TRKNWS-L Turkish Press Review (June 2, 1995)

From: hristu@arcadia.harvard.edu (Dimitrios Hristu)

Subject: TRKNWS-L Turkish Press Review (June 2, 1995)

CONTENTS

  • [01] TENSIONS RE-EMERGE IN THE AEGEAN SEA

  • [02] THE UN AGAINST THE EXTENSION OF GREEK TERRITORIAL WATERS

  • [03] WASHINGTON: "TURKEY HAS THE RIGHT TO USE US-MILITARY EQUIPMENT AGAINST TERRORISM"

  • [04] ASIA: NEW TARGET FOR TURKISH BUSINESSMEN

  • [05] GERMAN DEPUTY TO VISIT TURKEY

  • [06] TURKISH AND CHINESE NEWS AGENCIES TO COOPERATE

  • [07] RUSSIA ACCUSES TURKEY OF "SPYING" ON CHECHNYA, ANKARA REJECTS CHARGES

  • [08] DEMIREL TO LEAVE FOR SOFIA IN JULY

  • [09] 45 PKK MILITANTS KILLED

  • [10] CHANGE IN BOSNIAN TURKISH COMMAND

  • [11] GOLHAN LEAVES FOR PARIS TODAY

  • [12] MUNICIPALITY MAYOR TO RECEIVE AWARD FROM WEO

  • [13] TURKEY REPORTS $440 MILLION CURRENT ACCOUNT SURPLUS IN FIRST QUARTER

  • [14] FRANCE TO GRANT 60 MILLION FRANC LOAN FOR SOUTHEAST WATER PROJECT

  • [15] EIZENSTAT URGES TURKEY TO FULLY INTEGRATE WITH EU

  • [16] VISA EXEMPTION FOR "EUROPEAN TURKS" BY ITALY

  • [17] BLUE FLAG TO KEMER

  • [18] THE WEU REPORT CAUSES REACTION

  • [19] THE CFE AGREEMENT INSPECTION IN ANKARA

    •

    WITH THE COMPLIMENT OF

    DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION

    TURKISH PRESS REVIEW

    JUNE 2, 1995

    Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish

    press this morning.

    [01] TENSIONS RE-EMERGE IN THE AEGEAN SEA

    Despite Turkish attempts to play down the Greek Parliament's ratification of an accord that gives Greece the right to extend its territorial waters to 12 miles, tensions reemerged between the two countries when Greece accused Turkey of "provocation" over a Turkish military exercise in the Aegean Sea. Ankara sought yesterday to play down the Greek Parliament's ratification, but declared that it would go ahead with a pre-planned manoeuvre in the Aegean. "Greek ratification of the 1982 Law of the Sea Treaty makes no change in our previous stance" a brief statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry said. "We will continue to pursue our known policy with determination". Turkey has not signed the 1982 Treaty, which gives states the right to extend their territorial waters to 12 miles, on the grounds that the accord makes no reference to the special status of the Aegean Sea. But it went into force last November, one year after being ratified by the required 60 signatories. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Erdal Inonu said that it would not be correct to describe the Greek Parliament's ratification as a cause of tension between the two countries. Inonu said: "The thing is that the agreement signed previously has been ratified by the Parliament. It is not a new situation". Defence Minister Mehmet Golhan stated that he thought that the agreement would exist only on paper. Greek Government Spokesman Evangelos Venizelos noted that the Greek Parliament's ratification was only a formality and said: "Information alleging that the Greek government decided to extend its territorial waters to 12 miles was not correct. It only ratified an existing agreement in Parliament". On the other hand, Russia has shown reaction against the Greek Parliament's ratification. A Russian Foreign Ministry top-level official said that Moscow did not support the decision. He added that Greece had the right to extend its territorial to 12 miles in principle, but should take its neighbours' interests into consideration. If Greece enforces the 12 miles decision, Moscow will have to take "permission" from Athens to launch its trade and war vessels in the Mediterranean. /Milliyet-Sabah/

    [02] THE UN AGAINST THE EXTENSION OF GREEK TERRITORIAL WATERS

    The UN Maritime Law Agreement does not give the possibility of having her territorial waters extended. The agreement which went into force in November does give the right for countries to extend their territorial waters to the 12 mile-limit. However, certain limitations have been imposed to cover specail situations. In Article 15, it is stated that unless a mutual agreement is reached between countries which have common borders, there can be no unilateral extension of the territorial waters. /Cumhuriyet/

    [03] WASHINGTON: "TURKEY HAS THE RIGHT TO USE US-MILITARY EQUIPMENT AGAINST TERRORISM"

    The Clinton administration told Congress on Thursday that military equipment of US-origin had been used in Turkish military operations against the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) separatists but it added that the Turkish government had the right to use this equipment in its internal struggle against the PKK, has been labelled "a ruthless terrorist group," the semi-official Anatolian agency said.

    The U.S. State Department report stated that the Ankara government's military approach in combating PKK "terrorism" had in some cases deepened political division. It said the military approach alone "cannot succeed" and needed to be combined with civil means.

    In announcing publication of the report, State Department spokeswoman Christine Shelly said Washington put great importance on Turkish moves to expand democracy.

    "Enhancement of democracy for all Turkish citizens will significantly improve the human rights situation in Turkey," she told reporters.

    The report said Turkey confronted the most serious threats to its integrity and well-being of any Western ally. "Continuing U.S. support for Turkey's security is essential," it said.

    Its called the PKK "a ruthless terrorist group which receives support from Syria, Iran and some sources in Europe" and said its guerrillas were trained in Lebanon's Syrian-controlled Bekaa Valley.

    The report said the PKK presented a major threat to Turkey's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

    It also said that during Turkish-military operations in northern Iraq against PKK separatists, Turkey exerted the utmost care not to harm civilians.

    [04] ASIA: NEW TARGET FOR TURKISH BUSINESSMEN

    President Suleyman Demirel said that Turkey should enter the Far East as well as Latin America. Businessmen, who accompanied Demirel on his visit to Far East, aim to make $400 billion-infrastructure investments in China and $300 billion in Indonesia by the year 2005. Port, highway and airport constructions will lead in these investments. Initiatives have also been started with China and Indonesia for cooperation in the defence industry. A military delegation is to go to China next month. Demirel said: "We are looking for new friends, new cooperation fields and new partners". Prime Minister Tansu Ciller will pay an official visit to China in July. /Cumhuriyet/

    [05] GERMAN DEPUTY TO VISIT TURKEY

    Cem Ozdemir, the first deputy of Turkish origin in the German Parliament, will visit Turkey as the guest of DTPA (the Turco-German news agency based in Bonn) from June 8 to 13, the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday. Ozdemir will also visit some press foundations during his visit, the agency reported.

    [06] TURKISH AND CHINESE NEWS AGENCIES TO COOPERATE

    Turkey's semiofficial Anatolia news agency and the Chinese Xinhua news agency will exchange news in a cooperative arrangement to be developed, the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday. The cooperation agreement was signed by Hilmi Bengi, deputy director of the Anatolia news agency, and Gao Qiufu, deputy director of Xinhua news agency at the Xinhua headquarters in Beijing yesterday. Berhan Ekinci, Turkish Ambassador in Beijing, and Guo Chaoren, director of the Xinhua, were present at the signing ceremony, the agency reported.

    [07] RUSSIA ACCUSES TURKEY OF "SPYING" ON CHECHNYA, ANKARA REJECTS CHARGES

    Russia has accused Turkey of spying on Chechnya, but Ankara has rejected the charge, the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Grigory Karasin said in a statement yesterday that Moscow had protested against "Turkey's interference in Russia's internal matters". But Turkish Ambassador in Moscow Bilgin Unan responded by saying that the allegation was totally unfounded. Unan was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday to be informed of Moscow's verbal protest, the Anatolia reported from Moscow. Unan rejected the accusation.

    [08] DEMIREL TO LEAVE FOR SOFIA IN JULY

    President Suleyman Demirel and Foreign Minister Erdal Inonu are scheduled to pay an official visit to Sofia at the end of June and beginning of July with a week's interval in between. Inonu will be the official guest of his Bulgarian counterpart Georgi Pirinski as of June 26. He will be received by Bulgarian President Jelu Jelev and Prime Minister Jan Videnov. During Inonu's visit, bilateral relations and the latest developments in the region will be taken in hand. President Demirel's visit, on the other hand is to start on July 4. During his two day trip in discussions with President Jelev, an evaluation of the relations between the two countries will be made. It is also expected that Demirel will visit Albania and Macedonia. Preparatory work for this is underway. /Sabah/

    [09] 45 PKK MILITANTS KILLED

    In clashes between the security forces and the PKK terrorist organization in Kars Kagizman, Sarikamis, Tunceli Nazimiye, Siirt Eruh, Hakkari Cukurca, Diyarbakir Hani and Mardin Nusaybin, a total of 45 PKK terrorists have been killed. In Siirt, a security personnel was martyred. /Milliyet/

    [10] CHANGE IN BOSNIAN TURKISH COMMAND

    Turkish troops which have been stationed for a year in Zenica, Bosnia are in readiness to turn over their duties to the new arrivals. The turn-over will be effected on 26-30 June. Colonel Ahmet Berberoglu has been appointed as the new Commander. Berberoglu will take over the post from Colonel Mehmet Ali Erdogan. Colonel Erdogan will await to his promotion to the rank of general this year. The 1,427 Turkish troops in the region will return to Turkey on June 24-28. /Hurriyet/

    [11] GOLHAN LEAVES FOR PARIS TODAY

    Turkish Defence Minister Mehmet Golhan will travel to Paris today to attend a meeting of defence ministers from EU and NATO countries which have deployed armed forces in former Yugoslavia, the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday. Recent developments in the former Yugoslavia will be discused at the meeting, to be held tomorrow. Defence ministers from France, Britain, the US, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Spain, Norway, Sweden, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Italy and Turkey will participate in the meeting. Golhan will return to Turkey on Sunday. An "urgent intervention force" is envisaged to pressurize the Serbs to release their hostages and to help the UN peacekeepers. The idea was put forward following diplomatic consultations held in London, Paris and Washington. French Prime Minister Alain Juppe made the respective annoucement. /Milliyet/

    [12] MUNICIPALITY MAYOR TO RECEIVE AWARD FROM WEO

    Abdulkadir Yuksel, municipality mayor of Sanliurfa's Birecik district, has been awarded the World Environment Organization's (WEO) "environment medal", the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday. Environment Ministry officials said Yuksel had received the award for his work at the 12th Environment festival which was held on May 6-7. Officials said the medal would be presented to Yuksel on June 9 in Ankara, Anatolia reported.

    [13] TURKEY REPORTS $440 MILLION CURRENT ACCOUNT SURPLUS IN FIRST QUARTER

    Turkey has reported a $440 million surplus on its current account in the first quarter of the current year. The Central Bank (CB) announced yesterday that the economy's current account moved noticeably from a deficit of $1.133 billion in the first quarter of 1994 to $440 million surplus in the corresponding period of this year, an improvement of 138.8 %. /All papers/

    [14] FRANCE TO GRANT 60 MILLION FRANC LOAN FOR SOUTHEAST WATER PROJECT

    The French government has allocated a 60-million franc loan to finance construction of a water purification facility in Diyarbakir province, the Housing Ministry announced. Within the framework of the financial cooperation protocol between the two countries, the loan repayments will begin after 15 years, with 35 annual payments and 2 % interest. The State Water Works has received applications from both local and foreign firms to build the water purification facility project this February.

    [15] EIZENSTAT URGES TURKEY TO FULLY INTEGRATE WITH EU

    Turkey should use the upcoming customs union with the EU to assimilate politically and economically with Europe, US Ambassador to the European Union Stuart Eizenstat, said in Istanbul yesterday. "The customs union should not be viewed as another dry economic treaty, but as a major step for Turkey to intertwine and interweave its political and economic system with Europe, as it has integrated militarily" Eizenstat said yesterday during a visit to Turkey. Eizenstat, who will make contacts with government and business circles in Istanbul and Ankara, will also meet with Foreign Ministry Erdal Inonu. He told members of the Association for Foreign Capital Coordination (YASED) that the customs union would strengthen Turkey's economy, support its ties with the West and unlock European aid to Ankara. He said the US fully supports Turkey's efforts to become a member of the EU. "Europe would be incomplete without Turkey" he stressed. He also reaffirmed Turkey's importance to the US as one of the world's Ten Emerging Markets. /Hurriyet/

    [16] VISA EXEMPTION FOR "EUROPEAN TURKS" BY ITALY

    Italy disclosed that Turkish citizens living in the European Union countries and Switzerland will be exempt from transit visa requirements between June 1-September 30, 1995 while passing through Italy. Italian officials stressed that this is aimed at only facilitating formalities for those in transit. The officials added that entrances and exits will be strictly controlled and permission will not be given for long stays in Italy. It was reported that to avail themselves of this visa exemption it is necessary that persons carry a valid passaport and a minimum six months valid residence permit for a minimum duration of six months. /Sabah/

    [17] BLUE FLAG TO KEMER

    The "Blue Flag", given by the World Environment Organization as a symbol of cleanliness, has been raised in Kemer.

    The General Director of the Foundation of the Environment Education of Turkey said: "Tourists prefer shores with the "Blue Flag" when they go on holiday". /Sabah/

    [18] THE WEU REPORT CAUSES REACTION

    In the draft report of the Western European Union (WEU) which is a EU branch of defence, suggestion of autonomy for Kurds in Turkey and a "Turkish minority" reference regarding Turks in Western Thrace has caused reaction of in both Turkey and Greece. The 100-page report prepared for considering security and defence issues in Eastern Mediterranean and accepted by the WEU Assembly Defence Commission on 24 May will be voted on in the WEU Assembly General Council on 19 June in Paris. Officials from the Turkish Foreign Ministry have stated that although this report was prepared for clarifying defence and security issues, it digresses from the subject by referring to the Kurdish problem and this could not be accepted. They also added that statements regarding the Turkish minority in Macedonia, Albania and Western Thrace would also bother Greece. /Milliyet-Cumhuriyet/

    [19] THE CFE AGREEMENT INSPECTION IN ANKARA

    Turkey informed the US that all the articles of the agreement of Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) should be abided by and no other formula could be accepted. A delegation to deal with the CFE agreement has also been added to the delegation traffic, presently on the increase from the US to Turkey. A delegation including a group of generals headed by Susan Koch, the US deputy assistant defence secretary discussed issues regarding Russia's activities in the Caucasus, general security problems in the Caucasus and the CFE agreement, with officials from the Turkish Foreign Ministry and the General Staff. Turkey has expressed her anxiety on Russia's activities in the Caucasus. The country had its intention announced to establish a base for the 58th division in the Caucasus. Meanwhile, Turkey has reiterated her stand whereby the CFE Agreement is not to be changed. Turkey has informed the US delegation on the necessity of all member countries to the CFE agreement limiting their weapons to the specified level in the five conventional weapon category before 17 November as specified in the agreement. /Cumhuriyet/

    END

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