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Turkish Press Review, 99-06-18Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>18.06.99Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...[02] CLEAR UNCERTAINTY IN NORTHERN IRAQ -BY MUSTAFA BALBAY (CUMHURIYET)[03] SPECIAL KOSOVO[04] DEMIREL VISITS MOLDOVAPresident Suleyman Demirel paid a one-day visit to Moldova yesterday, where he opened the first phase of a water-supply facility built with Turkish financial aid. The facility is being built in Moldova's autonomous region of Gagauz. The construction of the facility started in June of last year with a loan from the Turkish Eximbank to fulfill the need for potable water in the drought-stricken Gagauz region. The foundation was laid by Demirel himself and the construction is being carried out by a Turkish company.Demirel held talks with his Moldovian counterpart Petru Lucinschi yesterday. The two leaders discussed ways of improving economic ties and bilateral trade. Demirel invited Lucinschi to pay an official visit to Turkey and also to participate in the September celebrations of the 700th anniversary of the foundation of the Ottoman Empire. /All papers/ [05] ECEVIT PROPOSES COOPERATION WITH GREECEPrime Minister Bulent Ecevit has called on Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis to cooperate in order to draw the two countries closer to each other. Ecevit who delivered a speech on the Greek MEGA-TV channel said that in order to begin a realistic dialogue between Turkey and Greece, the Simitis government should cooperate with Turkey in the struggle against terrorism. Meanwhile, Greek Government Spokesman Dimitri Reppas once again rejected claims of Greek support for the PKK terrorist organization. /Hurriyet/[06] ECEVIT: "WE WILL DO OUR BEST"Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said yesterday that the economic situation is under close observation and that the government has not yet decided on the rate of salary increases. Ecevit stated that it is essential to discuss the budget, Banking Law and Social Security Law before Parliament goes into recess.Ecevit stressed that order, dependent on a very sensitive balance, is trying to be established in Kosovo. The Kosovo issue will be on the agenda for a while, he commented. Concerning the Cyprus issue, Ecevit remarked that there is peace and harmony on the Island. Ecevit also mentioned that the PKK has camps in several Western countries and plays a large role in illicit drug trafficking. /All papers/ [07] IMF DELEGATION IN ANKARAThe Head of the IMF-Turkey Desk, Carlo Cottarelli, has declared that the key to bolstering anti-inflation policies in Turkey was structural reforms. Cottarelli stressed in a statement following meetings held at the Treasury Undersecretariat that among these structural reforms, the most important ones were the Banking Draft Law, the Social Security Reform, the Agricultural Policies Reform and Privatization. Cottarelli remarked that the Turkish economy held a significant place within the world economy and added that therefore, the IMF was interested in supporting Turkey through funds, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[08] IMF DELEGATION SUGGESTS TUFE-INDEXED SECURITIESAn IMF delegation headed by Turkey-Desk Chief Carlo Cottarelli suggested that government securities indexed to the consumer price index (TUFE) could be the solution to high interest rates. The IMF mission which arrived in Turkey on June 15 stressed the problem of high interest rates, a topic that had been previously discussed during talks in Washington. IMF officials stated that there was no problem concerning Turkey's borrowing capacity and added that although inflation is dropping, interest rates are rising and that this will increase the domestic debt burden in 2000. /All papers/[09] FINANCIAL REFORM AND STABILITY CONFERENCEA Conference on 'Financial Reform in Central and Eastern Europe and in Newly-Independent States' organized by the US International Development Agency started yesterday in Istanbul. High-level representatives from 24 countries which are experiencing a transition process and officials from the IMF, World Bank, the European Union (EU) and OECD are attending the Conference which will end later today, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[10] JUSTICE MINISTERS FROM COUNCIL OF EUROPEThe Justice Ministers from the member countries of the Council of Europe came together in Kishinev, the capital of Moldova, yesterday. The meetings will last for two days during which the independence of the judiciary and the impartiality of judges will be discussed, the Anatolia News Agency reports. The Justice Ministry's Undersecretary, Ihsan Erbas is representing Turkey at the meetings which are also being attended by representatives from the EU and some international institutions.[11] TURKISH BUSINESSMEN IN SHANGHAIA Turkish business delegation, having completed their round of talks in Hong Kong, have proceeded to Shanghai, the biggest commercial centre in Southern China. The Deputy Chairman of Shanghai Municipality's Foreign Economic Relations and Trade Commission, Hu Zhonghua delivered a speech at a seminar, saying that trade relations with Turkey mean trading with the Middle East, Europe and Central Asia. Hu also invited Turkish businessmen to invest in Shanghai. /Aksam/[12] TUSIAD SUPPORTS THE NEW GOVERNMENTThe Head of the Turkish Industralists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), Erkut Yucaoglu, and members of the Executive Board, visited Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit yesterday. The TUSIAD delegation congratulated Ecevit on the new government and expressed their support for it. /Aksam/[13] TURK ELECTED "EXPORTER OF THE YEAR" IN USA Turkish businessman, Lemi Kurtulus, has been awarded the 'Exporter of the Year' prize in Chicago, the US. Kurtulus has a company, Amexco, which develops and exports new environmental engineering technologies to Peru, Egypt, Brazil and Argentina. Kurtulus has been living in Chicago for 35 years. /Aksam/[14] KOBIs MEET IN BELFASTIn order to provide international cooperation opportunities to Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (KOBIs), an information session will be organized in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on September 23-24, 1999. According to a statement issued by the Economic Development Foundation, 300 firms from 15 countries will take part in the session hosted by 100 electronics and information technology firms. /Aksam/[15] TURKEY PAYS OFF $4.8 BILLION IN FOREIGN DEBTSTurkey paid off $1.3 billion in foreign debts in the first half of June this year. According to Central Bank data, Turkey has paid off $4.8 billion in foreign debts since the beginning of this year. /Aksam/[16] YILMAZ CRITICIZES EUThe Motherland Party (ANAP) Chairman, Mesut Yilmaz, said that relations between Turkey and the EU should be re-evaluated following the Cologne Summit. Yilmaz received the Head of the Economic Development Foundation (IKV), Meral Gezgin Eris, and members of the Executive Board yesterday. Yilmaz stated that a joint assessment should be made in conjunction with all economic institutions via the IKV. /Aksam/[17] TURCO-GREEK EXERCISE SURPRISINGAn article published in 'The Washington Times' newspaper in the US said that the Turkish and Greek Armed Forces were jointly taking part in a NATO exercise in the Black Sea. The article added: "Is this a dream?". It was pointed out that the 'Cooperative Partner-99' Exercise' organized according to the Partnership for Peace (PfP) programme, was directed by Turkish officers. Furthermore, it was stressed that Turkey and Greece should hold further joint exercises in order to contribute to the solution of their problems. /Aksam/[18] TRNC REACTS TO US PLAN FOR CYPRUSThe Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has reacted to a three-stage plan by the US which aims to solve the 'refugee problem' in Cyprus. Ergun Olgun, the advisor to TRNC President Rauf Denktas, said that the plan was a fantasy. Meanwhile, the 'Simerini' newspaper published in Southern Cyprus stated that the Greek-Cypriot Administration approved of the plan. /Aksam/[19] 43 PEOPLE IN CUSTODYFollowing an attack carried out two days ago by members of the PKK terrorist organization in Diyadin, Agri, security officials took 43 people into custody. During the PKK attack, no casualties were reported whereas two PKK terrorists were killed. /Star/[20] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES INCREASECentral Bank foreign exchange reserves increased by $60 million between June 4-11, 1999. According to Central Bank data, foreign exchange reserves which stood at $21.576 billion on June 4 rose to $21.636 billion on June 11. Meanwhile, as of May 28, 1999, gold reserves totalled $1.012 billion whereas foreign exchange reserves at commercial banks amounted to $10.144 billion. /Hurriyet/[21] FIVE SYKORSKYS ARRIVE IN TURKEYThe first five Sykorsky helicopters, out of 50 purchased by Turkey from the US, arrived in the country yesterday. The remaining 20 helicopters will come to Turkey within three months. A huge project worth nearly $632 million was drawn up between Turkey and the US and is expected to be completed in March 2000. /Hurriyet/[22] DHKP-C AND PKK COOPERATION ENDSIt is reported that members of the illegal DHKP-C organization have said that there would not be any joint activities undertaken with the PKK terrorist organization anymore. DHKP-C members stressed that the statements of the head of the PKK terrorist organization, Abdullah Ocalan, were the signals of a weak person and a weak organization. /Hurriyet/[23] ATTACK ON TURKISH MINORITYThe Anatolia News Agency reported that Greek soldiers attacked Turkish villagers living in Gokcepinar village in Xanthi (Iskece). A few villagers and soldiers were wounded during the attack. /Hurriyet/[24] GREEK AMBASSADOR: "OCALAN'S WORDS ARE NONSENSE"The Greek Ambassador to Ankara, Yannis Korandis, said that Greece had never supported the PKK terrorist organization. Korandis stated that what was spoken by the head of the PKK, Abdullah Ocalan, was nonsense. Korandis and the Greek Consul to Izmir, Andreas Fryganas, visited Izmir Mayor Ahmet Piristina yesterday. Korandis stressed that Greece always supported the territorial integrity of Turkey. /Aksam/[25] US: "WE REGARD ALLEGATIONS AS SERIOUS"The US State Department said that they regarded claims that there are PKK tarining camps in Greece as serious. US State Department Spokesman James Foley stated at a press conference that they are aware of PKK camps in Greece. Foley added that the Greek Foreign Minister, George Papandreu, had assured the US of their cooperation in the fight against terrorism. /Sabah/[26] IRANIAN AND TURKISH DELEGATIONS MEETAn Iranian delegation arrived in Ankara two days ago, headed by H.Penah Azer from the Iranian Foreign Ministry. The Turkish delegation which will hold meetings with them is headed by the General Director of Consulate Affairs from the Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Erkan Gezer. The meetings are aimed at strengthening the fight against terrorism; a protocol was signed on the issue yesterday. /Sabah/[27] 19 PKK MEMBERS KILLEDNineteen members of the PKK terrorist organization have been killed and four Turkish soldiers died in clashes in Southeastern Turkey, the Anatolia News Agency reports. The clashes took place in Mardin, Hakkari and Sirnak, according to a statement issued by the Office of the Emergency Rule Region (OHAL). The operations in the region are continuing, the statement added.[28] IRAN TRAINS HIZBULLAH MEMBERSAbdulaziz Tunc, a member of the illegal Hizbullah organization which aims to establish an Iranian-model Kurdish state in the Southeast, has confessed that Iran is offering both strategic and armed training to members of the Hizbullah organization. Iranian officials have been rejecting the claims that Iran supports terrorist organizations. /Milliyet/[29] GERMANY: "DO NOT EXECUTE OCALAN"The Head of the German Constitution's Protection Organization, Peter Frisch, said that the head of the PKK terrorist organization, Abdullah Ocalan, should not be executed. Frisch said in a statement to the German 'Tagesspiegel' newspaper that if Ocalan is sentenced to death, the PKK terrorist organization is likely to its attacks. Frisch also wanted the German government to put pressure on Turkey not to execute Ocalan. /Milliyet/[30] MILITARY JUDGE WILL NOT TAKE PART IN JUNE 23 SESSIONThe military judge, Abdulkadir Davarcioglu, will not sit in judgement at the trial of the head of the PKK terrorist organization, Abdullah Ocalan, on June 23. The reserve judge, Mehmet Maras, will participate in the trial from now on. /Sabah/[31] US: IRAQI KURDS WON'T ACT AGAINST TURKISH INTERESTSUS officials and representatives of the two main Kurdish groups in Northern Iraq have asserted that their joint efforts to topple the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and the future envisaged for a post-Saddam Iraq will not harm Turkey's interests and sensivity in the region. Representatives from the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) met on Wednesday in Washington hosted by Elizabeth Jones, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs. Turkish and British Embassy officials were also present at the meeting as observers. /All papers/[32] FOREST FIRE IN DENIZLIAs a result of a forest fire in the Bozkurt district of Denizli, 100 hectares of forest and agricultural area have been burnt. Officials stressed that following the extinguishing efforts, the situation is now completely under control, the Anatolia News Agency reports.Meanwhile, a fire broke out yesterday morning caused by lightning, which has destroyed two hectares of pine forest. Since the fire was located near the peak of Cam Mountain, a land approach was not possible. Attempts to put out the fire were carried out by three helicopters and a team from Antalya's Forestry Commission's Headquarters. /Turkiye/ [33] DRUG RAIDS IN ISTANBULDuring raids in Istanbul, 59 kilos of heroin, 35.5 kilos of hashish and 100 grammes of cocaine worth 2.5 trillion TL were seized by members of Istanbul Security Office's Anti-Narcotics Department yesterday. Fifteen people were taken into custody regarding the incident. /Aksam/[34] BALKAN ROUTE RIVAL FOR BAKU-CEYHANThe US administration has allocated $558,000 for feasibility studies into a possible Bulgaria-Macedonia-Albania oil pipeline, a big threat for the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline that Turkey favours and which will transport Caspian petroleum to the Mediterranean. The announcement by the Bulgarian Embassy in Washington was later confirmed by the US Trade and Development Agency (TDA) which allocated the funds. /All papers/[35] THANKS FROM ALIYEVThe President of Azerbaijan, Haydar Aliyev, said: "I entrusted myself to Turkish Doctors" at his reception of the Turkish Ambassador to Baku, K. Ecvet Tezcan. Aliyev also gave thanks to Demirel and to the Turkish people for their concern during his illness. /Cumhuriyet/[36] SEA WOLF-99 MANOEUVRESNine warships have left Iskenderun Harbour in order to participate in "Sea Wolf-99" which is one of the Turkish Military Forces's planned manoeuvres. After undergoing maintenance at the harbour, TC Salih Reis, TC Barbaros, TC Ege, TC Akdeniz, TC Gaziantep, TC Gelibolu, TC Yarbay Kudret Gungor, TC Binbasi Sadettin Gurcan and TC Ulubat sailed to the Mediterranean Sea for the fifth stage of the manoeuvres. This period will end after the units and ships have arrived in Bozcaada and Gokceada Harbours. The final phase will begin on 22th June and will be completed on 25th June. /Cumhuriyet/[37] HOLLAND ASPIRES TO GAP CANALSThe Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Cumhur Ersumer, declared that Holland was aspiring to the construction of the Southeastern Anatolia Project's (GAP) irrigation canals, after a meeting with the Ambassador of Holland to Ankara, Sjoerd Gosses, yesterday. /Cumhuriyet/[38] FIRST TURKISH ARTIST AT VENICE BIANNUALThe 48th Venice Biannual, one of the most important cultural activities in the world, started on June 12 and will continue until November. For the first time, a film by a Turkish person, Kutlug Ataman entitled 'WWWWW' has been nominated in the Venice Biannual Festival. /Hurriyet/[39] BIGGEST TRANS-ATLANTIC OF WORLD IN TURKEYGrand Princess, the biggest Trans-Atlantic of the world, will arrive in Kusadasi county of Aydin today, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Officials said that US flagged Grand Princess will be welcomed by a ceremony.[40] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...[41] MOTHERLAND PARTY'S NEW EU STRATEGY - BY SEDAT ERGIN (HURRIYET)Columnist Sedat Ergin comments on the statements by a Minister from the Motherland Party (ANAP) on the EU. A summary of his column is as follows:"One of the coalition partners' State Ministers, Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik of ANAP believes that Turkey should not be unrealistic concerning its full-membership of the EU during the Helsinki Summit to be held at the end of this year. He adds that it will not be wise to be obsessed with the matter. Irtemcelik shows that he does not look favourably upon Turkey's knocking on Europe's door for membership once more. Instead he suggests a different approach, in other words to leave questions and sentimentality aside and build a new relationship on a realistic and concrete base. Irtemcelik, who is responsible for the coordination of relations with the EU, states that the first problem to arise would concern the Customs Union. He believes that the Customs Union was a step on the road to full-membership but which did not consider the balance of interests between the two parties. There are some disproportionate imbalances in the commitments Turkey has undertaken in so far as the Customs Union is concerned. However, this lack of equilibrium was ignored under the presumption that mutual ties would in the end be completed in full-membership. According to the Minister, the impasse faced by Turkey lies in the fact that at a time when full-membership of the EU is being questioned, it would be hard to consider the preservation of the Customs Union agreement with its shortcomings and imbalances, as being in our interests. Irtemcelik believes that the imbalance and negligence seen in the Customs Union should be immediately removed. While doing so, Turco-EU relations could go further beyond the Customs Union and cooperation in the agriculture, service and industrial sectors could be improved. The State Minister says that ties have been weakened to the point of breaking; to avoid such a situation everyone has to work to establish solid foundations for this relationship. In other words, Irtemcelik is of the opinion that instead of insisting on full-membership, Turkey has to preserve the present situation, correct its shortcomings and find a new balance. He believes that this stance will facilitate a new beginning concerning the full-membership of Turkey in the EU. If relations with the EU can be enriched within this perspective and Turkey can elevate its standards to more modern levels throughout the country and has a strong economy, in practice it means that we have already reached the conditions equal to integration. The State Minister believes that at this point full-membership will be placed on the agenda spontaneously and adds that when Turkey reaches that point it would not matter whether she is a member of the EU or not. The membership issue would be reduced to the status of a detail." [42] CLEAR UNCERTAINTY IN NORTHERN IRAQ -BY MUSTAFA BALBAY (CUMHURIYET)Columnist Mustafa Balbay comments on the recent developments concerning Northern Iraq. A summary of his column is as follows:"While all eyes have been turned on Kosovo, certain developments have been taking place in Northern Iraq. The representatives of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) met in Washington. The opening statement of the meeting remains unchanged: "There will be no developments which could disturb Turkey as we are aware of Turkish sensitivity." American diplomats reply to these statements by saying that the KDP and PUK should not ask of them anything Turkey would not accept. Following these statements they began their meeting. Turkish and English diplomats were also present as observers during the meeting. However, Turkey is not a party to these meetings; Ankara is informed about them from time to time. According to unofficial information the issues discussed at these meeting are: reconciling the parties so as to envisage a separate formation in Northern Iraq; to discuss the future government structure on the agenda; and the strengthening of the local structure in the region with the newly-formed three provinces. None of these issues are new. In the light of these new developments in the US, we can list the situation in Northern Iraq as follows: 1- The US is meeting the Northern Iraqis and excluding Turkey from these discussions. When Turkey opposes such a development, she is provided witdh information on the issue and attempts are made to soothe her by saying that nothing will be done against Turkey's will. The participants in the discussions go to Northern Iraq via Ankara. A few months later the same development is repeated. 2- As these meetings are going on in Washington, the representatives of the Iraqi national opposition, who are being encouraged to topple the Saddam Administration, are also meeting frequently under the control and supervision of the US. If there is no last-minute change, a meeting will be held on July 7. The US supports all kinds of formations in Northern Iraq while saying on the one hand that she is in favour of Iraqi territorial integrity and on the other she does not spare any effort to topple the Saddam Administration. 3- The infrastructure needed for a new structure north of the 36th parallel is being enhanced. This is crowned with a television channel; there is KTV in Northern Iraq. 4- Turkey is the greatest supporter of KTV which broadcasts in Kurdish; Turkish firms have invested in the infrastructure of this channel. Two different opinions concerning KTV are heard in Turkey. One claims that the region can be controlled with this channel while the other believes that this channel will strengthen the new formation in the region and separate it from Iraq which would in the end be against our interests. 5- At a time when there is such strong support in place, the struggle between the Kurdish leaders continues unabated.. When official statements are viewed, one believes that Saddam did not do as much against the Kurds as Ocalan! 6- When Northern Iraq comes to mind, Turkomans are always left in second place. According to information provided by the Iraqi Turkoman Front (ITF), the West has finally begun to consider the Turkomans when the establishment of a new structure is placed on the table. There is no certain information on the population figures as no population census has been carried out in Northern Iraq. It is believed that there are 4 million Kurds and 2 million Turkomans in the region. 7- Turkey is always talking about what 'cannot be' in Northern Iraq. Aside from the territorial integrity of Iraq, there is no certain policy concerning the issue. As the situation has reached the point of no return, Turkey should be able to say more strongly what could happen . 8- The US, on the other hand, wants to implement the plan in her mind but does not wish to unsettle Turkey. However, she is moving towards her goal step by step. Or can we say that Graham Fuller is right in his statement: "Great countries are like elephants: they get what they want slowly and squash whatever is in their way." [43] SPECIAL KOSOVO[44] TURKISH SOLDIERS TO KOSOVOA Turkish military unit will be deployed at the 'Zero Point' along the Serbian border, one of the most dangerous places in Kosovo. The 987-strong Turkish unit will be in the region, stationed at the highest point in the eastern part of Kosovo. It is reported that the Turkish unit will be transferred to this region known as the 'firing line' within one week at the latest. /Hurriyet/[45] TURKISH F-16 WAR PLANESTurkish F-16 war planes that participate in NATO's air strikes against Yugoslavia accumulated a total of 2,189 flight hours, the Anatolia News Agency reports. The General Staff Information Centre issued a statement saying that the Turkish F-16 war planes which are deployed at the Ghedi Airbase in Italy, stayed in air for 28 hours on June 16.[46] EULOGY FOR OTTOMANS NEW YORK TIMESIn an article issued in the " New York Times" newspaper, Jason Goodwin wrote that the Balkans has not been a lasting a battle area in history. In the 14th century the Ottomans arrived bringing with them their traditions based on love and peace. They led to the harmonization of the different cultures, languages and beliefs in the area from the 14th to the 19th Century. In the Ottoman period the native people of the Balkans had the chance to live together in peace. Giving examples of the Ottomans' administration, he also cited that the people drawing up the peace plan for Kosovo and the Balkans should learn from the Ottoman Empire's just and peaceful administration. /Turkiye/Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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