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Turkish Press Review, 99-06-29Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>29.06.99Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS[02] KOSOVO SPECIAL[03] DECISION DAY FOR OCALAN TRIALAfter Ocalan is asked for his final statement, the historic verdict will be announced today. The trial will began on Imrali today. It is expected that Ocalan will repeat his former statements from his previous defence.Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested Turkish Embassies abroad to increase their security measures against probable demonstrations. Officials announced that there would be demonstrations particularly in Western Europe countries. On the other hand, many say that Turkey has an historic opportunity to solve its problems in the Southeastern regions. He added that they never approve of the death sentence for anybody. Meanwhile, Italy criticized Turkey for not allowing two Italian lawyers to enter Turkey concerning the Ocalan trial. A senior official of the Turkish Foreign Ministry recalled that the decision was not new but had been taken before the Ocalan trial began. /Milliyet/ [04] OCALAN TENSION IN EUROPEEurope is worried about new PKK attacks after the verdict to be announced today in the Abdullah Ocalan case. The German Minister of the Interior, Otto Schily remarked that if Ocalan was sentenced to death, the PKK would start new violent attacks in Germany. He added that in order to prevent such negative incidents an effective intelligence service had been established among European countries. Schily said that German police had taken strict precautions especially around the Turkish Embassy and Consulates.The Spokesman of the Amsterdam Police Office, Klaas Wilting, said that they had taken every measure to prevent probable demonstrations by the PKK after the verdict of the trial on Imrali. Meanwhile, the Austrian Press Agency announced that they were ready for a wide-ranging action plan against PKK demonstrations. /Sabah/Hurriyet/ [05] TURKEY GAINS TIME IN EUROPEThe decision concerning the application of Ocalan's lawyers to the European Human Rights Court in order to stop the trial has been postponed to September. The court gave two months' additional time on Turkey's request. Turkey will hand over her opinion about the so-called application to Strasbourg. After receiving Turkey's opinion, the Court will announce its decision on 1 September. /Milliyet/[06] 'OLIVE BRANCH' FROM ATHENSThe Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yorgo Papandreu, has sent a letter to his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem. The letter, evaluated as the "newest page in Turco-Greek relations" in a long time, comprises cooperation against terrorism and organized crime, in economy and tourism and also in ensuring stability in the Balkans. In his letter Papandreu aims to turn Turco-Greek tension into period of "good intensions". He started his letter remarking that Greece wanted to improve trust between the two countries. Papandreu stressed that he shared Cem's intention to improve mutual relations. It is announced that the only issue not mentioned in the letter is the Cyprus issue.The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the letter was in answer to Ismail Cem's letter sent to his Greek counterpart on 24 May. Turkish and Greek Ministers are still in New York attending a bilateral meeting. /Milliyet/ [07] ARMS TO DECREASE IN CYPRUSThe U.S. Secretary of State's Spokesman, James Rubin, announced that both Turkish and Greek governments have already accepted to withdraw some types of American-made weapons stationed on both sides in Cyprus upon the request of the Washington administration. In his press conference Rubin said yesterday that he could not disclose the types and amount of the weapons but most of them had been based there after 1987. /Milliyet/[08] 'TURKEY: STORY OF SUCCESS'An experienced Consultant from the World Bank and the Representative of the Executive Board of the Koc Corporation, John McArthur, said that "Turkey is the story of a success". He added that the standard of living has been increasing rapidly in Turkey, adding that not only in Turkey but even most of the developed countries have problems. McArthur noted, "Turkey has been a key country in the solution of most important problems in the Middle East and in Europe. Her importance cannot be overlooked. And my aim is to contribute to the promotion of such a bright country." /Sabah/[09] A NEW EPHESUSExcavations in the historic Metropolis City have been underway. Since 1992 the excavations have been conducted at a great rate with the sponsorship of the Sabanci-Philip Morris Group. During seven years, an Acropolis, a theatre and a stellae belonging to the Hellenistic period, a Roman bath and gymnasium and a church from the early Byzantium period and finally last year the "Bouleuterion - Assembly Building" have been unearthed. The Metropolis which means "Mother Queen City", is located on a hill between the towns of Yenikoy and Ozbey in the Izmir district. Officials said that at the end of the excavations Metropolis will be another Ephesus in Turkey. /Sabah/[10] KDP-KPU COOPERATION AGAINST PKKThe Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) chaired by Mesut Brazani and the Kurdistan Patriotic Union (KPU) chaired by Celal Talabani have decided to establish a committee to struggle against the terrorist PKK organization. According to reliable sources at the end of the KDP-KPU Summit organized on 16-25 June in Washington, it was decided to establish "The Committee to Struggle Against PKK" as soon as possible. The Committee aims to finally end and prevent the activities of the terrorist organization in Northern Iraq. /Sabah/[11] AFTER PANGALOS, TURCO-GREEK TENSION DECREASESOne of the important reasons for the chaos experinced in Turco-Greece bilateral relations was aroused by the Greek former Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos. Pangalos displayed an unstable attitude towards Turkey and was always critical of her while admitting that Turkey is an unseperable part of Europe. Pangalos had a perverse style in the diplomatic arena. He harmed to his country in international areas such as by giving shelter to Abdullah Ocalan in the Greek Embassy in Kenya. /Sabah/[12] PRIVATIZATION TARGETS $ 50 BILLIONMinister of State Yuksel Yalova announced that he targetted $ 50 billion in privatization in five years. He claimed that the privatization process was not only the issue in the economy but also the issue of law and sociology. Yalova added that there should not be any hesitation in public during the privatization process otherwise this would create great disturbances among society. /Hurriyet/[13] NEW MARKETS FOR GAPBetween January-May 1999 the export of products from the Southeastern Anatolian Region (GAP) to 12 countries including New Zealand, the Czech Republic, Greece, Tunusia and the Republic of South Africa increased 100 %, reported the Anatolian News Agency. Chairman of the Southeastern Anatolian Exporters' Union Abdulkadir Cikmaz said that they aimed to be in every continent and country: " We should reach every consumer throughout the world."[14] TEKEL TO PRODUCE CIGAR TO SELL TO CUBATEKEL will step up its production of cigar tobbacco and produce cigars to sell to Cuba. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Turco-Cuba Trade, Economic and Industry Cooperation Joint Commission's Second Term Meetings, State Minister M. Ali Irtemcelik said that Turkey attached importance to the improvement of bilateral relations with Cuba and added that TEKEL would produce cigars for Cuba. The head of the Cuba delegation, Industry Minister Jesus Peres Othon, said they welcomed cooperation in every field with Turkey. /Hurriyet/[15] THY FLIES TO ALGERIATurkish Airlines (THY) is to resume its flights to Algeria which it cancelled eight years ago. General Director of THY Yusuf Bolayirli said that flights had been abandoned due to high taxes imposed by Algeria in 1991. He added that after President Suleyman Demirel's recent visit to the country the problem had been solved and they resumed the flights. Bolayirli noted that the air-bridge between Turkey and Algeria would contribute to the Turkish tourism sector. He pointed out that every Monday and Thursday there will be two-way flights between the two countries. /Hurriyet/[16] PROMOTIONAL COUNCIL FOR TOURISMMinister of Tourism Erkan Mumcu announced that a promotional council consisting of representatives of private sector institutions, the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association and universities, will be established. At the meeting with the representatives of Ankara Trade Unions, Mumcu noted that in order to start studies into the establishment of a national promotion council, the commission chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister Devlet Bahceli would convene within this week in Ankara. /Hurriyet/[17] ENERGY PRIVATIZATIONThe Competition in Trade Council has approved the privatization of the operating rights to the transmitting facilities of the Turkish Electric Transmitting Corp. on condition. Chairman of the Council Tamer Muftuoglu announced that companies will be given the right to sell electricity outside their regions in order to increase competition in trade; at the end of five years they will evaluate the results to decide whether to continue the process or not. The second condition, he said, is that the fixed price restriction will be lifted and a minimum and maximum price will be determined by the related Ministries with the knowledge of the Competition in Trade Council. /Aksam/[18] ISO 9002 CERTIFICATE FOR GLOBALThe Global Promotion and Public Relations Company has received its ISO 9002 Quality Certificate at the end of the six months of careful studies by SGS Yarsley. The Company has recently entered the data processing sector. /Aksam/[19] YAPI KREDI BANK CREDIT GRADE INCREASEDThe international credit rating institution Fitch-IBCA announced Yapi Kredi Bank (YKB) ratings as "B+ in the long term", "B in the short term, and "as national AA+(TR)". In its report, Fitch-IBCA said that YKB's rating reflects the power of the Bank in the domestic market, its powerful financial position and its use of high-technology. Evaluating YKB as one of the greatest private banks in Turkey, Fitch-IBCA noted that the bank is also active in international banking. Yapi Kredi Bank's share certificates are the most coveted on the Istanbul Stock Exchange transections. /Aksam/[20] TURKISH CHAIRMAN TO IEAThe Executive Board Term Presidency of International Energy Agency (IEA) was given to Turkey for the first time. Dr. Halime Paksoy, the Deputy Director of Environment Research Center of Cukurova University, was elected as the term president while Prof. Hunay Evliya became the Secretary of the Board during the Executibe Board Meeting in Sweden's Lulea city between 14-16 June. /Aksam/[21] DENKTAS, "WE DO NOT APPROVE G-8 DECISIONS"President of the Northern Cyprus of Turkish Republic (TRNC) Rauf Denktas said that the G-8 decision which foresaw a "meeting without preconditions" concerning the Cyprus issue did not bother them. He stressed that they would only accept a confederation plan for Cyprus. Meanwhile, the Turkish Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Volkan Vural, and the TRNC Representative to New York, Ambassador Aytug Plumer, remarked that the recent UN resolutions in line with the G-8 decisions were not acceptable. /Aksam/[22] PIMAPEN IS A WORLD TRADEMARKPimapen, is the biggest firm in the glazing sector in Turkey is also in the top five in Europe. Pimapen exports 15 % of its total production every year. Representatives of the firm announced that they aimed to increase their export to 30 %. And with this aim, they added, investigations were underway in the Turkish-speaking Republics, Eastern European countries, Northern Africa and Middle Eastern countries. /Turkiye/[23] OKAN GROUP'S INVESTMENT IN KAZAKISTANThe Turkish Okan Group has opened a biscuit factory in Kazakistan. Kazakistan President Nursultan Nazarbayev opened the factory which cost $ 25 million. Officials of the factory announced that 25,000 tons of biscuits, five tons of chocolate and five tons of chewing gum would be produced daily. They added that the products would also be exported throughout Kazakistan by Sultan Marketing, attached to the Okan Group. With the biscuit factory, Sultan Marketing has increased its investments to $ 250 million in Kazakistan over the last eight years. /Milliyet/[24] TURKCELL INCREASES ITS CREDIT RATEOne of the leading accreditation institutions, Moody's, raised Turkcell's credit grade from B2 to B1. According to Moody's statement, Turkcell has shown outstanding performance over the last six months. It evaluated Turkcell as a reliable name in the market providing a high quality service. It added that Turkcell will be more effective in the Turkish market in the future. /Sabah/[25] A NEW CARREFOUR IN ISTANBULThe French supermarket giant chain, Carrefour, which has been in the Turkish market since 1993, announced that it will open 20 supermarkets by the year 2005 in Turkey. The foundation of the eighth Carrefour was laid yesterday in Bayrampasa, Istanbul. Officials noted that the total cost of the investment is $ 60 million and it will ensure employment for 900 people. The Chairman of the Sabanci Group, Sakip Sabanci, said at the foundation-laying ceremony that Turkey needs more foreign investment. The General Director of Carrefour to Turkey, Noel Prioux, said for his part that the Turkish market was of great importance. /Sabah/[26] KOCBANK GETS FOREIGN CREDITKocbank obtained a total $ 100 million syndication credit from international markets. According to the Bank's statement, 18 foreign banks under the auspices of American Express, the Bank of Tokyo Mitsubushi, Commerbank, Credit Agricole, Indosuez and Standard Chartered Bank participated in the credit. /Sabah/[27] ENVIRONMENT MEETINGThe Ministry of the Environment and the State Planning Organization arranged a National Environment Strategies and Activity Plan (UCEP) meeting. During the inauguration speech, the Minister of the Environment, Fevzi Aytekin, said that UCEP which was prepared with the contribution of both private sector and civil organizations over three years, will play an important role in giving direction to investments. By this plan it is aimed to raise living standards, improve consciousness and sensibility towards the environment and assure economic, social and cultural developments. The meeting will last three days and in order to carry out their studies effectively the proposals and opinions of the public organizations on the subject will be debated. /Cumhuriyet/[28] RETIREMENT AGE: 62The subcommittee established by the Council of Ministers to prepare the Social Security Reform Plan has implemented their findings yesterday. The Minister of Labor and Social Welfare, Yasar Okuyan, declared that the age of retirement is designated as 62 for both men and women, and the day of the payments of insurance premiums is being raised from 5 thousand days to 10 thousand 800 days. According to the Bill, the payment percentages will be raised from 20 percent to 30 percent and at retirement age a 10-year progressive phasing-in is anticipated. The insured workers should pay premiums for at least 120 days to benefit from health services. The final text of the Bill is expected to be determined during the Economic and Social Council meeting scheduled to be held on July 1, then it will be submitted for approval to the Cabinet on July 2. /Cumhuriyet/[29] ASKAR AKAEV IS COMINGThe President of Kyrgyzstan, Askar Akaev, will pay an official visit to Turkey on 1-2 July at the invitation of the President Suleyman Demirel. During the meetings, the Presidents will exchange their views on both regional and international issues. During the visit the meetings of the Turkish-Kyrgyzst Work Council will also be held. /Cumhuriyet/[30] NATO COMMISSION AT TGNAThe Deputy Chairman of NATO's Parliamentary Assembly, Istanbul Deputy Tahir Kose, and the commission led by the Chairman of the NATO Military Force's Future Subcommittee from Portugal, Pedro Holstein-Camphillo, visited Chairman of the Foreign Affairs' Commission of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Kamran Inan. Inan said that peace cannot be obtained while Milosevic is in power. /Cumhuriyet/[31] MEETINGS WILL BE HELD IN NORTHERN IRAQThe two rival Kurdish Parties, the Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (IKDP) and the Iraqi Kurdistan Patriotic Union (IKPU) have agreed to attend the meetings in Northern Iraq to discuss the future of the region. The Chairman of the IKDP, Sami Abdurrahman, came to Ankara yesterday and informed the Deputy Counsellor of the Foreign Affairs' Ministry Ambassador Ugur Ziyal, about the meetings with the IKPU in the U.S. /Cumhuriyet/[32] TGNA RECESS POSTPONEDThe working term of the Turkish Grand National Assembly which was to end on July 1st, has been postponed until further notice. Deputy Speaker of the TGNA Nejat Arseven put the decision of the Advisory Council on the working term of the TGNA to the vote. With the acceptance of the decision, the Parliament Plenary Session will work until further notice. /Star/[33] ERSUMER DEPUTY PRIME MINISTERMinister of Energy and Natural Resources Cumhur Ersumer of ANAP has been appointed to the third deputy Prime Minister post, as envisaged in the coalition protocol and adopted last week. President Suleyman Demirel has approved the Prime Ministry's proposal for Ersumer's appointment. /Star/[34] ECEVIT ATTENDS DINNER BY PARRISPrime Minister Bulent Ecevit has attended the dinner the US Ambassador to Ankara, Mark Parris, hosted in the honour of the Turco-American Cooperation Commission. The dinner held at the residence of Ambassador Parris was closed to the press. It was reported that the dinner was in the honour of Commission Chairman Nancy Kassebaum Baker and members who were in Turkey. /Star/[35] TURKEY'S BASKETBALL VICTORYAt the end of the second round of the 31st European Championship, Turkey beat the Czech Republic 78 to 73 last night. With this result Turkey become third in the group and jumped to the quarter-finals. The Turkish team showed off her prowess especially during the second half of the match and attained a victory. In the quarter-final the Turkish National Team will play against France. /Hurriyet/[36] 5TH INTERNATIONAL STREET HANDBALL TOURNAMENT STARTSThe 5th International Street Handball Tournament started in Alanya on Sunday, reported the Anatolian News Agency. A total of 13 teams from Turkey, Norway, Macedonia, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Kazakistan, Romania and Hungary are taking part in the tournament. The tournament will end on 1 July.[37] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS[38] HISTORIC DECISION DAY BY OKTAY GONENSIN (STAR)Columnist Oktay Gonensin comments on the trial on Imrali Island. A summary of his column is as follows:"Today a historical decision will come out at the Island of Imrali. Terrorism will be convicted and with this conviction an era will be closed. This period of time which cost 30,000 lives in 15 years has to come to an end. Important facts have emerged with the closing of this era. First of all, it has been clearly seen that it is impossible to divide the Turkish Republic with blind terror. Secondly, it is understood that terror will have to answer to higher authorities in the end. The third fact is that Turkey has lost nothing by complying with international norms and will not lose anything. An era will be closed when everyone understands these facts. It is of secondary importance whether the verdict on Ocalan will be capital punishment or not. The reiterance of the fact by Abudllah Ocalan that this era had come to an end during the trial has strengthened the stance of the Turkish Republic. The terrorist chief has seen that nothing could be achieved through terrorism. The whole country hopes that his young followers in the mountains have seen that as well. Turkey has to continue fulfilling the requirements of the rule of law. Only with this determination can the Kurdish problem be snatched away from terrorism. Ocalan and his lawyers tried to bring the matter into the political arena. Despite all kinds of provocation, nobody has been able to politicize the trial. However, the fundamental problems will be placed on to the agenda with more determination than ever. As terrorism is being punished, what should be the first action to follow is clear. With the speedy adoption of the Penitence Law Ankara will have taken the intiative to start a new process. The problem is to direct the 'Kurdish problem". We have to know that we cannot achieve anything without recognizing this problem. Last week international investor George Soros was in Turkey. He cannot be regarded as being part of a conspiracy against Turkey. He explained the view as seen abroad thus: "The Kurdish issue is among the problems seen in relations between Turkey and the EU. If this problem is not solved soon, it seems it will get more complex. I am hopeful that a solution to this problem will be reached and believe that it is close. The chief of the terrorist organization is being tried and this creates an opportunity. The Kurds can be allowed to enjoy their cultural legacy. This is the suggestion of someone looking at Turkey from abroad." The Western world has solved similar matters or everyone has learnt to govern themselves...France, Ireland, Belgium, Italy, Spain... All of them passed through similar experiences and learnt to lead their own problems in a different direction. Those who could not achieve this can be cited as Yugoslavia, India, Pakistan and Indonesia... Turkey has overcome terrorism and earned her place among those who succeeded. A bloody period is being closed today. Tomorrow is the day to turn over a new leaf in order to ensure that future generations never have to suffer from these again." [39] TURCO-GREEK APPOINTMENT BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)Columnist Sami Kohen comments on Turco-Greek relations. A summary of his column is as follows:Turco-Greek diplomacy finally appears to be leading the way to a dialogue between the two states. At the meeting to be held this week in New York between the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem, and his Greek counterpart, George Papandreu, it will be understood to what degree a dialogue can be possible. If the two Ministers agree, the dialogue could include a series of subjects, from terrorism and trade to the environement. At this stage the disagreements over the Aegean and other related subjects will not be taken up. In fact, Cem in his letter dated 24 May had proposed a meeting where particularly terrorism, and the possibilities for an agreement on combatting terrorism, would be discussed. In his reply dated 24 June Papandreu stated that he was ready for a dialogue where in addition to cultural, tourist, enviromental and economic cooperation, organized crime, drug trafficking, the ppassage of illegal aliens and terrorism would be discussed and cooperation in these fields would be looked for. The Greek Foreign Ministry does not clearly reject Cem's concrete proposals. It does not oppose the discussion of terrorism. However, it does not accept it as Ankara has put it forth. The positive aspect of Papandreu's letter, which is like a counter proposal, is that it accepts a dialogue on many issues including terrorism. If it is recalled that in the past Athens has never favoured such a dialogue, and insisted on finding a solution to the problems in the Aegean within the framework of her own conditions, her acceptance to begin a negotiation process concerning terrorism and other subjects can be regarded as an important development. Another constructive point in Papandreu's letter is that Greece is displaying a stance in favour of bilateral and multilateral agreements on terrorism and other subjects. Although the expressions used in the letter are ambiguous, the use of the term 'bilateral' can be regarded as a step towards the Turkish policy. There are various reasons for Papandreu's new stance. The first one being that Greece has been left in a bad position following the Ocalan affair. The terrorism issue has pushed the Simitis government into a corner and left it open to intense foreign pressure. Under these conditions Athens could not reject Cem's proposals for a joint fight against terrorism. Secondly, Turkey has made terrorism a 'determining factor' in her relations with Greece. Ankara has given the message that relations between the two countries would deteriorate unles Athens changed its stance. In fact, this warning led Athens to follow a more flexible policy. Personal relations between Cem and Papandreu have also played an important role. There is a friendly and sincere dialogue between the two Foreign Ministers; frequent calls between them during the Kosovo crisis have shown this. It should not be forgotten that a personal relationship is a factor which helps a softening of approaches in diplomacy. The meeting of the Ministers in New York can provide an opportunity for a new initiative in Turco-Greek relations." [40] KOSOVO SPECIAL[41] AID TO KOSOVOAttempts aimed at the reconstruction of the region after the ending of the war in Kosovo are increasing. During the meetings of the Islamic Conference Organization's Ministers of Foreign Affairs at the 26th Conference in the capital of Burkina-Faso, Ogadogou, aid to Kosovo of the Islamic countries is being negotiated. At the meetings Turkey is represented by a commission led by State Minister Mehmet Kececiler. /Cumhuriyet/[42] CEM, "TURKEY REQUESTS ROLE IN KOSOVO"Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem said that Turkey saw the Kosovo issue as of great significance and that wanted to be effective in the region. "In its economic and political restructuring, Turkey wants to play an important role in Kosovo," said Cem reminding listeners that 12 United Nations (UN) countries, including Turkey, had established a Consultation Council to meet the responsibilities of the organization in Kosovo. Ismail Cem later flew to New York to attend the meeting of the Kosovo Friends Group. /Turkiye/Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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