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

1. HEADLINES

• DESERT FOX HUNTED CIVILIANS (Milliyet)
• NO SLEEP TO SADDAM (Radikal)
• US DETERMINED THIS TIME (Hurriyet)
• BAGHDAT ON FIRING BOARD (Yeniyuzyil)
• HIGH TRIBUNAL SHOCK ON YILMAZ (Radikal)
• ECONOMIC CRISIS HITS WORKERS (GunlukHaber)

2. DOMESTIC AFFAIRS………….3

3. FOREIGN AFFAIRS ……………5

• TURKEY CLOSES BORDER
• OCALAN DEMANDS POLITICAL ASYLUM

4. ECONOMY ………………………5

• GULF CRISIS HITS THE TURKISH MARKET
• COMMENTARY: WHY THE INTEREST RATES ARE HIGH? (Salih Neftci)

HEADLINES

------------------

DESERT FOX HUNTED CIVILIANS

------------------------------------------------

It was reported that 5 people died in the US attack to Iraq.Some of 200 Tomahawk missiles thrown dropped on residential areas. Over 100 people were wounded. Showered with missiles throughout the night, Bagdat is going through tough times. Reports indicate that a school at an area called Abu Greb has been destroyed by a missile. 5 people lost their lives in Abu Greb. Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs said that a considerable number of civilians lost their lives and many wounded during the attacks.
Saddam Huseyin reacted strongly: "Cowards. Because you are afraid to fight chest to chest war you are using missiles." Reacting against the attacks, Russia demanded that the operations be stopped immediately, and called the UN Security Council for a meeting, putting its fleet on alarm. Each costing a million dollars, one of the Tomahawk missiles was dropped within the Iranian territory. The US is sending a fleet of 36 Emergency Intervention Force to the Gulf, which includes F - 117 Stealth Fighters. US Foreign Affairs Minister Albright declared that the attack would last 3 days plus.

(Milliyet 1, 16, 17)

***

US IS DETERMINED THIS TIME:

UNTIL SADDAM IS TOPPLED -

ANKARA IS DISTURBED

---------------------------------------------------------

The first night 200 missiles and the second night over 300 missiles raided Iraq. The Defense Secretary Cohen said that "The operation will be continued until it attains its objectives."

Cohen said that the operation has no time limits and may extend over the (holy month) Ramadan. British and US forces resumed their attacks yesterday night and B-52 bombardment aircraft and other jets hit numerous targets in the South of Iraq.

THE BALANCE SHEET OFF DESERT FOX:

25 KILLED, 75 WOUNDED

--------------------------------------

According to Iraq, 25 died in the first night’s attack and 75 were wounded. Many people are missing.

THE TARGETS HIT:

Military plants, police centers and plants that might produce chemical or biological weapons had a severe blow.

SADDAM’S PALACE:

The big palace of Saddam in Baghdat was hit and a heavy fog was seen after the shelling on the palace.

SADDAM’S DAUGHTER’S HOME :

The Baghdat Radio said that the home of Hala, the daughter of Saddam was also hit but Hala was not at home during the raid.

SURPRISE: DESERT FOX COULD NOT SAVE CLINTON:

The Repuplicans who hold the majority at the US House of representatives decided to discuss the demand of impeachment of President Clinton. The voting will take place tomorrow. The Desert Fox remained short of saving Clinton.

Radikal daily:

TURKEY IS ALSO WITHIN RANGE:

The arms which Saddam Hussein refuses to destroy constitute a potential threat for the region’s countries, including Turkey. Once mounted on Scud missiles, these weapons can turn the region into hell. Against such a probability Turkey had purchased anti-missile Patriot systems from the US in 1990 during the Gulf War.

Milliyet daily:

DESERT FOX HUNTS CIVILIANS: 30 DEATHS

The US missiles , hit wrong targets mistakenly and hundreds of people were wounded. The US Defense Department announced that the 200 Tomahawk missiles gave big damage on 50 military targets in Iraq.

A school was totally destroyed in Abu Greb district in Baghdat and five were killed .

Radikal daily:

TURKEY TELLS US, ITS CONCERNS OVER FLOW OF REFUGEES

Turkey is concerned that , after Saddam is overthrown, the Kurd population in the North and Shiite population in the South of Iraq may get out of control. Government circles in Ankara are concerned over the territorial integrity of Iraq and a probable Kurdish state that may be formed after the operation.

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem conveyed to US these concerns. US President Clinton in a letter to President Demirel , sought his support and explained the scope of the operation.

US Ambassador Mark Parris paid a visit to Cem yesterday. Diplomatic sources say that US will continue its operation until December 20, when Ramadan begins and the biggest blow will come at the end of January.

(Hurriyet,1,19;Radikal,1,11;Milliyet,1,)

***

HIGH TRIBUNAL SHOCK ON YILMAZ

---------------------------------------------------------

With the votes of Virtue (FP), True Path (DYP) and Republicaan People’s (CHP) Parties, the Parliamentary Commissions decided to place PM Mesut Yilmaz and Public Works Minister Yasar Topcu before the High Tribunal.

A previous conciliation made by ANAP and DYP to clear each other at commissions, did not work out. The commissions which investigated into allegations that Prime Minister Yilmaz abused power in the bid of Kurtkoy Airport, concluded their work yesterday. The members of the commissions that come from FP, CHP and DYP decided to place Yilmaz before the High Tribunal, by nine votes against six.

To have Yilmaz and Topcu placed before the Constitutional Court that will act as the High Tribunal, votes of 276 deputies -the absolute majority of the number of members of Parliament- are needed. Deputies of the Virtue, True Path and Republican People’s Party are acting together at commissions. The total number of their deputies is sufficient to send both politicians to the high tribunal.

(Rradikal,1,18)

***

CRISIS HITS WORKERS

-----------------------------------------

The bill of the economic crisis was again imposed on the workers. According to the data of TURK-IS (The Turkish confederation of trade unions) , 45 thousand workers were sacked on grounds of the crisis. The sacking will reportedly continue.

The number of workers fired from their jobs is increasing in spite of the announcement made by the government that it will not extend Eximbank loans to employers who do so.

Figures at Turk-Is show that the number of workers affected by the economic crisis and privatization, reached up to 45 thousand. 38 thousand workers were fired and 6 thousand workers were forced to retire.

(Gunlukhaber,1,5)

***

DOMESTIC AFFAIRS

-----------------------------

DYP LEADER WANTS THE DUTY

------------------------------------------------
DSP leader Ecevit, appointed to establish the new government, has met with Ciller for 50 minutes yesterday. Rejecting Ecevit's "Supported minority government", Ciller said: "I am seeking the duty."

Today Ecevit will met with Baykal once again. "Everything is very clear. Baykal insists on a third name. We told him to return the duty as soon as possible" said DYP leader. Çiller reminded that they want a government in which all parties will be represented from the starting point of these efforts. She criticized President Demirel on giving the duty to the 4^th party in the parliament. "That is not a behavior suiting the democratic traditions. It is against the people’s will" said Çiller.

(Milliyet 1. 14)

***

CRISIS IN PKK

-----------------------

PKK leader APO, criticized PKK terrorists harshly at a TV program which was aired on Pro-Kurdish Med TV. His critics and insults caused a crisis within the organization. Some of the supporters opposed the words of APO and said that "Someone who told there words can not be our leader". His speech on Med TV started the discussions on the leadership and it was reported that many people had protested PKK leader for his words. "He is writing scenarios to save his life. He is speaking as if he has no responsibility from what has been done. He now denies the orders he gave. He wants to spend the money he collected from us in US. He can not just say I am out."

(Milliyet 12)

****

FP OF WESTERN TYPE

------------------------------------

FP (Virtue Party) members and many supporters celebrated the 1^st anniversary of their party . (FP was establish after the RP (Welfare Party) was banned by the Supreme Court) FP leader Recai Kutan said they want a democracy in western standards. "MGK must be reestablished according to the western standards. MGK must be redefined as it was in the Atatürk period" said Kutan. He also said that they were not RP but a new party with a new understanding.

(Milliyet 15)

***

WIRE TAPPING SCANDAL

--------------------------------------

DYP (True Path Party) Vice chairman Meral Aksener had bugged the phones of some Hürriyet officials and distributed the tape recordings to the media. This the violation of the 22^nd article of the constitution which preserves the private life of the individual. Aksener said she will pay the price of her action when she was reminded that her action is against the constitution. It was claimed that a team, formed while Aksener was the Minister of Interior had wire tapped the phones. She labeled the ones who had sent her the cassette as patriots.

(Hürriyet 27)

****

COMMENTARY / YALCIN DOGAN / MILLIYET

THE ANXIETY OF ECEVIT

-------------------------------------

"(...) In spite of everything Ecevit, is to try all the possibilities to form a government. And if he will not be successful, he will give the duty back to the President. But the following is very interesting.

In the press conference, he held after the meeting with Baykal, Ecevit said: "If I can not form a government, I’ll give the duty back. In this situation. The President will form an election government. What makes me anxious is that." (...)

We have to dwell upon these words.

If the parties can not conciliate on the new government, the Constitution gives authority to the President to form an election government (under the 114. Article). According to this article, "The deputy who will be appointed to form the government, will take the ministers from all the parties which have group in Parliament." The groups are free to give the ministers or not. That is, it’s not compulsory for the parties to give the minister to the government. (But it is compulsory for the candidate prime minister to ask it –nta) The critical point which makes Ecevit anxious is this.

Ecevit, excludes FP (Virtue Party). Also (President) Demirel, declares that he will not give the duty to this party (even after the elections). But under the 114. Article of the Constitution, this party will have the right to participate to this government. Furthermore, in this situation, FP will take most of the chairs, because this article stipulates that the ministries will be distributed proportionally. So, FP will not miss the opportunity. (...)

It doesn’t suit not only to Demirel but to the "others". Like an important official has said: " This is the most critical point". And of course, what makes Ecevit anxious is that. If Ecevit returns the duty, Demirel will appoint a deputy (to form an election government -nta). But how will he exclude FP in spite of 114. article. It’s not possible to form a government neither with FP nor without FP. The circle is closing in this point. Ecevit is aware of it. The other leaders... are you aware of it too."

(Milliyet December 17, p.17)

***

COMMENTARY / ENIS BERBEROGLU / HURRIYET

THERE IS A LOT OF REASON TO BE ANGRY

-----------------------------------------------------------------

"The retired prosecutor of Ankara State Security Court (DGM) Nusret Demiral reacted to the police interrogator who had pronounced his name during the interrogation of Aliye Kara (the trustee of Omer Lütfü Topal, the "King of the casinos" who had been killed three years ago. Topal was one of the biggest mafia bosses of Turkey. His trustee Kara was interrogated in Ankara recently to disclose his relations with the politicians and the bureaucrats –nta)

When Adnan Keskin from Radikal, interviewed the retired prosecutor yesterday he also expressed his sorrow related with the writer of these lines: " How come this journalist take the possession of this statement? First of all, I felt sorry for it." (...)

If we lived in "the old beautiful days" certainly we would take a call (perhaps with an escort) to disclose the "source". But it is understood that a lot of water has flowed under the bridge. (...)

Let’s remind the passage which caused to the understandable reaction of the Honorable Prosecutor. In the 6. Page of the statement of Aliye Kara (She afterward said that this statement had been taken forcefully) we read these words: " As you ask me, I don’t know the prosecutor of Ankara DGM, Nusret Demiral. I don’t know, any money was given to him..."

We had quoted these lines and had put the point with this question: " I wonder, why the police asked this question". (...)

Now I’ll make a confession. When I quote the words of Aliye Kara, I’d omitted a sentence, because I had not wanted to accuse someone with the police statements.

I quote now the full passage: "As you ask me, I don’t know the prosecutor of Ankara DGM, Nusret Demiral, I don’t know, any money was given to him. But Ekrem Marakoglu (the lawyer of Topal –E.B.) said he had given."

There is a lot of reasons for the honorable Prosecutor to be angry . "

(Hürriyet December 17, p.12)

****

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

-----------------------------

TURKEY CLOSES BORDER GATE FACING NORTHERN IRAQ

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Turkey had decided to close a border gate linking northern Iraq in a bid to prevent possible influx of Iraqi Kurdish refugees, said Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem Thursday.

Speaking at a press conference, Cem said "the Habur border gate was unilaterally closed by Ankara. Our security concerns made us take this step."

Cem also expressed fears over a possible flight of people from northern Iraq towards the Turkish border following the U.S. and Britain air strikes against Iraq.

Turkey's Anatolia News Agency quoted Mustafa Demirel, governor in the border area, as saying that "We shut down the Habur border gate for security reasons."

Hundreds of thousands of Iraqi Kurds had fled to Turkey after the Gulf War in 1991.

A senior Turkish Foreign Ministry official said that Turkey was ready to deal with an eventual refugee wave if the U.S. assault leads to chaos in Iraq.

(Reuters-nta)

***

OCALAN DEMANDS POLITICAL ASYLUM

---------------------------------------------------------------

Pisapia and Saraceni , the Lawyers of Abdullah Ocalan , sent a letter to the office of the Italian PM and Interior Minister, demanding political asylum for Apo. Some sources however say that Apo will be deported to Southern Africa.

Radikal: ROME HAS KEPT TURKEY WAITING!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Italian Justice Ministry was found out to keep waiting the extradition file of Apo for two weeks. The file handed by Turkey two weeks ago, for Apo’s extradition was handed to the court only yesterday. Turkey’s lawyer Augusto Sinagra described this behavior as an "Abnormal behavior" and held the Italian Justice Ministry responsible of keeping the documents for two weeks.

After releasing Apo, the Italian government accelerated its efforts to find a third country for Apo. The Italian authorities are noq considering to send him to South africa which has good relations with both Turkey and Italy.

Meanwhile Turkey applied to the Rome Appeals Court, demanding Apo’s arrest.

(Milliyet,1,14;Radikal,1,8)

***

ECONOMY

------------------

GULF CRISIS HITS THE TURKISH MARKET

--------------------------------------------------------------

Turkish Stock Exchange market was shaken by the crisis in Gulf. A negative respond came from IMKB (Istanbul Stock Exchange Market) and the index declined sharply. Asian and European markets were however stable and the crisis had no or some very little effect on these markets.IMKB declined 1. 6 %. The market was already shaken by the failed left government model and the Gulf crisis increased the panic sales. IMKB ended today’s session with 2.240 points. On the other hand the interest rates increased due to the crisis in the stock market.

(Hürriyet 11)

***

COMMENTARY / PROF. SALIH NEFTCI / HURRIYET

WHY THE INTEREST RATES ARE HIGH?

-----------------------------------------------------------

"... The interest rates in the Treasury Bonds is about 145 Per cent.

In some speculative situations it recedes to 130 Per cent, but when disturbance breaks out it bounces to 150 Per cent.

The inflation recedes because of the crisis. Let’s say it 70 Per cent.

(In this situation ) the reel interest income is 44 Per cent.

Yes, 44 Per cent. (...)

In US, in Germany or in Japan, an industrialist pays about 3 Per cent interest for the credits he has taken. (...)

But in Turkey an industrialist has to pay 44 Per cent interest. If his profit rate is 20 Per cent he makes a loss and goes bankrupt.

It’s unbelievable but the truth is that.

Why? Which policies did pave the way to this situation?"

(Hürriyet December 17, p.9)

***

CENTRAL BANK FOREIGN CURRENCY RATES

NEWS ON THE AIR December 17, 1998

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

• US, with the support of England launched a missile attack against Iraq. It was reported that 5 people died in the operation called Desert Fox. Saddam Huseyin made a call to his people and said they must resist against US attacks.

• The Turkish public feels disturbed of the US raid on Iraq. People on the streed voiced their reaction.
• The Habur border gate with Iraq has been closed at 24.00 hours. There are 1600 Turkish trucks at the other side of the border which are waiting to be admitted to Turkey.
• US Ambassador Mark Parris paid a visit to Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and gave assurances that the US Administration had no demands from Turkey, for the recent operation.
• Deputy PM Bulent Ecevit who also visited Cem said that "We hope the operation does not last very long as its objective was announced as destroying the chemical weapons."
• Sari Avni, the drug dealer who was caught after a search of 15 years, stood trial yesterday. Yasar Avni Musullulu, (nickname Sari Avni) who was wanted by Interpol’s Red Bulletin denied that he was a drug dealer.

(Atv Prime time news was totally focused on the US attack. Atv reporters covered the details of the attack )

***

***