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Turkish Press Review, 99-03-23Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>23.03.99Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] DEMIREL: "TURCO-BULGARIAN RELATIONS ARE EXCELLENT"President Suleyman Demirel arrived in Sofia yesterday on a two-day official visit. After meeting with his Bulgarian counterpart Petar Stoyanov, Demirel said that the progress achieved in Turco-Bulgarian bilateral relations in the last two years was excellent. Also on Monday, the two sides penned an agreement banning the use of antipersonnel land mines. The accord was signed by the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem, and his counterpart Nedezhda Miyaylov. The sides also agreed to an increase bilateral economic cooperation. It is expected that the in bilateral free trade area, which began operating at in the beginning of the year, will double the bilateral trade volume. Speaking at the meeting of the Turco-Bulgarian Business Council, Demirel called on businessmen from both countries to undertake joint ventures and augment their investments.Meanwhile, Demirel expressed satisfaction with the rights which have been conferred on the 800,000-strong Turkish minority in Bulgaria. /All papers/ [02] MED-TV LICENCE SUSPENDED IN BRITAINThe U.K.'s television licencing body, the Independent Television Commission (ITC), suspended the broadcasting licence of the London-based Kurdish channel, MED-TV, on Monday for 21 days on the basis that the station had failed to comply with the terms of its licence. The ITC said in its decision that MED-TV had included in its service one or more programmes containing material likely to encourage or incite its listeners to crime or to lead to a serious breach of the peace, which was sufficient to justify the revocation of the station's licence. "The Commission considers several broadcasts by MED-TV to have clearly contained such provocative material. In relation to one of these broadcasts in particular, MED-TV agrees that it has breached its licence and the ITC code of conduct. The broadcasts in question contained various calls urging people to carry out acts of violence in Turkey," the ITC statement read.Despite Turkey's complaints over the years about MED-TV, British officials have been arguing that since MED-TV was regulated by the "independent" ITC, there was nothing they could do to control its programmes. /All papers/ [03] TURCO-SYRIAN RELATIONSInitial steps to revitalize economic relations between Turkey and Syria have intensified, thanks to an appropriate climate created since Abdullah Ocalan was forced out of Damascus, removing the barrier blocking Turco-Syrian ties: the issue of Syrian support for the PKK. For the first time in 12 years, Turkish and Syrian officials sat down to discuss ways of strengthening economic relations between the two countries. Upon the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister Hikmet Ulugbay, the Syrian Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Economic Affairs, Salim Yassin, arrived in Ankara on Monday for two-day talks on economic relations. After his meeting with the Syrian delegation, Ulugbay said that the time has arrived to develop links between Damascus and Ankara. Working groups will be established jointly by both sides and much-needed discussion will take place on issues such as the prevention of double taxation and the encouragement of trade and tourism.During his visit, Yassin also met Minister of Tourism Ahmet Tan and is scheduled to meet State Minister Aydin Tumen and Minister of Transport Hasan Basri Aktan on Tuesday. /All papers/ [04] ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON APRIL 18The measures taken by an alliance of so-called "maverick deputies, the Virtue Party (FP) and the Democratic Turkey Party (DTP) in order to topple the Democratic Left Party (DSP) minority government have failed. It is almost certain now that both the Parliamentary and the Local Elections will be held on April 18 as scheduled. The efforts of the tripartite alliance to cancel the upcoming elections were rendered fruitless by Acting Parliament Speaker and DSP deputy Uluc Gurkan on Monday during a session of the Grand National Assembly. Gurkan effectively buried the DTP's proposal to cancel the elections, claiming that the proposal was not harmonious with parliamentary bye-laws. /All papers/[05] PROSECUTOR FILES CLOSURE CASE AGAINST FPAnkara State Security Court (DGM) Prosecutor Nuh Mete Yuksel has filed a closure case with the Court of Appeals to ban the Virtue Party (FP). Prosecutor Yuksel cited an array of evidence, including speeches made by FP deputies, various newspaper dispatches, and his recent indictment against four former Islamic deputies for whom he asked that capital punishment be applied. Yuksel's six-page appeal says that a previous case, also launched by him, against "Milli Gorus" (National View) which refers to an organization on which the FP bases its ideological principles, has provided them with valuable documents with which to go ahead with the FP closure case. In his appeal to ban the FP, Yuksel accuses the FP of being the successor to the Welfare Party (RP), another Islamist party closed down in early 1998. He asserted that to succeed a party that has been banned is an illegal practice, as stated in the Constitution and certain political party laws.Meanwhile, a group of FP deputies led by party leader Recai Kutan, requested the dismissal of Prosecutor Yuksel for his "misuse of his office." The deputies presented their request to Minister of Justice Selcuk Oztek. /All papers/ [06] TURKEY AFFIRMS READINESS TO JOIN NATO INTERVENTIONIn the face of a looming NATO military operation in Kosovo, Turkey has reaffirmed its readiness to take part in airstrikes on Serbian targets. NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana called President Suleyman Demirel on Sunday evening to consult him on the situation in Kosovo as the chances of a last minute compromise were fading. Demirel reiterated Turkey's readiness to take part in an eventual NATO intervention in the region. Speaking to members of the press in Bulgaria's capital Sofia yesterday, where he was on an official visit, Demirel said that Turkey was a NATO member and it would act together with NATO. /All papers/[07] RESIGNATIONS IN PARLIAMENTMotherland Party (ANAP) Deputy and Acting Parliament Speaker Hasan Korkmazcan resigned from his party. Korkmazcan, who was facing possible expulsion from his party after being sent before ANAP's disciplinary council last Sunday, said that he would not transfer to any other party at this stage. Also resigning from ANAP was Yildirim Akturk, whose expulsion was also being discussed by ANAP's disciplinary council.Meanwhile, Mumtaz Soysal, an independent MP, resigned from Parliament. In a press conference organized in the parliament building, Soysal stated that he is against the holding of the Elections on April 18. /All papers/ [08] GERMAN EXPERT: "PKK SHIFT TO URBAN REGIONS"Klaus Grunewald, the Head of the Department of Radical Foreigners, stated that the terrorist PKK organization is in the process of a retreat from its terrorist activities in rural regions, tending towards becoming an `urban guerilla movement'. Noting that the PKK resembles the German Red Army Fraction (RAF) in this respect, Grunewald remarked that the terrorist organization might be able to complete this mutation in a short time. Grunewald also said, "Only from Germany does the PKK receive milions of marks through grants, tolls and drug trafficking." /Hurriyet/[09] A NEW OCALAN FIASCO IN GREECEThe Investigation Council concerned with the `Ocalan fiasco', which launched its investigations within the Greek Parliament yesterday, is being considered a `new fiasco' itself. Very recently it was revealed that 18 out of the 30 members of the Council were among those 180 MPs who had invited Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the terrorist PKK organization, to Greece last year. Now it is being questioned exactly how those who invited Ocalan to Greece can investigate those who brought him to the country by illegal means. /Milliyet/[10] SAFETY MEASURES FOR TOURISMThe government is taking `invisible' steps against the terrorist PKK's menace to foreign tourists, which is warning them off coming to Turkey. It is reported that during the Council of Ministers meeting held yesterday, it was stated that the prohibition of Med-TV broadcasts would have a positive impact on Turkish tourism. Sukru Sina Gurel, the Government Spokesman, said, "The required political and economic measures will be taken in order to protect Turkish tourism, which is currently subject to a veiled embargo." /Milliyet/[11] BELGIAN JOURNALISTS INVITED TO TURKEYDue to the separatist terrorist PKK organization's statements issued in order to undermine Turkish tourism, the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TUSIAD) and Pasa Tours have invited a number of Belgian journalists to Istanbul. The journalists will be taken to the suburban districts of Istanbul in order to clearly observe the situation in Istanbul. Rasim Guvendi, one of the organizers of this activity, said, "We aim to alter the prejudices of those who fabricate stories engendering a lack of confidence in the safety of tourists in Turkey. Our efforts to promote Turkish tourism will continue till the end of this summer." /Hurriyet/[12] AHMET TAN TO VISIT MOSCOW TOURISM FAIRMinister of Tourism Ahmet Tan is flying to Moscow on Tuesday to participate in the International Moscow Tourism and Travel Fair. Tan will accept tourism awards on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism for its success in hosting Russian tourists in Turkey in 1998. The award is presented by "Vecernyaya Moskva" and the State Duma Sport and Tourism Committee during the fair, which runs from March 24-27.Tan will engage in a series of talks with local tour operators in Moscow where he will also hold a press conference. The Ministry of Tourism is talking part in the fair along with 29 Turkish tourism companies, holding by a total of 30 stands. /Hurriyet/ [13] BALLOTTING AT CUSTOMS'POSTS TO BEGIN ON 25 MARCHWhile efforts are continuing to postpone the General Elections,the countdown for ballotting at Customs' posts has begun. Turkish citizens abroad will begin to cast their votes at Customs gates on 25 March. Ballotting will continue at nine customs gates until 18 April. /Cumhuriyet/[14] OIL BEGAN TO BE PUMPEDIraq stated that oil-pumping through the Kirkuk-Yumurtalik pipeline had begun again. Iraqi Oil Ministry officials said that the flow of oil which had been cut due to an explosion in Midyat, Mardin had restarted with the cooperation of Turkish officials at 20.00 hours. /Cumhuriyet/[15] IMF-RELATED LOANS EXPECTED TO FLOW AFTER ELECTIONSA stand-by agreement or an extended loan facility agreement is expected following the upcoming elections to replace the staff monitoring programme which is currently being overseen by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and which has been in place for the last nine momths. IMF officials stated that the technical groundwork for a possible agreement had taken took shape during recent talks in Washington between the Turkish economic delegation and the IMF. An agreement supported by IMF funds would first show its effects in improving the Turkish economy by prompting rating agencies to change their outlook on Turkey from negative to positive.Treasury Undersecretary Yener Dincmen held a press conference after the conference entitled "An Assessment of the General Encouragment Policies and the Determination of New Strategies" in Ankara. He said that political stability was very important in maintaining the economic programme. [16] TREASURY TO ARRANGE TWO SEPARATE BOND TENDERSIt is reported that the Tresuary will arrange the flotation of two separate bond issues. The Treasury foresees a net sale of between TL 200-350 trillion for the 14-month (420 day) and two-year bond issues. The value date for 420-day bonds and two-year bonds is set at March 24, 1999 while the maturity date is May 17, 2000 for 14-month bonds, and March 21, 2001 for two-year bonds. Meanwhile, the Treasury will achieve a total of 214.794 trillion TL in domestic borrowing repayments on March 25, 1999, the Anatolian News Agency reports.[17] PRODUCTION INCREASES 1.8% IN 1998According to 12-month figures provided by the State Institute of Statistics (DIE), industrial production increased by 1.8% throughout 1998. Accordingly, industrial production increased 5.0% in the public sector and 0.4% in the private sector. /Hurriyet/[18] SISECAM INVESTS $1.1 BILLIONErsin Ozince, the Chairman of the Executive Board of the Turkish Sisecam Corp. and the General Director of Isbank, declared that the Sisecam Corp. has invested a total amount of $1.1 billion in the last four years as part of the `Vision 2000 Project'. Remarking that $159 million of this amount was invested during the crisis-ridden atmosphere of the last year, Ozince said that despite heavy pressures thanks to subsidies and promotions in imports, Sisecam succeeded in increasing its glassworks production by 3%. Ozince also pointed out that they had acquired a total foreign exchange income of $352 million due to exports to Europe and the Middle East. //Hurriyet/[19] THE EU HAS LOST ITS POSITIONDuring a conference held at the Central Bank, the integration process with the EU was discussed. The Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, Aydin Esen, pointed out the capitulations and the priviliges bestowed on European States during the Ottoman Empire, and stated that the causes for the economic hardships we were going through could be found therein. The Motherland Party's Bitlis deputy, and former State Minister, Kamran Inan, said that the EU had lost its position and added, "If Turkey can use its potential, the EU will knock on its door." Inan went on to say that world trade has begun to be carried out by electronic means and therefore Turkey could not be imprisoned within a narrow geography. /Cumhuriyet/[20] PAKISTANI AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA, "TURKEY IS RAPIDLY DEVELOPING"Humayun Han Bamgas, the Pakistani Ambassador to Ankara, who has just completed his mission in Turkey and will return to his country very soon, said that Turkey has been rapidly developing and the world is aware of this fact. Bamgas said, "Turkey has a bright future. It is strong enough not to take advice about what to do or what not to do." Concerning terrorism, he said that Turkey was powerful enough in her struggle against terrorism. "Turkey is a focus for the Middle East, Central Asia and Western Asia," said Bamgas. /Turkiye/[21] ANKARA MUST TURN ITS FACE TOWARDS THE EASTJapanese Government officials have stated that Turkey can approach the West via the East. Japan, with which Turkey has enjoyed good relations for over a century, believes that these relations should be improved. Drawing attention to the imbalance of trade between the two countries, Japanese government officials expect more from the Turkish side. The Japanese officials state that while their exports to Turkey have reached high levels, imports from Turkey are not as high as expected and that they could be increased. They furthermore state that Turkey could exert itself in its efforts to join the Western World, after improving its economic situation by engaging in trade with Japan and China in theEast. /Cumhuriyet/[22] TURKEY PRAISED BY THE IRAQI PRESSThe "El Qadisiye" newspaper published in Iraq, praised Turkish officials at the same time as criticizing Saudi officials in its editorial yesterday. "El Qadisiye" stated that the US was trying to impose its sovereignty to the whole world under the guise of the 'new world order'. The newspaper furthermore added that some states acting as its satellite, either with it or within its area of influence, had lost their independence. /Cumhuriyet/[23] LOCAL RULES SHOULD BE FOLLOWED WHEN PASSING THROUGH THE STRAITSThe Turkish Straits Voluntary Monitoring Group from the Middle East And Balkan Studies Foundation, briefed the officers of the French helicopter carrier, Jeanne D'Arc, concerning the problems created by the increasing traffic in the Straits. Lawyer and captain Gunduz Aybay stated that although the rules for passing through the Straits had been determined by the Montreux Treaty, the agreements signed from July 1st 1994 also had a place in the regime governing sea traffic through them and that everyone should abide by these regulations. /Cumhuriyet/[24] THE RENOVATION OF TOPKAPI PALACE'S TREASURY DEPARTMENTOn the occasion of the 700th anniversary of the establishment of the Ottoman Empire, Topkapi Palace's Treasury Department will be restored by the Gilan Jewellery company. The protocol for the project, to be carried out with the cooperation of the Culture Ministry, will signed at Topkapi Palace today. /Cumhuriyet/[25] ITALIAN BENETTON IN SANLIURFAThe Italian ready-to-wear firm Benetton, has opened its 171st shop in Sanliurfa, in the Southeastern Anatolian region. Italian representatives said that with the Southeast Anatolian Project (GAP), the consumption potential in the East and Southeast regions would be rapidly increased. /Turkiye/[26] ANCIENT GRAVE FOUND IN IZNIKDuring construction work in Iznik a grave which, the archeologists argued, belonged to the third century B.C., the Early Roman period. It is reported that the grave had belonged to a member of the `Philiscus' family. /Sabah/[27] CLOCKS AHEAD ONE HOUR ON SUNDAYClocks will be put forward one hour to save energy this weekend, which coincides this year with the first day of the Kurban Festival, March 28. "Summer time" will continue for seven months. As a result,more than 15 trillion TL in energy savings is expected for the year. /Turkiye/[28] FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS[29] HYPOCRISY - BY ALI KIRCA (SABAH)In his column in `Sabah', Ali Kýrca deals with the judicial process concerning the Ocalan affair. A summary of his column is as follows:"As a very short time is left before the Elections the most important issue of recent history seems to have been forgotten.When the storm clouds over the Elections are gone and when the dust settles, the trial of Ocalan will be at the top of the agenda. Not only Turkey's eyes but the eyes of the whole world will be turned towards the trial on the island of Imrali...At that point Turkey has to be well-prepared to defend its case against Ocalan, as it is understood that he will act the underdog. From his confessions leaked to the press it is seen that he will try to portray a peaceful, moderate image. He may use this kind of defence to provide mitigating circumstances to this case. However, during a a fair trial process it is the duty of the prosecutors, judges and lawyers to winkle the truth from him... He will stand before justice and therefore it is not appropriate to make any statement which could influence the verdict of the court. However, it falls on Turkey to explain the 'rights' and 'wrongs' in Ocalan's confessions to the international public... Turkey may understand his course of action as, in the region, some consider it normal to lie to achieve their ambition. There is no other way but to explain this concept to the Western World and which is widely used in the whole of the Middle East." [30] BLAIR'S BLOCK ON THE VOICE OF THE PKK - BY YALCIN DOGAN (MILLIYET)Yalcin Dogan, a columnist in the `Milliyet' daily, reflects on the temporary suspension of Med-TV broadcasts by the British authorities. Dogan writes:"Indeed this is as important as the capture of Ocalan. It refers to a new blow dealt against the terrorist PKK organization. Following the Turkish Governments's four-year exertions with this end in mind, the broadcasts of the pro-PKK channel, Med-TV, have been temporarily banned following the decision of the British authorities. Med-TV has been continuing its broadcasts from London for the last four years. Its studio is in Brussels but the braodcasts were transmitted from London. Therefore, the prohibition of Med-TV broadcasts mainly relied upon the legal measures taken by the British government. Technically, the broadcast has been prohibited by the Independent TV Commission (ITC), which comprises both government officials and representatives from various walks of life. An important feature of the ITC is that it never allows `terrorist' broadcasts. Following the capture of Ocalan Med-TV has increased the amount of its terrorism-led broadcasts. Turkey has applied to the ITC several times in order to ensure the prohibition of such transmissions. Moreover,the ITC has a similar case in mind, concerning IRA terrorism during the Thatcher Government era; Mrs. Thatcher demanded that the ITC prohibit those broadcasts provoking ethnic separatism, and in turn, none of the press agencies accused her of violating human rights or limiting the freedom of speech. The ITC made such a decision due to Med-TV's calls for bloodshed and terrorism. In spite of the fact that there was undoubtedly concrete evidence for such activities by Med-TV, it is argued that Prime Minister Blair was also an important factor in this process. Along with the US, the UK also supports Turkey in its struggle against terrorism. Now the PKK is in search of a new country for its broadcasts. Be ready to observe the sponsors of terrorism!" Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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