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Turkish Press Review, 98-12-14Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>14.12.98Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] BUSINESSMEN DISCUSS CYPRUS COOPERATIONBusinessmen yesterday discussed the possibilities of economic cooperation on the divided island of Cyprus, including providing drinking water by pipeline from Turkey, in a US and Norway-brokered meeting in Istanbul. It was the third meeting of the Turkish, Greek, Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot businessmen together in Turkey in the past 35 years. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, President Bill Clinton's special representative for Cyprus, who led the meeting, intended to encourage cooperation between Turkish and Greek Cypriots.A proposal by Sarik Tara, chairman of Turkey's Enka Holding, one of the world's leading contractors, to build a pipeline to transport drinking water to the two nations on Cyprus was received by enthusiasm from Greek Cypriot businessmen. "The proposal merits consideration" said Constantinos Lordos, chairman of the Greek Cypriot Lordos Group of Companies and chairman of the Greek Cypriot delegation. The pipeline would run from the Manavgat River, in Turkey's Mediterranean Antalya province to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and provide drinking water to the water-starved island. "It is encouraging". /All papers/ [02] TURKEY CONTINUES SEARCH FOR GOVERNMENTDemocratic Left Party (DSP) leader and Prime Minister-Designate Bulent Ecevit's efforts to form a government that will lead the country to elections on April 18 dominate the Turkish political agenda this week. As part of his efforts, Ecevit will meet Democratic Turkey Party (DTP) leader Husamettin Cindoruk this morning. Ecevit will ask Cindoruk to support the DSP leader's proposal for a minority government. Ecevit is also expected to meet Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal this week for the same purpose. /All papers/[03] INVESTMENTS IN ENERGYPresident Suleyman Demirel and Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz opened two energy power plants yesterday in Marmara Eregli, Tekirdag. Demirel and Yilmaz first opened the Trakya Electricity Production and Natural Gas Transformation Power Station. The plant was a Turco-American-British joint venture and it cost $ 600 million. The US Ambassador to Ankara, Mark Parris and the Special Representative of the US Caspian Oil Energy Policies, Richard Morningstar.Later, Demirel, Yilmaz, Parris and Morningstar opened the Unimar Marmara Ereglisi Natural Gas Power Plant in the same region. The plant was constructed by British Marubeni Euro Power, National Power PLC, the Dutch Unit Investment BV, Belgian Unit International SA, Japan Marubeni Corporation and Turkish Entes firms and cost $ 622 million. /Milliyet/Sabah/ [04] CELEBI: "RECOVERY DEPENDS ON EXPORTS"State Minister Isin Celebi yesterday said the new economic measures announced on Friday evening were subtle in nature but that they would help to increase exports, domestic production, efficiency, capacity utilization and overall growth. "The most important target of the stabilization programmes is creating an export-based growth process" Celebi said. Celebi indicated that Turkey had increased its volume of exports in the first 10 months of 1998, but because world prices had fallen, actual export income did not increase by the same proportion.Celebi said funds to be allocated to Eximbank will be provided from the budget, and had already been factored into the original budget allocations. In spite of the world economic crisis, the Turkish economy has maintained its dynamism, concluded Celebi, adding that the government could not deal with the problems of specific companies but only with macro-economic problems. /All papers/ [05] NEW PARTY FOR TURKS IN BULGARIAA new political party consisting mostly of ethnic Turks has been established in Bulgaria. The National Movement for Rights and Freedoms (UHOH) was formed by the opposition group within the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (HOH). The UHOH held its grand convention yesterday and by unanimous decision elected as its party chairman Guner Tahir, a former member of the Unity of Democratic Powers (ODS), the current governing party in Bulgaria. /Cumhuriyet/[06] VIENNA SUMMIT ENDSThe five-line reference to Turkey in the conclusions of the EU's Vienna summit over the weekend fell short of bringing an end to the 'partial suspension' in the political dialogue between Turkey and the EU. As Austria hands over the EU term-presidency to Germany, the future of enlargement appears to be of concern not only in Ankara but in all the capitals of candidates. Austrian President Victor Klima was quoted by the Anatolia news agency as saying that 'the time for a decision on Turkey, as well as the five candidates (of the first wave of enlargement), has not yet come'.The EU heads of state and government contended themselves with a brief reference within the framework of the "European Strategy for Turkey", thus delivering a blow to Turkish expectations regarding a "clarification of Ankara's status as a candidate". The Vienna European Council's conclusions on Turkey make a two-phrase reference to the 'great importance it attaches to the further development of relations between the EU and Turkey, taking forward the European Strategy to prepare Turkey for membership. It adds a comment on 'the central role of the further implementation of the European Strategy in line with its conclusions in Luxembourg and Cardiff'. /All papers/ [07] ANKARA IS DETERMINED NOT TO GIVE CONCESSIONS TO EUAfter the Vienna Summit, it was reported that while Germany, France, the UK and the Netherlands were acting together for the full membership of Turkey to the EU, Ankara decided not to give any concessions to the Union which had not kept its promises. Sources expressed that these four countries accepted Turkey already as the 12th candidate, yet the main problem in front of her membership is not economic but political. Accordingly, Turkey displayed a remarkable development in terms of regulatory amendments, structural competitiveness and other financial criteria, and these were significant advantages on her path towards full membership.However, an officer from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that those decisions taken in the Vienna Summit did not refer to a new development on behalf of Turkey and therefore, Turkey would continue her prevailing policies without any deviation. /Aksam/ [08] KILIC IN ISRAELAir Forces Commander Gen.Ilhan Kilic arrived in Israel for a three-day visit yesterday. The Israeli Air Forces Spokesman said that Gen.Kilic, who came to Israel upon an invitation of Israeli Air Forces Commander Gen.Eitan Ben Eliahu, would be received by Israeli President Ezer Weizman, Defense Minister Izhak Mordehay and Chief of General Staff Saul Moffaz. The spokesman noted that Gen.Kilic would make observations at some air bases and weapon plants together with his Israeli counterpart, the Anatolia news agency reports.[09] PROTESTS TO ITALYA march jointly organized by the British Turkish Federation and London Turkish Islam Association protested to the PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan and Italy. The march, which started in front of Hyde Park and was attended by nearly 1,000 people, ended in front of the Italian Embassy to London. People shouted slogans such as "No Way to Terrorism" and "Stop Terrorism". A declaration, which was prepared by the march committee, noted that Ocalan was a terrorist and a murderer of 30,000 people and should be extradited to Turkey, the Anatolia news agency reports.[10] DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST PKK IN EUROPETurkish institutions and associations in The Hague, the Netherlands organized demonstrations against the PKK terrorist organization to condemn its bloody activities. Thousands of Turkish citizens attended the meeting and criticized Italy which refused to extradite Ocalan to Turkey. They also criticized the European countries which supported the separatist terrorist organization. At the end of the meeting it was asked to ban the PKK activities in the Netherlands. /Sabah/[11] EUROPEAN CROSS CHAMPIONSHIPDuring the fifth European Cross Championship held in Italy, the Turkish Young Female National Team received the gold medal and became the European champion. Chairman of the Athleticism Federation, Fikret Cetinkaya, noted that this was a great success and said: "We have worked very hard". /Cumhuriyet/[12] MODERNIZATION OF TANKSWithin the framework of the Modernization Programme of Tanks, which will make the Turkish Land Forces the strongest army of NATO in the 21st century, a proposal has come from Israel for the modernization of tanks of the Turkish Armed Forces. The Israeli Military Industries Institution presented a package to the Turkish Land Forces Command, proposing the modernization of Turkey's 1,000 M-60 type tanks. It is reported that the Israeli proposal is being examined by Turkish officials. /Cumhuriyet/[13] PKK OPERATIONDuring operations carried out by members of the Anti-Terrorism Department of the Security Office, two people have been taken into custody. Many equipment have also been seized, according to a statement made by the Office of Adana Governor.Meanwhile, Canada has deported Aynur Saygili, who entered the country with an immigration identity card. Intelligence service noted that Saygili, who is claimed to be a high-level representative of the PKK terrorist organization, has assumed important duties in Germany. Saygili, who has gone to Canada to receive aid and supporters for the PKK terrorist organization, has been deported following a trial. /Cumhuriyet/ [14] BRITAIN MANIPULATES THE PKKIn the December issue of Executive Intelligence Review (EIR) magazine published in the US, an analysis stated that "Britain used the Ocalan card against Turkey, scratched the Kurdish issue, did not regard Ocalan as a terrorist, and supported the convening of an 'International Kurdish Conference' within the framework of the EU. The analysis by John Brewda takes up the developments starting with Ocalan's arrival in Rome and the terrorist activities of the PKK. Brewda wrote that Britain took dramatic steps in protecting the terrorist PKK, far beyond supporting the efforts in convening a "Kurdish Conference". To prove his standpoint, Brewda stated that on November 26 Lord Rea, from the British Chamber of Lords, went to Rome and expressed that Britain was closely concerned with the matter and added that he did not act for himself but spoke for Secretary of Foreign Affairs Robin Cook.The EIR stated that this was not the first time Britain supported the establishment of a Kurdish state. In 1998 Foreign Minister Robin Cook had said that they were prepared to welcome the foundation of a Kurdish state which would be proclaimed after the collapse of Iraq in 1998. The EIR also noted this was an old story and Britain and France supported Kurdish insurgency and separatism even during the Ottoman Empire. /Turkiye/ [15] OCALAN: "I SEVERED MY TIES WITH THE PKK"The leader of the PKK terrorist organization, Abdullah Ocalan, participated in a live programme on the MED TV by telephone and stated that he had severed all his ties with the PKK. He added: "If the guerillas want to continue what I have been doing for 15 years, I do not have anything to do with them." However he did not clarify whether he would continue his efforts in the political arena or yield his influence within the PKK. /Turkiye/[16] US AMBASSADOR TO ROME: "OCALAN WILL STAND TRIAL"The US Ambassador to Rome Thomas Foglietta stressed that Ocalan was a terrorist and the leader of a terrorist organization and said: "To try Ocalan is the common aim of the US and Italy. Foglietta who was appointed to the US Embassy to Rome last year, in his statement published on the newspaper La Repubblica, said that Italian Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema shares the opinion with them that Ocalan is a terrorist. He added that Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs Lamberto Dini had also mentioned the possibility of trying Ocalan in Italy. "Our aim is to try Ocalan and I believe we shall succeed in doing so" he said. /Turkiye/[17] "SPECIAL COURT TO OCALAN IS AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS"State Minister of Human Rights, H.Sami Turk, noted that there were no international courts where the PKK leader Ocalan could be tried. Turk said: "Ocalan is primarily responsible for many massacres. The responsibility for the activities of the terrorist organization also belongs to him. He must naturally be tried before the Turkish courts. There is no international court to try Ocalan. If there is, that will be a special court and this is obviously against human rights." /Hurriyet/[18] TWO SOLDIERS DIE IN BINGOLDuring PKK operations carried out by Turkish Security Forces around Bingol, two soldiers were killed as a result of fire-shots launched by terrorists. Military sources announced that operations would continue to seize the terrorists. /Milliyet/[19] PKK's NEW TACTICAbdullah Ocalan's statement that he would leave the leadership of PKK organization is evaluated as a tactic to see the reaction of the organization. Same sources noted that immediately after Ocalan's statement, leadership negotiations had started inside the group. It was also pointed out that Ocalan would restructure the PKK similar to the IRA organization and take the role of leader of Sein Fein, Gery Adams. /Milliyet/[20] INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTA protocol of the first term-meeting of the Joint Economic Commission signed between Turkey and Moldovo has been approved by the Council of Ministers. The decision for the approval of the protocol was published in the Official Gazette yesterday. The protocol aims to strengthen economic, commercial and technological relations between the two countries. The protocol also aims at cooperation between the officials of the two countries for the development of commercial relations in free trade zones. /Cumhuriyet/[21] HIGHWAYS DEVELOPINGIt is reported that the total length of Turkey's highways will be 1,765 kilometres by the end of this year. For the projects financed by the Public Partnership Fund, a total of TL 111.8 trillion were spent until the end of September. /Cumhuriyet/[22] TURKEY BECOMES THE INVESTMENT BASE OF PAUL AND SHARKDespite the global crisis, Paul and Shark, one of the leading sportwear companies in the world, decided to continue its investments in Turkey. Paolo Dini, the head of Paul and Shark, noted that Turkey would become the centre of their investments in the Middle East and Asia, including the gigantic Chinese market, and said: "Turkey is a real centre for us due to its industrial infrastructure and human capital." /Hurriyet/[23] PROVOCATIVE FIRE IN CYPRUSGreek Cypriots opened fire at Turkish contact point in the Kiracikoy and Cayonu townships of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). TRNC Security Forces announced no casualties at the end of the fire. TRNC officials protested the incident to the initiatives of UN Peace Force and British Military Space. /Sabah/Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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