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Turkish Press Review, 99-07-28Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>28.07.99Summary 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] ECEVIT: 'THERE ARE PKK TERRORISTS IN IRAN'Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit wanted Iran not to give shelter to the PKK terrorist organization. He expressed hope that the problems between the two countries would be solved through dialogue. "We do not have any negative attitude towards Iran, but it is a fact that a great number of PKK militants are based in Iran. Also, our soldiers being detained by Iran is unfair. We hope that they will be set free very soon," stated the Prime Minister.Meanwhile, President Suleyman Demirel criticized the countries which are giving support to the PKK and are providing shelter. He added, "Turkey has followed a peaceful policy for 75 years. However, this peaceful policy should not be evaluated as a sign of weakness. And Turkey's patience should not be tried." The Iranian Ambassador to Ankara, Huseyin Lavasani, was received yesterday by the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem, so as to discuss the recent negative developments in Turco-Iranian relations. They also negotiated the situation of the two Turkish soldiers who are still being held by Iran. Diplomatic sources announced that high-level officials both from Turkey and Iran will start talks today in an attempt to ease the ongoing bilateral tension. A five-member Turkish delegation will be heading today to Umraniye, Iran, where they will meet their Iranian counterparts. It was announced that the agenda of the meeting would also include the PKK camps an Iranian territories and the release of the two Turkish soldiers whom Iranian authorities arrested last week. Diplomatic efforts have borne fruit and the Tehran Administration stated to the Turkish Foreign Ministry that the two Turkish soldiers would be set free within a few days. Iranian news agencies expect that the Turkish soldiers will be released today. /Cumhuriyet/Sabah [04] THERE ARE 10 PKK CAMPS IN IRANThe Turkish Intelligence Service (MIT) announced that there are 10 PKK camps near the Turco-Iranian border and terrorists are trained in these camps. The same source stated that the terrorist organization which has been dealth some heavy blows in Northern Iraqi territories during recent years, has now moved some of its camps into Iranian territories. /Milliyet/[05] TURCO-GREEK TALKS POSITIVEThe first leg of the talks between Turkey and Greece proceeded in a positive atmosphere. "The talks were the first step to soften the climate. Both sides agreed that concrete results should not be expected in the short-term," said Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman Sermet Atacanli yesterday. During the second day of the talks Turco-Greek delegations debated trade relations and decided that legal arrangements should be realized in trade between the two countries which could be improved. They discussed environmental problems as well. Later on, the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem, received the Greek delegation.The negotiations will continue on Thursday and Friday in Athens with the discussion of joint actions against terrorism. Cultural cooperation and struggle against organized crime and illegal immigration will be discussed as well. Turkish officials say that the next round of talks depends to a great extent on the outcome of the talks on terrorism. "The point which can be reached in this process will become clear after the completion of the talks in Athens," said Atacanli. Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Faruk Laloglu will head the Turkish delegation in Athens. The Turkish side will attempt to secure a commitment from their Greek counterparts for the signing of an agreement on joint action against terrorism. Meanwhile, Turkish and Greek Foreign Ministers will meet on Friday at a summit concerning the reconstruction of the Balkans in Sarajevo to evaluate the results of the talks. /Cumhuriyet/ [06] ATHENS DESTROYS TABUSGreek Foreign Minister George Papandreu is continuing to alter Athens' tough attitude towards Turkey. In his statement to the Greek "Klik" magazine, Papandreu said that there are Turks among the Muslim minority in Western Thrache. He remarked, "In every part of Greece, people have the freedom to identify themselves in any way they like, unless they reject the territorial integrity of Greece. There is no doubt that most of the Muslims in Western Thrace originate from Turkey. Agreements are mentioned concerning Turkish minority." He added that the problem is that the name of the minority is mentioned along with the territorial sovereignity of Greece. He stressed that Athens is one of the rare European capitals which does not have a mosque and expressed his hope that a mosque would be constructed in the capital. "It is a pity that a Muslim does not feel that Athens is his home as there are no mosques but feels that the Western Thracian territorries are his real country. Everybody should feel that they are Greek citizens," said Papandreu. /Milliyet/Sabah/[07] OCALAN VERDICT REACHES SUPREME COURT OF APPEALSThe appeals file on the Abdullah Ocalan death sentence has reached the Supreme Court of Appeals, court officials reported yesterday. Ocalan was sentenced to death on charges of treason and separatism last month and is now being held in Imrali Prison.The files on Ocalan were carried from the Ankara State Security Court yesterday afternoon. Appeals Court Prosecutor Vural Savas is expected to process the files in 10 days and send the appeal request to one of the departments in the Supreme Court. /Cumhuriyet/ [08] GREEK NATIONAL TENNIS TEAM PRAISES TURKEYAs the negative effects of the PKK propaganda campaign against Turkey are still in effect in Europe, the Greek national tennis team which came to Izmir for the European Junior Tennis Championship qualifying matches praised Turkey.The captain of the Greek team, Vangelis Kakudakis, stated that negative propaganda against Turkey was around but added that this did not concern them. Kakudakis said that they did not believe that there was a security problem in Turkey. Noting that in Greece they had seen news items concerning the terrorist PKK organization and its chief he added, "Turkey and Greece are neighbours in the same geographical area. For various political reasons the Governments of both countries have faced each other. However, we do not believe that there is animosity between the Greek and Turkish nations. The fact that Greece has sent a team to Turkey without any hesitation is proof of this. We are happy to be in Izmir. As a Greek citizen I am happy to be in Turkey and can say that the teams and sportsmen of all countries can come to Turkey without any hesitation." /All papers/ [09] FISCHER OPPOSES SALE OF GERMAN ARMS TO TURKEYGerman Foreign Minmster Joscka Fischer is against the sale of weapons to Turkey and the German Foreign Ministry is putting pressure on German arms companies willing to participate in Turkish tenders. "It is true that Fischer is opposed to arms sales to Turkey, battle tanks in particular," reported the German press. Turkish officials also confirmed the reports. /Sabah/[10] FP FALLS APARTThe ongoing power struggle in the Virtue Party (FP) between the party's young reformists and those loyal to Necmettin Erbakan, the leader of the now-defunct Welfare Party (RP), ended with the resignations of four of the reformists on Monday. Political experts claim that Erbakan's intensive interference in the FP is behind the resignation of FP deputy chairman Cemil Cicek, Ali Coskun, Abdullah Gul, and Abdulkadir Aksu. His interference is also cited as one of the main causes of the ongoing closure case against the FP in the Constitutional Court. Experts added that FP grassroots are looking for a new leader who can fulfill their expectations, such as displaying harsher policies on the headscarf issue. /Cumhuriyet/[11] ARCELIK IS THE BEST IN TURKEYIn a traditional survey 'Capital 500' carried out by the monthly Capital Magazine, Arcelik continued to be the biggest industrial institution in Turkey with its 274.2 trillion TL turnover in 1998. Vestel came second while Ford Otosan came third in the survey. Arcelik also ranked first in this survey last year. /Hurriyet/[12] FORD OTOSAN KOCAELI FACTORYThe Ford Otosan Kocaeli Factory, the foundation of which was laid one year ago, will begin test productions at the beginning of the year 2000. The Factory is expected to cost $650 million and 80 % of its construction has already been completed. The production capacity of the Factory will be 160,000 vehicles. /Hurriyet/[13] STOCK EXCHANGE SUMMIT IN ISTANBULThe 'Third Conference and Fair for Stock Exchanges Developing World-Wide', jointly organized by the International Stock Exchanges' Federation and the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB), will be held in Istanbul on October 15-17. Developments in the capital markets of developing countries will be discussed, however, the aim of the Conference is to achieve an exchange of views and cooperation opportunities between the financial institutions of various countries. /Hurriyet/[14] ARBITRATION IS READY AT COMMISSIONResearch studies by the Constitutional Commission which is discussing a Constitutional amendment on international arbitration and privatization were completed last night. The Constitutional amendment foreseeing international arbitration, prepared by the Government in order to encourage foreign investments in Turkey, was literally approved by the Turkish Parliament's Constitutional Commission. The Constitutional draft envisages that in case of any intransigence stemming from investment and service agreements to be reached between public institutions and foreign investors, the parties concerned can apply to an international arbitrator. The Government is planning that the Constitutional amendment will be discussed during the General Council within this week. /Hurriyet/[15] GARANTI 'THE BEST BANK IN THE WORLD'In a survey conducted by 'Euromoney', known as the most prestigious financial institution in the world, Garanti Bank has broken away from more than 10,000 banks and become the 'Best Bank in the World'. According to the results of the survey published in the recent issue of 'Euromoney' magazine, Garanti Bank received this title because of the importance it attached to quality in its staff and management. Garanti Bank has previously been the 'Best Bank in Turkey' three times.The General Director of Garanti Bank, Akin Gungor, said yesterday that for the first time a Turkish bank had been elected the best in the world. Ongor stated that they were very honoured to be elected the best bank in the world. /Hurriyet/ Akin Ongor, also said that the 57th government has been successful in decreasing the political tension in Turkey. In his press conference yesterday Ongor noted that it was the only government during recent years which was the most determined to implement the long-waited, much-needed structural reforms. He also praised the economic package announced last week by the government saying that everybody should undertake his responsibility to ease the economy. /Sabah/ [16] AMNESTY DRAFT IS TO BE READY SOONJustice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk is continuing with research into the repentence and amnesty draft laws. Turk arrived at the Prime Ministry Central Building yesterday morning and met Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli. Turk stated that he had briefed Ecevit and Bahceli concerning the research work and added that he would also brief the Chairman of the Motherland Party (ANAP), Mesut Yilmaz. /Hurriyet/[17] TURKEY HAS 280 TV CHANNELSThe Media Documentation Unit set up through the joint financial support of the Communications Faculty of Ankara University and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation has prepared a report concerning the Turkish media. According to the report, there are 3,500 periodicals, 1,056 radio stations and 280 TV channels in Turkey. In Istanbul, there are 964 periodicals, 128 radio sations and 29 TV channels. /Hurriyet/[18] TWO TURKISH PHYSICISTS IN 'DER SPIEGEL' MAGAZINEThe German 'Der Spiegel' Magazine has devoted wide coverage to 50 physicists who attended a meeting in the Potsdam district of Germany and are among the best physicists in the world. Two Turkish physicists, Prof.Ergin Sezgin from Texas University, and Prof.Murat Gunaydin, from Pennsylvania University, also were present at the meeting attended by British physicist Stephen Hawking, one of the most gifted physicists in the world. These 50 physicists called the 'String Group' discussed the 'Superstring Theory'. Prof.Murat Gunaydin is known for his methods which he developed in the symmetry and supersymmetry areas of physical theories. /Hurriyet/[19] YARSUVAT RANKS SECOND IN EUROPEDuring the European Star and Young Jockeys' Competition held in Germany, the team consisting of Turkish jockey Ihsan Osman Yarsuvat and Canadian jockey Kell Kos came second. Even though it was the first time Yarsuvat had attended an international competition, he managed to leave the jockeys who had international experience far behind. /Aksam/[20] IMKB INDEX INCREASES BY 230 POINTSThe Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) Index increased by 230 points yesterday due to the news of the Arbitration Law and privatization and reached 5,759 points. The total transaction volume amounted to 117 trillion TL. /Aksam/[21] TELEKOM IS WAITING FOR PRIVATIZATIONYuksel Yalova, the State Minister responsible for privatization, said that if the law which will enable the privatization of Turk Telekom is enacted by the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) in the upcoming weeks, an income of $6 billion could be received from privatization up to March 2000. Yalova stated that as part of the privatization and promotion of Turk Telekom, a programme called the 'Red Carpet Show' will be held at financial centres world-wide between 1-15 August. /Turkiye/[22] DEMIRBANK IN TRNCDemirbank Bireysel (Individual) has expanded and opened a branch in Lefkose, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on July 22. Demirbank Bireysel's Cyprus branch aims to meet all the needs of Turkish-Cypriots in individual and investment banking. /Turkiye/[23] FOREIGN TRADE DEFICIT DECREASESTurkey's exports totalled $10.382 billion and imports totalled $14.719 billion during the January-May period of this year. The export_import rate during this period increased by 70.5 % when compared to the same period last year. Turkey's exports to EU countries increased by 3.2 % during the January-May period this year and rose from $5.363 billion to $5.533 billion. /Turkiye/[24] EXPORT SUMMIT IN ANTALYAThe Turkish Exporters' Assembly's (TIM) Executive Committee will explain their plans, strategies and proposals on exports to the State Minister responsible for foreign trade, Tunca Toskay, and related bureaucrats. The TIM Executive Committee will convene in Antalya on July 30, 1999, to discuss export strategies and problems and solutions in this sector. The meeting will be headed by the TIM Chairman, Okan Oguz. /Turkiye/[25] INVESTMENTS FROM TUPRASThe Turkish Petroleum Company's (TUPRAS) General Director, Husamettin Danis, said that so as to raise the quality of their products, they would implement investments rapidly and added, "We aim to produce the best quality fuel in the most economical way." Danis remarked that they will begin to produce diesel to a standard which has a maximum sulphur content of 50 ppm, at least one year before the EU countries. He also declared that completely lead-free petrol will be produced in 2001 at the Izmir Refinery and in 2004 at the Izmit Refinery. /Star/[26] NEIGHBOUR IN CRISIS, TURKEY IN TROUBLEOne of the most important trade partners for Turkey, Russia, has again begun to give out bad economic signals. Up to 1997, Turkey and Russia had a 4-billion-dollar trade volume, plus an extra 4-5 billion dollars of 'suitcase trade' from Turkey. However, during last Autumn, the constructional problems of Russia were augmented by the Asia crisis and the government declared that they could not pay off foreign debts. In the end, Russia sat down at the table with the IMF. The IMF signed an agreement with Russia, concerning a 17- billion-dollar aid package but the necessary reforms could not be implemented and the problems lasted. Today, Russia again has decided to request the postponement of her debts from the international community. /Star/[27] FIRST MINI TURKISH SATELLITEThe 'Surrey Space Centre' affiliated to Surrey University in Britain has signed an agreement for a micro-satellite and research programme with the Turkish Scientific and Technical Research Institution (TUBITAK). It is reported that with the agreement signed with the Surrey Space Centre, which has developed 14 mini satellites to date, TUBITAK will develop a mini-satellite for Turkey. Turkish engineers will go to Britain in October 1999 and conduct their research at the Surrey Space Centre. The mini-satellite to be jointly developed by TUBITAK and Surrey University will help the Internet system in Turkey and disasters such as floods and earthquakes could also be predicted. /Turkiye/[28] ERZURUM-IMRANLI PIPELINEA loan worth $131 million has been provided for the construction of a natural gas pipeline between Erzurum and Imranli. According to a statement issued by the General Directorate of the Turkish Pipelines Transportation Company (BOTAS), officials from Marubeni, WestLB, the BOTAS General Directorate and the Treasury and Foreign Trade Undersecretariat will sign an agreement for the loan. The pipeline, 325 kilometres long, will begin from Dogu Beyazit and reach Ankara via Agri, Erzurum, Erzincan, Sivas, Kayseri, and then from Kayseri to Konya-Seydisehir. It is planned that the initial five stages of the pipeline will be finalized within 19 months. /Turkiye/[29] GREEK VESSELS COLLIDE IN AEGEAN SEAThe vessels "Pel Mariner" and "Pel Ranger" collied as they were carrying contain ers from Greece to Gemlik Harbour in the South Aegean Sea, near Bozcaada. "Pel Mariner" sank there and then within a very short time; 10 sailors were rescued and the "Pel Meriner"s captain Georgatzis Anastasios and another sailor were found by a Greek Coastguard ship. The vessel's second engine driver died from a heart attack after he was rescued. Meanwhile,the Turkish and Greek crew organized a salvage operation because the area in which the accident occured is not on the border between international seas./Hurriyet/[30] CEYHAN ROHANI DIESTurkish muralist Ceyhan Rohani (50) who was living in the Monterey district of California, the US, died due to a diabetic condition. Rohani who worked on the executive board of the Californian Turco-American Union for many years, had also attended various festivals in the US and Canada. Many of his works of art are held in various collections in the US. Wide coverage has previously been devoted to Rohani in art magazines published in the US. /Turkiye/[31] EAGLE FLYS TO VICTORYBesiktas is going to play Israel's Hapoel Hayfa team in the first match of the Champions League's second preliminary heats in Inonu Stadium at 20.45 tonight. The hard struggle will be directed by the British referee, Paul Antony Durkin. Channel D will broadcast the match live. /Star/[32] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...[33] THE MIDDLE EAST AND WATER -BY SEDAT SERTOGLU (SABAH)Columnist Sedat Sertoglu analyzes the report prepared by the War Academies on the water problem in the Middle East. A summary of his column is as follows:"The third millenium will see some serious problems which may even lead to wars over the water problem. We have to take into account that this period will start in six months' time. Some excerpts from this report can be seen below: "Even though a water shortage is not only experienced in the Middle East, the most serious and dangerous results of this shortage are seen there...The increase in population and in water consumption heralds a crisis, as the water per capita decreases. Therefore, it can be said that the Middle East is a region poor in water. However, the existing sources of water are used inconsiderately and if the situation continues, excluding one or two countries, the whole of the Middle East could experience a serious water crisis. In such a situation, it is believed that wars will break out in the Middle East, an area which is believed to have more potential for violence than any other region. These wars are expected soon. However, no one knows when a State can no longer resist the provocation and will resort to military force...In short, it can be said that for the countries of the Middle East, water has become a vital substance, more important than oil, only to be compared with air. In the report, the stances pursued by the Arab countries against Turkey are criticized and it is further stated that Turkey's rise to regional power is disturbing some Western countries who want to wield an influence over the region, in addition to the Arab World and, therefore, these countries are aiming to increase the disputes between Turkey and Arab countries. The report stresses that sharing or the allocation of waters of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers will not solve the matter and states that Turkey needs to form a political strategy on the issue of water. At present, the preparations for the organization of a serious international conference on "The Middle East and Water" are in progress. This Conference which interests us closely may be an important opportunity to express Ankara's views." [34] TURCO-GERMAN RELATIONS -BY EROL MANISALI (CUMHURIYET)Columnist Erol Manisali writes on the relations between Turkey and Germany. A summary of his column is as follows:"Germany is the largest trading partner of Turkey. There are over three million Turks settled in Germany and their annual contribution to the German economy is over 40 billion DM. The income earned from German tourists to Turkey is really important. What is more, Germany is the most powerful State in the European Union. There is a mutual indispensibility in our economic relations. On the other hand, Germany wants Turkey to be excluded from Europe. She probably has justifiable 'national' reasons for herself. The PKK terrorist organization and reactionary circles are supporting Germany in this stance. They do not want Turks in Germany to integrate. Then, something happened and the German Government began to send warm messages. Is the German policy really changing? When Ocalan was in Italy, the German Government showed its real stance by trying to bring the issue to an international political platform. The citizenship law did not answer our expectations. In a warm letter to Prime Minister Ecevit, Chancellor Schroeder also explained that even though Turkey became the 12th candidate, she would have a special status different from the 11 other candidate countries. In fact, this means that they are accepting Turkey into the Union so as not to offend her, their real aim is to hold her within the framework of the Customs Union Agreement. Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer came and went with his patronizing manner. Could Turkish Foreign Minister Cem start his official visit to Germany by visiting some Turks who had served some time in prison? Germany should not consider Turkey as the backyard of the EU. She should not view Turkey in the exact same manner as the German General saw the Ottomans in the First World War. Germany believes that Turkey should be guided by herself and Europe. As the relations between Turkey and the US improve and Turkey slides towards the US, Germany will not benefit from it. The present leaders in Turkey, Ecevit, Demirel and Yilmaz are all saying that the US understands Turkey better than Europe does. That is why the German Chancellor sent such a warm letter to Prime Minister Ecevit although accepting Turkey into the EU was far from his mind. Turkey does not have a place in the future European State. No one should deceive themselves. There is no change on the European front; everything is as it was before. " [35] * * *[36] SPECIAL KOSOVO[37] TURKISH SQUADRON TAKES ON RESPONSIBILTY FOR DRAGAS AND MAMUSAA Turkish squadron, under the umbrella of the Kosovo Peace Force (K-FOR), has taken on responsibility for the Dragas and Mamusa regions. The commander of the Turkish squadron, Izzet Cetingoz, said that they had also taken great steps in solving disputes between Gorans and Albanians in their region. He noted that there were no problems between the Turkish soldiers and the regional people. "We treat everybody equally and meet their needs. Our efforts are also praised by other units stationed here under the umbrella of K-FOR," said Cetingoz. /Cumhuriyet/[38] CETINGOZ IS APPLE OF KOSOVARS' EYEColonel Izzet Cetingoz,the Turkish battalion commander in Dragas, stated that in order to solve the conflicts between Gorans and Albanians are occuring in the unit's responsiblity zone, important steps had been taken. Cetingoz declared that in order to solve the conflict, people in the area had previously applied to the UCK but now they came to the Turkish battalion. Cetingoz said, "This shows their confidence in the Turkish battalion. From now on even people whose car was stolen a month ago come and tell us about it." Colonel Cetingoz pointed out that the Turkish unit's location and other activities in the area are being observed by other units within K-FOR with appreciation. "The representatives of the units dependent on K-FOR meet us often. They are briefed on the PO, which is an organization like the police and takes the UCK's place in rural areas. In Prizren, the things they do are as same as the things we do; Cetingoz said. Cetingoz, stating that they had reached thirty-six villages within their area of responsibility and had determined their needs,said, "Health checks that occur periodically in the various localities are underway." Talking about their work with Kizilay (the Red Crescent organization) and other aid institutions in coordinating work for the needs of the people living in the area, Cetingoz said, "We treat all the people equally and we are accepted by the people in the area." The Turkish unit's responsibility area in Dragas includes Dragas' centre, seventeen Goran villages, nineteen Albanian villages with a total population of fifty-thousand in this area. /Hurriyet/[39] KOSOVAR REFUGEES RETURN TO THEIR COUNTRYKosovar refugees who have taken shelter in Turkey continue to return to Kosovo, the Anatolia News Agency reports. The Interior Ministry Press Centre released a statement and said that the number of Kosovar refugees who left Turkey for Kosovo after peace is achieved, reached 16,001. A total of 17,746 Kosovar refugees had escaped from Kosovo to Turkey.Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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