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Turkish Press Review, 99-08-02Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>02.08.99Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...[02] TOO LATE FOR HARSH STANCE AGAINST IRAN -BY SUKRU ELEKDAG (MILLIYET)[03] SPECIAL KOSOVO[04] CEM: "THOSE HARMED BY THE PKK SHOULD APPLY TO ECHR"Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said yesterday that those whose lives have been damaged by PKK activities should apply to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Cem explained his views concerning a proposal made by an Istanbul Deputy from the Motherland Party (ANAP) Bulent Akarcali, saying that those harmed by the PKK could apply to the ECHR. Cem stated that any case opened against a country which supports terrorism should try for compensation. Cem pointed out that the Turkish Foreign Ministry would assist those who may apply to the ECHR. Cem further stressed that the important issue in this cause was the proof of support by the country named for the PKK terrorist organization. /Hurriyet/[05] "EU REQUESTS COOPERATION FROM ECEVIT"Hans Van den Broek, the European Union (EU) member responsible for Turco-EU relations, evaluated Turco-EU relations to the "Turkey" newspaper. He said that now it is time both for Turkey and the EU to cooperate with each other on the road towards Turkey's integration in Europe. Broek added that the EU values Turkey as an important partner and wants to strengthen relations with her however, the organization also asks for Turkey's support during the process. He stressed that Turkey is the key country in Southeastern Europe, and added that it would be of benefit to both Turkey and Europe to become closer to each other.Concerning the Cyprus issue Broek stated that the Turkish side should attend the negotiations between the EU and the Greek-Cypriots to find a political solution to the issue. /Turkiye/ [06] PAPANDREU: "SIMITIS SUPPORTS ME"Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreu, who has become a focal point for some Greek nationalists because of his statements concerning the Turkish minority, said that he would continue with his struggle against taboos. In an interview published in the 'Elefterotipia' newspaper, Papandreu said that Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis also supported him. Papandreu stated that the Turkish minority constituted 30 % of the total minority. He added that when Greece recognizes this, important problems will be overcome. /Hurriyet-Cumhuriyet/[07] GREEKS POSSESSIVE OF CLINTONThe Greek Cypriot-Greek board, which works against Turkey in the U.S. Congress, is now trying hard not to prevent President Clinton from coming to Turkey in November. In such a case, he will be asked to visit Athens.Diplomatic sources in Washington report that the Greek Cypriot-Greek board is not affected by the direct meetings between Turkey and Greece it is continuing to lobby against Turkey. The Greek Cypriot-Greek board would prefer Clinton to say that he did not participate in the summit because of Cyprus and human rights issues. According to the same diplomatic sources, the Greek Cypriot-Greek board's greatest advantage in this respect derives from the fact that the U.S. Administration wants relations between Turkey and Greece to be equal in all fields. The Greek Cypriot-Greek board is trying to make use of this "impartial" atmosphere and to create a reason that could force Clinton to visit Athens in order to balance his visit to Turkey for the OSCE summit. The Greek Cypriot-Greek board has been trying hard to omit those texts, which are about the Cyprus and Aegean conflicts against Turkey, from the congress. The Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Papandreu, said the purpose of knowing Muslim minorities in West Thracians as ethnic groups was to prevent the neighbourhood from defining the minority as a whole and as a result using it, and from attempting to change the borders. Papandreu stated that "the Muslim minority" consisted of "people of Turkish origin, Pomaks and the Gypsies" and that the people of Turkish origin constitute 30% of the minority. The Minister stating that in accordance with international agreement, these "minority groups" have the right to choose their ethnic origin, advocated that on condition that Greece admits it, these "major problems" will be solved. /Aksam/ [08] 40,000 PEOPLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF REPENTANCEA statistical survey is being conducted by the Justice Ministry to determine how many people will grasp the opportunity of the pardon available under the Repentance Law. According to Justice Ministry data, the number of those sentenced and arrested totals 68,764 as of April 30, 1999. Out of this total, 10,348 have been sentenced and arrested due to their participation in terrorist activities. Officials from the Justice Ministry said that these people will not be covered by the Repentance Law. They added that they anticipate that the number of those who will take advantage of the Repentance Law will amount to 40,000. /Hurriyet/[09] 33 DRAFTS ENACTED IN 66 DAYSThe 57th government headed by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit has achieved a record and, in the 66 days since its establishment, a total of 33 draft laws have been enacted by the Turkish Parliament. This figure constitutes an important achievement when compared to those of previous governments. /Milliyet/[10] TURKMEN NATURAL GAS TO THE AEGEANThe BOTAS General Directorate, which is the only authorized institution in Turkey to import and distribute natural gas throughout the country, has taken on the construction of a 600-km length of natural gas pipeline as part of its investment programme. The aim of the project in for Turkmen natural gas to be transported via Konya to Izmir. It is announced that the first phase of the Konya-Izmir pipeline project will be started within the next few days. /Sabah/[11] OZINCE: "REFORMS WILL BE FRUITFUL"The General Director of the Is Bank, Ersin Ozince, said that the 57th coalition government has taken decisions over a short period of time and this will be reflected in a very positive way in the economic market. Stating that there is great strength in the Turkish economy, Ozince remarked that, however, it should be accepted that there has been a great stagnation in the world economy which inevitably effects the Turkish economy as well Ozince added that Turkey's competitive strength should be developed. Turkey should continue the reforms and take new measures to effect other economies around her, declared Ozince, adding that Turkey has enough dynamic domestic enterprises to achieve this. /Sabah/[12] KOCER: "TURKISH ECONOMY WILL BE BETTER IN AUTUMN"The General Director of the Vakifbank, Altan Kocer, said that they expected improvement in the Turkish economy in the Autumn; however, he added that the IMF agreement and privatization are very important in ensuring the expected improvement. He said that they had already seen some very positive signs in the Turkish economy as a result of the government's determined attitude. Kocer stressed that the economic measures are being supported by reforms so that positive results will be seen in the economy in the Autumn. /Sabah/[13] REHABILITATION OF TURKISH RAILWAYSThe State Planning Organization (DTP) has approved the rehabilitation of the Ankara-Istanbul railway line. Turkish Railways (TCDD) will land an international tender for the project within this year. According to TCDD officials, the project will be financed by foreign credits and will be completed within 42 months. The reconstruction of the Ankara-Istanbul railway line will be started in the year of 2000, added the officials. /Star/[14] ANTI-MAFIA LAW GOES INTO EFFECTA bill prepared to fight against mafia-style organized crime went into effect on Sunday upon published in the Official Gazette. According to the new law, those who attempt to profit from the establishment of mafia-style organizations will face trial in a State Security Court and if conficted receive sentences of three to six years in prison. Under the new law, organized crime is defined as directly or indirectly taking over the administration or control of any institution; influencing public service, press or media institutions; creating economic cartels, trusts or black markets; manipulating prices to create unjust profit; using force or threats to influence elections; and forcing people to bow to special interests.Anyone conivicted of promoting the activities and purposes of criminal activities and purposes of criminal organizations in the media will be sentenced to teo to four years in prison and a fine ranging from one billion to five billion TL. In addition their publications will be shut down for one to three years. The law includes a repentance clause that would decrease the sentence of anyone providing information about the activities of criminal organizations to the security forces. /Star/ [15] FIVE PKK MEMBERS ARE SEIZEDAs a result of coordinated operations by the Istanbul, Van and Izmir Police Offices, 11 people were arrested, accused of being members of the terrorist PKK organization. After their first hearing at the Istanbul State Security Court two of them were released, four of them were released on bail and five of them were sent to prison. /Star/[16] THREE SUGGESTIONS TO IRANTurkey has accepted that Iran will cut her support to the terrorist PKK organization as soon as possible. However, Iran is continuing her support by ensuring the supply of military vehicles to the PKK. Turkey has been preparing to show her extreme disapproval of Iran's recent attitude. There will be a meeting between Iran and Turkey on 9-13 August in Ankara. Turkish officials announced that they will request that Iran re-implement the agreement concerning border security signed on 7 June 1937 in Tehran. Ankara believes that Iran is not meeting the principles of the agreement in the issue of the two Turkish soldiers who unintentionally crossed the border last week. However, Iran never listens to Turkey's warnings concerning PKK terrorists who cross the Turco-Iranian border.It is announced that Turkey will place three requests in front of Iranian officials in Ankara. Turkey knows of the whereabouts of the shelters of PKK terrorists in Iran and if Iran wants, Turkey will cooperate in operations against these shelters. If Iran does not want to engage in such joint operations, Turkey will offer every support to the operation. If Iran does not want to implement any such operation then she should allow Turkey to organize an operation against the PKK organization on Iranian territories. /Star/ [17] THE US DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE IN SOUTHEASTThe US Deputy Secretary of State, Harold Koh, is continuing his visit to the Southeastern region. Koh, who went to Mardin after Sanliurfa, said that the issue of human rights is of great importance to Turkey. However, he added, the region needs improvement. He added that they are in Turkey to observe Turkey's attitude to human rights issues. "We welcome Turkey's sensitive attitude towards human rights, but we realize that the region has economic difficulties. We believe that humanitarian aid will be offered to the region," said Koh. /Star/[18] MARKETS TO RELAX FOLLOWING SEPTEMBERThe Koc Holding Company has offered its overwhelming support to the economic package announced by the Government. According to officials from Koc Holding Company, the markets will relax following September once the effect of the package of measures begins to bite. The Head of the Executive Board of the Koc Holding Company, Rahmi Koc, said: "These are accurate measures. I hope that they will be beneficial". He remarked that he supported the package of economic measures which would positively affect the markets in the upcoming months. /Hurriyet/[19] $407 MILLION FROM WORLD BANKAn agreement concerning loans worth $407.5 million supplied by the World Bank to finance exports and industrial and technological projects will be signed today. Ajay Chhibber, the Director of the World Bank in Turkey, and Aydin Karaoz, the General Director of Foreign Economic Relations, will sign the agreement. /Hurriyet/[20] CUSTOMS TAXES REDUCEDCustoms taxes on certain products imported from certain countries, apart from the EU and EFTA member countries, have been reduced. According to a decision of the Council of Ministers published in the Official Gazette, the new reductions came into effect as of July 1; they will alter customs taxes on a portion of the products on the import regime supplement's No.2 list of products. Meanwhile, some changes have been made to the No.5 list which was added to the import regime following the decision of the Council of Ministers in February. Some products were added to the list while some others were removed from the list. /Hurriyet/[21] FOREIGN HOTELS TO INVEST IN TURKEYThe number of international hotel chains in Turkey has reached 22. According to a recent survey conducted by the 'Economist' magazine, 22 out of nearly 200 chains throughout the world are active in Turkey. In the upcoming days, this number will further increase. The biggest hotel chains in the world are competing with each other in order to purchase, operate hotels or to become partners in hotels. The world's big car rental companies and tourist advisory companies are also willing to invest in Turkey. /Hurriyet/[22] GREAT INVESTMENT FROM HALIS TOPRAK IN LICEBusinessman Halis Toprak will establish industrial, health, sports and education facilities worth $25 million in the Lice district of Diyarbakir. Officials from the Toprak Holding Company recalled that Halis Toprak had opened a marble factory worth $10 million last year in Lice, where Halis Toprak was born, and said that the marble produced in this factory was being exported to many countries throughout the world. /Hurriyet/[23] INDIAN HEMP DESTROYEDA total of 70 million Indian hemp roots seized during raids carried out in the past three months in Sanliurfa have been burnt and destroyed. Officials said that 111 people who were growing Indian hemps have been taken into custody while 32 people are still being sought for. /Hurriyet/[24] HUGE INVESTMENTSA total of 64 massive projects in the energy sector are waiting for the enactment of the Arbitration Law by the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA). These projects are to be implemented using the 'Build-Operate-Transfer' (BOT) model, and thus combined financial resources worth $13 billion will arrive in Turkey, plus an energy output equivalent to one third of the current energy production in Turkey will be achieved. /Milliyet/[25] COMMUNICATIONS SUMMIT IN ISTANBULIstanbul will host an important communications summit. It has been decided that the UN World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC2000) will be held in Istanbul since the majority of the 46 countries involved approved of holding the Conference in Turkey. The WRC2000 will last six weeks and bring with it an income of $170 million. Multi-national companies which produce satellites, mobile phones and computers, and high-level state officials from 187 countries are expected to take part in the Conference. /Milliyet/[26] FIGURES OF EXPORTS FROM GAP REGIONExports of agricultural products from the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region in the first half of 1999 to African countries increased by 116.5 % to $6.1 million, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[27] WORLD CHESS OLYMPICS IN TURKEYTurkey will host the 2000 World Chess Olympics to be held between October 27-November 13. Nearly 2,000 people from 157 countries are expected to attend the Olympics jointly organized by the Turkish Chess Federation and the Turkish Intelligence Foundation. /Milliyet/[28] 201 SHORT FILMS APPLY FOR 'GOLDEN ORANGE'A total of 201 films from 33 countries have applied to the Fifth International Short Film-Video Film Competition to be organized as part of the 36th Antalya Altin Portakal (Golden Orange) Film Festival. Out of this total, 64 films will have the opportunity to be nominated in the competition. The results of the competition will be announced during the Golden Orange Film Festival. Fourteen Turkish films will take part in the competition. /Hurriyet/[29] CHILDREN HOLIDAY VILLAGEIt is reported that an "International Children's Holiday Village" will be jointly established in the Urgup district of Nevsehir by the Urgup Municipality and the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT). Urgup Mayor Bekir Odemis said that plans concerning the project were underway and added that the holiday village would be an important residence for children from around the world, arriving on the occasion of the 23 April National Sovereignty and Children's Festival. /Cumhuriyet/[30] RAFTING RECEIVES GREAT INTERESTThere has been a 20 % increase in the number of those who raft in the Coruh river when compared to last year. The number of foreign people who raft is expected to rise from 1,000 to 1,200 this year. Many people are coming from Israel, New Zealand, Russia, Australia, Britain, Germany and the Czech Republic to Turkey for this purpose. /Hurriyet/[31] MURAT YILDIZ: 'MICHAEL JORDAN OF THE FUTURE'Murat Yildiz, who is currently playing basketball for the Bell Jeff High School in Los Angeles, the US, is carrying his team from one success to another. Many sports magazines point out that Murat Yildiz could be a new Michael Jordan in the future. /Hurriyet/[32] THE WORLD APPLAUDSWelcoming the European Swimming Championship, Turkey has received top marks. Those who claimed that "terrorism is there" were greatly disappointed, and 995 sportsmen from 43 countries broke many records in Istanbul During the great organization, watched live on T.V. by 300 million people world-wide, there was not the smallest failure. Sports authorities applauded Turkey. /Aksam/[33] MAIDEN'S TOWER IS GETTING READY FOR THE YEAR 2000After remaining empty for many years the right to manage the historic Maiden's Tower was given to a private firm and now the restoration work in keeping with its origin is in progress. It was reported that the walls and the additional parts of the Maiden's Tower, which is in the Salacak sea and is one of the symbols of Istanbul, have been restored to their original state and that the Tower's exterior walls were beginning to appear. In addition, the floors of the Tower, only two sides of which can be reached by sailing vessels because of the current, were restored to provide facilities for its visitors. It was reported that people sitting in the cafeteria section could observe the Bosphorus through its seven arches. /Aksam/[34] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...[35] THE ISTANBUL SUMMIT -BY FERAI TINC (HURRIYET)Columnist Ferai Tinc comments on the OSCE Istanbul Summit. A summary of her column is as follows:"Turkey will host the last important summit of the century. One of the deputies to the US State Secretary, Ronald Asmus, stated that the leaders would gather at the dawning of the new Millenium in Istanbul and this Summit would be an important turning point in the history of the European-Atlantic community. The US wants to turn this meeting into a platform where decisions affecting the strategies of the 21st century will be taken. Asmus also said that the possibility of conflicts could be decreased by strengthening respect for human rights, including those of individuals belonging to certain minorities. The US will come to the Summit with a series of proposals. Washington believes that it is essential to send a civil force in addition to a military one to those regions creating problems. The US will propose the establishment of a civilian peaceforce under the umbrella of the OSCE. An organization established with this purpose in mind will prevent conflicts in the area, direct crises and undertake responsibilities for the rehabilitation of the area following any conflict. Asmus adds that this should not be considered as 'intervention' and recalls UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's words, "One of the most important fights in the 21st century will be to change the views of those States who place state security and national sovereignty before human rights". Turkey will host such a conference in two months' time. The curtain will be raised on a new century at this international summit where human rights, civil communities, democracy and law will be perceived as the most important guarantees of international security. We hope that in the two months before the Summit, comprehensive laws concerning human rights will be passed, thus persuading everyone opposing it. We hope the Istanbul Summit will be the first step on the road to Turkey's European candidacy. [36] TOO LATE FOR HARSH STANCE AGAINST IRAN -BY SUKRU ELEKDAG (MILLIYET)Former Ambassador Sukru Elekdag comments on the state of relations between Turkey and Iran. A summary of his column is as follows:"The border between Turkey and Iran is an example of stability not seen anywhere else throughout history. The borderline accepted with the Kasr-i Sirin Agreement in 1639 has remained unchanged until today. However, the stability of the borderline has not been reflected in the relations between the two countries. The Turco-Iranian relations enjoyed its golden age during the time Atatürk and Muhammed Shah were in power. His son, Mohammed Riza Shah, perceived the democratic and secular administration in Turkey as a focus of threat and a dangerous model for the Iranian people. Riza Shah who wanted to make Iran the only and unrivalled power in the region, viewed Turkey with suspicion. Therefore, however warm they may have seemed to be from afar, Turkey and Iran kept their distance form each other. Following Homeini's revolution, Iran viewed Turkey as a potential source of threat. The main reasons for these views lay in the fact that Turkey was a member of NATO, was governed by a democratic and secular regime, and had close relations with the US and Israel. However, Iran does not want to oppose Turkey as she is Iran's bridge to trade with Europe and an indispensable route for the marketing of her natural gas to Europe. Therefore, Tehran directs its policies concerning Ankara on two levels. The first is the offical policy open to the public and based on deception, the second is the real policy conducted secretly and targeting Turkey's interests. Officially, she creates the impression that she wants to have good relations based on mutual respect and basic interests. The real policy she followed included the creation of a suitable atmosphere for carrying out an Islamic revolution, strengthening fundamentalist tendencies, supporting all elements opposed to secularism and implementing disruptive actions aimed at pushing Turkey into instability and weakness. In addition, she supported PKK terrorism so as to alter the balance of power in her own favour. Turkish Governments stood idly by as these activities were going on. Ankara did not take any serious steps or measures to prevent these. If Ankara maintains her passive roleand cannot dissuade Tehran from supporting the PKK, it will lead to a strengthening of morale in the PKK, shaken by the blows it received recently, and give an impetus to the process of PKK's polticization. In the light of these facts, the Ecevit Government should prepare a strategy, including measures which will lead to cutting Iran's support to PKK, and then reslove to carry it out." [37] SPECIAL KOSOVO[38] PEOPLE OF TURKISH ORIGIN WANT TURKISH EDUCATIONTurkish families living in Kosovo have serious concerns over the continuation of the education of their children. With a declaration previously issued by an official of the Kosovo Liberation Army in Prizren and the Independent Union, the only official language in Prizren will be Albanian. This decree was valid as of July 7, 1999, and Turkish wording on tables or lists hung in schools and work places will be removed. However, Turks living in this region want the continuation of their rights to language, culture and education. Representatives of the Kosovar Turks explained their problems to the Turkish Foreign Minister, Ismail Cem, who visited the region two weeks ago. /Cumhuriyet/[39] KOSOVAR REFUGEES CONTINUE TO LEAVE TURKEYThe Kosovar refugees who took shelter in camps in Turkey continue to return to Kosovo. The Interior Ministry said yesterday that the number of Kosovar refugees who left Turkey reached 17,251 as of 24:00 local time on Saturday, the Anatolia News Agency reports.Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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