TRKNWS-L Turkish Press Review (June 13, 1995)

From: hristu@arcadia.harvard.edu

Subject: TRKNWS-L Turkish Press Review (June 13, 1995)

CONTENTS

  • [01] DEMIREL IN KAZAKHSTAN

  • [02] CILLER TO MEET WITH JUPPE

  • [03] GEORGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IN TURKEY

  • [04] 25 PKK MILITANTS AND 18 SOLDIERS DIE IN CLASHES

  • [05] MERCEDES-BENZ EYES EXPORT MARKETS WITH NEW BUS PLANTS

  • [06] DE TELEGRAAF: "SPEND YOUR HOLIDAY IN TURKEY"

  • [07] TURCO-GERMAN DEPUTY OZDEMIR IN TURKEY

  • [08] IKDP PESHMERGAS REPEL PKK ATTACK IN N.IRAQ

  • [09] MEDITERRANEAN ENVIRONMENT MEETING IN SPAIN

  • [10] STATE PETROCHEMICALS FIRM POSTS HUGE PROFITS

  • [11] CYPRUS BECOMING A CRIME CENTRE

  • [12] EUROPEAN VOTE ON CUSTOMS UNION

  • [13] NEW DEALS WITH IRAN IN THE AIR

  • [14] INTERNATIONAL INTEREST IN GAP

  • [15] DUAL CITIZENSHIP

  • [16] RELIGION MAP FOR THE TOURISTS

  • [17] STATE MINISTER ATAC GOES TO ISRAEL

    •

    WITH THE COMPLIMENT OF

    DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION

    TURKISH PRESS REVIEW

    JUNE 13, 1995

    Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish

    press this morning.

    [01] DEMIREL IN KAZAKHSTAN

    President Suleyman Demirel went to Kazakhstan for a three-day official visit yesterday, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Hikmet Cetin, State Minister Ayvaz Gokdemir and some deputies, businessmen and press members. Speaking at Ankara's Esenboga Airport prior to his departure, Demirel said Turkey's relations with Central Asian republics were improving speedily. The president said he would be visiting the cities of Almaty, Cimkent and Turkistan, and attending the foundation-laying ceremony for the International Hodja Ahmet Yesevi Turk-Kazakh University in Turkistan. He also pointed out that there were 1,400 Kazakh students with scholarships studying in Turkey. "We will exchange views on international and regional issues and problems. I believe that the results of my visit will be fruitful" he concluded. Demirel, who arrived in Kazakhstan yesterday afternoon, was greeted by his Kazakh counterpart Nazarbayev and his wife at Almaty Airport. Kazakh Foreign Minister Kasim Comart Tokayev, Interior Minister Bolat Baecenov, Almaty Governor Salbay Kulmahanov and Turkish Ambassador to Almaty Mustafa Asulada were also present at the ceremony. Young girls wearing traditional dress presented the Turkish president and his wife with flowers. The streets of Almaty were decorated with Turkish and Kazakh flags and welcome placards. The official welcoming ceremony will be held today in the Presidential Palace, where official talks between Demirel and Nazarbayev will take place. Demirel is also expected to receive a delegation of Turkish businessmen today. /Cumhuriyet-Sabah/

    [02] CILLER TO MEET WITH JUPPE

    Prime Minister Tansu Ciller will meet with her French counterpart Alain Juppe during the Western European Union's (WEU) meeting in Paris on June 19. Ciller will also be received by French President Jacques Chirac. /Cumhuriyet/

    [03] GEORGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IN TURKEY

    Georgian Foreign Minister Alexander Chikvaidze arrived in Turkey yesterday on an official visit during which he will sign several consular accords with Turkey. Welcomed by his Turkish counterpart Erdal Inonu, Chikvaidze said that relations between the two countries were flourishing in an atmosphere of understanding and would be further enhanced by his visit. Inonu, for his part, pointed out that ties with Georgia had always been excellent. "We think it is both possible and beneficial that Georgia takes its place as an element of peace and stability in the region" Inonu said. /All papers/

    [04] 25 PKK MILITANTS AND 18 SOLDIERS DIE IN CLASHES

    At least 25 PKK militants and 18 soldiers were killed in clashes in the eastern province of Tunceli yesterday, according to officials. Meanwhile, the Governorship of the State of Emergency said in a separate statement yesterday that at least 119 PKK militants had been killed by the security forces since Friday in ongoing operations in southeast Anatolia. The statement from the Governorship said clashes had taken place in five provinces in the Southeast. Officials said that clashes between the security forces and the PKK continued sporadically yesterday. /Hurriyet/

    [05] MERCEDES-BENZ EYES EXPORT MARKETS WITH NEW BUS PLANTS

    The bus factory set up in Istanbul by the Mercedes-Benz Turkish Company Incorporated has been opened by President Suleyman Demirel. The President qualified as extremely important and a cause for joy the fact that a world-famous firm of the automotive industry had established in Turkey a factory foreseen as an element for the 21st century development. President Demirel pointed out that Turkey's commercial relations with Europe, with which she was about to establish customs union, occupied an extremely important position. The President of the Mercedes-Benz Board of Directors, Helmuth Werner, for his part, pointed out that the bus assembly facilities set up in Istanbul conformed to world standards. /All papers/

    [06] DE TELEGRAAF: "SPEND YOUR HOLIDAY IN TURKEY"

    The high circulation Dutch newspaper "De Telegraaf" devoted a whole page to the historic and touristic values of Turkey. Titled "The Treasures of Turkey" and under the sub-title reading "A hospitable population and low prices", the article points out that Turkey's historic and cultural riches are beyond comparison. Noting that it is possible to see the traces of a good number of civilizations in Anatolia, the article declares that it is the Modern Turkey which is situated today on these territories rich in historic works and natural beauty. "De Telegraaf" stresses in particular that as compared with other countries, Turkey is an extremely safe country from the standpoint of tourism and it advises Dutch tourists to spend their holidays in Turkey.

    "Kurier"

    The Austrian newspaper "Kurier" has named Turkey as one of the most reliable tourism countries. An article in the newspaper named Turkey as one of the countries where the least number of robberies and violence are encountered. Meanwhile, the Dutch magazine "Reisrevue" has called upon Holland to support holiday organizations aiming for Turkey. It is pointed out that the tension which arose between the two countries with the setting up in Holland of a so-called Kurdish Parliament in-exile has not reflected on tourism. The article cautioned "Do not change your mind about going to Turkey, stick to your selection", people and organizations engaged in travelling are urged to support organizations working on holidaying in Turkey. /All papers/

    [07] TURCO-GERMAN DEPUTY OZDEMIR IN TURKEY

    Cem Ozdemir, German parliamentarian of Turkish origin, has declared that Turkey has an important mission in Europe, being a country with a strong Muslim majority. Addressing a news conference in Istanbul, Cem Ozdemir qualified as unacceptable the attacks carried out by the PKK terrorist organization against Turkish concerns in Germany. Pointing out that extremist nationalism was dangerous for every country, Ozdemir added that the best response to this danger was through democracy. Addressing a news conference late yesterday at the Foreign Press Centre, Ozdemir said Turkey should enter, not only the customs union, but the EU as well, and for that it "had to become and will become European in respect to democracy and human rights". Ozdemir said the Turks living abroad would play a key role in the country's integration with Europe. Referring to the problem of Kurdish separatism in the southeast, Ozdemir said this had created a "black hole" for the economy, consuming great sums and hampering Turkey's economic integration with Europe. /All papers/

    [08] IKDP PESHMERGAS REPEL PKK ATTACK IN N.IRAQ

    Inhabitants of Batufa village in northern Iraq's Zakho region and peshmergas of the Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (IKDP) repelled attacks by militants of the PKK terrorist organization. The villagers defended themselves successfully and were supported by the peshmergas during the clashes. IKDP officials said further PKK attacks are expected in the region. /Cumhuriyet/

    [09] MEDITERRANEAN ENVIRONMENT MEETING IN SPAIN

    A meeting on the theme of "Protecting the Mediterranean against Pollution" was held between June 5-10 in Barcelona, Spain, the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday. During the meeting, plans for pollution control were drawn up. Nergis Yazgan, director general of the Protection of Natural Life Association, was one of the Turkish delegates at the meeting as a guest of the Environment Ministry and the UN's Environment Programme.

    [10] STATE PETROCHEMICALS FIRM POSTS HUGE PROFITS

    The state-run petrochemicals producer PETKIM has reported TL 5.1 trillion in 1994 profits, the firm's general director, Mehmet Yilmaz said. "We worked with private sector spirit. This is the gist of our success" Yilmaz told the Anatolia news agency. Yilmaz pointed out that PETKIM had become competitive with world standards and is projected to undertake exports worth $168 million this year. At PETKIM, the current capacity utilization is 97 % -compatible with European standards. The company is expecting record high profits of TL 20 trillion this year.

    [11] CYPRUS BECOMING A CRIME CENTRE

    Reports from Cyprus note that the Greek community on the island is turning the southern part into a new Middle East centre of crime.

    Many foreign companies are now operating in the Greek sector, and all the evidence points to big money laundering operations and international smuggling of weapons and drugs.

    Reports say that vessels carrying drugs are often seen in Greek ports, and that there is a heavy traffic in heroin and other drugs between southern Cyprus and the notorious Bekaa valley. This suggests that the southern Greeks are lending their support to the PKK terrorist organization which also has strong connections with the Bekaa valley and international drug trafficking.

    Companies in the Greek sector are also engaged in importing goods from Israel and some of the Arab countries and are then re-exporting the same goods with a "Made in Cyprus" label. At least 15 thousand mainly Iranian illegal workers are working in southern Cyprus. Many are involved in rackets and prostitution. /Hurriyet/

    [12] EUROPEAN VOTE ON CUSTOMS UNION

    Foreign ministers of the European Union (EU) member countries yesterday voted in Luxemburg on Turkey's own customs union with the EU starting on January 1, 1996.

    This formality will be followed by further voting in the EU parliament in the near future. Reports from the EU note that a number of parliamentarians abstained from voting because of doubts about Turkey's human rights record. /Cumhuriyet/

    [13] NEW DEALS WITH IRAN IN THE AIR

    Following in the wake of recent visits by Turkish officials to Tehran, top Iranian Foreign Ministry representative Gholamhousein Boulandian arrived in Ankara yesterday .

    The main items that will be discussed with Turkish officials will involve border security measures already agreed upon. Nevertheless, comments by Boulandian suggest that Iran would like to see improved ties stem from border agreements. /Hurriyet/

    [14] INTERNATIONAL INTEREST IN GAP

    Many states and international institutions with doubts about the approved Southeast Anatolia Project (GAP), feeling that Turkey could use the waters of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers as a weapon against other countries, have begun to change their attitudes. France, the US and Canada are among the first to change their attitudes. It has been reported that these countries have made more grants as their interest has grown. Israel and many other countries are also showing more interest in GAP. TIMES magazine has also noted that the GAP project should be counted among the eight modern wonders of the world in regard to its massive infrastructure. The World Development Council has included the GAP project in the list of "Global Super Projects" which include the ten biggest projects of the world. The most important development regarding GAP's approval in the international field was stated to be the agreement made with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). GAP has been decided to be one of the four areas for partnership projects determined by the UNDP and Turkey for the years between 1996 and 2000. Noting that this decision meant that GAP would be registered by the UN, officials stressed this provided easier financing for projects which were internationally registered. On the other hand, it has been learned that the World Bank which did not want to give credit to GAP because of the critical water balance in the region, has been revising its attitude and has contacted Ankara with a view to extending new credit facilities. The European Union (EU), putting this issue on its own agenda, is also understood to have been considering the extension of credit. /Milliyet/

    [15] DUAL CITIZENSHIP

    An agreement setting out the conditions for the economic activities of Turkish citizens in Turkey who in the future plan to apply for dual citizenship has been put into force. According to the agreement, which has been published in the Official Gazette, these individuals and their heirs will benefit from certain economic rights. Benefitting from dual citizenship rights, these people can continue to benefit from all the rights given to Turkish people in regard to residence, travel, working and owning moveable and real estate on condition that rules regarding national security and public order are not infringed. /Cumhuriyet/

    [16] RELIGION MAP FOR THE TOURISTS

    The Tourism Ministry has prepared a map of religious sites for tourists interested in the religious history of Turkey. The map shows in detail the holy sites accepted by Muslims, Christians and the Jews. Tourism Minister Irfan Gurpinar said yesterday that his Ministry gave importance to religious tourism as a way of increasing the number of tourists coming Turkey, thus also increasing tourism income. Minister Gurpinar noted that the 2000th birthday anniversary of the Christ will be celebrate at Meryem Ana, near Izmir, and that preparations continue for the anniversary ceremonies. Minister Gurpinar said that there was a 3.6 % increase in the number of tourists coming to Turkey in the first four months of the year, when compared with last year, and that there was a 14 % increase in tourism income. /Hurriyet/

    [17] STATE MINISTER ATAC GOES TO ISRAEL

    State Minister Baki Atac, who has gone to Israel as the official guest of the Israeli Agriculture Minister said that in his interview with the press at Ataturk Airport before his departure to Tel Aviv, Israeli public and private sector institutions were closely interested in the southeast Anatolia GAP project. State Minister Atac said that the aim of the GAP project was to contribute to the economic improvement of people of the region by raising their income level and living standards. He added that the giant dimensions of the project had been widely accepted by international public opinion as one of the biggest influences in regional and social development ever. /Cumhuriyet/

    END

    HTML by the HR-Net Group / Hellenic Resources Institute
    news2html v2.09c run on Wednesday, 14 June 1995 - 11:57:20