic markets are faced with a "consumption delay". Furthermore, high rates of interest also lead to a rise in the costs of production.' Such is the diagnosis of Hikmet Ulugbay. Will the 57th government implement a special rejuvenation package then? `No,' answers Ulugbay, `there is no need for a special package. Turkey is able to cope with the burden of its debts. We have repaid a total of $30 billion in the first five months of the year and I think we will not encounter any problems in the second half.' Ulugbay contends that rejuvenation will be possible via the enactment of the Banking Law and the normal course of development of the Turkish economy. Is there a crisis in the banking sector? Ulugbay answers `No' again. Pointing out that misguided rumours have had a negative impact on this sector, he continues, `Certain rumours were spread in the economic circles without being confirmed by the Treasury. Some argued that most banks are under special control. There is no such thing. The media should be more responsible on this issue.' Ulugbay states that the markets will ease if legal regulations, such as the social security reform, are implemented. Finally, as regards the relations with the IMF, Ulygbay says, "An IMF delegation will arrive in Turkey on June 15. I presume they will be in Ankara on the 17th. In our previous meetings, we have already made preparations for the new government. What I will propose during these talks will be a fund-supported anti-inflation programme. What I mean is a programmatic struggle with inflation supported both by the IMF and other international funds.' Ulugbay does not seem to be in a panic; he is not pessimistic either. `Turkey is strong and capacious enough to overcome these problems', he says." [37] SPECIAL KOSOVO[38] STATEMENT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFFAccording to a written statement issued by the Office of the Chief of the General Staff, NATO aircrafts have been arriving in Turkey since 3 June in order to take part in the airstrikes from Turkish bases airports decision following of the Council of Ministers dated 27 April 1999 No.99_12688. Following consultations between Turkish and NATO officials it was decided that attack aircraft are to be posted to Balikesir and Bandirma air bases and cargo aircraft will be based at Corlu air base. Additionally, a 920-man unit has been sent to Kosovo in accordance with decision No.596 taken by the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) on 8 October 1998. /Cumhuriyet/[39] WHAT DID THIS WAR SERVE? - BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)Columnist Sami Kohen from "Milliyet" comments on the 'peace plan' accepted by the Milosevic Administration. A summary of his column is as follows:"This time it is certain: following 72 days of NATO air strikes against Yugoslavia, the Milosevic Administration has accepted the "peace plan". If the ruler in Belgrade does not go back on his word during the process of implementing this plan, the fighting in Kosovo has ended and the second dramatic page in the Balkans after Bosnia will be closed. As we cannot be too certain about what an authoritarian and proud leader like Milosevic could do at the last moment we have to receive with caution the good news about the acceptance of the plan presented by the G-8 countries.We hope that all doubts on the matter will be dispelled soon, the points foreeseen in the plan will be implemented, the strikes will end and peace and calm will prevail on Yugoslavian territory including Kosovo. At the end of the air strikes, the conditions NATO has put forward will be implemented: Serbian forces will withdraw from Kosovo, and they will be replaced by a peace force guided by NATO, Albanian refugees will return home, and the future political status of Kosovo will be determined within a wide autonomous framework. NATO has been able to achieve what it wanted without the use of ground troops, even though there have been some unfortunate mistakes made. The defiant stand of Milosevic has cost Yugoslavia dearly both materially and in the loss of lives. The Yugoslavs will ask themselves what purpose this war served when they reach a more democratic atmosphere. On the other hand, Russia has followed a consistent policy and has been accepted as an influential State, instrumental in achieving peace. It will undertake an important role in the implementation of the peace and therefore she is the side which gained the most from this problem. The Kosovar people have suffered the most in this war. Close to a million Albanians - half the population of the State - are reduced to refugee status. Cities, villages are burnt. Many Albanians have died or have been wounded. Probably the Kosovar Albanians will relate the tragedies suffered to future generations. Only two weeks ago, Milosevic was indicted of an ethnic cleansing campaign by the War Crimes Tribunal in the Hague. If international institutions had the power to implement the decisions they took through legal or political means, Milosevic would be apprehended and brought to justice. However, during the last few days everyone has been anticipating his reply to the peace plan. Now, everyone is hoping that he will fulfill his promise and they accept him as an official counterpart. From this process, Milosevic and not Yugoslavia has gained the advantage." Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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