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Turkish Press Review, 99-03-12Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>12.03.99Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] TURCO-ROMANIA-BULGARIA TRIPARTITE MEETING IN ROMANIATurkish President Suleyman Demirel, Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov and Romanian President Emil Konstantinescu met yesterday in the city of Sinai in Romania. At the end of the first day meetings between the delegations, Agreement Cooperation in Tourism and Free Trade Region Decleration concerning lifting the customs on industrial products were signed. Today, at the end of the summit, a joint decleration will be issued.Demirel said in his speech at the meeting that the terrorist PKK organization was sheltered by one of Turkey's neighbours and now, he added, she was paying the price of her wrong-doing. Turkish President asked his Romanian and Bulgarian counterparts to take the necessary measures to prevent PKK activities in their countries. Meanwhile, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that President Suleyman Demirel will go to Uzbekistan upon the official invitation of Uzbek President Islam Kerimov on 15-16 March 1999. The Foreign Ministry issued a written statement saying that the bilateral relations between Turkey and Uzbekistan will be taken up during Demirel's visit to Uzbekistan in addition to regional and international matters.It is also reported that President Suleyman Demirel will attend the opening ceremony of the Turkish Koc Corporations' automobile factory in Semerkant. /Sabah/Hurriyet/ [02] ECEVIT: "NOW IT IS TIME FOR TURKEY"Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit remarked yesterday that Turkey is able to overcome every trouble, provided that the state organs operate in full harmony. Attending the opening ceremony of the Caycuma-Zonguldak Airport together with Rahsan Ecevit, State Minister Hasan Gemici and the Minister of Transportation, Hasan Basri Aktan, the Prime Minister said, "Since there is harmony within the government, the state is able to hound terrorist chiefs regardless of where they are in the world."Ecevit also stated that the new airport will ensure Zonguldak to open to Turkey and the world, and the region will rapidly rejuvenate through the Filyos Seaport to be constructed as soon as possible. Citing an international financial institute's report, which highly praises the recent developments in the Turkish economy, Prime Minister Ecevit said, "Now it is time for Turkey, and now it is time for Zonguldak and Bartin." Meanwhile, Ecevit also inaugurated a new facility of the Kardemir (the Karabuk Iron and Steel Corp.). Addressing the workers as "the owners of the Kardemir", the Prime Minister described the corporation as a totally new model of privatization. In turn, Recai Baskan, the Chairman of the Ozcelik-Is Union, declared that they hope the Prime Minister will support themselves in their struggle against those who try to undermine the success of the Kardemir. Following the opening ceremony, Hasan Basri Aktan, the Minister of Transportation, and Sencer Imer, the Chairman of the Executive Board of the Kardemir, endorsed the Filyos Seaport Project agreement. /Cumhuriyet/ [03] CETIN URGES PALESTINE TO TAKE TOUGHER MEASURES AGAINST TERRORISMTurkey expressed full support yesterday for Palestinian aspirations to statehood, but urged the Palestinian State to take tougher measures against terrorism. The Anatolia News Agency reported from Ramallah that Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA), who continues his official visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories, told Ahmad Qurei, the Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, that Ankara would immediately recognize the Palestinian state when it is proclaimed.Meanwhile, Turkey's Jerusalem Consulate has conveyed a message from Turkish President Suleyman Demirel to the Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat. In his message, Demirel has reportedly told Arafat that Turkey was `irritated' with the demonstrations held in the Palestinian territories in support of the PKK terrorist organization. [04] GREECE CHARGES OCALAN, 17 OTHERSGreek public prosecutors charged 18 people yesterday, including the PKK chief, Abdullah Ocalan, with a series of crimes, involving endangering the safety of Greece. Three former ministers could also face criminal charges. The prosecutors filed the charges amid escalating tensions between Greece and Turkey over fallout from the Ocalan affair. A statement issued by three prosecutors investigating the Ocalan affair said that some of the 18 were charged on one felony count of endangering the international peace of the country, and a series of misdemeanor charges. Ocalan was charged on misdemeanor counts of illegally entering Greece and travelling with forged documents.Other misdemeanors against the 18 included smuggling an illegal alien into the country, providing shelter to an alien, falsifying documents, and perjury. An investigating magistrate will review the charges and set a trial date. /All papers/ [05] OCALAN MEETS HIS LAWYERThe Chief of the terrorist PKK organization, Abdullah Ocalan, who is held at Imrali Prison, met his lawyer Ahmet Zeki Okcuoglu yesterday. Following the meeting, Okcuoglu said that the health and psychological situation of Ocalan was good. /Turkiye/[06] `RED ALERT' IN GREECEIt is reported that the Greek Air Force had been placed on a state of 'red alert' for three minutes due to a military activity in Turkey two days ago. The Greek Government Spokesman, Dimitri Reppas, confirmed the news concerning the red alert which has been devoted wide coverage in the Greek press. However, Reppas stated that the situation in the Aegean Sea was under control and the tension is not likely to create any greater anxiety. /Turkiye/[07] ATHENS-LISBON TENSIONThe Greek Ambassador to Lisbon, Georges Yennimatas, was summoned to the Portuguese Foreign Ministry yesterday. A detailed information was requested regarding the Portuguese passport which has been alledgedly prepared for the PKK chief Abdullah Ocalan by the Greek intelligence service. The Greek initiative to give a passport of an EU-member country to a terrorist has also caused harsh reactions in Brussels. EU political observers noted that this initiative has damaged the EU solidarity. /Turkiye/[08] OSMAN OCALAN ON `STERN'Making a statement to the `Stern' magazine, Osman Ocalan, the brother of the PKK Chief Abdullah Ocalan, said that the PKK would continue with their struggle against Turkey. Ocalan noted that they would not harm tourists who will visit Turkey and said: "If the Turkish state releases my brother and approves that he is the legal leader of the Kurdish nation, we can establish an atmsophere of dialogue". Osman Ocalan stated that they expect a Kurdish revolt throughout Turkey, yet adding that there would be no activities against Turkish representative offices abroad. Osman Ocalan said that there was no conflict for the leadership of the PKK, and added: "If Cemil Bayik is elected the leader, I can certainly carry out his orders". /Turkiye/[09] BAYAR: "WE MUST FIGHT THE TRAITORS AMONG US AS A NATION"Cahit Bayar, the Minister of the Interior, said that a number of organizations have claimed responsibility for the explosions which occurred in Istanbul this week. "However", he added, "the claims of such organizations will not always lead us to the truth", the Anatolia News Agency reported yesterday. Attending the 'Election Security For Regional Governors' meeting held in Izmir, Bayar noted that when the perpetrators are caught, these types of events will decrease. "Yet there are traitors among us. As a nation and a state we have to fight them. The Republic of Turkey will overcome this", he said.[10] GENERAL STAFF: "TERRORISM UNDER CONTROL IN TURKEY"In an evaluative paper concerning the `recent situation of the struggle against terrorism', the General Staff has stated that terrorism is largely under control in Turkey. "Turkey will bring external support for terrorism to an end, and the PKK terrorist organization will be terminated", the paper declared. Accordingly, the struggle has been conducted within the framework of the `principles of democratic law'. It is also remarked in the paper that during this struggle, Turkey has respected human rights in line with international conventions. /All papers/[11] DENKTAS: "GREEK CYPRIOTS OUGHT TO STOP SUPPORTING TERRORISM"President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Rauf Denktas, appealed to the United States yesterday to pressure Greece and the Greek Cypriots to stop supporting terrorism. Speaking to the members of press after a meeting with Thomas Miller, the US State Department's Special Coordinator for Cyprus, Denktas said that even if Washington is unable do it publicly, she should at least warn Greeks and Greek Cypriots behind closed doors that they should cease hostilities against Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot people. He added that Washington should tell the Greek Cypriot administration that there were two equal, self-governing peoples in Cyprus, and that the Greek Cypriot Administration could by no means represent the entire population of the Eastern Mediterranean island. /All papers/[12] TURKEY'S RESPONSE ON WATERThe Iraqi Minister responsible for irrigation, Mahmud Diab El-Ahmed, called upon Turkey to cooperate with Iraq and Syria in solving the water problems between these countries. Turkey replied in a statement that there were great problems between these countries, and thus, if an atmosphere of confidence is not established, no agreement can be achieved with these countries. /Aksam/[13] MINISTER OF DEFENCE IN TUNUSIAThe Turkish Minister of Defence, Hikmet Sami Turk, attended the Turco-Tunisia 4th Military Joint Commission Meeting within the framework of his official visit to Tunusia. At the meeting Turk said that Turkey and Tunusia should increase cooperation in defence industry. He added that the Turkish defence industry, which had the utmost modern infrastructure system, could easily meet the demands of the Tunusian defence sector. Following the meeting it was announced that Turkish and Tunusian officials had discussed joint projects concerning the defence industry, the Anatolia News Agency reported.[14] TSK OPERATIONS IN THE BLACK SEATurkish Armed Forces (TSK) started an operation in the Black Sea region against the outlawed terrorist organization. During the clashes between the security forces and terrorists in Tokat, Sivas and Corum districts, three terrorists were killed and two terrorists were captured yesterday. It was also reported that almost 40 depots belonged to terrorists were found. /Hurriyet/[15] 23 TERRORISTS WERE KILLEDDuring the operations in and around Sason township of Batman, 17 terrorists were killed. Due to the clashes in Cizre township of Sirnak, three terrorists were killed. Moreover, in another incident in Resadiye township of Tokat three TIKKO militants were killed. Military sources reported that operations will continue. /Sabah/[16] DHKP-C TERRORIST CAPTUREDBanu Gudenoglu, a member of the illegal DHKP-C organization, was captured yesterday in Konya. She was later sent to the Anti-Terrorism Department for an interrogation. /Turkiye/[17] BULGARIA EXTRADITES KURSAT YILMAZKursat Yilmaz, a mafia leader who who was captured in Bulgaria following his escape from the Burdur Prison, where he was held due to the murder of former Kusadasi Mayor Lutfu Suyolcu, is going to be extradited to Turkey. The Varna Court of Appeals declared its decision concerning Turkey's opposition to the Varna Regional Court resolution, which had refused the extradition of Yilmaz to Turkey. Accordingly, the Court of Appeals decided that Kursat Yilmaz will going to be extradited to Turkey. In the decision it is stated that the legal existence of capital punishment in Turkey does not constitute an impediment for the extradition of Yilmaz since this punishment does not have any practical relevance for the last 15 years. It is also mentioned in the decision that Kursat Yilmaz does not have any right to oppose the decision. /Hurriyet/[18] COMMON SENSE OF FRANCEThe French government has stated that it does not favour the placement of the so-called `Armenian genocide bill' on the Senate's agenda. Daniel Vaillant, the French Minister responsible for the relations with Parliament and Senate, said that this draft law was not on the present agenda items of the Senate. The French Minister noted that they would avoid every initiative which would disrupt stability in the region between Turkey and Armenia. The draft law which had been approved by the French Parliament last year created a remarkable diplomatic tension between Turkey and France. /Turkiye/[19] TURCO-IMF MEETINGSCarlo Coterelli, the Head of the Turkish Desk of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), said that the meetings between the IMF and Turkish delegations continue very fruitfully and a financial agreement is likely to be signed. He noted that they welcomed Turkey's determination to realize structural reforms such as the ones concerning the banking system, social security and privatization following the 18 April elections. Coterelli noted that they will hold a joint press conference on Friday afternoon.Deputy Prime Minister, Hikmet Ulugbay, said that a fund-supported agreement between the IMF and Turkey will help decrease the inflation in Turkey down to one digit numbers in 2001. /Sabah/Hurriyet/ [20] IMKB INDEX RISESThe Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) index-100 increased by 201 points yesterday and reached 4,088. The daily average profit of shares in the IMKB became 5.18 % yesterday, following a decrease by 75 points on Wednesday according to uncertainty concerning the General Elections in Turkey. There have been some concerns that the Virtue Party (FP) and the Republican People's Party (CHP) could support the postponement of the Elections. However, the FP and CHP officials noted yesterday that they would not support the postponement of the Elections. /Turkiye/[21] INCREASE IN FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVESAccording to the Central Bank, foreign exchange reserves increased by $403 million between 26 February and 5 March. Same sources reported that Turkey's international reserves reached $33 billion with an increase by $ 411 million, the Anatolia News Agency reported.[22] ANTI-PKK LOBBY FROM BUSINESSMANThe Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanded the businessmen that they lobby against those countries supporting the PKK terrorism. During a briefing given by a number of officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the businessmen were called upon expressing the outrageous face of the PKK in those countries they carry out economic relationships. Remarking that they have come together with the businessmen for the first time to this end, Korkmaz Haktanir, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, declared that they will organize such meetings periodically from then on. Haktanir said, "As well as political and military relationships, economic activities have also gained importance in international politics. In this respect, business cricles and civil society organizations should be enlightened, regarding the fundamental elements of Turkish foreign policy and recent relevant developments." /Milliyet/[23] SUPPORT FOR BORDER TRADEA 10-trillion-TL fund will be transferred from the Development and Support Fund to Halkbank to extend financial support to firms which trade with Iraq in Sirnak, Mardin, Gaziantep and Sanliurfa. A decision of the Council of Ministers on this issue was published in the Official Gazette yesterday. The decision was taken in order to overcome the bottleneck faced by firms which trade with Iraq. /Turkiye/[24] XINHUA IN TURKEYThe Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Deputy Minister of the People's Republic of China, Chen Xinhua, arrived in Turkey yesterday. During the meetings to be held in Ankara, the development of bilateral commercial relations will be taken up. It is expected that a memorandum accord will be signed for the establishment of a Trade Consultation Mechanism between Turkey and the People's Republic of China. Xinhua, who will stay in Turkey until March 14, will meet State Minister Mustafa Yilmaz today. /Turkiye/[25] CHINESE CREDIT FOR TURKEYFor the construction of two dams and hydroelectronic power plant over Mugla-Dalaman streamlet according to the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, $250 million in credits has been provided from China. The Barmek Conglomerate, which will construct the dams and hydroelectronic power plant, noted that they reached an agreement on the financial assistance from China. /Turkiye/[26] JAPANESE CREDIT TO MARMARAY PROJECTA Japanese rating institution, OECF, accepted to give credit to the "Marmaray Project" concerning a tunnel project in Marmara Sea, Istanbul. The representative of the Japanese institution said that the first part of the loan would be $ 870 million and the second part of it would be $ 300 million. A Turkish delegation from the Prime Ministry and the Ministry of Transportation will go to Japan in June to sign the agreement. /Sabah/[27] FOREIGN DEBT PAYMENTSTurkey has repaid a total of $1.471 billion of foreign dent since the beginning of this year, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Meanwhile, a total of $273.9 million of foreign debt was repaid between March 1 and 10.[28] TURKISH INVESTMENTS INCREASE IN BULGARIATurco-Bulgarian relations has been rapidly developing for the last two years. Bulgaria has a strategic importance for Turkish investors. After the Prevention of Double Taxation and Protection of Mutual Investments Agreements were signed, the Free Trade Agreement was put into effect on January 1, 1999. Bulgaria is a bridge to the European Union for Turkish businessmen. Turkish firms which have invseted in Bulgaria will hava a EU member firm status as Bulgaria is on the reserve list of the EU. Moreover, Bulgaria and Turkey are very close; a Turkish investor can easily travel from Istanbul to Sofia in almost six hours. With all these in mind, nowadays it is very beneficial for Turkish businessmen to invest in Bulgaria. /Sabah/[29] SEA TRANSPORTATION IN FOREIGN TRADEIt is reported that 91.4 % of the foreign trade transportation has been realised through seas. In 1998, Turkey made 79.3 million tons imports and 24.7 million tons exports through sea transportation. Turkey's place among the world sea trade fleet has been raising in recent years. 93.7 % of the Turkish fleet belongs to private sector while the public sector owns just 6.7 % of it, the Anatolia news agency reported.[30] AMERICAN BUSINESSMEN IN TURKEYA 14-member American businessmen delegation came to Istanbul to meet their Turkish counterparts. Accordingly, franchising, partnership and mutual trade opportunities in agriculture, construction, environment, security and medical equipments will be discussed, the Anatolia News Agency reported.[31] TURKEY-EU JOINT CONSULTATION COMMITTEEThe new Co-Chairmen of the Turkey-EU Joint Economic and Social Consultation Committee, who will hold office for a 2-year period, has been elected during the 7th Summit of the Committe, organized in Brussels in March 7. Accordingly, Husamettin Kavi, the Chairman of the Istanbul Industry Chamber (ISO), has been re-elected as the Co-Chairmen on behalf of Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/[32] TURKISH STARS' CHARMING PERFORMANCENATO Ample Train 99'-1 military exercise was held at the Balikesir 9th Main Aircraft Base. Turkish Stars gave a successful performance during the exercises. The Ample Train 99'-1 military exercise is organized two times a year in different countries. Italy, France, Britain, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany and Spain attended the first part of the exercises in Balikesir. /Hurriyet/[33] THY FLEET STRENGTHENINGThe Turkish Airlines (THY) fleet is being strengthened. Within the framework of a previously determined programme, nine Boeing and one Airbus will be included in the THY fleet. The Aircraft Project which takes place in the 1997 Investment Programme will continue until 2002. Within this period, a total of 49 aircrafts will be purchased. /Turkiye/[34] "TURKISH TOURISM IS TRIED TO BE SUBVERSED"Ahmet Tan, the Turkish Minister of Tourism, said that the Turkish tourism is tried to be subversed due to "overt hostility" in certain European countries, and especially in Germany. Noting that certain powers does not want Turkey to become powerful in her region, Tan said that part of the European press strives to lower the prices in Turkey through a calumnious campaign. /Milliyet/[35] TURKEY'S TOURISM EXPENDITURES INCREASEThe World Tourism Travelling Council (WTTC) declared yesterday that Turkey is be one of the countries whose the tourism expenditures will increase the most in the following five years. The research carried out by the WTTC indicated that Turkey is the third among the countries whose the tourism expenditures will increase the most in the following years, and she will be the first among other European countries in this category.[36] OGER TOURS IN `FOCUS'The Oger Tourism Company, belonged to a Turkish businessman, Vural Oger, attracted the attention of the German media with its remarkable success. German weekly magazine, "Focus", reported that the Oger Tours, which is the eighth biggest travelling company in Germany, brings more than 800,000 German citizens to Turkey every year. /Sabah/[37] AUSTRIA-EDIRNE TRAIN ROUTEAccording to the State Railroads of the Republic of Turkey (TCDD), train schedules between Austria and Edirne will be started on 10 May in order to ensure a safe journey for Turkish citizens living abroad. Concerning the issue, representatives of the TCDD and the German Optimatour signed an agreement. According to the protocol, the Optimatour will organize daily train journeys starting from Austria via Slovenia, Croatia, Yugoslavia to Edirne. Turkish citizens will also be able to bring their cars with them thanks to an advanced system of railroad transportation. /Sabah/[38] WOMEN FESTIVAL IN GAPIn the Siverek district of Sanliurfa at the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region, March 8, the World Women's Day, was celebrated through a remarkably different way. During a festival jointly organized by the Mother's Cultural Foundation and the GAP Development Administration at the Humarkesen village, the Sivereki husbands served their wives the meals they themselves had cooked whereas the women participated in a number of cultural and recreative activities. It is emphasized in the festival that women will play a quite siginificant role in the development of the region. /Milliyet/[39] TUBITAK COMPLETES A PROJECTWith the participation of the Eti Conglomerate, the Turkish Scientific and Technical Research Institution (TUBITAK) has successfully completed a project on 'development of the boron oxide production technology' at the Marmara Research Centre. The boron oxide has been produced only by US Borax in the world and its technology has been kept as a secret. It is reported that the development of the production by TUBITAK which is highly qualified than the present technology and under lower degrees is a great advantage from the economic standpoint. /Aksam/[40] TEMSA IN AZERBAIJANTEMSA, representing the Sabanci-Komatsu partnership, has opened an office in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku in order to make investments in automotive and electronic industry. TEMSA, an institution of the Sabanci Conglomerate, together with its Japanese partner, Komatsu, will render services in Azerbaijan in machinery, maintenance units and the sale and purchase of spare parts. The Representative of TEMSA, Hasim Koksal, said that they would initially examine the market and then according to data, they would seek investment opportunities in other Turkish-Speaking Republics. /Turkiye/[41] TURKCELL IN TRNCFollowing Telsim, Turkcel will also render services in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). During a meeting in Ankara with the participation of officials from the Transport Ministries of Turkey and the TRNC, and Telsim and Turkcel, Telsim officials noted that they decided to give up their monopoly rights in the TRNC. The Undersecretary of the TRNC Public Works and Transport Ministry, Ahmet Aksaba, said that an agreement was signed between Turkcell and Telsim for an independent service system. Aksaba added: "Thus, a system of competition will be established in the TRNC. The subscribers will be able to have highly qualified and better services". /Turkiye/[42] AN EXHIBITION ON LOVE FOR TURKEYThe Head of the Turkish-Armenian Friendship Association, Edward Tasci, who is of Armenian origin and living in the US, opened an exhibition on "Love of an American for Turkey" at the Ataturk Culture Centre. Delivering a speech at the opening of the exhibition, Tasci noted that people who were born in Turkey and of Armenian and Syrian Orthodox origin, were friends of Turks , however said that the Armenian community in the US was continuing its hostility against Turkey. Tasci added that Armenians and Syrian Orthodox who have lived during the Ottoman period were not subjected to genocide and that history should correctly be considered. Deputy Undersecretary of the Culture Ministry Abdullah Dortlemez and many guests attended the opening of the exhibition full of paintings and historical documents. /Turkiye/[43] TURKISH DESIGN ABROADIn a 'Designex '99 Industrial Design Fair' organized by the Ide Fair Company with the participation of the Design Department of Industrial Products of the Mimar Sinan University, first and last design products of the institutions such as Arcelik, Beko, Pasabahce and Eczacibasi, which have had a pioneering role in the development of the industrial design for 29 years, are being exhibited. The Fair can be visited until March 14. /Turkiye/[44] GERMAN `SCHOLLER' IN TURKEYGermany's famous ice-cream producer, `Scholler', has taken its place in Turkish ice-cream market. Turkish frozen food producer, Kerevitas and Germany's Scholler signed an agreement to produce ice-cream in Bursa. The Turco-German partnership, Sholmer Corp., demonstrated Scholler ice-cream to the taste of the Turkish ice-cream lovers yesterday in Istanbul. /Hurriyet/[45] FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS[46] THE GENERAL PANORAMA- BY ORHAN BIRGIT (CUMHURIYET)Orhan Birgit, a columnist in the `Cumhuriyet' daily, reflects on the re-assemblage of Parliament due to the recent campaign of the 116 `disgruntled' MPs and possible outcomes of this process. Birgit writes:"In order to enact a law during the extraordinary plenary session of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) tomorrow, 68 MPs should be present other than those 116 MPs who called Parliament into action. Given that other parties declared that they will not support this movement, everybody is waiting for the attitude of the Virtue Party (FP), which constitutes the largest group in Parliament. In the first place, we should highlight the impossibility of the claims of some bona fide persons, who argue that the reassemblage of the TGNA may even prove useful because a number of bills pending on the agenda of the TGNA, in particular the Constitutional amendment concerning the State Security Courts (DGMs), the Penitence Law and the Banking Law, are likely to be enacted in this period. However, there are many stories concerning the attitude of the FP towards this formation. It is claimed that Necmettin Erbakan, the former leader of the de-funct Welfare Party (RP), has led this attempt in order to take advantage from the opportunity to abolish the Article No.312 of the Criminal Code, which bans Erbakan from politics. In this way, it is argued that Erbakan has ordered Recai Kutan, the leader of the Virtue Party (FP), to support this movement. Neither Erbakan nor Kutan has denied these arguments yet. Despite `personal' statements against this effort, like that of Abdullatif Sener, the Deputy Head of the FP Parliamentary Group, nothing can be estimated concerning other `personal' attitudes wthin the FP. Consequently, the erosion within the FP proves the augmentation of the antagonism between the disciples of the `Hodja' (Erbakan) and the younger generation within the party. Furthermore, it also proves the augmentation of the support for the Democratic Left Party (DSP). Ataturkists and social democrats... In one word, those who stand for a modern and advanced society... Do you think the April rain will bring abundance for us, this time?" Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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