Daily Review of Turkish Media

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

This sample issue of the NTA Daily Review of Turkish Media has been reposted with permission on the Eurasia Research Center Web Site. For subscription information contact the editor at: News & Translation Agency.

CONTENTS

1. HEADLINES

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WEB OF DIRT AT NARCOTICS

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3 security chiefs were accused in 6 cassettes for getting bribe from drug lords. In his recorded testimony, Huseyin Uzun, "informant - confessor" , whose death at the Security Department is under investigation, mentioned names of 3 high level police chiefs. Ismail Caliskan, the Vice President of the Smuggling and Organized Crimes Department at the General Headquarters of Security; Kurtulus Donmezer, the Head of the Foreign Relations Office; and Ferruh Tankus, former head of Istanbul Narcotic Office are the names mentioned in the cassettes.
It has been determined that Caliskan was the Istanbul Narcotics Office Chief for a period. Donmezer served at the same bureau as his deputy. State Security Court is expected to ask the two men for their testimony.
In the cassettes, Tankus is accused of collecting bribe money: "Tankus used his close circle to collect bribe money from Kemal and Cemal Saritas brothers and Muhammed Asa."
(Milliyet 1, 12)

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WE PREVENTED MONEY DRAINING FROM PEOPLE

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The news of Hurriyet, saved the people. The Security Directorate had to shift from its decision to make the people obliged to buy car plates bearing "TR" before the New Year.

Interior Minister Aktas ordered governorates to remove the compulsory practice. A commission was set up to determine the real prices of the plates. Aktas said that the plates bearing TR will now be sold at 9 million TL until their prices are set.

The plates were supposed to be sold at 15 trillion TL according to the announcement made by the security two days ago and the drivers were supposed to pay this sum and receive their TR-bearing plates. Otherwise, they were banned from traffic as from January 1^st, according to the previous statement. The announcement had caused great reaction among the people, in the last days of the year.

(Hurriyet,1,9)

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SHOCKING DETENTION

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Retired Colonel was brought to Istanbul for Malki murder.

The former Commander of the Bursa Gendarme Regiment, Huseyin Yilmaz was detained by the teams of the Organized-Crime Police, "To be questioned in relation to the killing of Banker Nesim Malki."

Retired Colonel Yilmaz was brought by the police from Bursa to Istanbul at 18.00 hours . Fugitive businessman Erol Evcil’s note books had revealed that Yilmaz was the master-mind of the Malki murder.

(Milliyet,1,15)

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US HIT FROM THE INCIRLIK BASE

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Iraqi official news agency INA said that "The enemy planes that took off Turkey, violating the Iraqi air space, hit an anti-aircraft battalion in Iraq , killing four soldiers and injuring 7 more."

INA said that the incident occurred at 12.37 (Turkish time) and that one of the F-16 aircraft taking off the Incirlik base (in South Anatolia) may be downed. The White House denied the announcement.

US and Britain Confirm

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US President Bill Clinton said that the US reconnaissance aircraft in Northern Iraq had responded to the anti-aircraft fire opened by Iraq and that the raid was legitimate.

Clinton stressed that the no-fly practice will be continued. Clinton said that the aircraft had then returned to Turkey.

Iraqi Assistant President Taha Yasin Ramazan had said Sunday that his state will not recognize the no-fly zone.

Clinton said in his announcement that the aircraft , after striking Iraq, had returned to Turkey safely. The Russian foreign ministry said that the incident of yesterday would certainly cause concern in the region. An statement by Interfax said that actions that do not suit the resumption of efforts to find a political solution to Iraq, should be erfrained.

(Cumhuriyet,1,7)

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COMMENTARY:

THE IRAQI POLICY OF US AND TURKEY’S DILEMMA

ERGUN BALCI-CUMHURIYET

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"Turkey has to carry out its relations with US very very carefully and rationally. As we have vital common interests with the United States, there certainly are areas in which our conflicts are totally opposite.

"Turkey wants to have the energy routes from the Caucasus and Central Asia to extend to the West, over its territory. Realization of such a strategy will make Turkey one of the leading energy distribution centers of the world. In line with its strategy, US is spending intensive efforts to have Turkey enter to the European Union….

"However, US is a super power. As one of the legs of its global strategy is the energy routes of Eurasia and Turkey, the other leg is, the Gulf and Iraq. Exactly at this point the US policy, conflicts Turkey’s interests. Why? Because US has no consistent Iraqi policy. It current policy towards Iraq, is full of ambiguities and may cause Iraq’s dissolving and a great chaos in the region. The Iraqi policy of US appears to be a containment policy to isolate Saddam and to have the regime replaced in that country.

The Special Assistant to Bill Clinton, Bruce Riedel had told author Sami Kohen that "US will constantly keep Saddam under control and isolate him. While doing this, we have to be very careful and advance step-by-step. We need a careful planning and timing."

That is to say that Riedel is trying to say that US will first try to gather the dispersed opposition forces in Iraq, will topple Saddam and wait for a pro-Western commander to come to power, but will continue a ceaseless pressure on Saddam."

"Let us speak frankly; the attitude of US seems to be like a gamble rather than a well-calculated policy. ..What if the opposition in Iraq can not gather? The news in the West show that the opposition in unlikely to gather. What if a pro-Western commander does not emerge?

"Then the impasse in Iraq will continue, Turkey will continue losing billions of dollars because of the embargo on Iraq and most importantly, the Kurd federative state to be established in Northern Iraq will turn into an independent state in such an atmosphere of ambiguity.

"Let US claim that "I have no intention to divide Iraq". This unhealthy policy which it is implementing , bears the seeds to produce such consequences."

"…US either does not understand Iraq or thinks that it may shape social developments here. Some writers in Turkey call on the country to act completely in line with US. We believe in the contrary. Turkey, with a firm but calm manner and avoiding straining the relations, should be able to explain to its ally that the Iraqi policy of Washington may cause very dangerous initiatives in the region."

(Cumhuriyet,7)

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INSOLENCE TO ATATURK

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A new district in Sincan was named after Ataturk. But another district was named after Suleymanci sect’s leader Hilmi Tunahan.

The Sincan Municipality (Which is a township of Ankara which is ruled by a fundamentalist administration-nta) is using the name of Ataturk to cover uq another political decision it had taken.

As one of the districts was named after Suleyman Sect leader Tunahan, another was named after Ankara’s Mayor Melih Gokcek (From Virtue Party).

Kemal Bastimur, the leader of the CHP branch in the township, said that there were efforts in Sincan to turn it into a fundamentalist city.

Suleyman Tunahan is at present in prison on charges of trying to remove the secular republic.

(Gunlukhaber,1,3)

CILLER’S ELECTION WORRY

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DYP leader Tansu Ciller felt disturbed because of the statement of President Demirel that "There will be on Cankaya govrenment."

President Suleyman Demirel said that he will not abolish Parliament even if the government can not be established until January 10. Demirel now started another controversy. Especially the True Path Party (DYP) flank claim that this announcement of demirel is based on his plans to postpone the elections.

The statement of prime-minister-designate Yalim Erez that he will lead a "Execuitve government", also led to speculation among DYP that, Erez’s move is aimed at postponing the elections.

Ciller said "If they are planning to postpone elections, this is a very grave step."

(Turkiye,1,13)

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EREZ: THERE IS HOPE

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Independent deputy Yalim Erez who is charge of establishing the 56^th government met with FP (Virtue Party) leader Kutan, ANAP (Motherland Party) leader Mesut Yilmaz and DSP (Democratic Left Party) leader Bülent Ecevit. He said all three meetings were very positive and his hopes to establish the new government has increased.

Erez will meet with CHP (Republican People’s Party) leader Baykal and DYP (True Path Party) leader Tansu Çiller on Wednesday (today). Erez said his government model is a majority government in which all the parties in the parliament will be represented. He said after the first round meetings, he will announce his cabinet list in the second round meetings. Erez said he is at the same distance to all parties and reminded that he is an independent deputy. Erez told FP leader Kutan not worry for the opposition of the other parties. "I will convince them for a government with FP" said Erez.

Recai Kutan, on his part, said that he and Erez had a positive talk. However he did not clarify whether his party will join the government of Erez.

(Hürriyet 22;Turkiye,1)

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EXPELLED SOLDIERS DEMAND JUDGEMENT

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8 soldiers who were expelled from TSK (Turkish Armed Forces) said they were expelled from army because of their belief and demanded a fair judgement. (According to Turkish law the decisions of YAS (High Military Board) can not be subjects of judgement and its decisions are final- nta)

"Our fault was to pray and not to drink alcohol, which are the orders of Islam. And because our wifes are wearing head scarf. These are applied by many Muslims in Turkey. All the allegations are false" said the ex-soldiers. They said that right of a fair judgement is given even to APO, who is the murderer of 30.000 people.

(Hürriyet 23)

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COMMENTARY / GUNGOR MENGI / SABAH

THE POLICE, TO WHERE?

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"The scandals, which could overthrow a government in a civilized country, are being welcomed as a series of ordinary events in our country. (...)

The last shock, in this field, were the explanations, made by (Ferruh) Tankus, the Chief of the Narcotics Bureau of the Istanbul Police, following his dismissal.

According to Ferruh Tankus, drug smugglers had paid (4 million dollars –nta) to the top officials of the Istanbul Police for his dismissal.

As his explanations reverberate around the country, we heard that Hüseyin Uzun, a suspect who was being looked by the police for shooting two men of Hüseyin Baybasin, a big drug boss who was in the prison in Netherlands, had surrender to the police.

Then the events followed each other.

Hüseyin Uzun claimed during his interrogation in the Organized Crimes Bureau that Ferruh Tankus, the ex-Narcotics Bureau Chief, had been bribed by drug smugglers and had tipped them off the operations.

According to his claims (if these are true) Tankus had set Mehmet Çelik, a big drug boss, free from the police headquarter, for 1.5 million dollars.

As the investigations are going on about these claims, another event exploded:

‘The confessor’ Hüseyin Uzun had been found hanged in the toilet of the Police Headquarter. According to the Police, he had committed suicide, tearing the side bands off his blanket and hanging himself with these bands.

This explanation will not satisfy the public opinion.

May it be an execution? It may. The accused police chief’s men may have hung him...

His interrogators (the rivals of the accused police chief –nta) may have killed him thinking that he could take his confessions back later saying these statements were made under torture.

He may have been killed by Mafia directly.

He may have committed suicide, thinking that in spite of his confessions he will not be protected. Each possibility is worse than the other.

The investigations about these events must be brought to a conclusion in the shortest time. Not only the citizens but the policemen who lost his confidence to his chiefs, to his friends and to himself, need it.

In a period we are struggling with the problems pregnant to the social explosions, a police organization like this, will be the worst thing that can happen."

(December 28, p.3)

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COMMENTARY / TUFAN TURENC / HURRIYET

EREZ, AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FP

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"... At this point, everybody has to help Erez to form a broad based conciliation government. ANAP (Motherland Party) and DSP (Democratic Left Party) are making all the contributions. So, it is not expected that they will make any difficulties to Erez.

CHP (Republican People’s Party) has a positive approach this time. But it stipulate that every party must be represented with the equal members in the cabinet. Its logic is true, because the new government will not be a coalition government but will be a broad based (conciliation) government.

If FP (Virtue Party) gives its support to the Erez government, it will not be a surprise.

Because the President declared that he would not form an election government after January 10 (A deadline for the 45 days period to form a government. Under the related articles of the constitution, at the end of this period, the President may found a cabinet for the elections which have to be held three months later –nta)

In this situation, to take its place in the Erez’s cabinet will be an opportunity for FP not to be missed. So, there is only one party left over: DYP (True Path Party)

It seems that if expected government can be formed, DYP will not be inside of it.

Because even the name of Erez bothers Çiller.

Çiller, from one side, is trying not to give an impression that her party is an intransigent party and from the other side doing her best to hinder Erez. (...)"

(December 28, p. 16)

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MISSILES TO IRAQ

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Jet fighters took off from Incirlik to hit northern Iraq. During the flight of American jet fighters over northern Iraq, fight ensued. It has been determined that "Northern Watch", a force the US constituted to have aerial control over northern Iraq, was targeted by missiles. When jet fighters were fired upon, they retaliated and hit one of the 4 facilities in the area.

Explaining that the planes were fired upon as they were in violation of Iraq's air space, Iraqi authorities stated that 4 soldiers were dead, 7 wounded. Iraq claims that the jet fighters took off from Incirlik air base.

(Milliyet 17)

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GREECE- SOUTHERN CYPRUS S-300 CRISIS

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Southern Cyprus leader Glafkos Klerides made a sudden visit to Greece as the tension between two countries is increasing because of S-300 missiles. It was reported that Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and Klerides will come to a conclusion on S- 300 issue. There are major conflicts between Greece and Southern Cyprus on S-300 missiles to which both US and EU are against. Greek Prime Minister told Klerides (in his previous visit) that deploying S-300 missiles is not an good option because of the international pressure and offered to deploy the missiles to Crete. However, Klerides opposed to this idea because of Domestic pressure.

(Hürriyet 16)

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SERIOUS CLAIMS FROM AZERBAIJAN

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Azerbaijan claimed that Russia deployed S-300 missiles to Armenian border. "Russia had deployed military equipment to Armenia including Mig-29 Jet Fighters and S-300 missiles which are worth 2 billion dollars" said Vefa Gulizade foreign affairs advisor of Azerbaijan President Aliyev. He criticized the Caucasus policies of Russia and claimed that Russia is militarizing Armenia. "This is the latest example of Turkish – Russian conflict and Armenia is doing everything for his brother Russia" added Gulizade.

(Hürriyet 16)

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PASS THAT RAISE

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The percentage of raise in wages of civil servants will be decided by Parliament today. If the parliament, to be scheduled to open at 3 pm today, does not take up the budget within 1.5 hours until the breaking of Ramadan fast, the raise for public workers will be in jeopardy. Indicating that the parliament will pass the raise, Minister of finance Zekeriya Temizel said, "This is not good news but our job ". Temizel declared that pensioners will receive their January pay before the holidays. Minimum wage, which could not be determined due to quarrels between employers and employees, is expected to be declared today.

(Milliyet 13)

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CENTRAL BANK FOREIGN CURRENCY RATES

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