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Turkish Press Review, 01-02-02
From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>
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<td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> Press
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<td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080"> Turkish
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<td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080"> Foreign
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<td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080"> Press
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Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this
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CONTENTS
[01] SEZER APPOINTS TWO MEMBERS OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION
BOARD
[02] ARMENIAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE BEGINS ITS STUDIES THIS
MONTH
[03] ARMENIANS HINDER CITY FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN PLEASANT
HILL AND MERZIFON
[04] JONES' STATEMENT ABOUT THE BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE
PROJECT
[05] BRITISH ROYAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION'S BOOK ON
WORLD'S BEST LEADERS
[06] SUPPLEMENTARY LETTER OF INTENT TO BE EXAMINED BY
IMF
[07] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE
COLUMNS...
[08] SELF-CRITICISM CAPABILITY BY YILMAZ OZTUNA
(TURKIYE)
[09] CHILDREN'S RIGHTS LAW APPROVED BY PRESIDENT SEZER
[10] SEZER APPOINTS TWO MEMBERS OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION
BOARD
[11] ECEVIT INSISTS ON AMENDING PARLIAMENTARY STATUTES
[12] CEM'S ONE-DAY MACEDONIA VISIT
[13] FURTHER SANCTIONS AND REACTIONS TO FRANCE
[14] ARMENIAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE BEGINS ITS STUDIES THIS
MONTH
[15] FRENCH JURIST'S STATEMENT
[16] ARMENIANS HINDER CITY FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN PLEASANT
HILL AND MERZIFON
[17] DANGEROUS COOPERATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST
[18] NATIONAL PROGRAM FOCUSES ON EDUCATIONAL ADVANCE
[19] GROSSMAN TO BE US DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE
[20] JONES' STATEMENT ABOUT THE BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE
PROJECT
[21] TEPE GROUP'S DECISION
[22] ALCATEL EXCLUDED FORM AY-CELL BID
[23] THREE POWER-STATIONS RECEIVE AWARD IN THE US
[24] PEHLIVAN'S STATEMENT
[25] A HISTORY OF TURKISH JEWS IS PUBLISHED
[26] DOUBLE `NO' FROM COURT IN FP CASE
[27] TURAN GENC IN GREECE
[28] FEHRIYE ERDAL ACCUSED ON BELGIAN TV
[29] RESEARCH ON TURKISH MIGRANTS IN GERMANY
[30] TURKISH-IRANIAN PASSENGER TRAIN SERVICES TO RESUME
[31] BRITISH ROYAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION'S BOOK ON WORLD'S
BEST LEADERS
[32] TURKISH SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM'S SUCCESS
[33] SAY RECEIVES AWARD FROM GERMANY
[34] CENTRAL BANK ACHIEVED IMF CRITERIA
[35] SUPPLEMENTARY LETTER OF INTENT TO BE EXAMINED BY IMF
[36] FOREIGN BANKS TO INVEST IN TURKEY
[37] NEW INVESTMENTS IN GAP
[38] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE
COLUMNS...
[39] SELF-CRITICISM CAPABILITY BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)
[40] KOCHARIAN CONFUSES MINDS BY FERAI TINC (HURRIYET)
[01] SEZER APPOINTS TWO MEMBERS OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION
BOARD
SWOBODA: "ARMENIAN BILL DOES NOT AFFECT
EU-TURCO RELATIONS"
BOUKRIS: "DENIAL OF GENOCIDE IS NOT A
CRIME"
[02] ARMENIAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE BEGINS ITS STUDIES THIS
MONTH
GERMANY TO FRANCE: "TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR OWN
HISTORY"
[03] ARMENIANS HINDER CITY FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN PLEASANT
HILL AND MERZIFON
[04] JONES' STATEMENT ABOUT THE BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE
PROJECT
[05] BRITISH ROYAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION'S BOOK ON
WORLD'S BEST LEADERS
[06] SUPPLEMENTARY LETTER OF INTENT TO BE EXAMINED BY
IMF
AKBAYGIL: "SUPERVISION AND TRANSPARENCY ARE
IMPORTANT IN BANKING SECTOR"
[07] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE
COLUMNS...
[08] SELF-CRITICISM CAPABILITY BY YILMAZ OZTUNA
(TURKIYE)
[09] CHILDREN'S RIGHTS LAW APPROVED BY PRESIDENT SEZER
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer approved a law
regarding children's rights mentioned at the European Convention. The
written statement issued by the Presidential Press Office said that
the President sent his approval of the law, which approves the
enactment of the children rights law, to the Prime Ministry. /Turkish
Daily News/
[10] SEZER APPOINTS TWO MEMBERS OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION
BOARD
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer appointed Prof.
Alpaslan Isikli and Prof. Turkan Saylan to the membership of the
Higher Education Board (YOK). Prof. Isikli is known for his
pro-Ataturk attitudes. Prof. Saylan is the chairwoman of the Modern
Life Support Association (CYDD). /Milliyet/
[11] ECEVIT INSISTS ON AMENDING PARLIAMENTARY STATUTES
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit stated that the
amendments proposed in the parliamentary statutes were obligatory in
the sense that it would ensure a more efficiently Parliament. In reply
to questions after the weekly meeting with President Ahmet Necdet
Sezer, Ecevit insisted that the parliamentary statutes amendment be
debated since it was the only way to ensure efficiency in Parliament.
"We will insist on those amendments, I hope violence will not be
resorted to," Ecevit said. /Turkish Daily News/
[12] CEM'S ONE-DAY MACEDONIA VISIT
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem traveled to
Macedonia for a one-day visit. Meeting with Macedonian Foreign
Minister Srgjan Kerim, Cem stated Turkey would continue to support
Macedonia in all areas. Stating they discussed issues related to
bilateral relations, Cem said the Joint Eonomic Commission meetings
would be held in Turkey in the spring months. He also added Turkey
supported Macedonia's NATO membership. /Cumhuriyet/
SWOBODA: "ARMENIAN BILL DOES NOT AFFECT EU-TURCO
RELATIONS"
The European Parliament's Turkey reportor Austrian
Socialist Representative, Johannes Swoboda, said the adoption of the
Armenian bill in the French Parliament will not hamper EU-Turco
relations. Emphasizing the Armenian issue is not an obstacle before
Turkey for its EU membership, Swoboda said, "An investigation
should be carried out whether any genocide was perpetrated or not.
During the Hitler regime, genocide was an official policy in Germany.
However, I do not believe the Ottomans had such a policy. First of
all, a definition for genocide should made; secondly, Turkish,
Armenian and neutral historians should come together and investigate
the topic." He also underlined the Armenian lobbies' power in the
world. /Turkiye/
BOUKRIS: "DENIAL OF GENOCIDE IS NOT A
CRIME"
A professor of law from Paris University, Armand
Boukris, said the so-called Armenian genocide law, enacted the day
before yesterday in France, does not exact any punishment if the
so-called genocide is denied. Boukris said, this law cannot be
evaluated in the same way with the "Gayssot Law", which
demands imprisonment in France up to one year for people who deny the
genocide perpetrated to Jews during the Second World War. He said for
such an application a new law should be enacted. /Turkiye/
[13] FURTHER SANCTIONS AND REACTIONS TO FRANCE
Minister of Public Works and Housing, Koray Aydin
said the tender for Izmit Bay highway was annulled. Both consortiums
participating in the tender have French partners. Mr. Aydin said it
was announced beforehand that the tender would be annulled, if the
French parliament adopted the law on so-called Armenian genocide. The
French companies said they regret for the adoption of the law.
/Milliyet/
[14] ARMENIAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE BEGINS ITS STUDIES THIS
MONTH
Turkey's first Armenian Research Institute will
begin its studies this month. The institute, which will maintain
contacts with Armenian historians and institutions, will contribute to
the relations between Armenia and Turkey. The institute which was
established by the Avrasia One Association is chaired by retired
Ambassador, Omer Engin Lutem. In the beginning, 10 academicians will
work at the Institute in cooperation with the Avrasia Strategic
Research Center (ASAM). The academicians will not simply conduct
research on the allegations of the so-called Armenian genocide but
also on the Armenian Diaspora, today's Armenian society, and Armenian
politics and economics. The institute will also publish a magazine
titled "Armenian Research" in English, which will be sent to
foreign countries. Additionaly, Ottoman archives and the institute's
research will be open to the public on the web site of the institute.
/Cumhuriyet/
GERMANY TO FRANCE: "TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR OWN
HISTORY"
A representative of the German Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, historian Rudolf von Thadden, called on France to face the
negative elements of its own history, such as the Vichy regime and the
Algerian war. /Milliyet/
[15] FRENCH JURIST'S STATEMENT
The French jurist reacted against the so-called
Armenian genocide bill that was enacted after being approved by the
French President Jacques Chirac. Jacques Roberts, who is a former
member of the French Constitutional Court, stated that the French
Constitution does not give the right of rewriting history to the
French National Assembly. Robert added, "This article has only
the aim to influence various platforms. I understand that the
Armenians do not want the law to forget them. Then why is nothing
being done concerning the atrocities that occurred in Cambodia and
Ruanda? If a new law is enacted every time a massacre occurs, then the
National Assembly would have to spend all its time on the issue. When
the Parliament wants to tell its opinion about such issues, it should
try other ways. It is hard for me to understand why French law passes
judgement on an incident that occurred outside our borders. Other
countries might critize us for not enacting a law that accepts that we
were not so brilliant in some of our colonies." /Aksam/
[16] ARMENIANS HINDER CITY FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN PLEASANT
HILL AND MERZIFON
According to the "San Francisco Gate"
newspaper, the Turkish city Merzifon and the American city Pleasant
Hill, California, have been in touch within the framework of the
sister city and cultural exchange program. A group of Armenians are
trying to prevent this cultural contact on the premise that Armenians
were massacred in this city. /Milliyet/
[17] DANGEROUS COOPERATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST
In a daily commentary in one of the German
political dailies, 'Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung', it was written
that Syria achieved rapprochement with Iraq in order to form a balance
of power against Turkey and Israel. In the commentary that was written
by Wolfgang Gunter Lerch, it was stated that Syria was worried about
the rapprochement between Turkey and Israel and that it had moved
closer to Iraq. In the article, it was added that with the cooperation
agreement that was made between these two countries, not only the
relations between Turkey and Israel will be followed, but also all the
US and the European countries will be closely monitored. /Aksam/
[18] NATIONAL PROGRAM FOCUSES ON EDUCATIONAL ADVANCE
The draft of Turkey's National Program, which was
prepared for Turkey's ongoing EU membership bid, stipulates reforms in
the education system to be implemented by the end of this year.
Related parts of the National Program, which was prepared by the
Secretariat Genaral for the European Union in Turkey, was sent to the
relevant ministries for examination. The draft under the title of
"Education, Internship and Youth," sent to the Education
Ministry included the current status of education, the amendments to
be implemented on the issue, and targets to be achieved in the long
and short term. The draft program summarized the short term targets as
follows: "Amendments to the law in regards to the establishment
and duties of the National Agency responsible for EU Youth and
education programs will be included and put into practice. Turkey has
aimed at reaching EU standards in the field of education with several
projects, including the EU-backed Modernization of Professional and
Technical Education project. The Socrates, Leonardo and Youth for
Europe Programs are being explored for possible adaptation and use in
Turkey. /Turkish Daily News/
[19] GROSSMAN TO BE US DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE
US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, will appoint
Marc Grossman as Deputy Secretary of State. Grossman was an American
Ambassdor to Turkey and he knows Turkey well. The decision is expected
to be officially announced at the end of the week. /Cumhuriyet/
[20] JONES' STATEMENT ABOUT THE BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE
PROJECT
American President George W. Bush's special advisor
on Caspian Energy Policies, Elizabeth Jones, stated the Bush
Administration supports the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project. Jones stated
that the US Administration supported the construction of the pipeline
project to help the Caspian States win their economic independence
from Russia. Jones added, "We want this pipeline project to
helporder to develop new and reliable energy sources and to support
the investments of the American companies, which will construct it.
All of these strategic targets are in compliance with the views of the
new Administration and its opinions about how the American foreign
policy should be carried out in the Caspian region." /Aksam/
[21] TEPE GROUP'S DECISION
Just like the other private and public
institutions, Tepe Group also decided to boycott France, which
approved the so-called Armenian genocide bill. Tepe Home, which is
attached to the Tepe Group of Companies, completely stopped the
imports of 700 kinds of furniture and decorative materials from
France, amounting to 1 million US dollars annually. General Director
of Tepe Home, Gursel Usta, cited the so-called Armenian genocide bill
that was approved by the French President Jacques Chirac as the cause
of this decision. /Hurriyet/
[22] ALCATEL EXCLUDED FORM AY-CELL BID
France received another stroke from Turk-Telekom.
Turk-Telekom, which will establish a GSM 1800 network called
'Ay-Cell', decided to exclude the French Alcatel Company from this bid
that amounts to 1 billion US dollars. The Turk Telekom Administration
held an internal meeting after the French President Jacques Chirac
approved the so-called Armenian genocide bill and decided to exclude
the French Alcatel Company from this bid. Turk Telekom is expected to
announce its decision to the public soon. /Hurriyet/
[23] THREE POWER-STATIONS RECEIVE AWARD IN THE US
American Eximbank received the 'Best Financed
Project of the Year' Award due to the financing package, which amounts
to 1.5 billion US dollars and which was ensured for three electricity
power-stations that will be implemented in Gebze, Adapazari and Izmir
with the build-manage-operate model. In the most recent issue of the
monthly 'Project Finance' magazine, which is one of the most important
publications concerning infrastrastructure projects, it was written
that the American Eximbank has undertaken political and commercial
risk for the first time. Chairman of the American Eximbank, James
Harmon, stated that this comprehensive financing that was ensured for
these three projects showed the importance that is attached to Turkey.
/Hurriyet/
[24] PEHLIVAN'S STATEMENT
Fatma Pehlivan, who started her duty by taking the
oath as one of the 71 members of the Belgian Senate, stated that the
European Union (EU) was double dealing against Turkey and was putting
forward some excuses not to admit Turkey. Pehlivan, who is the
daughter of a Macedonian family, stated that Turkey should give an
ultimatum to the EU and that a concrete answer and date should be
requested concerning the EU membership./Hurriyet/
[25] A HISTORY OF TURKISH JEWS IS PUBLISHED
Researcher and writer Hakan Alkan's third book,
"500 Year Adventure-Turkish Jews with Documents 1" was
released. Alkan asked certain questions in his book such as: "Why
did the Ottomans protect a nation who were treated with contempt all
over Europe? Were the Jews able to adApt to the economic, social and
political conditions of the Ottomans ?" Using original documents
in the Ottoman archives, Alkan said, "Ottomans thought that Jews,
who were successful in economic relations, were a community who would
help improve the commercial, cultural and technical conditions in the
Empire. Jews adapted to the conditions of the Ottoman Empire
immediately and lived with a feeling of security." /Cumhuriyet/
[26] DOUBLE `NO' FROM COURT IN FP CASE
The Constitutional Court on Thurday rejected Virtue
Party (FP) leader, Recai Kutan's request to apply Article 104 of the
Political Party Law to the closure case against his party. Article 104
basically says the Constitutional Court should issue a warning to the
political party before it launches a closure case against it.
Previously Vural Savas, who at the time was the Chief Prosecutor of
the Court of Cassation, asked the Constitutional Court to accept the
video which showed a number of FP members chanting slogans praising
the leader of the defunct Welfare Party (RP), Necmettin Erbakan, as
evidence that the FP is the successor of the RP. The Court said the
cassettes were taken after the closure case was opened against the FP.
The next hearing is set for February 7. /Turkish Daily News/
[27] TURAN GENC IN GREECE
Security Director General, Turan Genc, left for
Athens to attend a conference organized by the US Drug Enforcement
Agency (DEA). In a ceremony before the conference, Genc and his Greek
colleague, Yanis Georgokopulos, emphasized the succesful cooperation
between Turkish and Greek Security Organizations, especially during
the capture of 513 kilos heroin last year. /Turkiye/
[28] FEHRIYE ERDAL ACCUSED ON BELGIAN TV
In a program on the Belgian RTBF channel, a rather
objective approach was presented regarding the assassination of
Turkish businessman Ozdemir Sabanci. The speaker of the Belgian
Information Service (BIS), Jean-Baptiste De Smet, said DHKP-C is a
dangerous terrorist organization and the BIS closely observes
terrorists. He said it is clear that Fehriye Erdal was an accomplice
to the murder, but she managed to leave the building before the murder
was discovered. Belgian Justice Minister, Antoine Duquesne, said
Belgium did not grant Erdal political asylum. They could not, however,
extradite her because capital punishment has not been cancelled in
Turkey. /Milliyet/
"DESTINED GLORY" MANEUVERS CANCELLED
NATO canceled Destined Glory Maneuvers to prevent a
possible crisis between Turkey and Greece. In last year's maneuvers, a
crisis arose, as Greek fighters flew over the supposedly demilitarized
Greek islands. As a result, Greece withdrew their fighters and
warships on the last day of the maneuvers. /Milliyet/
[29] RESEARCH ON TURKISH MIGRANTS IN GERMANY
The Turkish Research Center conducted research on
the conditions of Turkish migrants living in the former states of
Eastern Germany. According to the results of the research, 0.09 % of
2.05 million Turkish citizens in Germany live in the former states of
Eastern Germany, known today as new states. /Cumhuriyet/
[30] TURKISH-IRANIAN PASSENGER TRAIN SERVICES TO RESUME
Minister of Transportation Enis Oksuz, who was in
Iran attending the second meeting of the Joint Transportation
Commission, said on Thursday that passenger train services between
Iran and Turkey will resume on March 12, 2001. Oksuz and his Iranian
counterpart Rahman Dadman, put their signatures on a Memorandum of
Understanding on Wednesday night aimed at bolstering cooperation to
upgrade railway, airway and maritime transportation between the two
countries. /Turkish Daily News/
[31] BRITISH ROYAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION'S BOOK ON WORLD'S
BEST LEADERS
Founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal
Ataturk, and the Ottoman sultans, Fatih Sultan Mehmed, Yavuz Sultan
Selim and Kanuni Sultan Suleyman are among the prominent figures
mentioned in the "World's Best Military Leaders" written by
the historians of the British Royal History Association, Martin
Windrow and Francis Mason. There are photographs of Ataturk in the
book taken from the British special archives. /Sabah/
[32] TURKISH SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM'S SUCCESS
Although it has been just six days since the Indian
earthquake registering 7.9 on the Richter scale, the hope of finding
live persons is fading. However, the Turkish search and rescue team
rescued a child yesterday morning. The Turkish team, which assisted
other search and rescue workers in the city of Buj went under the
ruins and saved a 13-year-old girl. The Turkish search and rescue team
comprising 35 people went to India to assist in the search and rescue
efforts on 27 January. They left for Turkey yesterday evening. /Aksam/
[33] SAY RECEIVES AWARD FROM GERMANY
Piano's golden child, Fazyl Say, received an award
from Klassik Heute Magazine in Germany. The announcement of the award
was made in the magazine's January, 2001 issue. /Cumhuriyet/
[34] CENTRAL BANK ACHIEVED IMF CRITERIA
The Central Bank yesterday said it achieved
performance criteria on its net domestic assets and net international
reserves, as outlined in Turkey's strengthened standby deal with the
International Monetary Fund (IMF). /Turkish Daily News/
[35] SUPPLEMENTARY LETTER OF INTENT TO BE EXAMINED BY IMF
Treasury Undersecretary Selcuk Demiralp said the
IMF Managing Board is examining the fourth letter of intent. Mr.
Demiralp said the government will give detailed information next week.
After the examination of the letter of intent, the IMF Managing Board
will release $300 million standby credit and $1.1 billion
supplementary Reserve Facility for Turkey's use. /Milliyet/
AKBAYGIL: "SUPERVISION AND TRANSPARENCY ARE
IMPORTANT IN BANKING SECTOR"
The Banking Union Executive Board Deputy Chairman,
Akin Akbaygil, said supervision and transparencny are very important
for development in banking sector. Speaking at the meeting, "Risk
Management for Banks in Accession Period", Akbaygil said,
"Without a development of the banking sector, the economy cannot
have healthy growth." Stressing banking is profession at risk, he
added, "The sources of risks should be under control."
/Turkiye/
[36] FOREIGN BANKS TO INVEST IN TURKEY
Treasury Undersecretary, Selcuk Demiralp, said
foreigners' views of Turkey are positive. Answering questions posed by
Reuters, Demiralp said, "The Japanese rating organization, JCR,
has a positive view about Turkey. The government's determination, and
continuation of restructuring in government enterprises are ensuring a
positive view to the foreign markets and rating organizations."
Pointing to his meeting with authorities from Barclays Bank and UBS,
Demiralp said, "They expressed their desire to invest in Turkey.
Regarding the fourth additonal letter of intent, he said, "The
IMF will meet Feb. 5 and discuss Turkey's letter of intent. We expect
a declaration about the topic soon." Demiralp also added they
estimate a lower interest rate this January than the one last year.
/Turkiye/
[37] NEW INVESTMENTS IN GAP
The interest in the investments for the Southern
Anatolia Project (GAP) is continuing. 24 projects are being carried
out by the investor companies including Koc, Toprak, Dedeman,
Kombassan and Dogu Holding. /Sabah/
[38] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE
COLUMNS...
[39] SELF-CRITICISM CAPABILITY BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)
Columnist Yilmaz Oztuna points out the necessity of
self-criticism. A summary of his column is as follows: "The
shadows falling on Turkey are the results of her past mistakes. When
she was invited to the EU membership negotiations 23 years ago, Turkey
asked for a period of 10 years. Greece who was invited together with
Turkey immediately accepted the offer and received $ 50 billion when
she was admitted to the Union. If Turkey had become a member on
January 1, 1981, none of the incidents which took place during the
last quarter of the century would have happened. Turkey would have
received an equivalent amount extended to Spain around $ 140 billion
and restructuring all its institutions would have reached the
standards required. Annual income per capita would have exceeded five
or ten thousand US dollars and reached almost 20 thousand dollars. In
terms of Gross National Product this amounts to an annual $1.4
trillion. We would not have been subjected to the terrorist activities
of ASALA, or spent $100 billion during the fight against the PKK.
Armenian demands would not have been echoed in any of the parliaments
in Europe. No one would have dared to get into a quarrel with Turkey,
an EU member or a candidate on the way to becoming a member. There
would not be any plots devised abroad. None of the unwanted incidents
would have come to pass. Democracy in the country would have reached
the stage as it is practiced in Holland and Portugal. Such a Turkey
could have extended all kinds of support to the Central Asian states
gaining their independence ten years ago as well as assisting in
formation of relations with Europe. During the last 20 years, the
requirements for EU membership have increased. Instead of implementing
them gradually, we did not take any action. We got stuck in issues
which are of no use. Worst of all, is that we did not learn any
lessons from past experiences. We became a society unable to criticise
itself. The standards of our modern age require a capability of
self-criticism."
[40] KOCHARIAN CONFUSES MINDS BY FERAI TINC (HURRIYET)
Columnist Ferai Tinc comments on the interview
Armenian President Robert Kocharian gave to journalist Mehmet Ali
Birand. A summary of her column is as follows: "Mehmet Ali Birand
was received by the Armenian Head of State on the day the bill
regarding the so-called Armenian genocide went into effect after being
published in the Official Gazette. During the interview, Kocharian did
not show any deviations from his basic policy but spoke very
moderately. The striking messages were that the activities for the
recognition of the so-called genocide were carried out by the
Armenians throughout the world; Turkey has to recognize the genocide
and apologize and the Armenian Republic does not have any territorial
demands. He is not being sincere as there are close ties between
Yerevan and the Armenians throughout the world. He is calling on them
to work systematically to have the issue recognized in the US and
European parliaments. In a speech he made to the members of the
American Armenian Assembly on 26 October he said, 'Armenia will insist
on the recognition of the 1915 genocide. This has a moral and
political meaning for Armenia.' The same Kocharian is saying to the
Turkish press that this is only a matter of honor and does not go into
the political side of the issue. He is not saying that the references
to Turkish territory under the name of Western Armenia are taking
place both in her Constitution and declaration of independence. I am
surprised while watching Kocharian, as the Armenian President
deliberately confuses the line between genocide and deportation and
presents them as one. He says it is sufficient for Turkey to open up
the archives and apologize directly. Adding this may not be called a
genocide in Turkey, Kocharian says it should be accepted that people
were killed en masse and taken away from their lands. If so, why work
to have genocide allegations approved by the US and European
parliaments? Turkey does not recognize genocide, but nor does she deny
the incidents in 1915, the oppression of the Armenians because they
collaborated with the enemy, their relocation and that some unwanted
extreme events took place. Talat Pasha, in a speech he delivered at
the last Unity and Progress Congress on November 1, 1918 said,
'Deportation took place everywhere in places only where it was
necessary and in an orderly fashion. However, on this occasion
animosities already seen among the population exploded and led to
unwanted corruptions. Many civil servants showed unnecessary violence.
In many places innocent people were victimized. I admit this fact.' In
fact, the guilty were punished. 1393 people were sentenced to various
punishments including the death sentence. While asking for
recognition, Kocharian states that it would lead to good relations
between Armenia and Turkey. We are all for improving relations with
our neighbours including Armenia. However, it cannot be done now due
to such a campaign. Not only Turkey, but all countries such as
Armenia, France, Russia and Germany should open their archives. This
call for the opening of archives should come from Turkey."
<_ul>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<tr>
<td width="100%">
<dl>
<dt>FORMER
ISSUES</dt>
</dl>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
<_table>
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