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Turkish Press Review, 01-02-19
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" bgcolor="#F0F0F0"> Turkish
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<td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080"> Press
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Summary of the political and economic
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<td width="100%">19.02.2001</td>
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CONTENTS
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AMBASSADOR ABDULLAH: "DO NOT LET THE US USE
THE INCIRLIK AIR BASE"
CONTENTS
[01] STATE MINISTER TOSKAY RETURNS FROM VISIT TO SOUTH
AFRICA
[02] DUTCH AMBASSADOR ENCOURAGES AGRICULTURAL
COOPERATION
[03] TURKISH ARMED FORCES GIVE MILITARY TRAINING TO
FOREIGN PERSONNEL
[04] BDDK DECISION OVER FOUR BANKS PUBLISHED IN
OFFICIAL GAZETTE
[05] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE
COLUMNS
[06] PKK...MARX...RELIGION...LENIN BY MUSTAFA BALBAY
(CUMHURIYET)
[07] G-20 CONVENES IN ISTANBUL
[08] FISCHER AND DEPPLER IN TURKEY
[09] TURKEY HOPES NO REPEAT OF AIR STRIKES ON IRAQ
[10] GUREL IN IRAN
[11] CEM IN LISBON
[12] BBAHCELI'S VISITS CONTINUE
[13] STATE MINISTER TOSKAY RETURNS FROM VISIT TO SOUTH
AFRICA
[14] ACCIDENT IN THE BOSPHORUS
[15] BELGIUM CLARIFIES ITS POSITION ON TURKEY
[16] GEORGIAN BUREAUCRAT CRITICIZES ARMENIAN ISSUE
[17] ATHENS PRONOUNCES ITSELF FALSE
[18] TURKEY CELEBRATES CIVIL CODE'S 75TH ANNIVERSARY
[19] DUTCH AMBASSADOR ENCOURAGES AGRICULTURAL COOPERATION
[20] NATURAL GAS PROJECT TO BE SIGNED WITH GEORGIA
[21] TURKISH ARMED FORCES GIVE MILITARY TRAINING TO
FOREIGN PERSONNEL
[22] BLACK SEA BANK FINANCES POWER PLANT
[23] CRITICAL WEEK FOR THE VIRTUE PARTY
[24] TOBB CONSTRUCTS 30 SCHOOLS IN 2 YEARS
[25] DUTCH GESTURE TO TURKISH TOURISM
[26] ANKARA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE'S REPLY
[27] ITO TO DISCUSS ARMENIAN ISSUE
[28] ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORTS TO SAVE THE BLACK SEA
[29] KOBI INVESTMENTS
[30] CHANGE IN THE INVESTMENT INCENTIVES
[31] ERDEMIR STEEL AND IRON TRADE COMPANY'S SUCCESS
[32] TREASURY TO LAUNCH BIDDINGS
[33] TAIWAN TRADE FAIR IN ISTANBUL
[34] TURKISH EXPORT PRODUCTS FAIR IN BAGHDAD
[35] BDDK DECISION OVER FOUR BANKS PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL
GAZETTE
[36] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE
COLUMNS
[37] PKK...MARX...RELIGION...LENIN BY MUSTAFA BALBAY
(CUMHURIYET)
[01] STATE MINISTER TOSKAY RETURNS FROM VISIT TO SOUTH
AFRICA
"ALLEGATIONS OF THE SO-CALLED ARMENIAN
GENOCIDE AND THE FACTS" CONFERENCE IN BRITAIN
[02] DUTCH AMBASSADOR ENCOURAGES AGRICULTURAL
COOPERATION
[03] TURKISH ARMED FORCES GIVE MILITARY TRAINING TO
FOREIGN PERSONNEL
[04] BDDK DECISION OVER FOUR BANKS PUBLISHED IN
OFFICIAL GAZETTE
COLLIERS AUTHORITIES : "TURKEY IS ATTRACTIVE
FOR INVESTORS"
[05] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE
COLUMNS
[06] PKK...MARX...RELIGION...LENIN BY MUSTAFA BALBAY
(CUMHURIYET)
[07] G-20 CONVENES IN ISTANBUL
The finance deputy ministers and Central Bank
assistant directors of the G-20 member countries convene in Istanbul
today. Turkey will be represented by Treasury Undersecretary, Selcuk
Demiralp, and Central Bank Deputy Governor, Sukru Binay. During the
meeting, issues stemming from globalization and role of private sector
in financial crises will be discussed. Additionally, necessary
preparations will be made for the Presidential meeting which is
expected to be held in Canada. /Star/
[08] FISCHER AND DEPPLER IN TURKEY
International Monetary Fund (IMF) First Vice
President, Stanley Fischer, and the IMF official in charge of European
Affairs, Michael Deppler, arrived in Istanbul yesterday to attend G-20
Preparation meeting. Fischer and Deppler are also expected to proceed
to Ankara today and meet with government officials, including Prime
Minister Bulent Ecevit and Deputy Premier Husamettin Ozkan. /Turkiye/
[09] TURKEY HOPES NO REPEAT OF AIR STRIKES ON IRAQ
Turkey, which has recently forged closer ties with
neighboring Iraq, said on Saturday it hoped US-led aerial attack on
Baghdad would not be repeated. US and British aircraft attacked
targets near Baghdad on Friday and President George W. Bush said
Washington would take "appropriate action" if Iraqi leader
Saddam Hussein produced so-called weapons of mass destruction.
"We hope such incidents do not happen again.", Turkish
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said. Iraq said on Saturday that two
civilians were killed and more than 20 others were wounded in the
attacks. "Last night's incident is a serious one. I regret the
civilian losses there.", said Cem. Turkey, a member of NATO, is
seeking to improve economic ties with Iraq and last month upgraded its
diplomatic ties with Baghdad to ambassadorial level, a move that drew
criticism from Washington. Cem said US and British planes based at
Southern Turkey's Incirlik air base were not used during Friday's
attack. The planes regularly patrol a no-fly zone north of the 36th
parallel to protect breakaway northern Iraq from attacks by Baghdad.
/Turkish Daily News/
AMBASSADOR ABDULLAH: "DO NOT LET THE US USE THE
INCIRLIK AIR BASE"
The Turco-Iraqi Friendship Association held its
third annual convention in Ankara yesterday. In a statement,
emphasizing Iraqian people have already encountered many difficulties
due to the UN embargo, Iraqi Ambassador to Turkey, Faruk Abdullah,
asked Turkey not to allow the US use Incirlik Air Base for possible
air attacks on Iraq. The Chairman of the Association, Mehmet Emin
Deger, said, "The long lasting sanctions imposed on our neighbour
Iraq causes great troubles for the Iraqi people and this issue annoys
Turkey as well as other countries. The last attack put world and
regional peace in jeopardy." /Turkiye/
[10] GUREL IN IRAN
State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel traveled to Iran to
participate in the meeting for "Cooperation Against Racism"
organized by the UN. Gurel said, there must be some criteria
established in the fight against racism, xenophobia and intolerance.
/Sabah/
[11] CEM IN LISBON
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem traveled to
Portugal. Cem is expected to go to Italy after completing his meetings
in Portugal. According to diplomatic sources in the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, Cem and the US Secretary of State Colin Powell will
meet at the NATO meeting in Brussels, February 27. /Cumhuriyet/
[12] BBAHCELI'S VISITS CONTINUE
Minister of State and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet
Bahceli attended the National Assembly Session in Turkmenistan. Before
the session, Bahceli laid a wreath at the Freedom Monument with the
Turkmenistan President Saparmurat Turkmenbasi. Bahceli stated at the
Ruhiyat Villa where the National Assembly session took place that
close relations between Turkey and Turkmenistan dated back centuries.
/Cumhuriyet/
[13] STATE MINISTER TOSKAY RETURNS FROM VISIT TO SOUTH
AFRICA
State Minister Tunca Toskay and a delegation of
Turkish businessmen returned from their visit to the Republic of South
Africa yesterday. Speaking at Ataturk Airport, Toskay said they
regarded South Africa a strategic market. "South African
businessmen had earlier visited Turkey. We had fruitful meetings. Our
businessmen are very pleased with the visit. We met with two ministers
and Cape Town State officials. I believe this will add impetus to
economic relations between the two countries." said Toskay.
/Turkish Daily News/
[14] ACCIDENT IN THE BOSPHORUS
A Malaysian flagged cargo ship "Bunga Melor
Satu", and the "Robel", a cargo ship registered in the
West African Archipelago of Sao Tome crashed in the Bosphorus early
yesterday morning. The Malaysian flagged ship remained undamaged
however the Robel was seriously damaged in the accident and sank after
the crash. The crew of Robel were saved by the crew of the Bunga Melor
Satu. While the Bunga Melor Satu was carrying 30,000 tons of sugar,
the Robel was reported to carry 3,100 tons of iron. Officials stated
the investigation over the collision was continuing. /Cumhuriyet/
"ALLEGATIONS OF THE SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
AND THE FACTS" CONFERENCE IN BRITAIN
Speaking at a conference entitled "Allegations
of the So-called Armenian Genocide and the Facts" at the Kemalist
Thought Association in Britain, Prof. Turkkaya Ataov said Turkey had
to find a way to annul the possible approvals of the so-called
Armenian genocide bills at the parliaments of various countries. Ataov
stated there would be no way left for the Armenians if Turkey achieved
this. /Cumhuriyet/
[15] BELGIUM CLARIFIES ITS POSITION ON TURKEY
Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt has stated
that all European Union (EU) candidate countries including Turkey
would join the Laeken Summit, which will be held at the end of the
Belgian presidency. In a bid to clarify his rather confusing remarks
on Turkey's status, he stated there was a minor difference of status
between Turkey and other candidate countries. Verhofstadt had
previously stated that the presidents or prime ministers of the 12
candidate countries would be invited to the Laeken Summit to approve
the final document along with the 15 member countries. Asked if
Turkey, too, would be invited to approve the final document of the
summit, Verhofstadt said he had to consult with the 15 member
countries before commenting. /Turkish Daily News/
[16] GEORGIAN BUREAUCRAT CRITICIZES ARMENIAN ISSUE
Georgian Foreign Ministry Public Relations Office
Chairman Avtandil Napetvaridze criticized the approval of the
so-called Armenian genocide bill by the French National Assembly and
said, "The approval of the so-called Armenian genocide only gives
rise to hostility and enmity among the states and the public."
Speaking at a press conference, Napetvaridze said the issue will never
be brought onto the agenda of the Georgian Parliament, and added that
the genocide claim was a matter the historians should have solved.
/Turkish Daily News/
[17] ATHENS PRONOUNCES ITSELF FALSE
The official Greek history institution "Asia
Minor Researches" announced that the incidents during the war
years in Anatolia could not be considered as genocide. After having
been approved in the Greek Parliament and then presented for the
President's approval, the bill on the so-called Greek genocide in
Anatolia has been declared false. The Asia Minor Researches
Institution stated that the incidents experienced during that period
took place due to the war. The Asia Minor Researches is a state
institution affiliated with the Greek Ministry of Culture, which is
expert on the history of Anatolian Greeks. The Greek press is
continuing to criticize Greek Parliament's approval. The Daily Avgi
demanded the Parliament change its decision over the issue. /Milliyet/
[18] TURKEY CELEBRATES CIVIL CODE'S 75TH ANNIVERSARY
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit has issued a message
on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Turkish Civil Code
(TMK) in which he said the amendments being made will represent a new
step on the road to becoming a modern civilization. "The Civil
Code shows just how a society regards its people. Thanks to the TMK,
which brought a contemporary structure to the Turkish Republic, the
road was open for all Turkish citizens to have equal rights and
responsibilities and to participate in communal life. The TMK is an
important stage in establishing a single law for all in our country
and equality for all our citizens." Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi
echoed these words and said the TMK brought assurances to freedom of
religion and conscience and was thus one of the keystones of the
secular republic. /Turkish Daily News/
[19] DUTCH AMBASSADOR ENCOURAGES AGRICULTURAL COOPERATION
The Netherlands Ambassador Sjoerd I.H. Gosses said
agricultural cooperation between the Netherlands and Turkey was only
at a developing stage. Speaking at a meeting yesterday organized by
Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce (GTO) and Southeast Turkey Project
Entrepreneur Support Center (GIDEM), Gosses said the agricultural
fabric of the two countries were of a complementary nature for one
other and added, "You need to refine your agricultural sector.
There is too much value added tax regarding technology and
biotechnology. The Netherlands and Turkey could help each other. This
means joint production projects rather than trading activities."
/Turkish Daily News/
[20] NATURAL GAS PROJECT TO BE SIGNED WITH GEORGIA
Georgian State Natural Gas Firm Director Aleksander
Gotsiridze held a press conference and stated that the protocols
regarding the Sahdeniz natural gas project between Turkey and Georgia
were to be prepared in Baku and Tblisi in March. The protocol
regarding the export of Azeri natural gas drilled from the Sahdeniz
bed will be initialed in Baku at a meeting attended by BP-Amoco.
Stating that Georgian interests would be taken into serious
consideration within the scope of the protocol, Gotsiridze said the
elimination of the natural gas shortage in Georgia was dependent on
bilateral talks. /Turkish Daily News/
[21] TURKISH ARMED FORCES GIVE MILITARY TRAINING TO
FOREIGN PERSONNEL
Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) gives special importance
to developing cooperation among countries, especially in an era of
instability. In order to contribute to regional and world stability,
TSK has signed Military Training Cooperation Agreements with 38
countries. Agreements will also be signed with 14 another countries in
the near future. Within the framework of these agreements, 4,750
foreign military personnel were given training in Turkey. Currently
1,313 foreign military students are being educated in Turkish military
training institutions. /Sabah/
[22] BLACK SEA BANK FINANCES POWER PLANT
Black Sea Bank, Yapi Kredi Bank and the Islamic
Development Bank will finance 70 % of construction of Arit (Bartin)
and Yukaricay (Mugla) hydro electrical power plants, which will start
operating in 2002. Brova-TML Energy company will construct the plants.
The company will operate the power plants for 20 years, then transfer
ownership to the state. The plants will generate annually 62 million
kWh of electricity. /Sabah/
[23] CRITICAL WEEK FOR THE VIRTUE PARTY
The 15 day period granted to the Virtue Party
(FP)to prepare a defense against an additional formal indictment
brought by the Chief Public Prosecutor of the High Court of Appeals
will be complete at the end of this week. The jurist aides of the FP,
Seref Malkoc and Mustafa Kamalak are working hard to prepare an
article of defense. Before the FP defends itself, the Supreme Court
will demand the opinion of Chief Public Prosecutor Kanadoglu. The FP
will then deliver its final defense and after all of these operations
the court will continue the ordinary procedure of the FP trial.
/Aksam/
[24] TOBB CONSTRUCTS 30 SCHOOLS IN 2 YEARS
The Chairman of the Turkish Union of Chambers and
Stock Exchanges (TOBB), Fuat Miras, attended the foundation laying
ceremony of the Antakya Commerce Stock Exchanges Primary School after
participating in the TOBB's Regional Meeting of Mediterranean and the
Joint Meeting of Councils. He said, "TOBB has constructed more
than 30 schools in the last two years in the primary development
areas". Miras also promised to contribute 50% of the construction
cost of the girl's dormitory to be built in Antakya. /Aksam/
[25] DUTCH GESTURE TO TURKISH TOURISM
Sun Express, a Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa joint
venture, has started charter flights from the Netherlands to Turkey.
The first flight was to Antalya and was enjoyed by 50 people,
comprised of air crew, various tourism bureau officials, and
journalists. Sun Express officials stated that they were also going to
fly to Bodrum after June. Omer Dasguney, the owner of Time Travel
Agency said they were planning to bring 13,000 tourists to Turkey with
Sun Express. /Turkish Daily News/
[26] ANKARA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE'S REPLY
Ankara Chamber of Commerce gave a good answer to
the so-called Armenian genocide, which was brought to the agenda by
the Armenian lobbies and which was accepted by the French National
Assembly. The Chamber has published a book titled "Baseless
Armenian Claims and the Armenian Cruelty Against Turks." The
book, which proves the Armenian cruelty with photographs and articles,
was sent to 4,000 people and institutions, including Prime Minister
Bulent Ecevit and 550 deputies. The second edition of the book will be
in English. 4,000 English language books, which will be published and
sent to the Parliaments of the European countries and to the AUS.
/Star/
[27] ITO TO DISCUSS ARMENIAN ISSUE
The Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) Assembly
will hold an extraordinary meeting on 27 February to discuss in-depth
the Armenian issue, which has caused tension in the relations between
Turkey and France. Former Foreign Ministers, Ambassadors, the other
Chairmen of Chambers in Istanbul, lecturers from some universities,
and the Armenian Patriarch were invited to the meeting. /Star/
[28] ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORTS TO SAVE THE BLACK SEA
Minister of Environment, Fevzi Aytekin, signed the
'A Regional Cooperation Regulation for the Management of Hazardous
Waste Materials in the Black Sea' with the Mayors and Governors of
Provinces. The Black Sea Environment Union (KARCEV) was established in
order to save Black Sea that has been polluted by the countries and
cities surrounding the sea. KARCEV became official during the signing
ceremony organized in Trabzon and chaired by Aytekin. According to the
above-mentioned regulation, the hazardous waste materials will be
eradicated at their source. The facilities will be established by
ensuring regional cooperation and the projects will be produced to
prevent the rubbish to be thrown into the sea. /Hurriyet/
[29] KOBI INVESTMENTS
The procedures and principles concerning the state
aids in the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (KOBI) investments were
determined. The notice included activities concerning the
manufacturing, agriculture industry, tourism, education, health,
mining and software development investments. According to the notice,
loans will be used as investments for the purchase of machines and
equipment and as the management loan for the raw materials and
materials of management. The expected amount of investment loans will
not exceed 200 billion TL. /Star/
[30] CHANGE IN THE INVESTMENT INCENTIVES
It is necessary to make an investment amounting to
at least 200 billion TL in the priority development areas, 400 billion
TL in the normal areas and 600 billion TL or more in order to make use
of the investment incentives. The announcement, which was prepared by
the involved State Ministry in order to enlighten the Decision about
the State Aids in Investments and Investment Incentives Fund, was
promulgated in the Official Gazette. The minimum investment amounts
and the types of investments are mentioned in the announcement. The
announcement also includes the methods to be followed while trying to
get an investment certificate. /Hurriyet/
[31] ERDEMIR STEEL AND IRON TRADE COMPANY'S SUCCESS
General Director of Erdemir Iron and Steel
Factories Trade Companies, Sener Macun, said 2000 was the year of
records for Erdemir. He adds the company is aiming at being among the
top ten companies in Europe in five years. Macun stated, "The
total of raw steel production in the world is nearly 850 million tons
and all the program targets and in terms of production and sales
exceeded our goals. It has been also a beneficial year financially.
Not only our management activities, but also our investment activities
have continued without interruption. In other words, positive results
have been shown in all financial indicators. /Aksam/
[32] TREASURY TO LAUNCH BIDDINGS
A critical week for the markets begins. Yesterday,
the Treasury announced plans to hold two separate borrowing biddings
with 12 and 7 month maturity dates. Additionally, on Feb. 21st, a 3.9
quadrillion TL repayment will be realized. /Star/
[33] TAIWAN TRADE FAIR IN ISTANBUL
The Taiwan Trade Fair will be opened in The Marmara
Hotel on 22 February, 2001 in Istanbul. 62 Taiwanese companies, will
be repesented. Electronics, bicycle and automobile components, medical
materials, telecommunications, textile and accessories, home and
decoration materials, souvenirs, stationery, cosmetics and
agricultural vehicles, will be exhibited. The fair is organized by the
Taiwan Trade Center's Office in Istanbul. /Aksam/
[34] TURKISH EXPORT PRODUCTS FAIR IN BAGHDAD
Despite reactions from the US, Turkey is preparing
to open the 3rd Turkish Export Products Fair in Baghdad between May
7-11. After the Turkish-Iraqi Business Council's establishment, a
commerce delegation chaired by the Minister of State Tunca Toskay will
visit Baghdad between March 12-16. Turkey, who suffered $ 40 billion
loss due to the US embargo on Iraq, is determined to improve her
bilateral relations with Iraq despite the American President Bush's
new message given by bombing Iraq. Turkey has already began to yield
positive results of her rapprochement policy over Iraq. After the
bilateral visits in 2000 and Joint Economic Commission Meeting, the
exportation to Iraq has increased by 55 % and reached $ 371 million.
It was stated that 60 Turkish firms have already applied to
participate in the fair to be organized in Baghdad. The number of
participators is expected to reach 200. /Cumhuriyet/
[35] BDDK DECISION OVER FOUR BANKS PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL
GAZETTE
Egebank, Yurtbank, Yasarbank and Bank Kapital
merged under the roof of Sumerbank. The Banking Regulation and
Supervision Board (BDDK) stopped the activities of the four bank and
decided to merge them under the same roof. The BDDK decision was
published in the Official Gazette. /Cumhuriyet/
COLLIERS AUTHORITIES : "TURKEY IS ATTRACTIVE
FOR INVESTORS"
Representatives from the Resco Colliers, an
international real estate chain, said Turkey was an attractive country
for the long-term investor. Russian representative of Colliers,
Preston Haskell said the real estates market should be
institutionalized in Turkey. Haskell said, "Istanbul is more
attractive than Moscow for investors with its historical situation,
banking system and high advantages." /Cumhuriyet/
[36] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE
COLUMNS
[37] PKK...MARX...RELIGION...LENIN BY MUSTAFA BALBAY
(CUMHURIYET)
Columnist Mustafa Balbay writes on the developments
occurring in the 1990s. A summary of his column is as follows:
"Even though the second anniversary of terrorist Abdrullmah
Ocalan's capture and return to Turkey on 15 February 1999 was not
emphasized, it gave important clues as to the situation reached at
present. In the 90s, Turkey was requested to sit at the same table
with the leader of the terrorist organisation, instead she brought
Ocalan to trial. However, if we analyze the issue only by the views of
the 1990s, it will be incomplete. Today we are in the 2000's, and new
policies are being formed according to new circumstances. Let's
discuss the issue regarding persons, organizations, and geographies.
During the trial process of Ocalan, his supporters remembered Mandela
and thought they would improve their own leaders` image step by step.
However, his image in Imrali is shrinking day by day. This outlook is
reflected in the press organs of the PKK terror organisation. Can the
PKK introduce a new leader taking this fact into consideration? There
are searches in this vein. The PKK seems to have changed the content
of its European studies as a whole. There is no 'war of independence',
'armed conflict', 'resistance to attack by the Turkish Republic
forces'. Instead they are trying to work to persuade everyone that
there is a completely different nation in Anatolia, and preparing to
build its infrastructure. Some of the headlines in the news by
European sources show that the infrastructure for the request of
cultural rights are being prepared. 'Federations of Kurdish
Associations in Germany 'YEKKOM' has began studies to have Kurds
accepted as a separate minority. If these studies take root, they will
ask for Kurdish education in schools, Kurdish radio and television and
the like. Again in Germany, there is the preparation for another
formation under the name of Kurdish Parents Union. As the PKK sees the
importance of education, it wants to branch out in this direction. The
PKK has requested Kurdish language education within the framework of
'the Living Ethnic Languages Law' enacted at The Hague. In Sweden
courses for Teaching Kurdish in Turkey are being given every four
months. Last month the PKK met in Lausanne and accepted a decision on
improving Kurdish language and culture. When we take a look at the
transformation the terrorist organisation went through from the 1980s
to 2000s, interesting milestones attract our attention. At the
beginning, the PKK emphasized that it was a Marxist-Leninist
organisation. In time it was involved in trade. and the marks referred
to has changed. It gained money in terms of Marks. The situation is
different concerning Lenin. The PKK saw that the religion factor was
important in the Southeast and the regimes stemming from Leninism were
falling down one by one. Therefore, it began to use religion instead
of Lenin. When it was understood that this method was also not enough
to reach a victory soon, those who had aims on Turkey had to think of
different schemes. What else was there to put forward instead of the
Kurdish issue but the Armenian allegations? During the 1990s, those
who did not have any respect for Turkey's territorial integrity used
to color Southeastern Anatolia differently and wrote Kurdistan on it
in maps. Today the same regions are referred to as Armenia. Even this
change is enough to show what kind of games are played on the peoples
of the land stretching from Caucasia to Mesopotamia. It was an
interesting coincidence that France was hosting Armenian President
Kocharyan on the anniversary of Ocalan's return to Turkey. In Northern
Iraq, the terrorist organisation wants to draw Barzani and Talabani
under its influence and form a region where only it can control. It
wants to continue armed education over there while asking for full
democracy in Southeastern Anatolia. We would like full democracy to be
enforced not only in Southeastern Anatolia but in the whole of the
country. However, if democracy becomes a tool instead of a goal it
won't help anyone. Those who support the PKK and take it as their
guide are not able to answer this question clearly: 'Shall we lean on
the foreign powers abroad or Anatolia?'"
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