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Turkish Press Review, 99-08-31Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>31.08.99Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...[02] ECEVIT VISITS BOLUPrime Minister Bulent Ecevit and his wife Rahsan Ecevit visited Bolu and its districts seriously affected by the earthquake disaster. Ecevit said in a speech that the State and the nation hand-in-hand would overcome all troubles. He pointed out that the Government kept all its promises. After visiting the Bolu Municipality, Bulent Ecevit and his wife returned to Ankara. /Hurriyet/[03] JAPAN TO INCREASE ITS EMERGENCY RELIEF TO $2 MILLIONJapan will increase the amount of its emergency relief to $2 million. A statement issued by the Japanese Foreign Ministry said that Minister Masahiko Komura has stated that the amount of aid would be increased due to the seriousness of the situation. The Japanese aid will consist of $1 million in addition to blankets and generators. The aid will arrive in Turkey by September 4, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[04] ALBRIGHT'S VISIT TO TURKEYUS Secretary of State Madeleine Albright might stop off in Turkey during her visit to the Middle East which will begin next Wednesday. An official from the US Embassy in Ankara said that this was a strong possibility. Albright is expected to visit the earthquake disaster region in Istanbul during her visit to Turkey planned for next Sunday, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[05] IRANIAN HEALTH MINISTER IN GOLCUKIranian Health Minister Muhammed Ferhadi has made a tour of inspection in Golcuk which was seriously affected by the earthquake disaster. Ferhadi stated that the pain of the Turkish nation was also being suffered by the Iranian nation and said that he came to Golcuk to express his nation's condolence and receive information concerning the aid which could be offered to the victims. Ferhadi pointed out that the Iranian and the Turkish Red Crescent organizations have been in cooperation since the beginning of the earthquake. Ferhadi later visited tent cities in Golcuk, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[06] HUGE CONCERT FOR THE VICTIMSAhmet Ertegun, the owner of Atlantic Records, rolled up his sleeves for a concert to be attended by world renowned singers such as Whitney Houston, Phil Collins, Steve Wonder, Madonna and Bette Midler at Madison Square Gardens in New York in aid of the victims of the earthquake disaster in Turkey. Ertegun said: "We are planning to give the proceeds of the concert to projects in Turkey such as the construction of houses and hospitals". He added that they were initiating plans to hold the concert within the next two months. /Hurriyet/[07] FT: OPTIMISM IS INCREASING IN TURKEYA leading newspaper, the Financial Times, said that optimistic signs have been increasing in Turkey which was seriously affected by the earthquake disaster. An evaluation in yesterday's issue stated that the Index of the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB), which resumed its transactions last Thursday, decreased by 10 %, however, on Friday, the IMKB re-gained stability and the National Index increased by 1.4 %. The newspaper stressed that prior to the earthquake, buoyancy was expected in the Turkish economy in the second half of this year. /Hurriyet/[08] AID FOR THE VICTIMSThe Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) will construct 5,000 residences for the victims in Izmit, Adapazari and Yalova. The Canadian Eximbank will also offer financial support to the project worth nearly $125 million. TOBB Chairman Fuat Miras and the Head of the Istanbul Chamber of Trade (ITO) Mehmet Yildirim have gone to Canada to hold a series of talks concerning the project. /Hurriyet/[09] EARTHQUAKE CONDITION FOR VETOThe Greek Minister responsible for the EU, Yannos Kranidiotis, said that they could only remove their veto on the EU Financial Protocol on condition that the financial assistance will be used in order to heal the wounds in the earthquake disaster region of Turkey. Kranidiotis stated that their policy concerning Turkey's full EU membership had not changed. /Hurriyet/[10] EARTHQUAKE: MAIN TOPIC OF ECEVIT'S VISIT TO USThe programme of the visit to be paid by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to the US from September 26 to October 1 has not changed following the earthquake disaster in Turkey. Diplomatic sources in Washington said that Ecevit will arrive in washington on September 26, will meet US President Bill Clinton on September 28 and will proceed to New York on September 30. The main topic of Ecevit-Clinton meeting is expected to be the earthquake disaster which hit northwestern Turkey. Other issues to be discussed during the Ecevit-Clinton meeting will be the Cyprus issue and Turco-Greek relations. /Hurriyet/[11] CHIRAC TO RECEIVE CEM TODAYFrench President Jacques Chirac will receive Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem today at the Elysee Palace. Following the meeting, Cem will meet the French Minister responsible for European Affairs, Pierre Moscovici and Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine separately. Topics to be discussed during the meetings will include relations with the EU, bilateral relations with France, the earthquake issue and international problems. /Hurriyet/[12] GREEK FRIGATE INVITED TO AKSAZFollowing an inauguration ceremony at the Turkish Naval Forces Headquarters which was also attended by the Greek Naval Forces Commander, Vice-Admiral George Ioannidis, few days ago, a Greek frigate has been invited to another inauguration ceremony to be held on September 6 at the Marmaris Aksaz Naval Base. The invitation has been welcomed by Greek Naval Commanders. Warships from the US, Italy, Spain, Holland and Britain will also participate in the ceremony.Meanwhile, Western Thracian Turkish and Greek artists organized a concert in Xanhti (Iskece) for the earthquake victims in Turkey. The proceeds of the concert will be donated to victims whose houses collapsed or who lost relatives during the earthquake. Furthermore, Greek author Elsa Hiv has been awarded the 'Fair Honorary Cultural Reward' during the fifth International Art Days organized as part of the Izmir International Fair. Elsa Hiv stated that the recent solidarity between Turkey and Greece would continue. /Hurriyet/ [13] CHILDREN TO BE HOSTED ON GREEK ISLANDSThe children receiving primary education, and their families who were left homeless in the earthquake that hit the Marmara Region on August 17, will be hosted on the Greek Islands, the Anatolia News Agency reports. The Movement of Surviving Common Communication in Aegean Sea, which was set up by former politicians and intellectuals living on Mytilini, Samos and Chios Islands, announced that it will host 26 children together with their families till the new education year starts.[14] FISCHER CALLS ON ATHENSGerman Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer stated that his country would extend additional financial aid to Turkey in order to accelerate its development in the aftermath of the earthquake. Fischer made a statement to 'Handelsblaat', a leading German economic newspaper, and called on the Greek and European Parliaments to release the financial assistance envisaged by the Customs Union supplementary protocol signed between Turkery and the EU. Fischer said that this would not only have a political meaning but also make a great financial contribution, worth nearly 1 billion Euro, to Turkey. /Hurriyet/[15] VICTORY DAY CELEBRATEDThe August 30 Victory Day was celebrated yesterday. Official parades were cancelled due to the earthquake disaster in Turkey. A ceremony was held at the Mauseolum of Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, yesterday morning. The ceremony was attended by Chief of General Staff, Gen.Huseyin Kivrikoglu, National Defence Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu, Force Commanders and other high-level military officials. /Hurriyet/[16] $10 MILLION WORTH OF OIL FROM IRAQIt is reported that Iraq has begun to pump $10 million worth of oil to Turkey as part of its financial assistance in the aftermath of the earthquake disaster in Turkey. The Head of the Iraqi Red Crescent, Sadik Hamid Elves, held a press conference yesterday and said that Iraq would pump oil for the next five days at the rate of 100,000 barrels a day. Meanwhile, a delegation from the Iraqi Red Crescent will arrive in Ankara today to help the victims in Turkey. Other countries and institutions which are currently sending aid to Turkey include China, Iran, Austria, Bahrain, Morocco, Qatar, Egypt, Oman, Syria, Sudan, the Philippines and the Alewite-Bektashi Representatives Assembly based in Europe. /Hurriyet/[17] WORLD BOXING CHAMPION SINAN SAMIL SAM VISITS DUZCESinan Samil Sam, who received the gold medal in the 91 kg. category during the World Boxing Championship held in the US, visited Duzce, Bolu, yesterday. Sam expressed his condolence on those who lost their lives during the earthquake and wished a rapid recovery to those who were injured.Meanwhile, the Turkish National Olympic Committee has sent 10 billion TL to the disaster region in addition to a truck full of aid for the earthquake victims. The Greek Panathinaikos Club has proposed holding a match with Besiktas Club in order to help the victims. Two football matches will be held, one in Greece and one in Turkey. Furthermore, Turkish athlete Ebru Kavaklioglu who came fifth in the 5,000 metre-race during the Seventh World Athleticism Championship in Sevilla, Spain, returned to Turkey yesterday. /Hurriyet/ [18] SATELLITE CITY FOR YALOVAThe Head of the Collective Housing Administration of the Prime Ministry (TOKI), Kamil Ugurlu, said that TOKI would establish a 'Stallite City' including 10,000 flats in Yalova. He added that they were looking for a 250 hectare-field outside Yalova.Meanwhile, State Minister Prof.Abdulhaluk Mehmet Cay said that 1,000 immigrant residences would be allocated to the victims of the earthquake disaster in the Marmara Region. /Turkiye/ [19] COUNCIL OF MINISTERS CONVENES TODAYThe Council of Ministers will hold a meeting today and assess the recent situation in the disaster region. Preparations concerning the construction of prefabricated houses will also be taken up during the meeting.Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem made a statement to the 'New York Times' newspaper and said that the Turkish Government was appreciative of US support for the victims and pointed out that, however, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit would not accept the political suggestions to be made by the US. Ecevit will visit the US in September while Cem began a five-day visit to France and Britain yesterday. /Turkiye/ [20] TURCO-JAPANESE COOPERATION AGAINST EARTHQUAKEThe earthquake in the Marmara Region has accelerated the initiatives concerning the project for the establishment of a 'Research Centre to Decrease Earthquake Damage' jointly by the General Directorate of Disaster Affairs, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Istanbul Technical University (ITU). The centre is expected to be active by 2001.Meanwhile, a seven-person medical team from the 'Turkish Deutshe Mediziner' arrived in the Golkaya district of Bolu yesterday to help victims of the earthquake. Moreover, US scientists stated yesterday that the earthquake disaster in Turkey changed the coastal line map of the Black Sea stretching from Istanbul to Zonguldak. A delegation from the IMF arrived in Turkey on August 27 to make a tour of inspections at the TUPRAS oil refinery in Izmit. /Turkiye/ [21] FIRST TURKISH HELICOPTER ERDOGANProduction of the first Turkish helicopter will begin in the near future as part of the Assault_Tactic Reconnaissance Helicopter Production Programme for the Land Forces Command. The tender for the 145 helicopters is expected to be completed next month. Five companies will compete for the project worth $4-4.5 billion, one of which is Kamov Company (Israel_Russia). This company will participate in the bidding with the 'Erdogan' model, which was designed with contributions from the Turkish Aerospace Industry (TAI) and ASELSAN. /Aksam/[22] TURKEY CONDEMNS PROVOCATIONSTurkey has condemned the destruction of the Hala Sultan Chapel in Southern Cyprus, which has a spiritual and historical value for the Turkish nation and the Islamic world. A statement issued by the Foreign Ministry expressed sorrow over the attack made by the 'Pan-Cyprus Struggles Organization'. The statement said that initiatives have been made by officials from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) under the auspices of the UN following the attack. /Aksam/[23] PRIVATIZATION FULL SPEED AHEADState Minister responsible for privatization, Yuksel Yalova, stated that the earthquake in the Marmara Region would not cause a hitch in privatization efforts. Yalova said: "While mending the damage caused by the earthquake, privatization will also continue at full speed". /Turkiye/[24] FIVE PKK TERRORISTS CAPTUREDDuring operations carried out by security forces in Agri and Mardin, five members of the PKK terrorist organization were captured. Officials said that operations in the region were on-going. /Turkiye/[25] FOOD GIANTS IN AID COMPETITIONAt the World Food Fair in Sydney, Australia, an extraordinary interest has been shown towards Turkey. Many of the world's most famous food companies, from Singapore to the Philippines, from Spain to Hong Kong, and the U.S are transmiting their aid proposals for the earthquake victims to Turkish Companies which have attended to the fair for the first time. /Star/[26] AID LASTS FROM GREECEGreece continues help for the victims without interruption. Yesterday, the Mayor of Kavala, Erifilidis Stathis, handed over 44.712 thousand cartons of juices, 113.664 thousand cakes, 38 thousand litres of milk, and 500 packages of diapers to Kocaeli's Governor, Memduh Oguz. Meanwhile, the Mayor of Athens, Dimitrios Avramapulos, paid a visit to the Mayor of Izmir, Ahmet Piristina and said that aid would continue. /Star/[27] SUPPORT FROM ILOThe International Labour Organization (ILO), stated that they would help to reconstruct earthquake region. The ILO Regional Director, Herbert Scarrenbroich, sent a condolence message to the Chairman of the Hak-Is Salim Uslu. Scarrenbroich said in his message, "We offer our condolences and support to the Turkish workers and to the whole Turkish nation due to the tragedy occured in your country. I also want to express that the ILO is ready to help with the reconstruction of the region." Scarrenbroich added that he wanted to visit Turkey and to meet Uslu in order to evaluate the situation, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[28] THRACE SOCCER TOURNAMENTIt is stated that a soccer tournament will be organized among the soccer teams of Edirne, Tekirdag, and Kirklareli provinces, and the profits of the matches will be donated to the earthquake victims. The press spokesman of Edirnespor, Melih Yurdatapan, stated during the interview with the Anatolian News Agency's correspondent that they have already cited their proposals to the Tekirdagspor, Kirklarelispor, Luleburgazspor and Corluspor Soccer Teams and are waiting for a reply. In a statement of the Edirne Hunting and Shooting Trainning Association, stressing that the Festival of Hunting which is held every year at the begining of the Hunting Season, will be cancelled this year, the statement said that the expenditures of festival will be transfered to a emergency relief fund-raising account opened for the victims. Meanwhile, the Union of Conveying Service to Edirne Counties, donated 500 million TL to the fund-raising account in Edirne, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[29] THE MAYOR OF COLOGNE IN ISTANBULThe Mayor of Cologne, Norbert Nurger, examined the earthquake-hit regions of Istanbul, reported the Anatolian News Agency.The guest Mayor, Norbert Nurger, who was welcomed by the Major of Istanbul, Ali Mufit Gurtuna, first had lunch at the Istanbul Metropolitan Municiplity's Florya Social Foundations. Then Nurger paid a visit to the earhtquake-hit districts of Bagcilar, Bayrampasha and Avcilar and received information from officials about the damage. Nurger also visited the tent areas and listened to the problems of the people living there. The guest Mayor, Nurger, stating that they had collected 1 million Deutsche Marks from the aid campaign that they had organized, and that he had made an inspection in order to give this aid to those who needed help most and that this would be decided after a full examination of the facts. After the inspection, Nurger went to the office of the Mayor Istanbul in order to meet the Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipa lity, Ali Mufit Gurtuna, the Anatolia News Agency reports. [30] INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION UPIndustrial production increased by 0.7 % in the April-May-June period this year when compared with the same period last year. While there was a 0.9 % increase in manufacturing industry production in the aforementioned period, the increase in the electricity, gas and water sector was 4.7 %, according to State Institute of Statistics (DIE) data. During this period, the sub-sectors of manufacturing industry saw a 9.3 % increase in the production of the food industry while there was a 6.9 % increase in the chemical industry, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[31] DRUG RAID IN EDIRNEDuring a raid carried out by members of the Anti-Smuggling Department of the Edirne Gendarmerie, 4.7 kilos of hashish were seized. Two people were detained in connection with the incident. The Anatolia News Agency also reported that 205 roots of Indian hemp were also destroyed by members of the Gendarmerie.Meanwhile, during an operation in the Diyadin district of Agri, a member of the PKK terrorist organization was captured by security forces yesterday. [32] DEMIREL RECEIVES CZECH AMBASSADORPresident Suleyman Demirel received the Czech Ambassador to Ankara, Josef Braun, yesterday. Ambassador Braun presented a letter of credentials to Demirel during the reception at the Presidential Palace. Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecteray Faruk Logoglu was also present at the reception, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[33] EXPO '99 FAIR IN RUSSIAA fair of Turkish export products Expo '99 is continuing to receive much attention from Russian firms. A written statement issued by the Ileri Marketing Fair and Exhibition Company said that with the Fair including basic inputs for the Turkish industry from various sectors particularly iron, steel and plastic raw materials, a new breakthrough is expected in trade relations between Turkey and Russia, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Products of 30 Russian firms are also currently exhibited at the Fair.[34] INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S VILLAGETurkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) Children Pious Foundation and Urgup Municipality are establishing a Children's Holiday Village Ưn Urgup county of Nevsehir province. The General Director of the TRT, Yucel Yener, inspected the 8 Hectares of land in Urgup county which belongs to the Treasury, and said that the property was suitable for the World Children's Olympics. He also added that foreign establishments could make financial contributions through a prepared Web-Page. /Cumhuriyet/[35] TURCO-AMERICAN PARTNERSHIP IN TRACTOR PRODUCTIONThe American tractor producer John Deere Company has formed a partnership with the subsidiary products producer Hattat Companies Group, to produce agricultural tractors. The two companies formed a company in Cengelkoy, Istanbul, called 'John Deere Hattat', and they will establish a facility for the production and marketting of tractors below 100 bhp and components. The plant will start production in the first part of the year 2001. The Chairman of the Hattat Companies Mehmet Hattat, said that they had combined the 162 year-experience in technical know-how and agricultrial machines production of the John Deere Company with Hattat Group's experience as tractor producers and subsidiary producers in the automotive industry in Turkey. /Sabah/[36] FIAT DISPATHES TEN AMBULANCESItalian Fiat Auto, donated ten fully equipped ambulances to Bursa Governorship to be used in the disaster region. The ambulances have been dispatched through the initiatives of its partner TOFAS, by Turkish Air Ways' five cargo aircraft to the Cengiz Topel Airport. /Sabah/[37] TATAR MINISTER OF STATE OF EMERGENCY IN TURKEYValery Vlasov, the State of Emergency Minister of Tatarstan, arrived in Turkey on Monday to make observations in the earthquake disaster area. Vlasov offered condolences to the Turkish nation and said: "Our government decided to give every kind of support and aid to the Turkish people". Vlasov will leave Turkey on Thursday, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[38] OGER: "A NEW PAGE SHOULD BE OPENED FOR TURKEY"The founder of the Turco-German Foundation and Oger Tour's President of the Administration Council, Vural Oger, said, "A new page should be opened for Turkey", reported the Anatolian News Agency.Oger met the Turkish journalists in Berlin and said, "Turkey is not far away from the members of the EU including Germany with the earthquake disaster. It will be easier for Turkey to be a member of the EU from now on. They recognized the fact that Turkey is not far away from them." Oger added that Turkey would be a candidate for being a member of the EU, during Finland's presidential term and that Turkey would be on the agenda at the Helsinki Summit. Oger also pointed out that no-one can reach anywhere by extreme nationalism and fundemantalism and that the slogan of "A Turk does not have a friend but a Turk" was proved to be invalid during the search and rescue efforts after the earthquake that occurred in Turkey. "The disaster that shook Turkey deeply shocked us. A European Commission is necessary, which will cooperate with the contemporary powers in Turkey, is necessary for the reconstruction of the earthquake-hit regions. Turkey was struct by the earthquake without preparation. It is difficult even for a rich country to cope with such a disaster. It is a matter of humanity and we should help the earthquake victims", said Oger. Vural Oger also stated that he had met with the Major of Golcuk and Yalova and that they had started preparing for the construction of kindergartens, primary schools and childrens' houses for the education of children who were orpanaded after the earthquake. [39] AN IMPORTANT GUEST FROM GREECEWhile Greece is helping Turkey, the Minister for the Aegean, who became the man of the day with his important statements about the issue, is coming to Turkey. The Minister for the Aegean, Stavros Benos, who became on the agenda after the earthquake and explained the veto issue that has been practised since 1995, was shocked everyone by saying things that were not said before. Stavros said that to help Turkey after the earthquake, the veto should be dropped instead of solving the problems in terms of EU. After his explanation, he was supported. Benos is organising the aid that is being sent to Turkey. He said that the first aid that was sent to Cesme would be followed more.Benos, stating that the aids that is sent to Turkey is not well-organized, said that he would come to Turkey and meet the officials and that try to determine the most urgent needs and to obtain them. The former Minister, Thedoros Pangalos, became angry with Yorgo Papandreu. Pangalos, stating that Papandreu's international politics were not well-planned and said that Greece has never practised the veto against Turkey. Theodoros Pangalos asserted that the obstacles to the financial protocols derived from the violation of human rights and corruption in the regime. Pangalos wanted the veto to be ended and said, "The governments must be a cool monster whereas the public must live in love." Lawyers in Greece have also started preparing to heal the wounds with their Turkish colleagues. The Assistant to the Chairman of the Bar Association in Athens, Nicolas Kanelopoulus and a member of the Administration Council, advocate Dimitrios Paxinos came to Istanbul for this purpose and visited the Administration Council of the Bar Asssociation. The Chairman of Bar Administration in Istanbul, Yucel Sayman said that the Greek board came to Turkey for the purpose of cooperation in the name of the Bar Associations in Greece, including Athens. Sayman, refering to lawyers, who do not fulfil their mission of defence in the earthquake-hit regions, said, "We cannot tolerate the operation of legistlation that has no defence. Therefore we have started preperations not only about the reconstruction of cooperation among our colleagues, but also the reconstruction of the Bar Association and the places in which the advocate members of Bar Associations can do their jobs." The Assistant to the Chairman of the Bar Association in Athens, Nicolas Kanepoulos pointed out that they had come to Turkey as the representative of the Bar Associations in Greece and Athens and that they would help their colleagues after determining their needs. Furthermore, aid campaigns are underway on Chios Island which is one of the nearest islands to Turkey in the Aegean Sea. The Chios Islanders' Association, The Chios Island's Workers Association, Agean and Tracia Peace Journalists Association and Chios Chamber of Commerce have contributed to the campaign in which blankets, clothes and tents have been collected. Another campaign was launched in the Polopenez Peninsula, in South Greece. The campaign was jointly held with the Greek Red Cross and chaired by the Governer of Messinia. The Greek people and press put the problems between Turkey and Greece into the background and came to the help of their Turkish neighbours and thus, melted the ice. Greece's friendly attitude made a great impact in Turkey and the Greek Embassy in Istanbul became a flower garden with colorful wreaths that were sent by Turkish people. The Press Atache Socratis Tragotsis stated that the number of fax of thanks had climbed to 4 thousand and that many people had paid a visit to them./Cumhuriyet/ [40] THE AMERICAN IMPULSE IN THE FOREIGN CAPITALThe Arbitration Law that has been passed by the TGNA, has not begun to be practised yet but officials state that there is an increase in foreign capital. Among the foreign capital that have been received for the purpose of investment over the last few years, the proportion of American capital is increasing day by day./Cumhuriyet/[41] THE WORLD'S MOBILIZATION FOR TURKEYThe Chinese Ambassdor to Turkey, Yau Kuangyi, stated that the Chinese government would continue to help Turkey and send Turkey 100 tons of aid including tents, blankets and medical equipment. Yau added that they had collected 40 thousand dollars among the officials in the Embassy and that they would donate this money for the earthquake victims.It was reported that civilian organizations in the Greek islands near Turkey had come together and organized aid campaigns independent from their governments. The medical equipment (218 boxes) was collected with the contribution of five other associations in Sisam Islands and were sent to the Kusadasi Harbour. After the Sunday ceremonies in the Orthodox churches in Canada, people began to collect donation for the eartqhake disasters in Turkey. In Montreal, in which 65 thousand immigrants live, the Greek immigrants collected 4,500 Canada dollars. The Greek immigrants are also launched a campaign through the agency of CFMB radio station. In addition, the Greek immigrants in Canada opened a special bank account in branches of "National Bank of Greecee" in Canada./Cumhuriyet/ [42] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...[43] AMBASSADOR PARRIS: WE ARE READY TO HELP -BY SEDAT ERGIN (HURRIYET)Columnist Sedat Ergin comments on the explanations of Ambassador Parris concerning the aid provided for the earthquake. A summary of his column is as follows:"Ambassador Parris stated that the US was there to help Turkey without any expectations of thanks. The Ambassador did not deny that not one patient has been taken on board the USS Kearsarge, which is a hospital ship with a 630 bed capacity. However he added that there was no need for the hospital which could have provided emergency aid. Parris said that the critical moment has been left behind and that the doctors and medical personnel from the ship had worked in the earthquake area. He added that the US army gave priority to building tents to meet the needs of those who suffered from the earthquake. He also noted that three sea water purificiation vessels came to Turkey to help and when it was understood there was no need for them the ships were assigned to other duties. He pointed out that it would not be right to say that help was denied. The most important part of Parris' explanation was that the US Administration was caryying on a comprehensive study to determine not only Turkey's short-term, but also long-term requirements. The aid-package the US Administration is working on is believed to be opened prior to Prime minister Ecevit's visit to Washington." [44] ONE MORE INJURY -BY OKAY GONENSIN (STAR)Columnist Okay Gonensin comments on the recent criminal amnesty bill passed by Parliament. The amnesty has drawn great reaction from the public. A summary of Gonensin's column is as follows:"The deputies tied to their seats in Ankara have been successful in opening a new wound in the public conscience. They have shown that that they understood little or nothing about the public demand for a clean society. While the earthquake and its consequences were still fresh, communication from the President with the outer world was lost for 4,5 hours, the Prime Minister could call on the civil servants only through the help of TV, and while a Minister drew reaction from the public with his words Parliament talked about an earthquake tax. When it drew a negative reaction from the public they postponed it. To top it all a criminal amnesty bill was passed by Parliament. The Democratic Left Party deputy Ahmet Tan summarized this amnesty as the protection of natural allies of the coalition parties. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit is one of the most loved, and trusted politicians in this country. No one doubts his good intentions. However, his statements concerning the Amnesty bill have meanings beyond good intentions. He said that he himself was not happy with the the final shape of the Amnesty Law. When the Amnesty Law is studied differing expectations are seen that those who have cheated, or who gave great harm to the State, those who were convicted of bribery, formed gangs, kidnaped and killed people, or were imprisoned because of drug trafficking were either set free or their sentences diminished. Ecevit started out to free those who were in prison due to circumstances, but finished by forgiving those who had committed the greatest crimes for a "democratic compromise." Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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