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Turkish Press Review, 99-01-05Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>05.01.99Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS... REFORM IN THE SYSTEM - BY TAHA AKYOL (MILLIYET)[02] CILLER'S SUPRISE ATTACKTansu Ciller, the True Path Party (DYP) leader, made a surprise announcement yesterday and offered her support to a government led by the Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Bulent Ecevit. In spite of Ciller's unexpected proposal, Independent Deputy and current Prime Minister-designate Yalim Erez announced that he will continue his efforts until he is successful in forming a new government.Following Ciller's move, Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP), announced that he would also support a government to be formed by Ecevit, making a DSP minority government a likelihood. With full support from both ANAP and the DYP, this government will be able to pass a vote of confidence in Parliament. Erez reacted harshly to Ciller's surprise attack, stating that none of the party leaders will support Ciller's erraticism. He also accused Ciller of abusing Turkey with her own problems and stated that he will continue his meetings in an effort to form a government. Ciller had previously rejected Ecevit's proposal after twice meeting with the DSP leader during the 19 days in which he was the Prime Minister-designate. Yesterday morning, Ciller visited Ecevit and agreed to unconditionally support a government under Ecevit in order to block Erez's attempts. Following her meeting with Ecevit, Ciller visited Virtue Party (FP) leader Recai Kutan, ANAP leader Mesut Yilmaz and Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal. Ciller has insisted that the new government be formed under the Prime Ministership of a party leader. She has also maintained that elections would lose their importance if a government could be formed by a deputy in Parliament. /All papers/ [03] GENERAL STAFF BLASTS REPORTS ON MILITARYThe Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) has criticized reports about itself which have recently appeared in the media, saying that efforts to misrepresent the military establishment while the current government crisis continues, are in vain. "Lately, the presence of unreal, imaginary and unfair new stories, comments or references aimed at the Turkish Armed Forces have appeared in several newspapers and on some television stations; these are being followed regretfully" said a statement released by the General Staff yesterday. The military statement said that the Constitution provided the TSK with the right to fight -along with the people and the constitutional establishment- against those who try to undermine the Republic, set up a state based on Islamic principles, and divide the country. It said it will carry on with that task without ever changing its attitude. /All papers/[04] TRADE UNION LEADERS MEET EREZBayram Meral, Chairman of the Confederation of Turkish Labour Unions (Turk-Is), Dervis Gunday, Chairman of Turkey's Artisans and Tradesmen Confederation (TESK) and Ridvan Budak, Chairman of the Confederation of Revolutionary Labour Unions (DISK) met Prime Minister-designate Yalim Erez in Ankara yesterday. Bayram Meral said that they were meeting with Erez to discuss problems related to the collective bargaining talks. Meral reflected his certainty that Erez will be able to establish the new government, the Anatolia news agency reports.[05] TURKEY IN THE PRE-ELECTION PERIODRegulations governing the pre-election period were put into effect yesterday and will continue until general and local elections take place on April 18, 1999, the Anatolia news agency reports. According to law, financial aid from the state cannot be given to political parties, administrations working with an additional budget, provincial administrations, municipalities and their connected offices, State Economic Enterprises and their connected offices, public services and their employees until April 18. During the election period, public polls, interviews, estimates and mini referendums conducted by telephone or any other method are also forbidden to prevent any propaganda or anti-propaganda from being issued by the competing parties. The Supreme Election Board (YSK) has announced that 21 political parties will take part in the April 18 elections. /All papers/[06] DEMIREL SENDS A MESSAGE TO NEVAZ SERIFPresident Suleyman Demirel sent a message to Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammed Nevaz Serif, who faced an attempted assassination last week. According to a statement made by the Presidential Press Centre, Demirel wished Serif a quick recovery and said: "Despite this deplorable incident, Pakistan headed by you will continue to cover its path towards a bright future". /Turkiye/[07] CANKAYA MAYOR QUITS CHPDogan Tasdelen, the mayor of Ankara's Cankaya district, resigned from the Republican People's Party (CHP) yesterday. Tasdelen said that he resigned from his party because of those 'who exploited the CHP". Tasdelen did not respond to questions on whether he would switch to another party, but there are reports that he will join the Democratic Left Party (DSP). /All papers/[08] SOLUTION OF THE OCALAN CRISISItalian opposition parties have put pressure on the government to send Abdullah Ocalan to another country as soon as possible. They asked the government to discuss the Ocalan issue in Parliament on 13 January and lay its cards openly on the table. /Milliyet/[09] PKK REPORT FROM BARZANIThe leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Union, Mesut Barzani, prepared a report about Abdullah Ocalan and extended it to Italian officials. In his report Barzani told how the terrorist organization had kidnapped civilians and killed them in northern Iraq, how they had plundered villages and hampered the Food Aid programme of the United Nations (UN). The report put the responsibility for the bloody terrorist activities in Northern Iraq on Ocalan and asked Italy to try him as soon as possible. The report was sent to the Italian Prime Minister, Minister of Justice, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministers of Justice of all EU member countries. /Hurriyet/[10] ITALIAN LAWYER CRITICIZES ROME ON OCALANAugusta Sinagra, the lawyer hired by Turkey to persuade the Italian authorities to extradite the PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, criticized the authorities in Rome for giving too much flexibility to the terrorist leader. Speaking to an Italian daily, Sinagra said that he had submitted a detailed portfolio to the Italian authorities explaining why Ocalan should be handed over to Turkey. The lawyer stressed that the documents he gave the authorities included the practical possibility of Ocalan's extradition to face charges in Turkey that would not require the death penalty.He also said that Ocalan's lawyers will have to submit their client's defence to the court by January 9, after which the judges will make a decision on the case. The Italian Parliament on January 13 will vote on a draft resolution on whether or not to extradite Ocalan to Turkey. /All papers/ [11] MED-TV BROADCASTS INSTEAD OF TRT-INTThe Turkish Radio and Television International (TRT-INT) broadcast was cancelled and the MED-TV channel started broadcasts in the town of Basel in Switzerland. Turkish citizens reacted strongly to this situation. One of the administrators of the Basel district. Dr. Ralp Lewin, said that MED-TV broadcasts would continue and TRT-INT broadcasts could also be restarted. Lewin added that he did not accept the accusations of links between the "terrorist organization" and MED-TV, calling it the "Kurdish Cultural Television Channel".Meanwhile, the Turkish Ambassador to Bern, Erdal Tumer, sent a memo to the Swiss Minister of Foreign Affairs to protest against the decision. /Hurriyet/ [12] THE BALKAN DEFENCE MINISTERS' MEETINGThe Balkan Countries' Defence Ministers' meeting will be held on January 12 in Athens, Greece; Ismet Sezgin, the Turkish Defence Minister will come together with Akis Cohacopulos, the Greek Defence Minister, during the meeting, reported the Anatolia news agency. The Balkan Defence Ministers' meeting will be held in order to achieve a full cooperation among the Balkan countries at the military level.[13] POSSIBILITY FOR DIALOGUE APPEARS"A possibility has arisen that dialogue can be established anew in Turkish-European Union (EU) relations following the defeat of the Christian Union government of the past 16 years in Germany", said Cigdem Akkaya, Head of the Turkish Division of the Centre for Turkish Studies (TAN). On January 1, Germany took over the term-presidency of the European Union (EU). Akkaya pointed out in a statement yesterday that there were still a number of important problems which had to be tackled. These include free circulation within the EU, Turkey's representation in the European Parliament, Turkey's economic contribution to the EU and the economic burden it would bring, the non-payment of the financial assistance which has been agreed upon for Turkey and the meeting of the Copenhagen criteria on human rights and democracy. /All papers/[14] IN THE MIDDLE OF CONFLICTThe American National Defence Council Foundation (NDCF) issued a report on problem areas of the world in 1998. The report states that conflicts and crises are decreasing throughout the world but Turkey is located in a region surrounded by conflicts. NDCF experts note that there has been a decrease in crises throughout the world. However Turkey is among 60 problematic countries listed in 'World Problem Points'. Five of Turkey's close neighbours are cited in the region as being open to conflict. The 1998 report mentions the crises related to Turkey as 'Cyprus, Georgia, Iran, Syria and Iraq', it also notes that Caucasian countries such as Armenia, and Azerbaijan occasionally experience internal problems. According to the report the most important problem facing Turkey is Cyprus. The report says: "The number of soldiers and weapons on the island, the uncompromising stance displayed by both societies brought the crisis near to explosion point" and adds: "Despite Ocalan's departure from Syria at the end of the year, the agreement signed between Turkey and Israel is continuing to create problems between Syria and Turkey." /Sabah/[15] GREEK CYPRIOT MINISTERS RESIGNTwo Ministers of the minor coalition partner in the Greek Cypriot Administration formally resigned yesterday following their party's decision to withdraw from the administration in protest of President Glafkos Klerides' decision to cancel the deployment of the Russian-made S-300 missiles on the island. Klerides said in a statement he accepted the resignations of the Ministers. /All papers/[16] STOCK EXCHANGE RISES BY 6.16% THE FIRST DAYThe Stock Exchange, which has shown an average increase at the rate of 15% every January since its foundation, got off to a good start in the New Year. The index began to rise with the opening of the session and exceeded 2650 points. In the market, where the possibility of the formation of a new government was more strongly, interest rates fell and more purchases were made. Sources say that the rise in the Stock Exchange was due to the domestic market, rather than the traditional foreign capital inflow normally seen in January which has not begun as yet. /Sabah/[17] 6 % INTEREST RATE FOR EUROTurkish banks have already programmed their computers in line with the Euro, which is now the common currency of most European Union (EU) countries. Since yesterday, the banks have opened Euro accounts for their clients. In order to open an unlimited Euro account, clients have to deposit at least $ 500 or DM 1000 and for a limited account they have to deposit at least $ 1000 or DM 2000. Banks will apply a 3.5 % interest rate for one month, 4.5 % for three months, 5 % for six months and 6 % for one year. /Hurriyet/[18] PRIVATIZATION TARGET $5 BILLIONAn intensive privatization programme is awaiting the Privatization Administration Board (OIB) in 1999. The total income expected from the privatization procedures this year amounts to $5 billion. Among the institutions to be privatized this year are Turkish Airlines (THY), Petkim and Tupras. /Turkiye/[19] COMPETITION IN HELICOPTERSThe Turkish Defence Ministry is planning to purchase a fleet of helicopters in order to renew the Turkish Armed Forces' helicopter squadron. An announcement was made last week throwing open to international tender the manufacture of eight cargo-type helicopters. The bids will be collected on February 10, 1999. /Turkiye/[20] TURKEY TO BE GIANT IN ROCKET INDUSTRYTurkish Roketsan aims to become one of the leading rocket producers in the world in the 21st century. Roketsan, which has advanced technology in line with NATO standards, carries out its production in various areas, from rocket fuel to spare parts. Since its establishment in 1988, the company has produced motors for Stinger rockets and also medium-range rockets for the Turkish Armed Forces. Roketsan has an international advanced technology production certificate. Now, it aims to gain the capacity to produce long-range rockets and form an Engineering Development group; this group would establish the necessary infrastructure for the production-line manufacture of long-range rockets. /Aksam/[21] TURKISH FAIR IN BARCELONA"Joint Action Plan for the Improvement of Turkish-Spanish Relations", signed after the meetings between Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and his Spanish counterpart Jose Maria Anzar a few months ago, will be realized for the first time by a Turkish fair in Barcelona. "Turkish Export Goods Fair", which will be held in Barcelona on January 21-24, is organized by Forum Fair Corp., a joint enterprise of a number of Turkish civil society organizations. /Cumhuriyet/[22] GERMAN INVESTMENT IN FREE ZONEThe German Hugo Boss, one of the leading textile companies in Europe with a capital of DM 1.4 billion, will invest in Izmir. The Chairman of the Turco-German Economic Society, M. Ali Molay said that the company had already started the construction in the Ege Free Zone. Molay added that before the investment, representatives of the company had made a wide survey within the framework of the European Union criteria and then they decided to invest in Turkey. /Hurriyet/[23] TURCO-BULGARIAN JOINT TRANSPORTATION PROTOCOLAn agreement protocol signed in Istanbul on October 23, 1998, at the 16th meeting of the Turco-Bulgarian Joint Transportation Commission was approved by the Council of Ministers and President Suleyman Demirel yesterday. The protocol, signed by Turkish Transport Minister A.Ahmet Denizolgun and Bulgarian Transport Minister Wilhem Kraus, was promulgated in the Official Gazette yesterday. /All papers/[24] 1998 EPICA AWARD TO TURKISH FIRMOne of the two biggest advertisement awards, Epica's 1998 Press Award for the Automobile Industry, has been given to the Turkish Medina Turgul DDB company. The advertisement, which was formed of six posters, was commissioned for Volkswagen automobiles. Representatives of the company will be presented with their award during a ceremony to be held on 21 January in Lisbon. /Hurriyet/[25] IBDA_C MEMBERS IN PRISONSalih Izzet Erdis, code named Salih Mirzabeyoglu, the Chairman of the illegal terrorist organization IBDA_C and two members of the organization were sent to military courts following their examination by the police. The wife of Salih Mirzabeyoglu was released. Izzet Erdis was arrested for organizing an illegal organization. /Sabah/[26] 13 TERRORISTS ARRESTEDThirteen members of the Turkish Revolution Party (TDP) captured in Giresun have been arrested. Meanwhile, during an operation carried out in Tokat one terrorist from the illegal TIKKO organization was killed yesterday. /Turkiye/[27] ANOTHER PUNISHMENT FOR THE KAPLANISTS IN GERMANYIt is reported that Metin Kaplan, the leader of a German-based radical Islamic movement which aims to overthrow the secular regime in Turkey, had another fine imposed on him by the Cologne Municipality for his fundamentalist activities. In the decision it was said that Kaplan's declarations insulted democratic states and international Jewish society, and undermined the foreign policy interests of the Federal Republic of Germany. Kaplan had been banned from politics by the Immigration Office in Cologne whereas the Federal Prosecution Service is carrying out an investigation into the activities of the Kaplanist society in Germany. /Cumhuriyet/[28] BOLU POLICE GAVE NO RESPITE TO SMUGGLERS IN 1998It is reported that the Bolu Directorate of Security revealed numerous smuggling instances, and most particularly, dealt a heavy blow to drug traffickers in 1998. In addition to 213 kgs of heroin, 175 kgs of hashish and 33 kgs of morphine, the Bolu Police also seized a network specialized in smuggling many antique works of art to European countries, including Aladdin's lamp and Hercules' ring. Meanwhile, a network of dollar counterfeiters was seized by the Manisa Police. The police officers noted that the growth of smuggling has already surpassed the borders of Turkey. /Turkiye/[29] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS... REFORM IN THE SYSTEM - BY TAHA AKYOL (MILLIYET)Taha Akyol, a columnist in the Milliyet daily, reflects on the True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller's latest political turn on behalf of a possible minority government led by Ecevit, interpreting the current political trends in terms of a feasible reformation in the dynamics of Turkish politics."The positive side of Ciller's attempt is that it may ameliorate the relationship between DYP and the Motherland Party (ANAP)-the largest parties of the center-right. As far as we have learnt from DYP members, before this attempt, Ciller had indirectly asked for the attitudes of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Ecevit and the ANAP leader Yilmaz towards the plausibility of her effort. Turkey must go to elections on April 18. Before the elections, a convergence between these two liberal parties, even in the form of outward support for a minority government, is quite pleasing. These parties alone share a common philosophy and, in addition, the dispute between them is merely a disagreement between their leaders. Turkey can attain `stability' only on the axis of DYP-ANAP. What President Demirel calls a `reform in the system and the state' must be thoroughly discussed if it is to be achieved through democratic procedures and the general will. Whether the President will be elected by the people or not, whether the elections will be in two rounds or not, whether the inter-party mechanisms will be codified or not - no election system can ensure stability without the formation of a 40% voting bloc. Turkey is obliged to reform the system and the state; its political axis can only be a convergence between ANAP and DYP. Last but not least, the inclusion of the Virtue Party (FP) in this process would facilitate the viaibility of such a project." [30] THE GAME ON S-300 MISSILES - BY ERGUN BALCI (CUMHURIYET)In his column in Cumhuriyet Ergun Balcı takes up the issue of the S-300 missiles to be deployed on Crete. A summary of his column is as follows:"S-300 missiles have begun to cause a headache for Greek Cypriot Administration leader Glafkos Clerides and the Greek Prime Minister, Costas Simitis. Clerides planned to use the S-300 missiles as a bargaining chip against Turkey. He would have said, "if you withdraw your soldiers, I will dismantle the missiles." However, the determined stance of Turkey demolished his plans. Turkey expressed its determination to strike the missiles definitely. The support Clerides expected from Europe and the US was not forthcoming because Russian soldiers and experts would be on the island for almost two years before the Greek Cypriots learned how to use the missiles. When Turkey's stand was backed up by the pressure from NATO countries, Clerides had to accept not to deploy the missiles on Cyprus. However, when Clerides persuaded Simitis to deploy them on Crete, another problem surfaced. The people of Crete do not want the missiles to be deployed on their island, because such a development would endanger the island and deal a heavy blow to tourism. Besides, the deployment of these missiles on Crete would lead to a crisis in the Mediterranean. This crisis would leave two NATO countries face to face and therefore, it directly concerns NATO since the tension in Turco-Greek relations would increase. Relations could also become strained if the US and Europe ask for a gesture from Turkey in return for not deploying the missiles on the island;i.e. the demilitarization of the island. Turkey wants to persuade international public opinion to accept a confederation in Cyprus but thus far has not been able to do so." [31] WOMEN INTO PARLIAMENT - BY TURKAN AKIN (TURKIYE)Turkan Akin, a journalist from the daily 'Turkiye' newspaper says the following in her column today:"Intensive efforts have been made in our political parties while Turkey is entering a new election period. It is expected that Turkey's political portrait will change during the elections. In other words, there will be new faces and names both in Parliament and in the municipalities. Of course, it is perfectly natural. However, we believe that more women should enter the new Parliament. The number of female deputies in Parliament is currently very few; in other words, their efficiency is not sufficient. Now is the time for all parties, including the Virtue Party (FP) to ensure a certain proportion of women on their lists. This should not be as claimed by some women's institutions, but, more realistically; at least one quarter of Parliament should consist of female deputies. There is no excuse for women's lack of political success; they already function within the Turkish family structure. Turkish women gained the right to suffrage before many European countries and can prove themselves in the new century." [32] BEHIND THE LOST NOTES - BY BERRAN TOZER (HURRIYET)Correspondent Berran Tozer's interview with Emre Araci, who is a composer, conductor, investigator and archivist was published in today's "Hurriyet" newspaper. Tozer described Araci, who is 29 years old, as a perfect musician. She goes on to say; "Araci has been living in Cambridge, England for ten years and conducting his own orchestra for seven years. His doctorate thesis on Adnan Saygun, one of the leading Turkish composers, will be published as a book sometime this year. He also established a research group to study Ottoman Palace Music."Answering a question, Arici related that, while he was a student in Edinburgh University in Scotland, he decided to establish an orchestra which then toured all around Britain and also in France. He added that they also played the tunes of the Turkish composers Ulvi Cemal Erkin and Adnan Saygun. Arici noted that he and his research group are now studying Ottoman Palace Music, which he said had to be his most important project. Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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