PULSE of TURKEY No: 75-81 .................................................... DECEMBER 1998

PULSE of TURKEY No:75 THE GOVERNMENT’S IMPRESSIVE FIGHT AGAINST ORGANIZED CRIME

The never-ending fight against organized crime becomes the Government’s problem in both domestic and external policies, but attracts security forces’ appreciation and support. Of over 2000 unknown murders all have been uncovered thanks to the fight against organized crime, and the TL1 quadrillion cut off from the drug Mafia is transferred to low income groups, says the Prime Minister. For the impressive list of the eliminated gang of organized criminals and its impact on the formation of the government, see the article below.

PULSE of TURKEY No:76 WHAT ARE ECEVIT’S CHANCES TO LEAD TURKEY TO ELECTIONS? 

The answer is clearly almost one hundred per cent and everything will unroll within the Constitution. As to why, how, with whom and what’s next read the article below with Pulse’s four decades of experience and objective and accurate reporting of Turkey’s domestic and external policies.

PULSE of TURKEY No:77 EUROPE’S SUPPORT OF ÖCALAN AND SÈVRE

President Demirel tries to curb PKK activities in neighbouring countries. Kurdish activities abroad are viewed by the Turkish Government as Europe’s wish to revive the Sèvre Treaty. The TGS and President Demirel stand firm against European help to the PKK with warnings. Italy makes proposals to Turkey about Öcalan. The United States puts down its weight in Turkey’s favour on the Öcalan issue, but expresses doubt about the Ecevit Government.

PULSE of TURKEY No:78 AMBITIOUS ENERGY INVESTMENTS IN CRISIS PERIOD

Turkey will surpass Spain in 2010 and the UK and Italy in 2020 in electricity generation, says PM Yýlmaz. President Demirel explains measures to find the $30-40 billion needed in the next 10 years for this ambitious plan. While OECD will averaged 1.4% growth a year in energy till 2010 Turkey’s average is 8%. Turkish-American cooperation plan in action may help the realization of the target. The President calls for amendments to facilitate this cooperation and American investments in Turkey especially in the energy sector.

 

PULSE of TURKEY No:79 ECEVIT TRIES A NEW CONCEPT FOR GOVERNMENT:

A “reinforced minority government” by the fourth political party in Parliament, the DSP. Having failed to win over the DYP or the CHP to a government under himself, Ecevit is now straining the bounds of parliamentary possibilities for leading the country to elections. What is it all about? What are the chances of success? What are the alternatives? Will there be a change of horses in midstream? For the exciting story of Turkey’s current position and the factors behind the government crisis, see the article below.

PULSE of TURKEY No:80 US-UK MILITARY ACTION IN IRAQ AND TURKEY

Turkey’s reaction to a possible American bombing of Iraq was active objection last February and it contributed greatly to Kofi Annan’s eventual agreement with Saddam Hussein in Baghdad thereby forestalling the military action. Ten months later, last week, Turkey’s “active opposition” had turned into passive observation as more missiles were showered on Iraqi military installations in four days than the entire Gulf war in 1990-1991. The following is the short story of the reasons and prospects for future of the Iraq dilemma from Turkey’s angle.

PULSE of TURKEY No:81 ECEVÝT’S REASONS FOR ABANDONING GOVERNMENT FORMATION

Ecevit could have easily formed the Government, but he clearly chose not to as part of a wider strategy. The conditions for the FP’s support of the prospective Ecevit Government had already been prepared and all the PM-designate needed was to give the go-ahead, but he did not. The reasons that kept Ecevit away from Kutan will be the stumbling block in the efforts of his successor, Erez, to form the government. In return, Erez has some trump cards in his favour. One thing is certain – whoever is the PM, the government will be “the Yýlmaz Government minus Yýlmaz” and it will introduce a two-step election system for local government. Erez denies it and says that he will suggest the leaders neither postpone the elections nor change the election system, but the President persists and the constitutional mechanism is ready for it.

 

 

 

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