PULSE of TURKEY No: 1 NSC DRAWS THE LINE BETWEEN ISLAM AND SECULARISMPolitical Islam as threat to Turkey's parliamentary democracy
PULSE of TURKEY No: 1-10 .................................................... MAY 1998
PULSE of TURKEY No: 1 NSC DRAWS THE LINE BETWEEN ISLAM AND SECULARISM
Political Islam as threat to
Turkey's parliamentary democracy
PULSE of TURKEY No: 2
IMPACT OF "PEOPLE'S POLITICSCAPITALISM" IN
Early election -stumbling block to
economic stability
PULSE of TURKEY No: 3 ENERGY - THROUGH GREAT COOPERATION, NOT THE
'GREAT GAME'
Energy catapults to top priority in
Turkish-American relations. Will Cyprus and the Aegean be obstacles in 1998? The Eurasian
Transit Corridor - the modern "Silk Road", as part of energy arrangements.
PULSE of TURKEY No: 4 BLUE
CURRENT INSTEAD OF RED ARMY
Turkish-Iranian natural gas
agreement comes to life. Route for Turkmen gas still precarious. Georgia becomes bridge
for an east-west corridor in Caucasus. Russian gas to be Turkey's prime energy source.
PULSE of TURKEY No: 5 VIRTUE PARTY TAKES ITS "FIRST STEP" CAUTIOUSLY
Rift in FP hushed up for the time
being. New blood injected into the Islamist party. Erbakan still in command in practice,
but risks Ýsmet Ýnönü’s fate, as future leader becomes evident. Roman Law at work
for the offsping of the criminal, but no “Carbon Copy” will be allowed. Changes made
by a legally obscure body. Other remedies sought to Turkey’s dilemma at future
elections.
PULSE of TURKEY No: 6 THE BACKGROUNDER
PULSE of TURKEY No: 7 BRITISH
FOREIGN SECRETARY IN ANKARA - WITH TWO HATS AND EQUIVOCAL RESULTS
Economic and European questions discussed with EU
Chief Cook and political issues with Foreign Secretary Cook. The bottom line may be an
eventual breakthrough thanks to British diplomacy, American realism and Turkish long-term
planning, but it is far from a foregone conclusion. Several readjustments are required in
mutual relations between Ankara and Brussels.
PULSE of TURKEY No: 8
RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM –“NOT ALL NSC RECOMMENDATIONS APPLICABLE”,SAYS PM
Is time running out for passing secular bills? Will
government be able to dodge filibustering in Parliament? What is the biggest reassurance
against religious fundamentalism in PM’s eyes? Will Baykal give more effective support
now?
PULSE of TURKEY No:9
“UNREGISTERED ECONOMY” TO BE HARNESSED
Economic stability is top priority. First quarter
is promising. Tax bill as new instrument to fight inflation, but foreign exchange reserves
and consumption spree do not facilitate curbing inflation. Election economy will be
avoided at any cost. Billion-dollar public works, energy, communication projects are
underway. Privatization revenue helps investment enthusiasm. Development of East and
Southeast enjoys high priority.
PULSE of TURKEY No: 10 THE
BACKGROUNDER