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Turkish Press Review, 99-06-11
From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>
11.06.99
Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
CONTENTS
[01] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
[02] SPECIAL KOSOVO
[03] DEMIREL SENDS MESSAGE TO SECURITY AND COOPERATION CONFERENCE
[04] TURCO-ISRAELI RELATIONS ARE EXEMPLARY
[05] FIRE IN MARMARIS
[06] US: THERE IS A STRONG GOVERNMENT IN ANKARA
[07] BAHCELI: "THE GOVERNMENT WILL LAST FOR A LONG TIME"
[08] IRTEMCELIK PROMISES HUMAN RIGHTS IMPROVEMENT
[09] 10 TERRORISTS KILLED IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY
[10] 26 PKK MEMBERS SEIZED
[11] ARMENIANS CONDEMN ALLEGATIONS OF LINKS WITH PKK
[12] GUARANTEE OF A JUST JUDICIARY
[13] FOREIGN CREDIT FOR GARANTI BANK
[14] NEW U.S. AMBASSADOR TO CYPRUS
[15] FINANCIAL TIMES: "TURKEY'S POWER"
[16] DEMIREL PRAISES TSK
[17] THREE ANAP DEPUTIES RESIGN
[18] IMF: TURKEY OVERCOMES ECONOMIC CRISIS THROUGH FLEXIBLE RATE OF EXCHANGE
[19] ECEVIT: DOOR TO PEACE IS OPENED
[20] CEM ATTENDS MEETING IN COLOGNE
[21] TURKEY WARNS BRITAIN AND BELGIUM OVER MED-TV
[22] RELATIVES OF MARTYRS ON BBC
[23] CIVILIAN DGMs ARE TO BECOME REALITY
[24] TRAITOROUS ATTACK
[25] EGE CALLS ON FOREIGN INVESTORS
[26] VERGAU: "TURKEY'S MEMBERSHIP IS SUPPORTED BY THE EU"
[27] SECRET VISIT BY NATO OFFICIAL
[28] TURKEY SIGNS AN AGREEMENT ON CHILDREN'S RIGHTS
[29] A TOTAL OF 16 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAPTURED
[30] GEMICI TO GO TO STOCKHOLM
[31] FOREIGN DEBT PAYMENTS
[32] LE FIGARO: TURKEY IS THE QUEEN OF THE MEDITERRANEAN
[33] DENTISTS FROM AROUND GLOBE IN ISTANBUL
[34] DYP'S 6TH ANNUAL CONVENTION ON NOVEMBER 20
[35] BANKING BILL PASSED BY COMMISSION
[36] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
A SOLUTION FOR CYPRUS -BY H.MESUT HAZAR (TURKIYE)
[37] SPECIAL KOSOVO
SERB PULLOUT FROM KOSOVO BEGINS
[38] ANKARA: MILOSEVIC SHOULD BE ABIDE BY TERMS OF ACCORD
[39] KOSOVAR REFUGEES IN TURKEY
[40] THE END OF NATIONALIST AMBITIONS -BY FERAI TINC (HURRIYET)
[01] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
[02] SPECIAL KOSOVO
[03] DEMIREL SENDS MESSAGE TO SECURITY AND COOPERATION CONFERENCE
President Suleyman Demirel sent a message to the conference on 'Security and Cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean', which began two days ago and ended yesterday, in which he said that Turkey holds an historical responsibility since she stands at the crossroads of three continents and cultures. "Presently, the existence of a Turkish cultural world stretching from the Adriatic to the Great Wall of China has become a concrete fact. This has created a significant impact on the foreign policy of the Republic of Turkey" Demirel added. Meanwhile, the Head of the American Enterprise Institute, Richard Perle, who delivered a speech at the Conference said that Europe does not or does not want to understand Turkey. He added: "The standpoints of Europe and the US towards the trial of the head of the PKK terrorist organization, Abdullah Ocalan, are different. This is because there is no death penalty in Europe, but we have the death penalty in the US". In addition to Perle, the former US coordinator to Cyprus, Nelson Ledsky, and the Head of the Washington Institute, Alan Makovsky, also took part in the Conference in Istanbul. /Hurriyet/
[04] TURCO-ISRAELI RELATIONS ARE EXEMPLARY
During the second day of the Conference on 'Security and Cooperation in the Eastern Meditarrean', regional security issues were discussed. The Israeli Consul-General, Eli Shaked, who delivered a speech to the Conference said that bilateral relations between the two countries would continue to further develop with the new government established in Israel and stated that relations between the two countries were an example to other countries. Meanwhile, the General Director of the Western Policies' Centre in the US, John Stilides, claimed also that a positive process was about to begin between Turkey and Greece, pointing out the importance of both countries from the standpoint of stability in the Balkans. /Milliyet/
[05] FIRE IN MARMARIS
On the Marmaris-Aksoz road, near the Agriculturist's Camp, a fire broke out yesterday about 11.45. It is estimated that a short circuit in the electric cables along Aksoz Yalancibogaz caused the fire. Since the flames spread rapidly, due to the wind which was blowing at 80 km/hr, as a precaution, Club Bella Mare, Yat Hotel, Albotros Marina and more than 20 summer houses were evacuated. The fire was only brougth under control after a 7-hour struggle. 320 foresters, 25 forestry staff, 100 soldiers and citizens took part in the job of putting it out. Since the six fire helicopters which were ordered have not arrived yet, only one reconnaissance helicopter has been used. It was declared that the starting point of the fire is the same as that of the biggest forest fire in Turkey in 1979, destroying 16 thousand hectares of forest. /Sabah/
[06] US: THERE IS A STRONG GOVERNMENT IN ANKARA
It is reported that Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit will be invited to Washington in the shortest possible time. The official invitation will possibly be conveyed to Ecevit during his reception of the US Ambassador to Ankara, Mark Parris. Diplomatic sources stated the US believes that the new government, which has obtained the vote of confidence, is strong and this will positively affect bilateral relations between the two countries. On the Turco-US agenda is a series of important issues such as defence and energy policies to be discussed. /Hurriyet/
[07] BAHCELI: "THE GOVERNMENT WILL LAST FOR A LONG TIME"
The Chairman of the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) and Deputy Prime Minister, Devlet Bahceli, said that the 57th government would be the one which will ensure stability in the country and last for a long time in harmony. Bahceli attended a meeting on 'Vocational Technical Training and Development' in Ankara yesterday. Bahceli stated that parties which had different world views had come together in the 57th government. /Milliyet/
[08] IRTEMCELIK PROMISES HUMAN RIGHTS IMPROVEMENT
The State Minister Responsible for Human Rights and EU Relations, Mehmet Ali Irtencelik, promised improvement in human rights and democratization in Turkey at a press conference on Thursday at the Prime Ministry following a Human Rights Coordination Supreme Board meeting. Giving no detailed information on what kind of development he was suggesting, Irtemcelik said that in an effort to overcome the shortcomings of the country on this issue, the organization had decided to speed up its efforts. /All papers/
[09] 10 TERRORISTS KILLED IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY
In a crack-down conducted by Turkish security forces in Hakkari and Tunceli, 10 terrorists were killed and two members of the security forces lost their lives, the Anatolia News Agency reported on Thursday. According to information furnished by the Emergency Rule Region Governor's Office, six terrorists were killed in the Yuksekova district of Hakkari and four were killed in the Cemi�kezek dictrict of Hakkari. Security operations are still underway in the region.
[10] 26 PKK MEMBERS SEIZED
During manoeuvres in the Eastern and Southeastern regions of Anatolia, military equipment brought from Germany was seized in Gaziantep. Five civilians who have been supporting PKK terrorists by aiding their movement within the region were also taken into custody. Meanwhile, by the end of clashes between security forces and PKK members, 10 terrorists and two soldiers were killed in Hakkari and Tunceli. Furthermore, 16 terrorists who attempted to take weapons, bullets and 2.5 billion TL to their friends in the mountains were captured in Diyarbakir. /Sabah/
[11] ARMENIANS CONDEMN ALLEGATIONS OF LINKS WITH PKK
The Patriarch of Turkey's Armenians, Mesrob II, has issued a statement saying that with the trial of Abdullah Ocalan, some groups had once again started to identify the outlawed separatist PKK organization with the Armenians and he condemned this situation. Pointing out that some media organizations had alleged that Armenians supporded the PKK at such a critical juncture, Mesrob II called on everyone to act seriously. /All papers/
[12] GUARANTEE OF A JUST JUDICIARY
President Suleyman Demirel and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit received 34 members of the foreign press from 27 countries including Asia, the former Soviet Republics and Latin America. These journalists come to Turkey upon the official invitation of the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat. Both Demirel and Ecevit told their foreign guests that the chief of the terrorist organization was being tried justly. Demirel restressed that the judiciary was independent in Turkey, adding that Abdullah Ocalan was being fairly tried in front of both Turkish and world public opinion and that the decision made at the end of the case would be just. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said for his part that after the establishment of the government, the Turkish economy would liven up. He noted that there was no terrorist action in Turkey effecting Turkish tourism as was claimed abroad. Regarding Cyprus, he pointed out that both the Cyprus and the Aegean issues could be solved through mutual dialogue. However, he added, Greece would like to bring them before an international court instead of setting up a dialogue process between the two countries. /Sabah/Turkiye/
[13] FOREIGN CREDIT FOR GARANTI BANK
The Turkish Garanti Bank has reached an agreement with a co-operative of 43 banks from 22 countries to obtain a $ 250 million credit. According to the agreement signed yesterday in London, the credit would be for a one year fixed term at an interest rate of 0.55 %. The credit will be used to increase exports. /Turkiye/
[14] NEW U.S. AMBASSADOR TO CYPRUS
Donald Keith Bandler, the Special Adviser of President Bill Clinton and the Chairman of the National Security Council, was appointed as Ambassador to Cyprus. Bandler is a successful diplomat in international disputes. He is known as being experienced in Turkish-Greek disputes and on the Aegean and Cyprus issues. /Turkiye/
[15] FINANCIAL TIMES: "TURKEY'S POWER"
According to an article published in the "Financial Times" newspaper, Russia is planning to construct an underwater gas transport route from Russia to Samsun under the Black Sea. In order to implement the plan, officials from the Russian Gazpron company have been holding meetings with the representatives of the Italian Enl company. After the gas transport route, called the "Blue Stream", is completed the importance of Turkey and the Black Sea will increase. In the later stages of the plan, it is expected that Russian gas will be transported to Lebanon and Israel via Turkey. /Turkiye/
[16] DEMIREL PRAISES TSK
President Suleyman Demirel said that the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) was one of the best-trained and disciplined Armed Forces in the world. After following the Efes '99 Exercises in Doganbey, a town in Izmir, Demirel said that one of the best-run exercises by the military was performed in Doganbey. He praised and thanked the Chief of General Staff, commanders and all military personnel because of their successesful manoeuvres. Meanwhile, Malaysian Chief of General Staff, senior military officials from Greece, 30 military attaches from various countries and 53 observers followed the exercises. /Turkiye/
[17] THREE ANAP DEPUTIES RESIGN
Motherland Party (ANAP) Istanbul Deputy Tekin Enerem, Kirsehir Deputy Omer Demir and Afyon Deputy Nuri Yabuz have resigned. They announced that they would put every effort into restructuring the central right. /Turkiye/
[18] IMF: TURKEY OVERCOMES ECONOMIC CRISIS THROUGH FLEXIBLE RATE OF EXCHANGE
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Chairman Stanley Fischer said that Turkey, Mexico and South Africa had overcome their economic crisis by applying flexible a rate of exchange. He added that these countries had taken economic measures to direct them towards the "true path". He noted that the financial system of a country should be extremely strong powerful in order to attract foreign investment. Fischer pointed out that there should also be a wide scope of political stability in developing countries so as to strengthen their economies. /Aksam/
[19] ECEVIT: DOOR TO PEACE IS OPENED
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that he hoped that the peace accord in Kosovo would be long lasting and fair. He noted that Turkey had contributed a lot to ease the agonies of the Kosovars. He added that an administration to guarantee peace in the region should be established without delay. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kosovars are still arriving in Turkey. There are more than 17,000 Kosovars at the moment in Turkey. Some Kosovar refugees are staying at Kirklareli, in the tent camp, and some other are staying with their relatives living in Turkey. Turkey has also set up tent camps in Albania and Macedonia to which she sent humanitarian and financial aid. /Aksam/
[20] CEM ATTENDS MEETING IN COLOGNE
Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem has gone to Cologne to attend the meeting of the G-8 countries' Foreign Ministers during which time the Kosovo crisis is the main topic of discussion. While there, he has said that Turkish proposals have held an important role in the peace plan presented by NATO. Cem added: "Turkey has enjoyed historical ties with Kosovo over the past 500 years. If Turkish experiences had been taken into consideration in the solution of the Kosovo crisis, Kosovo would not have suffered such pain". Cem stated that Turkey had submitted a detailed plan entitled 'Good Neighbourliness and Cooperation' to the European Union and said: "This plan, which also includes an element of economic cooperation, was effective during the meetings held in Brussels to halt the conflict". Cem added that a Balkan dimension was missing in the international decision-taking mechanism concerning recent developments in Kosovo. /Aksam-Hurriyet/
[21] TURKEY WARNS BRITAIN AND BELGIUM OVER MED-TV
Turkey has warned Britain and Belgium because the pro-PKK MED-TV has begun to broadcast via these two countries. The Turkish Ambassadors in these two countries arranged meetings with officials and said that Britain had previously prohibited the MED-TV broadcast because of its support for the PKK terrorist organization. An official from the Turkish Foreign Ministry pointed out that recent developments were being closely followed and the issue was also being discussed by officials from these two countries in Turkey. /Hurriyet/
[22] RELATIVES OF MARTYRS ON BBC
German newspapers in evaluating the death penalty demand for the head of the PKK terrorist organization, Abdullah Ocalan, stated that Ocalan's statements were not regarded as persuasive in Turkey. The BBC correspondent in Turkey, Chris Morris, stressed that the Turkish nation was patiently awaiting the decision on Ocalan. The BBC broadcast a special programme on Ocalan's trial during which was shown footage of the relatives of martyrs who lost their lives during the struggle against the PKK terrorist organization. The correspondent stressed that everyone was expecting the death penalty. /Hurriyet/
[23] CIVILIAN DGMs ARE TO BECOME REALITY
The first vote for a Constitutional amendment to place the State Security Courts (DGMs) under civilian control will be held on June 16 while the final vote will be on June 19. Therefore, it is expected that there will be a civilian DGM for the trial of the head of the terrorist organization, Abdullah Ocalan. Meanwhile, the Constitutional Commission will convene on Monday. /Cumhuriyet/
[24] TRAITOROUS ATTACK
A terrorist attack took place in Tilkiler village, near Pazarcik against a corps of gendarmes, returning from a raid to seize Indian hemp. While gendarme commando Private Selahattin Sener was martyred; Suleyman Dursun and Omur Kahya were wounded. /Star/
[25] EGE CALLS ON FOREIGN INVESTORS
The Foreign Trade Undersecretary, Yavuz Ege, said that Turkey has been undergoing a liberalization and harmonization process with the world economy for the last 20 years and stated that the Turkish economy has proved that it has a huge development potential. He added: "Our goal is to use that potential in the best way". A briefing on Turkey's economic situation was held at the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat yesterday for 34 foreign journalists from 27 countries. During the briefing, the opportunities presented by Turkey to foreign investors were outlined. The foreign journalists, who had come to Turkey as the guests of the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat, were also received by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and President Suleyman Demirel. Demirel said that Turkey had carried out the EU membership criteria before many other European countries. /Cumhuriyet/
[26] VERGAU: "TURKEY'S MEMBERSHIP IS SUPPORTED BY THE EU"
The German Ambassador to Ankara, Hans Joachim Vergau, said that contrary to the general impression in Turkey, there had been a significant development from the standpoint of Turkey's EU membership during the Cologne Summit. Vergau stated that even though there had been no concrete results from a legal point of view, great success had been achieved politically. According to Vergau, for the first time most of the EU members had approved Turkey's EU membership during the Cologne Summit. Vergau pointed out that this would open up the way for Turkey for the Helsinki Summit. /Star/
[27] SECRET VISIT BY NATO OFFICIAL
It is reported that Gen.John Jumper, the Commander of the European Allied Air Forces, paid a secret visit to Turkey. Jumper and Turkish Air Forces Commander Gen.Ilhan Kilic held a meeting and exchanged views on the participation of US aircraft departing from Turkish bases. The two Commanders also signed an agreement. The agreement called 'Stockpile' includes issues concerning stores of strategic and important logistic materials to be used in urgent situations. Gen.Jumper arrived at Ankara's Esenboga Airport on June 7, 1999. /Star/
[28] TURKEY SIGNS AN AGREEMENT ON CHILDREN'S RIGHTS
Turkey has signed the 'European Children's Rights Implementation Agreement'. Ambassador Alev Kilic, the Turkish Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe, signed the agreement during a ceremony also attended by the General Secretary of the Council of Europe, Daniel Tarchys. The agreement envisages the protection of children's rights in the best possible way. /Hurriyet/
[29] A TOTAL OF 16 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAPTURED
The Gendarmes captured yesterday 16 immigrants in Meric county of Edirne, who were trying to proceed to Greece illegally. Officials said that the immigrants will be deported once the legal proceedings are completed.
[30] GEMICI TO GO TO STOCKHOLM
Hasan Gemici, the Minister of State responsible for Women and Family, will leave for Stockholm on Monday to participate in meeting of European Ministers responsible for Family. Gemici will brief about Turkish family structure during the meeting. He is expected to return to Turkey on June 17, the Anatolia News Agency reports.
[31] FOREIGN DEBT PAYMENTS
Turkey has repaid a total of $3.877 billion in foreign debts since the beginning of this year, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Meanwhile, a total of $391.9 million in foreign debts was repaid between June 1 and 10.
[32] LE FIGARO: TURKEY IS THE QUEEN OF THE MEDITERRANEAN
The 'Le Figaro' newspaper published in France devoted a full page spread to Turkey's tourism. The newspaper said in its report that Turkey, which is surrounded by three seas and many cultural assets such as Ephesus and Troy, is one of the jewels in the Mediterranean's holiday crown. The newspaper recalled that more than 300,000 French tourists had visited Turkey last year. /Hurriyet/
[33] DENTISTS FROM AROUND GLOBE IN ISTANBUL
The "Dental Forum '99" organized by the Turkish Dentists' Union will be held in Istanbul attended by the World Dentists' Union on June 21-26. Nearly 2,500 dentists from both Turkey and foreign countries will attend the forum. /Cumhuriyet/
[34] DYP'S 6TH ANNUAL CONVENTION ON NOVEMBER 20
The True Path Party (DYP) executive meeting chaired by party leader Tansu Ciller was convened at the party headquarters yesterday, reported the Anatolia News Agency. During the meeting, the party executive reached a decision to hold the DYP's Sixth General Convention on November 20th 1999.
[35] BANKING BILL PASSED BY COMMISSION
Yesterday, the Parliament Plan and Budget Commission passed the Banking Bill, of primary importance for the government. An article which foresaw the closure of institutions which disseminate negative propaganda about financial institutions was eliminated from the draft. The bill will be voted on in Parliament. /All papers/
[36] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
A SOLUTION FOR CYPRUS -BY H.MESUT HAZAR (TURKIYE)
Columnist Mesut Hazar comments on the search for a solution in Cyprus. A summary of his column is as follows: "Yugoslavia accepted NATO's conditions and began to withdraw her forces after her defeat in Kosovo. In another development, this final expected peace process accelerated the joint preparations of the US and the United Kingdom for peace in Cyprus. In the US Senate's Foreign Relations Committee new Ambassadors to various countries were confirmed the previous day. The Ambassador to the Greek Cypriot Administration was named as Donald Keith Bandler. When the Senate confirms his assignment he will start working as the Ambassador to the Greek Cypriot Administration. The new appointments indicate the US search for solutions in the parts of the world where conflicts are in progress. The new Ambassador to the Greek-Cypriot Administration, Donald Bandler, was President Clinton's and the National Security Council's advisor. Bandler has a deep knowledge of Turco-Greek issues, disagreements over the Aegean and Cyprus. The US seems determined to apply pressure to find a solution for Cyprus by appointing Bandler as Ambassador. Preparations concerning a solution for Cyprus have been underway for some time. The arrival of a number of experts on cadastre and cartography on Cyprus, the search conducted to determine the past history of every inch of the land, and adding this new information and documents to the Cyprus file shows that a countdown to a solution has started in Cyprus. President Clinton is expected to attend the OSCE Summit in Turkey in November. The most important issue on his agenda is the Cyprus problem; US diplomats are working with their British counterparts to find a solution for Cyprus. A draft agremeent has been prepared by England's special representative to Cyprus, David Hannay, concerning the constitution, distribution of land and the style of administration and within the framework of the G-8 and with the support of Russia pressure exerted on both sides (actually on the Turkish side) to accept this plan. Although the new plan seems to be close to the Turkish thesis, defending a confederation instead of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, some disagreements on the issue still remain. Will it be possible to make the Turkish side sit at a table while accepting the Greek-Cypriot administration as the legal representative of the whole Island and disregarding the existence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus(TRNC)? Will it suffice to force the Turkish side to make more concessions with the help of the EU or G-8? Without pronouncing the existence of the TRNC or a confederation of "two equal states" it seems impossible for the Turkish side to sit at the negotiation table. The US and the West should understand that Turks regard this as a national issue and as such will be united around it whatever their differences of opinion may be. Without recognising the existence of the TRNC, land for constitution or other union plans, the full-membership of the Greek-Cypriot Administration in the EU and NATO are efforts spent in vain. * * *
[37] SPECIAL KOSOVO
SERB PULLOUT FROM KOSOVO BEGINS
The Yugoslav Army started leaving Kosovo yesterday. Assistant Foreign Minister Nebojsa Vujovic in Belgrade said, "Today, units of the Yugoslav Army and police started their withdrawal in absolute order, implementing a very accurate, precise mechanism for withdrawal." The NATO Alliance endorsed details of a Kosovo pullout at a late-night meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels and said it would stop the bombing of Yugoslavia once it is certain the Serb troops are leaving Kosovo. NATO spokesman Jamie Shea said the agreement calls for the Serbs to withdraw from the most northerly part of Kosovo within 24 hours. As soon as the Allaince verifies that the partial withdrawal is underway, the air campaign will be officially halted. That would clear the way for the U.N. Security Council to approve a resolution which would authorize advance units of the peacekeeping force to move in quickly from Macedonia. Meanwhile, Turkish officials announced that a 1,000-member military unit would accompany the NATO-led peace-keeping force into Kosovo. /All papers/
[38] ANKARA: MILOSEVIC SHOULD BE ABIDE BY TERMS OF ACCORD
Turkey declared yesterday that now that Yugoslavia has agreed to withdraw its troops from Kosovo and allow the refugees to return to their homes in safety, the time has come to take measures to rehabilitate the refugees, reconstruct Kosovo and consolidate peace. Expressing pleasure over the peace deal, the Deputy Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sermet Atacanli, said Ankara expected the Milosevic Administration in Yugoslavia to fully abide with the terms of the deal signed after lengthy negotiations. Meanwhile, Kosovar refugees in Turkey spent Wednesday night celebrating the peace deal that they hoped would soon enable them to return to their homeland in Kosovo. At the Kirklareli refugee camp, residents spent the first half of the night in front of TVs watching developments in the peace talks and the second half celebrating the peace deal in the streets of the camp. /All papers/
[39] KOSOVAR REFUGEES IN TURKEY
The number of Kosovar refugees who have taken shelters in Turkey after being forced to leave their homes as a result of ethnic-cleansing campaign in Kosovo increased to 17,261 including 5,516 children, the Anatolia News Agency reports.
[40] THE END OF NATIONALIST AMBITIONS -BY FERAI TINC (HURRIYET)
Columnist Ferai Tinc comments on the agreement signed to end the conflict in Kosovo. A summary of her column is as follows: "The agreement signed at the end of lengthy bargaining in the French base at Kumanovo in fact indicates the Serbian farewell to Kosovo. The agreement is different from the one signed in Rambouillet but in the end it will lead to the implementation of the Rambouillet agreement. One of the most important conditions of the Rambouillet agreement was to hold a referendum in three years concerning the fate of the people. It said that three years after the implementation of the agreement, an international conference would organize the final arrangements in accordance with the results of the national will vis-a-vis Kosovo's administration. The accepted new agreement states the future status of Kosovo thus: "The presence of an international force will facilitate the political process determining the future status of Kosovo, keeping the Rambouillet agreement in mind." There is no mention of a referendum or an international conference. However, this means no more than sugaring the pill for Milosevic. Within the new agreement, important steps have been taken on the issue of autonomy. The administration of Kosovo is no longer left to a joint administration of Serbs and Albanians as in Rambouillet but to an international organization. It is called a 'temporary international administration' and is added that it would work until the Kosovar people obtain a wider autonomy within the Yugoslovian Federation. The end of Milosevic's nationalism which turned Yugoslavia into a region of hatred and vengeance brought the Serbian identity face to face with the contempt of the world. The Yugoslav Army, one of the strongest armies in Europe, yesterday started preparations to withdraw in 11 days. However, Milosevic's departure does not mean that Kosovo will be delivered to the Albanians as NATO does not wish to present the victory to the KLA. Foreign troops will enter Kosovo before the people who were forced to leave their homes and return after that the KLA will be able to enter the country. There is no sign that there is an agreement on this subject. What will happen if some radical elements in the KLA continue to fight in the mountains, or Serbs living in Kosovo take aim at foreign troops? You get the same answer to this question everywhere: "God forbid". In Kosovo, the administration is being passed on to the winners and neither Milosevic's nationalism nor dreams of a Greater Albania are among them.
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