Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
CONTENTS
Turkey maintained a diplomatic victory in her persistent blockade
of the Washington Summit Communique. After a long debate on the
new strategic concept 19-member NATO alliance reaffirmed its
commitment to build the European Security and Defense Identity
(ESDI) within the alliance. The European Union (EU) member
countries wanted that the Western European Union (WEU) be
responsible for the operations and activities to be held in
Europe. If this strategic concept was accepted, Turkey would have
to meet every WEU decisions and would be excluded from the
planning stage of NATO operations. Turkey showed reaction to the
issue claiming that Turkey's participation in the European
security process would be necessary for regional peace.
Ismail Cem, the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that it
was Turkey's determined policy that made her influence felt in
the composition of the final communique. In their contacts in the
US, Turkish officials put forward that Turkey's exclusion from
the European security process would not be in line with the
regional strategy of America. /Cumhuriyet/
During his informal discussion with Turkish members of the press
President Suleyman Demirel said that at his meeting with US
President Bill Clinton they discussed Turco-Greek problems as
well as other global developments. Regarding NATO Summit and ESDI
issue, Demirel said that Turkey achieved a tremendous diplomatic
success at the Summit and thanked the Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Ismail Cem.
President Demirel noted that the murderer of 30,000 people,
Abdullah Ocalan, would be fairly tried in Turkey although some
circles in Europe tried to show just the contrary. He added that
Turkey would not be put into an unjust position in her just case.
Concerning his bilateral meeting with German Prime Minister
Gerhardt Schroeder, Demirel said that they discussed the Kosovo
crisis, problems of Turks in Germany, the joint fight against
terrorism and Turkey's relations with the European Union. Demirel
also underlined that both countries were obliged under
international law to struggle against terrorism. He said that he
asked Schroeder to cease the German-based Ozgur Gundem
publications since it was openly provoking murder like MED-TV.
Demirel is scheduled to leave Washington and return to Turkey on
Wednesday. /All papers/
Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem who answered the questions
posed by journalists following the meetings in Washington on the
occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of NATO
said on the trial of the PKK Chief Abdullah Ocalan that everyone
should be confident on the fairness of the trial. Cem said: "They
are asking whether or not observers will come. With which status
or authority? Turkey's law of procedures are one of the best
among Western European countries. There is no 'observer' status.
It will be a normal trial. The door is open to everyone. However
there will be no special places for ambassadors".
Cem noted that he had a detailed meeting with US Secretary of
State Madeleine Albright and stated that actually bilateral
relations between Turkey and the US have further developed during
the last two years. Cem said that the US Special Coordinator to
Cyprus, Thomas Miller, and US President Bill Clinton's
representative responsible for the Caspian basin, Richard
Morningstar, were also present at the meeting. /Aksam/
Turkish Air Forces Commander General Ilhan Kilic hosted on Monday
the Air Forces Chief of 17 European countries, some of which are
NATO members, at the Turkish Air Force Headquarters in Ankara.
The commanders visited Ataturk's Mausoleum early in the morning
and were later greeted at the Air Force Headquarters with a
military ceremony. Air Force Commanders are going to discuss
various issues including joint doctrines, operations and
training. /Aksam/
Turkish President Suleyman Demirel who is currently in the US
received a 'Shield of Distinguished Leader' from the
American-Turkish Associations' Assembly (ATAA) yesterday in
Washington. Demirel who delivered a speech on the occasion said
that he was one of the witnesses of the 75 year-old Republic of
Turkey. Demirel noted that per capita income in Turkey rose from
$50 to $9,000 during the last 75 years and pointed out the
distance covered by Turkey in industry and trade. Demirel added:
"There are many issues to be handled by the new government". He
also gave the message that the period of compulsory education
could be increased from eight years to 10 years to be in line
with world conditions. /Aksam/
The number of Kosovar refugees who entered Turkey has reached
11,986. According to a statement made by the Interior Ministry,
the number of Kosovar refugees staying in the Kirklareli
Gaziosmanpasa Refugee Camp amounted to 4,451, including 1,432
women, 1,275 men and 1,744 children. /Turkiye/
It is reported that the pro-PKK Med-TV, whose broadcasts were
ceased for an indefinite period of time by the British
Independent Television Commission (ITC), is preparing to
establish a new facility in Belgrade which is under NATO fire. It
is also announced that the Med-TV did not close its studios in
Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Russia and some Middle Eastern
countries and it continues its news gathering activities.
/Milliyet/
The European Parliament (EP) has decided to send two of its
members to observe the trial of the chief of the outlawed PKK
organization. A statement issued by the Speaker of the
Parliamentary Assembly of the European Parliament, British MP
Russel Johnston, said that the trial would be observed by
Hungarian Parliamentarian Andreas Barsony and Finnish
Parliamentarian Gunnar Jansson. He said that the two MPs would
not be serving as international observers, but as members of the
EP. /Aksam/
Emine Korkut, the sister of one of the lawyers of the chief of
the terrorist PKK organization, Abdullah Ocalan, was arrested by
the Izmir State Security Court due to charges of being a PKK
member. It is reported that Emine Korkut, the sister of Ocalan's
lawyer Hatice Korkut, was engaged in separatist activities in the
countryside of the Elazig province and conducted a number of
attacks with molotov-coctails in that region. /Milliyet/
The Head of the Constitutional Court, Ahmet Necdet Sezer, called
on the new Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) and said that
laws restricting the freedom of thought should be amended. Sezer,
who delivered a speech on the 37th anniversary of the
establishment of the Constitutional Court, stated that the 1982
Constitution restricted basic rights and freedoms to a great
extent. Sezer said: "Necessary amendments to the Constitution and
laws should be made in order to be in line with universal norms".
He added that laws concerning the associations, Higher Education
Board (YOK), trade unions, State Security Courts, emergency rule,
the press, the struggle against terrorism, collective bargaining
and strikes should be amended. /Turkiye/
Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister Hikmet Ulugbay is
currently in Washington to attend spring meetings of the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. Ulugbay who
met Head of the IMF Michel Camdessus on Sunday, met Head of the
World Bank James Wolfensohn yesterday as well. Sources note that
Ulugbay has given a message that 'Following the Elections in
Turkey, a stable government led by the Democratic Left Party
(DSP) will be established and this government will realize many
structural reforms'. It is reported that following the
establishment of the new Turkish government, stand-by meetings
unofficially being discussed since February will also begin.
Within the framework of his contacts in Washington, Ulugbay will
meet Deputy Head of the IMF, Stanley Fischer, today and meet
Treasury Secretary, Lawrence Summers, tomorrow. Ulugbay will
later proceed to New York and attend the UN Economic and Social
Council meeting. /Aksam/
Hasan Basri Aktan, the Minister of Transportation, went to Athens
yesterday in order to attend an international meeting on
commercial passages in Southern Europe. Prior to his departure
from Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, Aktan noted that a document to
facilitate the commercial passages in Southern Europe and
especially in Balkan countries will be finalized during the
meeting of Transport Ministers from Southern European countries.
Aktan will return to Turkey on April 29, the Anatolia News Agency
reports.
Leading figures in the Motherland Party (ANAP) and the True Path
Party (DYP) are criticizing their leaders following the results
of the General and Local Elections held in Turkey on April 18.
Meanwhile, following the resignation of the Chairman of the
Republican People's Party (CHP) Deniz Baykal, there are signals
that there could be a CHP-SHP division in the party. The most
interesting statement was made by the Chairman of the Virtue
Party (FP) Recai Kutan, who said: "I have no insistence on
remaining as the FP Chairman", implying that there could be new
candidates to run for the FP Chairmanship.
DYP Chairman Tansu Ciller gave a message concerning her critics,
saying, "They should wait for the Congress of the Party. They can
be a nominee during the Congress and explain their cause".
/Aksam/
Mesut Yilmaz, the Chairman of the Motherland Party (ANAP), and
the members of the Central Decision Administration Board (MKYK)
will meet today for first time after the 18 April General
Election. Mesut Yilmaz said after the 4-hour-long party meeting
yesterday in Ankara that they would discuss the results of the
elections. Noting that Turkish voters gave priority to the
Democratic Left Party (DSP) and the Nationalist Action Party
(MHP) to establish a government, Yilmaz said that ANAP was ready
to take reponsibility in order to ensure political stability in
Turkey. He said they would also discuss the re-structuring
program of ANAP during the MKYK meeting. /Cumhuriyet/
Hasan Celal Guzel, the leader of the Rebirth Party (YDP) and a
former well-known Minister of the Motherland Party (ANAP)
cabinets in the late 1980s, declared that he would give up
politics and that his party would abolish itself in an
Extraordinary Congress in May, given the insignificant number of
votes they received in the April 18 Elections. /Milliyet/
'Der Spiegel' and 'Focus', weekly magazines published in Germany,
have claimed that if the Democratic Left Party (DSP) and the
Nationalist Action Party (MHP), which received a significant rate
of increase in their votes during the recent elections in Turkey,
establish a coalition, Turkey will stay afar from Europe. An
article entitled 'Rejection to Europe' in Focus said that the
surprising results of the Elections even amazed the MHP Chairman
Devlet Bahceli. The article noted that the capture of the chief
of the terrorist PKK, Abdullah Ocalan, had an important role in
the victory of the DSP. It said that both DSP Chairman Bulent
Ecevit and MHP Chairman Devlet Bahceli would determine a new
European policy.
An article in the `Der Spiegel' magazine stated that the result
of the Elections was historical. It said: "Since the military
coup in 1980, Turkey has been channelled towards the West.
However, the situation changed following the Elections. Turks
have chosen two politicians who prefer isolation. There are two
issues on the agenda: The indivisibility of the Turkish nation
and the power of state institutions". /Hurriyet/
Metin Bostancioglu, the Minister of National Education, said on
Saturday that eight years compulsory education was carried out
with success, adding that their target was to increase this
period to 11-12 years. Speaking to reporters in Istanbul's
Ataturk Airport fron where he will leave for South Korea to
participate in the "Second International Profession and Technical
Education Congress", staged by the UNESCO, Bostancioglu said the
main theme of the Congress that will take place in Seul was
"providing the business world of the 21st century with life-long
education and training", the Anatolia News Agency reports.
Vice-Admiral Philippe Roy, the Chief Commander of French
Mediterranean Navy, visited on Monday Admiral Ilhami Erdil, the
Chief Commander of Naval Forces. Vice-Admiral Roy, who is
currently paying an official visit to Turkey as the guest of
Admiral Erdil, and the accompanying delegation later attended a
briefing at the Preveze War Games Centre and visited the
Submarine Fleet Commandership, Shipyard Commandership and War
Fleet Commondership. Guest Vice-Admiral and the accompanying
delegation later proceeded from Golcuk to Istanbul in order to
visit the Northern Sea Fleet Commandership, the Anatolian News
Agency reports.
The Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) National 100 Index reached a
new record yesterday. The Index which was on 5,154 points on
Friday amounted to 5,305 points yesterday. Meanwhile, value of
the shares increased by 2.93 % yesterday. Experts note that
possibilities on a multi-party coalition government in Turkey
support the upward trend in the IMKB.
Meanwhile, interest rates on the bond market continued to
decrease yesterday. Bond interest rates declined by an average of
two-three points and fell under 90 % for the first time since
July 1998. /Aksam/
The Treasury Undersecretariat will export a five-month term (140
days) bonds today. The Treasury aims at a sale worth 500-750
trillion TL. The repayment of the bonds will be realized on
September 15, 1999. /Turkiye/
Meetings of the Syrian-Turkish Joint Transportation Commission
began yesterday in Damascus. According to the Syrian News Agency,
Sana, during the meetings between the delegations of the two
countries yesterday, technical information on transportation was
exchanged and the issue of transit passage was discussed. The
meetings during which Turkey will be represented by a delegation
from the Ministry of Transportation will end on Wednesday, the
Anatolia News Agency reports.
12 journalists and 2 tourism agency representatives from Germany,
who were invited to Turkey in order to investigate the so-called
`security question' in Turkish tourism, have concluded that
Turkey is a victim of prejudice and the reservation cancellations
are totally due to an overexaggeration of events. Remarking that
their thoughts have also changed after observing the peaceful
environment in Turkey, the German journalists and agency
representatives said, "Everything is beautiful in Turkey.
Notwithstanding the claims of the European press, neither tanks
nor any other military vehicles are on the streets. It is quite
shameful of certain press organs to calumny Turkey by spreading
untrue news in the face of the fact that Turkey indeed gives
particular importance to security issues. Formerly we were not
able to comment on Turkey as we did not know here. We have
realized the truth when we came here. In our opinion, the basis
of those negative news issued on Turkey is mere prejudice."
/Milliyet/
Minister of Tourism, Ahmet Tan, returned home yesterday following
his contacts in New York. Arriving Ankara Tan gave a press
statement saying that he had met with representatives of the US
tourism agencies, magazines and newspaper editors during his
visit. Tan added that the war going on in Kosovo was negatively
effected Turkish tourism. Thus, Turkey decided to start an
intense public relations program in Russia in order to attract
the attention of more Russian tourists, said Tan, adding that
articles and advertisements about Turkey would take place in
woman-fashion magazines in Russia. He also noted that Russian
Orthodox Patriarch would visit Turkey in 2000. /Sabah/Cumhuriyet/
Salih Boyaci, the Chairman of the Trade Chambers of the Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), said that they would overcome
their problems by integrating with Turkey. He added that Greek
Cypriots aimed to assimilate Turkish Cypriots and to detach them
from Turkey by means of European Union (EU). Boyaci noted that
TRNC would easily defend its justful rights on political arena if
its economy was developed and powerful. He stressed that the
Turco-TRNC integration was compulsory in order to improve their
economy. /Cumhuriyet/
A Belgian trade delegation came to Turkey on Monday. A Belgian
statement said that the delegation consisting of 30 companies and
various federations will hold contacts in Ankara, Istanbul, and
Izmir until April 30, 1999. The delegation will meet with the
Turkish businessmen, the Turkish Association of Businessmen and
Industrialists (TUSIAD), and the officials of the chamber of
commerce. The statement also noted that the Turkish-Belgian
relations improved in the last years and that Belgium is among
the most important trading partners of Turkey. Emphasizing that
Belgian companies try to find new ways to improve the cooperation
possibilities and investments in Turkey, the statement said that
the special geography and the cultural position of Turkey caused
by its being a country in the intersection point of Central Asia,
Caucasus, Middle East and Europe increases the attraction of
Turkey, the Anatolian News Agency reported.
Businesswomen made a striking rise in Turkey's top tax payer list
for 1998. Among the top 25 tax payers in Turkey, there are nine
businesswomen, an indication of the increasing role of women in
the Turkish economy. The amount of tax paid by these women
amounted to 21 trillion TL. Mehmet Yildirim of the Istanbul Trade
Chamber (ITO) indicated that there had been a sharp increase in
the number of businesses run by women, particularly in the
services sector, Anatolia News Agency reported.
Bob Herbold, Deputy Chairman of the Microsoft, said that the
potential in Turkey was highly attracted their attention. He
added that the level of technological development in Turkey was
rising and that they aimed to increase the share of their
products in Turkish market. /Sabah/
Ten members of the outlawed TIKKO organization who were preparing
to launch bomb attacks in Istanbul were captured in operations
carried out in 10 different districts. Terrorists admitted that
they had planned bombing attacks for the day that the trial of
Ocalan was set to begin. Another member of the same organization
was caught with seven hand grenades in Istanbul. /Aksam/
TIKKO terrorists attacked a concreteyard belonging to private
sector in the province of Tokat. Taking two watchmen of the yard
as hostages, the terrorists flew towards the Turhal district,
sabotaging six vehicles of the firm. Security forces started
intensive operations in the region. /Milliyet/
The Dardanel Onentas Food Company has decided to hold meetings on
cooperation with the German Hero company based in Switzerland in
the baby food market. According to a statement sent by Dardanel
to the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB), meetings began yesterday.
It is reported that meetings focused on the joint activities in
production, imports and sales for the development of the baby
food market in Turkey. /Aksam/
The Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board of the Cevher Group,
Haluk Ozyavuz, who represented Turkey at the World Young
Businessmen Competition in Portugal, was elected as "The Most
Successful Manager of the World". Cevher Machinery Industry,
which was represented by Haluk Ozyavuz, is the biggest automobile
spare-part producer in Turkey.
Meanwhile, Izzet Garih, who was elected as "The Most Successful
Businessmen in the World" last year in China, gave a speech
concerning his experiences in business world.
Three patchworks of art from the Textile Arts Association which
have been on display at the Harbiye Military Museum since
November 1998 will be exhibited in the US on May 1-2. Solmaz
Cerdik's patchwork 'Autumn Wind', Selma Agalar's 'Together with
Ataturk towards the 2000s' and 'Autumn in Connecticut' will
represent Turkey in the US. Patchwork has recently become a very
popular art in the world. /Hurriyet/
The 2nd International Bursa Tulip Festival will begin on 29 April
with the co-organization of Bursa Munacipality, Bursa Culture,
Arts and Tourism Foundation and the Bursa Industrialists' and
Businessmen's Association. Within the framework of the festival
there will be concerts, theatre performances and exhibitions.
Groups from the Netherlands, Japan, Germany and Israel will
exhibit their traditional handy-works, Israeli violin artist
Matan Givo and German Reimund Popp and Tilmann Hubner guitar duo
will give concerts within the scope of the festival activities.
/Cumhuriyet/
Turkey became the gold medalist in the Second International Youth
Free and Graeco-Roman Wrestling Tournament on Sunday. Romania
became the silver medalist and France became the bronze medalist
in Graeco-Roman category while Uzbekistan won the silver medal
and South Korea the bronze medal in free wrestling category in
the tournament in which 60 sportsmen from Turkey, France,
Uzbekistan, South Korea, Azerbaijan and Romania participated, the
Anatolian News Agency reports.
Fikret Bila, a columnist for the `Milliyet' daily, reflects on
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's concerns over the possible new
government models. Bila writes:
"Does Prime Minister Ecevit has any concerns over the Nationalist
Action Party (MHP)? Emphasizing that Devlet Bahceli, the leader
of the MHP, and other top-level party figures try to follow a
`moderate' policy, Ecevit has also given the hints of his
`suspects', saying, `yet we do not know the tendencies within
that party and those of its grassroots.'
However, this is not a concern specific to the Democratic Left
Party (DSP) leader, but a general one engendered by the
perception towards the MHP across society. Is it possible that
this concern will impede a DSP-MHP government?
It seems that for the DSP a model `without the MHP' may well be
more dangerous than a model `with the MHP'. For one thing, if the
MHP remains in the Opposition, it will form a very strong
opposition block together with the Virtue Party (FP). Such a
block might be very attractive for those Motherland Party (ANAP)
and True Path Party (DYP) MPs who were formerly affiliated with
the MHP line and eventually there may be transfers from ANAP and
the DYP to the MHP. Under these circumstances, it will be
impossible to operate Parliament. Secondly, in a model `without
the MHP', the DSP can only establish a coalition with the DYP and
ANAP, whereas both the lack of harmony between these two parties
and their lack of Parliamentary discipline may result in serious
troubles for the Government.
Then, the question becomes how the dangers of a model `with the
MHP' can be removed. There are two answeres to this question: 1.
Through a tight coalition protocol; and 2.Through Devlet
Bahceli's and other top-level MHP politicians' tight control over
their Party.
The DSP front thinks that the concerns over the MHP, in
particular due to a possibility of its `radicalization', can be
minimized through a tight coalition protocol. Besides, they
consider the `moderate' approach of Devlet Bahceli and the MHP
administration a kind of `guarantee'. When it comes to minority
government models, it is impossible for the DSP to try a minority
government on itself or together with ANAP. This alternative is
not considered feasible.
Consequently, our impression is that the DSP has more concerns
over new government models `without the MHP' that it has over
those `with the MHP'. Ecevit is in pursuit of `guarantees' that
will minimize their concerns over the models `with the MHP.' "
In his column in daily "Cumhuriyet" Mustafa Balbay writes on the
new developments in NATO. A summary of his column is as follows:
"...NATO which was established just after the Second World War
and did not have to face any event suited for its functions until
1990s, is trying to take on a new identity. In view of this new
identity we can define NATO as, Organization is where America
wants it to be.
The EU wants a restructuring and says "Leave Europe to us and we
will form a new defense and security identity." At this point,
there is a complication in Turkey's situation. During the days of
European Economic Community, the situation could be described as
"They are the partners and we are the market", later on when NATO
became closer to its functions "Turkey was the bulwark of NATO
at the frontier".
Today NATO wants to form an organization called European Security
and Defense Identity (ESDI) and the security problems within
Europe should be the responsibility of this organization. ESDI
should decide on the necessity and type of an intervention. NATO
should not have any role in the matter.
This means that Turkey will send troops to the organization, but
will not take place at the decision mechanisms of the
organization as it is not a member of the EU. Turkey's oppositon
to this decision at the NATO summit was accepted for the time
being. When a question on European security or any steps to be
taken in the region arise the final word will be said by NATO.
However, there was no clear answer to how ESDI, the EU talked
about since 1966, will be shaped in the future. The question will
be taken up in the EU summit to be held in Cologne, in June.
Foreign Affairs Ministry Undersecretary Kormaz Haktanir
underlined these points:
- Turkey got what it wanted but the EU will want to implement
what it has set out to do. Therefore we have to be careful.
- The parties have time to think over the matter until the
Cologne summit in June. Turkey shall try maintain and enhance its
place both in NATO and the Western European Union (WEU).
- Turkey is concerned that it will be left out in a situation
similar to that seen in Kosovo.
As a result it can be said that Turkey has succeded in achieving
what it wanted from the NATO summit. However the EU will go on
developing the new model it has on its mind. Turkey cannot just
go on maintaining its position by explaining it to the US.
Turkey should be at peace with its neighbours and the states
within the region. This should create a special place for itself
in addition to having a say in both NATO and the WEU. This is an
inevitable step to be taken for Turkey's survival as it is clear
that being friendly with the West and quarreling with our
neighbours does not suffice."
TURKEY'S SUCCESS AT THE WASHINGTON SUMMIT
PRESIDENT DEMIREL ON THE NATO SUMMIT
CEM CRITICIZES WESTERN COUNTRIES
EUROPEAN AIR COMMANDERS IN ANKARA
SHIELD OF `DISTINGUISHED LEADER' FOR DEMIREL
NUMBER OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES IN TURKEY REACHED 12,000
MED-TV IS ON THE WAY TO BELGRADE
EU TO SEND TWO MPs TO WATCH OCALAN'S TRIAL
SISTER OF OCALAN'S LAWYER: A PKK MILITANT
SEZER: "CONSTITUTION SHOULD BE AMENDED"
ULUGBAY IN WASHINGTON
AKTAN IN GREECE
SITUATION IN POLITICAL PARTIES
ANAP MKYK TO MEET
HASAN CELAL GUZEL GIVES UP POLITICS
`DSP-MHP COALITION WILL KEEP TURKEY AFAR FROM EU'
BOSTANCIOGLU TO VISIT SOUTH KOREA
CHIEF COMMANDER OF FRENCH MEDITERRANEAN NAVY IN TURKEY
RECORD IN IMKB
TREASURY EXPORTS BONDS
SYRIAN-TURKISH TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETINGS
GERMAN JOURNALISTS: "TURKEY IS A VICTIM OF PREJUDICE"
TURKEY EXPECTS MORE RUSSIAN TOURISTS
"TURCO-TRNC ECONOMIC INTEGRATION IS A MUST"
BELGIAN TRADE DELEGATION IN TURKEY
WOMEN'S ROLE IN ECONOMY RISING
MICROSOFT, "TURKEY IS AN ATTRACTIVE MARKET"
POLICE SEIZE BOMBERS
TERRORISTS ATTACK CONCRETEYARD
DARDANEL-HERO COOPERATION
OZYAVUZ, "THE MOST SUCCESSFUL YOUNG MANAGER OF THE WORLD"
REPRESENTATIVES OF TURKISH TEXTILE SECTOR IN US
INTERNATIONAL BURSA TULIP FESTIVAL
TURKEY BECOMES GOLD MEDALIST IN FREE AND GRAECO-ROMAN WRESTLING
FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS
TIGHT PROTOCOL - BY FIKRET BILA (MILLIYET)
THE MATCH GOES ON IN NATO - BY MUSTAFA BALBAY (CUMHURIYET)