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Turkish Press Review, 01-02-02

Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

<LINK href="http:/_www.byegm.gov.tr_yayinlarimiz_chr_pics_css_tpr.css" rel=STYLESHEET type=text/css> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tr> <td width="100%"> <map name="FPMap0"> </map></td> </tr> </table> &nbsp; <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tr> <td width="20%" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tr> <td width="100%"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="10" width="100%"> <tr> <td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">&nbsp;Press &amp; Information</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080">&nbsp;Turkish Press</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080">&nbsp;Foreign Press in&nbsp; Turkey</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080">&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080" bgcolor="#F0F0F0">&nbsp;Turkish Press Review &gt;&gt;</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080">&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080">&nbsp;Press Guide</td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> <_td> <td width="80%" valign="top" style="border: 0 solid #808080" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="10" width="100%"> <tr> <td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5" width="100%"> <tr> <td width="100%">

Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning&nbsp;</td>

</tr> <tr> <td width="100%">02.02.2001</td> </tr> </table> </td> <_tr> <tr> <td width="100%"> &nbsp; <ul>

CONTENTS

  • [01] SEZER APPOINTS TWO MEMBERS OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION BOARD
  • [02] ARMENIAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE BEGINS ITS STUDIES THIS MONTH
  • [03] ARMENIANS HINDER CITY FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN PLEASANT HILL AND MERZIFON
  • [04] JONES' STATEMENT ABOUT THE BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE PROJECT
  • [05] BRITISH ROYAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION'S BOOK ON WORLD'S BEST LEADERS
  • [06] SUPPLEMENTARY LETTER OF INTENT TO BE EXAMINED BY IMF
  • [07] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
  • [08] SELF-CRITICISM CAPABILITY BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)
  • [09] CHILDREN'S RIGHTS LAW APPROVED BY PRESIDENT SEZER
  • [10] SEZER APPOINTS TWO MEMBERS OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION BOARD
  • [11] ECEVIT INSISTS ON AMENDING PARLIAMENTARY STATUTES
  • [12] CEM'S ONE-DAY MACEDONIA VISIT
  • [13] FURTHER SANCTIONS AND REACTIONS TO FRANCE
  • [14] ARMENIAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE BEGINS ITS STUDIES THIS MONTH
  • [15] FRENCH JURIST'S STATEMENT
  • [16] ARMENIANS HINDER CITY FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN PLEASANT HILL AND MERZIFON
  • [17] DANGEROUS COOPERATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST
  • [18] NATIONAL PROGRAM FOCUSES ON EDUCATIONAL ADVANCE
  • [19] GROSSMAN TO BE US DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE
  • [20] JONES' STATEMENT ABOUT THE BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE PROJECT
  • [21] TEPE GROUP'S DECISION
  • [22] ALCATEL EXCLUDED FORM AY-CELL BID
  • [23] THREE POWER-STATIONS RECEIVE AWARD IN THE US
  • [24] PEHLIVAN'S STATEMENT
  • [25] A HISTORY OF TURKISH JEWS IS PUBLISHED
  • [26] DOUBLE `NO' FROM COURT IN FP CASE
  • [27] TURAN GENC IN GREECE
  • [28] FEHRIYE ERDAL ACCUSED ON BELGIAN TV
  • [29] RESEARCH ON TURKISH MIGRANTS IN GERMANY
  • [30] TURKISH-IRANIAN PASSENGER TRAIN SERVICES TO RESUME
  • [31] BRITISH ROYAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION'S BOOK ON WORLD'S BEST LEADERS
  • [32] TURKISH SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM'S SUCCESS
  • [33] SAY RECEIVES AWARD FROM GERMANY
  • [34] CENTRAL BANK ACHIEVED IMF CRITERIA
  • [35] SUPPLEMENTARY LETTER OF INTENT TO BE EXAMINED BY IMF
  • [36] FOREIGN BANKS TO INVEST IN TURKEY
  • [37] NEW INVESTMENTS IN GAP
  • [38] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
  • [39] SELF-CRITICISM CAPABILITY BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)
  • [40] KOCHARIAN CONFUSES MINDS BY FERAI TINC (HURRIYET)

  • [01] SEZER APPOINTS TWO MEMBERS OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION BOARD

    SWOBODA: &quot;ARMENIAN BILL DOES NOT AFFECT EU-TURCO RELATIONS&quot; BOUKRIS: &quot;DENIAL OF GENOCIDE IS NOT A CRIME&quot;

    [02] ARMENIAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE BEGINS ITS STUDIES THIS MONTH

    GERMANY TO FRANCE: &quot;TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR OWN HISTORY&quot;

    [03] ARMENIANS HINDER CITY FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN PLEASANT HILL AND MERZIFON

    [04] JONES' STATEMENT ABOUT THE BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE PROJECT

    [05] BRITISH ROYAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION'S BOOK ON WORLD'S BEST LEADERS

    [06] SUPPLEMENTARY LETTER OF INTENT TO BE EXAMINED BY IMF

    AKBAYGIL: &quot;SUPERVISION AND TRANSPARENCY ARE IMPORTANT IN BANKING SECTOR&quot;

    [07] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...

    [08] SELF-CRITICISM CAPABILITY BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)

    &nbsp;

    &nbsp;

    [09] CHILDREN'S RIGHTS LAW APPROVED BY PRESIDENT SEZER

    President Ahmet Necdet Sezer approved a law regarding children's rights mentioned at the European Convention. The written statement issued by the Presidential Press Office said that the President sent his approval of the law, which approves the enactment of the children rights law, to the Prime Ministry. /Turkish Daily News/

    [10] SEZER APPOINTS TWO MEMBERS OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION BOARD

    President Ahmet Necdet Sezer appointed Prof. Alpaslan Isikli and Prof. Turkan Saylan to the membership of the Higher Education Board (YOK). Prof. Isikli is known for his pro-Ataturk attitudes. Prof. Saylan is the chairwoman of the Modern Life Support Association (CYDD). /Milliyet/

    [11] ECEVIT INSISTS ON AMENDING PARLIAMENTARY STATUTES

    Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit stated that the amendments proposed in the parliamentary statutes were obligatory in the sense that it would ensure a more efficiently Parliament. In reply to questions after the weekly meeting with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Ecevit insisted that the parliamentary statutes amendment be debated since it was the only way to ensure efficiency in Parliament. &quot;We will insist on those amendments, I hope violence will not be resorted to,&quot; Ecevit said. /Turkish Daily News/

    [12] CEM'S ONE-DAY MACEDONIA VISIT

    Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem traveled to Macedonia for a one-day visit. Meeting with Macedonian Foreign Minister Srgjan Kerim, Cem stated Turkey would continue to support Macedonia in all areas. Stating they discussed issues related to bilateral relations, Cem said the Joint Eonomic Commission meetings would be held in Turkey in the spring months. He also added Turkey supported Macedonia's NATO membership. /Cumhuriyet/ SWOBODA: &quot;ARMENIAN BILL DOES NOT AFFECT EU-TURCO RELATIONS&quot; The European Parliament's Turkey reportor Austrian Socialist Representative, Johannes Swoboda, said the adoption of the Armenian bill in the French Parliament will not hamper EU-Turco relations. Emphasizing the Armenian issue is not an obstacle before Turkey for its EU membership, Swoboda said, &quot;An investigation should be carried out whether any genocide was perpetrated or not. During the Hitler regime, genocide was an official policy in Germany. However, I do not believe the Ottomans had such a policy. First of all, a definition for genocide should made; secondly, Turkish, Armenian and neutral historians should come together and investigate the topic.&quot; He also underlined the Armenian lobbies' power in the world. /Turkiye/ BOUKRIS: &quot;DENIAL OF GENOCIDE IS NOT A CRIME&quot; A professor of law from Paris University, Armand Boukris, said the so-called Armenian genocide law, enacted the day before yesterday in France, does not exact any punishment if the so-called genocide is denied. Boukris said, this law cannot be evaluated in the same way with the &quot;Gayssot Law&quot;, which demands imprisonment in France up to one year for people who deny the genocide perpetrated to Jews during the Second World War. He said for such an application a new law should be enacted. /Turkiye/

    [13] FURTHER SANCTIONS AND REACTIONS TO FRANCE

    Minister of Public Works and Housing, Koray Aydin said the tender for Izmit Bay highway was annulled. Both consortiums participating in the tender have French partners. Mr. Aydin said it was announced beforehand that the tender would be annulled, if the French parliament adopted the law on so-called Armenian genocide. The French companies said they regret for the adoption of the law. /Milliyet/

    [14] ARMENIAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE BEGINS ITS STUDIES THIS MONTH

    Turkey's first Armenian Research Institute will begin its studies this month. The institute, which will maintain contacts with Armenian historians and institutions, will contribute to the relations between Armenia and Turkey. The institute which was established by the Avrasia One Association is chaired by retired Ambassador, Omer Engin Lutem. In the beginning, 10 academicians will work at the Institute in cooperation with the Avrasia Strategic Research Center (ASAM). The academicians will not simply conduct research on the allegations of the so-called Armenian genocide but also on the Armenian Diaspora, today's Armenian society, and Armenian politics and economics. The institute will also publish a magazine titled &quot;Armenian Research&quot; in English, which will be sent to foreign countries. Additionaly, Ottoman archives and the institute's research will be open to the public on the web site of the institute. /Cumhuriyet/ GERMANY TO FRANCE: &quot;TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR OWN HISTORY&quot; A representative of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, historian Rudolf von Thadden, called on France to face the negative elements of its own history, such as the Vichy regime and the Algerian war. /Milliyet/

    [15] FRENCH JURIST'S STATEMENT

    The French jurist reacted against the so-called Armenian genocide bill that was enacted after being approved by the French President Jacques Chirac. Jacques Roberts, who is a former member of the French Constitutional Court, stated that the French Constitution does not give the right of rewriting history to the French National Assembly. Robert added, &quot;This article has only the aim to influence various platforms. I understand that the Armenians do not want the law to forget them. Then why is nothing being done concerning the atrocities that occurred in Cambodia and Ruanda? If a new law is enacted every time a massacre occurs, then the National Assembly would have to spend all its time on the issue. When the Parliament wants to tell its opinion about such issues, it should try other ways. It is hard for me to understand why French law passes judgement on an incident that occurred outside our borders. Other countries might critize us for not enacting a law that accepts that we were not so brilliant in some of our colonies.&quot; /Aksam/

    [16] ARMENIANS HINDER CITY FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN PLEASANT HILL AND MERZIFON

    According to the &quot;San Francisco Gate&quot; newspaper, the Turkish city Merzifon and the American city Pleasant Hill, California, have been in touch within the framework of the sister city and cultural exchange program. A group of Armenians are trying to prevent this cultural contact on the premise that Armenians were massacred in this city. /Milliyet/

    [17] DANGEROUS COOPERATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST

    In a daily commentary in one of the German political dailies, 'Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung', it was written that Syria achieved rapprochement with Iraq in order to form a balance of power against Turkey and Israel. In the commentary that was written by Wolfgang Gunter Lerch, it was stated that Syria was worried about the rapprochement between Turkey and Israel and that it had moved closer to Iraq. In the article, it was added that with the cooperation agreement that was made between these two countries, not only the relations between Turkey and Israel will be followed, but also all the US and the European countries will be closely monitored. /Aksam/

    [18] NATIONAL PROGRAM FOCUSES ON EDUCATIONAL ADVANCE

    The draft of Turkey's National Program, which was prepared for Turkey's ongoing EU membership bid, stipulates reforms in the education system to be implemented by the end of this year. Related parts of the National Program, which was prepared by the Secretariat Genaral for the European Union in Turkey, was sent to the relevant ministries for examination. The draft under the title of &quot;Education, Internship and Youth,&quot; sent to the Education Ministry included the current status of education, the amendments to be implemented on the issue, and targets to be achieved in the long and short term. The draft program summarized the short term targets as follows: &quot;Amendments to the law in regards to the establishment and duties of the National Agency responsible for EU Youth and education programs will be included and put into practice. Turkey has aimed at reaching EU standards in the field of education with several projects, including the EU-backed Modernization of Professional and Technical Education project. The Socrates, Leonardo and Youth for Europe Programs are being explored for possible adaptation and use in Turkey. /Turkish Daily News/

    [19] GROSSMAN TO BE US DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE

    US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, will appoint Marc Grossman as Deputy Secretary of State. Grossman was an American Ambassdor to Turkey and he knows Turkey well. The decision is expected to be officially announced at the end of the week. /Cumhuriyet/

    [20] JONES' STATEMENT ABOUT THE BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE PROJECT

    American President George W. Bush's special advisor on Caspian Energy Policies, Elizabeth Jones, stated the Bush Administration supports the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project. Jones stated that the US Administration supported the construction of the pipeline project to help the Caspian States win their economic independence from Russia. Jones added, &quot;We want this pipeline project to helporder to develop new and reliable energy sources and to support the investments of the American companies, which will construct it. All of these strategic targets are in compliance with the views of the new Administration and its opinions about how the American foreign policy should be carried out in the Caspian region.&quot; /Aksam/

    [21] TEPE GROUP'S DECISION

    Just like the other private and public institutions, Tepe Group also decided to boycott France, which approved the so-called Armenian genocide bill. Tepe Home, which is attached to the Tepe Group of Companies, completely stopped the imports of 700 kinds of furniture and decorative materials from France, amounting to 1 million US dollars annually. General Director of Tepe Home, Gursel Usta, cited the so-called Armenian genocide bill that was approved by the French President Jacques Chirac as the cause of this decision. /Hurriyet/

    [22] ALCATEL EXCLUDED FORM AY-CELL BID

    France received another stroke from Turk-Telekom. Turk-Telekom, which will establish a GSM 1800 network called 'Ay-Cell', decided to exclude the French Alcatel Company from this bid that amounts to 1 billion US dollars. The Turk Telekom Administration held an internal meeting after the French President Jacques Chirac approved the so-called Armenian genocide bill and decided to exclude the French Alcatel Company from this bid. Turk Telekom is expected to announce its decision to the public soon. /Hurriyet/

    [23] THREE POWER-STATIONS RECEIVE AWARD IN THE US

    American Eximbank received the 'Best Financed Project of the Year' Award due to the financing package, which amounts to 1.5 billion US dollars and which was ensured for three electricity power-stations that will be implemented in Gebze, Adapazari and Izmir with the build-manage-operate model. In the most recent issue of the monthly 'Project Finance' magazine, which is one of the most important publications concerning infrastrastructure projects, it was written that the American Eximbank has undertaken political and commercial risk for the first time. Chairman of the American Eximbank, James Harmon, stated that this comprehensive financing that was ensured for these three projects showed the importance that is attached to Turkey. /Hurriyet/

    [24] PEHLIVAN'S STATEMENT

    Fatma Pehlivan, who started her duty by taking the oath as one of the 71 members of the Belgian Senate, stated that the European Union (EU) was double dealing against Turkey and was putting forward some excuses not to admit Turkey. Pehlivan, who is the daughter of a Macedonian family, stated that Turkey should give an ultimatum to the EU and that a concrete answer and date should be requested concerning the EU membership./Hurriyet/

    [25] A HISTORY OF TURKISH JEWS IS PUBLISHED

    Researcher and writer Hakan Alkan's third book, &quot;500 Year Adventure-Turkish Jews with Documents 1&quot; was released. Alkan asked certain questions in his book such as: &quot;Why did the Ottomans protect a nation who were treated with contempt all over Europe? Were the Jews able to adApt to the economic, social and political conditions of the Ottomans ?&quot; Using original documents in the Ottoman archives, Alkan said, &quot;Ottomans thought that Jews, who were successful in economic relations, were a community who would help improve the commercial, cultural and technical conditions in the Empire. Jews adapted to the conditions of the Ottoman Empire immediately and lived with a feeling of security.&quot; /Cumhuriyet/

    [26] DOUBLE `NO' FROM COURT IN FP CASE

    The Constitutional Court on Thurday rejected Virtue Party (FP) leader, Recai Kutan's request to apply Article 104 of the Political Party Law to the closure case against his party. Article 104 basically says the Constitutional Court should issue a warning to the political party before it launches a closure case against it. Previously Vural Savas, who at the time was the Chief Prosecutor of the Court of Cassation, asked the Constitutional Court to accept the video which showed a number of FP members chanting slogans praising the leader of the defunct Welfare Party (RP), Necmettin Erbakan, as evidence that the FP is the successor of the RP. The Court said the cassettes were taken after the closure case was opened against the FP. The next hearing is set for February 7. /Turkish Daily News/

    [27] TURAN GENC IN GREECE

    Security Director General, Turan Genc, left for Athens to attend a conference organized by the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). In a ceremony before the conference, Genc and his Greek colleague, Yanis Georgokopulos, emphasized the succesful cooperation between Turkish and Greek Security Organizations, especially during the capture of 513 kilos heroin last year. /Turkiye/

    [28] FEHRIYE ERDAL ACCUSED ON BELGIAN TV

    In a program on the Belgian RTBF channel, a rather objective approach was presented regarding the assassination of Turkish businessman Ozdemir Sabanci. The speaker of the Belgian Information Service (BIS), Jean-Baptiste De Smet, said DHKP-C is a dangerous terrorist organization and the BIS closely observes terrorists. He said it is clear that Fehriye Erdal was an accomplice to the murder, but she managed to leave the building before the murder was discovered. Belgian Justice Minister, Antoine Duquesne, said Belgium did not grant Erdal political asylum. They could not, however, extradite her because capital punishment has not been cancelled in Turkey. /Milliyet/ &quot;DESTINED GLORY&quot; MANEUVERS CANCELLED NATO canceled Destined Glory Maneuvers to prevent a possible crisis between Turkey and Greece. In last year's maneuvers, a crisis arose, as Greek fighters flew over the supposedly demilitarized Greek islands. As a result, Greece withdrew their fighters and warships on the last day of the maneuvers. /Milliyet/

    [29] RESEARCH ON TURKISH MIGRANTS IN GERMANY

    The Turkish Research Center conducted research on the conditions of Turkish migrants living in the former states of Eastern Germany. According to the results of the research, 0.09 % of 2.05 million Turkish citizens in Germany live in the former states of Eastern Germany, known today as new states. /Cumhuriyet/

    [30] TURKISH-IRANIAN PASSENGER TRAIN SERVICES TO RESUME

    Minister of Transportation Enis Oksuz, who was in Iran attending the second meeting of the Joint Transportation Commission, said on Thursday that passenger train services between Iran and Turkey will resume on March 12, 2001. Oksuz and his Iranian counterpart Rahman Dadman, put their signatures on a Memorandum of Understanding on Wednesday night aimed at bolstering cooperation to upgrade railway, airway and maritime transportation between the two countries. /Turkish Daily News/

    [31] BRITISH ROYAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION'S BOOK ON WORLD'S BEST LEADERS

    Founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, and the Ottoman sultans, Fatih Sultan Mehmed, Yavuz Sultan Selim and Kanuni Sultan Suleyman are among the prominent figures mentioned in the &quot;World's Best Military Leaders&quot; written by the historians of the British Royal History Association, Martin Windrow and Francis Mason. There are photographs of Ataturk in the book taken from the British special archives. /Sabah/

    [32] TURKISH SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM'S SUCCESS

    Although it has been just six days since the Indian earthquake registering 7.9 on the Richter scale, the hope of finding live persons is fading. However, the Turkish search and rescue team rescued a child yesterday morning. The Turkish team, which assisted other search and rescue workers in the city of Buj went under the ruins and saved a 13-year-old girl. The Turkish search and rescue team comprising 35 people went to India to assist in the search and rescue efforts on 27 January. They left for Turkey yesterday evening. /Aksam/

    [33] SAY RECEIVES AWARD FROM GERMANY

    Piano's golden child, Fazyl Say, received an award from Klassik Heute Magazine in Germany. The announcement of the award was made in the magazine's January, 2001 issue. /Cumhuriyet/

    [34] CENTRAL BANK ACHIEVED IMF CRITERIA

    The Central Bank yesterday said it achieved performance criteria on its net domestic assets and net international reserves, as outlined in Turkey's strengthened standby deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). /Turkish Daily News/

    [35] SUPPLEMENTARY LETTER OF INTENT TO BE EXAMINED BY IMF

    Treasury Undersecretary Selcuk Demiralp said the IMF Managing Board is examining the fourth letter of intent. Mr. Demiralp said the government will give detailed information next week. After the examination of the letter of intent, the IMF Managing Board will release $300 million standby credit and $1.1 billion supplementary Reserve Facility for Turkey's use. /Milliyet/ AKBAYGIL: &quot;SUPERVISION AND TRANSPARENCY ARE IMPORTANT IN BANKING SECTOR&quot; The Banking Union Executive Board Deputy Chairman, Akin Akbaygil, said supervision and transparencny are very important for development in banking sector. Speaking at the meeting, &quot;Risk Management for Banks in Accession Period&quot;, Akbaygil said, &quot;Without a development of the banking sector, the economy cannot have healthy growth.&quot; Stressing banking is profession at risk, he added, &quot;The sources of risks should be under control.&quot; /Turkiye/

    [36] FOREIGN BANKS TO INVEST IN TURKEY

    Treasury Undersecretary, Selcuk Demiralp, said foreigners' views of Turkey are positive. Answering questions posed by Reuters, Demiralp said, &quot;The Japanese rating organization, JCR, has a positive view about Turkey. The government's determination, and continuation of restructuring in government enterprises are ensuring a positive view to the foreign markets and rating organizations.&quot; Pointing to his meeting with authorities from Barclays Bank and UBS, Demiralp said, &quot;They expressed their desire to invest in Turkey. Regarding the fourth additonal letter of intent, he said, &quot;The IMF will meet Feb. 5 and discuss Turkey's letter of intent. We expect a declaration about the topic soon.&quot; Demiralp also added they estimate a lower interest rate this January than the one last year. /Turkiye/

    [37] NEW INVESTMENTS IN GAP

    The interest in the investments for the Southern Anatolia Project (GAP) is continuing. 24 projects are being carried out by the investor companies including Koc, Toprak, Dedeman, Kombassan and Dogu Holding. /Sabah/

    [38] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...

    &nbsp;

    [39] SELF-CRITICISM CAPABILITY BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)

    Columnist Yilmaz Oztuna points out the necessity of self-criticism. A summary of his column is as follows: &quot;The shadows falling on Turkey are the results of her past mistakes. When she was invited to the EU membership negotiations 23 years ago, Turkey asked for a period of 10 years. Greece who was invited together with Turkey immediately accepted the offer and received $ 50 billion when she was admitted to the Union. If Turkey had become a member on January 1, 1981, none of the incidents which took place during the last quarter of the century would have happened. Turkey would have received an equivalent amount extended to Spain around $ 140 billion and restructuring all its institutions would have reached the standards required. Annual income per capita would have exceeded five or ten thousand US dollars and reached almost 20 thousand dollars. In terms of Gross National Product this amounts to an annual $1.4 trillion. We would not have been subjected to the terrorist activities of ASALA, or spent $100 billion during the fight against the PKK. Armenian demands would not have been echoed in any of the parliaments in Europe. No one would have dared to get into a quarrel with Turkey, an EU member or a candidate on the way to becoming a member. There would not be any plots devised abroad. None of the unwanted incidents would have come to pass. Democracy in the country would have reached the stage as it is practiced in Holland and Portugal. Such a Turkey could have extended all kinds of support to the Central Asian states gaining their independence ten years ago as well as assisting in formation of relations with Europe. During the last 20 years, the requirements for EU membership have increased. Instead of implementing them gradually, we did not take any action. We got stuck in issues which are of no use. Worst of all, is that we did not learn any lessons from past experiences. We became a society unable to criticise itself. The standards of our modern age require a capability of self-criticism.&quot;

    [40] KOCHARIAN CONFUSES MINDS BY FERAI TINC (HURRIYET)

    Columnist Ferai Tinc comments on the interview Armenian President Robert Kocharian gave to journalist Mehmet Ali Birand. A summary of her column is as follows: &quot;Mehmet Ali Birand was received by the Armenian Head of State on the day the bill regarding the so-called Armenian genocide went into effect after being published in the Official Gazette. During the interview, Kocharian did not show any deviations from his basic policy but spoke very moderately. The striking messages were that the activities for the recognition of the so-called genocide were carried out by the Armenians throughout the world; Turkey has to recognize the genocide and apologize and the Armenian Republic does not have any territorial demands. He is not being sincere as there are close ties between Yerevan and the Armenians throughout the world. He is calling on them to work systematically to have the issue recognized in the US and European parliaments. In a speech he made to the members of the American Armenian Assembly on 26 October he said, 'Armenia will insist on the recognition of the 1915 genocide. This has a moral and political meaning for Armenia.' The same Kocharian is saying to the Turkish press that this is only a matter of honor and does not go into the political side of the issue. He is not saying that the references to Turkish territory under the name of Western Armenia are taking place both in her Constitution and declaration of independence. I am surprised while watching Kocharian, as the Armenian President deliberately confuses the line between genocide and deportation and presents them as one. He says it is sufficient for Turkey to open up the archives and apologize directly. Adding this may not be called a genocide in Turkey, Kocharian says it should be accepted that people were killed en masse and taken away from their lands. If so, why work to have genocide allegations approved by the US and European parliaments? Turkey does not recognize genocide, but nor does she deny the incidents in 1915, the oppression of the Armenians because they collaborated with the enemy, their relocation and that some unwanted extreme events took place. Talat Pasha, in a speech he delivered at the last Unity and Progress Congress on November 1, 1918 said, 'Deportation took place everywhere in places only where it was necessary and in an orderly fashion. However, on this occasion animosities already seen among the population exploded and led to unwanted corruptions. Many civil servants showed unnecessary violence. In many places innocent people were victimized. I admit this fact.' In fact, the guilty were punished. 1393 people were sentenced to various punishments including the death sentence. While asking for recognition, Kocharian states that it would lead to good relations between Armenia and Turkey. We are all for improving relations with our neighbours including Armenia. However, it cannot be done now due to such a campaign. Not only Turkey, but all countries such as Armenia, France, Russia and Germany should open their archives. This call for the opening of archives should come from Turkey.&quot; <_ul>

    &nbsp; <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tr> <td width="100%">

    <dl> <dt>FORMER ISSUES</dt> </dl> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <_table>


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