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Turkish Press Review, 99-06-01Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>01.06.99Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS[02] SPECIAL KOSOVO[03] OCALAN APOLOGIZESThe head of the PKK terrorist organization, Abdullah Ocalan, apologized for PKK violence that claimed the lives of over 30,000 people and declared himself ready to cooperate with the Turkish State for peace at the opening of his trial on charges of treason. "For peace and brotherhood at the axis of a democratic republic, I am ready to serve the Turkish State, and I believe that for this end I must remain alive", Ocalan told the Ankara State Security Court (DGM) No.2 that is convening on the Imrali Island. Large segments of Ocalan's trial were broadcast with the approval of the court on the state-owned Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT).Sitting in a bulletproof and bombproof glass cage, Ocalan told the court that he had not been subject to torture or maltreatment. Ocalan also stressed that he was neither insulted nor sworn at during his detention period. Besides the families of the victims of PKK terrorism, several members of Ocalan's family were also present at the hearing. Ocalan accused Greece, Italy and Russia of not respecting international law. Ocalan was captured in Kenya and brought to Turkey after he had tried for months to find a country willing to grant him asylum. The military member of the three-judge panel of the DGM has been a constant source of criticism in Europe. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit has promised to propose reform to remove the military officer from such panels. But such reform would require a Constitutional amendment process. Presiding Judge M.Turgut Okyay said that the trial of Ocalan would continue uninterruptedly and that even if there were a draft in Parliament for a change in the structure of the State Security Courts (DGMs), the existence of such a draft could not be considered a viable reason for adjournment. If Parliament amends the Constitution and the structure of the DGMs can be reformed, the military judge could withdraw from the case, officials have said. The judge's likely replacement, a civilian, is already on the Island. Authorities have imposed strict security measures around the courtroom. Meanwhile, the Deputy Chairman of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly, Walter Schwimmer, said that a change in the structure of the DGMs would be a satisfactory and positive step for Europe. Schwimmer added: "If a death penalty occurs according to the Turkish Criminal Code following a fair process in line with the European Human Rights Agreement, no one could blame Turkey. However, if Turkey, which has not been implementing the death penalty for 15 years, implements this penalty on this trial, then this will be a political decision which will keep Turkey at a distance from Europe". /All papers/ [04] ECEVIT: "IT IS THE TIME FOR THE INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY TO SPEAK"Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit stated that all preparations pertaining to the trial procedures for the PKK Chief Abdullah Ocalan were completed in a timely manner without any deficiencies, the Anatolia News Agency reports. In response to a question, Ecevit said: "All legal provisions have been made for both the defendant Ocalan and his lawyers. All the requirements of the foreign press agencies are being met. All state organizations have worked in harmony to provide the necessary accomodations. Now it is time for the independent Turkish judiciary to speak".Answering questions as to whether the government programme would be completed by next Sunday, Ecevit also remarked that within a week following the new Cabinet assuming responsibility, the government programme must be submitted to Parliament, adding that this requirement will be fulfilled on time. /All papers/ [05] INDICTMENT DETAILS OCALAN'S CRIMESThe indictment prepared against the PKK Chief Abdullah Ocalan by Ankara State Security Court (DGM) prosecutors Talat Salk, Nuh Mete Yuksel and Hamza Keles consists of 139 pages divided into six chapters, the Anatolia News Agency reports.The indictment states that beginning with the Eruh and Semdinli raids, which took place on August 15, 1984, through to February 22, 1999, there were a total of 6,036 attacks staged by the PKK terrorist organization and 8,257 armed clashes between the PKK and the Turkish Security Forces. During this period, there were 3,071 bomb attacks by PKK militants, 388 people were robbed at gunpoint and 1,046 people were kidnapped. As a result of these attacks, 4,472 civilians, 3,874 soldiers, 247 policemen and 1,225 village guards were killed by the PKK, and a total of 16,362 people were injured. [06] DRAFT BILL FOR CIVILIAN DGMsFollowing the rejection of Ocalan's lawyers' demand that the `trial be suspended', a new process has begun which may lead the case to the European Court of Human Rights. In turn, the Government expressly completed yesterday the draft bill for a Constitutional amendment which will allow the replacement of the military judges of the State Security Courts (DGMs) with civilian judges. Hikmet Sami Turk, the Minister of Justice, presented the draft bill to the leaders of those political parties represented in Parliament. Completing his discussions on the bill with Prime Minister Ecevit and Deputy Prime Minister Bahceli, Hikmet Sami Turk visited Tansu Ciller, the leader of the True Path Party (DYP), and Recai Kutan, the leader of the Virtue Party (FP), in order to request their support for the bill. It is reported that both Ciller and Kutan expressed that they could give their support to such an amendment. Turk will visit Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP), today. /Milliyet/[07] EU TO DISCUSS OCALAN TRIALWhile Abdullah Ocalan's trial is going on in Turkey, the European Union (EU) will discuss the restructuring of Europe's security in Cologne. European countries planned to separate themselves from the US in ensuring the security of their continent. If the plan is accepted, NATO member countries will be excluded from the European Security and Defence Union. The final decisions to be taken at the end of the Cologne Summit will be important for Turkey, reported the EU sources, adding that Germany, eventhough she is the EU term President, has not had any contribution to Turco-EU relations. However, Bonn will favour to give a positive message at the end of the Summit. Meanwhile, senior officials of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that unless Turkey became a full member of the EU, it would not enter to the security dimension of the EU with equal rights. /Cumhuriyet/[08] PKK MILITANTS MAKE DEMONSTRATIONS THROUGHOUT EUROPEThe supporters of the terrorist PKK organization held demonstrations in a number of big cities in Europe yesterday in order to protest the trial of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the organization. Holding a meeting in Sofia, PKK militants threathened that if Ocalan is executed, they will start terrorist actions throughout Europe. While PKK militants which came together in Athens gave support to Ocalan with a hunger strike they began in the largest square of the city, those PKK exponents in Southern Cyprus who tried to make a demonstration on behalf of Ocalan were dispersed by the police. In addition, a group of PKK militants held a meeting in front of the Prime Ministry Building in London, demanding that the UK denounces Turkey for the trial of Ocalan. Meanwhile, another demonstration was organized in Rome in front of the Turkish Embassy. Similar meetings and demonstrations were held in Liege, Bern, Marseille, Moscow and Kopenhagen, whereas it is reported that a group of PKK members met some officials from the European Court of Human Righs in Strasbourg. /Aksam/Milliyet/[09] FOREIGN DIPLOMATS APPRECIATE THE HISTORIC TRIALRepresentatives of foreign missions in Turkey who watched the trial of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the terrorist PKK organization, stated that they found the trial perfectly disciplined and well-organized. Benjamin Jonathan, the Head of the Political Department of the British Embassy, said that he found the trial quite well-organized and added that he did not expect Ocalan to start his defence in the afternoon. On the other hand, Eric Walsh, the Third Secretary of the Canadian Embassy, said they observed that Ocalan was quite healthy. /Turkiye/[10] OCALAN TRIAL COVERED BY FOREIGN MEDIAOne of the most effective newspapers in world, "The New York Times", stressed yesterday that Abdullah Ocalan would be punished by death penalty same as his aide, Semdin Sakik. The article by Stephen Kinzer added that if the trial was in line with international standards, the world would understand why he would have been found guilty. Meanwhile, during its live broadcasts CNN Television stressed that Ocalan had not been tortured during his detention and evaluated Ocalan as a "rebel against Turkey for the last 15 years".Italian "Il Giornale" said, "What terrorist Abdullah Ocalan did in the past are not forgotten. He will give an account of them at the court." German "Express" newspaper quoted former Undersecretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Werner Hoyer, saying: "A trial conducted in line with international law will be a chance for Turkey." One of the German world-famous magazines, "Der Spiegel", issued yesterday reported Turkish nation was certain that Ocalan was a criminal. It also added that Semdin Sakik, the second man of the terrorist organization, accused Ocalan as a killer. British "Independent" newspaper used the title, "The last nail was drived on the coffin of Ocalan", adding that the PKK suffered a great blow with Ocalan's capture. "The Guardian" claimed that Ocalan, who had threatened Turkey's unity for the last 15 years, deserved to be tried. French radio station, "France Info", aired news about Ocalan trial for every half hour saying that violent activities launched by the PKK had caused great reaction among Turkish nation. "Le Figaro" newspaper gave the trial from the cover. Greek television and radio stations announced the trial on live, claiming that the trial would not be in line with European standards. /Sabah/ [11] TALABANI'S OCALAN CONFESSIONCelal Talabani, the leader of the Kurdistan Patriots' Union, confessed that they made a number of alliances with the PKK in the past and Ocalan stayed in their own headquartes for six months when he had first come to Syria. In his interview with the London-based `Al Wasat', Talabani said that they have been in close relation with the Kurdish movements in Turkey for years and they have been providing both financial and moral support with them. /Milliyet/[12] FULLER: "OCALAN'S TRIAL WILL TENSE TURCO-GREEK RELATIONS"A noted expert on the Middle East from the Rand Corporation, a leading US think-tank institution, Graham Fuller, said in his recent report that the trial of the head of the PKK terrorist organization, Abdullah Ocalan, would further tense Turco-Greek relations. Fuller remarked that efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem through an EU membership would not yield any positive results; on the contrary, they would further deepen the tension between Turkish-Cypriots and Greek-Cypriots. Fuller stated that the number of those who believe that Turkey's EU full membership was not likely to be achieved was increasing day by day and added that the Greek stance in the EU towards Turkey was also one of the reasons for the tension in Turco-Greek relations. /Hurriyet/[13] 10 TERRORISTS KILLEDDuring operations in the Buyukciftlik village in Hakkari, two members of the PKK terrorist organization were killed while four terrorists were killed in the Yuksekova district. Moreover, one terrorist in the Semdinli district of Hakkari and three terrorists on the Cudi mountain of Sirnak were also killed. It is also reported that one terrorist was captured in the Dargecit district of Mardin. During the operations, one security member died. /Hurriyet/[14] FOUR TERRORISTS ARRESTEDFour DHKP-C terrorists who were captured during the operations in the Tokat province and whose interrogations were completed have been arrested. It is reported that Devrim Turan, the so-called Tokat commander of the terrorist organization, was also among the arrested militants. /Turkiye/[15] GREEKS HOIST FLAG ON DISPUTED ISLANDA group of Greek sailors hoisted a huge Greek flag on the Aegean island of Agathonisi in a move that is expected to further heat up the most recent island dispute between Turkey and Greece. Greek press reports said that the sailing club has gotten permission from the Greek Defence Ministry to hold the flag-raising ceremony. /All papers/[16] FOREIGN MINISTRY CRITICIZES GREECEThe Turkish Foreign Ministry said that unilateral activities by Greece were unacceptable. Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman Sermet Atacanli remarked that Greek officials had been warned that they should not take more provocative steps concerning various islands and islets in the Aegean, the sovereignty of which are not granted to Greece by international agreements. Atacanli pointed out that despite these warnings, provocative activities were on-going in the Aegean and added that the issue of geographical formations should be solved through meetings together with other Aegean problems, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[17] EU TRIES TO FIND A FORMULA FOR TURKEYIt is reported that Turkey was one of the important issues on the agenda of the EU Foreign Ministers' meeting which was held in Brussels prior to the Cologne Summit of the EU. It is stated in the EU circles that a clear message concerning Turkey might be issued during the Summit and that might constitute the first step to transcend the current impass in the Turco-EU relations. In this respect, Pierre Moscovici, a French Minister responsible for the European Affairs, remarked that both the EU and Turkey are aware of the expectations of the other party, and said, "Both parties are expecting positive steps. I hope a positive message concerning Turkey will be issued during the Cologne Summit." Meanwhile, Abel Matutes, the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed that they wish the relations between Turkey and the EU be improved, noting that a message to this end is likely to be issued during the Summit. /Milliyet/[18] TRNC REJECTS G-8 CYPRUS INITIATIVETurkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu said yesterday that his administration will oppose any initiative regarding the solution to the Cyprus problem which is not undertaken with its consent, the Anatolia News Agency reports. "There are rumours that a new constitution is being prepared for Cyprus. We are against initiatives that exclude us. We are also against the G-8's interference in the Cyprus problem", Eroglu said after a meeting with TRNC President Rauf Denktas.Eroglu's reaction came as a response to reports that the G-8 group is preparing to put strong pressure on Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots to negotiate Cyprus' reunification within the structure of a federation. Representatives of the G-8 countries are scheduled to meet in mid-June to reveal their solution proposal for Cyprus. [19] DEMIREL CALLS FOR DEVELOPMENTSpeaking at the opening ceremony of KIPA Cigli Mall in Izmir yesterday, President Suleyman Demirel said: "Turkey will continue on the path the great Ataturk showed in the new century. This path leads to civilization". Demirel added that the agenda must shift from political problems to economic problems such as development, the Anatolia News Agency reports.Shopping malls need to be established in Turkey, Demirel said, praising KIPA. "Shopping malls are an important measure of a country's level of development. France and Britain started the concept of shopping mall chains and it will spread in the 21st century. The race for globalization will inevitably continue between nations in the future. No country can convert its borders into walls. We must tailor our country to suit our era". [20] KIRKUK-YUMURTALIK CAPACITY TO INCREASE BY 60 %Iraqi authorities are planning to increase the capacity of the Kirkuk-Yumurtalik petroleum pipeline by 60 %. According to information the Anatolia News Agency obtained from sources close to the UN, the pipeline's capacity will be increased from 1 million barrels to 1.6 million barrels.[21] "CENTRAL BANK SHOULD BE INDEPENDENT""The Central Bank should be independent; it should be isolated from political influence", said Gazi Ercel, the Governor of the Central Bank. Remarking that he believes the Banking Law will be enacted at the earliest convenience, Ercel said, "Following the enactment of this law, we will have the most effective system of control in the world." Ercel also stated that the total assets of the Turkish banking system have reached $114 billion and added, "There might be small exceptions within such great figures. One should not generalize this to the whole system. Currently there are 10 giants, 14 investment banks and 20 foreign banks in the system. Moreover, the rest 30 banks are also quite effective and they are very competitive on a world scale as well." /Milliyet/[22] TREASURY PRESENTS A NUMBER OF BONDS IN JUNEIt is reported that the Treasury will try to receive a total domestic borrowing of approximately 2.5 quadrillion TL in June through a total of six bond and note offers. Accordingly, the first bid will be organized on June 3 in terms of a 12-month state bond for a borrowing of 300-450 trillion TL. /Milliyet/[23] GERMAN TOURISM GIANTS IN TURKEYThe representatives of the largest tourism companies of Germany are coming to Side, Antalya, on June 6 in order to attend a conference which aims to evaluate the current problems in Turkish tourism and find out possible solutions to them. During the conference organized jointly by Oger Tours and the German `FVW Magazine', the general directors and managers of the leading tourim companies, including TUI, Neckermann, Condar and Aero Lloyd, will meet Turkish hotel managers. /Milliyet/[24] PAKISTAN INVITES TURKISH BUSINESSMENAttending a conference organized by the Istanbul Chamber of Trade (ITO), Humayun Akhtar Khan, the Pakistani State Minister and Chairman of the Council of Investments, invited Turkish businessmen to invest in Pakistan particularly in textiles and construction sectors. Khan remarked that by virtue of a series of economic reforms the Pakistani economy has now been open to foreign investment to a great extent, and that they are trying every means to remove the obstacles in front of foreign companies. Meanwhile, pointing out that the Pakistani Government has already implemented the measures that provide a more suitable environment for foreign investment, Raja N. Pervaiz, the Pakistani Minister of Transportation, said that Turkish firms have succesfully completed a number of highway projects in Pakistan. /Turkiye/[25] ISTANBUL SECURITY CHIEF RETURNS TO TURKEYThe Istanbul Security Chief, Hasan Ozdemir, and an accompanying delegation returned to Turkey from Uzbekistan yesterday. Ozdemir remarked that the three-day visit to Uzbekistan had been very beneficial. He said that during their meetings, the development of cooperation between the security organizations of Turkey and Uzbekistan had been discussed, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[26] TECHNOLOGY CONGRESS IN ISTANBULThe Second Technology Congress is taking place in Istanbul today. Professor Werner Pollman from Daimler-Chrysler; the World Bank's country director, Dr.Ajay Chhibber; former State Planning Organization (DPT) Undersecretary Ilhan Kesici; Education Ministry Undersecretary Bener Cordan and former Foreign Minister Mumtaz Soysal will be present at the congress. Following speeches, the winners of the Second Technology Awards will be announced, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[27] "FOREIGN TRADE MINISTRY SHOULD BE SET UP"Turkish business circles called the establishment of a Foreign Trade Ministry which will unite the Foreign Trade Undersecretary and the Customs Undersecretary in its structure. They also called the government to increase its relations with non-governmental organizations. /Cumhuriyet/[28] SPANISH FIRMS IN TURKEYThe Expotecnia '99 Fair will be opened today. It is reported that 300 Spanish firms will attend the fair. Spanish Trade and Tourism Minister, Elena Pisonero, said that the fair was the biggest promotion fair which was organized by a European country in Turkey. He added that the fair would contribute to improving Turco-Spanish trade relations. Pisonera noted that Turkey and Spain signed an economic action plan last year and in line with this plan Spain would give $ 410 million credit to Turkey. It was announced that the fair will be opened by Spanish Deputy Prime Minister, Rodriguez, and his Turkish counterpart, Hikmet Ulugbay today. /Cumhuriyet/[29] TOURISM SUMMIT IN ANKARARepresentatives of the Turkish Hotel Owners' Union (TUROB) and the Turkish Travel Agencies' Union (TURSAB) will meet Minister of Tourism, Erkan Mumcu, tomorrow in Ankara. It is expected that new measures in providing financial sources and to enlivening domestic tourism will be discussed at the meeting. /Cumhuriyet/[30] TURKISH-AMERICAN BUSINESSMEN VISIT IMKB29 members of the Turco-American Businessmen Association visited the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB). Deputy Chairman of the IMKB, Huseyin Ertan, briefed the guests about the market activities. After that they met with Osman Birsen, the Chairman of the IMKB. /Aksam/[31] ADDITIONAL CREDIT TO BE GIVEN TO EXPORTERS'The newly established Turkish government has received positive news from the World Bank which announced that it would give $ 250 million exports credit and the Japan Eximbank which has reported that it would give $ 250 million credit this month. The World bank credit will be used through the Turkish banks which have high guarantee capacity and the former performances of the firms which will apply for the credit will be evaluated. /Sabah/[32] TURKISH FLOUR IN EUROPETurkish Uno Flour Factory was opened in Bergen, the Netherlands. The capacity of the factory is among the first ten such factories in Europe. Ekrem Yazgan, the Head of the factory, said at the opening ceremony that they aimed to produce bread for 3.5 million people. He added that the construction expenditure of the factory was 75 million florines. /Sabah/[33] FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS[34] DEFENDER OF THE PEACE! - BY ORHAN BIRGIT (CUMHURIYET)Columnist Orhan Birgit comments on the defence of Ocalan who is being tried at the island of Imrali. A summary of his column is as follows:"It could hardly be said that the man getting into the 'glass cage' to stand trial in Imrali yesterday was the same man who had launched a long fight for liberation. Was he the same man who left the militants of his organization on mountains to their fate and said that let alone being maltreated, abused or tortured he was not pressured at all? At the same time he accused Greece, Russia and Italy of organizing methods used by pirates without taking the international rules into account. He remembered the sufferings of the families who lost their relatives during this fight and apologised from them in his statement before the trial started. Accepting all those charges imposed on him, he promised to work for peace if his life was spared. The judges in the panel, stating that they would not answer to anyone but God, said that the trial would go on uninterruptedly. This stance was in fact taken in retaliation to a stance by two of the lawyers of Ocalan who appealed for the suspension of the trial to make a political show. The panel of judges stated that they were assigned in line with the laws of the country and a change in those laws was the responsibility of the legislative body. This brings to mind that the formation of the State Security Courts rouse concern in the European Human Rights Court. Therefore an amendment in these laws should be considered natural. Turkey is absolutely right in its accusations against Ocalan. This man has started a campaign to divide the country, resulted in the death of many Turks and Kurds alike, left many Turkish and Kurdish families homeless, unemployed and most of all resulted in the death of their children. Now, to guarantee his own safety he is starting his words by putting forward conditions to establish peace which is a common desire shared by all. Two hours before trial started, a member of Amnesty International, Bruce Kent, said he came to Gemlik see if a fair trial would take place, adding that the trial was not conducted fairly until then. His only opposition could be to the presence of a military member in the structure of the State Security Court." [35] OCALAN AND JUSTICE -BY OKTAY EKSI (HURRIYET)Oktay Eksi, a columnist in the 'Hurriyet' daily, says the following in his article today: "The most important trial of the 20th century began yesterday on the Imrali Island. Abdullah Ocalan, who has launched bloody terrorist activities against the Republic of Turkey and has been continuing for the last 15 years, is now standing trial before the Turkish justice. When the activities committed under Ocalan's direct responsibility are evaluated in the light of the Turkish Criminal Code, it is not difficult to guess the decision.If the court decides on a death penalty -actually we are against death penalty-, no one should expect any other solution within Turkey's present conjunture..This penalty will be executed. By the way, let's warn those who say: 'Turkey will be at a distance from Europe'. If one establishes a correlation between this issue and Turkey's EU membership, then they will have to officially include Turkey in the candidate list and say that there is no more death penalty in EU countries so Turkey should not implement death penalty. Those who say that a riot or domestic war will occur should not make illusions. No one in Turkey fears from anything". [36] SPECIAL KOSOVO[37] US JETS ARRIVE AT BALIKESIR BASEUS fighters began arriving yesterday at the Balikesir military air base from which they will take off as part of NATO's air campaign against Yugoslavia, the Anatolia News Agency reports. The exact number of fighter jets that arrived was not confirmed. A previous announcement said that a total of 36 American F-15 and F-16 jets would be deployed at the Balikesir base. An additional 18 US jets will be deployed at a nearby base in Bandirma. Eighteen Turkish jets will also use the two bases to launch strikes in Yugoslavia.In addition to warplanes, American cargo jets and some 1,000 military personnel have also been deployed at the Balikesir base. The total of American troops stationed there is expected to reach 2,000 in the upcoming days. A third base in Turkey will be allocated for allied cargo and refueling planes. Meanwhile, NATO missiles hit a sanitarium and a retirement home early yesterday in Yugoslavia, killing at least 11 people, the country's state-run media said. [38] TSK TO TRAIN ALBANIAN SOLDIERSRepublican Guards, which are the most prestigious units in Albania, will be trained by Turkish Armed Forces (TSK). Commander of the Consultation and Coordination Council, Colonel Zafer Camlica said at the Turkish Headquarter in Tirana that Turkey and Albania started a new military cooperation. He added that they aimed to bring the Albanian soldiers up to the training level of Turkish soldiers. The Republican Guards unit, with two thousand soldiers are assigned to protect senior officials of Albania. /Aksam/Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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