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Turkish Press Review, 99-07-21

Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>

21.07.99

Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning


CONTENTS

  • [01] FROM THE COLUMNS..FROM THE COLUMNS..FROM THE COLUMNS..
  • [02] 'HERE IS THE STATE, HERE IS THE FLAG'
  • [03] 'US DOES NOT LEAVE TURKEY ALONE'
  • [04] 'IT IS IN VAIN TO PLACE PRESSURE ON ANKARA'
  • [05] GREEK MEDIA: "SOLUTION CANNOT BE REACHED BECAUSE OF ECEVIT"
  • [06] HISTORIC CONFESSION
  • [07] GREEK PUBLISHER LAUNCHES A CAMPAIGN FOR ATATURK SCULPTURE
  • [08] NSC TO MEET IN ISTANBUL
  • [09] TURKISH SEAL ON BOEING
  • [10] OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMUNICATIONS PROJECT IN IRAQ
  • [11] IS BANK BEGINS SYNDICATE
  • [12] TURKISH GENERAL DIRECTOR FOR PFIZER
  • [13] CONFERENCE OF THE CENTURY IN ISTANBUL
  • [14] PRAISE FOR TURKISH SCIENTISTS
  • [15] CHP AT BALKAN CONFERENCE
  • [16] PKK FILE TO IRAN
  • [17] MEETING DISTURBS ANKARA
  • [18] ISRAEL UNDER NO DELUSIONS
  • [19] ECEVIT'S LETTER TO D'ALEMA
  • [20] OCALAN REQUESTS GENERAL PARDON
  • [21] TWO CIVILIANS KILLED NEAR ERZURUM
  • [22] TERRORIST CAPTURED IN ADANA
  • [23] SIX TERRORISTS KILLED
  • [24] FISCHER TO REAFFIRM BONN'S WISH FOR BETTER RELATIONS
  • [25] TURKISH SUMMIT IN GERMANY
  • [26] KOC-HENKEL PARTNERSHIP
  • [27] "WE BELIEVE IN ANKARA"
  • [28] FOREIGN INVESTORS TO RESEARCH TURKISH MARKETS
  • [29] OFFSHORE CHAMPIONSHIP IN ISTANBUL
  • [30] FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT ON CHINA
  • [31] IRANIAN THREAT AGAINST TURKEY
  • [32] DEDE KORKUT EPIC NOW IN GERMAN
  • [33] SOLAR ECLIPSE TO BE FOLLOWED FROM TURKEY
  • [34] TARKAN ATTRACTS GREAT ATTENTION IN SWEDEN
  • [35] FROM RED SQUARE TO TOPKAPI PALACE
  • [36] PHANTOMS ARE READY FOR THE YEAR 2000
  • [37] ECONOMIC CONTRACTION SLOWS DOWN
  • [38] TURKEY MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM TO HOST MATCHES
  • [39] FROM THE COLUMNS..FROM THE COLUMNS..FROM THE COLUMNS..
  • [40] WESTERN DOUBLE STANDARDS -BY SEMIH IDIZ (STAR)
  • [41] INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION -BY HALIT KAKINC (STAR)
  • [42] SPECIAL KOSOVO

  • [01] FROM THE COLUMNS..FROM THE COLUMNS..FROM THE COLUMNS..

    [02] 'HERE IS THE STATE, HERE IS THE FLAG'

    Twenty-five years after ordering the Turkish intervention on Cyprus, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit declared in Lefkose yesterday that if the solution or the Island is not based on a two-state confederation, an 'enhanced' integration between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) would be the alternative. "If the final solution is not a confederation between the two Cypriot states, there are two other alternatives: either the present status quo will continue, or Turkey and the TRNC will integrate at a higher level, as much as is deemed necessary", Ecevit told Turkish-Cypriots at the celebrations held in the TRNC yesterday to mark the 25th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation.

    Speaking at a joint press conference later Tuesday, TRNC President Rauf Denktas offered the Greek-Cypriot Administration 'a comprehensive peace treaty' and called for an end to the 'propaganda war' against the Turkish-Cypriot people. Denktas said the Greek-Cypriot side and the world must realize that Turkish-Cypriots will never agree to a revival of the pre-1974 conditions on the Island, when Turkish-Cypriots were oppressed and murdered in cold blood. /All papers/

    [03] 'US DOES NOT LEAVE TURKEY ALONE'

    An article written by Eric Biegala in the 'Le Figaro' newspaper published in France said: "The US needs the Incirlik Base to bomb Iraq, therefore the US will not leave Turkey alone at an international level". The article recalled that Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit would pay an official visit to the US in September and stated that the Iraqi issue was more important than the Cyprus issue for Washington. The article stressed that the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Rauf Denktas had a strong character and significant prestige in Turkey. /Aksam/

    [04] 'IT IS IN VAIN TO PLACE PRESSURE ON ANKARA'

    The Western world has finally understood that to place pressure on Turkey concerning the Cyprus issue is in vain. 'Le Soir', one of the leading newspapers published in Belgium, said that Turkey had assumed a determined and clear stance on the Cyprus issue and pressure on Ankara was hard to achieve and the US also knew this fact. The newspaper recalled the initiatives by the extreme Greek-Cypriots supported by the Colonels' Junta 25 years ago to annex Cyprus to Greece and said that the Turkish army which wanted to protect Turkish-Cypriots acquired the one third of the Island.

    'The Independent', a leading newspaper published in Britain, stated that the Turkish intervention in 1974 ended brutality on the Island. The correspondent of the newspaper in Turkey, Justin Huggler, said in his article that the TRNC would refuse to take part in the meetings until it is recognized as a state and pointed out that the ideal solution to the Cyprus problem would be to return to the 1960 Constitution. /Aksam/

    [05] GREEK MEDIA: "SOLUTION CANNOT BE REACHED BECAUSE OF ECEVIT"

    The Greek media claimed that the Cyprus problem has not been solved because of the stance assumed by the Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Rauf Denktas. Greek President Kostis Stefanopulos, Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and political party leaders issued statements blaming Turkey. The Greek President claimed that Turkey did not abide by UN resolutions. The Greek Prime Minister said that the Cyprus issue was a shame for the Western world and added that Greece was in support of a lasting and fair solution on the Island.

    Meanwhile, the 'Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung' newspaper devoted a half-page to the Turkish intervention on Cyprus in its issue published yesterday and said that Turkey still regards this as a Peace Operation. /Hurriyet/

    [06] HISTORIC CONFESSION

    The Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreu has confessed 25 years after the Cyprus Peace Operation that the Cyprus problem was a 'tragic mistake' by the Colonels' Junta which wanted to annex the Island to Greece. Papandreu, who is making a supreme effort to hold a Turco-Greek dialogue, made two separate statements yesterday on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation. Papandreu said that as a result of the mistake made by the Junta leaders, the current situation was being experienced in Cyprus. Papandreu also made a written statement and remarked that the Cyprus tragedy revealed the impasse of Greek nationalism. He added: "While evaluating historic incidents, we should not look at them from one dimension. All political powers in Greece and Cyprus should assume a realistic approach and contribute to a solution to the problem". He also pointed out the dialogue process between Turkey and Greece to begin in Ankara on July 26-27. /Hurriyet/

    [07] GREEK PUBLISHER LAUNCHES A CAMPAIGN FOR ATATURK SCULPTURE

    A leading publisher in Greece, Yannis Horn, has launched a campaign in order to erect sculptures of the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, in front of his house where he was born in Thessalonica, and of the noted Greek politician Venizelos in Crete. Horn, who is the publisher of the 'Athens News' published in Athens, said that he would grant a total of 15 million Drahmis (nearly 20 billion TL) for the sculptures. Horn stated that the two leaders, who left their seal on both Turkish and Greek history, should also be remembered by future generations. Horn pointed out that he would grant 5 million Drahmis for Ataturk's sculpture. He added that he would send a letter to the Turkish Ambassador to Athens, Ali Tuygan, for that purpose. /Aksam/

    [08] NSC TO MEET IN ISTANBUL

    The National Security Council (NSC) headed by President Suleyman Demirel will convene on Friday in Istanbul. The special agenda of the meeting will be the Straits. It is reported that Energy and Natural Resources Minister Cumhur Ersumer will also take part in the meeting. The struggle against fundamentalism, terrorism and organized crime will also be discussed during the meeting. /Sabah/

    [09] TURKISH SEAL ON BOEING

    The Turkish Aerospace Industry (TAI), which produces flight control panels for the new Boeing 737 aircraft, delivered the first control panel to Boeing during a ceremony held at TAI facilities in Ankara yesterday. /Aksam/

    [10] OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMUNICATIONS PROJECT IN IRAQ

    The Foreign Trade Undersecretariat (DTM) has announced that in order to meet the urgent needs of the communications system in Iraq as part of the 'distribution plan' of the UN Security Council, an investment worth $120 million would be made. According to a statement issued by the DTM, information about the distribution plan was available on the Internet sites of the UN and the DTM. The statement said: "During a meeting held between the Iraqi Transport and Communications Minister, Ahmet Murtada, and Turkish officials at the Turkish Embassy in Baghdad, Murtada stated that Turkish firms should have direct contact with Abdul-Razzaq Abdul-Wahap All, the Director of the Planning Depratment of the Transport and Communications Ministry, and added that the aforementioned Director was ready to offer every assistance to Turkish firms". /Aksam/

    [11] IS BANK BEGINS SYNDICATE

    Is Bank has launched a syndicate worth $150 million. According to banking circles, the syndicate will be organized by ABC, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Bank of New York, Barclays Capital, Citibank, Commerzbank, Credit Agricole Indosuez, First Union, Natwest, Natexis, Standard Chartered and Sanwa. /Aksam/

    [12] TURKISH GENERAL DIRECTOR FOR PFIZER

    Ozer Baysal has been assigned the General Director of Pfizer in Belgium. Baysal, who is a graduate of the Industry Department of the Bopshorus (Bogazici) University, has started his duty in Belgium. /Aksam/

    [13] CONFERENCE OF THE CENTURY IN ISTANBUL

    After lengthy discussions, in the end it was decided to hold the "United Nations' World Radio Communication Conference" (WRC-2000) in Istanbul. The Conference will last 6 weeks and is expected to bring in 170 million dollars. During the Conference, the communication requirements of the 21st century will be discussed. Because of its concept and its being a platform for decisions that will bind 188 nations, it has been called the 'Conference of the Century'. However, Turkey has not yet begun the construction of an additional hall in the Lutfu Kirdar International Congress and Exhibition Centre building in which the Conference will start in May 2000. Authorities have avoided giving a specific date for the beginnig of the construction which is also being curiously awaited by the international community. /Cumhuriyet/

    [14] PRAISE FOR TURKISH SCIENTISTS

    Italian Professor Ariella Cattai, working in the famous CERN Research Centre in Switzerland, where high energy physics research has been conducted, said that the future of science in Turkey is hopeful and Turkish scientists are very good. She added that the education system in Turkey is excellent and also that in Europe there is not such a high-level educational control centre as YOK as there is in Turkey. Prof.Cattai pointed out the equality of female and male scientists in Turkish universities and said that she is terribly proud of it. She suggested greater participation in more student and scientist exchange programs. /Cumhuriyet/

    [15] CHP AT BALKAN CONFERENCE

    A Republican People's Party (CHP) committee, headed by the CHP Assistant General Chairman, Inal Batu, will go to Vienna tomorrow to participate in the Balkan Conference which is organized by the European Socialist Party. The committee will include Assistant General Secretary Sule Bucak and a member of the Central Administration Board, Ali Dincer. /Cumhuriyet/

    [16] PKK FILE TO IRAN

    During the meetings to ease the tension which has come onto the agenda following Iranian assertions that Turkey has bombed the Iranian headquarters, Turkey will discuss PKK activities. Turkey is preparing a special file about the terrorist activities in Iran; it is presumed that 700-800 PKK terrorists are in this country. The claim of Iran is being affirmed so as to push Iran's domestic problems to second priority and to obtain unity among the Iranian people. The Turkish Charge d'Affaires of the Tehran Embassy, Aykut Sezgin, was called to the Iranian Foreign Ministry for the second time and the diplomats repeated their desire for a persuading declaration from Turkey about the issue. /Cumhuriyet/

    [17] MEETING DISTURBS ANKARA

    At the end of the PKK-Israel meeting in Brussels it was decided to increase political and cultural contact. The Chairman of the so-called Kurdish parliament-in-exile, Yasar Kaya, said that they have been holding meetings with the five-member delegation which was set up by the Chairman of the Mediterranean Research Centre (UAAM), Prof. Erez Biton, for three years. Kaya noted that Biton had invited them to start a dialogue. /Milliyet/

    [18] ISRAEL UNDER NO DELUSIONS

    It is claimed that a member of the Israeli Workers' Party, Erez Biton, would like to promote the PKK to the Israeli public and that he has set up a friendship and solidarity committee to this end. The Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs announced to the Milliyet newspaper in Damascus that Biton does not have any political or official identity and he was only an independent Israeli citizen who is free to meet the PKK and other organizations. Deputy Foreign Minister Amira Dutan said that Biton's activities never bound the Israeli government. "The Workers' Party has more than five thousand members and Biton is only one of them. It is out of the question that Israel would become involved in Turkey's domestic issues or give advice on domestic issues," said Dutan.

    Meanwhile, the Israeli former Ambassador to Turkey, Zvi Epeleg, stated that three members of the Cabinet had intented to attend the meeting of the committee set up by Biton but they had been prevented by Prime Minister Ehud Barak. Epeleg said that there very few and very ineffective campaigns supporting the PKK. "Israel has no right to criticize Turkey on the Kurdish issue. Israel should show the same tolerance towards Arabs as Turkey shows to Kurds," said Epeleg. /Milliyet/

    [19] ECEVIT'S LETTER TO D'ALEMA

    Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit sent a letter to his Italian counterpart D'Alema to ease Turco-Italian relations. In his letter on 8 July Ecevit said that he hoped that D'Alema would try every path to ease their mutual relations. On the other hand, President Suleyman Demirel has not yet received a letter from trust of the new Italian Ambassador to Ankara. Foreign Ministry circles noted that President Demirel was extremely disturbed by the support that the Italian government gave the chief of the terrorist organization Abdullah Ocalan and also its initiatives against Turkey's entrance into the European Union (EU) in order to prevent the execution of Ocalan. It is added that Demirel expects Italy to take the same serious steps to show that it has abondoned its anti-Turkey attitude as far as the Ocalan issue is concerned. /Milliyet/

    [20] OCALAN REQUESTS GENERAL PARDON

    At the recent meeting with his lawyers on Imrali Island, terrorist Abdullah Ocalan requested a general pardon instead of a limited one as the government had previously announced. It was announced that Ocalan had obtained information concerning the application to the European Court of Human Rights instead of awaiting the decision of the Court of Appeals. /Milliyet/

    [21] TWO CIVILIANS KILLED NEAR ERZURUM

    A group of terrorists opened fire on civilians sitting in the garden of a coffee-house in the Caglayan township of Erzurum last night. At the end of the incident, two civilians had been killed and six of them were wounded. In another incident a soldier was killed and one was wounded following clashes between security forces and terrorists in the Cat township of Erzurum. /Turkiye/

    [22] TERRORIST CAPTURED IN ADANA

    A member of the PKK terrorist organization, Rusen Tabanci (19), code-named 'Bergin Zozan', who attempted a suicide bomb attack on the Adana Police Department on July 5, was captured alive by security forces yesterday. /Sabah/

    [23] SIX TERRORISTS KILLED

    A total of six terrorists have been killed and eight others captured in operations carried out by security forces in the Southeast. Security forces said that the operations would continue. One soldier died and one was wounded in Erzurum, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

    [24] FISCHER TO REAFFIRM BONN'S WISH FOR BETTER RELATIONS

    German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer will arrive in Ankara today for talks with Turkish officials on a variety of subjects from Turkey's bid for EU membership to the Cyprus problem, human rights and the democratization efforts of Ankara. Fischer will be received by President Suleyman Demirel, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and attend talks with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem. Fischer will give a press conference later Thursday afternoon before he leaves Ankara. /All papers/

    [25] TURKISH SUMMIT IN GERMANY

    A Turkish delegation including representatives of the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) and businessmen, will meet German Prime Minister Gerhard Schroder today in Bonn. It is announced that the Chairman of TUSIAD, Erkut Yuceoglu, Rahmi Koc, Bulent Eczacibasi, Sarik Tara and the Chairwoman of the Economic Development Foundation, Meral Gezgin Eris, will also attend the meeting. The German Press and Information Department announced that the meeting will be closed to the media. Bilateral trade relations, economic and political issues, Turco-European Union (EU) relations and other global topics will be discussed during the meeting. It is also expected that the Turkish delegation will ask German Prime Minister to continue to support Turkey's membership candidacy to the EU. /Milliyet/

    [26] KOC-HENKEL PARTNERSHIP

    The Koc Group is to set up a partnership with Henkel in the consumer durables and food sectors in the Netherlands. The Ram-Henkel Netherlands Investment Partnership will be active in the Turkish-speaking Republics, the Balkans, Middle East and Nothern Africa countries. It is announced that Koc the Holding controls 60 % percent of the partnership with a $ 2.1 million capital investment. /Milliyet/

    [27] "WE BELIEVE IN ANKARA"

    Turkish Ready-to-Wear Industrialists' Association (TGSD) will start a campaign to support the structural reforms of the government. The Chairman of the TGSD, Bulent Atuk, said that they would support the reforms launched by the government through advertisements. He added that the government was going along a rough road and that it needed support, so they would help them to ease the situation. Meanwhile, the 1st Meeting of the Platform on Cooperation and Solidarity in the Ready-to-Wear Sector will gather today. Concerning the issue Atuk said that they would discuss present problems in the sector and would hand over a report to the government at the end of the meeting. /Milliyet/

    [28] FOREIGN INVESTORS TO RESEARCH TURKISH MARKETS

    Foreign investment has followed the Turkish economy. American bank experts who funded the Turkish market via London arrived in Turkey a week ago. They have already met the representatives of the public institutions in Ankara. American bank experts welcomed the government's determination in implementing making reforms. They thought that Turkey will not have any difficulty in finding foreign exchange sources and there is no need for develuation develuation in the economy. Also, representatives of Credit Suisse First Boston, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs are still in Turkey continuing their round of talks. Meanwhile, it is announced that representatives of Moody's rating institution will arrive in Turkey soon. /Milliyet/

    [29] OFFSHORE CHAMPIONSHIP IN ISTANBUL

    The Class 1 World Offshore Championship and Formula 1 World Inshore speed-boat races will be held between 20-29 August in Istanbul. It is announced that more than 20 countries will participate in the races. It is also announced that 40 foreign television channels will broadcast the races live. /Milliyet/

    [30] FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT ON CHINA

    The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Turkish businessmen who returned with a letter of invitation at the end of their talks with Chinese representatives will get their visa from Chinese Representatives within five working days. The Ministry does not recommend the planning of one-person trips to the country. /Hurriyet/

    [31] IRANIAN THREAT AGAINST TURKEY

    Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Ali Ekber Natik Nuri reiterated that Turkish aircraft had been bombing Iranian territories and said that this would be responded to. In his statements to the Iranian official news agency IRNA he declared that it was not by chance that Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's statements against Iran concerning the demonstrations in Tehran and the bombing were at the same time. He said, "Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit claims that Turkey has friendly and neighbourly relations with Iran. However, his attitude against the Iranian Islamic Republic is irrational." /Turkiye/

    [32] DEDE KORKUT EPIC NOW IN GERMAN

    The "Dede Korkut" Epic, which is the epic of the language and bravery of Turkish history, has been printed in German by the Anatolian Publications House in Huckelhoven with the cooperation of the Turkish Ministry of Culture. The Epic is a good example of both chivalry and syntax. The work of art falls between the categories of 'epic' and 'historical and geographical documentary'. As the Epic is on the list of "The Most Important Works of Arts in the World 1998_99" both last year and this year, it has attracted a great deal of attention from readers world-wide. /Turkiye/

    [33] SOLAR ECLIPSE TO BE FOLLOWED FROM TURKEY

    The last solar eclipse of this century will be on August 11. This historic moment will be best followed from Turkey. The complete solar eclipse over Turkey will begin in Bartin and Kastamonu at 2:21 p.m. and later end in Sirnak at 2.45 p.m. Information concerning the solar eclipse is already available on some Web sites. /Sabah/

    [34] TARKAN ATTRACTS GREAT ATTENTION IN SWEDEN

    Noted Turkish pop-music singer Tarkan is also attracting a great deal of attention in Sweden. His song called 'Simarik' (Spoilt) is currently being broadcast by many radio stations and entertainment places in Sweden. Tarkan's CD has become one of the best-selling foreign singers' CDs in Sweden. /Hurriyet/

    [35] FROM RED SQUARE TO TOPKAPI PALACE

    Master Rally, one of the most important off-road rallies in the world, will begin in Red Square in Moscow and end in front of Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. The rally which will be held between July 25 and August 8 will be attended by 50 motorcycles, 60 automobiles and 12 trucks. The rally organized by the French, Russian and Turkish Automobile Federations will contribute to the promotion of Turkey to the West. /Hurriyet/

    [36] PHANTOMS ARE READY FOR THE YEAR 2000

    Israel will modernize 54 Turkish F-4E Phantom aircraft in return for $632.5 million. The first aircraft will be delivered in December. Twenty-six of the 54 aircraft will be modernized at the Israeli Aerospace Industry (IAI) while the remaining will be modernized in Eskisehir, Turkey. As from February 2000, one aircraft will be delivered to Turkey every month. As part of this project, Israel will also provide technological transfer support to Turkey. Meanwhile, the last stage has been achieved for the modernization of 48 Turkish F-5 aircraft by Israel. In addition to the 240 F-16 aircraft owned by the Turkish Air Forces, the production of 32 F-16 aircraft by the TAI will start soon. /Hurriyet/

    [37] ECONOMIC CONTRACTION SLOWS DOWN

    The high rate of decline in demand and production present in the first quarter of 1999 slowed down in the second quarter. According to the monthly economic development report of the State Planning Organization (DPT), the reason for the drop in production in the first quarter of 1999 was declining consumer spending and fixed capital investments. According to the report, the Gross National Product (GNP) contracted because of a decline in value in the manufacturing and services sector. It was assessed in the report that the reason for moderate growth in the agricultural sector in the first quarter of 1999 was the increase in animal husbandry.

    The recovery observed in the sales of consumer durables in the January-May period and increasing automobile sales in June are promising developments for the future of the Turkish economy, the Anatolia News Agency reports.

    [38] TURKEY MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM TO HOST MATCHES

    Turkish Men's National Team will host a friendly tournament in Istanbul, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Turkey, Venezuela, Bulgaria and Egypt will have friendly matches in Istanbul starting from July 22, 1999. The tournament will last for five days.

    [39] FROM THE COLUMNS..FROM THE COLUMNS..FROM THE COLUMNS..

    [40] WESTERN DOUBLE STANDARDS -BY SEMIH IDIZ (STAR)

    Columnist Semih Idiz comments on the recent developments concerning Western double standards over Turkey's membership of the EU. A summary of his column is as follows:

    "The European Parliament which has not denounced the terror created by Ocalan until now, is preparing to strengthen the Ocalan card it has been using against Turkey.

    In Strasbourg, the European Parliament (EP) which is expected to discuss the Ocalan affair today and approve a draft resolution calling for the execution of Ocalan not to be carried out is in effect tying Turkey's membership of the EU to the condition of Ocalan's death sentence being revoked. It is also reported that the EP would also state that with the capture of Ocalan an opportunity for settling the Kurdish issue has been found and that they would expect Ankara to use this opportunity.

    With the recent Cologne summit the tension between Turkey and the EU has reached its peak. In the past when faced with such decisions Turkey could have said that she would respect the decisions of the European Commission and not those of the European Parliament. However, as the European Commission has to comply with the decisions of the Parliament she does not have such a card to play.

    The key to membership is in the hands of the EP as it has to approve a candidate's membership of the EU. Statements such as "If you hang Ocalan, relations between the EU and Turkey would be damaged", were heard even before the decision of the Court trying Ocalan was announced. This approach is expected to be renewed by the German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer who will pay an official visit to Turkey. In the meantime, countries like Italy are saying that if Turkey hangs Ocalan she will have to bid farewell to her dreams of becoming a member.

    High-level officials in the Foreign Ministry point to the fact that any decision taken by the EP not to hang Ocalan will serve no other purpose than showing the double standards followed by Europe. One official is asking to what length has this dream been nurtured by the West that now they are thinking of using it as leverage on Turkey. Those who even saw candidacy, let alone membership, as a luxury for Turkey cannot use the possibility of membership as a trump card.

    The State Minister Responsible For Relations with the EU, Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, said that at present there were no criteria for candidacy. He said that the criteria had been set for membership of the EU. The EU countries are not applying the same criteria to Turkey they are using for other countries. This in turn means that they do not want Turkey as a member.

    We have to recall that the European Economic Community approved the candidacies of Greece, Spain and Portugal when the military dictatorships were toppled there. The aim was to strengthen democracy in these countries. However, today they are not giving this chance to Turkey.

    We should not forget that membership of the EU is not an aim but a means for Turkey's political and economic development. If Turkey fulfills these criteria, she would already be a highly-developed country and membership of the EU would lose its importance for Turkey.

    EP sources are stating that the Ocalan decision anticipated tomorrow is solely based on their opposition to executions. However, they had not uttered a word when Semdin and Sirri Sakik, brothers and leading members of the PKK, were convicted and sentenced to death. Therefore, Turkey is right in not trusting the discussions and the decisions of the EU, such as those concerning Ocalan."

    [41] INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION -BY HALIT KAKINC (STAR)

    Columnist Halit Kakinc comments on the necessity of international arbitration. A summary of his column is as follows:

    "International arbitration can be decribed roughly as the settlement of disputes between parties, not through national courts but by way of a council made up of special people. The Istanbul Chamber of Trade (ITO) and the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges are already using the procedure within the framework of their regulations on a national basis.

    There are provisions in Articles 516 and 536 of Turkish Procedural Law concerning arbitration. However, they are insufficient. During the last 10 years important legal arragements have been made on this issue throughout the world. The UN Trade Commission has prepared a law for those countries who want to use arrangements on international arbitration called UNCITRAL. In Turkey, a commission has prepared a draft on the subject over the last 2-3 years; however, nothing has been heard of it.

    This arrangement is necessary to speed up results as the courts in Turkey are moving very slowly. The issue had nothing to do with sovereignty rights.

    The International Arbitration Law is an alternative to the judicial system which would alleviate the load of the State courts. In some countries the International Arbitration Law is considered out-dated and the implementation of 'negotiation and mediation' has been started.

    In this alternative judicial system, the decision of the arbitrator does not have the power of execution in itself. A country adopting the International Arbitration Law will have to amend her Constitution first. Then, it will have to bring changes to International Law to interpret the public order concept as understood throughout the world.

    Following these, let alone the loss of sovereignty rights, a atmosphere of cooperation in line with national interests will be created."

    [42] SPECIAL KOSOVO

    Kosovar refugees who have taken shelter in camps in Turkey continued to return to Kosovo. The Interior Ministry said yesterday that the number of Kosovar refugees who left Turkey reached 15,071 yesterday. It said a total of 15,071 refugees, including 5,320 women, 4,528 men and 5,223 children have left Turkey until today, the Anatolia News Agency reports.
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