Daily Review of Turkish Media

e-mail: amutlu@superonline.com Editor: Aylin Sagtür Mutlu

3. FOREIGN AFFAIRS ………………………………………4

• US WANTS KURD SUMMIT
• HOLBROOKE: YOU SHOULD BE IN THE ENLARGEMENT PROCESS
• COMMENTARY: DEMOCRATIC PATIENCE IN PLACE OF CONFUSION AND PANIC (Hasan Cemal)
• COMMENTARY: EUROPEAN TRAIN PUT ON THE BRAKE (Ferai Tinç)
• SOLUTION IN CYPRUS NOT FAR AWAY, US ENVOY SAYS

4. ECONOMY ………………………………………………….65

• TURK –IS: INCREASE THE PRODUCTION
•  

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ECEVIT’S PROMISE FOR UNBIASEDNESS

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"No problem with a single-party government. I will not act like partisan" said DSP (Democratic Left Party) leader Bülent Ecevit. In charge of establishing the new government, Ecevit will meet with DTP (Democrat Turkey Party) leader Cindoruk today. Cindoruk said he would ask Ecevit if he has a "secret": "Ecevit has not enough members in his parliamentary party group in order to form the government and provide the Budget Commission with 25 members. I wonder if he will get reinforcements? Has he made an agreement with ANAP?" said DTP leader. Indicating that he is interested in knowing what kind of a program Ecevit would have for the new government, Cindoruk will suggest that the elections can be postponed if a government with a wide representation is formed. "No obstacles for a minority government. Numbers of the ministers for the state can be reduced." said Ecevit.
As to the problems that may arise with single party minority government on the way to elections, Ecevit says: "I think no one expects me to act like a partisan. It is known that I would not do that. As past experiences shows, we do not have a partisan approach."

(Milliyet 1 ,12)

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ECEVIT DOES NOT RETURN HIS DUTY:

A MAJORITY FORMULA, IF NOT MINORITY

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Democratic Left Party (DSP= Chairman Bulent Ecevit will try to form a majority government, without virtue Party, if he fails to form a minority government.

Today is the 18^th day of the removal of the Mesut Yilmaz Government. Ecevit will conclude this week, the talks he will make with party leaders for a minority government. Even if he fails to receive support for this formula, Ecevit will most likely feel the pulses for a new formula. The third proposal of Ecevit depends on DYP’s attitude.

Ecevit seems to be confident that he will form the government, this way or the other. As the 45-day-period, necessary to form a government is ending, the government formulae are expected to become clearer and the political parties which do not favor a government to be established by President Demirel, extend support to Ecevit.

WHAT IF THESE SURVEY RESULTS ARE TRUE?

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Business circles had monitored a survey in October. The survey results place Virtue Party the first-ranking party (23%), Motherland Party second (17 %) and Nationalistic Action Party (MHP), as third with 16 %. Surveys are known not to reflect the real trends But what if this one does? The result confirms something which we already know: political Islam and nationalism are rising.

(Yeniyuzyil,1,6)

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POLITICS IN A NARROW ROAD

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The failure of Bulent Ecevit in establishing a Motherland-True Path Party coalition, now increases worries related to the Decisions of February 28 (When the army issued a memorandum in 1997 warning against the concessions made by the True Path-Welfare Party coalition to fundamentalism. This memorandum eventually led to the removal of the coalition-nta)

President Demirel who said a while ago that "The February 28 Decisions are in effect" felt the pulses of leaders on such options as "postponing elections", "Double-round local elections" and "lifting parliamentary immunity from prosecution."

As Ecevit failed to establish a coalition, all the past worries surfaced. Radikal writer Ismet Berkan says "Everyone is aware of restrictions. Virtue and True Path Parties which were forced of power after February 28, are trying to enter an election government. President Demirel warns once more: It is in vain to take the revenge of February 28! Demirel summarizes the situation: February 28 is a war and is irreversible!"

The worries which are voiced by many people are as follows:

The Virtue Party has already been scrapped. This party can not come into power. Can neither be a partner to power or have a weight over the government. Tansu Ciller has also been scrapped, even if not her party. Ciller can not be prime minister, can not share power. As for Motherland Party, its leader Mesut Yilmaz can not be prime minister either. But there is a nuance; The scrap on Yilmaz’s name is less thick than the one over Ciller’s name.

(Radikal,1,3)

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EVEN DOORMEN HAVE THIS MONEY,

FORMER MINISTER SAYS

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Former Minister Nafiiz Kurt has an account of 15 billion TL in New York. After daily Hurriyet announced this information, Kurt said that he had opened this account because of a requirement when he was in the States and "There is nothing secret in this case."

True Path Party deputy Kurt said about his 50 thousand-Dollar-account , "What is so extraordinary about having such an account? Even doormen have this much of money!"

However daily Hurriyet asks that:

• How did Kurt find this much money in the US and deposit it to the bank?
• Why did the New York Branch Director of Ziraat Bank phoned from Turkey and spent so much effort to have the name of Kurt erased from the computer?
• Does that effort of the branch director has anything to do with your being minister at that time?
• What kind of a relationship you have with businessman Cengiz Uzunel whom you handed this money?
• If this is a normal case, then why the Inspecting board of Ziraat Bank launched an investigation?

(Hurriyet,1,7)

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ROPES OF PKK, IN HANDS OF BRITISH

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The Executive Intelligence Review (EIR) magazine published in the United States, made shocking revelations, exposing the double-facedness of Britain.

The strategic magazine said "Britain is playing the Ocalan card against Turkey and did not regard Ocalan as a terrorist and is supporting the initiative for an international Kurd conference."

The news story signed by Joseph Brewda said that British Prime Minister Tony Blair , in addition to efforts not to extradite Apo to Turkey and convene a Kurdish conference, was also "Protecting PKK."

The news story went on to say that Britain was behind the efforts of fathering an international Kurd conference and "British Lord Rea had said that "Ocalan was not a terorrist, but the leader of a popular movement."

According to the amgazine Lord Rea who visited Italy, was speaking on behalf of Foreign Secretary Robin Cook.

The magazine also said that the wife of late French President Francois Mitterand, Daielle Mitterand said in a statement in Belgium on October 12 that "Time and conditions are suitable to establish a Kurdish state." According to the magazine, "Madame Mitterand thought that the decision to expand operation in Iraq last September and topple Saddam as well os to form a federal state in Iraq, was the good news for a Kurdish state in the region. Therefore all Europeans should be called to focus on this issue."

(Turkiye,1,12)

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KUTAN: WHO IS GOING TO STOP US?

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FP (Virtue Party) leader Recai Kutan said there are opinions that FP will not be able to rule the state. "If we get the majority of the votes who is going to stop us from being the government? Do not misunderstood our attitude; we are not afraid of anyone and we have no attitude change because we are afraid of something. Some people claim that FP will not be able to come to power even if we get majority of the votes. Who is going to stop us when we get 35-40 %" said Kutan in a party meeting. Kutan said the attitude of President Demirel was wrong because DSP is the 4^th party in parliament. "A minority government is out of question. DSP has no power in the parliament. Only 61 deputies. What can be done with that number ?" added Kutan.

(Hürriyet 22)

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IRA TACTIC FROM PKK

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PKK leader APO said he is going to quit terrorist actions and will even quit his position in PKK. His new strategy is labeled as a tactic to test the reaction of his supporters. "To play an international role I must quit some of my responsibilities. Next spring the 6^th congress of PKK will be held and APO will not attend to the congress. Now who will be the new leader of PKK if he quits? The strongest candidates are Murat Karayilan, Cemil Bayik, Riza Altun and Osman Öcalan. It was reported that APO will be the Gery Adams of PKK.

(Milliyet 12)

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COMMENTARY / ERGUN BALCI / CUMHURIYET

APO IS FINISHED, LET’S LOOK AT OUR BUSINESS

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"Apo is finished. Apo had finished when he escaped from Syria. In Russia, he could do nothing. But in Rome, he declared to the whole world that he had come to an end. He began to buffoonery to gain the sympathy of the Italian government and the public opinion. (...) At last, he made a statement to Il Manifesto, the paper that has a communist tendency, and said that he would resign from the chairmanship of PKK.

"Some time ago the rumors had been spread that Apo would be a second Arafat in Italy. Some circles in Turkey, had been alarmed of this possibility. Some other ones, took it seriously because these rumors were suited to their purposes. (...)

But Arafat had not raided the villages in Palestine and had not killed the Palestinian women and the children. Meanwhile, he had not given conferences to the Palestinian women militants on love and sex, scratching his abdomen. He had not lost his relations with the guerilla organization. To be more exact, Arafat always had a military organization supporting him; whereas PKK had lost its infrastructure and logistic supports. PKK is not a serious threat to Turkey any more. (...)

"At that point an opportunity is born for Turkey.

Turkey, giving a heavy military blow to PKK, now can start the wide-ranged economical and political reforms in the Southeast. It can give the opportunity to the Kurd citizens to develop their cultures. It’s being said that, Kurdish can not be aired the television programs because this language has various dialects. I don’t know MED TV (a pro-PKK television channel, broadcasting from Europe to the Southeast of Turkey from satellite–nta) is broadcasting with which dialect ? But it’s not a rational thing to leave the area to the MED TV.

In addition, there must be no drawback to give the permission to education and publication in Kurdish. If we can solve our own problems, the news coming from Europe will not disturb us any more. (...)

Meanwhile some writers, try to explain the European democracy, saying that it can not be understood in Turkey. What these writers forget is that: EU had not laid down any condition for Spain to solve the Basq question before accepting it into the Union. As England entered the Union, no country laid down any condition for her to solve the Ireland question. These problems were solved inside the Union. Nobody proposed an International Conference or an "European Initiative" for Basq or Ireland question when England and Spain negotiate the problems of the membership.

Defend the European democracy; but, at the same time, be aware of the dark side of it."

(Cumhuriyet December 13, p.7)

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US WANTS KURD SUMMIT

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US Ambassador to Rome labeled PKK leader APO as a terrorist and made call for an international Kurd summit. US Ambassador to Rome Thomas Foglietta said a Kurd summit can help to solve the Kurd issue. "Öcalan is a terrorist and the leader of a terrorist organization. D’Alema accepts this but an international summit is necessary for the issue. US supports Italy on this point" said Foglietta in his interview with La Republica daily . He said he agrees with Italian Foreign Minister Dini on judging APO. "APO and Kurd issue are two different things" said Foglietta.

(Milliyet 12)

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HOLBROOKE: YOU SHOULD BE IN THE ENLARGEMENT PROCESS

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The Cyprus Envoy of US President Bill Clinton, Richard Holbrooke said they are supporting Cyprus being involved in the memberships talks with EU. He said also Turkey must be included in the enlargement process. He said, US thinks that inviting Cyprus to EU is a correct decision. We support that but what had been done to Turkey in Luxembourg summit was not right. There were 12 candidates but 11 were invited. Turkey should have been included in this process.

(Milliyet 17)

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COMMENTARY /FERAI TINC / HURRIYET

EUROPE TRAIN PUT ON THE BRAKE

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"... The Vienna (Summit) could not pass the limits which had been outlined in the Luxembourg and Cardiff summits.

One year ago, there was an effort in Europe to give a perspective to Turkey.

When, for the first time, during the term chairmanship of Holland, it was decided to broaden EU and it was determined which countries will be the candidates, Turkey was on the agenda in all the press conferences and in these press conferences, the foreign journalists had asked a lot of questions on the situation of Turkey. Even, just one year ago, the Prime Minister had been utterly bored from the questions and had said: "This is not a Turkey summit".

But in Vienna, neither Turks nor the Kurds were on the agenda.

Some hints were made for the candidacy of Turkey and the desire to apply a European strategy for preparing Turkey for full membership was mentioned; that’s all.

"But, it’s understood that in its Vienna Summit, Europe has taken a new position.

In this summit, Europe gave that message to Turkey: "We have come to a point beyond which we can not go. Now it’s your turn to take some steps. Minimum, you must show your desire for appropriating the values of Europe."

"Vienna, was a turning point for Europe too. EU countries, in which the social democratic governments are dominant, stepped back from the target of broadening the Union which had been established three years ago. EU countries placed the priority to solve their citizens problems which becoming more and more grave. (...) Even Germany which had been the master of enlargement plans said that she was not a cow to be milked. (...)

"The broadening (plan) was not frozen but it was slowed down. The ex-Foreign Minister of Germany, Kinkel, said that the road to Europe was a very long one. And he said that Turkey was a wagon of the Europe train. The train put on the brake and the wagon railed off. "

(Hürriyet December 13, p.18)

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COMMENTARY / HASAN CEMAL / MILLIYET

DEMOCRATIC PATIENCE IN PLACE OF CONFUSION AND PANIC

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"Recently, I’ve talked with two ambassadors, representing Turkey in two important capitals of the West. They, both were complaining.

One of them said:

"There are important developments outside of Turkey. They are making Turkey interested closely. One of them is that: EU tries to constitute a new identity in the defense area. The other is that: US tries to add a new dimension to NATO. For example It wants NATO to take over new responsibilities, especially against the chemical and the biologic armament. There are three countries, being accentuated: Iran, Iraq and Syria. All of them are our neighbors. And in EU, periodic chairmanship of Germany is at the door. How will Turkey use this period for normalization of the relations with EU? Then at the new year Euro is coming..."

Those are the words of the second ambassador:

"This is the 50. Anniversary of the Human Rights Declaration. We too signed this important document. I participated the celebrations; but I feel an embarrassment, because I know that we’ve got a lot of deficiency at the area of human rights in spite of the fifty years. I know it’s difficult to be a Turk and Muslim... It’s a reality that there are some biased countries against Turkey. But we can do something. We can disarm them, realizing a legislation program in few months."

There are complaints in everywhere. The politicians and the political institutions are being criticized. (...) But we have put on the brake. The situation is not too bad.

Furthermore, it’s a dangerous tendency for the people to take a dislike to the politics. It’s dangerous because it makes the democracy a questionable thing. We don’t have to permit it. Democracy is a difficult regime.

It needs time and the patience. There is no magic key in democracy. (...)

Patience is compulsory. Especially as we follow the efforts, aiming to form the new government. "

(Milliyet December 13, p. 19)

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SOLUTION IN CYPRUS NOT FAR AWAY

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Richard Holbrooke, the Special Cyprus Envoy of US President Clinton, said that he was pleased of the dialogue between businessmen. Holbrooke chaired the third conference held among businessmen from Turkish Cyprus, Southern Cyprus, Turkey and Greece, in Istanbul, which aims at developing joint projects in Cyprus.

Holbrooke said that he was hopeful of the outcome of these meetings which did not aim at pressing the governments. He said that the intention of this third conference was to launch joint ventures on such fields as culture, communication, trade and environment in Cyprus and that these decisions did not involve politics but required governmental initiatives on specific steps.

The important conference entitled "Economic Cooperation and Mutual Interests" began in Istanbul on Sunday.

(Turkiye,1,8)

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TURK –IS: INCREASE THE PRODUCTION

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The economic crisis is effecting the car and textile industries, Turk Is (a Labor Union) wants additional precautions to over come the crisis. Turk Is Chairman Bayram Meral said wokers must not be sacked in case of a crisis. "Is the crisis because of the high payment to the workers. No it is not.

Turk Is offers:

• State must increase health and education expenses. So that a demand will be created and the market will return to normal functioning.
• Tax incomes must be increased.
• Incomes of workers and civil servants must be increased so that the total demand will be increased and this will help to overcome the crisis.
• The social state must be improved.
• Importation must be supported by the state.

(Hürriyet 9)

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CENTRAL BANK FOREIGN CURRENCY RATES

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SECTION TWO

NEWS ON THE AIR December 13, 1998

Here are the highlights of the prime-time news of Atv on Sunday evening;

• 10.000 textile workers were dismissed in Gaziantep. Economic crisis paralyzed the textile sector. It was claimed that more workers will be laid off if the government fails to take economic precautions.

• US President Bill Clinton said he is not going to resign. The impeachment process will be ended in 1998.

* Today temperatures will be as follows: