7
May 2001
1. "Toll in Turkish prison hunger-strike
climbs to 22", a hunger-strike over controversial prison
reforms in Turkey claimed the lives of two more inmates on Monday, bringing
to 22 the overall death toll since the protest began in October, with
little hope of a resolution in the near future.
2. "Turkey reopens Iraq rail-link",
the first train to travel between Turkey and Iraq in almost 20 years
has arrived in Baghdad marking the likely resumption of commercial rail
links between the two neighbours.
3. "Iraq warns neighbors against 'smart sanctions'",
amid the visit of Turkish trade delegation to this country, Iraq warned
its neighbour countries not to cooperate with U.S.-sponsored "smart
sanctions" -- a tighter arms embargo coupled with relaxed controls
on civilian good imports -- or they would lose trade with Baghdad.
4. "Prison reform, Banking Law amendment top Parliament
agenda", the agenda of the Turkish Parliament is expected
to be dominated this week with two crucially important drafts, but the
public will be able to read limited coverage of developments on this
and other issues in Parliament as the ban on journalists in the wings
of the legislature remains in force.
5. "We are ready", Ocalan, who wants
officials from the Turkish Republic and Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) to
send a delegation to South Kurdistan [Iraq Kurdistan] for dialogue,
said that they were ready to fulfill what was asked of them for Turkey's
interests.
6. "Ecevit looked for support", Ecevit,
visiting Madrid as a guest of Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar,
confessed the shortcomings on human rights in Turkey. Ecevit said, "I
know some of the deficiencies, shortcomings on human rights."
1. - AFP - "Toll in Turkish prison hunger-strike
climbs to 22":
ANKARA
A hunger-strike over controversial prison reforms in Turkey claimed
the lives of two more inmates on Monday, bringing to 22 the overall
death toll since the protest began in October, with little hope of a
resolution in the near future. Huseyin Kayaci, 32, who was serving time
in Buca prison in the west of the country, died at a state hospital,
a spokeswoman for the Turkish Human Rights Association (IHD) told AFP.
He had joined the hunger-strike in December last year
and then took a 20-day break only to rejoin it in January, she said.
The second death was in Ankara, where Cafer Tayyar Bektas, jailed for
membership of an extreme left-wing group, perished in a hospital. He
had started starving himself in November last year, the spokeswoman
said. Hundreds of mainly left-wing inmates launched the hunger-strike
in October last year against the introduction of new jails with tighter
security where they feared they would be more vulnerable to ill treatment.
The new "F-type" prisons, with cells holding up to three people,
replaced large dormitories for up to 60 people.
Of those who have died, 18 are prisoners and four are
relatives of inmates who joined the strike in solidarity. All have died
since March 21. Around 800 prisoners are still on hunger strike, with
about half of them pledging to starve to death, according to figures
given by the justice ministry. Backed by human rights activists at home
and abroad, the prisoners argue
that they would be subject to social alienation and be more vulnerable
to ill-treatment and torture by prison officials when locked up in smaller
units. Despite the mounting death toll, the government has refused to
back down on the introduction of new prisons, maintaining that the packed
dormitories were the main factor behind frequent riots and hostage-taking
incidents in its unruly jails.
In December, thousands of paramilitary troops raided scores
of prisons across the country in a bid to break the hunger strike and
regain control of the jails. The four-day operation, which saw security
forces bulldozing prison walls, left 30 prisoners and two soldiers dead.
Since then, more than 1,000 inmates have been transferred to F-type
prisons despite a government pledge that the new jails would not become
operational until a social consensus has been reached on their introduction.
The protestors, who originally demanded the closure of the new jails,
recently signalled that they might abandon their action if the isolation
conditions are lifted. A recently-adopted government bill lifting a
ban on convicts serving sentences for terrorism associating with other
prisoners in recreational areas has been slammed by human rights activists
as insufficient and unsatisfactory. Turkey has been facing increasing
calls from the European Union, which it is aspiring to join, to take
decisive action to end the hunger-strike. Last week, two members of
the European Parliament urged Ankara to start talks with the hunger-strikers
and lift conditions of isolation to ensure a humane environment.
2. - BBC - "Turkey reopens Iraq rail-link":
By the BBC's Tom Hagler
The first train to travel between Turkey and Iraq in almost 20 years
has arrived in Baghdad marking the likely resumption of commercial rail
links between the two neighbours.
For many years, diplomatic relations between the two countries have
been strained. But they are now getting back on track.
On board were just 26 passengers - a mixture of Turkish dignitaries,
businessmen and journalists.
But both Ankara and Baghdad are confident that many more will be making
the trip in the near future as relations between the two neighbours
continue to improve.
The rail link was closed in 1981 following regional disagreements.
Gulf War
Relations between the two countries reached a new low during the 1991
Gulf War: Turkey opposed Baghdad's invasion of Kuwait and backed the
Allies.
It continued that support by allowing Allied planes to use it as a base
to carry out air-raids over northern Iraq.
But Turkey's opposition to Saddam Hussein came at a price - $35bn worth
in bilateral trade, according to the Turkish Government.
So it is with some eagerness that Turkey now hopes to re-establish regular
commercial links with its neighbour.
And with the possibility of United Nations sanctions against Iraq being
scaled down - Ankara clearly feels now is as good a time as any to renew
an old business relationship.
3. - Turkish Daily News - "Iraq warns neighbors
against 'smart sanctions'":
Amid the visit of Turkish trade delegation to this country, Iraq warned
its neighbour countries not to cooperate with U.S.-sponsored "smart
sanctions" -- a tighter arms embargo coupled with relaxed controls
on civilian good imports -- or they would lose trade with Baghdad.
Turkey has been one of those countries that asks to be lifted of U.N
sanctions against Iraq since it has lost approximately $100 billion
dollar so far because of the economic embargo. Therefore, it has lobbied
to lift or at least soften the sanctions imposed.
Even though Turkey has not revealed any thought and view so far regarding
with the `smart sanction', it is clear that Turkey wants to continue
arm control over Iraq.
"Any country that deals with the new American plan will lose its
trade dealings with Iraq," Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Foreign
Minister Tareq Aziz told reporters.
He threaten particularly Turkey by saying: "Any country that wants
to maintain its national interest through trade with Iraq will reject
(this) American plan," Aziz said.
He was referring to a U.S. plan that would tighten controls on Iraq's
borders to curb illicit trade with its neighbors.
Turkey, despite certain U.S. opposition, in recent days, has made great
efforts to boost economic ties with Iraq to overcome its devastating
economic crisis. A crowded Turkish business delegation visited this
country two months ago and a small delegation still visiting this country.
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said last Thursday he was making
progress toward a new package of sanctions against Iraq and hoped to
change the system when the United Nations reviews the decade-old sanctions
regime in June.
Few details of the U.S. plan have been disclosed. The Washington Post
reported in March the plan would entail posting U.N. monitors outside
Iraqi borders and at key foreign airports.
Countries neighboring Iraq would be enticed to cooperate in exchange
for the chance to buy Iraqi oil at discounted prices, according to the
Washington daily.
Some or all of their payments might be deposited into special accounts
that Iraq could use only to buy imports from these neighbors, such as
Jordan, Syria and Turkey.
Baghdad currently maintains strong trade links with Jordan, Syria and
Turkey despite the U.N. trade embargo imposed on Iraq for its 1990 invasion
of Kuwait.
Under special arrangements exempted from the U.N. sanctions, Baghdad
has supplied Jordan with all its oil needs since 1990. In return Amman
exports various civilian commodities to Baghdad.
Syria and Turkey import Iraqi oil outside the U.N. sanctions system,
paying cash directly to the Baghdad government and not to the U.N. escrow
account.
"The so-called 'smart sanctions' plan is a political game launched
by the United States in order to find a way out for its failing policy
on Iraq," Aziz said. "I believe that neighboring countries
will not deal with these American proposals because they will suffer
economic losses."
The new proposals were the theme of Powell's trip to the Middle East
in February, his first major trip abroad. Since then U.S. officials
have said they continue to work on the details.
Turkish business delegation meet Iraqi deputy prime minister
A Turkish business delegation being in Iraq to boost bilateral economic
relations and headed by Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursat Tuzmen were
received by Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Hikmet
Al Azzavi on Sunday
Tuzmen reportedly informed Al Azzavi about Turkey's latest economic
program and asked Iraqi side more efforts to improve bilateral relations.
Azzavi also said they has been followed Turkey closely particularly
economic program and added Iraq was ready to be helpful for Turkey to
overcome economic crisis.
4. - Turkish Daily News - "Prison reform, Banking
Law amendment top Parliament agenda":
The agenda of the Turkish Parliament is expected to be dominated this
week with two crucially important drafts, but the public will be able
to read limited coverage of developments on this and other issues in
Parliament as the ban on journalists in the wings of the legislature
remains in force.
The ban, which amounts to an effective censure on the press, was introduced
by the speakership of Parliament on May 2, just a day before the international
press freedom day, on grounds that parliamentarians were not comfortable
in Parliament wings because of press scrutiny.
Protesting the ban, the Parliamentary Correspondents' Association (PMD)
declared last week that until this issue was resolved they would not
cover developments in Parliament.
In meeting protesting journalists last Friday, Parliament Speaker Omer
Izgi pledged to resolve the issue within a context that would satisfy
both deputies and journalists.
The speakership council of Parliament is expected to convene on Tuesday
to discuss the agenda of the Turkish legislature. The speakership council
is anticipated to increase the working hours of Parliament. The ruling
parties want the legislature to work every day until all agenda issue
debates of the day are completed.
Parliament is also expected to work on Friday
The speakership council is expected to decide to offer to parliamentary
debate with priority the drafts amending laws on the execution of penalties
and administration of prisons.
Other issues expected to be handled by Parliament include the draft
on protection of the rights of animals, the draft on protection of farmer's
properties, the draft on land transportation and the draft on marine
products.
The government is expected to present to Parliament this week the draft
amending the Banking Law. If government presents that amendment draft,
the Plan and Budget Commission is anticipated to handle it with urgency.
If debates at the commission on the draft are completed by midweek,
parliamentary debate over the draft is expected to be held on Thursday
or Friday.
The parliamentary Justice Commission will continue debating the draft
amending the Civil Code.
5. - Kurdish Observer - "We are ready":
Ocalan, who wants officials from the Turkish Republic and Turkish Armed
Forces (TSK) to send a delegation to South Kurdistan [Iraq Kurdistan]
for dialogue, said that they were ready to fulfill what was asked of
them for Turkey's interests.
Participating by telephone on the Kurdish-language Rojev program on
Medya-TV the other evening, PKK Council of Leaders member Osman Ocalan
called on Turkish government and military officials to send a delegation
to South Kurdistan for dialogue.
Ocalan said that they were ready to fulfill what was asked
of them for Turkey's interests and continued to say the following: "We
are ready to debate whatever they ask of us. Let's debate the things
you find dangerous and develop paths of solution. We are saying for
you to send a delegation for this. We are making this call of ours not
because we fear Turkey but because we don't want to see harm come to
the people and Turkey." Evaluating Turkey and other regional countries
in the last twenty years during his talk, Ocalan said that they called
these years the revolutionary period. Ocalan said that they were living
through a similar period today, and touched on the necessity of forces
wanting a change in the system to play a role in this. "The days
we are living now want a democratic attack," Ocalan said. He added
that the forces which were keeping the system on its feet were not as
strong now as they were in the past, but stressed that the forces on
the side of change had remained weak.
Democratic initiative...
Ocalan said that the Kurdish National Movement must take
an initiative, and described the situation of the segments which comprise
the system as follows: "The army in Turkey cannot stage a coup
again. The forces of the right also do not have the strength left to
make an initiative. In that case, forces outside the system must take
a step and conclude this with a transformation of democratic process.
The environment in Turkey is ready for change. As for the forces which
will realize this change, they are the Kurdish National Movement and
labor. Of these, the Labor Platform is democratic, even if there are
regressive forces within it, but its program is weak. The Kurdish National
Movement, for its part, is stronger and more coordinated, but they also
remain weak in the role of taking the lead."
Comprehensive democracy plan
When explaining the deficiencies of the Kurdish National
Movement, Ocalan discussed the necessity of initiative from two angles,
commenting as follows: "The first is a democratic initiative. In
this framework, the Kurdish National Movement must open to all segments
of society. If necessary, they must establish relations with persons
one by one. The second point is that the Kurdish National Movement must
secure an initiative within itself. It must overcome regressiveness
and the conservatives within itself and adopt a democratic culture.
It must criticize itself before the people and must have a comprehensive
democracy plan." Osman Ocalan concluded his remarks by saying,
"If this event we call the democratic transformation process develops
in this manner, the transformation will be realized within one or two
years."
6. - Ozgur Politika - "Ecevit looked for support":
Ecevit, visiting Madrid as a guest of Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria
Aznar, confessed the shortcomings on human rights in Turkey. Ecevit
said, "I know some of the deficiencies, shortcomings on human rights."
Ecevit and Aznar held a meeting in Madrid. After the meeting the two
prime ministers released a common press statement.
Ecevit replied a question of a correspondent on human
rights violations with words to the effect: "I know some of the
deficiencies, shortcomings on human rights. But we as government submit
law drafts and proposals one after the other and The Grand National
Assembly pass them working continuously. There are laws on human rights
as well as economic ones."
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that full membership
to EU is an essential objective, even a right, adding that relationships
between Turkey and Spain are not consisted of only friendship but are
developing economically and commercially.
His Spanish counterpart Jose Maria Aznar, for his part
pointed out that relationship between the two countries is at a "very
satisfactory" level, and trade in 2001 increased three times than
that of 1996.