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Turkish Press Review, 99-08-05Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>05.08.99Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] TEMPORARY REFUGEE CAMP TO BE CONSTRUCTED ON TURCO-BULGARIAN BORDER[02] FROM THE COLUMNS....FROM THE COLUMNS....FROM THE COLUMNS....[03] TURCO-GERMAN JOINT INVESTMENT IN GAPA 'fiber optic' factory will be established in the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region with a Turco-German joint venture. The cost of the factory will be $ 75 million and 250 people are going to be employed. According to Sanliurfa Governor Sehabettin Harput, the factory will be the biggest establishment in the region. He added that CD players will be produced in the factory. Stating that the necessary official incentive and construction permit have already been obtained, Harput remarked that the foundation of the factory will be laid within a short period of time. He added, "In the primary phase 250 people will be employed. Later, the number will be increased in line with the increase in production. It is planned that the factory will begin manufacturing at the end of this year. Factory out-put will be exported primarily to Europe and Middle Eastern countries and also to other parts of the world." /Star/[04] OCALAN'S CALL IN FRENCH MEDIAThe French 'Le Figaro' newspaper claimed that the chief of the terrorist organization Abdullah Ocalan's call to halt the armed struggle will effect the decision of the Court of Appeals to be given in September. The newspaper reported that the number of people who think that Ocalan's being alive is more beneficial than his death has been increasing. It quoted President Suleyman Demirel as saying: 'The execution of the chief of the terrorist organization is a political decision and a very sensitive issue. It is even the most sensitive issue that Turkey has come across for a long time." The newspaper also reported that Ocalan's recent call 'might be re-evaluated in Ankara'. /Star/[05] IRAN TO RELEASE TURKISH SOLDIERSThe Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kemal Harrazi, said he hoped that the two Turkish soldiers would be released within two days. He added that his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem had told him in Sarajevo that the soldiers had crossed the Iranian border by mistake without any ill-intention and asked for their release. Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman, Sermet Atacanli, said in his weekly press statement yesterday that Turkey expected that the soldiers would be released in line with Harrazi's recent announcement. /Aksam/[06] ECEVIT: "NO BARGAIN"Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit announced that Turkey would not bargain to end terrorism. He stressed that the State would never sit on a table with terrorists. Pointing out that separatist terrorists finally realized that they came to the end of the road, Ecevit stated that Turkey was determined to end terrorist attacks in her territory. He added, "We prepared a repentance law which is on the agenda of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA). Whoever wants to benefit from the law will apply to the State. However, the State will not bargain with anyone or any organization. /Turkiye/[07] DINI TO VISIT TURKEYItaly wants to rehabilitate her relations with Turkey. Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lamberto Dini, said that Turco-Italian relations were very important and he recalled that Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema had sent a friendship letter to his Turkish counterpart. Dini stated that he had welcomed his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem's invitation and decided to visit Turkey in September. /Aksam/[08] TEMPORARY REFUGEE CAMP TO BE CONSTRUCTED ON TURCO-BULGARIAN BORDERIt was reported that on the Turco-Bulgarian border, around the area covering the Kapitan Andreevo border gate opposite Kapikule, a temporary refugee camp will be constructed, reported by the Anatolian News Agency.In a statement read out during a Bulgarian broadcast on Independent European Radio, in the camp, which is expected to open on the 1st of September, those who request refuge from Bulgaria will be sheltered there for about a month, before being sent to the government's refuge office. Furthermore, it was envisaged that two temporary residence camps around Petric, near the Greek-Bulgarian border and at Sofia Airport would be constructed. In Bulgaria, there are still four temporary refugee camps in Haskoy, Svilengrad, Sandanski and Ruscuk. [09] MOLDOVIAN AMBASSADOR IN BURSAMoldovia's Ambassador to Turkey, Dr. Tudor Angheli, inviting Turkish businessmen to invest in and trade with his country, said, "Moldovia's doors are completely open to Turkish businessmen", reported by the Anatolian News Agency.Dr. Angheli, visiting Bursa Governor Orhan Tasanlar in his office, then explained some topics to members of press. Dr Angheli, stating that there are 36 agreements between Moldovia and Turkey and that mutual relations are on a good legal footing, said, "Now it is time to build our mutual relationships. Moldovia is a small country with a population of only five million. But strategically it is an important country. Turkish businessmen and merchants go to Moldovia and cooperate with them. We, as Moldovians, see ourselves as a joint state with Turkey with a population of 70 million." Dr. Angheli, stating that relations between two countries have been improving since 1994, added, "Some Turkish firms have begun to be active in Moldovia. For example, the Bayindir Holding Company is expected to open a bank there and it will be the first foreign bank in the country." Moldovian Ambassador Dr. Angheli answered a question concerning Cevat Soysal's (a leading member of the terrorist PKK organization) capture in his country as follows: "Soysal has entered Moldovia once or twice. But how and with whom he gained access is still unknown. Moldovia is a small country: we do not have proper soldiers; our borders are open; we sometimes lose passanger trains. But I want Turkish people to know that Moldovia had nothing to do with this kind of thing. In addition, it does not have enough power to do it." In a Turkish statement by Dr.Angheli to members of press, he explained that he had been educated in Turkish language and culture and that he had been in Parliament for 11 years. He also said that he had worked as a journalist for TASS and other press organizations and that he had been working as an Ambassador for a year." [10] DETERMINED STEP FROM BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINAEducation and Culture Minister of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Fahruddin Rizanbegovic's recent visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) caused uneasiness in the Greek-Cypriot administration. The administration claimed the visit meant the indirect recognition of the TRNC. According to the 'Fileleftiheros' newspaper, Bosnia acted in line with the positive attitude of the Organization of Islamic Conference towards the recognition of the TRNC. The newspaper added that Greek-Cypriot administration did not have diplomatic relations with Bosnia and that it would be difficult to prevent relations between the TRNC and Bosnia-Herzegovina. /Aksam/Turkiye/[11] 11 PKK TERRORISTS KILLEDAccording to military sources, at the end of clashes between the terrorists and security forces four terrorists were killed in Van, three in Mus, two in Tunceli, one in Bitlis and one in Mardin.Meanwhile, during the operations in Adana four terrorists who were preparing to organize bomb attacks towards tourist regions were captured. /Turkiye/Star/ [12] TPAO FINDS NATURAL GAS IN AZERBAIJANDeputy General Director of Turkish Petroleum Company (TPAO), Osman Demirag, announced that they found a great amount of natural gas in the Sah Sea within the scope of the Sah Sea Research Project, in which TPAO owns 9 % of the shares. He said that they had been exploring natural gas and oil in the region 70 kms to Baku and within the area of the Caspian Sea, adding that they found natural gas at three different levels. /Turkiye/[13] OIL HOPE IN ERZURUMTurkish Petroleum Company (TPAO) has started to explore oil in the Askale township of Erzurum a month ago. According to TPAO officials, at the end of the exploration organized by foreign companies in the region, it was announced that there could be a great deal of oil in the region. Upon that announcement, oil exploration started immediately, said the officials, adding that they were very hopeful to find oil reserves down the level of 2,500-2,750 metres. /Aksam/[14] $ 300 MILLION SECURITY BOND EXPORTSTurkey is exporting six-year term $ 300 million Euro security bonds. ABN Amro and Deustche, which are responsible for conducting the transactions announced that the security bonds will be exported with a 9.6 % interest rate and the repayment will be on 25 August 2005. /Star/[15] BIRLIK TEXTILE REALIZES $ 13.5 MILLION EXPORTSBirlik Textile Company has made $ 13.5 million exports within the first seven months of this year. Chairman of the Executive Board of the Company, Mustafa Ozhamurkar, said that they exported towels and textiles to 15 countries this year. He added that they aimed to increase their revenue to $ 24 million by the end of 1999. /Star/[16] CONSUMER LOAN REDUCEDThe rate of the Source Usage Incentive Fund (KKDF) applied to consumer loans given by banks and financial institutions are reduced from 8 % to 3 %. Officials announced that they aimed to enliven the domestic requirement with the new application. /Star/[17] SONERA-TURKCELL DEVELOPSFinnish Sonera Firm, which is one of the partners of Turkcell, announced its revenue for the first six months of this year as $240 million. According to the 'Financial Times' newspaper, as a result of the rapid development of Turkcell, which has over four million subscribers and a strong financial structure, Sonera Firm has increased its revenues. Chairman of the Investment Department of Sonera, Jari Jaakkola, said that Turkcell was a rapidly growing GMS operator not only in Turkey but also in the world. He added that Turkcell would sell its shares to the public at the end of this year or at the beginning of the year of 2000. /Aksam/[18] TEMSA PRESTIJ NUMBER ONE IN GERMANYTemsa Prestij was voted as the best imported minibus in Germany for the third time in a row. In studies conducted by Germany's vehicle magazine, 'Last Auto Omnibus' and Trans Actuell's Spanish TM magazine, together with the Dekra Quality Institute for the "Best Vehicle of the Year", Turkish Temsa Prestij received the first prize. The company has won in this category for the last three years based on the votes of 30,000 readers who judged Temsa Prestij on economy, comfort and technology. It came in 18 % points ahead of its rivals. The Temsa Prestij, which is produced by using bus technology in factories belonged to Sabanci group in Adana, holds the 20 % share of the market in Germany and France. /All papers/[19] NORTHERN IRAQForeign Ministry Deputy Spokesman Sermet Atacanli, stating that Turkey respects Iraq's territorial integrity and political stability, told that no signs came to them from the U.S. on Turkey's opinions concerning this issue, reported by the Anatolian News Agency.During the weekly press conference, while answering a question concerning the letter sent by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to Iraq's Foreign Minister Muhammed Said El Sahaf, Atacanli told that Turkey was sensitive on the issue and that she had been emphasizing Iraq's territorial integrity and political stability for many times. Sahaf, in his letter to Annan, described Turkey's cross-border operations as "an attack towards Iraqi territories" and wanted Annan to intervene in order to end these "attacks". While answering a question about U.S. attitude towards this issue, Atacanli said, "There are no signs from the U.S. against it. On the contrary, the U.S. expressed opinions completely sharing our worries and feelings. There is nothing else to say". [20] INDIAN HEMP OPERATIONSIn Suruc and Siverek districts, in Sanliurfa 13,253 roots of Indian hemp, used in the production of heroin has been seized. One of the involved people had been captured wheres the other escaped, reported by the Anatolian News Agency.In the report, it was stated that police narcotic team had found 12,500 roots in the fields belonging to Seyfettin Kaya in the village of Yurtcicegi, in Suruc and 753 roots of Indian hemp had been found in the field belonging to Mahmut Tasci in the village of Hasirli, in Siverek. Indian hemps had been destroyed. It was also reported that Seyfettin Kaya was taken into custody and Mahmut Tasci, who escaped was being sought. [21] KOH TO MEET ECEVITAnkara has stated that the US Deputy Secretary of State responsible for Human Rights, Harold Koh, should care for the issues which are sensitive for Turkey. Turkish Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman Sermet Atacanli said: "Turkey is an open country. Everyone, whether Turkish or foreign, can visit everywhere in Turkey within certain rules. Within these guidelines, those who have an official identity are, in particular, expected to pay attention to some sensitive issues". Koh will hold a press conference after meeting Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and State Minister responsible for Human Rights Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik today and then leave Turkey. Meanwhile, the US Charge D'Affaires to Ankara, James Jeffry, came to the Turkish Foreign Ministry once again yesterday. American officials said that Jeffry paid a courtesy visit.Meanwhile, when Koh asked whether Turkey is 'fair' concerning the issue of Armenian minority rights, the Turkish Armenian Patriarch Mesrob II said: "I was educated in the US and I saw that minorities, who were not white or Protestant, in the southern provinces of the US suffer exclusion. There is no such exclusion for minorities in Turkey". Koh met the religious leaders of the Jewish, Armenian and Greek communities in Istanbul yesterday. /Hurriyet/ [22] OCALAN'S INFLUENCE AND AUTHORITY QUESTIONEDThe Belgian Press wrote that the PKK terrorist chief's influence and authority over the organization was being questioned after the call he made to his supporters to lay down their weapons.The newspapers, "Le Soir" and "La Libre Belgique" in their issue yesterday devoted wide coverage to Ocalan's call for a halt to the armed conflict and for his militants to go abroad. The newspapers, which wrote that even his lawyers did not know the strength of his influence within the organization, recalled that 31,000 people had lost their lives due to the terrorism of the PKK, while relating the latest bloody incidents caused by it, the Anatolia News Agency reports. [23] OCALAN WANTS HIS DEATH PENALTY TO BE PREVENTEDIn a letter from the head of the PKK terrorist organization, Abdullah Ocalan, published in the recent issue of the 'Serxwebun' Magazine, a pro-PKK monthly publication, Ocalan said: "Dying has no meaning. If I had died, many others would also have died". The letter dated July 27, 1999, said that Diyarbakir should be a centre of peace initiatives. Ocalan remarked that there should be intensive campaigns against the death penalty in addition to these initiatives. Ocalan added: "I think that Turkey will enter the EU. The Greek veto will be removed. Relations with Turkey, especially including Turco-Italian relations, will develop in the future". /Hurriyet/[24] PKK FILE SENT TO TEHRANIt is reported that a file which includes information about the activities of the PKK terrorist organization in Iran will be sent to Iran during a meeting of the Turco-Iranian Sixth Supreme Security Commission to begin in Ankara on August 9. /Milliyet/[25] WASHINGTON WANTS DIALOGUEA peace call made by the PKK terrorist chief Abdullah Ocalan to PKK members has been regarded by the US as an encouraging development concerning the dialogue with Kurdish groups excepting the PKK. American officials stated that Ocalan's capture and trial had been an important opportunity. They said: "The PKK has lost its power. In this period, Turkey can develop a new dialogue with the representatives of Turks of Kurdish origin excepting the PKK". /Milliyet/[26] CULTURE MINISTER OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA IN TRNCFahruddin Rizanbegovic, the Education and Culture Minister of Bosnia-Herzegovina, is currently visiting the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as the guest of Mehmet Altinay, the National Education and Culture Minister of the TRNC. Rizanbegovic was received by Dervis Eroglu, the Prime Minister of the TRNC, and Mustafa Akinci, the Minister of State and Deputy Prime Minister of the TRNC yesterday. Rizanbegovic who also visited universities, historic and tourist sites was involved in meetings to improve cooperation between the TRNC and Bosnia-Herzegovina in the fields of education, sport and culture, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[27] STORA-ENSO IN TURKEYThe Dogan Foreign Trade and Representation Company, one of the companies of the Dogan Holding Group, has taken on a representative office of Stora-Enso, a giant institution in the paper and cardboard sector. The Stora-Enso Group aims at a high market share in Turkey in the upcoming years such as the high market shares enjoyed especially in EU countries. /Hurriyet/[28] STRIKE SUSPENDEDA one-day strike planned for Friday by the Union Platform was postponed yesterday when it was decided not to discuss the Social Security Reform Draft Law as a priority issue by the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA). The Head of Turk-Is (Turkish Trade Unions Federation), Bayram Meral, said that these developments are hope-inspiring. /Hurriyet/[29] FOURTH ECONOMY CONGRESS IN 2002The Foundation for the Development of the Aegean Economy will organize an 'Economy Congress' in 2002. President Suleyman Demirel sent a letter to all related institutions such as the Prime Ministry, Foreign Trade Undersecretariat, State Planning Organization, Treasury and the Higher Education Board (YOK) and requested their views concerning the Economy Congress to be held in 2002. /Hurriyet/[30] US WANTS LOOSE FEDERATION IN CYPRUSIt is reported that the US wants a loose federation in Cyprus. Washington will launch initiatives concerning its plan which is contrary to the confederation proposal of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The US Administration, which regards the Cyprus problem as the most important issue of the Clinton-Ecevit meeting, will request a compromise concerning territorial issues from the TRNC and one concerning constitutional issues from the Greek-Cypriot side. The new Cyprus coordinator of the US, Tom Weston, will visit Cyprus in September. According to sources, the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will call the TRNC President, Rauf Denktas, and the Greek-Cypriot Leader, Glafkos Klerides, to New York in October. Denktas and Klerides will not meet face-to-face, however, Kofi Annan will be involved in shuttle diplomacy between Denktas and Klerides. /Hurriyet/[31] YAS MEETINGS ENDMeetings of the Supreme Military Council (YAS) ended yesterday. Following President Suleyman Demirel's approval, promotions will be announced by the Office of the General Staff today. Meanwhile, of 58 soldiers who will be subject to expulsion due to their connections with the extreme right or left wing, 16 officers will be expelled. /Hurriyet/[32] AIRCRAFT RENTAL ENDSThe General Coordinator of the Turkish Aerospace Industry (TAI), Vural Avar, said that no more specialized aircraft would be rented out to put out forest fires. Avar stressed that S2-E type aircraft from the Naval Forces' Command would be turned into fire-fighting aircraft at TAI facilities. As part of the project, 15 aircraft will be turned into fire-fighting aircraft. /Sabah/[33] 57 NORTHERN IRAQIS CAPTUREDFifty-seven Northern Iraqis who illegaly entered Turkey have been captured in Istanbul. Officials said that an investigation into the issue was underway. /Milliyet/[34] OSCE SUMMIT IN ISTANBULThe last summit of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) of this century will be held in Istanbul on November 18-19. Nearly 5,000 people from around the world are expected to attend the Summit during which the European security model for the 21st century will be designed. The document which will outline the framework of the new security model will be called the "Istanbul Charter'. /Milliyet/[35] OIL PRODUCTION IN ADIYAMANThe Turkish Petroleum Joint Stock Company (TPAO) produced a total of 5 million 512 thousand barrels of oil in the first half of the year in Adiyaman, which has the biggest oil reserves in Turkey, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[36] ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS IN DOMUZTEPE TUMULUSSeveral human skeletons and skulls were found during the archaeological excavations in Domuztepe Tumulus in Kahramanmaras, the Anatolia News Agency reports. British and American scientists are expected to participate in this year's excavations which started on July 15 under the chairmanship of Prof.Elizabeth Carter from the University of California.[37] SEVEN FAIRS TO BE OPENED IN SANLIURFAA total of seven fairs will be opened in Sanliurfa between October 4 and 10 as part of the "International Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) '99 Fairs" under the auspices of President Suleyman Demirel, the Anatolia News Agency reports. The Ayintap Fair Organization issued a statement and said that a festival on Ottoman cultural heritage will also be organized upon the 700th anniversary of the foundation of the Ottoman Empire, within the scope of the GAP '99 Fairs.[38] SAP AND TEKIN TO GO TO RUSSIAYavuz Sap and Osman Tekin, "International Sports and Peace Ambassadors", went to Russia yesterday to join the International Siberia Marathon in the city of Omsk on August 7, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Sap and Tekin will run with about 5,000 people.[39] TURKISH RACING DRIVERS IN CATERHAMFollowing the rallies in Europe, four in Germany and two in Belgium, a competition will be held in Holland. Twelve Turkish drivers, using special racing cars, will compete in the championship which will constitute the second leg of the Caterham Super 7 Cup. The rally will be held between August 13-14. The next leg will be held in France. /Hurriyet/[40] MASTER RALLY IN TURKEYOne hundred and fifteen competitors who are participating in the Master Rally entered Turkey from the Turkgozu border gate two days ago. The Master Rally jointly organized by Turkey, Russia and France and sponsored by Power FM started from Moscow on July 25. The competitors will cover a total of 7,600 kilometres. The Master Rally will end on August 7 in Istanbul. /Sabah/[41] CHRISTIANITY DOCUMENTARY IN TURKEYThe shooting of a documentary called 'Traces of Christianity in Turkey from Noah's Ark to the Empire' will begin in the ancient city of Ephesus. The one-hour documentary will be produced by the US artist Victoria Barrett, while it will be directed by Jochen Breinstein. The shooting of the documentary will last five weeks. /Hurriyet/[42] FROM THE COLUMNS....FROM THE COLUMNS....FROM THE COLUMNS....[43] MODERN LEFT AND ECEVIT -BY HASAN CEMAL (MILLIYET)Columnist Hasan Cemal comments on Prime Minister's Ecevit's words on international arbitration. A summary of his column is as follows:In politics the rules of opposition and power parties are different. The promises made in the opposition may not be kept or another policy may be adopted when in power. However there should be a balance between the two. You cannot promise the sun and the moon while in opposition and disappoint people when in power. However, in Turkey this balance may not be sought. Sometimes the seat of power changes people and they stop resorting to populism, approach issues with a seriousness befitting a statesman. We may give Ecevit's statement on international arbitration as an example for this. He stated that those who came against the proposals for international arbitration or thought that it did not agree with national interests, in fact, are not aware of the changes in the modern world or cannot adapt to them. International arbitration is in no way related to capitulations or restriction of independence. He added that while some people in Turkey were opposing international arbitration on the grounds that it will restrict our independence they seem to favour entering the EU. In fact, if Turkey becomes a member of the EU she has to change her understanding of sovereignty to a great extent. The Prime Minister added that while expecting strict adherence to old understandings on national sovereignty, defending the right to EU membership constituted a dilemma. "In the past, all that was new was opposed under the guise of revolutionism and believed to be a part of leftist policies. Democratic Left Party has rid itself of this strict etatism." These views which display a change in the leftist understanding can be regarded positively. This may be considered as the result of coming to power after twenty long years. [44] WHAT DOES OCALAN WANT? -BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)Columnist Yilmaz Oztuna comments on the call made by Ocalan. A summary of his column is as follows:"There is no doubt on the aim of Ocalan's call which is to get his life spared. He is trying to show himself as a political prisoner, instead of a terrorist or murderer. To some extent Europe agrees with this point but does not stress the issue as it does not want to offend Turkey. It is known that political activists can spread their struggle to a long period of time during which they hope many opportunities may arise. However, the PKK terrorist organization is not of the same mind with Ocalan. The PKK wants Ocalan to be executed and the call for laying down their weapons only has a propaganda value for it. Furthermore, there are many gangsters who want to get a share of the money earned from drug-trafficking. They know that while Ocalan is alive and in prison the PKK has no future. If Ocalan is executed, it will be easy to arm poor Kurdish children and in developed countries the theme of Turkish cruelty will be stressed. Europe is against the execution because all European states have abolished capital punishment. They do not care about the values of the PKK, its tendency towards communism, or its being a nationalist organization. European States are provoking us by trying to apply pressure on Turkey not to execute the death sentence. Thus, they could claim that Turkey has no place in the EU and have their wishes accepted by Turkey. This view will backfire but they are not aware of it. The sentence for the crimes committed by Ocalan deserves the heaviest punishment in all legal systems. However, the decision will be political as President Suleyman Demirel has said." END Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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