Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
CONTENTS
President Suleyman Demirel arrived in Sofia yesterday on a
two-day official visit. After meeting with his Bulgarian
counterpart Petar Stoyanov, Demirel said that the progress
achieved in Turco-Bulgarian bilateral relations in the last two
years was excellent. Also on Monday, the two sides penned an
agreement banning the use of antipersonnel land mines. The accord
was signed by the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail
Cem, and his counterpart Nedezhda Miyaylov. The sides also agreed
to an increase bilateral economic cooperation. It is expected
that the in bilateral free trade area, which began operating at
in the beginning of the year, will double the bilateral trade
volume. Speaking at the meeting of the Turco-Bulgarian Business
Council, Demirel called on businessmen from both countries to
undertake joint ventures and augment their investments.
Meanwhile, Demirel expressed satisfaction with the rights which
have been conferred on the 800,000-strong Turkish minority in
Bulgaria. /All papers/
The U.K.'s television licencing body, the Independent Television
Commission (ITC), suspended the broadcasting licence of the
London-based Kurdish channel, MED-TV, on Monday for 21 days on
the basis that the station had failed to comply with the terms of
its licence. The ITC said in its decision that MED-TV had
included in its service one or more programmes containing
material likely to encourage or incite its listeners to crime or
to lead to a serious breach of the peace, which was sufficient to
justify the revocation of the station's licence. "The Commission
considers several broadcasts by MED-TV to have clearly contained
such provocative material. In relation to one of these broadcasts
in particular, MED-TV agrees that it has breached its licence and
the ITC code of conduct. The broadcasts in question contained
various calls urging people to carry out acts of violence in
Turkey," the ITC statement read.
Despite Turkey's complaints over the years about MED-TV, British
officials have been arguing that since MED-TV was regulated by
the "independent" ITC, there was nothing they could do to control
its programmes. /All papers/
Initial steps to revitalize economic relations between Turkey and
Syria have intensified, thanks to an appropriate climate created
since Abdullah Ocalan was forced out of Damascus, removing the
barrier blocking Turco-Syrian ties: the issue of Syrian support
for the PKK. For the first time in 12 years, Turkish and Syrian
officials sat down to discuss ways of strengthening economic
relations between the two countries. Upon the invitation of
Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister Hikmet Ulugbay, the
Syrian Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Economic Affairs, Salim
Yassin, arrived in Ankara on Monday for two-day talks on economic
relations. After his meeting with the Syrian delegation, Ulugbay
said that the time has arrived to develop links between Damascus
and Ankara. Working groups will be established jointly by both
sides and much-needed discussion will take place on issues such
as the prevention of double taxation and the encouragement of
trade and tourism.
During his visit, Yassin also met Minister of Tourism Ahmet Tan
and is scheduled to meet State Minister Aydin Tumen and Minister
of Transport Hasan Basri Aktan on Tuesday. /All papers/
The measures taken by an alliance of so-called "maverick
deputies, the Virtue Party (FP) and the Democratic Turkey Party
(DTP) in order to topple the Democratic Left Party (DSP) minority
government have failed. It is almost certain now that both the
Parliamentary and the Local Elections will be held on April 18 as
scheduled. The efforts of the tripartite alliance to cancel the
upcoming elections were rendered fruitless by Acting Parliament
Speaker and DSP deputy Uluc Gurkan on Monday during a session of
the Grand National Assembly. Gurkan effectively buried the DTP's
proposal to cancel the elections, claiming that the proposal was
not harmonious with parliamentary bye-laws. /All papers/
Ankara State Security Court (DGM) Prosecutor Nuh Mete Yuksel has
filed a closure case with the Court of Appeals to ban the Virtue
Party (FP). Prosecutor Yuksel cited an array of evidence,
including speeches made by FP deputies, various newspaper
dispatches, and his recent indictment against four former Islamic
deputies for whom he asked that capital punishment be applied.
Yuksel's six-page appeal says that a previous case, also launched
by him, against "Milli Gorus" (National View) which refers to an
organization on which the FP bases its ideological principles,
has provided them with valuable documents with which to go ahead
with the FP closure case. In his appeal to ban the FP, Yuksel
accuses the FP of being the successor to the Welfare Party (RP),
another Islamist party closed down in early 1998. He asserted
that to succeed a party that has been banned is an illegal
practice, as stated in the Constitution and certain political
party laws.
Meanwhile, a group of FP deputies led by party leader Recai
Kutan, requested the dismissal of Prosecutor Yuksel for his
"misuse of his office." The deputies presented their request to
Minister of Justice Selcuk Oztek. /All papers/
In the face of a looming NATO military operation in Kosovo,
Turkey has reaffirmed its readiness to take part in airstrikes on
Serbian targets. NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana called
President Suleyman Demirel on Sunday evening to consult him on
the situation in Kosovo as the chances of a last minute
compromise were fading. Demirel reiterated Turkey's readiness to
take part in an eventual NATO intervention in the region.
Speaking to members of the press in Bulgaria's capital Sofia
yesterday, where he was on an official visit, Demirel said that
Turkey was a NATO member and it would act together with NATO.
/All papers/
Motherland Party (ANAP) Deputy and Acting Parliament Speaker
Hasan Korkmazcan resigned from his party. Korkmazcan, who was
facing possible expulsion from his party after being sent before
ANAP's disciplinary council last Sunday, said that he would not
transfer to any other party at this stage. Also resigning from
ANAP was Yildirim Akturk, whose expulsion was also being
discussed by ANAP's disciplinary council.
Meanwhile, Mumtaz Soysal, an independent MP, resigned from
Parliament. In a press conference organized in the parliament
building, Soysal stated that he is against the holding of the
Elections on April 18. /All papers/
Klaus Grunewald, the Head of the Department of Radical
Foreigners, stated that the terrorist PKK organization is in the
process of a retreat from its terrorist activities in rural
regions, tending towards becoming an `urban guerilla movement'.
Noting that the PKK resembles the German Red Army Fraction (RAF)
in this respect, Grunewald remarked that the terrorist
organization might be able to complete this mutation in a short
time. Grunewald also said, "Only from Germany does the PKK
receive milions of marks through grants, tolls and drug
trafficking." /Hurriyet/
The Investigation Council concerned with the `Ocalan fiasco',
which launched its investigations within the Greek Parliament
yesterday, is being considered a `new fiasco' itself. Very
recently it was revealed that 18 out of the 30 members of the
Council were among those 180 MPs who had invited Abdullah Ocalan,
the chief of the terrorist PKK organization, to Greece last year.
Now it is being questioned exactly how those who invited Ocalan
to Greece can investigate those who brought him to the country by
illegal means. /Milliyet/
The government is taking `invisible' steps against the terrorist
PKK's menace to foreign tourists, which is warning them off
coming to Turkey. It is reported that during the Council of
Ministers meeting held yesterday, it was stated that the
prohibition of Med-TV broadcasts would have a positive impact on
Turkish tourism. Sukru Sina Gurel, the Government Spokesman,
said, "The required political and economic measures will be taken
in order to protect Turkish tourism, which is currently subject
to a veiled embargo." /Milliyet/
Due to the separatist terrorist PKK organization's statements
issued in order to undermine Turkish tourism, the Turkish
Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TUSIAD) and Pasa
Tours have invited a number of Belgian journalists to Istanbul.
The journalists will be taken to the suburban districts of
Istanbul in order to clearly observe the situation in Istanbul.
Rasim Guvendi, one of the organizers of this activity, said, "We
aim to alter the prejudices of those who fabricate stories
engendering a lack of confidence in the safety of tourists in
Turkey. Our efforts to promote Turkish tourism will continue till
the end of this summer." /Hurriyet/
Minister of Tourism Ahmet Tan is flying to Moscow on Tuesday to
participate in the International Moscow Tourism and Travel Fair.
Tan will accept tourism awards on behalf of the Ministry of
Tourism for its success in hosting Russian tourists in Turkey in
1998. The award is presented by "Vecernyaya Moskva" and the State
Duma Sport and Tourism Committee during the fair, which runs from
March 24-27.
Tan will engage in a series of talks with local tour operators in
Moscow where he will also hold a press conference. The Ministry
of Tourism is talking part in the fair along with 29 Turkish
tourism companies, holding by a total of 30 stands. /Hurriyet/
While efforts are continuing to postpone the General
Elections,the countdown for ballotting at Customs' posts has
begun. Turkish citizens abroad will begin to cast their votes at
Customs gates on 25 March. Ballotting will continue at nine
customs gates until 18 April. /Cumhuriyet/
Iraq stated that oil-pumping through the Kirkuk-Yumurtalik
pipeline had begun again. Iraqi Oil Ministry officials said
that the flow of oil which had been cut due to an explosion in
Midyat, Mardin had restarted with the cooperation of Turkish
officials at 20.00 hours. /Cumhuriyet/
A stand-by agreement or an extended loan facility agreement is
expected following the upcoming elections to replace the staff
monitoring programme which is currently being overseen by the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) and which has been in place for
the last nine momths. IMF officials stated that the technical
groundwork for a possible agreement had taken took shape during
recent talks in Washington between the Turkish economic
delegation and the IMF. An agreement supported by IMF funds would
first show its effects in improving the Turkish economy by
prompting rating agencies to change their outlook on Turkey from
negative to positive.
Treasury Undersecretary Yener Dincmen held a press conference
after the conference entitled "An Assessment of the General
Encouragment Policies and the Determination of New Strategies" in
Ankara. He said that political stability was very important in
maintaining the economic programme.
It is reported that the Tresuary will arrange the flotation of
two separate bond issues. The Treasury foresees a net sale of
between TL 200-350 trillion for the 14-month (420 day) and
two-year bond issues. The value date for 420-day bonds and
two-year bonds is set at March 24, 1999 while the maturity date
is May 17, 2000 for 14-month bonds, and March 21, 2001 for
two-year bonds. Meanwhile, the Treasury will achieve a total of
214.794 trillion TL in domestic borrowing repayments on March 25,
1999, the Anatolian News Agency reports.
According to 12-month figures provided by the State Institute of
Statistics (DIE), industrial production increased by 1.8%
throughout 1998. Accordingly, industrial production increased
5.0% in the public sector and 0.4% in the private sector.
/Hurriyet/
Ersin Ozince, the Chairman of the Executive Board of the Turkish
Sisecam Corp. and the General Director of Isbank, declared that
the Sisecam Corp. has invested a total amount of $1.1 billion in
the last four years as part of the `Vision 2000 Project'.
Remarking that $159 million of this amount was invested during
the crisis-ridden atmosphere of the last year, Ozince said that
despite heavy pressures thanks to subsidies and promotions in
imports, Sisecam succeeded in increasing its glassworks
production by 3%. Ozince also pointed out that they had acquired
a total foreign exchange income of $352 million due to exports to
Europe and the Middle East. //Hurriyet/
During a conference held at the Central Bank, the integration
process with the EU was discussed. The Deputy Governor of the
Central Bank, Aydin Esen, pointed out the capitulations and the
priviliges bestowed on European States during the Ottoman Empire,
and stated that the causes for the economic hardships we were
going through could be found therein. The Motherland Party's
Bitlis deputy, and former State Minister, Kamran Inan, said that
the EU had lost its position and added, "If Turkey can use its
potential, the EU will knock on its door." Inan went on to say
that world trade has begun to be carried out by electronic means
and therefore Turkey could not be imprisoned within a narrow
geography. /Cumhuriyet/
Humayun Han Bamgas, the Pakistani Ambassador to Ankara, who has
just completed his mission in Turkey and will return to his
country very soon, said that Turkey has been rapidly developing
and the world is aware of this fact. Bamgas said, "Turkey has a
bright future. It is strong enough not to take advice about what
to do or what not to do." Concerning terrorism, he said that
Turkey was powerful enough in her struggle against terrorism.
"Turkey is a focus for the Middle East, Central Asia and Western
Asia," said Bamgas. /Turkiye/
Japanese Government officials have stated that Turkey can
approach the West via the East. Japan, with which Turkey has
enjoyed good relations for over a century, believes that these
relations should be improved. Drawing attention to the imbalance
of trade between the two countries, Japanese government officials
expect more from the Turkish side. The Japanese officials state
that while their exports to Turkey have reached high levels,
imports from Turkey are not as high as expected and that they
could be increased. They furthermore state that Turkey could
exert itself in its efforts to join the Western World, after
improving its economic situation by engaging in trade with Japan
and China in theEast. /Cumhuriyet/
The "El Qadisiye" newspaper published in Iraq, praised Turkish
officials at the same time as criticizing Saudi officials in its
editorial yesterday. "El Qadisiye" stated that the US was trying
to impose its sovereignty to the whole world under the guise of
the 'new world order'. The newspaper furthermore added that some
states acting as its satellite, either with it or within its area
of influence, had lost their independence. /Cumhuriyet/
The Turkish Straits Voluntary Monitoring Group from the Middle
East And Balkan Studies Foundation, briefed the officers of the
French helicopter carrier, Jeanne D'Arc, concerning the problems
created by the increasing traffic in the Straits. Lawyer and
captain Gunduz Aybay stated that although the rules for passing
through the Straits had been determined by the Montreux Treaty,
the agreements signed from July 1st 1994 also had a place in the
regime governing sea traffic through them and that everyone
should abide by these regulations. /Cumhuriyet/
On the occasion of the 700th anniversary of the establishment of
the Ottoman Empire, Topkapi Palace's Treasury Department will be
restored by the Gilan Jewellery company. The protocol for the
project, to be carried out with the cooperation of the Culture
Ministry, will signed at Topkapi Palace today. /Cumhuriyet/
The Italian ready-to-wear firm Benetton, has opened its 171st
shop in Sanliurfa, in the Southeastern Anatolian region. Italian
representatives said that with the Southeast Anatolian Project
(GAP), the consumption potential in the East and Southeast
regions would be rapidly increased. /Turkiye/
During construction work in Iznik a grave which, the
archeologists argued, belonged to the third century B.C., the
Early Roman period. It is reported that the grave had belonged to
a member of the `Philiscus' family. /Sabah/
Clocks will be put forward one hour to save energy this weekend,
which coincides this year with the first day of the Kurban
Festival, March 28. "Summer time" will continue for seven months.
As a result,more than 15 trillion TL in energy savings is
expected for the year. /Turkiye/
In his column in `Sabah', Ali Kırca deals with the judicial
process concerning the Ocalan affair. A summary of his column is
as follows:
"As a very short time is left before the Elections the most
important issue of recent history seems to have been
forgotten.When the storm clouds over the Elections are gone and
when the dust settles, the trial of Ocalan will be at the top of
the agenda. Not only Turkey's eyes but the eyes of the whole
world will be turned towards the trial on the island of
Imrali...At that point Turkey has to be well-prepared to defend
its case against Ocalan, as it is understood that he will act the
underdog. From his confessions leaked to the press it is seen
that he will try to portray a peaceful, moderate image. He may
use this kind of defence to provide mitigating circumstances to
this case. However, during a a fair trial process it is the duty
of the prosecutors, judges and lawyers to winkle the truth from
him... He will stand before justice and therefore it is not
appropriate to make any statement which could influence the
verdict of the court. However, it falls on Turkey to explain the
'rights' and 'wrongs' in Ocalan's confessions to the
international public... Turkey may understand his course of
action as, in the region, some consider it normal to lie to
achieve their ambition. There is no other way but to explain this
concept to the Western World and which is widely used in the
whole of the Middle East."
(MILLIYET)
Yalcin Dogan, a columnist in the `Milliyet' daily, reflects on
the temporary suspension of Med-TV broadcasts by the British
authorities. Dogan writes:
"Indeed this is as important as the capture of Ocalan. It refers
to a new blow dealt against the terrorist PKK organization.
Following the Turkish Governments's four-year exertions with this
end in mind, the broadcasts of the pro-PKK channel, Med-TV, have
been temporarily banned following the decision of the British
authorities. Med-TV has been continuing its broadcasts from
London for the last four years. Its studio is in Brussels but the
braodcasts were transmitted from London. Therefore, the
prohibition of Med-TV broadcasts mainly relied upon the legal
measures taken by the British government.
Technically, the broadcast has been prohibited by the Independent
TV Commission (ITC), which comprises both government officials
and representatives from various walks of life. An important
feature of the ITC is that it never allows `terrorist'
broadcasts.
Following the capture of Ocalan Med-TV has increased the amount
of its terrorism-led broadcasts. Turkey has applied to the ITC
several times in order to ensure the prohibition of such
transmissions. Moreover,the ITC has a similar case in mind,
concerning IRA terrorism during the Thatcher Government era; Mrs.
Thatcher demanded that the ITC prohibit those broadcasts
provoking ethnic separatism, and in turn, none of the press
agencies accused her of violating human rights or limiting the
freedom of speech.
The ITC made such a decision due to Med-TV's calls for bloodshed
and terrorism. In spite of the fact that there was undoubtedly
concrete evidence for such activities by Med-TV, it is argued
that Prime Minister Blair was also an important factor in this
process. Along with the US, the UK also supports Turkey in its
struggle against terrorism. Now the PKK is in search of a new
country for its broadcasts.
Be ready to observe the sponsors of terrorism!"
DEMIREL: "TURCO-BULGARIAN RELATIONS ARE EXCELLENT"
MED-TV LICENCE SUSPENDED IN BRITAIN
TURCO-SYRIAN RELATIONS
ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON APRIL 18
PROSECUTOR FILES CLOSURE CASE AGAINST FP
TURKEY AFFIRMS READINESS TO JOIN NATO INTERVENTION
RESIGNATIONS IN PARLIAMENT
GERMAN EXPERT: "PKK SHIFT TO URBAN REGIONS"
A NEW OCALAN FIASCO IN GREECE
SAFETY MEASURES FOR TOURISM
BELGIAN JOURNALISTS INVITED TO TURKEY
AHMET TAN TO VISIT MOSCOW TOURISM FAIR
BALLOTTING AT CUSTOMS'POSTS TO BEGIN ON 25 MARCH
OIL BEGAN TO BE PUMPED
IMF-RELATED LOANS EXPECTED TO FLOW AFTER ELECTIONS
TREASURY TO ARRANGE TWO SEPARATE BOND TENDERS
PRODUCTION INCREASES 1.8% IN 1998
SISECAM INVESTS $1.1 BILLION
THE EU HAS LOST ITS POSITION
PAKISTANI AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA, "TURKEY IS RAPIDLY DEVELOPING"
ANKARA MUST TURN ITS FACE TOWARDS THE EAST
TURKEY PRAISED BY THE IRAQI PRESS
LOCAL RULES SHOULD BE FOLLOWED WHEN PASSING THROUGH THE STRAITS
THE RENOVATION OF TOPKAPI PALACE'S TREASURY DEPARTMENT
ITALIAN BENETTON IN SANLIURFA
ANCIENT GRAVE FOUND IN IZNIK
CLOCKS AHEAD ONE HOUR ON SUNDAY
FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS
HYPOCRISY - BY ALI KIRCA (SABAH)
BLAIR'S BLOCK ON THE VOICE OF THE PKK - BY YALCIN DOGAN