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Turkish Press Review, 99-09-17Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>17.09.99Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...[02] THREE IMPORTANT MESSAGES FROM ECEVITPrime Minister Bulent Ecevit declared that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was an independent State and added that pressure on Turkey would not yield any results. Ecevit stated that the Turkish-Cypriot side was ready for dialogue, however, first the political existence of the TRNC should be recognized. Ecevit has sent peaceful messages to Greece and Italy. These are: Turkey is ready for dialogue on Cyprus, however the TRNC should be officially recognized; there are no problems which cannot be solved between Turkey and Greece; relations between Turkey and Italy, which had previously been tense, have thawed. Meanwhile, Ecevit said yesterday that during the meeting with President Suleyman Demirel, they had the opportunity to express once again their support for the TRNC to TRNC President Rauf Denktas. /Hurriyet/[03] ERCEL AMONG MOST SUCCESSFUL CHAIRMEN'Global Finance', an infuential financial magazine published in the U.S., said that the Head of the Turkish Central Bank, Gazi Ercel, was among the most successful administrators in this field in the world. The magazine gave a grade 'A', the highest, to Ercel, togther with the Head of the U.S. Central Bank, Alan Greenspan. The 'Global Finance' magazine has subscribers in 185 countries throughout the world. /Hurriyet/[04] VITRA IRELAND OPENSThe 'Vitra Ireland' facilities set up in the Arklow region of Ireland under the partnership of the Eczacibasi Holding Company and Qualceram has been opened by Irish Deputy Prime Minister Mary Harney. The Irish Government has offered incentives of 1.8 million Irish pounds to enable the construction of the manufacturing facilities. Mary Harney delivered a speech at the opening ceremony and stated that there were currently 80 Irish citizens working at these facilities but that this figure would increase. The Head of the Executive Board of the Eczacibasi Holding Company, Bulent Eczacibasi, said at the ceremony that the facilities in Ireland was the first step by Eczacibasi in the ceramic floor-tile market in Europe. /Hurriyet/[05] IMF INCREASES EMERGENCY AID TO $500 MILLIONThe Treasury Undersecretary, Selcuk Demiralp, stated that the IMF had adopted the motion that the Emergency Relief Loan quota for Turkey should be increased from 25 % to 37.5 %. Demiralp said that this meant that the IMF emergency aid package would increase from $330 million to $500 million. Demiralp remarked at a joint press conference held together with the IMF Turkey Desk-Chief Carlo Cotarelli yesterday that, in the aftermath of the earthquake, Turkey had received a total of $3 billion in aid from various international institutions during the last month.Cotarelli stated that their aim in visiting Turkey was to provide emergency relief loans to Turkey following the earthquake. He stated that stand-by meetings would be held at the end of this month in Washington and in October in Turkey. Cotarelli said that financial assistance, to be provided by the stand-by agreement, wasn't needed as much as economic stability. He added that initially the rate of inflation should be decreased. /Hurriyet/ [06] TURKEY PAYS OFF $610 MILLIONTurkey paid off $610.5 million in foreign debts between September 1 and 15. According to Central Bank data, Turkey has paid off $7.552 billion in foreign debts since the beginning of this year. /Hurriyet/[07] $402 MILLION FROM JAPAN TO TURKEYA total of $402 million has been received from the Japanese Overseas Economic Corporation Fund (OECF) for the Straits Tunnel Project and the Bozuyuk-Mekece Highway Renovation Project. Loan agreements for this amount will be signed between the General Director of Foreign Economic Relations in the Treasury Undersecretariat, Aydin Karagoz, and OECF Chairman Kyosuke Shinozawa today. The total cost of the Straits Tunnel will be $2.8 billion. /Hurriyet/[08] GREECE CANCELS PARMENION EXERCISEThe Greek Government has decided that 'Parmenion-99', a military exercise planned to be carried out in the Eastern Aegean on October 6-12, attended by Greek Land, Air and Naval Forces, will be cancelled. The 'Nikiforos' manoeuvres, to be jointly carried out by the Greek-Cypriot National Army and Greece, are also expected to be either cancelled or postponed. /Hurriyet/[09] BMC TRUCKS IN EUROPEThe Acting Chairman of the Executive Board of the BMC Industry and Trade Company, Mehmet Demirpence, stated that the BMC had produced the first engine in Turkey granted a Euro-2 certificate and added that this model would be exported to Britain and Spain. Demirpence delivered a speech at the Izmir Pinarbasi BMC Facilities and stated that they hoped that they would also be able to produce engines holding the Euro-2 certificate for Turkey in the upcoming years. /Aksam/[10] SCOTTISH DELEGATION IN TURKEYA delegation from the Scottish Trade International (STI) will arrive in Turkey to hold a series of talks with Turkish businessmen. Representatives of 11 companies comprising the delegation will also conduct a market survey. The Scottish delegation will leave Turkey on September 23. /Aksam/[11] BLUE STREAM PROJECT IN SPRINGA representative of the Italian gas company, ENI, Alessandro Guerra, said that the 'Blue Stream Project', will start in the Spring. 'Bule Stream' is a natural gas pipeline which will run beneath the Black Sea between Russia and Turkey. Guerra added that ENI will complete 50 % of the construction of the natural gas pipeline, costing $2 billion, as soon as possible. /Aksam/[12] TURKEY THANKS THE U.S.Turkey issued an announcement in 'The Washington Times' published in the U.S. and thanked the U.S. Government and nation for their help in the aftermath of the earthquake in Turkey. The announcement said, "The Turkish people greatly appreciate your financial and spiritual support following the earthquake disaster in the Marmara Region". /Aksam/[13] NATO ADMIRES TURKISH FLEETThe achievements of the Turkish Air Forces which participated in the NATO air strikes in Kosovo against the Serbs have been admired by NATO. NATO officials praised the Turkish pilots who once flew for nine hours uninterruptedly. They also appreciated the discipline, adherance to duty and responsibility of the Turkish pilots. /Aksam/[14] 'CYPRUS SHOULD NOT BE TIED TO CONDITIONS'The EU Representative to Turkey, Ambassador Karen Fogg, said that it would not be right to involve the Cyprus issue in Turco-EU relations as much as has been done. Fogg stated that following the unofficial meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers in Finland last week and the meeting in Brussels, Turco-EU relations had become more positive and said that mutual trust should be established between Turkey and the EU during the process before the upcoming Helsinki Summit. Fogg added that signs from Turkey pointing towards the continuation of economic and political reforms would be good. /Aksam/[15] 'WE CANNOT GIVE UP ON TURKEY'German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer delivered a speech during the budgetary discussions at the General Council of the Federal Parliament and said, concerning Turco-EU relations, that they would not give up on Turkey. Fischer added, "Not granting a European perspective to Turkey could lead to her exclusion. There are three options: First, Turkey will be excluded from the EU. This would yield negative results. Secondly, it can be said to Turkey that she belongs to Europe, however, the necessary steps will not be taken. Thirdly, Turkey becomes an EU member". Fischer remarked that Turkey's full EU membership should not be blocked. /Aksam/[16] $110 MILLION SUPPORT FOR EXIMBANKAn agreement for a one-year term 'Euro-Syndication Loan' worth $110 million was signed between the Turkish Eximbank and the representatives of 33 countries in the syndication consortium yesterday in Istanbul. The General Director of the Turkish Eximbank, Ahmet Kilicoglu, said that this borrowing in the aftermath of the earthquake disaster showed that international markets trusted in the Turkish economy and the Turkish Eximbank. /Sabah/[17] ARISTON VILLAGE IN ADAPAZARIThe 'Ariston Village' to be set up in Adapazari will consist of 50 wooden houses. The project for this village will cost $1 million. /Sabah/[18] YILMAZ VISITS THE QUAKE ZONEChairman of the Motherland Party (ANAP), Mesut Yilmaz, visited the disaster region yesterday. Yilmaz who arrived in Kocaeli and later proceeded to Adapazari also went on a tour of inspection of the 300-people tent city to be set up on a 12,000 square-metre field under the leadership of his wife, Berna Yilmaz. /Sabah/[19] GREEK JOURNALISTS IN CAPPADOCIAThe Nevsehir Journalists' Association has invited Greek journalists and their families to Cappadocia on a one-week visit. The Head of the Association, Muammer Baser, said that they invited the Greek journalists to Cappadocia in order to further develop relations between the two nations. /Cumhuriyet/[20] 'THERE IS NO COMPROMISE TO BE MADE BY TURKEY'The President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Rauf Denktas, said that Turkey would not compromise on the Cyprus issue. Denktas issued a statement yesterday and remarked that full EU membership was Turkey's right. He added that the EU could declare its conditions for full membership to Turkey, however, there could be no bargaining with Turkey on the Cyprus issue. Denktas stated that the Cyprus issue was not an EU issue, but a Turco-Greek issue. /Cumhuriyet/[21] FOREIGNERS' SHARE PORTFOLIOThe total value of the share portfolio of foreign investors engaged in share transactions in Turkey reached $6.6 billion as of the end of July. According to Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) data, despite some negative aspects in the economy, the share portfolio of foreign investors increased by $1.048 billion in July when compared to June 1999 and reached $6.603 billion. /Cumhuriyet/[22] TURKEY, ITALY TO MARK NEW STARTOvercoming the severe crisis which erupted over the head of the PKK terrorist organization, Abdullah Ocalan, Turkey and Italy agreed yesterday to begin a 'new phase' and decided to establish permanent consultation mechanisms to improve bilateral cooperation in an array of fields. Speaking to reporters after talks, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and and his Italian counterpart Lamberto Dini expressed their determination to leave the tension behind.Both sides agreed to set up bilateral committees that will meet regularly and discuss cooperation bilateral and international issues. The committees will deal with an improvement in bilateral political, cultural and economic ties, as well as international matters pertaining to the Balkans and the Mediterranean. /All papers/ [23] TURCO-GREEK TALKS TO EXPANDTerrorism was discussed by top Turkish and Greek Foreign Ministry officials at a meeting held in Ankara this week. A joint communique released after the meeting stated that the next round of talks -the first of which is to be held in October- will be expanded to include participants from relevant authorities. "The human suffering caused by the earthquakes occurring in Turkey and Greece and the friendly atmosphere created between the two countries following these events were also acknowledged at the meeting" said the joint communique."The two delegations decided to conclude framework agreements and, where necessary, to draw up other agreements to promote cooperation in the fields of tourism, the environment, economic and commercial relations, culture, cooperation in the multi-lateral regional field, combatting organized crime, illegal immigration, drug trafficking and terrorism", it added. /All papers/ [24] ANKARA TAKES FINAL STEPSThe agenda of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's upcoming visit to Washington has become clear after a series of meetings held in Ankara with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Marc Grossman. The meetings were intended to finalize an agenda that would best serve the interests of both Ankara and Washington. After meeting with Ecevit on Wednesday, Grossman met Nationalist Action Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahceli yesterday. Accompanying him during his meeting with Ecevit was Tony Blinken of the White House Staff, who informed Ecevit of preparations being made in anticipation of his arrival.Grossman said that Washington looks forward to learning of the progress of the reconstruction efforts in the Marmara Region -hit by the August 17 earthquake- the status of Ecevit's programme of economic reform and how improvements to Turkish democracy were advancing. "People would be very interested to hear the Prime Minister's views on all the issues concerning areas around Turkey -Iraq, Greece, and relations with Cyprus", Grossman said. Grossman continued with consultations yesterday at the Foreign Ministry, where he was received by Foreign Minister Ismail Cem. /All papers/ [25] MILITARY ISSUES ANOTHER PKK 'CLARIFICATION'The Turkish General Staff has issued another statement clarifying the situation relating to the PKK terrorist organization. The withdrawal of the PKK from northern Iraq is just a part of the terrorist group's annual activities before winter, the statement said. Entitled "Evaluation of the Struggle Against Terrorism in August 1999", the statement also mentioned that the only acceptable condition for the end of terrorist activities is the laying down of arms by PKK terrorists and their acceptance of the Repentance Law. The statement said that the fight against terrorism had continued throughout August. "The Turkish Armed Forces will continue its struggle against terrorism" it ended. /All papers/[26] TRADE DEFICIT SHRINKS IN FIRST HALF OF 1999The Central Bank announced that Turkey's trade deficit over the January-June 1999 period contracted by 38 % compared to same period in 1998. The bank published balance-of-payment records for the January-June 1999 period. /All papers/[27] TENT EDUCATION CENTRES TO BE CONSTRUCTEDEducation Minister Metin Bostancioglu said that his Ministry plans to construct 25 tent education centres in the schoolyards and educate children through games. Speaking about the planned tent education centres, the Minister said that 25 new tents had arrived from the U.S. and that the tents have a capacity of 300 people each. Five will be sent to Golcuk, eight to Kocaeli, eight to Sakarya, two to Duzce, one to Golyaka and one to Yalova.Moreover, 50 barracks, which are planned for construction by the Education Volunteers' Foundation, will be given to teachers. Together with prefabricated houses, which will be constructed by the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, a number of prefabricated schools will also be constructed. Bostancioglu said the Ministry is planning a system of 'accelerated education' so as not to overextend the school year. /All papers/ [28] "THE EARTHQUAKE ALSO SHOOK US UP"The warming of the atmosphere surrounding Turkey and the EU began to show its first effects in the European Parliament. The Joint Parliamentary Commission's (JPC) President in Europe, Daniel Cohn-Bendit, said, "The latest events planted a `positive seed' in the ground between Turkey and the EU. The earthquake that occurred in Turkey shook not only the region, but also people's minds. The thing that attracted my attention most was that although the party of the Chairman of the JPC is of an extremely nationalist origin, he constantly declares that he favours integration with Europe. I think this development is of the utmost importance in terms of politics. Even if there are some human rights problems in Turkey, everybody realized the fact that Turkey and Europe should look at each other from a different perspective." /Milliyet/[29] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT'S MESSAGE TO EARTHQUAKE VICTIMSAfter making a decision during an emergency session, the European Parliament sent a message of solidarity to Turkey. There is not one item in the decision about any financial donation to Turkey. The EU Commission was asked to launch initiatives for the formation of a body that will increase the effectiveness of the efforts made after a possible natural disaster, inside or outside the EU. Neil Kinnock, who spoke in the name of the EU Commission, wanted the aid package of 150 million Euros, which is very important for Turkey, to be taken out. /Milliyet/[30] EXPORTERS ARE PLEASED WITH ANKARATurkey's Export Association's (TURKTRADE) administrative board was pleased with the meetings during which the administrative board explained their opinions and concerns on 14th and 15th September. The Secretary General of TURKTRADE, Suleyman Gedik, said that a radical decrease had been experienced in exports for sometime and added, "We paid certain visits in order to see the situation of the export promotion package, which has been implemented and which was declared by the government. The government went into action in order to strengthen the sources of Eximbank. As a result, the bank will now be able to increase its loan limits. The Central Bank will also provide a discount loan of 350 million dollars."/Turkiye/[31] CRITICISM BY DEMIREL OF THE EUThe Turkish President, Suleyman Demirel, criticized the EU for not carrying out their responsibilities. Demirel met and welcomed Italy's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lamberto Dini, who paid an official visit to Turkey. During the meeting, Demirel said, "Turkey signed a cooperation agreement with the EU in 1963. Turkey also became a full member of the Customs Union three years ago. Italy supported Turkey in the Customs Union agreement. However, the EU did not realize its responsibilities towards Turkey, although Turkey did not take them lightly."Demirel, stating that Turkey's situation is better than that of the other candidate countries, said, "Turkish democracy is far closer to EU democracy than the other candidate countries. While saying this, we are not opposed to any other countries. The decision that was taken during the Luxemburg Summit was wrong. Therefore, we hope that the Helsinki Summit will be result in a positive move. We will implement human rights reforms in Turkey, not to please the EU, but to please our own people." Italy's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lamberto Dini, said, "If Turkey had not continued and strengthened her relations with the EU, I do not want to think what the consequences would have been. Both the EU and Turkey could obtain some mutual benefits from the improvement of these relations. Italy is supporting Turkey over the EU issue. Turkey has always confirmed that she is a part of the EU, which is very pleasing. I would like to say that I entirely support Turkey's desire to become closer to the EU. This is important not only for Turkey, but also for Europe and the Mediterranean." Italy's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dini, who has come to Turkey as the guest of Turkey's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem, was also welcomed by Turkey's Prime Minister, Bulent Ecevit. Ecevit's Advisor on International Policy, Ambassador Ertugrul Ciragan, and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also attended the meeting that lasted nearly an hour in the central office of the Prime Minister. Then Dini visited the State Minister responsible for human rights, Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, in his office. /Turkiye/ [32] USLU: "EU MEMBERS SHOULD DISPOSE OF VISA"The Chairman of the Hak-Is Confederation, Salim Uslu, will attend the 8th meeting of the Turco-European Association's Mixed Consultation Committee as the workers' representative at the committee that will be held in Trabzon. During the meeting, Uslu will advocate the opinion that members of the EU should dispose of the visa that is currently imposed on Turkish people. The Chairman of Hak-Is, Salim Uslu, will present a report about "Turkish Migration to Europe" during the meeting that will begin today and come to an end tomorrow. In the report, the removal of the entry visa that is currently imposed on the Turkish people by the members of the EU is mostly outlined. /Turkiye/[33] TAX POSTPONEMENT FOR EARTHQUAKE-HIT REGIONSIn order to erase the corporation tax, income tax and property tax payments for those tax-payers who live in the earthquake-hit regions, they will be stopped until the damage assessment is completed. For this purpose, the Ministry of Finance will postpone tax payments for six months. /Milliyet/[34] SABANCI'S PERMANENT HOUSING VENTUREThe Sabanci Holding Company will construct a total of 750 houses (500 in Izmit and 250 in Sakarya) for its workers who became homeless after the earthquake. As part of the Sabanci Housing Venture, the preparation of which has been completed, houses of 70-80 square metres in area and community buildings will be constructed and the foundations will be laid by the Company. The financing of this project will cost 15 million dollars and will be met in three ways: "Sabanci Holding will give its financial support. There will also be donations received from the workers and small amounts of money that will be received in the long term by those who will live in these houses." Sabanci Holdings applied to the Ministry of Public Works and Settlement and is waiting for the land allocation permit./Milliyet/[35] KOC WILL CONSTRUCT 400 HOUSES IN TWO MONTHSKoc Holdings has been allocated the land in Arifiye for earthquake-proof houses; the Holding Company will construct 400 houses there. All the foundations of these houses will be laid by Koc Holdings; also, refrigerators, washing machines and thermosyphons will be installed in the houses. The houses will be ready in two months and the Koc Holding Company has reserved 4 million dollars for the construction of the houses. Koc Holdings will also construct company houses for those of its staff who became homeless due to the earthquke and will donate 3.5 million dollars for the construction of these houses. Furthermore, it will subside rents for all its homeless staff until the construction of the houses is completed. /Milliyet/[36] RED CRESCENT SIGNS PRELIMINARY AGREEMENTThe Red Crescent signed a preliminary agreement with the Red Cross-Red Crescent Federation concerning 'quake aid'. The Red Crescent statement said that the agreement detailed the tasks and responsibilities of the Red Crescent and International Red Cross-Red Crescent Federation concerning the "Turkey Quake Operation" and launched the second phase of the aid programme which covers the period between September 1999 and March 2000, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[37] JPC DELEGATION IN STRASBOURGOn Wednesday, the Joint Parliamentary Commission's (JPC) Turkish members started their round of talks in Strasbourg. The JPC acts as a bridge between the Turkish Parliament and the European Parliament, the Anatolia News Agency reports. The JPC's official meetings were held yesterday. The Turkish delegation focused on Turkey's candidacy status at the Helsinki Summit and obstacles in front of financial aid stemming from the Customs Union Agreement with the EU.[38] MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESSThe Foreign Ministry said yesterday that it was pleased over the resumption of final status talks between Israel and the Palestinian Administration in Erez on September 13, the Anatolia News Agency reports. A statement issued by the Foreign Ministry pointed out that Turkey had supported the Middle East peace process from the very beginning, and recalled that the talks between Israel and Palestine resumed in Erez as part of an agreement reached with the Sarm Al-Sheikh memorandum signed on September 4.[39] COMISSION FORMED IN ANTALYA FOR SANTA CLAUSThe Antalya Governor's Office has formed a Commission for the '17th International Santa Claus and World Peace Activities' which will be organized in Antalya between December 1 and 7, the Anatolia News Agency reports. The Commission, supervised by Tahsin Ciftcioglu, the Deputy Governor, will work to organize activities this year and in the year 2000 and ensure wider participation in these events in Antalya.[40] EXPORTS OF AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTSExports of automotive products in the first eight months of 1999 increased by 40.8 % to $1.582 billion compared to the same period last year, while exports decreased by 7.2 % in August due to the earthquake in the Marmara region, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[41] A LOT OF CUSTOMERS FOR TUPRASThere is a big demand from foreign investors for the privatization of TUPRAS, which has been placed on the privatization list submitted to the IMF delegation by the Privatization Administration Board (OIB), for the years 1999 and 2000. It is said that Salomon Smith Barney, a consultancy firm concerned with the privatization of TUPRAS, has received a bid of about 2 billion dollars during its sounding-out of investors abroad. OIB is planning to implement the privatization in the first quarter of next year. Salomon Smith Barney is carrying out research into the privatization form of TUPRAS. The sale of shares, both nationally and abroad, in the public floatation of part of the privatized company has not been made definite yet. /Star/[42] GAP'99 FAIRA lot of local and foreign companies are continuing to apply the chance of attending the 2nd International Industry and Technology GAP'99 Fair, which will be implemented under the main sponsorship of TELSIM, between Oct. 4th and 11th. in Sanliurfa. The Governor of Sanliurfa province, Sahabettin Harput, said that the Fair, which is being held for the second time thanks to the contributions of TELSIM and President Suleyman Demirel, would play an important role in the promotion of the region. The GAP Development Administration, the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Ministry, the Industry Ministry, the Foreign Affairs Ministry, TOBB, the Sanliurfa Governor's Office, the Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade, Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT), and Development Board of Small- and Medium-Scale Enterprises (KOSGEB) are also giving their support to the organization of the Fair. /Star/[43] LESSON IN FRIENDSHIP FOR ROMETurkey teaches a 'lesson in friendship' to Italy, who received the reaction of the whole world by embracing the head of the PKK terrorist organization, Abdullah Ocalan. Mehmed Anduni, a Tunisian wanted urgently by Rome, was captured at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, on Sept. 9th. Carrying a Bosnian-Herzegovinan passport, Mehmed Anduni was sent to Metris prison, after four days in police custody. Turkey declared that after the necessary procedures have been completed, he will be handed over to Italy. So, Turkey has taught the lesson that "a real friend does so" to Rome. /Star/[44] INTERNATIONAL ISTANBUL BI-ANNUAL FESTIVALThe sixth International Istanbul Bi-Annual Festival organized by the Istanbul Culture and Arts Foundation will be opened today at Dolmabahce Cultural Centre. All proceeds of the Festival will be granted to the victims of the earthquake. An auction will be held tomorrow as part of the Festival attended by 56 artists from 32 countries. /Hurriyet/[45] TURCO-GREEK FRIENDSHIP ON RADIO FOREKSThe Turco-Greek relations will be discussed on Radio Foreks today. Retired Ambassador Ilter Turkmen, Hurriyet columnist Mumtaz Soysal and an expert on the EU, Can Baydarol, will be guests on the programme broadcast on Radio Foreks. /Hurriyet/[46] TURKISH MUSICAL CAVALCADE IN LONDONThe 'Turkish Musical Cavalcade' will be performed in London on October 11-13. The play consisting of various examples of music dating from the Ottoman Empire to the present day is written and directed by Haldun Dormen. /Sabah/[47] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...[48] EARTHQUAKE AND THE DOMESTIC POLITICAL BALANCE -BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)Columnist Yilmaz Oztuna writes about the earthquake and its impact on domestic politics. A summary of his column is as follows:"The earthquake has stricken the lives of 20 million people and disturbed them greatly. The remaining 45 million felt great sorrow in their heart. Winter will increase the complaints of the quake victims. It is very hard to console or please someone who has lost his or her family, friends or relatives. The situation will most probably affect the political balance in the country. The main target seems to be the Democratic Left Party (DSP) and its leader, to say nothing of the bureaucrats favouring the DSP. It is true that Ecevit and his friends are trying to hard to erase the effects of the earthquake. However, some shortcomings were apparent from the first day. Certainly, these cannot all be blamed on the parties in power but they will be directed at the largest party in the coalition. Our citizens are also closely watching the Nationalist Action Party (MHP). This party does not hold the Education, administration or policy-determining Ministries in the Cabinet. Any mistake observed in the Ministries concerning the earthquake could easily be blamed on the Nationalist Action Party. It has been claimed a great change would take place following the earthquake disaster. It can easily be said that there will be a change in the balance of domestic politics. Some administrators and officials acted inefficiently during the earthquake crisis. There should be a differentiation between those who can deliver and those who cannot. Complaints concerning the crisis are growing and those who are in a position to answer them should be extremely careful." [49] A TURN-AROUND IN RELATIONS WITH ITALY -BY SEMIH IDIZ (STAR)Columnist Semih Idiz comments on the improving relations with Italy. A summary of his column is as follows:"The joint press conference organized by Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and his Italian counterpart, Lamberto Dini, has revealed that the two countries have left behind the "bitter days" stemming from the Ocalan problem. In his statement to the press, prior to answering the questions of the journalists Dini did not mention the Ocalan affair or the Kurdish issue but dwelt on the reform of relations between the State and its citizens and stated that Turkey had taken great strides in overcoming this problem. In answer to a question concerning the Ocalan affair, he stated that this was not a political problem but rather a technical issue stemming from the his country's legal structure. His words concerning Cyprus pleased Ankara as the Italian Foreign Minister stated that the presence of two different communities on the Island could not be ignored. In fact, this statement supported the Turkish claims. Lamberto Dini also stated that Italy consistently had supported Turkey's integration with the EU from the very beginning, and this showed that Italy would not oppose Turkey's candidacy during the EU Summit to be held in Helsinki in December. Among the issues Cem and Dini seemed to have parallel views on are Kosovo, the European Security and Defence Identity (ESDI), the expansion of NATO and the Middle East. Thus, they were sending out a signal that both were Mediterranean countries and these issues closely concerned them. Decisions to form a great number of comittees and to organize the meeting of Foreign Ministers at least once a year revealed that Ankara and Rome did not want to leave developments to take their course. In short, we can say that Turco-Italian relations have returned to their traditional place with the visit of the Italian Foreign Minister. It seems that the Italian Prime Minister, D'Alema, who did not have any reservations in describing the PKK as a terrorist organization, today has understood the damage which can be incurred by breaking off ties with a country with whom there were good relations. The Turkish side has also understood the importance of gaining parity with Europe. As an example we can state that she has learnt that not abolishing capital punishment has created problems in her extratidion requests with all European countries, not only Italy. " END Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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