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Turkish Press Review, 99-06-08Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>08.06.99Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] DIRECTORATE-GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION MARKS 79TH ANNIVERSARY[02] MILOSEVIC AWARE OF WHAT KIND OF A FATE EXPECTS HIM - BY SEMIH IDIZ (STAR)[03] OCALAN TRIAL RESUMES TODAYThe State Security Court (DGM) will resume hearings against the head of the PKK terrorist organization, Abdullah Ocalan, today after a three-day recess. The Court will hear the closing arguments of the prosecution on the sixth day of the trial, which is expected to be concluded by the end of the month. /All papers/[04] VOTE OF CONFIDENCE TO BE HELD TOMORROWThe vote of confidence in the 57th Turkish government consisting of the Democratic Left Party (DSP), the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) and the Motherland Party (ANAP) will be held on Wednesday. It is expected that the new government will easily obtain the vote of confidence. The number of votes needed is 276, while the number of deputies from these three parties already exceeds this figure. /Milliyet/[05] ECEVIT EVALUATES GOVERNMENT AGENDAPrime Minister Bulent Ecevit has evaluated the 57th Coalition Government's Agenda before the Turkish Grand National Assembly's (TGNA) General Council saying that the world does not consist only of Europe. He added that in the future the European Union would voluntarily offer EU membership to Turkey, which has been improving as a power in her region. Ecevit said, "With its culture, history and geography Turkey is a European country but she is also a Central Asian, Middle Eastern, Eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea, Balkan and partly an African country. She is the key country in Eurasia." Ecevit claimed that Greece mesmerized the EU in its decisions making process.Regarding the economy, the Prime Minister noted that political stability would bring economic stability. Ecevit said, "The government will make much-needed structural reforms. However, the private sector should contribute to the efforts of the government." Finally, he evaluated the Ocalan trial saying that it was the pride of Turkey. He noted, "The Turkish judicial system in the Imrali case runs as an example to the world." /Aksam/ [06] TSK: STRUGGLE AGAINST TERRORISM WILL CONTINUEThe Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) yesterday categorically denied having any contact or meetings with the PKK terrorist organization. A written statement issued by the General Secretariat of the Office of General Staff yesterday said that the TSK would continue with its determined struggle against terrorism with the support of the Turkish nation.During the hearings last week, Abdullah Ocalan claimed a military officer had contacted the PKK in Europe and peace moves were allegedly discussed. The TSK statement said that it had never accepted the PKK as a counterpart in any form. /Hurriyet/ [07] FIVE TERRORISTS CAPTUREDIt is reported that a suicide attack planned by the PKK terrorist organization against the Republican Train in Erzurum on June 5-6 was prevented at the last minute. Members from the Security Office and Gendarmerie in Erzurum captured five terrorists including two women in the Horasan district on June 3.Meanwhile, a terrorist from the illegal DHKP-C organization, Cem Selcuk Akgul, who was to attack the US Consulate-General in Istanbul, but was killed during a conflict with the police, was buried yesterday. The Police took strict security measures during the funeral after which nearly 150 people were taken into custody. /Hurriyet/ [08] GERMAN FOCUS: "DEATH PENALTY IS THE MOST JUST DECISION"The German "Focus" magazine is extremely interested in the Abdullah Ocalan trial and has claimed that the most just decision for Ocalan would be the death penalty. The magazine noted that it seems that a decision other than the death penalty would be impossible. Also, it added, PKK members were furious at Abdullah Ocalan for trying to save himself only.Another German magazine, "Der Spiegel" reported that Ocalan has been exerting every effort "to prevent his head being cut off". The magazine praised Turkish judges, and especially Judge Turgut Okyay during the Ocalan trial. It added that since the beginning of the trial no mishaps have occured. /Aksam/ [09] GREEK PEACE CALLWhile the Greek Defence Minister Akis Cuhacopulos is making calls to the new Turkish government established by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to continue to 'soften Turco-Greek relations', the Greek Deputy Defence Minister Dimitris Apostolakis has made some confusing remarks and said that they would not permit the passage of the Turkish peace force over their lands on its way to Kosovo. Apostolakis said that Turkish troops could go to Kosovo via Bulgaria. Meanwhile, Cuhacopulos stressed that the policies of Turkey and Greece on Kosovo were close to each other and said: "Both countries do not want the Kosovo crisis to spread. Furthermore, the two countries say that the borders in the Balkans should be protected". /Hurriyet/[10] ITALY PROMPTS CRISIS AGAINItaly, which was faced with a commercial embargo by Turkey at the beginning of 1999 because of the Ocalan crisis, has prompted another crisis by taking the decision to deliver its Aspide missiles to the Greek-Cypriot Administration. Italy, which has suspended the delivery of the Aspide anti-aircraft missiles to the Greek-Cypriots, has changed its mind and decided to send the missiles to Southern Cyprus. On the other hand, Turkey protested against the Italian plans under the auspices of the UN, rebuking the Italian government and urging it to refrain from taking steps which will exacerbate any friction between the two countries. /Hurriyet/[11] US INVITATION FOR ECEVITIt is expected that after the new Turkish government headed by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit obtains the vote of confidence on Wednesday, the US administration will convey a congratulatory message to Ecevit and invite him to the White House. US diplomatic sources say that even though Ecevit and the US administration have previously held differing opinions on the Iraqi issue, Turco-US cooperative efforts are successfully continuing in Iraq and Kosovo. /Milliyet/[12] GEORGIAN AND ABKHAZIAN ENVOYS IN ISTANBULGeorgian President Eduard Shevardnadze said he was not optimistic about the talks with the separatist province Abkhazia that began yesterday in Istanbul, and warned that his government might take 'other steps' if negotiations fail. "I do not expect any breakthrough at the talks, but talks in general are very important and we should proceed with them", Shevardnadze said. The three-day talks between Georgian and Abkhazian envoys began in Istanbul yesterday to discuss ways towards a political settlement between the central government and the separatist province.Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, who delivered the opening speech at the peace talks, called on the parties for a negotiated solution emphasizing that peace in Georgia was extremely significant for the whole region given the planned oil pipeline routes. /All papers/ [13] SEAWOLF-99 CONTINUESSeawolf-99, one of the Turkish Navy's planned exercises, is underway in the Southern Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean; the first harbour visit by those vessels participating in the manoeuvres was paid to Antalya yesterday. During the speech he has delivered during the ceremony held in Antalya Harbour, Ilhami Erdil, the Commander of the Navy, said, "This is the largest national manoeuvre carried out by Turkish military forces every year. We have carried out an outstandingly successful, useful training so far. During this period, we have observed the capabilities of those warships which have recently joined our navy. I want to emphasize that, today the Turkish Navy has reached a level sufficient to fulfill any kind of mission both nationally and within the framework of NATO." /Turkiye/[14] NEW NAMES IN ANAP CHAIRMANSHIP COUNCILThe Motherland Party (ANAP) Decision and Administration Board has named six new members to its Chairmanship Council, the Anatolia News Agency reports. ANAP's Organization Chairmanship will be divided into two different sections. One will be called 'Youth and Organization' and will be chaired by Ersin Taranoglu, and the other will be known as 'Election and Organization Works' and will be chaired by Mustafa Tasar. Ahad Andican will be Deputy Chairman while Bulent Akarcali will deal with media relations.[15] IMF DELEGATION TO VISIT TURKEYAn IMF delegation, headed by Turkey-Desk Chief Carlo Cottarelli, and the Fund's Executive Director for the European region, Willy Kiekens, are to visit Turkey soon. Kiekens told the Anatolia News Agency that he would be present during the last part of the meetings to be held on June 15-28. The talks between Turkey and the IMF delegation will be held within the guidelines of regular consultation meetings and may serve as the basis for a new agreement between the Turkish government and the IMF, Kiekens pointed out. The period of the 18-month staff monitoring agreement which Turkey and the IMF had previously signed will conclude at the end of June.[16] TURKEY'S 1999 DRAFT BUDGET BACK AT PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSIONMinister of Finance, Sumer Oral, presented the draft bill for the 1999 budget to the Budget Commission yesterday. The budget includes a spending of TL 23.65 quadrillion for 1999 and an estimated deficit of TL 5.52 quadrillion. The growth rate of the Gross National Product (GNP) is estimated as 3.0 %, the GDP deflator as 44 % and the inflation rate for consumer goods as 44.4 %. Discussions on the 1999 draft budget will continue in the Budget Commission on Thursday. /All papers/[17] BANKING DRAFT LAW SENT TO SUB-COMMISSIONThe Banking Draft Law has been passed on by the Turkish Parliament's Planning and Budget Commission to the Sub-Commission. State Minister Hikmet Ulugbay stated that the draft law prepared during the 55th government's term in office was literally adopted. Ulugbay remarked that the Turkish banking system should be supervised by an independent and autonomous High Council as in other modern countries. The Banking Draft Law will be discussed on Wednesday. /Hurriyet/[18] BANKS OVERCOME CRISISIt is reported that the contraction which had been experienced in the Turkish banking system following the crisis of 1994 was over by the end of 1998. According to a report prepared by the Treasury, the overall balance sheet of the banking system by the end of 1998 rose by 86.5% with an increase from 19.7 quadrillion TL to 36.8 quadrillion TL compared to 1997. In the report, it was observed that the share of public and foreign deposit banks in the banking system increased while that of private deposit banks decreased in 1998. Furthermore, it is reported that the net profits of the banking system in 1998 reached 1.165 quadrillion TL, which corresponds to a 42% real increase. /Turkiye/[19] TURKEY'S SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC VENTURESTurkey has been planning new ventures to remove regional development differences. The State Planning Organization (DTP) is continuing its research into new projects. The Regional Development drive started with the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) and is continuing with the Eastern Anatolia Project (DAP), the Eastern Black Sea Regional Development Venture (DOKAP) and the Yesilirmak Basin Development Plan.The total cost of the GAP project is $ 32 billion. As for 1998, 42.8 % of the venture was completed at a cost of $ 13.7 billion. Within the GAP Project eight dams, two Hydro-electric production facilities and 10 irrigation projects have already been completed. The DAP project comprises the regions of Agri, Bayburt, Gumushane, Bingol, Bitlis, Elazig, Erzincan, Erzurum, Hakkari, Kars, Ardihan, Igdir, Malatya, Mus, Tunceli and Van. The main outline studies on the DAP are expected to be completed in April 2000. Additionally, the DOKAP venture envisages a short and long-term regional development and integration initiative for project will be prepared towards Artvin, Bayburt, Giresun, Gumushane, Ordu, Rize and Trabzon. Finally, the Yesilirmak Basin Development Plan, including Amasya, Corum, Samsun, Tokat and Yozgat, aims to benefit from the natural resources of the Yesilirmak Basin both rationally and economically. /Sabah/ [20] DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN INVESTORS REQUIRE REFORMS IN ECONOMYBoth Turkish and foreign investors have said that the government should rapidly implement structural measures in order to accelerate development. The inflation rate announced last week created a positive response in economic circles. They stressed that sustainable economic development in Turkey could only be achieved by making structural reforms. /Sabah/[21] SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM TO BE HANDLED AFTER ILO CONVENTIONLabour and Social Security Minister Yasar Okuyan said that he will meet with labour and employer representatives in order to prepare and enact the social security reform draft law as soon as possible after his return from the meeting of the International Labour Organization (ILO) which he is currently attending. Okuyan told the Anatolia News Agency that he would present a report on social security reform to each party chairman in the coalition, and asserted confidence that a consensus would be reached. Okuyan is in Geneva for the 87th conference of the ILO.[22] NEW PROJECTS TO DOUBLE ELECTRICITY PRODUCTIONFour power plants which were built under the build-operate-transfer system will be followed by 30 new power plants to be built using the same model. When these projects are put into operation, Turkey's current electricity production will be doubled, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[23] 40 MILLION EURO LOANWith an agreement signed between the Turkish Industry Development Bank (TSKB), Industrial Investment Bank (SYB) and European Investment Bank (AYB) a total loan of 40 million Euro has been received. According to the TSKB the industrial heat and electricity production will be used to support private energy investments. Investors are required to produce clean energy in order to meet their own needs. Firms which would like to benefit from this financial support should be in the production group. It also reported that the credit received by the European Investment Bank was guaranteed by the Treasury. /Cumhuriuey/[24] "BUILD-OPERATE-TRANSFER" SYSTEM FOR ENERGYOne power station in Gebze, two in Marmara Eregli and one in Esenyurt have already been completed along "build-operatE-transfer" lines. It is expected that 30 more power stations, which have been approved by the Council of State, will be constructed following the "build-operate-transfer" model. From this, annual electric production in Turkey will be doubled and will rise to 84.3 billion kw_hr. According to the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, 15 construction projects, with a total 42.3 billion kw/hr energy production potential, are still being evaluated. //Cumhuriyet/[25] EFES BEER FACTORY IN MOSCOWThe Efes Beer Factory, the biggest investment by the Anadolu Group abroad, went into operation in Moscow. The total investment cost will rise from $80 million to $140 million due to the planned increase in production capacity at the Moscow Efes Beer Factory in the future. The factory currently has a production capacity of 150 million litres and will double its capacity thus providing employment for more than 500 people. The official opening of the factory will be in September. Moscow Mayor Yuriy Mihailovic Lujkov attended yesterday's ceremony. The Anadolu Group has a total of eight beer production facilities including five in Turkey, one in Kazakhstan, one in Romania and one in Moscow. /Hurriyet/[26] EXPORTER'S BASE IN MOSCOWThe Turco-Russian Trade Centre is going to be opened on 23rd of June in Moscow.The centre will be a permanent exhibition and many sectors will be able to exhibit their product, from textiles to cars, from construction materials to foodstuffs. /Star/[27] CENTRAL BANK DISCUSSION PANELThe Central Bank will organize a discussion panel on 'Money-Laundering and Counter-Measures' on June 10. During the panel, money-laundering, national and international arrangements to prevent or halt these activities and problems encountered during the implementation of the agreements will be aired. /Hurriyet/[28] CARREFOURSA LAYS FOUNDATION OF ITS THIRD BRANCH IN TURKEYCarrefourSa's second investment in an Istanbul shopping mall was marked with a ceremony held yesterday at which the head of Sabanci Holding, Sakip Sabanci, said that his company's French partner in the venture, Carrefour, had shown with its new investment that it is not afraid to take risks in Turkey.Sabanci stated that Carrefour will support Turkish causes such as EU accession and stressed that only in Turkey has the French company, which has 353 branches in 20 countries, agreed to combine its name with that of another company. /All papers/ [29] DIRECTORATE-GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION MARKS 79TH ANNIVERSARYOn the occasion of the 79th anniversary of the establishment of the Directorate-General of Press and Information (BYEGM), State Minister Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, BYEGM General Director Aydin Sezgin and high-level officials paid a visit to Ataturk's Mausoleum, the Anatolia News Agency reports. President Suleyman Demirel sent a telegraph to State Minister Irtemcelik congratulating BYEGM on its 79th anniversary. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit also issued a message.[30] INTERNATIONAL JOURNALISTS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN GAZIANTEPThe Turco-European Union Journalists' Conference will be held between 21-22 June in Gaziantep, reported the Anatolian News Agency. Mesut Olcal, the General Secretary of the Gaziantep Trade Chamber (GTO) said that 25 journalists from EU member countries, EU candidate countries and Turkey would attend the Conference. Olcal noted that during the Conference journalists from different countries would exchange views on different issues.[31] U.S. CORRESPONDENT JON ALBERT IN TURKEYWorld-famous American war correspondent and producer of television programmes Jon Albert delivered a speech on "Modern Technology in the Media" yesterday at the Journalists' Association in Istanbul. It was the first leg of his lecture tour of Turkey. It is announced that Albert will gave his lecture conference today at the Ugur Mumcu Research Foundation. /Cumhuriyet/[32] SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EASTERN MEDITERRANEANThe Ari Action Strategic Studies Centre and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation will organize an international conference concerning, "Security and Cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean". During the forum the strategic importance and the problems of the region will be discussed by domestic and foreign experts. The discussions will be held between 9-10 June in Istanbul. /Cumhuriyet/[33] GEOLOGY AWARD FOR TURKISH PROFESSORTurhan Taner, a professor at the Houston Rice University in the US, has been presented with the International Geology Award in Helsinki, Finland by the European Geological Engineers' Association. /Hurriyet/[34] KIRKPINAR WRESTLING IS A WORLD EVENTKirkpinar Wrestling has been mentioned in the "Independent on Sunday" newspaper's " Travelling Addition" among the events occuring this month around the world. In the article, Kirkpinar Wrestling was explained was sport taking place in Kirkpinar, used as a hunting area by the Ottoman Sultans. The other events mentioned are Hampton Court Festival in England, King Kamehameha Day in Hawaii,the Firefly Festival in South Korea, the Vasco da Gama Festival in India. Another article in the Sunday supplement of the "Sunday Times" newspaper is about small bays in Turkey including both photographs and maps. /Hurriyet/[35] TURQUIE LA BELLE GROUP IN SOUTH AMERICAThe Turquie La Belle Group went to South America to attend the celebrations to mark the 700th anniversary of the establishment of the Ottoman Empire. The Group which had previously taken part in events organized by the Foreign Ministry's Culture Department will stage cultural demonstrations in Mexico, Chile, Argentine and Brazil. /Hurriyet/[36] ANKARA STATE THEATRE IN BULGARIAAnkara State Theatre is on tour in Bulgaria. The theatre group will stage "Happy End" by Brecht today in Sofia and on Thursday in Kircaali. The play will be directed by Yucel Erten. /Cumhuriyet/[37] TURKISH SCULPTURER IN AMSTERDAMSculpturer Isik Tuzuner will exhibit her recent works at the Suzanne Biederbery Art Gallery in Amsterdam. The exhibition will end on 23 June. After graduating from Istabul Fine Arts Faculty, Tuzuner continued her academic career at the Amsterdam Gerrit Rietveld Acadaey. She uses cardboard, lead, aluminium and steel in her works. /Cumhuriyet/[38] FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS[39] IN SHORT... - BY OKTAY EKSI (HURRIYET)Oktay Eksdi, a columnist for `Hurriyet', reflects on the trial of Ocalan, the chief of the terrorist PKK, and the attitude of the Western world to the case. Eksi writes:"The trial of Ocalan continues today, and if an unexpected situation does not occur, it will not take long for the judges to reach a decision. These are what we can call, the `already known' facts. What is unknown are the expectations of different parties from this trial. Indeed, one can guess the `legal' consequence of the trial, since the laws are quite clear. The relevant article of the Turkish Penal Code reads, `One who commits an act which aims to put part or whole of the state's territory under the sovereignty of a foreign state, or to limit the independence of the state, or to destroy the unity of the state, or to separate part of the territory under the state's rule from state administration, will be sentenced to death'. This precept has been written as if with regard to this trial... Nevertheless, it is the court's task to interpret this article. What we -and generally everbody- are concerned with is the `political' dimension of this trial. We have some observations to make here. In the first place, there is a `common' Western viewpoint toward this case not simply due to this particular trial but due to the terrorism which has been prevailing for the last 15 years. It is possible to trace the roots of this viewpoint to the Sevres Treaty in 1920. This is because, among the anticipations of the Serves Treaty, Armenia has already been established, if not according to the formula set down in the treaty. Yet there is no Kurdistan. Moreover, the Lausanne Treaty still disturbs the West; what will ease the pains of the Western countries is to achieve the last goal of the Serves. However, there are two approaches to this goal: Europe has set its hopes upon the success of the PKK. On the other hand, the US wants to reach the same goal without Ocalan or the PKK. Indeed, what Ocalan is faced with indicates that we are still watching the US scenario being played out. Let me remind you that in September 1998, Talabani and Barzani, the leaders of the two Kurdish groups in Northern Iraq, met in Washington and signed an agreement. Hence, an unnamed `statification' process began in Northern Iraq. Right after that development, things moved forward quickly. In early October, Turkey threatened Syria to extradite Ocalan to Turkey; thereby, Ocalan was forced to leave Syria. Consequently, all subsequent developments have shown us that it has already been decided to `finish' Ocalan and the PKK. Therefore, the resistance of those PKK militants is mere foolishness, since the game is already over. Yet one should not misunderstand this observation. The common goal of the West has not changed. As far as we can see, Ocalan has realized this as well. Thus, he is concerned with the `political' aspects of the question rather than its `legal' aspects. He thinks that whatever may happen to him, the result will not change. He strives to provoke pressure from the West, especially from the US, and tries to remain one among the actors. And we are watching whether he will succeed or not." [40] AFTER THE SUMMIT IN COLOGNE - BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)Columnist Sami Kohen comments on the recent Summit of EU countries held in Cologne. A summary of his column is as follows:"Turkish officials are in search of a new policy following the Cologne Summit where no results were achieved concerning Turkey's candidacy for full-membership of the EU. The fact that there was no mention of Turkey in the final communique has been a disappointment to both officials and the general public. This has created ample opportunity for those who do not look favourably upon our ties with the EU, to renew their view that it is time to severe those ties. However, this is not the official standpoint. In other words, official circles who are evaluating this issue intend neither to withdraw our application for membership, nor to quit fighting over the issue. A decision to retract our application for membership may reflect the bitterness which has been created in the public eye by the prejudices, ulterior motives, and intolerance displayed by the Union. Certainly, such defiance may flatter public pride...However, such a stand will not be in the interests of Turkey in the final analysis. It is a matter of choice and involves Turkey's direction concerning both political geography and her interests on the threshold of the 21st century. If this choice is taken in favour of the EU, which is steadily becoming a great power, the fight should be continued even under the most difficullt circumstances. The value of our other choices versus this one should be reassessed. At the Summit in Cologne the EU took an important step towards forming a defence structure like that of NATO. This system is called the European Security and Defence Identity and will embrace the Western European Union (WEU). Therefore, the members of the WEU will have a place in this organization. Turkey, if she cannot become a member of the EU, will not be able to enter the consulting and decision-making mechanism of this organization even though she is an associate member of the WEU. At the Summit in Cologne no promise was given to Turkey. Instead it was decided to continue with the meetings. Turkey's membership of the EU is of great importance due to this development. Turkey is a country who wants to play a role in the fields of security and defence in the region, especially in the Balkans and the Caucasus. To be excluded from the EU, which is trying to add military strength to its economic power, will restrict Ankara's role and influence in this issue. It is of the utmost importance for Turkey to enter an integration process with the EU. [41] SPECIAL KOSOVO[42] NATO INTENSIFIES AIR STRIKESNATO warplanes struck targets in Kosovo yesterday in intensified air strikes against Yugoslavia, after talks on implementing a Kosovo peace plan collapsed and left the entire settlement in question. US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright arrived for talks with foreign ministers from Russia and the other members of the G-8, which drew up the principles of the Kosovo peace plan. Pentagon Spokesman Kenneth Bacon said the Yugoslav troop withdrawal would be brought up at the G-8 meeting in Bonn, which aims to draw up a suggested UN resolution endorsing the peace plan. /All papers/[43] MILOSEVIC AWARE OF WHAT KIND OF A FATE EXPECTS HIM - BY SEMIH IDIZ (STAR)Columnist Semih Idiz comments on the recent developments concerning the war in Kosovo. A summary of his column is as follows:"It is clear that Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic is still resorting to delaying tactics by saying that he has accepted the peace plan proposed by the G-8, thus increasing the hopes for the ending of the Kosovo crisis as soon as possible. The meeting held by NATO and Serbian military officials at the Macedonian border bore no results. The only aim of this meeting was to discuss how the Serbian forces would withdraw from Kosovo in line with the G-8 plan. When the Serbian side tried to turn this into a technical negotiation process NATO rejected it and the meetings were halted. Milosevic who has insisted on sticking to his guns despite the destruction suffered by the vital infrastructure in his country, has proven everyone right who doubted that a result was within reach. Milosevic wants to gain time by using the flexible statements in the G-8 plan and is trying to gage the restlessness his acceptance of the G-8 plan has created in the general public. He is aware that not NATO but the developments within his country will decide his fate. Today, despite its calm exterior, underneath Yugoslavia is boiling. The factors which hinder people from taking to the streets are the police force loyal to Milosevic and the collective hatred towards NATO. One of the leading Serbian politicians, Vuk Draskovic, says that when the threat of NATO is removed the country may find itself in the midst of a civil war. In another development, Milosevic has been pushed into a corner by the indictment of an international court as the chief criminal in the crimes committed against humanity in Kosovo. Therefore, he has nothing to do but resort to delaying tactics. However, no one believes him any more. NATO says that its patience is wearing thin and Milosevic would lead his country into disaster by using these tactics. The first message on the issue has been given by the use of American B-52s. Only a military victory in Kosovo can save Milosevic and in these circumstances it seems impossible. However, the Serbian leader is forcing his luck as he knows what kind of a fate awaits him after such a crisis." Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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