THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ATHENS BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit sent a congratulatory message to
Ariel Sharon upon winning recent elections in Israel. Wishing
Sharon success in establishing a government, Ecevit stated ,"I
hope we will work together to improve the Turco-Israeli relations
during your term in office." Ecevit added, "I also hope your
government will contribute to the Middle East peace process.
/Cumhuriyet/
'For the Memory of Armenians who died for France during the war'
is inscribed on the Mausoleum, constructed for the Armenians, who
fought with France against Turkey in World War I. On one side of
the Mausoleum, next to the inscription in French and Armenian,
the cities where the Armenians fought and died for France are
listed. The names of those cities are as follows: Adana, Maras,
Antep, Agri, Canakkale, Thessaloniki and Manastir. Umit Sen, who
became an Armenian citizen and is a graduate of the Turkish
Military College, said while enacting the so-called Armenian
genocide bill, France was forgetting its own history. Sen added,
"While enacting such laws, France should consider its own history
first. France who put the native Armenians on the war field and,
thus, carried out the real massacre, does not have the right to
give us lessons on human rights. Between 1914 and 1918, more than
120,000 Armenians were forced to wear the French uniform and to
fight against the Ottoman Empire, of which they were citizens."
/Hurriyet/
France is still indifferent to Ankara's reaction to the approval
of the so-called Armenian genocide. French Prime Minister Lionel
Jospin has not replied to the letter sent by Prime Minister
Bulent Ecevit in the beginning of January. Reportedly the French
Ministry of Foreign Affairs prepared a reply letter two weeks ago
but Jospin has not signed it. France's Ambassador to Ankara,
Bernard Garcia, traveled to Paris for consultations about the
latest developments concerning latest Turco-French relations.
Turkey is expecting France to show her good will in
reestablishing bilateral relations. Meanwhile, Armenian President
Robert Kocharian traveled to France for a 5-day official visit.
Answering questions from the French daily Le Figaro, Kocharian
said Armenia got closer to Russia to maintain an equilibrium in
the region as they had a security issue with Turkey. Stating the
initiatives on the Armenian genocide were began by the Armenian
diaspora, Kocharian said the Armenian government considered the
issue to be one of the most important elements of their foreign
policy. Stating Armenia would not officially demand land from
Turkey, Kocharian said, "However, the victims of the genocide
might personally demand indemnity from Turkey." Kocharian met
with French President Jacques Chirac yesterday and is expected to
meet with Prime Minister Jospin today. /Cumhuriyet/
It was reported the decree on the so-called Greek genocide, which
damaged the rapprochement period between Turkey and Greece, has
been changed. According to the Greek daily Eksusia, there was no
statement on "genocide" when the decree was first prepared in
1998. On the first draft form of the decree, approved by the
Greek Parliament, it was stated Greece and Turkey were at war and
while both sides had made mistakes, the future generations should
avoid repeating them. Eksusia columnist, Nikos Giorgiadis noted
the changes to the decree and said they should be explained.
According to the Greek press, the Greek Administration committed
a grave mistake in bringing the decree, which also shocked
diplomatic circles in Athens, into the agenda during the
rapprochement period. /Cumhuriyet/
A British parliamentarian presented a motion to recognize the
"Turkish Cypriot Genocide" perpetrated by the Greek Cypriots in
1964, 1967 and 1974. Northern Ireland Union Party Strangford
Deputy John Taylor called on the British government to recognize
the Turkish-Cypriot Genocide. Taylor said details of the genocide
could be found in Harry-Scott-Gibbons' book entitled "Genocide
File". Stating the English archives also proved the genocide,
Taylor said British newspapers of that period gave wide coverage
to the Greek-Cypriot cruelties with photographs. Taylor demanded
those responsibles for this savagery who are still living on the
island, be brought before the law. /Cumhuriyet/
The Europan Parliament General Council will vote on the framework
convention document concerning financial cooperation with Turkey
on February 15. There will be a discussion on the issue February
14. The framework convention document is considered to be the
legal base of Turkey's Accession Partnership Document. The report
prepared by the Austrian socialist parliamentarian Johannes
Swoboda, stated Turkey should be treated equally with other
countries, and consequently Turkey should have the right to make
use of all EU programs concerning financial matters. /Turkiye/
The dialogue process between Iran and Turkey is beginning. While
departing for an official visit to Teheran, Minister of Foreign
Affairs Ismail Cem gave a statement on the plane and said, "We
are planning to start a new process of dialogue with Iran." Cem
also answered a question concerning the claims that Iran wants to
export some regimes to Turkey. Answering this question, Cem said,
"No one is strong enough to export a regime to Turkey. Cem said,
"Turkey is planning to take new steps in the fields of politics,
security and economy with Iran, which is working to renew itself
in the political arena. While answering a question concerning a
file on the Hizbullah terrorist organization, Cem said, "The file
was prepared by the Ministry of the Interior and these issues
were discussed by the Supreme Security Committee established
between the two countries." Cem added that good relations between
Turkey and Iran brought an element of confidence in the region.
/Aksam/
Deputy Chairmen of the coalition parties proposed the opposition
parties to discuss 27 draft laws, which the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) attached importance to. The discussions will
be held everyday between 14 and 24, including the weekends, by
the 1st of March. Electricity Market Draft Law, Personnel
Retirement Savings and Investment System Draft Law, Sugar Market
Draft Law and some draft laws for the clearance of some funds are
among the draft laws planned to be enacted in the Plenary Session
of the Turkish Grand National Assembly. /Aksam/
The Greek-Cypriot daily Simerini stated the American Ambassador
to Greek Cypriot Administration, Donald Bandler proposed a
solution based on the establishment of two separate states to the
Greek-Cyriot leader Glafkos Clerides. However, Clerides stated
his disappointment with those Cypriot circles supporting this
idea. /Turkiye/
Turkish Armenian Patriarch Mesrob Mutafian will visit President
Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Speaker of the Turkish Grand National
Assembly (TGNA) Omer Izgi, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and the
Chief of the General Staff General Huseyin Kivrikoglu. In a
statement issued by the Armenian Patriarch, Deputy Patriarch
Arcbishop Sahan Sivaciyan and the Chairman of Clerical Council
Episkopos Aram Ates will accompany Mutafian during his visits.
The actions of the Armenian Diaspora, which brought the so-called
Armenian claims to the agendas of various countries will be
discussed. /Aksam/
It was learned that Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev has
postponed his visit to Turkey. This would have been his first
visit since Ahmet Necdet Sezer had been elected President.
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated the visit
was postponed. So it didn't coincide with the Festival, and to
prepare a more comprehensive itinerary. Aliyev's visit, which was
planned to last for two days, will be extended. /Aksam/
A traffic accident involving a Mercedes Benz and a truck, which
occured in the Susurluk district of Balikesir on Nov. 3, 1996,
sent Turkey into a long-lasting shock over the shady relations
between police officers, politicians and crime bosses which were
revealed during the course of the investigation. After the
Susurluk incident, in which two deputies of the True Path Party
(DYP), one of whom had also served as interior minister, were
implicated, the prosecutor filed charges of infiltration state by
illegal gangs for 14 people, eight of whom were members of
special police forces. The case ended yesterday with sentences
that may be considered steep according to the Turkish Penal Code.
Ibrahim Sahin, former Chairman of the Special Action Force of the
Security Office, and Korkur Erken, former National Intelligence
Organization (MIT) member, received six-year prison sentences
each. /Turkish Daily News/
Russian Minister of Interior Affairs Vladimir Rushaylo arrived in
Ankara to hold official contacts. It was stated the joint fight
against crime would be the main topic of his meetings. Russia is
more in favour of cooperating with Turkey on the fight against
terrorism than in recent years. /Cumhuriyet/
Iranian Press stated Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's visit
helped improve bilateral relations between Turkey and Iran. Iran
News claimed Teheran was waiting for President Ahmet Necdet
Sezer's visit. The daily also stated, "Iran wants to improve her
relations with Turkey. We must emphasize our common points and
common interests." /Cumhuriyet/
The fourth annual tripartite summit between the Presidents of
Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania is slated to be held in Plovdiv,
Bulgaria February 15-16. According to the Foreign Ministry
statement, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer will travel to Plovdiv
February 15 to attend the summit. /Cumhuriyet/
A Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) delegation chaired by
Human Rights Commission Chairman Huseyin Akgul traveled to
Berlin, the capitol of Germany. Akgul said the delegation went to
Germany after visiting Denmark to continue evaluating the
conditions and human rights issues of Turkish people living
abroad. /Cumhuriyet/
Representatives from Turkish and Israeli firms met in Istanbul to
discuss ways to cooperate in the Central Asian Republics. Turkish
Eurasia Business Council Chairman Tugrul Erkin said Turkey was
one of the first countries to launch initiatives in Central Asia
at the beginning of the 1990s. Erkin said, "It is possible to
cooperate with Israeli firms in Central Asia in light of the
experience Turkish firms have gained." /Turkiye/
Chairman of Ogers Tourism's Executive Council Vural Oger said a
great number of tourists are expected to visit Turkey this year.
Stating it would be the best tourism period Turkey has ever seen,
Oger said, "Three million tourists are expected to come from
Germany this year. The total number of tourists will be 13
million and the total tourism revenue is expected to be 12
billion dollars." /Turkiye/
Minister of Justice, Hikmet Sami Turk, gave a positive answer to
a request by the European Parliament to visit the F-type prisons
in Turkey. According to the answer delivered to the European
Parliament, a delegation of seven persons are expected to come to
Turkey during the following weeks. /Milliyet/
Wooden houses produced in the US and resistant to earthquakes,
will be brought to Turkey. Minister of Public Works and Housing,
Koray Aydin, said the American-type houses would meet Turkey's
housing needs. An agreement will be signed between the two
countries concerning the issue. /Sabah/
Minister of Communication, Enis Oksuz, began the initiative for
the railway between Istanbul and Teheran. He made an interesting
proposal during his visit to Teheran last week. Oksuz suggested
that Iran construct and manage the Istanbul-Teheran railway of
220 kilometers. Oksuz also brought a suggestion to the agenda
that Trabzon, Erzincan and Teheran should be connected by
railway. Oksuz, who made this proposal to his Iranian counterpart
during his visit to Iran last week, said Iran has warmly welcomed
this idea, which would cost 1 billion US dollars. /Aksam/
Bureaucrats from the State Planning Organization (SPO) and the
Treasury suggested some solutions to the problems of the real
economy found in the reports presented to the Summit. According
to information received, a solution envisages 85% of investment
payments by the local administrations and municipalities be
transferred to the Turkish Eximbank. The proposal argues that if
accepted, the economy will be relieved in almost every field. The
transfer of a source amounting to 300-500 trillion TL to the
Turkish Eximbank with the condition of stopping the local
administration investments will ease both the real and financial
sectors. /Milliyet/
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit announced yesterday the government
would swiftly enact a series of measures in the upcoming days to
boost the real economy, but would damage not or deviate from the
ongoing program at the same time. Ecevit said measures would
include eliminating the red tape deterring investments and also
measures to boost exports. The measures were reaffirmed by
Minister of State Rustu Kazim Yucelen after second session of a
cabinet meeting yesterday. Yucelen reiterated the common cabinet
opinion that the IMF-backed economic program should be continued
without compromise. /Turkish Daily News/
The process to ease the financial bottleneck in the real sector
is expected to cause distress during the meetings to be held with
the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Treasury Undersecretary
Selcuk Demiralp said, "During the Summit, the IMF will be assured
of Turkey's political stability. Therefore this issue should be
given great importance." The IMF delegation, chaired by the IMF's
Chief to the Turkish Desk, Carlo Cottarelli, came to Ankara the
day before and began by visiting the Treasury, Central Bank and
Banking Regulation and Supervision Board. It was stated the
banking issue would be discussed mostly and that World Bank
Representative to Turkey, Ajay Chibber, would also attend the
meetings. /Milliyet/
The Advertisement sector increased by 14.6%. According to data
received by the Association of Advertisors, the income earned by
advertisement amounted to 1.231 million US dollars in 1999. While
TV tops the list of advertisement incomes with 284.5 trillion TL,
the amount of press advertisements totalled 271.8 trillion TL.
Newspapers's share is 229.5 trillion TL and the magazins' share
is 42.3 trillion TL in the advertisement incomes. /Sabah/
The German daily 'Bild' published an article stating, "It is a
recognized fact that Turkey is a holiday destination. Apart from
having beaches with fine sands, romantic bays, family hotels with
moderate prices and many facilities for sports, Turkey is only
three hours far away on the plane." The 'Bild' described Fethiye
as a 'heaven of sand' and wrote that Oludeniz had 'clear and
limpid water'. The newspaper suggested Marmaris particularly for
yachters and added that Kas was especially preferred by young
people. /Hurriyet/
Columnist Semih Idiz comments on the draft reactivated by the
Greek Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos. A summary of his
column is as follows:
"What designs does the Greek Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos
have in authoring a draft claiming the Greeks of Anatolia were
subjected to genocide by Turks? The answer cannot be anything
else but bad intentions. Greek officials state Venizelos has
activated a natural process. That is, whoever had been in
Venizelos' place would have done the same. If this is true,
Athens' excuse is worse than its fault as they mean to say that
this not only binds Venizelos, but the Government. If so, there
is a dangerous situation at hand. Within a 'raison d'etat' such a
development could have been ignored because it would reflect
adversely on the Turco-Greek raprochement. The person adding fuel
to the fire is Venizelos. Therefore, it is inevitable not to
conclude bad intentions. These intentions reflect the view that
if Armenians are gaining ground by striking at Turks, Greeks
should also exploit this opportunity. Moreover, it confirms the
views held by some in Turkey that Greeks won't change, and
animosity towards Turkey is second nature to them.
However, I wonder when Evangelos Venizelos led this draft, did he
think he was wiser than his namesake Eleftherios Venizelos? Does
he know the facts better than his grandfather who proposed
Mustafa Kemal as a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize? That his
grandfather did so after the bloody wars which resulted from
adventurers in Athens and led to tragedy for the Greek nation?
Like the Armenians, some Greeks are trying to use their dead for
political gains. The idea behind this is clear. 'This is the
right time to use every opportunity to defeat the Turks.' They do
not show any respect to their own dead let alone the Turkish
nation. The have to hit the Turks.
In this case, the Greeks are in a sad situation. Contrary to the
Armenian issue where the facts and folkloric problems are
intertwined, it is well known by all the conditions under which
the Greeks tried to occupy Anatolia, and at who's urging, their
oppression against the Turks of Anatolia during this occupation,
and how they were expelled from Anatolia. I have not read a
single book claiming otherwise.
Certainly, after burning bridges with these events it was
impossible for the Greek minority to live in Anatolia, likewise
the Turks in Greece. Therefore, the first official population
exchange of the century was agreed upon. Hundreds of thousands of
Turks had to leave their land in Greece, and close to one and a
half million Greeks in Turkey. Following the losses suffered in
the war this incident was indeed a catastrophy for the Greeks.
Certainly, we do not forget the catastrophy the Turkish nation
was subjected to with their occupation of Anatolia.
When all this is clear, and that a few generals and a minister
were executed for their part in the affair in Athens, it is
shameful to come up with claims of genocide. If there had been no
Greek occupation, would there be such incidents? According to
some, there would not have been a Turkish Republic if it had not
been for the Greek occupation. However, the estimates and the
prevailing arrogance in Athens were proven wrong. If there are
those who have such plans, it is evident they will be proven
wrong in a short while. Even acting without sense has its
limits."
Columnist Sami Kohen comments on Turco-Greek relations. A
summary of his column is as follows:
"One could not think of a better initiative to destroy the recent
rapprochement in Turco-Greek relations. If the action directed at
registering the genocide against Anatolian Greeks by two members
of the Greek Council of Ministers is not stopped at once, or the
voting on such a law is not obstructed, all the recent efforts
exerted to establish trust and friendship between the two nations
will be in vain.
A decree prepared by Culture minister Evangelos Venizelos and
deputy Interior Minister Kostas Kaizerlis to declare 14 September
as the 'Commemoration day for the Genocide of the Greeks in Asia
Minor', and presented to President Kostas Stephanopoulos is like
a stick of dynamite set at the roots of Turco-Greek relations. Do
the two ministers not know that bringing up such an issue will
lead to serious consequences? Is not this an arrogant challenge
to Turkey, where sensitivity over claims of genocide is at its
peak? If this is only the personal initiative of those two
ministers and is contrary to the Greek official policy, it falls
on the Simitis Government to obstruct the vote and relieve
Turkey.
In fact, a similar initiative was launched two years ago and a
resolution on the issue was approved by the Greek parliament.
However, with the softening up of Turco-Greek relations, this
resolution was set aside and the necessary decree was prepared at
the time. The reactivation of this decree by these two ministers
is as significant as its surprising. Some officials in Athens say
this initiative also surprised them. Did Prime Minister Simitis
and Foreign Minister Papandreou really know nothing about this?
Is this intended only for local politics? It will be more clearly
understood in the coming days.
However, the preparation of this decree languishing for two
years, at a time when the campaign over Armenian genocide has
increased and the French National Assembly has approved such a
law, gives the impression that the initiators were encouraged by
the recent events. Now, Turkey is faced with a campaign of
accusation and slandering based on not only Armenian but also
Greek genocide claims.
A Greek Government spokesman says Turco-Greek relations should
not be influenced by this. The Greek press is approaching the
issue moderately, or at least is not making much noise as in past
years. It seems that sensible Greeks are disturbed by this
initiative and are concerned over its possible consequences. The
Greek Foreign Ministry said to Ankara that the Simitis Government
would seriously take up the issue and do what was necessary.
The Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, currently visiting
Jordan, is expected to exert efforts to avoid the passage of the
law following his return to Athens. Greek diplomacy is aware that
the initiative by the two Ministers will seriously damage
Turco-Greek relations and lead to unnecessary tension. Therefore
Greek diplomats are saying, 'Let's not exaggerate the issue and
damage the positive climate.' As long as this issue is
immediately and effectively stopped, it is the right thing to
do."
