CONTENTS:
APO: "I MAY GO TO THE US"
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Ocalan who is responsible for the death of 30 thousands of people has no way out. Baby
killer Apo tries to hold Semdin Sakik responsible for genocide. "I decided myself to
escape from Syria. The discussions started at Parliament after Demirel's speech on the 1st
of October, the preparations for attack and the speeches of the commanders. Syria
recognized the situation at the last moment. As they couldn't stand it anymore, I made my
decision. I left Syria with a private plane. I paid the bill" said PKK leader APO,
explaining his narrow escape from Syria.
APO also said that Germany had prevented his asylum. "If of were not for the German
obstacle, I believed that I could be granted asylum. I thought we can come over with it.
Nevertheless the Germany problem is solved. However the Italian government is still
confused on the issue. This is what I think negative. It became a deadlock. Neither the
political nor the legal manner required is taken. I couldn't guess it might go this
far."
The PKK leader said he can go to US if he can not find ant country to go. "The
Turkish state has determined its politics; 'I won't let you stay wherever you go'. I will
find a place for myself. I know it will be hard, but I will try each country. I may even
try the United States. However I don't know whether my life is long enough. Each day the
conditions get harder.
"When I heard that some women and children were killed, I thought my men didn't do
this. Later I saw that it has been done under the leadership of some others. Semdin is one
of these leaders. We dismissed these people" said APO.
(Milliyet1,20;Dec13)
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CHP KEY PARTY AGAIN
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DSP (Democratic Left Party) leader Bülent Ecevit starts his second round meetings to establish the new government. Next week is very important for the future of the minority government which Ecevit plans to establish. DSP leader met twice with DYP (True Path Party) leader Tansu Çiller and ANAP (Motherland Party) leader Mesut Yilmaz. DYP leader Çiller had turned down the DYP-ANAP-DSP government proposal and approved the minority government of DSP only on the condition of the approval of CHP (Republican People’s Party) and FP (Virtue Party). DSP leader Ecevit will meet with DTP (Democrat Turkey Party) leader Hüsamettin Cindoruk. Now DYP-ANAP-DSP government is out of question and this makes CHP the key party in the government’s formation process. If DSP gets the support of both DTP and ANAP the new government will have 212 seats at parliament. But it still needs a lot more. Even if CHP supports the new government Ecevit will not have a majority government still missing 9 seats. It was reported that in that case Ecevit will seek support from the independent deputies.
(Milliyet17;Dec13)
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COMMENTARY / FIKRET BILA / MILLIYET
THE PROPOSAL OF BAYKAL
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"What does Baykal (the leader of CHP /Republican People’s Party) think about the "minority model of DSP (Democratic Left Party)? He describes the model as "the loss of time" (...)
We ask Baykal:
"-It was thought that as the owner of the ‘Left Bloc’ proposal you might support the ‘minority model of Ecevit’. Is it true?"
"- If, those who propose it, had talked of an election-oriented, serious and firm cooperation, we would be glad. But we want to distinguish between the two approaches: The first, is the serious and election-oriented solidarity; and second, is a tactical proposal aiming to gain time. There is a serious problem in Turkey: To form a government. But we are losing time with the unrealistic models."
"-Does not the minority model of DSP got any chance?"
"- Have we tried all the models based on the majority? No, we have not. A proposal was made( for the ANAP/ Motherland Party; DYP/ True Path Party- DSP/ Democratic Left Party coalition –nta) and then it was said: ‘No, it won’t be’. Later it was put on the agenda a minority model with one party (The minority government which would be formed by DSP –nta). The models based on the majority have not been tried yet –except one. To form a government, at last, is an event related with mathematics. If you take into consideration the arithmetic of the Parliament you will see that the minority model is not realistic. What Ecevit has done is that: To propose two models on the axis of ANAP-DSP; one based on the majority and the other based on the minority. (Ecevit behaves), as if it is compulsory for the other parties to accept the conciliation between ANAP and DSP. Furthermore, the support for the proposal of the minority government model of DSP, will not be sufficient, even if we have supported it in the Parliament."
"-You are being criticized with causing the fall the government and then making no proposal for the new one. What do you say about it?"
"- These are the baseless and unjust critics. We proposed a model one year ago. We say: "Turkey needs a government which will take the country to the elections. Taking into consideration the conditions at Parliament, an honorable member of parliament can be appointed to form a government and he can take the country to the elections making no bargain. This person can be appointed either by the majority of the Parliament or by the President. It’s enough for us that the government will not to serve any party.(...)"
"- What about the representation problem?"
"- If we agree on the principals, there will be no problem,. It’s not important how many ministries will be given to which party. We say it clearly. We will give our support to the one who will take on the duty to form this kind of a government, even if he will not give a ministry to our party. What important is that: This government must have got the support of the majority of the parliament. Also he may form his government with the ministers outside the Parliament."
It’s understood that, the proposal of the "Left Bloc" of Baykal, is not related with forming an urgent government. The leader of CHP underlines that the aim of the "Left Bloc" must be a "solidarity in the elections and a lasting cooperation". To think that, Baykal will support the minority model of Ecevit because he defends the Left Bloc, is not realistic. (...)
There is no "green light" from CHP for the minority model of DSP."
(December 12, p.14)
***
HUMAN RIGHTS:
POLICE ACCUSSED OF KILLING JOURNALIST, RELEASED
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Five policemen who were standing trial under arrest, on grounds of causing the death of journalist Metin Goktepe by torturing him during detention, have been released Friday. The attorneys of Goktepe and his friends protested the verdict.
The policemen who were in prison for 17 months were released by prison but barred from leavinng Turkey. The trial was adjourned to January 29, 1999. Policemen Kose, Suayip Mutluer, Saffet Hizarci, Fedai Korkmaz and Metin Kursat were released from the Afyon prison at 15.25. Their friends who were waiting for them in front of the prison chanted God and made the wolf sign of the ultra nationalists.
(Goktepe , a young journalist, was taken under detention at a Stadium by police when he was covering a demonstration on January 8, 1996. The next day his body was found in a nearby park. The verdict on his murder was made 800 days later.
At the end of the trials, the policemen who beat Goktepe to death, was ruled to stay in prison for 2 years and four months. The court which acquitted 6 policemen, found guilty the 5 others of not "Deliberate murder" but of "Killing unintentionally." The Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty’s Forensic Medicine Department had determined that Goktepe was killed of brain trauma.
Officials had then said that Goktepe had died because he fell from the gate of the garden. However the Istanbul Governorate launched an investigation and initially prepared a file including 48 policemen-nta)
(All dailies;Dec12)
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GOVERNMENT CRISIS
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President Demirel said that there was a government problem rather than a crisis and that "The government before this one was a minority. This matter is not about a single party or many parties. Once it gets the vote of confidence, it is a government."
Asked if a probable minority government to be formed by Ecevit will be capable of solving the problems, Demirel said "What counts is a vote of confidence. If it receives one, it does not matter if the government is from a party of 10 deputies or 150 deputies."
The search of Ecevit to form a government caused a total war of tactics among political parties and eyes are now on Monday’s meeting to be held between DSP leader Bulent Ecevit and CHP leader Deniz Baykal. Now CHP assumed the tactic of "Let us wait and see." The majority of CHP deputies think that refusing Ecevit would be wrong. Now there is a tendency among those to pave way for a unity among these two social democratic parties.
However the leading Motherland Party (ANAP) feels disturbed of such a likelihood.
(Radikal,6;Dec12)
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NEW TRICK OF APO
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Abdullah Ocalan in a surprising move on the day when the EU summit started, announced that he will leave the leadership of PKK. This announcement has been interpreted as a maneouver to influence the decision to be made by the Council of Europe. The justification of Apo was to pave way for the restructuring of his organization.
In an interview he gave to Il Manifesto, Apo said that he is leaving his leadership to influence the decision to be made about him by the Council of Europe on December 16 and called on Italy to forward the Kurdish issue to the European platform.
Meanwhile two Italian prosecutors questioned Apo for entering Italy with a faked passport. Apo told them that he came to Italy together with Italian Communist deputy Mantovani.
ASSURANCES BY ITALIAN AMBASSADOR
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Italian Ambassador to Ankara, Massimiliano Bandini said that, to implement any solution to be decided by the Council of Europe on Abdullah Ocalan, Ankara has to give its consent. Bandini said that Rome- Bonn , Ankara and Moscow were still holding contacts on the issue.
Meanwhile, Sergio Mustilli, the Chairman of the commission that is reviewing Apo’s demand of asylum said that deciding on the issue will take a lot of time and they had no hurry. In an exclusive interview, Mustilli told Radikal daily that all the documents related to the political asylum of Apo have not reached them yet and even in that case deciding on the issue "May take hundred years." He also said that he wished, Apo would never come to Italy.
Meanwhile, Italian PM Massimo D’Alema said that Ocalan was a political leader. Speaking to Newsweek magazine, D’alema said that "Ocalan is definitely a political leader, rather than an ordinary criminal. But at the meantime many independent sources say that his political party had carried out terror actions. Therefore people being accused of such crimes (as killing innocents) should be tried. But at the same time, Turkey should be demanded to respect human rights and the rights of the Kurdish people."
(Radikal,7,9,Zaman,12;Dec12)
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COMMENTARY / ISMET BERKAN / RADIKAL
THE ACCOUNTS OF ÇANKAYA
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"... The most important duty of the post-election parliament is to elect the new president on May 2000. (...) It is expected that who will be the prime minister after April 18 (the election date-nta), will be the new president. (...) But do not forget how Hikmet Çetin had become the chairman of the parliament. (At that time) two big parties had not conciliated with each other and in the last minute a candidate, being given no chance before, had become the speaker with the negative preference of the other parties.
If there will be no conciliation on the new president, a similar consequence may arise. In this situation, the Çankaya Kiosk (the residence of the President –nta) can be occupied by a member of the smaller parties. But, according to me, whoever will become the president will lose efficiency in the politics. If you think that the possibility of the formation of a strong government after the election is weak, you will see that the potential for the deep disturbances of Turkey is growing.
For this reason, whoever thinks that the coming days will be better than before, makes a mistake. (December 11, p.3)
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TURBAN BAN CAUSES SACKING OF PROSECUTOR
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The chief prosecutor of Yozgat province was exiled to Istanbul , because he sued the Rector of the Istanbul University who refused to admit turbanned (head-scarf worn in a political Islamic fashion-nta) student to classes. The chief prosecutors of Bursa and Diyarbakir were also exiled to Istanbul as low-ranking prosecutors. The prosecutor of Edirne who signed a similar decision backing the turban was exiled to Trabzon.
The Higher Education Board terminated the profession of Prof.Dursun Kocabas, who participated in a rally for freedom to wearing turban on October 11. The YOK also decided to expel from the profession, 19 academicians who supported Odabas. YOK will finalize its decision on December 16.
(Radikal,1,5;Dec12)
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FIVE LINES FROM THE EU
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Turkey's name was not mentioned in the declaration of the EU summit. Only A small
paragraph was about Turkey in the final declaration of the presidential summit of the
European Union. The summit witnessed an important development for Cyprus. While Cyprus and
Turkey were kept apart from the other five candidates formerly, this time Cyprus became
the first of the candidates.
(Milliyet 19;Dec13)
***
TURKEY NOT SATISFIED BY EU VIENNA SUMMIT
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Turkey said EU leaders meeting in Vienna did not do enough to convince Turks that they are treated by the same standards as other union membership candidates, giving it no reason to improve frosty relations.
The European Union summit ended on Saturday after two days of debate over future EU funding reforms, enlargement of the bloc and unemployment.
"The EU Commission's stance placing Turkey on an equal footing with other candidates was not sufficiently registered at the Vienna Summit," a Turkish foreign ministry statement said late on Saturday. The bloc put Turkey's membership bid on hold late last year, citing concerns over human rights and disputes between Ankara and EU member Greece.
Turkey responded angrily, cutting off dialogue with the bloc on the same sensitive issues.
The statement said Turkey saw no reason to change that decision.
(Sabah 24;Dec13)
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EU IS AWAITING ELECTIONS
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Turkey is actually the 12th candidate of the EU. The only problem is the veto of Athens and Ankara which does not have a government.
The final communique of the Vienna Summit of EU said that Turkey is included in the enlargement process together with 11 candidate countries. The unofficial decision of the summit is to launch a dialogue with Ankara after the election.
The final declaration referred to the Cardiff and Luxembourg summits, stressing that Turkey is part of the enlargement process. In spite of the Greek opposition, an expression. Considering the European strategy was included to the text, with the initiative of France and Italy.
EU Foreign Affairs Commissioner Van Den Broek said that "We want to overcome political obstacles with Turkey after the government gap is removed."
British PM Blair said that the EU strategy to get Turkey closer to membership will be maintained. The new term President Germany which previously used to say that Turkey can not be the 12th candidate, is now talking otherwise. A positive aspect of the declaration was the handling of the Cyprus problem objectively.
(Radikal,1,11)
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CHIRAC WORKED FOR US
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French President Jacques Chirac who spent intensive efforts for Turkey’s membership to the European Union during the Vienna Summit, told German PM Gerhard Schroder that there was a necessity to shape a common stand towards Turkey. Chirac however failed to persuade Greek PM Kostas Simitis.
On the first day of the summit, the lobbying made by France for Turkey were outstanding. Spokesman of the French Presidency, Catherine Colonna told a press conference that Turkey was a candidate of EU for 35 years. Chirac’s efforts for Turkey’s membership continued through the summit. He told Simitis that concrete steps were needed to bring Turkey closer to EU. However Athens which kept on creating obstacles against Turkey at all meetings, rejected Chirac’s proposals. Simitis said that his country will insists on not going beyond the scope of the decisions taken at the EU foreign ministers meeting.
Daily Zaman: the topic of the summit without Turkey, was again Turkey.
Diplomatic sources say that the EU leaders who are seeking a new Turkey strategy, will place considerable emphasis on Turkey during their meetings. Meanwhile Jos Maria Robles, the Speaker of the European Parliament, said that the Apo issue will not be taken up.
(Milliyet,1,19,Zaman,12;Dec12)
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COMMENTARY / YALCIN DOGAN / MILLIYET
THEY WANT TO DIVIDE TURKEY-VIENNA
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"Turkey has not been in the Vienna Summit like the Luxembourg Summit. But there has been a lot of talk about Turkey in Vienna. Last week, the declaration which was adopted by the European Parliament on Turkey, constitutes the first example of "intervention to the domestic problems of another country". Furthermore, it comprises "the threats to Turkey".
Especially, a series of proposals on "the Kurdish problem" constitutes a historical interference. For this reason we have to quote the main points of this declaration.
In the declaration, besides the Kurds, the term "minorities" has been mentioned.
So, for the first time, EU, does not limit itself with the Kurds. These proposals go beyond the interference to the domestic problems of a country, but aim to "divide a country". The declaration demands constitutional rights for those who are being described as the minorities (...)
(In the declaration) the need for "the democratic reforms and the human rights" is underlined. These are the most reasonable passages of the declaration. But even in these passages, Turkey is being criticized in a such style that a reaction arises.
It’s true that Turkey does not do its homework, but the expressions are too heavy.
The main reaction of Turkey is against the call for an "International Conference for the Kurds". But what escapes from the attentions are the proposals of EU for the concrete solutions (of this problem). These proposals can be summarized as the followings:
"To call for a cease fire with PKK and stop attacking the Kurdish targets".
That means that Turkey is being matched with a terror organization.
"To abolish the emergency in the Southeast and to give an end to the system of village guards."
"To set free those who were arrested in accordance with the 8th Article of the Penal Code, including Leyla Zana". (The 8th Article of the Penal Code prescribes to punish the those who spread propaganda for dividing Turkey. Leyla Zana is one of the former deputies of DEP (Democracy Party), a party which was closed down by the Supreme Court for the reason of trying to divide Turkey –nta)
"To give the freedom to the parties of the Kurds and to adopt a quota system for them."
"To carry out investment in the (Southeast) region to ensure the economical and social development."
"To make the changes in the Constitution for the solution of the Kurdish problem and for ensuring the rights of the minorities, the human rights and the development of democracy."
"To give equal opportunities to all the social groups, including the Kurds, and to give constitutional guarantee for the cultural rights of them."
" To improve the relations of Turkey with its neighbors, mainly with Greece".
You see, they are interfering into everything... They are attacking our right of sovereignty. Is there any difference of it from the Sevres (The Sevres Agreement: An agreement signed at the end of the First World War, in which the Ottoman Empire had been forced to sign. According to this agreement The Ottoman Empire would be divided to the sub-states on ethnic bases –nta). This attitude pushes the democratic rights we long for backwards.
But the most dangerous thing is that: "Turkey may shut its doors to the outside world."
(December 11, p.15)
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IT'S EMPLOYERS' TURN FOR SELF – SACRIFICE
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Turk - Is (The Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions) leader Bayram Meral told that
workers are not the cause but the victims of the crisis. In his address to employers,
Bayram Meral said "Don't push the government to the edge of destruction. Sacrifice
from your high interests. Don't pay off workers in masses, this can cause social upheavals
and new troubles."
In a press conference at the Turk - Is quarters yesterday, Mr. Meral told that now it is
the employers who have to self - sacrifice. Claiming that employers got used to working
for high interests, Bayram Meral issued a call to employers who said: "We can fire
workers." He stressed paying off isn't the way out of problems adding that they don't
want to take the responsibility of outcomes of wrong policies.
"It's a pity that in critical times some employers consider firing workers thanks to
whom they earn trillions" he complained.
(Milliyet Web,Dec13)
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COMMENTARY / PROF. SALIH NEFTCI / HURRIYET
THE PACKAGE OF THE PRECAUTIONS
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" 8-9 months ago the recent "volatility" had not been experienced in the world financial markets. Russia had not bankrupt yet.
Some bureaucrats and the politicians in Ankara, responsible from the administration of the economy, had made the statements like these(...):
" The Asian crisis has been overcome thanks to our good administration. Because we were experienced in the administration of the crisis. We knew what we had to do. We have taken the necessary precautions in the time. And we past over the crisis with the minimum loss." ...
If these are true, why do we need a "package of the precautions" now? (...) Furthermore if we looked at the pages of the papers, we will see that the discussions are the same with those of the Asian countries. The problems, the needs of the private sectors...
Even the headlines are the same with those of the papers of Malaysia and Hong Kong.
If Turkey is different from the others, what is the reason of this similarity?
If there is a real problem, beginning 10,12 months ago, why we waited so long to take the necessary measures? (...)
Go and sink in the marsh...Then, try to take the measures. (...)"
(December 12, p.9)
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THE HOPE IS EXPORTS
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the package of economic measures of the government produced support to the work braches in crisis and a call of common sense to the banks.
The government launched its urgent economic measures package to overcome the economic bottleneck. A fund of 35 trillion TL will be transfered to Eximbank to provide cheap-cost loans to exporters. The bank whose capital has been increased by 1 billion dollars, will meet all the demands for credits. The 200-million-dollar-limit which the Central Bank did not so far made available to Eximbank, will be launched. The cotton held by such organizations as TARIS and CUKOBIRLIK, will se sold to textile producers on a 6-month term, free of interests and on global prices. Contacts will start to facilitate exports to Russia, with Rubels and TL. Dynamism will be injected to the luggage trade. PM Yilmaz said that "Passing the banking law is a must."
(Milliyet,1,10,Zaman1,Radikal,1;Dec12)
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TWO FACES OF TURKEY
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Because of the economic crisis, unemployment and poverty is increasing in Turkey. However hundreds of thousands of people from Turkey are set to travel abroad for luxury new year tours.
Ibrahim Ates, the leader of the Foundation to Help the Needy, said that official data set the rate of those in poverty at 14.2 %, but this rate was much more higher. Ates said, the poorest 20 % of the population got only 4.9 % of the national income while the richest 20 % got 54.9 % (More than half of the national income). The difference between the rich and poor is now 11.2 times, from 9.6 times in 1987. "22 million people are living on the border of poverty and 12 million people, on the border of famine. The share of employees in the GNP fell to 20 %, while the share of rentiers and employers exceeds 60 %." He said.
As Turkey’s foreign money reserves are melting, 300 thousand people are set to spend the new year abroad.
(Zaman,eko;Dec12)
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