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.