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Turkish Press Review, 99-06-02Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>02.06.99Summary 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] OCALAN CONFESSESThe head of the PKK terrorist organization, Abdullah Ocalan, confessed yesterday at his trial on Imrali Island that many Middle Eastern and European countries and clandestine groups collaborated with the PKK. Answering questions of the presiding judge of the trial, Ocalan listed Syria, Greece, Southern Cyprus, Iran, Iraq, Yugoslavia, Armenia, Britain, Greek Orthodox Church, clandestine extreme-left Turkish groups and the ASALA as some of the collaborators of the PKK. He said Yugoslavia has provided camps for training of PKK members, and the PKK had commercial relations with Greece. He remarked that particularly after 1990, Greece started providing all kinds of support for the PKK including an array of 'terrorist training' in Greece. He pointed out that PKK members who received training in Greece came to southeastern Turkey or northern Iraq through Syria, Lebanon or Iran. Ocalan said until he left Syria, he had never gone to Greece.In Iran, he said, the PKK did not have any training camps, but had a hospital. He stressed that Iranian officials were informed of the hospital's operations. He also complained that Iran was not always cooperative with the PKK, and many of the weapons sent to the PKK through Iran were confiscated by that country. Ocalan said that Iraq in particular had provided intelligence to the PKK about Turkish military operations in northern Iraq. Additionally, he claimed that northern Iraq had become a free-arms 'bazaar' after the Gulf War, and the PKK had bought some of its weapons from there. Refuting charges that the PKK had training camps in Southern Cyprus, Ocalan stated that the Greek Orthodox Church was providing financial assistance to the PKK, but at the official level, contacts with the Greek-Cypriot Administration were 'very weak'. He said the Greek Cypriot passport he was carrying when he was captured by Turkish intelligence units and security teams was obtained by the PKK's Athens representative, Fethi Demir, from Southern Cyprus. /All papers/ [04] ECEVIT: "EVERYBODY SHOULD TAKE LESSONS FROM OCALAN'S SITUATION"Remarking that those who intend to destroy the unity and solidarity of Turkey and to prevent her rapid development and growth via terrorist actions will be unable to succeed in their goals, Prime Minister Ecevit said, implying Ocalan, "Everybody should take lessons from the currently poor situation of those who eventually understood that they cannot cope with a strong state like Turkey and who were condemned to face with the plain reality in the end." Likewise, Ismail Cem, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who addressed a speech during the ceremony held in Ankara as part of the `Foreign Ministry Martyrs' Memorial Day', pointed out that the struggle against terrorism has been carried out in line with international agreements and it falls within the scope of responsibility of each country. Cem added, "Terrorism has been cursed in all over the world. Those who still continue to engage in such actions are indeed displaying their ugly faces."President Suleyman Demirel noted that Turkish diplomats have become the target of Turkey's enemies while at the same time gaining the respect of friendly countries. The President also said that Turkey will be the insurance of peace and stability in her region and the officials of the Minister of Foreign Affairs are continuing their efforts in line with this consciousness. State Minister Sadi Somuncuoglu said that only the requirements of justice will be fulfilled during the trial process of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the terrorist organization. Answering the questions of journalists prior to the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) Parliamentary Group meeting, Somuncuoglu said, "After 15 years, the terrorist chief has been surrendered to the Turkish justice in the end. Now, only the requirements of justice will be fulfilled." As regards the peace message of Ocalan, Somuncuoglu said, "Naturally, he will try every means to save himself." Meanwhile, Recai Kutan, the leader of the Virtue Party (FP), argued that the media organizations are exaggerating the Ocalan trial and the real agenda of the people is tried to be undermined. Remarking that the case is very important for Turkey but other important problems should not be ignored as well, Kutan said, "It is wrong to overconcentrate on this trial as if one tries to suppress other problems." /Cumhuriyet/ [05] OCALAN'S LAWYERS WITHDRAWIt is reported that the disagreements between Abdullah Ocalan and the lawyers who have undertaken his defence in the historical trial are daily growing. Following the declaration of two of his lawyers, who have been disturbed by Ocalan's statements, that they have withdrawn from the case, five of his lawyers did not attend yesterday's hearing as well. It is argued that the lawyers have been perturbed by Ocalan's behaviour who has declared everything without consulting with them and who wants the trial to be completed as soon as possible. Alongside Hasip Kaplan and Ercan Kanar who declared that they withdrew from the hearing, Ender Buyukculha, Dogan Erbas, Fehim Gunes, Kemal Bilgic and Aysel Tugluk, who were present during the first day of the trial, did not attend yesterday's hearing. /Aksam/[06] SANBERK: "OCALAN REPRESENTS PKK"Turkish Ambassador to London, Ozdem Sanberk, attended a live programme on the British SKY TV and said that the chief of the terrorist organization was only the representative of the PKK, which is also refused by Turkish citizens of Kurdish origin. He added that Ocalan certainly was not the representative of Kurds in Turkey. Sanberk noted that Kurds living in Turkey had the right to be a member of political parties, to enter Parliament or to work in state institutions as same and equal as other Turkish citizens. Sanberk stressed that citizens of Kurdish origin had been represented by a legal political party during the 18 April general elections in Turkey so that the PKK could not represent them. He pointed out that the Ocalan trial had got nothing to do with the Kurdish issue; the trial was only on a person who was responsible for bloody murders. /Turkiye/[07] OPPOSITION PLEDGES SUPPORT TO CIVILIANIZE DGMsThe opposition parties, the True Path Party (DYP) and the Virtue Party (FP), pledged support for an amendment that will remove military judges from State Security Courts (DGMs). Commenting on the proposal prepared by Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk, FP Deputy Chairman Cemil Cicek said: "We want a broad-based democratization package, but we are ready to pledge support to a proposal foreseeing the withdrawal of the military judge from DGMs". /All papers/[08] FOREIGN MEDIA CONCENTRATE ON OCALAN TRIAL"The New York Times" said that Ocalan had accepted the responsibility of all killings and other violence attacks that the attorney directed at him. The "Washington Post" reported that Ocalan's supporters were shocked upon his apologising and accused him of being a coward.Italian "Corriere Della Sera" claimed that the man threatened Turkey for 15 years could not be Ocalan. The "La Repubblica" newspaper reported Ocalan had asked the judges to spare his life and in return for this he said he would disarm the PKK. In addition, "Il Giornale" stressed that Ocalan repented of what he had done. Greek "Eksusia" noted that Ocalan had accused Greece of destroying him. On the other hand, "Ta Nea" said Ocalan at the court was somebody else who had asked for pardon from Ankara. Meanwhile, "Etnos" and Elefteros Tipos" newspapers claimed that Greece was the target in the Ocalan case. British "The Daily Telegraph" reported that the Kurdish leader had been begging in order to live. "The Times" noted Ocalan at the court was not an "immortal guerilla leader" but an "ordinary man" who was bargaining for his life". French "Liberation" reported Ocalan's confessions adding that the chief of the terrorist organization had apologised to families of soldiers who had been killed by the terrorist PKK organization. German "Bild" stressed that Ocalan asked for pardon adding that he lost his self-reliance. Russian "Moskovski Novosti" claimed that Ocalan was lying and accused him of being a self-centered miserable. Belgian "Le Soir" noted that Ocalan had discredited himself at the court and asked the judges to pardon his life. /Hurriyet/ [09] POSITIVE APPROACH TOWARDS OCALAN COURTThe Chairman of the Legal Affairs Commission of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly, Finnish MP Gunnar Jansson, described both the court and the judge as "independent". He stressed that the trial was in line with the 'European standards". He implied that if Ocalan was sentenced to death penalty, they would not interfere in the decision. However, he added, if Turkey annuls death penalty, Europe will welcome this. /Hurriyet/[10] VOTE OF CONFIDENCE ON JUNE 9The programme of the 57th government will be read out at the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) on June 4. There will be discussions on the programme on June 7 while a vote of confidence will be held on June 9. /Sabah/[11] BAHCELI SAYS MHP WILL OBEY COALITION PROTOCOLDeputy Prime Minister and Nationalist Action Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahceli gave a speech during his party's Parliamentary Group meeting held yesterday. He stated that his party would obey the conditions of the coalition protocol and the government programme. Bahceli also remarked that coalition governments are based on conciliation and tolerance. /All papers/[12] FRANCE SUPPORTS TURKEY FOR EUFrench President Jacques Chirac and German Prime Minister Gerhard Schroeder have discussed the Turco-EU relations during the summit organized in Toulouse. According to Chirac's statement concerning this issue, the French President emphasized Schroder that the Cologne Summit on June 3-4 should constitute a good opportunity to transcend the current problems in the Turco-EU relations. It is reported that, during the meeting, Chirac referred to his deliberations with President Suleyman Demirel on May 5 in Paris and demanded that the German leader find a formula to revive the Turco-EU relations during the Cologne Summit. In addition, the French President demanded that the efforts needed for the fulfillment of the EU's responsibilities due to the Customs' Union Agreement between Turkey and the EU be completed as soon as possible. Meanwhile, it is reported that Chirac and Schroeder have also agreed on the implementation of a European defence structure independent from the US. /Aksam/[13] CEM PROPOSES GREECE COOPERATION AGAINST TERRORISMForeign Minister Ismail Cem has proposed cooperation with Greece to jointly combat terrorism, diplomatic sources said. In a May 26 letter to his counterpart George Papandreou, Cem stressed the need for improving Turco-Greek relations and cooperation in various sectors. Cem also stressed that Turkey and Greece should start a dialogue on jointly combating terrorism and even sign a bilateral agreement. /All papers/[14] SIX NEW MINE CLEARENCE VESSELS TO TURKISH NAVYThe contract meetings with the German Aeking-Rasmussen Consortium, which undertook the provision of six mine clearence vessels needed by the Turkish Navy, has been started. Officials from the Defence Industry Undersecretary remarked that the deliberations for the 632-million-dollar project would be completed as soon as possible. According to the project, the first vessel will be built abroad, whereas the rest five will be built in Turkish public and private shipyards via technology transfer. /Aksam/[15] HELICOPTER CRASHES INTO SEA, TWO SOLDIERS MISSINGA military helicopter crashed yesterday into the Marmara Sea, off Gebze some 40 kilometres southwest of Istanbul. Two soldiers were reported missing, while five were injured. The investigation into the reason for the crash is in progress, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[16] TWO SOLDIERS KILLEDA group of terrorists tried to launch an attack on a police headquarter in Cepkenli township of Van. At the end of the clashes between the soldiers and the terrorists, one soldier died and three were wounded. During another incident in Icpinar township of Bingol, a village-guard was killed by terrorists. /Hurriyet/[17] PKK DRUG SMUGGLERS CAPTUREDMembers of the PKK terrorist organization, Sadik Baydas and Nihat Durmus, who are supposed to be engaged in drug smuggling in Germany, have been captured. According to the 'Hamburger Abendblaat' newspaper, Baydas and Durmus were arrested. /Sabah/[18] BOMBERS CAPTUREDMembers of the Anti-Terrorism Department of Istanbul Security office have captured two terrorists of the illegal fundamentalist IBDA-C organization engaged in 10 bombing activities. Officials stated that a great deal of ammunition was also seized. /Sabah/[19] CHHIBBER: "THIS GOVERNMENT CAN REALIZE THE REFORMS"The Director of the World Bank to Turkey, Ajay Chhibber, said that the new government would realize the structural reforms. Chhibber remarked that the government headed by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit needs a period of time. He said: "The economic protocol of the new government is giving signals on important steps to be taken. It is evident that the Democratic Left Party (DSP)-Nationalist Action Party (MHP)-Motherland Party (ANAP) government is determined. If the government realizes the reforms, foreign investors will come to Turkey again and international influx will be ensured". /Sabah/[20] TUSIAD: "FOREIGN SOURCES WILL BEGIN TO COME IN OCTOBER"The Head of the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), Erkut Yucaoglu, pointed out that with the establishment of the new government, Turkey would be looking for foreign sources and Turkey had the chance for an agreement with the IMF. Yucaoglu said: "If an agreement is reached within two months, foreign sources will begin to arrive in Turkey in October". /Milliyet/[21] "THE GOVERNMENT AIMS TO DECREASE INFLATION"State Minister Tunca Toskay said that the coalition government's first target in economy is to decrease the inflation and to make the structural reforms in order to prevent budget deficit. Giving a statement to the Reuters News Agency at the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA), Toskay said that they would continue privatization in line with the present Privatization Law. /Hurriyet/[22] BAKU OIL PER BARREL $2.5It has been determined during meetings held in Baku last week on the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project which will transport Azerbaijani oil to world markets that the transit price will be $2.58 for each barrel. The Head of the SOCAR, the Azerbaijani State Oil Company, Natik Aliyev, remarked that the decision had been given during a meeting between the Turkish and Azerbaijani working groups on May 26. Aliyev pointed out they were expecting inter-governmental meetings, contract on the pipeline project and guarantee agreements to be realized. /Milliyet/[23] SPANISH TRADE FAIR EXPOTECNIA 1999 IN ISTANBULA Spanish trade fair that opened in Istanbul yesterday confirms the commitment of Spain to being a key trading partner of Turkey, Elena Pisonero, secretary of state for trade, tourism and small business, told a news conference in Istanbul yesterday. Some 300 high-tech Spanish industrial companies, seeking to do business with Turkey, are participating in the six-day trade fair, which opened at the World Trade Centre, next to Istanbul's Ataturk Airport. /All papers/[24] TREASURY AUTHORIZES CHASE AND MORGAN STANLEYConcrete steps are being taken in foreign borrowing by the Treasury. According to information received from banking circles, the Treasury authorized Chase and Morgan Stanley. It is expected that the amount will be initially $500 million and the term will be 10 years. It is reported that the interest of the bond exports will be nearly 12.3 %. /Sabah/[25] TURKISH DELEGATION IN CHINAA 55-person delegation under the coordination of the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat will go to China. During the visit to be paid on June 12-19 in order to increase Turkish exports to China, Turkish businessmen will hold meetings with their Chinese counterparts in Hong Kong and Shanghai. Seminars on the 'Turkish Economy, Joint Investment and Cooperation Opportunities" will also be held in China. /Sabah/[26] IMKB-LONDON COOPERATIONIstanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) and London Stock Exchange will sign a cooperation agreement today in Istanbul. According to the IMKB officials, IMKB Chairman, Osman Birsen, and London Stock Exchange Chairman, John Kemp Welch will sign the agreement. It is added that representatives both from Turkish and British financial market will attend the ceremony. /Hurriyet/[27] GARANTI BANK IN GERMANYThe central branch of Garanti Bank has been put into service in Dusseldorf-Schadowplatz in Germany. The General Director of Garanti Bank, Akin Ongor, remarked that they had great experience with the bank in Holland and that they would offer every kind of banking services to Turkish citizens in Germany with the central branch in Dusseldorf. /Sabah/[28] DISCUSSION FORUM ON 'TURKEY'S ROLE IN THE BALKANS'Turkey has an important role in the Balkans with a mission coming from the history, as it is stressed so during the discussion forum on 'Turkey's role in the Balkans' held by Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[29] A TOTAL OF $655 MILLION WORTH OF HAZELNUTS EXPORTEDA total of $655 million worth of hazelnuts was exported in nine months, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Officials from the Black Sea Hazelnut Exporters' Union said that a total of 159.5 tons of hazelnuts were exported in the period, starting from September 1, 1998, and ending on August 31, 1999.[30] EXPORTS FROM GAP REGIONThe exports of agricultural, animal and industrial products to 84 countries from the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region in the first four months of 1999 increased by 5.2 % to $182.8 million, the Anatolia News Agency reports. In the same period of last year, the region exported $173.7 million of agricultural, animal and industrial products to 62 countries.[31] BP AMACO LAUNCHES BREAKTHROUGH IN TURKEYBP Amaco, which has been active in Turkey for 87 years on importing, processing, storing, distributing and marketing of fuel oil and other oil products, will launch a breakthrough in the LPG market this year in Turkey. BP Amaco aims at a 100 % growth in the LPG market. /Milliyet/[32] BILICAN RECEIVES '1998 FRIENDSHIP AWARD'The International Police Association (IPA) will give the '1998 Friendship Award' to Turkish Security Chief, Necati Bilican. According to a written statement by the Security Office, IPA will give the award to Bilican due to his contributions to the establishment of the IPA Turkish Section. The award will be presented to Bilican during a ceremony to be held today in Ankara, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[33] DRUG OPERATION IN KOYCEGIZDuring an operation in the Koycegiz district of Mugla, 3.9 kilos of Indian hemp were seized by members of the gendarmerie command in Koycegiz. Four people were taken into custody regarding the incident, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[34] A TOTAL OF 3.9 MILLION BARRELS OF OILA total of 3.9 million barrels of crude oil were produced in the first five months of 1999 in Adiyaman, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Officials from the Turkish Petroleum Corp. (TPAO) said that 57 % of the oil production of Turkey is gained from 160 wells in Adiyaman and that a total of 26,000 barrels of high-gravity oil is obtained from these wells every day.[35] TURKISH AIRLINES IN MIAMIIt is reported that Turkish Airlines (THY) has started its `non-stop' flights between Istanbul and Miami. Yusuf Bolayirli, the General Director of the THY, said that the Miami line is the 72nd foreign flight point of Turkish Airlines. Bolayirli also remarked that the flights between Miami and Istanbul will be carried out via Airbus-340s which has recently joined the THY fleet. The flights will be made three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays mutually. /Aksam/[36] AWARD TO ERDEMIRIt is reported that the Eregli Iron and Steel Corp. (ERDEMIR) has been granted the `Golden Packaging' award and won the right to participate in the `World Star' competition to be organized in Buenos Aires. According to the statement issued by ERDEMIR, the corporation received full points for all criteria in the 12th Packaging Awards organized by the Packaging Research, Development and Experimentation Center of the Turkish Standards' Institute (TSE). /Cumhuriyet/[37] HEPATOLOGY CONGRESS IN ISTANBULThe Turco-German Hepatology and Gastroenterology Congress organized by Turkish and German medical scientists have started in the Crown Plaza in Istanbul yesterday. Prof. Dr. Ertugrul Goksoy, a scholar from the Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, said that Turkey has recently scored significant scientific developments despite the commonplace view in the international community. Meanwhile, in the Third National Hepatology Congress organized between May 27-29, Prof. Dr. Yilmaz Cakiroglu and his colleagues were granted the `Roche Liver Research Award'. /Cumhuriyet/[38] SIXTH INTERNATIONAL ASPENDOS OPERA AND BALLET FESTIVALThe sixth International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival will begin on June 12, the Anatolia News Agency reports. The Festival will end on July 10.[39] FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS[40] THE GIST OF THE MATTER - BY MUMTAZ SOYSAL (HURRIYET)Columnist Mumtaz Soysal comments on the trial of Ocalan. A summary of his column is as follows:"In the first day at the trial, the defence of Ocalan carries various and conflicting elements. Threats and feelings of surrender, the past and the future are intertwined. The interesting part of his statement concerns the foreign dimension of the problem. It may be easy to understand his views concerning the stances of Russia, Italy, Greece and even Syria for not implementing the requirements of international law. What is more important is his words on the foreign factors seen in the first years and recent history of the Republic. Ocalan said, " Only the roof of the democratic Republic can protect us...I am asking the members of the PKK why they are fighting with weapons instead of ideas. I repeat, I do not want a separate Kurdish State. I want democracy in Turkey to be widened. " Explaining why they were right in engaging in a rebellion, in his own words, Ocalan said that the process lived through in 1925 was brought to the agenda from 1993 onwards. He added that there was a more dangerous, deeper conflict today than it had been in 1925. Ocalan went on to say that Turkey's territorial integrity was important and that Britain took over Musul and Kirkuk with such ploys. If you add these to his words the most meaningful part of his statement can be understood. "The agreement reached in Washington concerning Northern Iraq in 1998 should be known for what it is. From 1993 onwards England permitted the developments in Iraq." The problem was clear, but for the first time it is being clearly stated by the most responsible man of the organization at a time when he needs foreign shields and umbrellas the most. Can his accusations against foreign powers and explanation of the ploys over the Kurdish people played from the beginning of the century with clarity be only interpreted as an attempt to affect the Turkish high offices and gain sympathy through them? These states he is accusing are supposed to be the most credible, loyal allies of Turkey. Or can it be viewed as the psychology of those arrested who view everyone as traitors. This trial will carry characteristics which will show the difficulties faced by the Turkish foreign policy. Maybe, this is the most important part of his statement which should be analyzed with all its actors and details. The rest is a similar terror story seen in other places however bloody or bitter it may be." [41] OCALAN, LAW AND POLITICS - BY DOGAN HEPER (MILLIYET)Dogan Heper, a columnist in the 'Milliyet' daily, says the following in his article today: "The Judge read the indictment yesterday. Ocalan made his defence. The rest is the decision to be given. Meanwhile, if an amendment on the structure of State Security Courts (DGMs) is enacted, the trial will continue in line with this amendment. It is not possible to understand the reaction of some Europeans, especially that of the Italians. According to D'Alema, Ocalan's trial is not in line with the European legal system. We ask D'Alema: 'Ocalan was in Italy before Turkey. What haven't you tried him?'The first hearing showed the whole world that the trial will be fair. Will the decision also be fair? Let those who criticize Turkey and especially D'Alema answer this question. If they were the ones who tried Ocalan who had confessed that the PKK had carried out many activities even more than those mentioned in the indictment, what would be their decision? The structure of DGMs should be amended before the trial ends. What will be the result of this trial? Ocalan is being tried according to the 125th article of the Turkish Criminal Code. His sentence is death penalty. However, Turkey has not been implementing death penalty since 1984. Turkey has also promised the Council of Europe that death penalties will not be executed. The legal decision is certain and easy; the political decision is hard... However, Turkey always managed to overcome the difficulties". [42] * * * *[43] SPECIAL KOSOVO[44] FIGHTING SPILLS INTO ALBANIAFighting spilled across the Kosovo frontier into Albania early yesterday as NATO warplanes apparently bombed government bunkers by mistake and villagers fled Serb shelling. NATO jets continued their attacks against Serb border positions through much of the night, following intense air strikes and clashes yesterday between Serbian forces and members of the Kosovo Liberation Army.In Tirana, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said Serb gunners overnight shelled Albanian artillery positions and bunkers along the border, damaging the police station at Morini. It was unclear how much damage was caused by NATO and how much by Yugoslav artillery. /All papers/ [45] NUMBER OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES IN TURKEY INCREASESThe number of Kosovar refugees who were forced to leave their homes due to ethnic-cleansing campaign in Kosovo, and took shelter in Turkey, increased to 16,758, the Anatolia News Agency reports. The Ministry of the Interior issued a statement saying that 7,233 Kosovar refugees have been provided shleters in the Gaziosmanpasa Refugee Camp in Kirklareli.[46] TURKISH F-16 WARPLANESTurkish F-16 warplanes that participate in NATO's air strikes against Yugoslavia accumulated a total of 1,796 flight hours, the Anatolia News Agency reports. The General Staff Information Centre issued a statement saying that the Turkish F-16 warplanes which are deployed at the Ghedi Air Base in Italy, stayed in air for 32 hours on May 31.END Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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