Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
CONTENTS
A 'fiber optic' factory will be established in the Southeastern
Anatolia Project (GAP) region with a Turco-German joint venture.
The cost of the factory will be $ 75 million and 250 people are
going to be employed. According to Sanliurfa Governor Sehabettin
Harput, the factory will be the biggest establishment in the
region. He added that CD players will be produced in the factory.
Stating that the necessary official incentive and construction
permit have already been obtained, Harput remarked that the
foundation of the factory will be laid within a short period of
time. He added, "In the primary phase 250 people will be
employed. Later, the number will be increased in line with the
increase in production. It is planned that the factory will begin
manufacturing at the end of this year. Factory out-put will be
exported primarily to Europe and Middle Eastern countries and
also to other parts of the world." /Star/
The French 'Le Figaro' newspaper claimed that the chief of the
terrorist organization Abdullah Ocalan's call to halt the armed
struggle will effect the decision of the Court of Appeals to be
given in September. The newspaper reported that the number of
people who think that Ocalan's being alive is more beneficial
than his death has been increasing. It quoted President Suleyman
Demirel as saying: 'The execution of the chief of the terrorist
organization is a political decision and a very sensitive issue.
It is even the most sensitive issue that Turkey has come across
for a long time." The newspaper also reported that Ocalan's
recent call 'might be re-evaluated in Ankara'. /Star/
The Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kemal Harrazi, said he
hoped that the two Turkish soldiers would be released within two
days. He added that his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem had told
him in Sarajevo that the soldiers had crossed the Iranian border
by mistake without any ill-intention and asked for their release.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman, Sermet
Atacanli, said in his weekly press statement yesterday that
Turkey expected that the soldiers would be released in line with
Harrazi's recent announcement. /Aksam/
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit announced that Turkey would not
bargain to end terrorism. He stressed that the State would never
sit on a table with terrorists. Pointing out that separatist
terrorists finally realized that they came to the end of the
road, Ecevit stated that Turkey was determined to end terrorist
attacks in her territory. He added, "We prepared a repentance law
which is on the agenda of the Turkish Grand National Assembly
(TGNA). Whoever wants to benefit from the law will apply to the
State. However, the State will not bargain with anyone or any
organization. /Turkiye/
Italy wants to rehabilitate her relations with Turkey. Italian
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lamberto Dini, said that
Turco-Italian relations were very important and he recalled that
Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema had sent a friendship letter to
his Turkish counterpart. Dini stated that he had welcomed his
Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem's invitation and decided to visit
Turkey in September. /Aksam/
It was reported that on the Turco-Bulgarian border, around the
area covering the Kapitan Andreevo border gate opposite Kapikule,
a temporary refugee camp will be constructed, reported by the
Anatolian News Agency.
In a statement read out during a Bulgarian broadcast on
Independent European Radio, in the camp, which is expected to
open on the 1st of September, those who request refuge from
Bulgaria will be sheltered there for about a month, before being
sent to the government's refuge office.
Furthermore, it was envisaged that two temporary residence camps
around Petric, near the Greek-Bulgarian border and at Sofia
Airport would be constructed.
In Bulgaria, there are still four temporary refugee camps in
Haskoy, Svilengrad, Sandanski and Ruscuk.
Moldovia's Ambassador to Turkey, Dr. Tudor Angheli, inviting
Turkish businessmen to invest in and trade with his country,
said, "Moldovia's doors are completely open to Turkish
businessmen", reported by the Anatolian News Agency.
Dr. Angheli, visiting Bursa Governor Orhan Tasanlar in his
office, then explained some topics to members of press.
Dr Angheli, stating that there are 36 agreements between Moldovia
and Turkey and that mutual relations are on a good legal footing,
said, "Now it is time to build our mutual relationships. Moldovia
is a small country with a population of only five million. But
strategically it is an important country. Turkish businessmen and
merchants go to Moldovia and cooperate with them. We, as
Moldovians, see ourselves as a joint state with Turkey with a
population of 70 million."
Dr. Angheli, stating that relations between two countries have
been improving since 1994, added, "Some Turkish firms have begun
to be active in Moldovia. For example, the Bayindir Holding
Company is expected to open a bank there and it will be the first
foreign bank in the country."
Moldovian Ambassador Dr. Angheli answered a question concerning
Cevat Soysal's (a leading member of the terrorist PKK
organization) capture in his country as follows: "Soysal has
entered Moldovia once or twice. But how and with whom he gained
access is still unknown. Moldovia is a small country: we do not
have proper soldiers; our borders are open; we sometimes lose
passanger trains. But I want Turkish people to know that Moldovia
had nothing to do with this kind of thing. In addition, it does
not have enough power to do it."
In a Turkish statement by Dr.Angheli to members of press, he
explained that he had been educated in Turkish language and
culture and that he had been in Parliament for 11 years. He also
said that he had worked as a journalist for TASS and other press
organizations and that he had been working as an Ambassador for a
year."
Education and Culture Minister of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Fahruddin
Rizanbegovic's recent visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus (TRNC) caused uneasiness in the Greek-Cypriot
administration. The administration claimed the visit meant the
indirect recognition of the TRNC. According to the
'Fileleftiheros' newspaper, Bosnia acted in line with the
positive attitude of the Organization of Islamic Conference
towards the recognition of the TRNC. The newspaper added that
Greek-Cypriot administration did not have diplomatic relations
with Bosnia and that it would be difficult to prevent relations
between the TRNC and Bosnia-Herzegovina. /Aksam/Turkiye/
According to military sources, at the end of clashes between the
terrorists and security forces four terrorists were killed in
Van, three in Mus, two in Tunceli, one in Bitlis and one in
Mardin.
Meanwhile, during the operations in Adana four terrorists who
were preparing to organize bomb attacks towards tourist regions
were captured. /Turkiye/Star/
Deputy General Director of Turkish Petroleum Company (TPAO),
Osman Demirag, announced that they found a great amount of
natural gas in the Sah Sea within the scope of the Sah Sea
Research Project, in which TPAO owns 9 % of the shares. He said
that they had been exploring natural gas and oil in the region 70
kms to Baku and within the area of the Caspian Sea, adding that
they found natural gas at three different levels. /Turkiye/
Turkish Petroleum Company (TPAO) has started to explore oil in
the Askale township of Erzurum a month ago. According to TPAO
officials, at the end of the exploration organized by foreign
companies in the region, it was announced that there could be a
great deal of oil in the region. Upon that announcement, oil
exploration started immediately, said the officials, adding that
they were very hopeful to find oil reserves down the level of
2,500-2,750 metres. /Aksam/
Turkey is exporting six-year term $ 300 million Euro security
bonds. ABN Amro and Deustche, which are responsible for
conducting the transactions announced that the security bonds
will be exported with a 9.6 % interest rate and the repayment
will be on 25 August 2005. /Star/
Birlik Textile Company has made $ 13.5 million exports within the
first seven months of this year. Chairman of the Executive Board
of the Company, Mustafa Ozhamurkar, said that they exported
towels and textiles to 15 countries this year. He added that they
aimed to increase their revenue to $ 24 million by the end of
1999. /Star/
The rate of the Source Usage Incentive Fund (KKDF) applied to
consumer loans given by banks and financial institutions are
reduced from 8 % to 3 %. Officials announced that they aimed to
enliven the domestic requirement with the new application. /Star/
Finnish Sonera Firm, which is one of the partners of Turkcell,
announced its revenue for the first six months of this year as
$240 million. According to the 'Financial Times' newspaper, as a
result of the rapid development of Turkcell, which has over four
million subscribers and a strong financial structure, Sonera Firm
has increased its revenues. Chairman of the Investment Department
of Sonera, Jari Jaakkola, said that Turkcell was a rapidly
growing GMS operator not only in Turkey but also in the world. He
added that Turkcell would sell its shares to the public at the
end of this year or at the beginning of the year of 2000. /Aksam/
Temsa Prestij was voted as the best imported minibus in Germany
for the third time in a row. In studies conducted by Germany's
vehicle magazine, 'Last Auto Omnibus' and Trans Actuell's Spanish
TM magazine, together with the Dekra Quality Institute for the
"Best Vehicle of the Year", Turkish Temsa Prestij received the
first prize. The company has won in this category for the last
three years based on the votes of 30,000 readers who judged Temsa
Prestij on economy, comfort and technology. It came in 18 %
points ahead of its rivals. The Temsa Prestij, which is produced
by using bus technology in factories belonged to Sabanci group in
Adana, holds the 20 % share of the market in Germany and France.
/All papers/
Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman Sermet Atacanli, stating that
Turkey respects Iraq's territorial integrity and political
stability, told that no signs came to them from the U.S. on
Turkey's opinions concerning this issue, reported by the
Anatolian News Agency.
During the weekly press conference, while answering a question
concerning the letter sent by United Nations Secretary-General
Kofi Annan to Iraq's Foreign Minister Muhammed Said El Sahaf,
Atacanli told that Turkey was sensitive on the issue and that she
had been emphasizing Iraq's territorial integrity and political
stability for many times.
Sahaf, in his letter to Annan, described Turkey's cross-border
operations as "an attack towards Iraqi territories" and wanted
Annan to intervene in order to end these "attacks".
While answering a question about U.S. attitude towards this
issue, Atacanli said, "There are no signs from the U.S. against
it. On the contrary, the U.S. expressed opinions completely
sharing our worries and feelings. There is nothing else to say".
In Suruc and Siverek districts, in Sanliurfa 13,253 roots of
Indian hemp, used in the production of heroin has been seized.
One of the involved people had been captured wheres the other
escaped, reported by the Anatolian News Agency.
In the report, it was stated that police narcotic team had found
12,500 roots in the fields belonging to Seyfettin Kaya in the
village of Yurtcicegi, in Suruc and 753 roots of Indian hemp had
been found in the field belonging to Mahmut Tasci in the village
of Hasirli, in Siverek.
Indian hemps had been destroyed. It was also reported that
Seyfettin Kaya was taken into custody and Mahmut Tasci, who
escaped was being sought.
Ankara has stated that the US Deputy Secretary of State
responsible for Human Rights, Harold Koh, should care for the
issues which are sensitive for Turkey. Turkish Foreign Ministry
Deputy Spokesman Sermet Atacanli said: "Turkey is an open
country. Everyone, whether Turkish or foreign, can visit
everywhere in Turkey within certain rules. Within these
guidelines, those who have an official identity are, in
particular, expected to pay attention to some sensitive issues".
Koh will hold a press conference after meeting Prime Minister
Bulent Ecevit and State Minister responsible for Human Rights
Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik today and then leave Turkey. Meanwhile, the
US Charge D'Affaires to Ankara, James Jeffry, came to the Turkish
Foreign Ministry once again yesterday. American officials said
that Jeffry paid a courtesy visit.
Meanwhile, when Koh asked whether Turkey is 'fair' concerning the
issue of Armenian minority rights, the Turkish Armenian Patriarch
Mesrob II said: "I was educated in the US and I saw that
minorities, who were not white or Protestant, in the southern
provinces of the US suffer exclusion. There is no such exclusion
for minorities in Turkey". Koh met the religious leaders of the
Jewish, Armenian and Greek communities in Istanbul yesterday.
/Hurriyet/
The Belgian Press wrote that the PKK terrorist chief's influence
and authority over the organization was being questioned after
the call he made to his supporters to lay down their weapons.
The newspapers, "Le Soir" and "La Libre Belgique" in their issue
yesterday devoted wide coverage to Ocalan's call for a halt to
the armed conflict and for his militants to go abroad. The
newspapers, which wrote that even his lawyers did not know the
strength of his influence within the organization, recalled that
31,000 people had lost their lives due to the terrorism of the
PKK, while relating the latest bloody incidents caused by it, the
Anatolia News Agency reports.
In a letter from the head of the PKK terrorist organization,
Abdullah Ocalan, published in the recent issue of the 'Serxwebun'
Magazine, a pro-PKK monthly publication, Ocalan said: "Dying has
no meaning. If I had died, many others would also have died". The
letter dated July 27, 1999, said that Diyarbakir should be a
centre of peace initiatives. Ocalan remarked that there should be
intensive campaigns against the death penalty in addition to
these initiatives. Ocalan added: "I think that Turkey will enter
the EU. The Greek veto will be removed. Relations with Turkey,
especially including Turco-Italian relations, will develop in the
future". /Hurriyet/
It is reported that a file which includes information about the
activities of the PKK terrorist organization in Iran will be sent
to Iran during a meeting of the Turco-Iranian Sixth Supreme
Security Commission to begin in Ankara on August 9. /Milliyet/
A peace call made by the PKK terrorist chief Abdullah Ocalan to
PKK members has been regarded by the US as an encouraging
development concerning the dialogue with Kurdish groups excepting
the PKK. American officials stated that Ocalan's capture and
trial had been an important opportunity. They said: "The PKK has
lost its power. In this period, Turkey can develop a new dialogue
with the representatives of Turks of Kurdish origin excepting the
PKK". /Milliyet/
Fahruddin Rizanbegovic, the Education and Culture Minister of
Bosnia-Herzegovina, is currently visiting the Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as the guest of Mehmet Altinay, the
National Education and Culture Minister of the TRNC. Rizanbegovic
was received by Dervis Eroglu, the Prime Minister of the TRNC,
and Mustafa Akinci, the Minister of State and Deputy Prime
Minister of the TRNC yesterday. Rizanbegovic who also visited
universities, historic and tourist sites was involved in meetings
to improve cooperation between the TRNC and Bosnia-Herzegovina in
the fields of education, sport and culture, the Anatolia News
Agency reports.
The Dogan Foreign Trade and Representation Company, one of the
companies of the Dogan Holding Group, has taken on a
representative office of Stora-Enso, a giant institution in the
paper and cardboard sector. The Stora-Enso Group aims at a high
market share in Turkey in the upcoming years such as the high
market shares enjoyed especially in EU countries. /Hurriyet/
A one-day strike planned for Friday by the Union Platform was
postponed yesterday when it was decided not to discuss the Social
Security Reform Draft Law as a priority issue by the Turkish
Grand National Assembly (TGNA). The Head of Turk-Is (Turkish
Trade Unions Federation), Bayram Meral, said that these
developments are hope-inspiring. /Hurriyet/
The Foundation for the Development of the Aegean Economy will
organize an 'Economy Congress' in 2002. President Suleyman
Demirel sent a letter to all related institutions such as the
Prime Ministry, Foreign Trade Undersecretariat, State Planning
Organization, Treasury and the Higher Education Board (YOK) and
requested their views concerning the Economy Congress to be held
in 2002. /Hurriyet/
It is reported that the US wants a loose federation in Cyprus.
Washington will launch initiatives concerning its plan which is
contrary to the confederation proposal of Turkey and the Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The US Administration, which
regards the Cyprus problem as the most important issue of the
Clinton-Ecevit meeting, will request a compromise concerning
territorial issues from the TRNC and one concerning
constitutional issues from the Greek-Cypriot side. The new Cyprus
coordinator of the US, Tom Weston, will visit Cyprus in
September. According to sources, the UN Secretary-General Kofi
Annan will call the TRNC President, Rauf Denktas, and the
Greek-Cypriot Leader, Glafkos Klerides, to New York in October.
Denktas and Klerides will not meet face-to-face, however, Kofi
Annan will be involved in shuttle diplomacy between Denktas and
Klerides. /Hurriyet/
Meetings of the Supreme Military Council (YAS) ended yesterday.
Following President Suleyman Demirel's approval, promotions will
be announced by the Office of the General Staff today. Meanwhile,
of 58 soldiers who will be subject to expulsion due to their
connections with the extreme right or left wing, 16 officers will
be expelled. /Hurriyet/
The General Coordinator of the Turkish Aerospace Industry (TAI),
Vural Avar, said that no more specialized aircraft would be
rented out to put out forest fires. Avar stressed that S2-E type
aircraft from the Naval Forces' Command would be turned into
fire-fighting aircraft at TAI facilities. As part of the project,
15 aircraft will be turned into fire-fighting aircraft. /Sabah/
Fifty-seven Northern Iraqis who illegaly entered Turkey have been
captured in Istanbul. Officials said that an investigation into
the issue was underway. /Milliyet/
The last summit of the Organization for Security and Cooperation
in Europe (OSCE) of this century will be held in Istanbul on
November 18-19. Nearly 5,000 people from around the world are
expected to attend the Summit during which the European security
model for the 21st century will be designed. The document which
will outline the framework of the new security model will be
called the "Istanbul Charter'. /Milliyet/
The Turkish Petroleum Joint Stock Company (TPAO) produced a total
of 5 million 512 thousand barrels of oil in the first half of the
year in Adiyaman, which has the biggest oil reserves in Turkey,
the Anatolia News Agency reports.
Several human skeletons and skulls were found during the
archaeological excavations in Domuztepe Tumulus in Kahramanmaras,
the Anatolia News Agency reports. British and American scientists
are expected to participate in this year's excavations which
started on July 15 under the chairmanship of Prof.Elizabeth
Carter from the University of California.
A total of seven fairs will be opened in Sanliurfa between
October 4 and 10 as part of the "International Southeastern
Anatolia Project (GAP) '99 Fairs" under the auspices of President
Suleyman Demirel, the Anatolia News Agency reports. The Ayintap
Fair Organization issued a statement and said that a festival on
Ottoman cultural heritage will also be organized upon the 700th
anniversary of the foundation of the Ottoman Empire, within the
scope of the GAP '99 Fairs.
Yavuz Sap and Osman Tekin, "International Sports and Peace
Ambassadors", went to Russia yesterday to join the International
Siberia Marathon in the city of Omsk on August 7, the Anatolia
News Agency reports. Sap and Tekin will run with about 5,000
people.
Following the rallies in Europe, four in Germany and two in
Belgium, a competition will be held in Holland. Twelve Turkish
drivers, using special racing cars, will compete in the
championship which will constitute the second leg of the Caterham
Super 7 Cup. The rally will be held between August 13-14. The
next leg will be held in France. /Hurriyet/
One hundred and fifteen competitors who are participating in the
Master Rally entered Turkey from the Turkgozu border gate two
days ago. The Master Rally jointly organized by Turkey, Russia
and France and sponsored by Power FM started from Moscow on July
25. The competitors will cover a total of 7,600 kilometres. The
Master Rally will end on August 7 in Istanbul. /Sabah/
The shooting of a documentary called 'Traces of Christianity in
Turkey from Noah's Ark to the Empire' will begin in the ancient
city of Ephesus. The one-hour documentary will be produced by the
US artist Victoria Barrett, while it will be directed by Jochen
Breinstein. The shooting of the documentary will last five weeks.
/Hurriyet/
Columnist Hasan Cemal comments on Prime Minister's Ecevit's words
on international arbitration. A summary of his column is as
follows:
In politics the rules of opposition and power parties are
different. The promises made in the opposition may not be kept or
another policy may be adopted when in power. However there should
be a balance between the two. You cannot promise the sun and the
moon while in opposition and disappoint people when in power.
However, in Turkey this balance may not be sought. Sometimes the
seat of power changes people and they stop resorting to populism,
approach issues with a seriousness befitting a statesman.
We may give Ecevit's statement on international arbitration as an
example for this. He stated that those who came against the
proposals for international arbitration or thought that it did
not agree with national interests, in fact, are not aware of the
changes in the modern world or cannot adapt to them.
International arbitration is in no way related to capitulations
or restriction of independence. He added that while some people
in Turkey were opposing international arbitration on the grounds
that it will restrict our independence they seem to favour
entering the EU. In fact, if Turkey becomes a member of the EU
she has to change her understanding of sovereignty to a great
extent. The Prime Minister added that while expecting strict
adherence to old understandings on national sovereignty,
defending the right to EU membership constituted a dilemma. "In
the past, all that was new was opposed under the guise of
revolutionism and believed to be a part of leftist policies.
Democratic Left Party has rid itself of this strict etatism."
These views which display a change in the leftist understanding
can be regarded positively. This may be considered as the result
of coming to power after twenty long years.
Columnist Yilmaz Oztuna comments on the call made by Ocalan. A
summary of his column is as follows:
"There is no doubt on the aim of Ocalan's call which is to get
his life spared. He is trying to show himself as a political
prisoner, instead of a terrorist or murderer. To some extent
Europe agrees with this point but does not stress the issue as it
does not want to offend Turkey. It is known that political
activists can spread their struggle to a long period of time
during which they hope many opportunities may arise.
However, the PKK terrorist organization is not of the same mind
with Ocalan. The PKK wants Ocalan to be executed and the call for
laying down their weapons only has a propaganda value for it.
Furthermore, there are many gangsters who want to get a share of
the money earned from drug-trafficking. They know that while
Ocalan is alive and in prison the PKK has no future. If Ocalan is
executed, it will be easy to arm poor Kurdish children and in
developed countries the theme of Turkish cruelty will be
stressed.
Europe is against the execution because all European states have
abolished capital punishment. They do not care about the values
of the PKK, its tendency towards communism, or its being a
nationalist organization. European States are provoking us by
trying to apply pressure on Turkey not to execute the death
sentence. Thus, they could claim that Turkey has no place in the
EU and have their wishes accepted by Turkey. This view will
backfire but they are not aware of it.
The sentence for the crimes committed by Ocalan deserves the
heaviest punishment in all legal systems. However, the decision
will be political as President Suleyman Demirel has said."
END
FROM THE COLUMNS....FROM THE COLUMNS....FROM THE COLUMNS....
TURCO-GERMAN JOINT INVESTMENT IN GAP
OCALAN'S CALL IN FRENCH MEDIA
IRAN TO RELEASE TURKISH SOLDIERS
ECEVIT: "NO BARGAIN"
DINI TO VISIT TURKEY
TEMPORARY REFUGEE CAMP TO BE CONSTRUCTED ON TURCO-BULGARIAN
BORDER
MOLDOVIAN AMBASSADOR IN BURSA
DETERMINED STEP FROM BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA
11 PKK TERRORISTS KILLED
TPAO FINDS NATURAL GAS IN AZERBAIJAN
OIL HOPE IN ERZURUM
$ 300 MILLION SECURITY BOND EXPORTS
BIRLIK TEXTILE REALIZES $ 13.5 MILLION EXPORTS
CONSUMER LOAN REDUCED
SONERA-TURKCELL DEVELOPS
TEMSA PRESTIJ NUMBER ONE IN GERMANY
NORTHERN IRAQ
INDIAN HEMP OPERATIONS
KOH TO MEET ECEVIT
OCALAN'S INFLUENCE AND AUTHORITY QUESTIONED
OCALAN WANTS HIS DEATH PENALTY TO BE PREVENTED
PKK FILE SENT TO TEHRAN
WASHINGTON WANTS DIALOGUE
CULTURE MINISTER OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA IN TRNC
STORA-ENSO IN TURKEY
STRIKE SUSPENDED
FOURTH ECONOMY CONGRESS IN 2002
US WANTS LOOSE FEDERATION IN CYPRUS
YAS MEETINGS END
AIRCRAFT RENTAL ENDS
57 NORTHERN IRAQIS CAPTURED
OSCE SUMMIT IN ISTANBUL
OIL PRODUCTION IN ADIYAMAN
ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS IN DOMUZTEPE TUMULUS
SEVEN FAIRS TO BE OPENED IN SANLIURFA
SAP AND TEKIN TO GO TO RUSSIA
TURKISH RACING DRIVERS IN CATERHAM
MASTER RALLY IN TURKEY
CHRISTIANITY DOCUMENTARY IN TURKEY
FROM THE COLUMNS....FROM THE COLUMNS....FROM THE COLUMNS....
MODERN LEFT AND ECEVIT -BY HASAN CEMAL (MILLIYET)
WHAT DOES OCALAN WANT? -BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)