x0x Turkish Press Review -- 06 Oct 00
Turkish Radio San Francisco
_________________________________________________________________
06.10.00
Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press
this morning
CONTENTS
[1]COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING
[2]CONSTITUTIONAL COURT CANCELS THE AUTHORITY LAW
[3]JOINT DECLARATION OF FIVE PARTIES
[4]TURKEY'S REACTION TO EP ON THE CYPRUS ISSUE
[5]ECHR MAKES A DECISION AGAINST THE GREEK-CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION
[6]HUMAN RIGHTS CHAIRMANSHIP ESTABLISHED
[7]SUPPORT FROM US DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE
[8]AMERICAN ARMENIANS ARE HAPPY WITH THE APPROVAL
[9]GAFFNEY: "LET'S NOT OFFEND TURKEY"
[10]TURKEY WANTS PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST
[11]HEAVY DIPLOMATIC TRAFFIC IN OCTOBER
[12]SCHWIMMER'S STATEMENT
[13]WOLF: "BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE CASPIAN"
[14]DEFENSE NEWS ON THE BIDDINGS BETWEEN TURKEY AND THE US
[15]TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ
[16]A DEPUTY OF TURKISH-ORIGIN IN DANISH PARLIAMENT
[17]AMERICAN SENATORS IN GAP
[18]RAILWAY BETWEEN TURKEY AND IRAQ
[19]TELECOM TO BE PRIVATIZED
[20]INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL CIRCLES' ESTIMATION CONCERNING TURKEY
[21]AUTOMATIVE EXPORT REACHES 2 BILLION US DOLLARS
[22]TURKISH ENVIRONMENTALIST RECEIVES THE ALTERNATIVE NOBEL AWARD
[23]ANZAK WINE TO BE PRODUCED IN CANAKKALE
[24]ISRAELI CONTEMPORARY PAINTING EXHIBITION
[25]AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TURKEY BY SEMIH IDIZ (STAR)
COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING
The approval of the so-called Armenian genocide bill in the House
Committee of International Relations was at the top of the agenda of
the Council of Ministers meeting held yesterday. It was reported that
the Council of Ministers decided to defend Turkey's views on the
so-called genocide by using the documents in the state archives to
prove the historical facts distorted by the Armenians. Prime Minister
Bulent Ecevit, who started the meeting by reading the declaration of
the acting chairmen of the political parties in the TGNA, said, "I
regret the decision made in the House Committee." Stating that if the
bill was approved at the floor of the House of Representatives, Turkey
had to give a more organized and determined reaction. Mr. Ecevit said,
"What fits Turkey is to give a reaction which is not emotional but
based on reason and national awareness." Pointing out that the
approval of the bill would seriously damage Turkey's bilateral
relations with the US and Armenia, Mr. Ecevit said, "In that case, we
will not be responsible for the consequences of the decisions to be
made. Armenia has provoked the US." Meanwhile, Minister of Defense,
Sabahattin CakmakoGlu, said that military and defense biddings between
Turkey and the US might be reconsidered. After the meeting, Chairman
of Virtue Party Recai Kutan met Prime Minister Ecevit. Mr. Kutan
stated that Turkey's commercial relations with Iraq would be improved.
/Cumhuriyet/
CONSTITUTIONAL COURT CANCELS THE AUTHORITY LAW
Upon the application of the main opposition Virtue Party (FP), the
Constitutional Court has annulled the law which gives the government
the authority to issue decrees with the power of law (KHK). The Law of
Empowerment No 4588 went into effect on July 6, 2000 and based on that
law the government has issued 20 decrees up to now. If no case is
opened separately for those which were put into effect, the decrees
will remain in force. /All Papers/
JOINT DECLARATION OF FIVE PARTIES
The deputy leaders of the five political parties which have groups in
the parliament have prepared a joint declaration in coordination with
the Foreign Ministry stating that the Turkish Grand National Assembly
(TGNA) may not extend the mandate of the Reconnaissance Force of NATO,
if the so-called Armenian genocide resolution is approved in the US
House of Representatives. The declaration includes the following
points: 1. The approval of the so-called Armenian genocide resolution
would come to mean that history is distorted for political purposes.
2. TGNA and the government have informed the world that the approval
of the resolution would have negative effects on Turkish-Armenian and
Turkish-US relations, as well as on the peace efforts in the Caucasus.
3.In case of the approval of the resolution, TGNA would assess
extending the mandate of the Reconnaissance Force of NATO in the light
of the changing conditions. /Milliyet/
TURKEY'S REACTION TO EP ON THE CYPRUS ISSUE
Turkey has reacted to the European Parliament (EP) which stated that
the Greek-Cypriot Administration could enter the European Union (EU)
without achieving a solution concerning the both sides. Stating that
the EP kept its stance in favour of the Greek Administration, Turkey
said, "The EP does not contribute to a solution to the benefit of both
sides." Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, after meeting with President
Ahmet Necdet Sezer, said, "We already know that the EP has negative
approaches to certain issues related to Turkey. However, we have made
ourselves abundantly clear on our determination to exclude the Cyprus
issue from our relations with the EU." The fifth round of the meetings
on the Cyprus issue is expected to be held in Geneva. The UN and the
US have been putting pressure on both sides to start direct talks.
/Cumhuriyet/
ECHR MAKES A DECISION AGAINST THE GREEK-CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION
Erkan Egmez, who was kidnapped and tortured by the Greek policemen
when he was working on his land in Akincilar, a village at the border
of the Turkish Republic of the Norhern Cyprus (TRNC), on October 7,
1995, won the lawsuit against the Greek-Cypriot Administration at the
European Commission of the Human Rights (ECHR). It was reported that
the lawsuit will be brought to the High Court. /Cumhuriyet/
HUMAN RIGHTS CHAIRMANSHIP ESTABLISHED
The Human Rights Chairmanship was established within the structure of
the Prime Ministry. According to the decree with the power of law
regulating the establishment of the Human Rights Chairmanship, the
duties of the Chairmanship are to ensure the coordination among the
institutions in charge of the issues related to the human rights, to
investigate the allegations on the violations of human rights, to
implement the program related to human rights and to avoid the
possible defects. /Cumhuriyet/
SUPPORT FROM US DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE
US Department of Defence stated that the official visit of Chief of
General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu, was postponed after the
developments regarding the so-called Armenian genocide resolution and
that it was completely understandable. The speaker of the Pentagon
Colonel Vic Warzinski said that they were sorry that the visit was
postponed for this reason and the Defense Ministry is openly against
the resolution. The fact that during his speech Mr.Warzinski used the
word "so-called" for the resolution, drew attention. /Sabah/
AMERICAN ARMENIANS ARE HAPPY WITH THE APPROVAL
The approval of the so-called Armenian genocide bill at US House of
Representatives' International Relations Committee was welcomed among
the Armenians living in the US. Ross Vartian, the Chairman of the
American Armenians' Assembly, claimed that more than 140 members of
the House of Representatives supported the bill, thus, it could not be
defined as a partisan effort. Vartian said that the approval of the
bill at the committee, was a reply of the US to the first serious
humanity crisis in the 20th century. He added that the votes cast in
favour of that bill, at the same time, was a recognition of the
on-going US moral-leadership in the world also in the new century.
/Turkiye/
GAFFNEY: "LET'S NOT OFFEND TURKEY"
Chairman of the Security Studies Centre in Washington, Frank Gaffney
warned the House of Representatives not to offend Turkey which is an
indispensable ally of the US, over the Armenian bill as it would
seriously damage the US interests. In an article appearing in
"Investor's Business" newspaper, Mr. Gaffney said: "The "partisan
efforts" of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dennis
Hastert may providea chance for Republican James Rogan to hold his
position, however, in the end, it will be detrimental to the US
interests." /Turkiye/
TURKEY WANTS PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST
The violence, which occurred following the far right Likud Party
leader Ariel Sharon's visit to Al Agsa mosque compound last Thursday,
and after which 70 people died and 1800 people were injured, has not
ended yet although the Palestinian and Israeli leaders promised to
create an atmosphere of peace. Meanwhile, Turkey wanted an impartial
and open investigation to be made concerning the violence in
Jerusalem, Gaza and West Strip and take the necessary legal actions to
be taken against those who committed crimes during the incidents.
During the United Nations' (UN) Security Council's extraordinary
meeting, Turkey's Permanent Ambassador to the UN, Umit Pamir, said,
"We believe that it is high time to stop the increase in the tension
in the region." Pamir recommended the parties to display maximum
moderation so that the peace can be ensured again. Pamir added,
"Turkey is deeply worried about the latest incidents occurring due to
the use of extreme force. Nothing can justify the loss of innocent
lives." /Aksam/
HEAVY DIPLOMATIC TRAFFIC IN OCTOBER
With the end of the summer, diplomatic traffic in Ankara is expected
to liven up. Russian Prime Minister M. Kasianov is to come to Ankara
as the guest of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit on 23-25 October when
they will discuss bilateral economic and military relations as well as
regional developments. At the end of the month Dutch Prime Minister
Wim Kok is expected visit Turkey and tour the earthquake regions.
Before the Accession Partnership Document is disclosed in November,
the political directors of the European Union (EU) troika, comprising
Sweden, Finland and France, will arrive in Ankara on 6 October.
President Sezer will leave on a tour of the Turkic Republics on 16-20
October, after hosting Czech President Vaclav Havel on October 10-12.
The Foreign Ministry has also announced that Foreign Minister Ismail
Cem will go to Bucharest on October 20 for a meeting of Black Sea
Economic Cooperation foreign ministers. /Turkish Daily News/
SCHWIMMER'S STATEMENT
European Council's General Secretary Walter Schwimmer attended the
programme entitled 'Cuvaldiz' on the TV8 channel, answered the
questions of Faruk Bildirici and Dogan Tilic and evaluated the
relations between Turkey and Europe. Schwimmer said, "The Ocalan trial
is a very special case. I must say with appreciation that when the
Turkish Court passed death sentence on Ocalan, Turkey acted in
accordance with the moratorium that it will not practice death
sentence on anyone. The removal of the death sentence from the Penal
Code is a very important European standard. I believe that Turkey will
take the necessary step to abolish the death sentence." /Hurriyet/
WOLF: "BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE CASPIAN"
The US President Bill Clinton's Advisor for the Caspian Basin, John
Wolf, said that Baku-Ceyhan pipeline was very important in Caspian in
terms of security. Wolf pointed out the support of the US for the
Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project. Wolf added, "The US does not expect any
benefit from this project. If Kazakhstan also participates in the
project, it will be a safe place to transport the rapidly increasing
petroleum to the international markets." /Aksam/
DEFENSE NEWS ON THE BIDDINGS BETWEEN TURKEY AND THE US
In an article published in the Defense News, known as the magazine of
the American defense circles, it was stated that if the so-called
Armenian genocide bill was approved in the House of Representatives,
Turkey would give certain important defense biddings to other
countries. A high-level Turkish official stated that in case of an
approval, Turkey would be seriously disappointed since the legislative
organ of Turkey's closest ally would have dealt a blow to the
friendship between the two countries. The official said, "Our
cooperation with the US on certain critical defense issues continues,
whereas there might be some retardings. We give the projects, where
the US technology is not essential, to other countries." Meanwhile, an
American source stated that it was inevitable for the US weapon firms
to lose a considerable amount of the Turkish defense market, if the
bill was approved at the House of Representatives. /Cumhuriyet/
TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ
The government has appointed Mehmed Akad as Ambassador to Baghdat
within the framework of the governmental decision to take steps that
would provide new openings in Turkish foreign policy towards Iraq,
especially after the approval of the so-called Armenian genocide
resolution in the US House Committee of International Relations. Mr.
Akad will take up his post on February 1, 2001. It was learned Iraqi
authorities had approved the appointment of Mr. Akad. Moreover, State
Minister Tunca Toskay will visit Iraq to participate in the Baghdat
Fair starting on Nov.1. /Milliyet/
A DEPUTY OF TURKISH-ORIGIN IN DANISH PARLIAMENT
A deputy of Turkish-origin Isminur Lone Yalcinkaya entered the
parliament of Denmark. Ms. Yalcinkaya is the first foreigner to enter
the Danish parliament. /Milliyet/
AMERICAN SENATORS IN GAP
American Senators Nancy Kassebaum and Howard Baker arrived in Mardin
to examine the latest developments in the Southeastern Anatolia
Project (GAP). Holding investigations in Mardin, the senators visited
Deyrulzafaran Monastery and attended the banquet given in the honor of
them. /Star/
RAILWAY BETWEEN TURKEY AND IRAQ
Turkey and Iraq has agreed to start the railway transportation between
the two countries. Ambassador Selim Karaosmanoglu, the Counsellor of
the Foreign Ministry, who is currently holding contacts in Baghdat,
met Undersecretary of Iraqi Transportation and Communications Ministry
Sabri Gati. Stating that thay were ready to open the railway line
between the two countries, Mr. Gati said, "Iraqi engineers have
developed the line extending from Iraq to Turkey and Syria." Mr.
Karaosmanoglu also stated that the Turkish government was determined
on starting the railway transportation between the two countries.
/Cumhuriyet/
TELECOM TO BE PRIVATIZED
In a statement issued by the Prime Ministry, a meeting, chaired by the
Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan, was held yesterday with the
participation of the State Ministers Recep Onal and Yuksel Yalova and
the Minister of Communication Enis Oksuz. During the meeting, it was
decided that in the privatization of the Turk Telecom, 29% of the
shares will be sold as block sale and 5% will be offered to the
public. /Aksam/
INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL CIRCLES' ESTIMATION CONCERNING TURKEY
International rating institution Schroder Salomon Smith Barney (SSSB)
estimated that the inflation rate will be 27% in terms of the
Wholesale Price Index (TEFE) and 34% in terms of the Consumer Price
Index (TUFE) at the end of this year in Turkey. SSSB's estimation
concerning the inflation rate in Turkey is 15% in TEFE and 18% in TUFE
for the year 2001. In SSSB's report, it was estimated that the Turkish
government will be in power by the next elections and that it will
continue to follow the economic stability programme. Meanwhile, the
international capital circles maintain their optimism concerning the
increase in the prices and current deficit. /Aksam/
AUTOMATIVE EXPORT REACHES 2 BILLION US DOLLARS
Automative export increased by 1.3% in September. According to the
information received by Uludag Association of Exporters' (UIB) General
Secretariat, automative and sub-industry export, which amounted to 188
million US dollars in September 1999, reached 190,594,266 US dollars
in September 2000. /Hurriyet/
TURKISH ENVIRONMENTALIST RECEIVES THE ALTERNATIVE NOBEL AWARD
Turkish environmentalist, Birsel Lemke, received one of the
alternative Nobel Awards that are given in Stockholm. Lemke was deemed
worthy of this award because of her struggle against extracting gold
with cyanide and the role that she played in the international
campaigns for the prohibition of this dangerous technology. These
alternative nobel awards began to be given by Jakob von Uexkull in
1980 and this year they will be given during a ceremony at the Swedish
Parliament on 6 December. /Aksam/
ANZAK WINE TO BE PRODUCED IN CANAKKALE
Turkey and Australia will produce grapes on the land on which they
fought against each other in 1915. Then a wine entitled 'Anzak' will
be produced from these grapes. Australian Advisory Company Eric's
General Director Rob Gourlay and the owner of the Pepper Tree wine
company, Chris Cameron, made observations in the region after which
they decided that the soil in Canakkale was ideal in producing wine.
/Hurriyet/
ISRAELI CONTEMPORARY PAINTING EXHIBITION
The "Israeli Contemporary Painting Exhibition", organized by Israeli
Office of the Culture Attache, under the sponsorship of Osmanli Bank,
was opened by Culture Minister Istemihan Talay and Israeli State
Minister Haim Ramon. The exhibition, including paintings and
photographs of 20 Israeli artists, will be open until Oct. 17, 2000 at
the Yildiz Sale Pavilion in Istanbul. /Hurriyet/
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TURKEY BY SEMIH IDIZ (STAR)
Columnist Semih Idiz writes on the latest developments concerning the
so-called Armenian Genocide. A summary of his column is as follows:
"The US Congress has created an important opportunity for the revision
of Turkish foreign policy with the Armenian resolution. When the
'Johnson letter' was sent to Turkey, the country was in a weak
position and particularly passive against the US. Although some may
still think so, the present day Turkey is not in the same situation.
In the 1980s if the American aid had been cut off in the amount of $
20 million due to the activities of the Armenian and Greek lobbies, a
crisis would have erupted in our relations with the US. However,
nothing has been said on the question today as the military aid worth
$ 300- 400 million in low-credit loans do not have any meaning for
Turkey. It has reached a point where we can do without it. Meanwhile,
NATO, which was established during the Cold War and was supported
mainly by the US, has begun to lose its meaning following the collapse
of the Soviet Union. This organization seemed to gain an importance
during the disintegration process in Yugoslavia. However, the
incidents which took place within the framework of Bosnian and Kosovar
crises have puzzled the minds concerning unity in NATO, its mission
and consistency. 'Collective defence' has seriously eroded in the face
of selective choices of the members. When the searches by Europe for a
new defence organization independent from NATO and Washington has been
added to these developments, the future of the Northern Atlantic
Alliance has become uncertain. Today, following the Cold War NATO is
still an organization seeking a mission for itself. The principles
accepted at the 50th anniversary Summit held in Washington last April
have not been able to change the situation. Clearly, if Turkey is
faced with a serious foreign threat it is doubtful if NATO will come
to its aid. We should remember how Germany shuffled its feet during
the Gulf crisis and had been accused by Turgut Ozal as an unreliable
ally. Turco-American military relations are conducted within the
framework of Defence and Economic Cooperation Agreement (SEIA). Turkey
receives military aid or low-credit loans within the scope of this
agreement. In return, Turkey grants the US the right to have a
military base on its territory. It is the US which benefits from the
SEIA most. That is to say, the US itself had said that it needed the
Incirlik Airbase for the crisis in Iraq and Balikesir Air Base for the
operation in Kosovo. The military equipment bought from the US cannot
be called 'aid', it is 'trade ' at best. If Turkey buys equipment,
American companies are earning money in return and as much as the
Greek and Armenian lobbies permit. The point I am trying to make is
that, the time has come to review if the Turco-American military
relations still continue to protect their 'strategic' character and
what benefit do these relations have for Turkey. The Americans
themselves have said that Turkey which was a 'wing' country in
collective defence has in fact become a 'focal' country. This is not a
favour on their part. When they are talking about this they are
voicing a fact concerning the US global interests. For example, at
present Washington has a sound policy towards Iraq. However, this does
not exactly coincide with Turkey's interests and choices. The fact is,
Ankara has not objected to this policy not to damage the 'strategic
relations' between itself and Washington. We should not ignore the
fact that, even though Turkey may have a host of problems it is the
most stable country in the region. The military might of Turkey has an
important deterrent effect. Those who avoid picking up a fight with
Turkey do not act with the belief that 'America is behind Turkey'.
They are acting with caution because they are afraid of Turkey's
might. Turkey has the strongest economy in the region. Istanbul has
become the New York of the Middle East, Balkans and the Caucasus.
Kayseri, Adana, Gaziantep have reached a status where they can attract
foreign capital by themselves. When we take up this and a dozen
another factor besides it, the relative advantages of Turkey can be
clearly seen. Within this framework, the time has come to seek new and
dynamic balances in our foreign policy suited to Turkey's location.
Otherwise, no one will understand that Turkey has other alternatives
to follow."