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Turkish Press Review, 99-06-23Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>23.06.99Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...[02] SPECIAL KOSOVO[03] DGM REFORM APPROVED BY PRESIDENT DEMIRELAfter the Turkish Parliament completed the reform of the structure of the State Security Courts (DGMs) and removed the military member of the three-judge panel, it was voted overwhelmingly to enact an amendment to the law on the DGMs. The law was also approved by President Suleyman Demirel yesterday. The amendment to the law on the establishment of the DGMs includes a paragraph stating that all pending trials at the DGMs will be continued from wherever they left off.Meanwhile, the trial of Abdullah Ocalan will resume today. After the replacement of military judge Abdulkadir Davarcioglu with civilian judge Mehmet Maras, Ocalan's trial will pick up with the final arguments. The U.S. administration has welcomed the decision by the Turkish Parliament to remove military judges from State Security Courts (DGMs). The U.S. State Department's Acting Spokesman Jeffrey Murray said that they also welcomed other human rights reforms proposed by the Ecevit government. /All papers/ [04] SPEAKER OF ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT IN TURKEYThe Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, Iskender Gjinushi, who has arrived in Turkey on an official visit, said that the Turkish stance during the Kosovo conflict has been greatly appreciated by Albanians and Kosovars. Gjinushi stated that Turkey's determined attitude in favour of a ground operation had played an important role in the establishment of peace in Kosovo. He said that in order to achieve complete stability in the region, economic measures should be taken in addition to political ones. He added: "Albanian and Kosovar doors are always open for Turkish investors. Turkey should make great contributions to the re-construction of Kosovo". Gjinushi stressed that Europe should learn from the Kosovo conflict and added that for the security of Europe, the Balkans should get rid of dictators such as Milosevic. /Hurriyet/[05] DEMIREL APPROVES BANKING LAWPresident Suleyman Demirel approved the Banking Law No.4389. A statement issued by the Presidency said that President Demirel approved law no.4389 dated June 18, 1999, enacted in order to protect savings and to provide credibility to the banks and aid their and profitability. /Hurriyet/[06] CEM HARSH ON G-8Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem harshly criticized the G-8 countries for their attempts to get involved in the Cyprus problem. He stressed that this state of affairs might cause trouble for Turkey adding, "Turkey and the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) are determined to overcome all hardships concerning the Cyprus issue. Turkey, as always, will mobilize all of its support for Denktas and the TRNC." Cem said that the acknowledgement of the TRNC's existence was the only way that could lead to the resumption of mutual talks on the island. He pointed out that the TRNC Administration was ready to come to the negotiation table, but only if the talks are held on a state-to-state basis. /All papers/[07] DENKTAS: "G-8 COUNTRIES ARE ON THE WRONG PATH"The President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Rauf Denktas, evaluated the declaration of the G-8 countries concerning Cyprus and said that the stance of the G-8 countries is incorrect. Denktas stressed that the equal status of the two states should be accepted in order to begin negotiations between the two sides on the Island. Denktas pointed out that they are ready to discuss the confederation proposal at any time and in any place. /Turkiye/[08] TRIPARTITE SUMMIT IN CANKAYAPresident Suleyman Demirel received Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and the Chief of General Staff Huseyin Kivrikoglu yesterday at Cankaya Palace. After the meeting, Ecevit announced that it was the usual weekly meeting with the President and they were going to discuss domestic and foreign security issues.Meanwhile, the National Security Council will meet today at Cankaya Palace, chaired by President Suleyman Demirel. /Aksam/ [09] MITCOTAKIS CALLS ON SIMITIS TO COOPERATE WITH TURKEYThe former Greek Prime Minister, Konstantin Mitcotakis, has called on the Simitis government to sign an agreement with Turkey to cooperate in the fight against terrorism. Mitcotakis remarked that Greece has been unsuccessful in its fight against terrorism for 20 years and said: "This has negatively affected Greece's foreign policy. Initially, Greece should sign a cooperation agreement with Turkey". He stated that any refusal by Greece to sign the agreement would adversely influence its relations with the EU and the West. /Hurriyet/[10] ROCKET ATTACK: ONE POLICEMAN DIESAs a result of a rocket attack carried out by members of the PKK terrorist organization on a police car patrolling in the Ovacik district of Tunceli two days ago, a policeman Idris Korkmaz died. Another policeman was seriously wounded during the attack. /Hurriyet/[11] PKK MEMBER KILLEDBy the end of the military operations conducted in and around the Resadiye district of Tokat a member of the PKK had been killed. It was announced that the terrorist, Aga Kahraman, was the man in charge of the Black Sea region. He was accused of involvement in the killing of 24 soldiers in different incidents, reported security sources. /Aksam/[12] MEDIALAND RECEIVES 'THE BEST PROMOTION' AWARDDuring the 'GWA-99' competition organized by the International Public Relations Association (IPRA), the Turkish public relations company Medialand, has been awarded 'the best promotion' prize. In this category, huge companies such as Du Pont Chemical, Colgate, Lever Bros, the Bayer Corporation, Nissan, Maxwell House and Lever Pond were also nominated. An award ceremony will be held in Tokyo on October 19, 1999. /Hurriyet-Turkiye/[13] LEATHER EXPORTS TO RUSSIALeather exporters who have been negatively affected by the Russian crisis are continuing with their efforts to promote and market their products to Russia. The number of participants in the 'Leshow '99 International Leather and Fur Fair' organized by the Turkel Fair Company in Russia are increasing day by day. The Head of the Executive Board of the Turkel Fair Company, Korhan Yazgan, remarked that this fair was the first leather fair organized in Russia and added that leather exports to Russia would boom following August. /Turkiye/[14] POLEX '99 BEGINS TOMORROWForeign delegations and representatives from foreign firms have begun to arrive in Ankara in order to attend the Police Security Systems and Technology Fair on June 24-27. According to information obtained from the General Directorate of Security, delegations from Romania, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kazakhstan will come to Ankara. It is reported that in addition to high-level delegations from big foreign companies, firms such as Germany's Mercedes Benz, Japan's Honda and Italy's CEI are also expected to attend the POLEX '99 Fair, organized under the auspices of President Suleyman Demirel. /Turkiye/[15] COURT OF APPEALS OVERTURNS PERINCEK'S SENTENCEThe Ninth Criminal Department of the Court of Appeals has overturned the decision announced concerning the Former Chairman of the Labour Party (IP), Dogu Perincek, who was sentenced to one-year imprisonment for disseminating separatist propaganda. /Turkiye/[16] IMF: "OTV SHOULD GO INTO EFFECT"Experts from the IMF-Turkey Desk who are continuing to observe the Turkish economy announced their prescription towards the year 2001. The IMF remedy was conveyed to those economic bureaucrats who took part in the meetings. In the model prepared by the IMF, there are proposals to reduce the inflation rate to 15 % within two years, take measures to increase revenues and to determine the prices of agricultural products and salaries according to the rate of inflation aimed at every year.The IMF model also includes proposals concerning the Special Consumption Tax (OTV). The IMF says that the OTV should go into effect as soon as possible thereby providing further revenues. /Sabah/ [17] TREASURY IS HOPEFUL ABOUT IMFThe Deputy Undersecretary of the Treasury, Cuneyt Sel said before the meeting of the General Council of the Turkish Exporters' Assembly that they were very hopeful about reaching an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He added that meetings are in progress at the technical level between Turkish and IMF representatives. Sel noted that the most important thing for them was the establishment of budget discipline and financial discipline by the political authorities. /Star/[18] SOCIAL SECURITY REFORMThe Minister of Labour, Yasar Okuyan, said that the social security reform will be implemented within one month. Okuyan said in a statement that the draft law will be initially discussed at the Council of Ministers on Friday and then will be submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA). Okuyan and six other Ministers convened yesterday and deliberated the draft law on social security reform. Okuyan stressed that the social security system was undergoing serious problems and urgent measures should be taken to solve these problems as soon as possible. /Sabah/[19] SOROS: "SPK AUTHORITY SHOULD BE INCREASED"One of the leading speculators in the world, George Soros, stated that foreign capital interests should be safeguarded and the authority of the Capital Market Council (SPK) should be increased. He added: "The SPK currently holds a consultative capacity. However, its power should be increased. We, as foreign investors, should trust in the administrators". Soros also remarked that in this way foreign investments would increase. /Sabah/[20] RADISSON IN TURKEYRadisson SAS, one of the leading hotels in the world, will run a hotel in Istanbul in conjunction with Hayat Tourism. The Radisson SAS Conference and Airport Hotel will be opened close to Istanbul's Ataturk Airport and will be the first five-star conference and airport hotel in Turkey. The Head of the Executive Board of Hayat Tourism, Serdar Bilgili, stated that the hotel, which will be opened on October 1, would cost $30 million. /Sabah/[21] KEIPA GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONVENESThe General Meeting of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Parliamentary Assembly (KEIPA) will be held today in Ankara, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[22] HAZELNUT EXPORTSTurkey obtained $681.9 million from her exports of hazelnuts since September 1, 1998, the first month of the 1998-1999 export year, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[23] ERSUMER MEETS MORNINGSTARThe Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Cumhur Ersumer, met Richard Morningstar, the former Consultant to the U.S. Administration on Central Asia and Energy Policies. At the meeting Morningstar said that the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline was important for America and it was the most rational route to use. Ersumer said for his part that Turkey had not changed its policy and determination on the Baku-Ceyhan route. After the meeting Ersumer and Morningstar attended the "International Conference on the Story of Three Seas".Meanwhile, Ersumer told members of the press that they had already given the final text on the Arbitration Law to the Prime Minister, Bulent Ecevit. He added that the Law aimed to put an international arbitration mechanism into the system without excluding the Council of State. /Aksam/Milliyet/ [24] UNICE CHAIRMAN IN TURKEYThe Chairman of the European Industrialists' and Employers' Confederations' Union (UNICE), Georges Jakobs and the General Secretary of the Union, Dirk Hudig, will arrive in Turkey on 25 June. It is announced that they will meet the representatives of the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD). It is expected that global issues will be discussed during the meetings. /Aksam/[25] U.S. PRAISES TURKISH POLICEThe Deputy to the U.S. Secretary of State Responsible for Security, David Carpenter, visited Istanbul Governor Erol Cakir and congratulated him on the Turkish police units who prevented a rocket attack against the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul. He said that the Turkish police force was very disciplined and well-ordered. It was announced that Carpenter would also hold round of talks concerning the establishment of a regional security institution in Turkey. /Aksam/[26] TURKISH-CYPRIOT PRESS COUNCILThe Head of the Turkish-Cypriot Press Council, Ismet Kotak, remarked that he was very pleased that the Council had become a member of the International Association of Press Councils (IAPC). Kotak said in a statement that the approval of the membership of a non-governmental organization from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to an international association was very significant and added: "Thus, the TRNC will be in solidarity both with the Turkish and the world press", the Anatolia News Agency reports.[27] COLLAPSE OF HIZBULLAHA series of operations directed against the pro-Islamic Hizbullah organization in Eastern and Southeastern regions is underway and showing signs of success, reported the Anatolia News Agency. The series of operations aimed at totally eliminating Hizbullah's influence in the region. Many Hizbullah terrorists have reportedly been apprehended and will be tried at Diyarbakir State Security Court. It is further reported that 56 of the 165 defendants who have had charges filed against them face capital punishment, while the remaining 109 face sentences of between five and 15 years imprisonment for various crimes including the deaths of 163 people, 102 injuries, extortion and arson.[28] IHD CHAIRMAN BIRDAL RESIGNSHuman Rights Associations (IHD) Chairman Akin Birdal, sentenced to imprisonment under the Turkish Penal Code's Article 312, has resigned from the IHD, the Anatolian News Agency reported. According to a recent statement issued by the IHD, Birdal announced his resignation in a letter sent to the IHD's General Administration Board.[29] OTTOMAN ART EXHIBITIONOn the occasion of the 700th anniversaryof the establishment of the Ottoman Empire, an exhibition "War and Peace: Ottoman-Polish Relations during the 15-19th centuries" will be held at the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts in Istanbul. It will be opened by President Suleyman Demirel and by the Culture Ministers of the two countries. According to the Culture Agreement between Poland and Turkey which was signed in 1995, the exhibition will display Ottoman works of art from Polish collections. The 382 works of art and documents which were collected from 26 museums, archives, churches and libraries in Poland, except one or two ,will be displayed for the first time in Turkey. Great interest is expected to be shown in the exhibition, especially in the works of art which were Poland's share of the Ottoman spoils after the Ottomans' Vienna Campaign. /Cumhuriyet/[30] "ARABIANS AND CYPRUS ISSUE" SEMINARThe Consulate of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in Istanbul with the contribution of the Cultural Affairs Department of the Municipality of Istanbul and the Arabian- Turkish Cypriot Solidarity Council will arrange a seminar: "Arabians and the Cyprus Issue". It will be held under the protection of the President of the TRNC,Rauf Denktas, at Mecidiyekoy Cultural Centre and it aims to examine the issue of Cyprus and develop relations with Arabian Countries. /Cumhuriyet/[31] TRNC BLAMES RUSSIAThe Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) reacted harshly to Russia and England who held a dominant position in G-8 the proposals concerning the Turkish- Cypriots and Greeks. The Ambassador of the TRNC in Ankara, Nazif Borman, said that the Russian Mafia were carrying out all its outlawed business from Southern Cyprus including narcotics and weapon-smuggling. Most recently with the S-300 crisis, they attempted to land their soldiers on the island. The Ambassador also cited that Greece has been using these two countries for a long time and England is acting like Greece's spokesman in order to use their bases on Southern Cyprus. He also harshly criticized the G-8 countries for their attempts to get involved in the Cyprus problem. /Cumhuriyet/[32] VICTORY OF TURKISH NATIONAL BASKETBALL TEAMTurkey beat Croatia 70 to 63 last night at the European Basketball Championship in France. With that result Turkey is guaranteed to jump to the second round of the Championship. On Monday night, they were victorious against Bosnia in Group C of the European Championship. The national basketball team will play against Italy tonight. /Star/[33] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...[34] HEAD-TURNING EVENTS -BY KENAN AKIN (TURKIYE)Columnist Kenan Akin comments on the recent developments concerning Turkey both in the country and abroad. A summary of his column is as follows:"Turkey's agenda is so full of events both within the country and abroad that it is hard to decide which is more important than the other. The tapes of Fethullah Gulen has created a storm within the country. Then comes the trial of the terrorist chief Abdullah Ocalan. To top it all we can talk about the efforts to curb the economic crisis and the problems suffered by the people. Also, the international plot concerning Cyprus should not be forgotten. In short, Turkey seems to have been pushed into a corner by a series of complex events. However, we have to get rid of these problems occupying the agenda and establish stability in all these areas. We believe that transparency is a must in a Turkey where an atmosphere of chaos is prevalent and all values are intertwined; accusations whether correct or baseless come one after another. In fact, it should not be that hard to bring clarity to matters. It should be our common goal to assess events objectively without mixing them up, or producing plot theories and judge them accordingly. We should all take on the responsibility of protecting and preserving democracy and the Republic for the good of the country. No one should be concerned or ever forget that despite all sorts of problems the Turkish Republic will stand forever." [35] IF THE SENTENCE IS CAPITAL PUNISHMENT -BY SAYGI OZTURK (STAR)Columnist Saygi Ozturk comments on the probable results following the outcome of the trial of Abdullah Ocalan, the terrorist chief. A summary of his column is as follows:"The trial of Abdullah Ocalan on Imrali Island is being resumed today. Ocalan and his lawyers will make their defence and the last word will again be given to Ocalan before judgement is pronounced. Ocalan's last statement will probably be to the effect that if he is not allowed to live, civil disturbances will be seen within the country. He will ask for 'pardon' for himself and the members of the PKK. We cannot know what the judges will decide on the Ocalan affair. However, the general opinion is that he will be sentenced to capital punishment. Will civil disturbances occur, as he says, if capital punishment is the verdict? I asked these of the Directorate General of Security and here is the reply: "The claims that civil disturbances will occur or blood will be shed are totally absurd. These are claims Ocalan has put forward to save his skin. However, we do not say that nothing will happen. We expect incidents such as the burning of cars, the throwing of explosives, arson attacks and demonstrations. We are evaluating the subject in detail, informing the security forces of probable incidents, and increasing their operational capabilities. The sending of equipment to every province has been completed." The members of the PKK have known all along that capital punishment will be the verdict for Ocalan. According to information received the terrorists plan to go into action where they hope to generate louder reactions. The most important source of this information is from tapped telephone lines. Officers are tapping telephone lines in the knowledge that they could get into trouble. Due to these recordings, evil the plots have been deciphered and most plans have been brought to light. All units in the Directorate General of Security are prepared with the presumption that the trial will sentence Ocalan to capital punishment. The 'Red Alert' circular published after Ocalan's arrival inTurkey was sentto all provinces. Within the framework of this circular all institutions, organizations, foreign companies, embassies and their top officials, police stations, official lodgings, high-level officials, also metro and train stations, bus terminals, cinemas and theatres where crowds are found have been earmarked for protection. Even though we are passsing through a difficult period, intelligence units are working hard. To what extent can a verdict of capital punishment for Ocalan affect the terrorists in the mountains? Officials point to some essential precautions which can be implemented immediately and cite the 'Penitence Law' among them. The PKK may continue its attacks in rural areas for some time longer but they have to make a choice between penitence or death on the road of no return..." [36] SPECIAL KOSOVO[37] TURKISH SQUADRON TO KOSOVOA Turkish squadron to be stationed in Kosovo under the umbrella of the NATO Peacekeeping Force will leave on 30 June; it will travel to Kosovo via Bulgaria and Macedonia. A total of 987 Turkish military personnel will take part in the K-FOR Kosovo Peacekeeping Force, assigned to the Prizren area of Kosovo.Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Bulgarian Parliament, Jordan Sokolov, who is in Turkey to attend the Black Sea Economic Cooperation meeting in Ankara, was received by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. After the reception he said that the Bulgarian Parliament would make its official announcement concerning the passing of NATO soldiers via Bulgaria on their way to Kosovo. /Milliyet/Aksam/ [38] KOSOVO REFUGEES HEAD BACK HOMEKosovo refugees are returning to their homes in Kosovo after the departure of Serb troops and the arrival of K-FOR soldiers. Of 7800 refugees, 120 Kosovars who had sought refuge in Turkey left the Gaziosmanpasa Refugee Camp in Kirklareli in groups yesterday morning and entered Bulgaria to return to Kosovo. The refugees said that they will have peace at home after the decisive NATO air strikes. They also added that they had stayed in Turkey under very good conditions but they are anxious about their relatives in Kosovo and they had to go back home as soon as possible. /Cumhuriyet/[39] WHO IS GUILTY? -BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)Sami Kohen, a columnist in the daily 'Milliyet' newspaper, says the following in his article today:"Westerns, who have demolished Yugoslavia including Kosovo with their bombing campaign for nearly three months, are now discussing the reconstruction of this country. The Belgrade Administration or the Kosovars cannot achieve this alone; they need Western support. Organizations such as NATO, the EU and the G-8 countries are aware of their responsibilities. These rich countries are making plans worth at least $100 billion to mend the damage. US President Bill Clinton wants the aid for Kosovo to be in place as soon as possible, especially that of the Europeans. However, with regard to Yugoslavia Clinton suggests that the reconstruction programme should be postponed during the period Slobodan Milosevic is in power. Some European countries including Germany do not share the same view as Clinton. However, Clinton's mentality can be expressed thus: 'Milosevic is the person who committed crimes against humanity. If the West helps him, then Milosevic will continue to be in power'. Clinton proposes that assistance be given solely for the reconstruction of hospitals and electricity power plants. Is �t right to cause distress in a nation because of the wrong policies of a dictator? The policy which is being formed concerning Yugoslavia brings this basic problem onto the agenda again. This question was previously discussed in the strategy pursued against the Saddam regime. However, the implementations against Saddam Hussein have been unable to yield positive results, only the Iraqi nation has suffered. The basic issue is that the only person responsible for those in Yugoslavia is Milosevic or any other Yugoslav persons..For example, don't those Serbians who were living in Kosovo feel any guilt about the massacre carried out there? We wish all of those responsible for these errors were tried so that no one will suffer further distress. This can only be achieved in a democracy. Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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