Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
CONTENTS
'STRAITS CANNOT BE AN OIL PIPELINE"
President Suleyman Demirel pointed out that Turkey could not
allow the Bosphorus and Canakkale Straits to be turned into an
oil pipeline. President Demirel delivered a speech at the
conference 'A Tale of Three Seas' in Istanbul yesterday and said
that Turkey's new regional and global role was becoming more
active in the new energy axis established in Eurasia. Demirel
remarked that Turkey would be the key country in both the
Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline and Caspian natural gas pipeline
projects. He added that Turkey was the most economic, shortest
and safest way via which to transport these resources to world
markets. /Turkiye/
The trial of the head of the PKK terrorist organization, Abdullah
Ocalan, on Imrali Island will continue tomorrow following a
15-day interval. During tomorrow's session, Ocalan will make his
defence on the merits of the case. Military judge Abdulkadir
Davarcioglu will be replaced by the civilian judge, Mehmet Maras,
tomorrow. /Aksam/
The Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly's Reporter to
Turkey, Hungarian Parliamentarian, Andreas Barsony, said that the
trial of the head of the PKK terrorist organization, Abdullah
Ocalan, was fair and in line with Turkish justice. Barsony stated
that they welcomed the amendment to the structure of the State
Security Courts (DGMs). He also remarked that Ocalan was trying
to organize a political stand and to underline international
influences on the PKK. Barsony stressed that if Ocalan is
sentenced to death by the court, then the responsibility for the
consequences will belong to the Turkish Grand National Assembly
(TGNA). He added that the TGNA would act in line with this
responsibility, the Anatolia News Agency reports.
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit yesterday said Uzbekistan's
suspicions that Turkey provides support and shelter for Uzbek
anti-government sources were baseless. "The suspicions and
concerns of Uzbek President Islam Kerimov are unfounded. We
attribute great significance to our relations with Uzbekistan. I
cannot accept that our bilateral relations are harmed because of
such a sensitivity", Ecevit told reporters.
He played down suggestions that the schools opened in Uzbekistan
by Turkish religious leader Fethullah Gulen, who faces charges of
anti-secularism, had added to the tension between Ankara and
Tashkent. "I don't think this is the reason. I think there is an
unnecessary mistrust", Ecevit said. /All papers/
Turkey has applied to the British Foreign Ministry and the
British Independent Television Commission (ITC) for the closure
of CTV which disseminates pro-PKK propaganda in place of MED-TV.
/Hurriyet/
The Year 2000 Spring Meeting of the EU's Travel Agencies' and
Tour Organizers' Unions Group will be held in Istanbul. The
Turkish Travel Agencies' Union (TURSAB), which is a member of the
Group, will host the meeting in Istanbul to be held on May 25-26,
2000, the Anatolia News Agency reports.
The US Ambassador to Ankara, Mark Parris, said that a Turco-US
partnership was essential for peace, stability and prosperity.
Ambassador Parris delivered a speech at a conference on 'Turco-US
partnership in and beyond 2000' organized in Istanbul with
contributions from the Turkish Economic and Social Studies
Foundation (TESEV) and the American-Turkish Associations'
Assembly (ATAA) and remarked that Turco-US cooperation would
yield very productive and vital results in the near future.
Parris also underlined important issues such as energy,
macro-economic reforms, democratization and regional matters from
the standpoint of the Turco-US partnership, the Anatolia News
Agency reports.
The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank, which was officialy
opened in Thessalonica, Greece, yesterday, will inspire hope for
many Central and Eastern European and Balkan countries. The Bank
will mainly engage in healing the economic wounds caused by the
Kosovo crisis rather than development projects. The biggest
share-holders of the Bank are Turkey, Greece and Russia. /Aksam/
The Treasury Undersecretariat will export seven-month (210 days)
and 21-month (two-year) bonds today. The Treasury aims at a net
sale worth 700-900 trillion TL. The repayment of the bonds will
be on January 19, 2000, and on March 21, 2001, respectively.
/Aksam/
The Representative of the European Commission to Turkey, Karen
Fogg, stated that commercial interests were very important in
relations with the EU. The EU-Turkish Journalists' Conference
organized in Gaziantep ended yesterday. The Foreign Ministry's
General Director of the EU Relations Department, Selim Kuneralp,
delivered a speech at the Conference and remarked that even
though Turkey, which had applied to the EU in 1963, was supposed
to gradually become an EU member, nowadays it was not on the
agenda. Fogg said for her part that they hoped that the dialogue
begun between Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and German
Prime Minister Gerhard Schroeder would continue. /Aksam/
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Deputy Prime Minister Devlet
Bahceli and the Chairman of the Motherland Party (ANAP), Mesut
Yilmaz, will come together tomorrow. During the meeting, mainly
economic issues and the struggle against fundamentalist
activities will be discussed. /Aksam/
Quality control experts from Japan have arrived in Turkey to meet
their Turkish counterparts. A variety of activities which started
with a conference on 'Integral Quality Administration' delivered
by the Advisor from the Japanese Union of Scientists and
Engineers (JUSE), Ichiro Miyouchi, will continue until June 23.
During the seminars, the concept of quality administration in
Japan and the issue of daily business administration will be
discussed. /Turkiye/
Akmina Mineral Water Factory, part of DanoneSa, established
within the partnership between Danone, a leading global company
in the food sector, and the Sabanci Conglomerate, was opened
yesterday in Bolu. The factory has an annual 50 million-litre
capacity and will provide employment for 100 people. Factory
investment costs were $11 million. /Sabah/
Total assets in the Turkish banking system increased by 88 % in
March 1999 when compared to the same month last year and reached
42.9 quadrillion TL, according to the report 'March 1999:
Quarterly Information on the Turkish Banking System'.
/Cumhuriyet/
According to a declaration issued by the Goltas Cement Company's
Board of Directors, the company will establish a plant for cement
grinding, packing, and marketing in Palestine together with seven
businessmen from Palestine and the Kısan Company. The capital
will be 2.5 million dollars of which Goltas Cement will
contribute 30 percent. /Star/
Foreign investors achieved shares sales worth $823.6 million in
May while they bought $697.8 million in shares on the Istanbul
Stock Exchange (IMKB). Thus, foreign investors made a net sale of
$125.8 million in May. /Sabah/
As a result of a fire in Ankara, 700 pine trees in the Karsiyaka
Graveyard were destroyed. Officials said that the fire has been
bought under control. /Sabah/
Seven members of the PKK terrorist organization have been killed
in clashes with security forces in Southeastern Anatolia. Three
terrorists were captured and four others surrendered to the
security forces during the same operations. /Star/
Members of the PKK terrorist organization attacked the house of
the Sub-Governor in the Kiziltepe district of Mardin yesterday.
During the attack, seven policemen were wounded, two of them
seriously. Sub-Governor Mesut Yildirim was unharmed during the
attack. /Cumhuriyet/
Turkey said yesterday that the acknowledgment of the existence of
the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is the only way
that can lead to the resumption of bilateral talks in Cyprus.
"Instead of forcing the parties to negotiate under a definite
timetable, the reasons for the failure of previous talks should
be carefully examined and an appropriate atmosphere and basis
should be created for productive talks", a Foreign Ministry
statement said. The statement pointed out the facts: "At present
there are two equal sovereign and democratic states in Cyprus
which represent the two peoples there. A solution to the problem
can be durable only if it is outlined not by third parties but by
these two states and if it maintains the balance between Turkey
and Greece". /All papers/
The permanent members of the UN Security Council have rolled up
their sleeves to prepare a draft law concerning Cyprus. It is
reported that the draft law, to be prepared by the five permanent
members, will be submitted to the Security Council within this
week or at the latest at the beginning of next week. /Aksam/
Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus (TRNC), said yesterday that the world countries sacrified
the Turkish Cypriots for their own interests' adding that the
world countries gave the fake and baseless title of 'the
government of Cyprus' to the Greek Cypriots for their own
interests, the Anatolia News Agency reports.
It is reported that Greece has welcomed the G-8 decision
concerning the Cyprus problem. The Greek Defence Minister, Akis
Cohacopulos, claimed that the Cyprus and Kosovo problems were
similar and said that he supported the G-8 proposal which
envisages the solution of the Cyprus problem before the Autumn.
The Greek Government Spokesman Dimitri Reppas, stressed that the
decision taken during the G-8 Summit concerning Cyprus was
positive and added that this decision showed the 'lively
interest' of international society in the solution of the Cyprus
problem. /Cumhuriyet/
During a meeting organized by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and
the Turkish Research Centre in Istanbul, young Turkish people in
Germany and Turkey were discussed. The Director of the Turkish
Research Centre, Prof.Faruk Sen, said that there were many young
Turkish people living in Germany who wanted to stay there. He
added that their problems should be dealt with as soon as
possible. /Cumhuriyet/
A delegation from the Chamber of Architects went to China to
represent Turkey at the 'World Architecture Congress' and the
'General Council of the International Architects' Union' attended
by 7,500 people from 140 countries. The meetings began in Beijing
on June 20 and will continue until June 30. Meanwhile, the
Chamber of Architects showed Istanbul as a nominee location for
the World Architects' Congress to be held in 2005. /Cumhuriyet/
Pope John Paul II has been officially invited to the celebrations
of the 700th anniversary of the establishment of the Ottoman
Empire to be held in Turkey in September. The Turkish Ambassador
to the Vatican, Altan Guven, will convey the invitation letter
from the Turkish President, Suleyman Demirel, to the Vatican
Foreign Ministry today. As known, the Italian President Carlo
Azeglio Ciampi was also officially invited to the celebrations.
/Hurriyet/
Six projects are being carried out to protect cultural assets in
Sanliurfa, Mardin, Sirnak and Batman. The projects aim to restore
both historic buildings and cultural assets. /Hurriyet/
The Antalya International Folk Music and Dance Festival,
organized under the auspices of the Culture Ministry, will begin
today and continue until June 28. Folk dance teams from
Bangladesh, Georgia, Lithuania, Latvia, Azerbaijan, Romania,
Albania and Kazakhstan will participate in the Festival. In
addition to 400 guests, the Culture Ministers of Albania and
Azerbaijan will also attend the Festival. /Turkiye/
During the second 'International Mathematics Projects
Competition' held in Almati, Kazakhstan, on June 15-19, two
Turkish students, Cenk Sen and Oray Kan, became champions. 135
students from 16 countries attended the Competition which
included 40 projects. /Sabah/
The National Young Wrestling Team will leave for Lithuania today
to participate in the European Free Style Wrestling Championship
in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, the Anatolia News Agency
reports.
Journalists from Ingolstadt, the twin city of Manisa, came to
Manisa on a five-day visit. The guest members of the press said;
"We also had been influenced by the articles against Turkey which
have been issued in the German press lately but the truth is
completely different; Turkey is extremely safe." /Hurriyet/
While European tourists have not been coming to Turkey due to the
fear of terrorism, the Russians who have the chance to spend
their holidays on our low-priced south coasts have written to
their newspapers saying 'Thanks to Turkey' (Spasiba Turtsiya). A
journalist from the 'Komsomolskaya Pravda' newspaper wrote an
article about Turkey and said, "It was like paradise, the service
was wonderful, also it was very cheap. It is not possible in any
other place in the world to spend a holiday in a five-star hotel
for 350 dollars." /Hurriyet/
Columnist Sami Kohen comments on the developments concerning the
Cyprus problem at the G-8 Summit. A summary of his column is as
follows:
"The reason the G-8 gave their interest in the Cyprus problem is
that the issue had remained unsolved for a very long time. This
argument is correct. The Cyprus problem is listed among the
issues which have not been solved for a very long period of time.
During this 'long period' many international organizations, led
by the UN, and many countries tried to arbitrate but none of them
was successful in solving the problem.
Can the the G-8 succeed in this, where others before them have
failed? What makes them launch such an initiative?
It seems that the G-8 is encouraged by its success in stopping
the fighting in Kosovo. The group sees itself ready to play an
active role in world politics, in addition to its roles in the
international economy and on financial platforms. The Group is so
confident that, as it launches an attempt to solve the Cyprus
problem, it calls on the UN Secretary-General to invite both
parties to the table. In a way, the G-8 sees itself as an
authority which can give directives to the UN and lead it.
In recent years, foreign solutions to Cyprus came mainly from the
US and sometimes from England; this time, the same countries are
the driving force behind this G-8 plan. It is widely known that
England made every effort recently to enlist international
support for the draft solutions she had prepared.
A characteristic of the G-8 initiative is that it takes the
problem to an international level. This, in turn, means that
Turkey will be faced with heavy international pressure. Another
characteristic which should be noted is that the US and the UK
are trying to encourage Russia to participate in their efforts to
solve the Cyprus problem. The West seems to derive some benefit
from giving a certain role to Russia, as in Kosovo. Certainly,
this gives Russia the leverage it tried to attain during the Cold
War years but could not get, in reaching the Eastern
Mediterranean.
If the Russian role in favour of the Greek-Cypriots is recalled,
her active intervention within the framework of the G-8 cannot be
described as a pleasing development. Finally, a far-away country
like Japan, who has been indifferent to the Cyprus problem all
along is being drawn into this solution. It is wondered how Japan
will contribute to the search for a solution; Japan may try to
apply economic pressure.
Clearly, the proposal launched by the G-8 has not been received
favourably by the Turkish side. The call for 'unconditional'
negotiations 'until a solution is reached' does not take Denktas'
or Ankara's sine qua non principle of 'two equal states' or, in
other words, the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus into consideration. Although the statement issued at the
end of the Cologne Summit says that all issues can be brought to
the table, the Turkish side does not want to attend a meeting
which does not treat it as an equal. This would mean opening the
way for putting pressure on the Turkish-Cypriots to agree to a
solution which would throw their present situation into reverse.
Therefore, the G-8 plan is seen as a still-born baby from the
Turkish point of view.
However, it is a fact that the G-8 will not give up easily and
will increase its pressure on the UN Secretary-General to start
the process in the coming weeks. If Kofi Annan attempts this as
stated within the framework of the G-8, the Cyprus problem will
enter a new and troubled period for the Turkish side. It most
probably will lead to the disruption of the present peace and
calm on the island instead of bringing the solution dreamt of by
the G-8."
Columnist Semih Idiz writes on the reaction felt against the EU
in Turkey. A summary of his column is as follows:
"We went to Gaziantep for the ninth Turco-European Journalists'
Conference organized by the European Union Commission. These
annual conferences begun by the EU Ambassador of the time Michael
Lake and continued by Ambassador Karen Fogg have been helpful in
providing an opportunity where the two sides could get to know
each other.
However, at the last Conference held with contributions from the
Gaziantep Trade Chamber there is one striking difference. Many of
the previous conferences were opened by President Suleyman
Demirel but this year, let alone Demirel no one from the
Government attended this Conference despite the fact that there
is a Foreign Minister closely concerned with the EU, and a State
Minister responsible for relations with the EU.
This fact deamnds attention, as these conferences were
considered important for reflecting Turkey's official views to
foreign journalists. This brings to mind the question, "Is Ankara
underlining its displeasure towards the EU?"
In fact the opening statements of Turkish officials all
underlined Turkey's displeasure over the Cologne Summit to
foreign journalists and Ambassadors. In short, it is evident
that Turkey feels angry with the EU following the Cologne Summit.
The EU diplomats in Gaziantep point out that, for the first time,
in Cologne a large majority of members approved Turkey's
membership. They claimed that this would pave the way for
Turkey's acceptance as a candidate at the Helsinki Summit. These
diplomats also add that 'no mention' of Turkey in the final
communique is not of significance.
However, it is clear that this approach is not seen as convincing
in Ankara. What angers Ankara is that notwithstanding Prime
Minister Ecevit's letter which conveyed important contents to his
German counterpart, Shroeder, the EU has taken such a decision.
Ecevit probably said that now a strong government has been
formed, we can achieve some important things and revive our
frozen relations. However, this in fact may have boomeranged.
The probability of Turkey's taking such concrete steps frightened
some as the EU does not intend to accept Turkey as either a
candidate or a member state. Only time can tell the correctness
of this statement. However, it is certain that while Ecevit was
taking a political risk by sending this letter, the EU did not
understand its meaning and lost its opportunity.
The Cologne Summit only helped to solidify public opinion that
the EU will not take Turkey in, but is engaging in delaying
tactics. Many believe that the responsibility for a positive
result lies with the Helsinki Summit and views it cynically.
In a wider perspective we believe that Turkey has been dealt with
unjustly. Greece, Spain and Portugal were accepted into the Union
shortly after the military regimes in these countries were
toppled. The aim was to support the effort to strengthen
democracy in these countries.
We should look at Turkey's membership of the EU not as an aim but
a meansto an end. Particularly a means which would enhance
Turkish democratization efforts. However, the EU is not giving
us the support it has lent to Greece, Spain and Portugal.
Instead it is saying that Turkey should enter the Union after she
has complied with the Copenhagen criteria. We believe that to
accept Turkey as a member is a means to fulfill these criteria.
It is a means for the democratization and development of Turkey.
If Turkey has to achieve democratization and economic development
by its own efforts why should it be a member of the EU?
The Turkish unit to be deployed in Prizren will depart from
Turkey in the upcoming days. A request for the transit passage of
the 1,000-strong Turkish unit via Bulgaria, which was conveyed to
the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry last Friday, has been approved by
the Bulgarian Government. Coordination of the passage of the
Peacekeeping Force in Kosovo (KFOR) will be carried out by a
centre to be established under the chairmanship of the Bulgarian
Defence Ministry. The request was conveyed to the Bulgarian
Parliament and then to the Bulgarian President. It is expected
that it will be approved and go into effect after it is published
in the Official Gazette on Thursday. The Turkish unit is expected
to arrive in Kosovo on Friday. /Aksam/
A new global security arrangement will be needed in the wake of
the conflict over Kosovo that should include countries which
believe in democratic rights and freedoms and have access to
international markets, international financer George Soros
declared yesterday. Speaking on the topic 'Prospects for a Global
Open Society' in Istanbul, Soros said both the UN and NATO were
insufficient to curb international conflicts. /All papers/
The number of Kosovar refugees who have taken shelter in Turkey
increased to 17,717, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Officials
said that a total of 7,658 Kosovar refugees are being hosted at
the Gaziosmanpasa camp in Kirklareli.
An exploration commission has set out a way to determine the
route of the Turkish unit which will take part in Kosovo
Peacekeeping Force. The Turkish unit will arrive in Prizren in 8
days' time, after receiving the command to go with its personnel
and equipment. Half of the personnel will be dispatched by air,
the others overland and by the end of the month the whole of the
Unit's transmission will be completed. /Star/
FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
SPECIAL KOSOVO
OCALAN'S TRIAL TO CONTINUE
BARSONY: "OCALAN'S TRIAL IS FAIR"
ECEVIT: "UZBEK MISTRUST BASELESS"
TURKEY APPLIES TO BRITAIN FOR CTV
ECTAA YEAR 2000 SPRING MEETING IN ISTANBUL
TURCO-US COOPERATION
BLACK SEA TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT BANK
TREASURY EXPORTS BONDS
FOGG: "COMMERCIAL INTERESTS ARE VERY IMPORTANT"
ECEVIT, BAHCELI AND YILMAZ TO MEET TOMORROW
QUALITY CONTROL EXPERTS IN TURKEY
SABANCI TO SELL MINERAL WATER
BANKS GROW BY 90 %
GOLTAS' INVESTMENT IN PALESTINE
FOREIGNERS SELL SHARES IN MAY
700 PINE TREES DESTROY
SEVEN TERRORISTS KILLED
TERRORISTS ATTACK THE HOUSE OF SUB-GOVERNOR
TURKEY: CYPRUS TALKS CAN START ONLY WITH TRNC'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT
UN ROLLS UP ITS SLEEVES FOR CYPRUS
DENKTAS: "WORLD COUNTRIES SACRIFIED US FOR THEIR OWN INTERESTS"
GREECE IS PLEASED WITH THE DECISION
YOUNG TURKISH PEOPLE IN GERMANY
CHAMBER OF ARCHITECTS IN BEIJING
POPE OFFICIALLY INVITED TO TURKEY
CULTURAL ASSETS UNDER PROTECTION
FOLK DANCE FESTIVAL
TURKEY BECOMES MATHEMATICS PROJECT CHAMPION
NATIONAL YOUNG WRESLING TEAM LEAVES FOR LITHUANIA
GERMAN JOURNALISTS: TURKEY IS VERY SAFE
THANKS TO TURKEY
FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
AND NOW THE G-8 -BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
THE EU, AN AIM OR A MEANS TO AN END? -BY SEMIH IDIZ (STAR)
SPECIAL KOSOVO
TURKISH UNIT TO KOSOVO
SOROS: NEW GLOBAL SECURITY ARRANGEMENT NEEDED
NUMBER OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES IN TURKEY
EXPLORATION COMMISSION FOR WAY TO KOSOVO