Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
CONTENTS
The protocol of the 57th government of Turkey is to be presented
to Parliament's General Assembly today. The government is
expected to receive a vote of confidence from Parliament next
Wednesday. Debates on the government protocol are to begin on
Monday, the Anatolia News Agency reported. All political parties
in Parliament will have the opportunity to express their thoughts
on the protocol before the General Assembly. According to the
Constitution, a simple majority of 276 votes of the total 550 are
needed for a vote of confidence.
In his statement drying yesterday's hearing, the PKK chief
Abdullah Ocalan said that after 20 years, the PKK leadership had
reached the conclusion that no solution to the problem could
result from terrorism. "Now I would like to call on the PKK to
convene for peace taks. We previously reached the decision to
make peace. All I want is a positive reply," he said.
He presented an 81-page written defence to the court calling for
an historic political reconciliation, an opportunity for the
settlement of what he described as the "Kurdish problem" and an
end to the PKK-led latest upsurgence of the Kurds. /All papers/
Andreas Barsony, the EU's Reporter for Turkey, said that Abdullah
Ocalan while making calls for peace is contradicting himself and
he seems to have lost his control over the organization. Watching
the fourth day of the Ocalan trial, Barsony answered the
questions of a group of journalists. Barsony said that Ocalan
seems healthy and it is apparent that he is being held in
comfortable conditions. Answering a question concerning Ocalan's
wish for peace, Barsony said, "They have made calls for peace
before as well. He contradicts himself; he says `I can ensure the
surrender of those PKK militants in the mountains and thereby
stop terrorism', but when questions about the actions of the PKK,
he says `I do not know". It seems he has lost his control over
the PKK. You cannot trust Ocalan." Barsony also added that the
trial process is just. Meanwhile, responding to an American
journalist's claims that there are considerable restrictions on
the prtess in Turkey, Barsony answered, "I was told that Kurdish
newspapers were banned. However, I bought a Kurdish newsapaper in
Diyarbakir. There was an interview with Ocalan in it.
Notwithstanding, I was not subject to any kind of maltreatment."
/Milliyet/Hurriyet/
Alexander Lebedev, the Russian Ambassador to Ankara, said that
the trial of Ocalan is being undertaken in a "modern atmopsphere,
as in modern states", adding "Ocalan has been tried justly so
far. I hope it will carry on this way." Stressing that Turkey is
a modern country, the Russian Ambassador said, "I do not think
that this issue will influence Turkey's image. Russia regards
this question as a domestic problem for Turkey. We believe that
there are other issues between Russia and Turkey which deserve
priority." /Hurriyet/
`The Times' reported that the statements of Abdullah Ocalan, the
chief of the terrorist PKK, during his trial on Imrali are full
of inconsistencies. In an article published in yesterday's
`Times', it was said, "While on the one hand Ocalan says that he
is ready to persuade the PKK to give up the armed struggle, on
the other, he argues that the most terrific violent actions of
the organization were committed by those groups outside of his
control. During Wednesday's hearing, when he was asked whether or
not there is a Kurdish question in Turkey, he said that Kurds had
been deprived of the right to speak their own language between
1983-1991 but that the human rights record of Turkey has
recovered since then. In this respect, he has lost the
opportunity to explain for what he has been fighting up to now."
On the other hand, `Financial Times' wrote, "Ocalan has accepted
the charges made against him; he is in an attitude of complete
surrender." Meanwhile, the Italian `Il Messaggero' daily argued
that Ocalan disappointed those people who fled the region,
leaving their 4,000 villages behind. /Hurriyet/
1,028 members of the domestic and foreign press applied up to now
to the press centre set up by the General Directorate of Press
and Information. It is announced that the authorization of
foreign press members is still continuing. News from the Anatolia
News Agency is being translated into English, German and French
and being issued to foreign media representatives. /Turkiye/
The terrorist PKK organization has been shocked by the statements
of Abdullah Ocalan. PKK terrorists, particularly those who are
still in prison, refuse to listen to TV or radio bulletins so as
not to hear any news concerning Ocalan's statements. Other groups
who are still in the mountains talk to each other through
radio-communications asking, "Have we suffered a miserable life
for years for nothing?" Terrorists are realizing that they have
been dying for nothing and chasing for a dream which could never
be achieved.
Meanwhile, most of the terrorists in prison have declared stated
their loyalty to the State and some still in the mountains have
yielded to the State. /Aksam/
It has been proved that the PKK has training camps in the
Netherlands. According to the Dutch Intelligence Service (BVD),
the PKK set up political and military camps in the Netherlands in
order to train those PKK members who come from Eastern and
Southeastern Anatolia. It is reported that young people from
other European countries were also trained there. The Dutch "De
Telegraaf" newspaper reported that the government is aware of the
existence of these camps. /Sabah/Star/
Eight members of the PKK terrorist group in the Kahramanmaras
E-category prison sent a petition to the Ministry of Justice in
which they expressed their loyalty to the Turkish Republic. They
declared their full belief in the unity of the State and their
devotion to the Turkish Republic adding that the PKK is a
terrorist organization.
Elsewhere, a PKK terrorist was sentenced to a
twelve-and-a-half-year prison term due to receiving explosives
training in Romania.
Furthermore, eight PKK terrorists were sentenced to death and
another eight of them were sentenced to imprisonment between
three and 10 years by Diyarbakir No.3 State Security Court.
/Sabah/Star/
It is reported that PKK militants in the mountains of Northern
Iraq have responded to Abdullah Ocalan's calls for peace during
his trial on Imrali. According to data provided by the Turkish
intelligence units, in a radio conversation between three PKK
militants it was decided to support the `peace and
democratization process' proposed by Ocalan. Experts commenting
on the current situation of the terrorist organization remark
that the PKK may concentrate on an `active defence system' and
tend to merely respond to operations carried out by security
forces, avoiding separate offensive actions of its own.
/Milliyet/
Iranian police did not permit a demonstration by a group of
terrorists wishing to demonstrate against Turkey in front of the
Turkish Embassy in Tehran. It was reported that some of the
demonsrators were taken into custody. Since the capture of
Ocalan, more than 10 demonstrators have died during pro-Ocalan
demonstrations in various regions of Iran. /Aksam/
Attacking a village under the control of Mesut Barzani's
Kurdistan Democratic Party in Northern Iraq, PKK terrorists
killed 5 persons, including women and children, and injured 11
others. Eyewitnesses reported that the PKK terrorists came from
the Iranian border and fired rockets and automatic rifles on the
village. /Hurriyet/
It is reported that Greece aims to evaluate the `joint
anti-terrorism cooperation agreement' between the two countries,
proposed by Ismail Cem, the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs,
only after the end of the current turmoil. Meanwhile, Turkish
bureaucrats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that
Greece is simply striving to suppress the links between the PKK
and Greece revealed during the process leading to the capture of
Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the terrorist organization. On the
other hand, a Greek diplomat remarked that Greece's response to
Cem's `three-paragraph' letter had been delayed due to the
intense schedule of Greek Foreign Minister Papandreu, and said,
"For such an agreement we need a more peaceful, tension-free
athmosphere." In turn, sources from the Turkish Ministry of
Foreign Affairs noted, "Recently Greece has been trying to give
the impression that she enjoys good relations with Turkey. Yet
their ultimate goal is to suppress their apparent ties with the
PKK revealed during the capture of Ocalan. However, we have not
let it be forgotten and we will continue to bear it in mind."
/Milliyet/
Six Turkish aircraft flying from Balikesir and Bandirma to take
part in Efes-99 exercises in the Aegean have been harrassed by
Greek aircrast while flying over the northern parts Midilli
Island. During the exercises, Greek aircraft followed Turkish
aircraft closely distance, military sources reported. /Turkiye/
Akin Birdal, the President of the Human Rights' Association
(IHD), who was sentenced to a one-year punishment due to a speech
he delivered on World Peace Day, has been sent to prison. Issuing
a statement prior to his entrance into prison, Birdal argued,
"Parliament has turned Turkey into a semi-open prison by not
removing the obstacles to freedom of thought and expression."
/Milliyet/
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit met the Chairman of the British
Off-shore Trade and Investment Council, Prince Michael, yesterday
in Ankara. At the meeting Ecevit informed his British guest of
the goverment's aims and policies.
Ecevit later met the representatives of some workers'
associations and listened to their expectations of the new
government. /Turkiye/
Politicians and experts from 25 European countries gathered in
Ankara yesterday to discuss technological developments, as well
as cooperation in solving the social problems they cause. The
two-day conference is the work of the European Research and
Coordination Assembly (EUREKA). Deputy Prime Minister Devlet
Bahceli delivered the opening speech to the gathering. The
participants will have been discussing three main topics: "The
political determination to strengthen and renovate EUREKA,"
"Research and Development" and "EUREKA as an industrial witness."
The conference ends today. /Sabah/
The trial of notorious mafia leader in detention Alaattin Cakici,
who was arrested in France and has been detained there since 17
August 1998, got underway yesterday. It is expected that the
criminal boss will be acquitted of the charges he is facing. /All
papers/
The Virtue Party (FP) has called on Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit
to declare Turkey's Southeastern region a disaster area in a
report entitled "The Southeastern Declaration". Some of the
measures suggested by the study are as follows: the region should
be declared a disaster area, the debts of Southeastern
municipalities should be cancelled, Social Cooperation and
Solidarity Fund resources should be distributed to residents of
the region and mobile soup kitchens should be introduced. /All
papers/
Cuneyt Sel, the Deputy Undersecretary of Treasury , announced
that representatives from the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
would arrice in Turkey on 15 June for an exchange of views with
Turkish economic experts. Sel added that the meeting would be no
different from the usual meetings between Turkey and the IMF.
Meanwhile, State Minister Hikmet Ulugbay said that Turkey would
continue her consultations with the IMF in order to sustain the
struggle against inflation. He added that Turkey aimed to receive
the support of the IMF and international finance circles' for its
anti-inflation programme. /Sabah/
Deputy Undersecretary of the Treasury Ferhat Emil said that 10
trillion TL will be offered to incompleted investments in Eastern
and Southeastern Anatolia. In his speech to the Diyarbakir Trade
and Industry Chamber Emil noted that they the decision of how to
use the 10 trillion TL would be reached following meetings with
regional businessmen. He added 26 provinces would be granted the
benefits of the credit. /Aksam/
It is reported that Turkey has repaid a total of $680.99 million
in foreign debts in May 1999, a huge amount of which belongs to
the Treasury. Meanwhile, a total of $3,549.69 million in foreign
debts has been repaid in the first five months of 1999.
/Hurriyet/
Turkish and Italian businessmen have decided to revive commercial
relations between the two countries which were stretched to
breaking-point following Italy's refusal to extradite the PKK
chief, Abdullah Ocalan, to Turkey last winter. In this respect,
Carlo Sangalli, the Chairman of the Milano Chamber of Commerce
visited the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) and met Chairman
Mehmet Yildirim. During the meeting, Yildirim said, "We were
faced with a number of difficulties due to a misunderstanding.
Following this meeting between the ITO and the Milano Chamber of
Commerce, I believe we will turn back to the friendly days of
old." In turn, Sangalli emphasized that they want to strengthen
cooperation between the two countries. /Milliyet/
Halkbank has received a $ 200 million long-term credit from
foreign sources. According to Halkbank representatives, the
credit will be offered for the use of Small-and-Medium Scale
Enterpreses (KOBI) in order to finance their exports and
investments. /Sabah/
Prince Felipe de Borbon od Spain has arrived in Istanbul to
attend a series of meetings organized in line with a cooperation
protocol agreement signed between the Spanish Foreign Trade
Instititution (ICEX) and the Research Centre for Improving
Exports (IGEM) under the auspices Spanish Industrial Fair,
"Expotecnia 99". During his visit the Prince will meet President
Suleyman Demirel and various Ministers. Immediately after
arriving yesterday in Istanbul, the Prince toured the Expotecnia
99 Fair and was informed about it. At the end of the visit,
Borbon said that both Turkey and Spain have the political will to
expand on their links in every field. /Sabah/
The Treasury is continuing its work towards the more advanced
liberalization meetings expected in the year 2000 under the
chairmanship of the World Trade Organization. The Deputy
Undersecretary of the Treasury, Cuneyt Sel, said that
international discipline has taken the place of a national
approach to trade. He added at the Uruguay Round of talks that it
had been dec.ded to apply international principles to the
services sector in order to increase its competitiveness in
international trade. /Cumhuriyet/
Trousers used by the US Army are now being produced in Turkey.
Farteks, an Erzurum-based Turkish textile company, has reached an
agreement with US military officials to produce 100 thousand
pairs of trousers for the US Army, to be delivered in July. Cem
Cil, the General Director of Farteks, said, "Our target was to
enter foreign markets and we have succeeded in doing so in a
relatively short time. First, we produced nearly two million
shorts for the Netherlands. Then we offered to manufacture
trousers for the US Army. We yielded positive results from our
efforts and have given the guarantee to deliver 100,000 pairs of
trousers by July 1999." Cil added that their next goal is to
enter the French market. /Hurriyet/
Erzurum Cement Company's (ERCIMSAN) production doubled after the
company's privatization. The number of workers decreased and a
substantial amount of money was saved after the privatization of
ERCIMSAN, which is shown as a successful example of privatization
in the Eastern Anatolia region, the Anatolia News Agency
reported. Chairman of the ERCIMSAN Executive Board Lutfu Yucelik
said that production increased from 208,000 tons to 400,000 tons
a year and the target for this year is 600,000 tons. All debts to
the Privatization Board have been paid off, said Yucelik, adding
that their purpose is to initiate new investments with the income
earned.
The 'Silk Railway' project, a joint venture between Turkey and
Georgia, is being taken on board by the General Directorate of
the Construction of State Harbours and Airports (DLH). Now, it is
expected that the DLH will put the construction of the project.
out to tender at a future date as yet to be announced.
/Cumhuriyet/
The Turk Telecom web page - www.telekom.gov.tr. - has been opened
for the use of Internet surfers. The page provides information
about Turk Telekom, its services and application forms.
/Cumhuriyet/
Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet has been commemorated on the 36th
anniversary of his death. Turkish artists, representatives of the
Nazim Hikmet Foundation, the Mosturk Culture and Arts Foundation
in Moscow, the Chairman of the Turco-Russian Business Council,
Ali I. Ahiskalioglu, his friends and other Turkish and Russian
officials attended the ceremony held at his grave in Moscow.
/Cumhuriyet/
Columnist Kursat Basar writes on the Ocalan trial taking place on
the island of Imralı. A summary of his column is as follows:
"...Turkey's fight against Ocalan, beginning with his expulsion
from Syria,is one of the most successful operations in history.
The pressure put on Russia, Italy and Greece, the diplomatic
initiatives taken, the bringing-back of Ocalan is a great
achievement even if there had been US support behind it as some
people claim. This is not only the feat of the government or of
those handling the operation. The calm approach shown by the
Turkish people towards this case can serve as an example to all.
The chief of a terrorist organization which has been killing
children and adults, even those it claims to defend, the purpose
of which could not be understood, has been arrested; mothers who
have lost their children because of him can only weep holding
bills in their hands. Nobody even rails against Greece who is
known to be behind this terrorist organization. Everyone is
awaiting the outcome of the trial and believes that justice will
prevail.
Ocalan himself said that he has not been maltreated, and most
important of all, stated that there is democracy in Turkey. He
also expressed his readiness to serve in stopping the bloodshed
in Turkey and apologised to the families of those killed.
Turkey is working to put some technical details written in
international agreements to practice. Everywhere people are
voicing their opinions on the case freely, some saying that he
should be executed, others saying that life-imprisonment for him
would be better for Turkey's international relations.
It is understood which foreign powers have been supporting
terrorism in Turkey from what Ocalan has revealed. The European
community, which does not believe the information we have on the
matter, may believe Ocalan whom they favour. Leaving this aside,
Turkey should continue its resolute stance and encourage Europe
to take action against those of its members who support terrorism
in neighbouring countries.
The European press, which has been following the statements and
stances of Ocalan at the trial, isawakening from its dreams of a
romantic liberation movement. It seems that a change will be made
in the structure of the State Security Courts. As the events the
families of those killed because of the terrorist organization
recount will be listened to, maybe Europe will see the other side
of the coin which for years we have been unable to tell."
ULUGBAY'S DIAGNOSIS - BY FIKRET BILA (MILLIYET)
Fikret Bila, a columnist for `Milliyet', reflects on his
interview with State Minister Hikmet Ulugbay, a leading figure
responsible for economic development in the new government,
concerning the economic targets of the 57th government. Bila
writes:
"As Prime Minister Ecevit frequently stresses, one of the
predominant targets of the 57th government will be the revival of
the economy. What are the dimensions and characteristics of the
current problem in the Turkish economy? We addressed this
question to State Minister Hikmet Ulugbay. His diagnosis was as
follows: `Since the economic crisis in Russia hit those sectors
oriented towards the Russian markets, recovery in these sectors
has been relatively slow. The growth rate of world markets this
year is not expected to reach the levels of 1996-1997. That is,
we are expecting a 3% rate of growth instead of the 9%
experienced in the previous years. This tardy growth in the world
markets is a contracting factor for us.' According to Ulugbay,
these foreign factors have significant repercussions on the
Turkish economy. He says, `It should be added that under these
circumstances, a 7-million-dollar caqpital resource which left
Turkey last year has not returned yet. It follows that there is
an upward trend in interest rates, whereas domestic markets are
faced with a "consumption delay". Furthermore, high rates of
interest also lead to a rise in the costs of production.'
Such is the diagnosis of Hikmet Ulugbay. Will the 57th government
implement a special rejuvenation package then? `No,' answers
Ulugbay, `there is no need for a special package. Turkey is able
to cope with the burden of its debts. We have repaid a total of
$30 billion in the first five months of the year and I think we
will not encounter any problems in the second half.' Ulugbay
contends that rejuvenation will be possible via the enactment of
the Banking Law and the normal course of development of the
Turkish economy. Is there a crisis in the banking sector? Ulugbay
answers `No' again. Pointing out that misguided rumours have had
a negative impact on this sector, he continues, `Certain rumours
were spread in the economic circles without being confirmed by
the Treasury. Some argued that most banks are under special
control. There is no such thing. The media should be more
responsible on this issue.'
Ulugbay states that the markets will ease if legal regulations,
such as the social security reform, are implemented. Finally, as
regards the relations with the IMF, Ulygbay says, "An IMF
delegation will arrive in Turkey on June 15. I presume they will
be in Ankara on the 17th. In our previous meetings, we have
already made preparations for the new government. What I will
propose during these talks will be a fund-supported
anti-inflation programme. What I mean is a programmatic struggle
with inflation supported both by the IMF and other international
funds.'
Ulugbay does not seem to be in a panic; he is not pessimistic
either. `Turkey is strong and capacious enough to overcome these
problems', he says."
According to a written statement issued by the Office of the
Chief of the General Staff, NATO aircrafts have been arriving in
Turkey since 3 June in order to take part in the airstrikes from
Turkish bases airports decision following of the Council of
Ministers dated 27 April 1999 No.99/12688. Following
consultations between Turkish and NATO officials it was decided
that attack aircraft are to be posted to Balikesir and Bandirma
air bases and cargo aircraft will be based at Corlu air base.
Additionally, a 920-man unit has been sent to Kosovo in
accordance with decision No.596 taken by the Turkish Grand
National Assembly (TGNA) on 8 October 1998. /Cumhuriyet/
Columnist Sami Kohen from "Milliyet" comments on the 'peace plan'
accepted by the Milosevic Administration. A summary of his
column is as follows:
"This time it is certain: following 72 days of NATO air strikes
against Yugoslavia, the Milosevic Administration has accepted the
"peace plan". If the ruler in Belgrade does not go back on his
word during the process of implementing this plan, the fighting
in Kosovo has ended and the second dramatic page in the Balkans
after Bosnia will be closed.
As we cannot be too certain about what an authoritarian and proud
leader like Milosevic could do at the last moment we have to
receive with caution the good news about the acceptance of the
plan presented by the G-8 countries.We hope that all doubts on
the matter will be dispelled soon, the points foreeseen in the
plan will be implemented, the strikes will end and peace and calm
will prevail on Yugoslavian territory including Kosovo.
At the end of the air strikes, the conditions NATO has put
forward will be implemented: Serbian forces will withdraw from
Kosovo, and they will be replaced by a peace force guided by
NATO, Albanian refugees will return home, and the future
political status of Kosovo will be determined within a wide
autonomous framework. NATO has been able to achieve what it
wanted without the use of ground troops, even though there have
been some unfortunate mistakes made.
The defiant stand of Milosevic has cost Yugoslavia dearly both
materially and in the loss of lives. The Yugoslavs will ask
themselves what purpose this war served when they reach a more
democratic atmosphere. On the other hand, Russia has followed a
consistent policy and has been accepted as an influential State,
instrumental in achieving peace. It will undertake an important
role in the implementation of the peace and therefore she is the
side which gained the most from this problem.
The Kosovar people have suffered the most in this war. Close to a
million Albanians - half the population of the State - are
reduced to refugee status. Cities, villages are burnt. Many
Albanians have died or have been wounded. Probably the Kosovar
Albanians will relate the tragedies suffered to future
generations.
Only two weeks ago, Milosevic was indicted of an ethnic cleansing
campaign by the War Crimes Tribunal in the Hague. If
international institutions had the power to implement the
decisions they took through legal or political means, Milosevic
would be apprehended and brought to justice. However, during the
last few days everyone has been anticipating his reply to the
peace plan. Now, everyone is hoping that he will fulfill his
promise and they accept him as an official counterpart.
From this process, Milosevic and not Yugoslavia has gained the
advantage."
FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS
SPECIAL KOSOVO
57TH GOVERNMENT PROTOCOL BEFORE PARLIAMENT
REGARDING OCALAN'S TRIAL
EU REPORTER: "OCALAN CONTRADICTS HIMSELF"
LEBEDEV: "A JUST TRIAL IN A MODERN ATMOSPHERE"
THE TIMES: "OCALAN IS INCONSISTENT"
1,028 MEMBERS OF THE PRESS USING PRESS CENTRE
PKK OFFENDED BY OCALAN
PKK CAMPS IN THE NETHERLANDS
PKK TERRORISTS ISSUE A 'LOYALTY' PETITION
PKK IN PANIC
IRAN PREVENTS DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST TURKEY
PKK MASSACRE IN NORTHERN IRAQ: 5 DEAD
"SUPPORT FOR TERRORISM CANNOT BE FORGOTTEN"
GREEK HARRASMENT IN THE AEGEAN
AKIN BIRDAL IN PRISON
ECEVIT'S HEAVY AGENDA
EUROPEAN PMs DISCUSS TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
CAKICI FACES THE COURT
FP'S SOUTHEASTERN MEASURES
IMF REPRESENTATIVES TO ARRIVE ON 15 JUNE
10 TRILLION TL FOR INCOMPLETED INVESTMENTS
TURKEY PAYS BACK $3.5 BILLION FOREIGN DEBT IN FIVE MONTHS
BUSINESSMEN MAKE PEACE WITH ITALY
FOREIGN CREDIT FOR HALKBANK
SPANISH PRINCE IN ISTANBUL
TREASURY PREPARATIONS FOR THE YEAR 2000
G.I. JOE's TROUSERS PRODUCED IN ERZURUM
ERCIMSAM: AN EXAMPLE OF SUCCESSFUL PRIVATIZATION
`SILK RAILWAY' PROJECT WITH GEORGIA
TURK TELECOM ON INTERNET
NAZIM HIKMET COMMEMORATED
FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS
TRIAL: TURKEY'S ACHIEVEMENT - BY KURSAT BASAR (STAR)
SPECIAL KOSOVO
STATEMENT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF
WHAT DID THIS WAR SERVE? - BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)