• ÇILLER : I HAVE ALSO CHANGED LIKE ECEVIT
• DTP SUPPORTS MINORITY GOVERNMENT
• COMMENTARY: THE LIMITS, NO NAMED (Ismet Berkan)
• COMMENTARY: DEFFICULT TO DEFEND PEACE IN DIYARBAKIR (C.Baslangic)

3. FOREIGN AFFAIRS …………………..4

• LEGAL ACTION AGAINST ITALY
• NATO IS RESPONSIBLE OF PALME MURDER
• COMMENTARY: NATIONAL STATE OR EU? (Tükrü Elekdad)
• GERMAN AMBASSADOR VERGAU: APO SHOULD BE HANDED TO TURKEY

4. ECONOMY ……………………………..6

• PRECAUTIONS ARE COMING

5. TV NEWS CAST ……………………….7

HEADLINES:

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LAST WORD IS CHP'S

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The historical meeting will be held today. Ankara is waiting the results of this meeting. Ecevit is to meet Baykal todat at 14.00. Ecevit, who has been given the duty to establish the government, met DTP (Democrat Turkey Party) leader Cindoruk yesterday. " I got support for a DSP minority government." said Ecevit after the meeting, whereas Cindoruk said, " Ecevit is showing efforts that fits his historical personality."
After the meeting, Ecevit announced that he may meet Baykal immediately. However Baykal who was busy, gave an appointment for today. The meeting of the two leaders that will be held today at 14.00, will be the critical turning point in the establishment process of the 56^th government. Ecevit said to a Milliyet reporter what he will be telling Baykal: " I will explain him the grounds for my suggestion of DSP minority government and ask for support. When this suggestion is obvious, it would not be right for me to bring on the agenda a second formula." said DSP leader. Upon the question what his approach will be if Baykal brings forward an opposing suggestion, Ecevit gave the following reply: " I am insistent on the proposal of my minority government. If he brings forward a different suggestion, that's another issue of evaluation."

(Milliyet 1, 14)

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BAYKAL: I HAVE A SURPRISE

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CHP Leader Deniz Baykal whom Ecevit will meet today, said "By displaying the situation, I shall become constructive."

After DTP leader Husamettin Cindoruk voiced approval for the minority government model which he mocked until yesterday, the partners of the 55^th government have reached agreement on a new government. Meanwhile, Baykal will propose "A coalition of the clean ones" to Ecevit.

Baykal is preparing to turn down the proposals to be made by Ecevit today, at their meeting that will start at 14.00. Yesterday Baykal said "There are plots devised, from the president to other places, to keep this government. People are scared with the February 28 process (the memorandum of soldiers that eventually forced the TruePath-Welfare Parties out of power.nta).

Baykal said he will have surprises . "Follow this meeting very carefully" he said.

Daily Hurriyet: EVERYTHING SETTLED IF BAYKAL SAYS YES

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After the Motherland Party, the Democratic Turkey Party also extended full support to Ecevit who thus gained a 210-seat support at Parliament. If Baykal also says "yes" today, then Ecevit will be able of forming a minority government.

If Baykal gives his support to Ecevit, the support to Ecevit’s government will total 265 seats. The total votes of the opposition is 256. To receive a vote of confidence, 265 votes are sufficient.

The latest situation of Parliament is as follows:

Those who say "Yes" : 210

DSP:61

ANAP:136

DTP:13

Abstaining:

CHP: 55

Rejecting: 256

Virtue Party: 144

True Path Party:99

Others:13

Daily YeniYuzyil: RAW OVER FEBRUARY 28

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The polarization that occurred during the efforts of Ecevit to form a government, locked once more politics, over February 28. President Demirel who said "There can not be any revenge of February 28", stirred up the controversy over the regime. The officials of the True Path Party are saying that Demirel is trying to have a new govrenment to be formed, by creating fear and pressures.

Upon speculations of February 28, Virtue Party leader Recai Kutan proposed to Ciller to jointly name a new prime minister candidate and hand this name to Demirel.

YeniYuzyil columnist Kerem Caliskan says that "Ciller is waging her political fight, hand-in-hand with Fazilet Party and to reverse the February 28 process and to take her ervenge from this process. This quarrel may drag Turkey once more into a fight of regime and secularism. This attitude of Ciller is fostering the atmosphere of polarization in Turkey."

(Radikal,1,6;Hurriyet,1,30;Yeniyuzyil,1,4)

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THREE MESSAGES OF YILMAZ

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Visiting Hurriyet office, PM Mesut Yilmaz gave three messages which namely were:

• APO: He may be sent to Albania
• Success in elections: For us, gaining success at elections, means to receive 30 % or more of votes.
• Economic crisis: 60 % of the strain, is Psychological.

Yilmaz said that Italy will definitely sent Apo to a third country. "We have proposed Pakistan but they refused. They wanted Northern Korea but we rejected it. US opposed sending him to Libya. Now emphasis in placed in Albania.

On the crisis, Yilmaz said "60 per cent of this crisis is Psychological. Everyone has to act with responsibility. We took the necessary measures. The written press acts with responsibility. The TV can be more careful to facilitate our efforts."

"Anap emerges as the number-one party in opinion surveys. Hoewver I expect a success if it is above 30 %."

(Hurriyet,1)

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EVERYTHING IS BASED ON EXPORTS

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The economic measures package taken by the government against the economic crisis, produced incentives for exports and measures to prevent imports with dampings and increase production.

Finance Minister Zekeriya Temizel and State Minister Isin Celebi explained the new package , which includes decisions aimed at increasing exports and production. The package attempts to cut down damping-based imports which damage localproduction. The luggage trade has been facilitated so as to increase exports.

The statement of the government said that the salary hike to be offered to public servants in January will somewhat relax the shrinking market.

Under the new package the capital of Eximbank was increased to 1 bililon dollars and 35 trillion TL will be transferred over in three days, for exports.

State Minister Isin Celebi categorically refused speculations that there will be a devaluation.

Measures taken by the government include;

• Following strictly, the damping-based imports which damage local production
• Carrying out with greater discipline, specialization customs practices
• Finding new exchange items for luggage trade
• Increasing the capital of Eximbank to 1 billion dollars
• To avail raw material for the industry, on a 6-month term, free of interest
• Zeroing the deduction of the Source Utilization Support Fund
• Including those exporting above 1 billion dollars will be included in the reliable group.

(Zaman,1,5)

***

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ÇILLER : I HAVE ALSO CHANGED LIKE ECEVIT

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DYP (True Path Party) leader Tansu Çiller held a meeting with businessmen and demanded support. She said she has changed a lot like DSP (Democratic Left Party ) leader Bülent Ecevit. The close relation between Ecevit and businessmen excited Tansu Çiller and now she wants to establish close relations too. However she had blamed the businessmen and called them vampires. She also said that FP (Virtue Party) must not be excluded from the political life.

(Milliyet 11)

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DTP SUPPORTS MINORITY GOVERNMENT

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DTP (Democrat Turkey Party) leader Hüsamettin Cindoruk gave full support to DSP leader Bülent Ecevit on his minority government model. Ecevit told Cindoruk that they have enough deputies to establish the government and he is going to decrease the number of ministerS. (There are 19 ministers in the cabinet) Ecevit reminded they had a good coalition period and said DTP supports his model. He also said that he is going to meet with CHP (Republican People’s Party) leader Baykal and FP(Virtue Party) leader Recai Kutan.

(Milliyet 15)

***

COMMENTARY / ISMET BERKAN / RADIKAL

THE LIMITS, NO NAMED

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"... The President had asked three questions to the political party leaders in the framework of forming the new government: The postponement of the elections, two-round municipal elections, and the limitation of the immunities.

The President had said to Deniz Baykal (The leader of CHP /Republican People’s Party): "These are not the questions of mine. But I have to ask them. Because there are some anxieties".

Rumor is that, these anxieties, voiced by the President, belong to the soldiers.

According to an opinion poll, HADEP has the potential to gain the municipalities in many constituencies. Therefore, a Two-round system could hinder this success. (...)

Now I want to tell the impressions which I had at the end of a conversation. (...)

"A line is drawn on Virtue Party. This party can not come to power, can not take part in power, can not effect the power. Even if not on DYP (True Path Party), on its leader, a line is drawn. Tansu Ciller can not the prime minister and can not partake the government. Even if not on ANAP (Motherland Party), on Mesut Yilmaz a line is drawn. But there is a difference: The line on Yilmaz, not as thick as that of Çiller. Attention, I don’t say ‘thinner’, I say, ‘not as thick as that of Çiller"

And one more sentence:

"The February 28 (the date in which the military had given an ultimatum in the National Security Council to the REFAHYOL / Welfare Party plus True Path Party coalition-nta) is a war. There will be no retreat in this war. There are two lines: One is green, the other is red. The green line is the first defense line. The red line is the last defense line which can not be taken a step more to the backward from it. Nobody can push us beyond this line."

This short expressions show how narrow the street of politics is.

The President is walking on this narrow street. Perhaps he has his anxieties but he has to walk on. (...) "

(Radikal December 14, p.3)

***

COMMENTARY: CELAL BASLANGIC-RADIKAL

DIFFICULT TO DEFEND PEACE IN DIYARBAKIR

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"… Ali Hayvar Veziroglu, the Chairman of the Peace Party (BP) held a hall meeting in Diyarbakir in which he explained his Social Peace Project. This is the first meeting allowed by authorities in Diyarbakir after the 1995 elections. There is great pressures on the HADEP (People’s Democracy Party) and the residents in Diyarbakir. A few months ago the assistants chairman of the party were not allowed even to leave the airplane and flown back. However this time BP suporters were alowed to enter the city with a convoy.

A 20-year-old youngster of Diyarbakir has not had a single normal day in his life, having the martial law from 1978 to 1987 and the state of emergency from 1987 up to now.

The BP was not allowed to hang posters for its meeting and announcements by loud speakers.

…48 % of Diyarbakir’ population is between the ages 0-14. There is extraordinary poverty and a great number of children on the streets. Veziroglu had spent 2 mililon dollars, to explain his Social Peace Project, through 700 booklets and his Diyarbakir trip on board a private plane. In spite of all idfficulties he organized his meeting in this city. Veziroglu says "The number-one issue, is the Kurdish problem. No one can ignore the necessity to recognize the Kurdish identity. What important is citizenship, the patriotism for Turkey."

"You may agree or erject this ideas but it is not possible to ignore the effort of peace in this initiative…"

(Radikal,7)

***

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LEGAL ACTION AGAINST ITALY

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Turkey made a report of crime about Diliberto, Minister of Justice who had made a statement before the final decision on APO case. Turkey have made a call for crime about Italian Minister of Justice Oliviero Diliberto on grounds of "seizing the authority of the judiciary and misusing his office". Diliberto had said Ocalan's extradition was out of question, before Ocalan was judged. " According to the Federal Government Ocalan should be extradited to Turkey" said Germany's Ambassador to Ankara, stating that the German government wants Ocalan who is currently in Italy to be judged.

(Milliyet 1 , 12)

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NATO IS RESPONSIBLE OF PALME MURDER

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Baby killer APO claimed that NATO is responsible for the murder of the ex prime minister of Sweden Olof Palme. In his interview with French journalists APO said he also visited Athens on his way to Rome. He said PKK is being blamed for the Palme murder but his organization has no connection with the murder. "They are claming that PKK killed him.. It is not true. It is a conspiracy . We all know that his murder was planned by the hard liners in NATO. Palme was supporting national liberation movements" said APO. He also said he resigned from PKK. "The organization must reestablished. And must not be a marginal organization. That is why I resigned" added APO.

(Hürriyet 28)

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COMMENTARY / SUKRU ELEKDAG / MILLIYET

NATIONAL STATE OR EU?

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"EU does not know, what to do with Turkey. After Turkey’s exclusion from the candidacy of EU in Luxembourg Summit, Ankara- EU relations came to a breaking point. (...)

The decision, taken by European Parliament in November 3, linked the membership of Turkey to the solution of the Kurdish problem. So it showed that the door being shut in Brussels would not be open in Vienna.

The decision of EP is a recommended one. But it is important because the political weight of EP in EU is growing and some European leaders want to find a political solution to the Kurdish problem on the European platforms. Furthermore for the membership of EU, EP’s acceptance is a decisive factor.

The decision of EP clarified the criterion of Copenhagen. The Copenhagen criterion, together with Maastricht Agreement, had built the ideology of Europe on two elements: The political and the economical.

According to the political criterion, the candidates must have the stabilized institutions guaranteeing the democracy, superiority of Law, human and the minority rights. The economical criterion require a market economy working in a healthy way.

The compulsory criterion for the minority rights are described in the country reports, written by EU Commission. These criterion, prepared in accordance with the Framework Convention of European Council for Protecting the National Minorities and the 1201 numbered Recommendation Decision of the European Council. According to these criterion the candidate countries must guarantee, (1) the right of the representation in the parliaments and in the municipalities, (2) the right of education and the publication in their languages, and (3) the right for using their languages in the courts and administrative offices.

"Now in the light of this knowledge let’s look at the decision of European Parliament. In the decision, those are being wanted for the Kurds: Cultural rights; the rights of expression, publication and education in their languages; to give an end to the oppression; to release the political prisoners including Leyla Zana; and to abolish the Emergency Law.

Besides, in the decision, these proposals are being made: To accept the cease fire declared by PKK; to sit around a table with the representatives of the Kurdish people; to abolish the election threshold (10 Per cent); to give cultural rights to the Kurds; and to make the necessary changes in the Constitution to annul the constitutional roles of the military.

"Also there is a call in the decision to convene an international conference to find a solution to the Kurdish problem which will satisfy all the sides.

This expression in the decision is attracting the attentions: "To find a solution to the Kurdish problem will create the positive consequences in the democracy, in the human and the minority rights and make it easy to conform the criterions of Copenhagen."

"It’s clear that EU will not open its door to Turkey unless it find a solution to the Kurdish problem. (...)

THE DILEMMA OF TURKEY

"Had Turkey accepted the concepts like the "racial, lingual, and religious minorities" which had been forced in Lausanne (Swiss city in which the allied forces of the First World War recognized the existence of the new Turkish state, signing an agreement –nta) could Republic of Turkey be found as a "unitary state"? Had it been found, could it live for the 75 years?

Certainly no! But unfortunately still these problems are going on to exist.

"The nation-states, products of the capitalization process rising from the industrial revolutions and the national identity, a concept underlying of it, arouse in the beginning of the 19^th century in Europe. Thanks to this process, these states have assimilated their minorities. They have no problem with the minorities now.

But the Ottomans, missed the illumination and the industrialization train. As to the Republic of Turkey which emerged from the ashes of the Ottoman Empire, it was built from the top, using the concepts of nation-state, nationalism, secularism, republicanism and the populism. But the success is not complete yet.

That’s the problem.

Had Turkey applied all the criterion (of Copenhagen), would it continue the process of being a nation? Would not it give up to be a unitary state? Would not the process of "ethnical disintegration" begin?

"It’s clear that Turkey has a dilemma: Either it will prefer (to be a constituent of) EU or will continue the nation-state process. Is there another way?

According to me yes, there is. Had EU opened its door to Turkey with a milder approach, Turkey, certainly, would appropriate the more elastic policies for the minorities in the security atmosphere which would be created in the integration process with Europe. In an atmosphere like this, the separatism would lost its attractiveness in the eyes of the Kurds. And it would give an opportunity to Turkey for overcoming its difficulties. Unfortunately Europe does not want to see the truth."

(Milliyet December 14, p.19)

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GERMAN AMBASSADOR VERGAU: APO

SHOULD BE HANDED TO TURKEY

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Germany’s Ambassador to Turkey, Hans Joachim Vergau said that the German Government wanted to place Abdullah Ocalan before court and "According to the Federal Government, he should be extradited to Turkey."

Vergau who lectured for the students of the Agricultural Faculty of the Aegean University on "Germany, Turkey and Europe", said that his country fought against terrorism, together with Turkey. He also recalled that PKK has been banned in Germany and "Will remain so."

Ambassador Vergau said, the federal government can not demand the extradition of Ocalan to Germany. This would have been an irresponsible behavior. The Turkish government understands the stand taken by Germany. According to the federal government Ocalan should be handed to Turkey. The conditions set forth by Italy should be fulfilld for this purpose.

Vergau added that , those who claim that Germany wants to divide Turkey, are talking nonsense.

(Yeniyuzyil,5)

***

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PRECAUTIONS ARE COMING

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Incentives are being put into force by a series of precautions taken by the Yilmaz government. Minister of Finance, Zekeriya Temizel, and State Minister Itın Celebi announced the details of the urgent measures package that had been declared on Friday. It has also been announced that VAT exemption has been brought on exports. There is energy support for steel and textile sectors. 8 trillion TL of the 35 trillion that has been allotted to Eximbank has been transferred. The rest will be completed tomorrow. Temizel told the automobile producers who demand tax discount, to drop the prices.

(Milliyet 9)

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CENTRAL BANK FOREIGN CURRENCY RATES

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SECTION TWO

NEWS ON THE AIR December 14, 1998

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

• Precautions came from Yilmaz government to prevent a crisis in Turkish economy. Incentives are being put into force by a series of precautions taken by the Yilmaz government.

Minister of Finance, Zekeriya Temizel, and State Minister Itın Celebi announced the details of the urgent measures package that had been declared on Friday.

• German Foreign Minister Ficher said membership process of Turkey will not be very easy and in short term.

• DSP leader Bülent Ecevit will meet with CHP leader Deniz Baykal to get support to his minority government model. It was reported that this will be the most important meeting at government discussions. CHP had previously announced that it will not support a minority government.

* Today temperatures will be as follows:

***