DEMIREL DESCRIBES GREECE: A 'ROGUE STATE'

Ankara has delivered a strongly-worded warning to Greece to cease supporting separatist terrorism aimed at the territorial and national integrity of Turkey and declared that Ankara 'reserves the right to self-defense'. President Suleyman Demirel, on a state visit from Turkey to the Philippines, declared during an interview with the Philippines' official TV network that, if Athens does not act 'like civilized law-abiding countries should' and continues failing to respect its commitments under international law, 'Turkey reserves the right emanating from international law to take any precautions necessary for self-defense". Demirel, who long remained silent on attempts by the Greek Government to deliberately provide a secret shelter in Kenya for Ocalan, has finally stormed at Greece, calling it a 'rogue state that has to be put on the list of countries supporting terrorism and harbouring terrorists'. Commenting on the President's remarks, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit in Ankara said that Demirel's sensitivity on terrorism is an assurance of the survival of the Turkish State. "The whole world is fully aware of Greece's support for PKK terrorism. It is perfectly natural for us to react to the Greek attitude at the highest level of the State" Ecevit added. "I hope Greek politicians may come to realize that dialogue with Turkey would be a much safer way of addressing our common problems than by lending support to terrorism" Ecevit said. /All papers/

DEMIREL CONTINUES HIS VISIT TO THE PHILIPPINES

President Suleyman Demirel on an official visit to the Philippines has urged that country to sign an international anti-terrorism agreement. "In order to defend our security and common values, we must jointly take all necessary and effective measures to prevent, combat and eliminate terrorism" Demirel said in a speech at the Jesuit-run Ateneo University. Demirel began his official talks in Manila yesterday, meeting with his Philippine counterpart Joseph Estrada and appearing at the signing of a number of bilateral agreements with that country. Estrada said that he has accepted an invitation from Demirel to visit Turkey. Defence Minister Hikmet Sami Turk and his Philippine counterpart Orlando S.Mercado met yesterday to discuss the possibility of further ties. Turk said in a written statement that the absence of political problems between Turkey and the Philippines was the foundation of the main reason for the improvement in defence industry ties. Both Ministers have agreed for Ankara and Manila to carry out reciprocal visits on the technical level, Turk said, adding that the Turkish side has invited a Philippine delegation to Turkey to study Turkey's defence industry needs. /All papers/

BONN: "PKK MUST BE THWARTED"

Otto Schily, The German Minister of the Interior, claimed that the logistic support for the terrorist PKK organization must be eliminated in a determined struggle throughout Europe. Schily said, "Guided entirely by the principle of the rule of law, we are fighting against a terrorist organization. We will be able to succeed in eliminating the logistic support for the PKK if, and only if, we tackle the issue throughout Europe." Schily also noted that Turkey has a historic opportunity to resolve the Kurdish question. /Milliyet/

PAPANDREU: "WE PROVIDED HUMANE AID TO OCALAN"

Yorgo Papandreu, the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, has argued that the support they provided to the PKK leader Ocalan included "humane aid". Noting that no country, including Greece, had granted the right of political asylum to Ocalan, Papandreu confessed that they had supported him in his search for a place to shelter but they had failed to accomplish that goal. /Aksam/

PKK AT THE TOP OF THE TERRORISM LIST

The `US News and World Report' placed the PKK at the top of the list of the most outrageous terrorist organizations in the world over the last ten years. The journal also commented that "Ocalan will no doubt be found guilty of both terrorism and massacres." According to data provided by the journal, the PKK is the most dangerous terrorist organization in the world with 3,575 terrorist actions in the past decade. /Aksam/

GERMAN INTIMIDATION FOR SEPARATISTS

German courts, by sentencing one of the suspects of the occupation of the Greek Consulate to a year in prison have warned the supporters of the terrorist organization. At the first trial held, sentence was passed immediately on the 28 year old supporter of the terrorist organization, accused ofviolating the security of a dwelling, wounding others, and opposing the police forces. /Sabah/

DEMONSTRATORS INTERFERED WITH A LIVE BROADCAST

The "Afternoon" news programme, broadcast live by Netherlands' TV third channel was raided by a group of PKK supporters. During the raid, broadcast live on tv, the militants read a statement in which they said that they wanted the terrorist organization to be recognized politically by the government and requested it to apply political pressure to ensure a fair trial./Sabah/

PKK DEMONSTRATIONS IN IRAN

Following the capture of the PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan by Turkey, demonstrations are continuing unabated in Iran as well. During the incidents yesterday, six people died in the Kurdish region of Iran. Meanwhile, Turkey closed the border gate with Iran at Esendere. On the other hand, the Swiss Foreign Ministry's Undersecretary responsible for both Europan Affairs and and the Council of Europe, Franz von Daeniken, said that no country has the right to presume to give lessons to Turkey on the Ocalan issue. Daeniken noted that he believed that Ocalan would be justly and fairly tried under state law. He added: "Switzerland does not believe that Ocalan will face the death penalty. The recent activities in Europe have clearly shown that the PKK is a terrorist organization; the PKK and its leader have never represented Kurdish society". /Hurriyet/

EU REBUKES GREECE

At the European Union's (EU) Foreign Ministers' meeting in Luxembourg, Greece was rebuked for her support of the PKK terrorist organization. At the end of the meeting, the Council issued a report declaring that Athens' attitude had been contrary to EU norms. EU sources remarked that Athens had been especially criticized by Spanish, Dutch, British and German deputies. It was stressed that the Ocalan issue is not a Turco-EU problem. /Aksam/

GERMAN PRESS ENRAGED AGAINST OCALAN

The leading German political magazines, "Der Spiegel" and "Focus", found room for the demonstrations by Ocalan's supporters on their covers. Both magazines drew attention to the PKK members' violent attacks in Germany and other European countries. They wanted demonstrators involved in the violence to be punished severely and claimed that these demonstrators should even be deported from Germany under German law. /Aksam/

THE US: SUCCESS BELONGS TO TURKEY

The White House Spokesman, Joe Lockhart, said that the US played no role in the capture of Abdullah Ocalan and his conveyance to Turkey. Although it had been claimed that the US Intelligence Service (CIA) reported to Turkey that Ocalan was staying in the Greek Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, the US Secretary of State, Medaline Albright did not make any comment on the issue. /Aksam/

SANBERK PUTS "THE TIMES" NEWSPAPER ON ITS GUARD

Turkey's Ambassador to London, Ozdem Sanberk sent a letter to the "Letters to the Editor" corner of the The Times newspaper, forewarning the newspaper of the possible context of future letters sent by members of the general public. Sanberk asked the newspaper not to issue news which would inflame Kurdish groups living in England and also in Europe. Sanberk noted that following the capture of Ocalan, neither newspapers nor TV stations had reported any news concerning Ocalan's crimes or why he would be tried. Drawing attention to the measures taken to improve the economic situation within the Eastern and Southeastern regions, Sanberk said that these measures could be made more effective once the terrorist organization has completely collapsed. /Aksam/

OCALAN'S INTERROGATION CONTINUES

With his detention period extended to 10 days, the interrogation of the PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan is continuing on the island of Imrali in the Marmara Sea. Authorities have further stepped up security measures in the area, with local police and gendarmerie forces beginning to control entrance into the Mudanya district along the sea's southern coast. All the inhabitants of Imrali Island, including livestock, have been completely evacuated. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit last weekend pledged leniency for PKK members who are still active. If they surrender now, Ecevit said, they will benefit from the Repentance Law that is to be renewed after the General Elections in April. Yesterday, Temel Kocaklar, the Governor of Batman, said that he had received a number of appeals from PKK members hoping to benefit from the law. Kocaklar noted that those who turn themselves in will be given job training while they are in prison and will be integrated back into society after they are released. Meanwhile, a group of lawyers have applied to Istanbul State Security Court (DGM) to serve as Ocalan's defence. The 15 lawyers, who are registered to the Bar Associations in Istanbul, Izmir and Diyarbakir, were told that a response to their requests could be made as early as Tuesday. Among those who have applied to the DGM are senior members of the Human Rights Association (IHD). Meanwhile, the European Court of Human Rights will discuss the application filed by Ocalan's attorneys today and a decision is expected to be declared tomorrow. /All papers/

US OFFICIALS ADMIT HELPING TURKEY

In two separate articles published in major US newspapers, anonymous US officials reportedly admitted US intelligence had provided support to Turkey in the capture of the PKK leader, Abdullah Ocalan. An article published in The New York Times on February 20, entitled 'US Played Key Role in Capture of Kurd', by Tim Weiner, and another article published by The Washington Post on February 21, entitled 'US Tip off to Turkey Led to Capture of Ocalan' by Vernon Loeb, both indicated that 'US officials' had shared information with Turkey concerning the location of Ocalan. /All papers/

NEW PERIOD OF GOODWILL WITH ITALY

Turco-Italian economic relations, badly damaged by the Ocalan issue, have been activated again. It is reported that Italian firms will take part in some important projects to be implemented in Turkey, in order to break partly the embargo imposed by Turkish firms against Italy during the time when that country sheltered the terrorist chief, Abdullah Ocalan. It is also noted that Italian firms are highly interested in three important projects in Turkey including the six PSR and SSR systems to be established in Yesilkoy, Yalova, Karadag, Karcik and Esenboga airports the planned purchase of 145 helicopters, and the modernization of the Eregli Iron-Steel Facilities. /Turkiye/

BRUSSELS WARNS MED TV

Pro-PKK channel MED TV was put under the spotlight by European countries following the appearance of Murat Karayilan, Osman Ocalan and Cemil Bayik, leading PKK figures, on programmes in which they called for resistance to Turkish security. Besides a warning issued by the Belgian Interior Ministry, London also intensified its monitoring of MED TV. /All papers/

RED ALERT FOR PKK TERRORISM

The 'red alert' sounded following a circular sent to security units and to the offices of all governors. in which the measures which could be taken to prevent the attacks by the PKK terrorist organization were explained clearly. A 'Crisis Desk' was established within National Security Council and the Interior Ministry in addition to a "Close Watch Group' at the Security Directorate General. It was stated that illegal organizations might engage in provocative actions on the anniversaries of 'World Women's Day'on 8th March, 'the Gazi events on 12th March', 'the Nevruz Holiday on 21st March', and 'the Kizildere incidents on 30th March'. /Sabah/

REACTION FROM ATHENS: CLAIMS ARE ARROGANT

The developments unravelling with the capture of Abdullah Ocalan have escalated the tension between Greece and Turkey to dangerous levels. The statements by Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, and President Suleyman Demirel requesting that Greece be added to the list of countries who support terrorism sparked a reaction from Athens. Greek Government Spokesman Dimitris Reppas, in a statement yesterday, said that no other word but 'arrogance' could be used to define Turkey playing the role of prosecutor while it occupied half of Cyprus, and violated human rights constantly. In another development, retired Navy Commander Andonis Naksakis and Haralambos Stavratakis who was dismissed as chief of the Intelligence Organization have begun to be interrogated. /Sabah/

US AIR FORCES COMMANDER IN TURKEY

The Commander of the US Air Force, General Michael E. Ryan arrived yesterday in Turkey on an official visit. General Ryan visited his Turkish counterpart General Ilhan Kilic yesterday in Ankara. Kilic said after the meeting that they had exchanged views on military issues involving Turkey and the US. Ryan also visited Ataturk's Mausoleum and met the Deputy Chief of General Staff, Hilmi Ozkok. /Aksam/

YILMAZ: TIME TO INVEST IN THE SOUTHEAST

State Minister Mustafa Yilmaz said that they had begun to prepare investment projects in the Southeast. Yilmaz said, "We are seeking Development Bank loand for investments in the region. In addition, the project to encourage people to return to their hometowns is being accelerated. The infrastructure of the villages will be improved and moreover, more highways are to be constructed within the region. Financing for these projects will be estimated by the Prime Ministry. Yilmaz remarked that all Ministries had started to work on how they would contribute to the improvement of the Southeastern and Eastern regions. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit met Yilmaz and the Public Works and Housing Minister, Ali Iliksoy, over the investments to be made in Southeast Anatolia following the capture of Ocalan. At the meeting during which those projects which have already begun were also discussed, Ecevit's visit to Southeastern Anatolia after the 25th of February was also deliberated. State Minister Yilmaz said that Ecevit had instructed all his Ministers to work on regional projects within the scope of their ministries. /Sabah-Turkiye/

INVESTMENTS IN SOUTHEAST

"We will probably meet IMF officials in Washington in the second week of March" said Hikmet Ulugbay, the State Minister responsible for economic affairs and Deputy Prime Minister. Concerning investments in the Southeast, Ulugbay said that funds already exist for complementary investments in the area. "The use of existing funds can be backdated and a portion of additional allocations can be used. Some of these investments have already been planned'. A significant part of the investments in the Southeast will be implemented by the private sector, said Ulugbay. He added that measures concerning investment subsidies will be announced soon. /All papers/

ROMANIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OPENS ISTANBUL OFFICE

The Romanian Bucharest Chamber of Commerce and Industry opened a a bureau in Istanbul yesterday in order to expand ties between Romania and Turkey, Romanian businessmen said. Located in Taksim, in central Istanbul, the office will help boost bilateral trade between Romania and Turkey to $1 billion, George Cojocaru, Head of the Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Romexpo, declared during a visit to the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO). /Hurriyet/

MORNINGSTAR IN ANKARA

Richard Morningstar, the Special Advisor to the American President and Secretary of State for Caspian Basin diplomacy concerning energy in the region, will pay a day-long official visit to Ankara today. He will be coming from Baku, where he had meetings with President Haydar Aliyev. Morningstar will begin his meetings at the Foreign Ministry, where he has an appointment with Deputy Undersecretary Mithat Balkan. He will also meet Energy Minister Ziya Aktas and Energy Ministry Undersecretary Yurdakul Yigitguden. /All papers/

GERMANY INVITES TURKISH INVESTMENT

One of the biggest provinces in Germany, Hamburg, has eagerly invited Turkish investment. The Chairman of Hamburg's Economic Incentive Institution (HWF), Hartmut Bock, said that Hamburg was the most suitable province from which to enter the Eastern European and EU markets and invited Turkish entrepreneurs to invest in Hamburg. Speaking at the "Information on Business Opportunities in Hamburg" seminar organized by the Istanbul Textile and Ready-to-Wear Exporters Union in Istanbul, Bock said that the HWF did not target any profits. Bock also gave information on how the HWF implemented its incentive packages. /Turkiye/

FINANCIALBANK IN GERMANY

The Financial Bank becomes more effective in financial circles day by day. The bank, with its offices in Switzerland, the Netherlands, Russia and Bahrain, now aims to be "number one" in Germany. The Amsterdam based Financialbank opened a new office in Frankfurt and Cemal Beriker was appointed Head of the Frankfurt branch. Beriker said, "We opened the branch in line with EU regulations. We have responsibilities to the Netherlands' and German Central Banks. Our aim is to open new branches in Berlin, Munic, Hamburg, Dusseldorf and Stuttgart in two years' time." Meanwhile, Demire-Halk Bank opened a new office in Kassel, Germany. The bank already has eight offices in Germany and aims to open four more offices in Germany and one in Brussels, Belgium within this year. /Turkiye/

CANADA REJECTS THE SO-CALLED GENOCIDE

The Armenian news agency "Armenpress" reported yesterday that the attempted by Toronto MP Jim Karaciyan to have the so-called Armenian genocide recognized was rejected by the Canadian Parliament. Parliament yesterday discussed the demonstrations seen in many regions of Canada following the capture of Abdullah Ocalan. At the end of the session, Karaciyan requested that the recognition of the so-called genocide to be discussed but the request was immediately rejected by Parliament. /Turkiye/

OECD PREPARES REPORT ON TURKISH ECONOMY

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) Turkey-desk official, Alexandra Iwanchuk Bibbee, has stated that the Turkish economy's performance for 1998 was good. Bibbee was in Istanbul between February 4-12 in order to examine the Turkish economy. The Anatolia news agency quoted her as saying that her team would soon begin writing a report. The Turkish economy is in better shape than in previous years, said Bibbee, explaining that the tax reform enacted in 1998 and an underestimate of tax revenues account for this. She added that in spite of the global financial crisis, stabilization policies had lowered inflation and an agreement had been signed with the IMF, a positive note for Turkey.

TRNC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DELEGATION IN ANKARA

A delegation from the Executive Board of the Chamber of Commerce of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will arrive in Ankara today to attend various meetings on issues such as the economic situation and investment opportunities in the TRNC. The delegation led by the Head of the Chamber, Salih Boyaci, will meet Turkish President Suleyman Demirel and State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel on February 25, the Anatolia news agency reports. The delegation, which is also expected to meet Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, will return to the TRNC on February 26.

INTERNATIONAL MARINA IN BODRUM

Bodrum Marina will be put into service again with a new image and a modern shopping centre. The Marina will provide modern, progressive services to investors and to the tourism sector alike. Bodrum, which is an important tourist resort on the Aegean coast, will be more popular from an international perspective. The new marina will be opened in April 1999, officials have stated. /Hurriyet/

TREASURY BONDS

The Treasury will today put out two export bonds to tender, one of whose term is 420 days, the other is for two years. As a result of the exports, a total of TL 250-350 trillion is expected to be made. The repayment of the bonds will occur on April 19, 2000, and on February 21, 2001, respectively. /Hurriyet/

TURKEY RANKS 19TH IN TOURISM RATINGS

Turkey has ranked 19th among 32 countries according to the number of tourists who visited the country in 1998. A report published by the World Tourism Organization (WTO) declared that 625 million tourists visited foreign countries in 1998 and, out of this total, 9 million visited Turkey. Meanwhile, during a tourism fair called 'Holiday World' held on February 11-14, 1999, in the Czech capital of Prague, a Turkish tourism firm 'Elita' was elected the 'Best Represented' firm. Nearly 800 firms throughout the world participated in the fair, visited by 50,000 people. /Hurriyet/

ERCEL: "RATINGS ARE UNJUST"

Gazi Ercel, the Governor of the Central Bank, said that international rating institutions lower Turkey's credit grade on the basis of misleading indicators, and therefore, their assessments are ineffective to a large extent. Ercel noted that the reliability of those international rating institutions has been seriously undermined due to the economic crisis in Asia, succeeded by that of Russia and then of Latin America in the last two years. He claimed that most credit-supplier institutions, international banks, financial companies and investment funds rely upon a variety of sources when assessing the credibility of a particular country, and said, "They consider the reports of the IMF, the assessments of the World Bank, those evaluations by independent institutions and their own resources. Thus they do not prioritize the conclusions reached by a single institution. A single institution's lowering of Turkey's credit grade does not mean anything to them." /Milliyet/

AGAR CAMPAIGNS AGAINST DYP

Mehmet Agar, former Minister of the Interior and currently the Elazig MP for the True Path Party, declared that he is starting a campaign against the DYP adminisitration since the party headquarters remain deaf to the demands from their grassroots support. Agar noted that his purpose is not to be re-elected to Parliament, and said, "I am struggling for greater goals." /Milliyet/

LIVANELI WITHDRAWS HIS PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDACY

Zulfu Livaneli, a famous folk singer and writer, declared that he is withdrawing his Parliamentary candidacy from the Republican People's Party (CHP). Livaneli said, "I hope my withdrawal will aid the election of women candidates to Parliament." /Milliyet/

DYP-DP COOPERATION

It has claimed that the True Path Party (DYP) and Democrat Party (DP) have decided to unite. After the 18 April elections the DYP and DP will unite under the name "Democratic Party". Party officials noted that DYP leader Tansu Ciller and DP leader Korkut Ozal had already agreed on uniting their parties. If the decision is implemented after the 18 April elections, DP will be included in the DYP. /Turkiye/

GELIBOLU FRIGATE IS READY

According to a statement issued by the Office of the General Staff, a Turkish flag will be hoisted on the 'TCG Gelibolu' frigate which is to be transferred from the US to Turkey in San Diego Naval Base tomorrow. The frigate will arrive in Golcuk, Turkey at the beginning of May. /Hurriyet/

TOURISTS TO FOLLOW SOLAR ECLIPSE

It is expected that thousands of foreign tourists will flock to Turkey to watch the last solar eclipse of the century. The number of foreign tourists who have booked up for the solar eclipse to be viewed on August 11, 1999, has already amounted to 2,000. Most of the tourists are from the US and Japan. /Hurriyet/

16TH EDUCATION COUNCIL

The meeting of the 16th Education Council started with opening ceremonies yesterday in Ankara. Education Minister Metin Bostancioglu and members of the Council paid a visit to Ataturk's Mausoleum. Parliament Speaker Hikmet Cetin, who made the opening speech, informed the audience about the improvements that have been made during the period of time that Turkey has been a Republic and said that important steps have been taken in Turkey in the field of education. He said that the eight-year compulsory education system is a big reform for Turkey and that the Republic should now institute eight-year-long primary education. Following the decisions made by the Council, new horizons will open up in the education system, said Cetin. /All papers/

TURKISH DENTIST GETS AWARD IN GERMANY

The German Periodontology Association (DGP) has given its traditional award to Dr.Sami Dogan, a Turkish dentist who works at the Dental Clinic of the Hannover Faculty of Medicine. The association did not grant the award to anyone in the last two years because no studies worthy of the prize appeared in 1996 and 1997, the Anatolia news agency reports. Dogan was awarded for his research titled 'entrance mechanisms of bacteries into the gums and the discomfort they cause there'.

CEM'S VISIT TO PARIS POSTPONED

An official visit, which was earlier foreseen to be paid by Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem to Paris, France, was postponed due to the Kosovo peace talks at the Castle, the Anatolia news agency reports. The visit of Cem, who will arrive in France as the guest of French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine, was planned before the apprehension of the PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. During the contacts of Cem, the bilateral and regional issues, Kosovo issue, Middle East peace process, situation in Iraq and the developments concerning the expansion process of the EU and NATO are expected to be discussed.

FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...

"TO OPEN A COURT CASE AGAINST ATHENS" -BY YALCIN DOGAN (MILLIYET)

Yalcin Dogan said in his columun today that Papandreu was the first Greek Prime Minister who was criticized concerning Greek moves to ensure shelter for the PKK. President Suleyman Demirel, who is still in Manila, accused Greece yesterday of harbouring the terrorist organization. In 1987 the Turkish Ambassador to Greece, Nazmi Akiman, met Prime Minister Papandreu and said that they openly supported the PKK; Papandreu had said to him that he had no knowledge of the issue and he would immediately prevent this support if there was any. Dogan noted that, eleven years later, during last October, the Turkish Prime Minister of the day, Mesut Yilmaz, met his Greek counterpart Simitis in Antalya and had restressed Turkey's uneasiness concerning Greek support for the PKK. Simitis said at the meeting that as the Greek State, they did not provide any such support but it was possible that Greek MPs did, and this was a situation which he could not prevent. Nothing has changed, even after eleven years. Now Athens is trying to continue its support for the PKK in other ways. She has begun a propoganda campaign in Europe, saying that "Ocalan should be tried impartially". At the moment, Ankara ought to show her reaction to this via international mechanisms. Turkey should bring a court case against Greece to the European Court of Human Rights; she holds some very important "trumps" in her hand against Greece. Dogan concluded his article saying that Turkey is determined to take the issue to NATO, the AB, the Council of Europe. Is not it more effective to use diplomacy together with the law? /Milliyet/

WINNERS AND LOSERS -BY CENGIZ CANDAR (SABAH)

In his column Cengiz Candar writes about the latest developments concerning the capture of Ocalan. A summary of his column is as follows: "We have followed the ensuing developments after the capture of Ocalan...It can be stated that the arrest of Ocalan signals the death of the Kurdish uprising. In this situation, the "PKK Period" should finally be at an end...However, in the reactions following the capture of Ocalan and revelation of those behind him lay the complexities and many aspects of the issue...It can be said that Europe has been defeated by Turkey and the US. The European Press is crying for Ocalan and trying to take Turkey under its 'legal control'. Ocalan has been to every country in Europe during the last two months. If there was such great European anxiety over a 'fair trial' why did they show him the door, and how can they find in themselves such an arrogant right for intervention... European double standards can be seen again. Turkey should not pay heed to it..." /Sabah/

RESPECT THE TURKISH COURTS - BY OKTAY EKSI (HURRIYET)

Oktay Eksi, a columnist in the `Hurriyet' daily, reflects on the recent debates concerning Western suspicions over the process of Ocalan's trial. Eksi writes: "Are we being much too sensitive, or do our Western friends love to do things to others which they do not like to be done to themselves? Take the case of O.J.Simpson or Rodney King. If you criticize the court decisions in these cases, you will immediately receive answers concerning `judicial independence in the US' and claims that `nobody can find these decisions unjust'. However, when it comes to Turkey, they do not hesitate to implement double standards. Nowadays, we are continuously insulted by many foreign officials who `doubt whether Ocalan will be tried justly'. When you listen to them, you may think that the function of independent Turkish courts is merely to declare the decisions taken by the government. Yet we know that the courts are never truly independent in `critical cases' in the countries of those who fabricate such misleading arguments. Moreover, the files concerning Ocalan are full of substantial evidence against him so that nobody can eliminate this evidence and give him a punishment which he does not deserve. One should ask why those who warn Turkey to be just in the trial of Ocalan did not accept him two weeks ago? After he had been driven out of Syria, he went to Russia. That country showed him the door. Then he went to Greece, but he could not even enter Athens Airport. Next, he travelled to Italy, where the government assigned him a villa while imploring him to leave the country. Germany, who applied to Interpol for Ocalan, refused to welcome him for a `just trial'. No country in the world could grant Ocalan the right to political asylum, nor even accept trying him herself. Thus, none of our Western friends has the right to intervene in the trial of the terrorist leader."

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