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Turkish Press Review, 99-04-27Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>27.04.99Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS[02] TURKEY'S SUCCESS AT THE WASHINGTON SUMMITTurkey maintained a diplomatic victory in her persistent blockade of the Washington Summit Communique. After a long debate on the new strategic concept 19-member NATO alliance reaffirmed its commitment to build the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) within the alliance. The European Union (EU) member countries wanted that the Western European Union (WEU) be responsible for the operations and activities to be held in Europe. If this strategic concept was accepted, Turkey would have to meet every WEU decisions and would be excluded from the planning stage of NATO operations. Turkey showed reaction to the issue claiming that Turkey's participation in the European security process would be necessary for regional peace.Ismail Cem, the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that it was Turkey's determined policy that made her influence felt in the composition of the final communique. In their contacts in the US, Turkish officials put forward that Turkey's exclusion from the European security process would not be in line with the regional strategy of America. /Cumhuriyet/ [03] PRESIDENT DEMIREL ON THE NATO SUMMITDuring his informal discussion with Turkish members of the press President Suleyman Demirel said that at his meeting with US President Bill Clinton they discussed Turco-Greek problems as well as other global developments. Regarding NATO Summit and ESDI issue, Demirel said that Turkey achieved a tremendous diplomatic success at the Summit and thanked the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem.President Demirel noted that the murderer of 30,000 people, Abdullah Ocalan, would be fairly tried in Turkey although some circles in Europe tried to show just the contrary. He added that Turkey would not be put into an unjust position in her just case. Concerning his bilateral meeting with German Prime Minister Gerhardt Schroeder, Demirel said that they discussed the Kosovo crisis, problems of Turks in Germany, the joint fight against terrorism and Turkey's relations with the European Union. Demirel also underlined that both countries were obliged under international law to struggle against terrorism. He said that he asked Schroeder to cease the German-based Ozgur Gundem publications since it was openly provoking murder like MED-TV. Demirel is scheduled to leave Washington and return to Turkey on Wednesday. /All papers/ [04] CEM CRITICIZES WESTERN COUNTRIESTurkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem who answered the questions posed by journalists following the meetings in Washington on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of NATO said on the trial of the PKK Chief Abdullah Ocalan that everyone should be confident on the fairness of the trial. Cem said: "They are asking whether or not observers will come. With which status or authority? Turkey's law of procedures are one of the best among Western European countries. There is no 'observer' status. It will be a normal trial. The door is open to everyone. However there will be no special places for ambassadors".Cem noted that he had a detailed meeting with US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and stated that actually bilateral relations between Turkey and the US have further developed during the last two years. Cem said that the US Special Coordinator to Cyprus, Thomas Miller, and US President Bill Clinton's representative responsible for the Caspian basin, Richard Morningstar, were also present at the meeting. /Aksam/ [05] EUROPEAN AIR COMMANDERS IN ANKARATurkish Air Forces Commander General Ilhan Kilic hosted on Monday the Air Forces Chief of 17 European countries, some of which are NATO members, at the Turkish Air Force Headquarters in Ankara. The commanders visited Ataturk's Mausoleum early in the morning and were later greeted at the Air Force Headquarters with a military ceremony. Air Force Commanders are going to discuss various issues including joint doctrines, operations and training. /Aksam/[06] SHIELD OF `DISTINGUISHED LEADER' FOR DEMIRELTurkish President Suleyman Demirel who is currently in the US received a 'Shield of Distinguished Leader' from the American-Turkish Associations' Assembly (ATAA) yesterday in Washington. Demirel who delivered a speech on the occasion said that he was one of the witnesses of the 75 year-old Republic of Turkey. Demirel noted that per capita income in Turkey rose from $50 to $9,000 during the last 75 years and pointed out the distance covered by Turkey in industry and trade. Demirel added: "There are many issues to be handled by the new government". He also gave the message that the period of compulsory education could be increased from eight years to 10 years to be in line with world conditions. /Aksam/[07] NUMBER OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES IN TURKEY REACHED 12,000The number of Kosovar refugees who entered Turkey has reached 11,986. According to a statement made by the Interior Ministry, the number of Kosovar refugees staying in the Kirklareli Gaziosmanpasa Refugee Camp amounted to 4,451, including 1,432 women, 1,275 men and 1,744 children. /Turkiye/[08] MED-TV IS ON THE WAY TO BELGRADEIt is reported that the pro-PKK Med-TV, whose broadcasts were ceased for an indefinite period of time by the British Independent Television Commission (ITC), is preparing to establish a new facility in Belgrade which is under NATO fire. It is also announced that the Med-TV did not close its studios in Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Russia and some Middle Eastern countries and it continues its news gathering activities. /Milliyet/[09] EU TO SEND TWO MPs TO WATCH OCALAN'S TRIALThe European Parliament (EP) has decided to send two of its members to observe the trial of the chief of the outlawed PKK organization. A statement issued by the Speaker of the Parliamentary Assembly of the European Parliament, British MP Russel Johnston, said that the trial would be observed by Hungarian Parliamentarian Andreas Barsony and Finnish Parliamentarian Gunnar Jansson. He said that the two MPs would not be serving as international observers, but as members of the EP. /Aksam/[10] SISTER OF OCALAN'S LAWYER: A PKK MILITANTEmine Korkut, the sister of one of the lawyers of the chief of the terrorist PKK organization, Abdullah Ocalan, was arrested by the Izmir State Security Court due to charges of being a PKK member. It is reported that Emine Korkut, the sister of Ocalan's lawyer Hatice Korkut, was engaged in separatist activities in the countryside of the Elazig province and conducted a number of attacks with molotov-coctails in that region. /Milliyet/[11] SEZER: "CONSTITUTION SHOULD BE AMENDED"The Head of the Constitutional Court, Ahmet Necdet Sezer, called on the new Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) and said that laws restricting the freedom of thought should be amended. Sezer, who delivered a speech on the 37th anniversary of the establishment of the Constitutional Court, stated that the 1982 Constitution restricted basic rights and freedoms to a great extent. Sezer said: "Necessary amendments to the Constitution and laws should be made in order to be in line with universal norms". He added that laws concerning the associations, Higher Education Board (YOK), trade unions, State Security Courts, emergency rule, the press, the struggle against terrorism, collective bargaining and strikes should be amended. /Turkiye/[12] ULUGBAY IN WASHINGTONDeputy Prime Minister and State Minister Hikmet Ulugbay is currently in Washington to attend spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. Ulugbay who met Head of the IMF Michel Camdessus on Sunday, met Head of the World Bank James Wolfensohn yesterday as well. Sources note that Ulugbay has given a message that 'Following the Elections in Turkey, a stable government led by the Democratic Left Party (DSP) will be established and this government will realize many structural reforms'. It is reported that following the establishment of the new Turkish government, stand-by meetings unofficially being discussed since February will also begin. Within the framework of his contacts in Washington, Ulugbay will meet Deputy Head of the IMF, Stanley Fischer, today and meet Treasury Secretary, Lawrence Summers, tomorrow. Ulugbay will later proceed to New York and attend the UN Economic and Social Council meeting. /Aksam/[13] AKTAN IN GREECEHasan Basri Aktan, the Minister of Transportation, went to Athens yesterday in order to attend an international meeting on commercial passages in Southern Europe. Prior to his departure from Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, Aktan noted that a document to facilitate the commercial passages in Southern Europe and especially in Balkan countries will be finalized during the meeting of Transport Ministers from Southern European countries. Aktan will return to Turkey on April 29, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[14] SITUATION IN POLITICAL PARTIESLeading figures in the Motherland Party (ANAP) and the True Path Party (DYP) are criticizing their leaders following the results of the General and Local Elections held in Turkey on April 18. Meanwhile, following the resignation of the Chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP) Deniz Baykal, there are signals that there could be a CHP-SHP division in the party. The most interesting statement was made by the Chairman of the Virtue Party (FP) Recai Kutan, who said: "I have no insistence on remaining as the FP Chairman", implying that there could be new candidates to run for the FP Chairmanship.DYP Chairman Tansu Ciller gave a message concerning her critics, saying, "They should wait for the Congress of the Party. They can be a nominee during the Congress and explain their cause". /Aksam/ [15] ANAP MKYK TO MEETMesut Yilmaz, the Chairman of the Motherland Party (ANAP), and the members of the Central Decision Administration Board (MKYK) will meet today for first time after the 18 April General Election. Mesut Yilmaz said after the 4-hour-long party meeting yesterday in Ankara that they would discuss the results of the elections. Noting that Turkish voters gave priority to the Democratic Left Party (DSP) and the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) to establish a government, Yilmaz said that ANAP was ready to take reponsibility in order to ensure political stability in Turkey. He said they would also discuss the re-structuring program of ANAP during the MKYK meeting. /Cumhuriyet/[16] HASAN CELAL GUZEL GIVES UP POLITICSHasan Celal Guzel, the leader of the Rebirth Party (YDP) and a former well-known Minister of the Motherland Party (ANAP) cabinets in the late 1980s, declared that he would give up politics and that his party would abolish itself in an Extraordinary Congress in May, given the insignificant number of votes they received in the April 18 Elections. /Milliyet/[17] `DSP-MHP COALITION WILL KEEP TURKEY AFAR FROM EU''Der Spiegel' and 'Focus', weekly magazines published in Germany, have claimed that if the Democratic Left Party (DSP) and the Nationalist Action Party (MHP), which received a significant rate of increase in their votes during the recent elections in Turkey, establish a coalition, Turkey will stay afar from Europe. An article entitled 'Rejection to Europe' in Focus said that the surprising results of the Elections even amazed the MHP Chairman Devlet Bahceli. The article noted that the capture of the chief of the terrorist PKK, Abdullah Ocalan, had an important role in the victory of the DSP. It said that both DSP Chairman Bulent Ecevit and MHP Chairman Devlet Bahceli would determine a new European policy.An article in the `Der Spiegel' magazine stated that the result of the Elections was historical. It said: "Since the military coup in 1980, Turkey has been channelled towards the West. However, the situation changed following the Elections. Turks have chosen two politicians who prefer isolation. There are two issues on the agenda: The indivisibility of the Turkish nation and the power of state institutions". /Hurriyet/ [18] BOSTANCIOGLU TO VISIT SOUTH KOREAMetin Bostancioglu, the Minister of National Education, said on Saturday that eight years compulsory education was carried out with success, adding that their target was to increase this period to 11-12 years. Speaking to reporters in Istanbul's Ataturk Airport fron where he will leave for South Korea to participate in the "Second International Profession and Technical Education Congress", staged by the UNESCO, Bostancioglu said the main theme of the Congress that will take place in Seul was "providing the business world of the 21st century with life-long education and training", the Anatolia News Agency reports.[19] CHIEF COMMANDER OF FRENCH MEDITERRANEAN NAVY IN TURKEYVice-Admiral Philippe Roy, the Chief Commander of French Mediterranean Navy, visited on Monday Admiral Ilhami Erdil, the Chief Commander of Naval Forces. Vice-Admiral Roy, who is currently paying an official visit to Turkey as the guest of Admiral Erdil, and the accompanying delegation later attended a briefing at the Preveze War Games Centre and visited the Submarine Fleet Commandership, Shipyard Commandership and War Fleet Commondership. Guest Vice-Admiral and the accompanying delegation later proceeded from Golcuk to Istanbul in order to visit the Northern Sea Fleet Commandership, the Anatolian News Agency reports.[20] RECORD IN IMKBThe Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) National 100 Index reached a new record yesterday. The Index which was on 5,154 points on Friday amounted to 5,305 points yesterday. Meanwhile, value of the shares increased by 2.93 % yesterday. Experts note that possibilities on a multi-party coalition government in Turkey support the upward trend in the IMKB.Meanwhile, interest rates on the bond market continued to decrease yesterday. Bond interest rates declined by an average of two-three points and fell under 90 % for the first time since July 1998. /Aksam/ [21] TREASURY EXPORTS BONDSThe Treasury Undersecretariat will export a five-month term (140 days) bonds today. The Treasury aims at a sale worth 500-750 trillion TL. The repayment of the bonds will be realized on September 15, 1999. /Turkiye/[22] SYRIAN-TURKISH TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETINGSMeetings of the Syrian-Turkish Joint Transportation Commission began yesterday in Damascus. According to the Syrian News Agency, Sana, during the meetings between the delegations of the two countries yesterday, technical information on transportation was exchanged and the issue of transit passage was discussed. The meetings during which Turkey will be represented by a delegation from the Ministry of Transportation will end on Wednesday, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[23] GERMAN JOURNALISTS: "TURKEY IS A VICTIM OF PREJUDICE"12 journalists and 2 tourism agency representatives from Germany, who were invited to Turkey in order to investigate the so-called `security question' in Turkish tourism, have concluded that Turkey is a victim of prejudice and the reservation cancellations are totally due to an overexaggeration of events. Remarking that their thoughts have also changed after observing the peaceful environment in Turkey, the German journalists and agency representatives said, "Everything is beautiful in Turkey. Notwithstanding the claims of the European press, neither tanks nor any other military vehicles are on the streets. It is quite shameful of certain press organs to calumny Turkey by spreading untrue news in the face of the fact that Turkey indeed gives particular importance to security issues. Formerly we were not able to comment on Turkey as we did not know here. We have realized the truth when we came here. In our opinion, the basis of those negative news issued on Turkey is mere prejudice." /Milliyet/[24] TURKEY EXPECTS MORE RUSSIAN TOURISTSMinister of Tourism, Ahmet Tan, returned home yesterday following his contacts in New York. Arriving Ankara Tan gave a press statement saying that he had met with representatives of the US tourism agencies, magazines and newspaper editors during his visit. Tan added that the war going on in Kosovo was negatively effected Turkish tourism. Thus, Turkey decided to start an intense public relations program in Russia in order to attract the attention of more Russian tourists, said Tan, adding that articles and advertisements about Turkey would take place in woman-fashion magazines in Russia. He also noted that Russian Orthodox Patriarch would visit Turkey in 2000. /Sabah/Cumhuriyet/[25] "TURCO-TRNC ECONOMIC INTEGRATION IS A MUST"Salih Boyaci, the Chairman of the Trade Chambers of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), said that they would overcome their problems by integrating with Turkey. He added that Greek Cypriots aimed to assimilate Turkish Cypriots and to detach them from Turkey by means of European Union (EU). Boyaci noted that TRNC would easily defend its justful rights on political arena if its economy was developed and powerful. He stressed that the Turco-TRNC integration was compulsory in order to improve their economy. /Cumhuriyet/[26] BELGIAN TRADE DELEGATION IN TURKEYA Belgian trade delegation came to Turkey on Monday. A Belgian statement said that the delegation consisting of 30 companies and various federations will hold contacts in Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir until April 30, 1999. The delegation will meet with the Turkish businessmen, the Turkish Association of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSIAD), and the officials of the chamber of commerce. The statement also noted that the Turkish-Belgian relations improved in the last years and that Belgium is among the most important trading partners of Turkey. Emphasizing that Belgian companies try to find new ways to improve the cooperation possibilities and investments in Turkey, the statement said that the special geography and the cultural position of Turkey caused by its being a country in the intersection point of Central Asia, Caucasus, Middle East and Europe increases the attraction of Turkey, the Anatolian News Agency reported.[27] WOMEN'S ROLE IN ECONOMY RISINGBusinesswomen made a striking rise in Turkey's top tax payer list for 1998. Among the top 25 tax payers in Turkey, there are nine businesswomen, an indication of the increasing role of women in the Turkish economy. The amount of tax paid by these women amounted to 21 trillion TL. Mehmet Yildirim of the Istanbul Trade Chamber (ITO) indicated that there had been a sharp increase in the number of businesses run by women, particularly in the services sector, Anatolia News Agency reported.[28] MICROSOFT, "TURKEY IS AN ATTRACTIVE MARKET"Bob Herbold, Deputy Chairman of the Microsoft, said that the potential in Turkey was highly attracted their attention. He added that the level of technological development in Turkey was rising and that they aimed to increase the share of their products in Turkish market. /Sabah/[29] POLICE SEIZE BOMBERSTen members of the outlawed TIKKO organization who were preparing to launch bomb attacks in Istanbul were captured in operations carried out in 10 different districts. Terrorists admitted that they had planned bombing attacks for the day that the trial of Ocalan was set to begin. Another member of the same organization was caught with seven hand grenades in Istanbul. /Aksam/[30] TERRORISTS ATTACK CONCRETEYARDTIKKO terrorists attacked a concreteyard belonging to private sector in the province of Tokat. Taking two watchmen of the yard as hostages, the terrorists flew towards the Turhal district, sabotaging six vehicles of the firm. Security forces started intensive operations in the region. /Milliyet/[31] DARDANEL-HERO COOPERATIONThe Dardanel Onentas Food Company has decided to hold meetings on cooperation with the German Hero company based in Switzerland in the baby food market. According to a statement sent by Dardanel to the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB), meetings began yesterday. It is reported that meetings focused on the joint activities in production, imports and sales for the development of the baby food market in Turkey. /Aksam/[32] OZYAVUZ, "THE MOST SUCCESSFUL YOUNG MANAGER OF THE WORLD"The Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board of the Cevher Group, Haluk Ozyavuz, who represented Turkey at the World Young Businessmen Competition in Portugal, was elected as "The Most Successful Manager of the World". Cevher Machinery Industry, which was represented by Haluk Ozyavuz, is the biggest automobile spare-part producer in Turkey.Meanwhile, Izzet Garih, who was elected as "The Most Successful Businessmen in the World" last year in China, gave a speech concerning his experiences in business world. [33] REPRESENTATIVES OF TURKISH TEXTILE SECTOR IN USThree patchworks of art from the Textile Arts Association which have been on display at the Harbiye Military Museum since November 1998 will be exhibited in the US on May 1-2. Solmaz Cerdik's patchwork 'Autumn Wind', Selma Agalar's 'Together with Ataturk towards the 2000s' and 'Autumn in Connecticut' will represent Turkey in the US. Patchwork has recently become a very popular art in the world. /Hurriyet/[34] INTERNATIONAL BURSA TULIP FESTIVALThe 2nd International Bursa Tulip Festival will begin on 29 April with the co-organization of Bursa Munacipality, Bursa Culture, Arts and Tourism Foundation and the Bursa Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association. Within the framework of the festival there will be concerts, theatre performances and exhibitions. Groups from the Netherlands, Japan, Germany and Israel will exhibit their traditional handy-works, Israeli violin artist Matan Givo and German Reimund Popp and Tilmann Hubner guitar duo will give concerts within the scope of the festival activities. /Cumhuriyet/[35] TURKEY BECOMES GOLD MEDALIST IN FREE AND GRAECO-ROMAN WRESTLINGTurkey became the gold medalist in the Second International Youth Free and Graeco-Roman Wrestling Tournament on Sunday. Romania became the silver medalist and France became the bronze medalist in Graeco-Roman category while Uzbekistan won the silver medal and South Korea the bronze medal in free wrestling category in the tournament in which 60 sportsmen from Turkey, France, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Azerbaijan and Romania participated, the Anatolian News Agency reports.[36] FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS[37] TIGHT PROTOCOL - BY FIKRET BILA (MILLIYET)Fikret Bila, a columnist for the `Milliyet' daily, reflects on Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's concerns over the possible new government models. Bila writes:"Does Prime Minister Ecevit has any concerns over the Nationalist Action Party (MHP)? Emphasizing that Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the MHP, and other top-level party figures try to follow a `moderate' policy, Ecevit has also given the hints of his `suspects', saying, `yet we do not know the tendencies within that party and those of its grassroots.' However, this is not a concern specific to the Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader, but a general one engendered by the perception towards the MHP across society. Is it possible that this concern will impede a DSP-MHP government? It seems that for the DSP a model `without the MHP' may well be more dangerous than a model `with the MHP'. For one thing, if the MHP remains in the Opposition, it will form a very strong opposition block together with the Virtue Party (FP). Such a block might be very attractive for those Motherland Party (ANAP) and True Path Party (DYP) MPs who were formerly affiliated with the MHP line and eventually there may be transfers from ANAP and the DYP to the MHP. Under these circumstances, it will be impossible to operate Parliament. Secondly, in a model `without the MHP', the DSP can only establish a coalition with the DYP and ANAP, whereas both the lack of harmony between these two parties and their lack of Parliamentary discipline may result in serious troubles for the Government. Then, the question becomes how the dangers of a model `with the MHP' can be removed. There are two answeres to this question: 1. Through a tight coalition protocol; and 2.Through Devlet Bahceli's and other top-level MHP politicians' tight control over their Party. The DSP front thinks that the concerns over the MHP, in particular due to a possibility of its `radicalization', can be minimized through a tight coalition protocol. Besides, they consider the `moderate' approach of Devlet Bahceli and the MHP administration a kind of `guarantee'. When it comes to minority government models, it is impossible for the DSP to try a minority government on itself or together with ANAP. This alternative is not considered feasible. Consequently, our impression is that the DSP has more concerns over new government models `without the MHP' that it has over those `with the MHP'. Ecevit is in pursuit of `guarantees' that will minimize their concerns over the models `with the MHP.' " [38] THE MATCH GOES ON IN NATO - BY MUSTAFA BALBAY (CUMHURIYET)In his column in daily "Cumhuriyet" Mustafa Balbay writes on the new developments in NATO. A summary of his column is as follows:"...NATO which was established just after the Second World War and did not have to face any event suited for its functions until 1990s, is trying to take on a new identity. In view of this new identity we can define NATO as, Organization is where America wants it to be. The EU wants a restructuring and says "Leave Europe to us and we will form a new defense and security identity." At this point, there is a complication in Turkey's situation. During the days of European Economic Community, the situation could be described as "They are the partners and we are the market", later on when NATO became closer to its functions "Turkey was the bulwark of NATO at the frontier". Today NATO wants to form an organization called European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) and the security problems within Europe should be the responsibility of this organization. ESDI should decide on the necessity and type of an intervention. NATO should not have any role in the matter. This means that Turkey will send troops to the organization, but will not take place at the decision mechanisms of the organization as it is not a member of the EU. Turkey's oppositon to this decision at the NATO summit was accepted for the time being. When a question on European security or any steps to be taken in the region arise the final word will be said by NATO. However, there was no clear answer to how ESDI, the EU talked about since 1966, will be shaped in the future. The question will be taken up in the EU summit to be held in Cologne, in June. Foreign Affairs Ministry Undersecretary Kormaz Haktanir underlined these points: - Turkey got what it wanted but the EU will want to implement what it has set out to do. Therefore we have to be careful. - The parties have time to think over the matter until the Cologne summit in June. Turkey shall try maintain and enhance its place both in NATO and the Western European Union (WEU). - Turkey is concerned that it will be left out in a situation similar to that seen in Kosovo. As a result it can be said that Turkey has succeded in achieving what it wanted from the NATO summit. However the EU will go on developing the new model it has on its mind. Turkey cannot just go on maintaining its position by explaining it to the US. Turkey should be at peace with its neighbours and the states within the region. This should create a special place for itself in addition to having a say in both NATO and the WEU. This is an inevitable step to be taken for Turkey's survival as it is clear that being friendly with the West and quarreling with our neighbours does not suffice." Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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