TRKNWS-L Turkish Press Review (July 31, 1995)

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

Subject: TRKNWS-L Turkish Press Review (July 31, 1995)

CONTENTS

  • [01] POSOF-TURKOZU BORDER GATE TO OPEN

  • [02] BRITAIN TAKING CLOSER LOOK AT PKK

  • [03] PKK CONTROLS EUROPEAN DRUG MARKET

  • [04] PKK CONSOLIDATING IN GERMANY

  • [05] SYRIA CALLS FOR TOURISM COOPERATION

  • [06] ANKARA CALLS FOR MORE WESTERN COOPERATION

  • [07] DISAGREEMENT AT THE MEDITERRANEAN FORUM

  • [08] ANXIETY IN ATHENS

  • [09] RUSSIA PLEDGES NOT TO SUPPORT SEPARATISTS

  • [10] MINISTER HACALOGLU CONDEMNS SERB SNIPERS

  • [11] TURKEY, CHINA TO COOPERATE IN COAL MINING

  • [12] FEMALE ISLAMIC PARLIAMENTARIANS MEET IN PAKISTAN

  • [13] HOLBROOKE HAILS TURKEY APPROVAL OF CONSTITUTIONALAMENDMENTS

  • [14] ARSON ATTACKS HIT SEVERAL TURKISH TARGETS IN GERMANY

  • [15] TURKISH TRADE MISSION TO RUSSIA

  • [16] BSCE AND CENTRAL ASIAN COUNTRIES' MEETING ENDS

  • [17] KAZAKH SCIENCE MINISTER VISITS TURKEY

    •

    WITH THE COMPLIMENT OF

    DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION

    TURKISH PRESS REVIEW

    JULY 31, 1995

    Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press

    this morning

    [01] POSOF-TURKOZU BORDER GATE TO OPEN

    A new border gate between Turkey and Georgia is expected to open today with a ceremony attended by President Suleyman Demirel and his Georgian counterpart Eduard Shevardnadze. Prime Minister Tansu Ciller and Deputy Prime Minister Hikmet Cetin will also participate in the ceremony. Demirel said in a written statement on Saturday that the Posof-Turkozu border gate would boost bilateral trade and tourism. The president expressed his pleasure at seeing his counterpart Shevardnadze on this important occasion, the statement noted. /Hurriyet/

    [02] BRITAIN TAKING CLOSER LOOK AT PKK

    Britain's secret service (MI5), is setting up a new section to more closely examine the PKK terrorist organization. The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has become more active throughout Europe and in Britain with acts of violence and involvement in drugs. According to Britain's Sunday Mail newspaper, the PKK is replacing the Irish IRA terrorists as one of the biggest threats to British security. In view of recent developments, MI5 has begun widespread operations in connection with the PKK, with emphasis on PKK extortion with violence amongst the Turkish communities in towns around Britain. Britain's MI5 is working in cooperation with other European police and security forces. /Milliyet/

    [03] PKK CONTROLS EUROPEAN DRUG MARKET

    German officials are now describing the PKK terrorist organization as Europe's leading drug and smuggling organization. According to Bavarian Interior Minister Gunther Beckstein, the PKK is in sole command of the European drug trade. German is now seeing the real facts as they pertain to the PKK: at one time the German government and authorities at least openly tolerated the PKK, now they are experiencing at first hand the violence and terror created by the PKK in Germany. Authorities now note that the PKK is a major force to be reckoned with in the areas of drug trafficking and organized crime. /Cumhuriyet/

    [04] PKK CONSOLIDATING IN GERMANY

    According to reports, the German province of Lower Saxony has become the established centre of the PKK terror groups in Germany. Once firmly established in the notorious Bekaa valley, the PKK has set itself up in centres throughout Germany, especially Lower Saxony. Some officials add that Hannover has become the real centre of the PKK. The increase of PKK terrorism in Germany has forced the authorities there to take stronger measures to control the situation, and rumour has it that some top level officials could be replaced. /Hurriyet/

    [05] SYRIA CALLS FOR TOURISM COOPERATION

    Sending a message through the Syrian ambassador to Ankara, Abdulaziz El Rifai, the Syrian government has called upon Turkey to develop Syrian-Turkish tourism interests. Syrian officials note that although some agreements have been reached and even signed, nothing has actually been done. Commenting on the situation, Ambassador El Rifai said over the weekend that much more be could be done, despite regional issues and current trends negatively influencing developments. /Hurriyet/

    [06] ANKARA CALLS FOR MORE WESTERN COOPERATION

    Prime Minister Ciller has called upon the West to cooperate more fully with Turkey. This call comes in the wake of Turkish initiatives involving the former Soviet satellite countries and Russia. Ankara particularly wants the US to become more involved in regional developments that include Russia, and says that instead of issuing complaints and divisive policies, the US would do better to share its experience and knowledge with Turkey, just as Turkey should cooperate more with the US administration. /Cumhuriyet/

    [07] DISAGREEMENT AT THE MEDITERRANEAN FORUM

    The foreign ministers of France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Malta and Morocco who came together within the framework of the Mediterranean Forum held in Tunisia, left without having achieved agreement on many of the subjects discussed. The topic subject to most controversy was Bosnia. Christian and Muslem Mediterranean countries defended two different views regarding the lifting of the embargo imposed against Bosnia. While Turkey, Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia were for the lifting of the embargo, France, Italy, Spain and Greece opposed that proposal. So the Mediterranean Forum did not go further than condemning the Serbian aggression in Bosnia. The proposal of Turkey for signing an agreement for cooperation in the struggle against terrorism, similar to the agreement approved by the European Council, was also not accepted. Commenting on the meeting, Foreign Minister Erdal Inonu said he was nevertheless hoping that the Mediterranean Forum would become a forum for the promotion of security and cooperation. /Milliyet/

    [08] ANXIETY IN ATHENS

    The agreement of Turkey with the US for seven tanker aircraft caused anxiety among the Greek General Staff. Turkish airforce operational power has now been greatly increased and this can negatively effect the balance of power in the Balkans, high level Greek military officials said. They pointed out that even though the tanker aircraft represent no threat to Greece, they will help Turkey play a leading role in the Balkans. The Greek media also drew attention to the fact that high level US officials participated in the ceremony for delivering and handing over the aircraft, and noted that Washington was attaching great importance to the increasing operational power of Turkey. /Milliyet/

    [09] RUSSIA PLEDGES NOT TO SUPPORT SEPARATISTS

    Russia has announced that it would not allow separatist organizations to launch militant activities against other countries from its soil. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Albert Chernishev issued a statement in Moscow aimed at eliminating Turkey's concerns over the activities of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Russia. He said that some PKK representatives did come to Russia from time to time to visit some Kurdish institutions. "We are aware of this fact. But Moscow is against the establishment of foreign organizations in Russia. We are not giving the right of asylum to the separatist PKK representatives" Chernishev said. He noted that Russia supports Turkey's territorial integrity. /All papers/

    [10] MINISTER HACALOGLU CONDEMNS SERB SNIPERS

    Algan Hacaloglu, minister of state responsible for human rights, strongly condemned the activities of Serb snipers who target women and children in Bosnia. Hacaloglu, who is in Zenica to investigate human rights violations, met with his Bosnian counterpart, Bekir Karber Kapatevonic, on Friday night. Hacaloglu disclosed at a press conference, held after his meeting with Bosnian officials, that there was a huge refugee problem. "Turkey will continue to make contributions. But, Europe, with which we share joint democratic values, should move immediately" he said. Hacaloglu pointed out that Bihac was the location of the most intensive human rights violations. /All papers/

    [11] TURKEY, CHINA TO COOPERATE IN COAL MINING

    Fan Wei Tang, China's coal and industry minister, stated that his country wanted to begin technical cooperation with Turkey in coal mining. Tang and his delegation visited the Turkish Coal Institution (TTK) in Zonguldak to discuss the exchange of technology. Tang said that China could help to improve standards in the TTK machinery production and repair factory. TTK Deputy Chairman Ali Riza Akin said that they would welcome China's technological help to increase coal production. /All papers/

    [12] FEMALE ISLAMIC PARLIAMENTARIANS MEET IN PAKISTAN

    The first International Female Islamic Parliamentarian's Meeting will be held in the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad, on August 1. The role of women in parliament and in general, the common problems of women in Islamic countries and other relevant issues will be discussed at the Islamabad meeting. State Minister Aysel Baykal, Motherland Party (ANAP) Deputy Chairwoman Imren Aykut, True Path Party (DYP) Deputy Fethiye Ozver, Prof.Ulker Gurkan and Sema Onurlu will be representing Turkey, according to a ministry announcement. The goal of the meeting is to settle on a mutual stance before the fourth World Conference on Women, to be held in Beijing in September. /All papers/

    [13] HOLBROOKE HAILS TURKEY APPROVAL OF CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

    Richard C.Holbrooke, US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs praised the approval of a constitutional package by the Turkish parliament on July 23. Testifying at a House International Relations Committee session on the US foreign policy in Europe, Holbrooke said "the Turkish government and people have demonstrated their commitment to democratization and human rights reforms". He said the approved amendments "will enhance Turkish democracy and broaden political participation". "The US continues to support these efforts at democratization and human rights reforms" he added. /All papers/

    [14] ARSON ATTACKS HIT SEVERAL TURKISH TARGETS IN GERMANY

    Arsonists hit Turkish properties in Germany for the sixth night in a row over the weekend, causing material damage. Fire bombers struck a Turkish souvenir shop in Koblenz, a Turkish cafe in Karlsruhe and several Turkish travel agencies in Sazgitter, Essen and Kongigwinter. The police have yet not detained anyone in connection with the incidents. Investigators have said they believe the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) was primarily responsible for the firebombings across Germany. /Cumhuriyet/

    [15] TURKISH TRADE MISSION TO RUSSIA

    A Turkish delegation, coordinated by the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat, is scheduled to depart for Moscow today on an official visit. The delegation will hold bilateral talks to strengthen economic relations between the two countries and increase the variety of goods traded. A Turkish seminar and exhibit is also scheduled during the visit. /All papers/

    [16] BSCE AND CENTRAL ASIAN COUNTRIES' MEETING ENDS

    A "Regional Working Group" meeting between Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) countries and Central Asian countries ended in Ankara on Friday with a decision to invite Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece and Uzbekistan to become members of the regional cooperation group. It was furthermore decided that a programme committee be established, headed by Azerbaijan, to coordinate the activities of working groups concentrating on energy projects. /All papers/

    [17] KAZAKH SCIENCE MINISTER VISITS TURKEY

    Murat Jurinov, the Kazakhstan science minister, arrived in Turkey on Thursday on an official visit as the guest of Education Minister Nevzat Ayaz, the Anatolia news agency reported on Friday. At a press conference on arrival, Jurinov said the aim of his visit was to find ways to improve his country's education system. He mentioned that there were over 200 million Turkish-speaking people throughout the world and their education should be of the highest standard in order to ensure their Turkish identity and cooperation between them. Minister Ayaz replied that Turkey was ready to cooperate in all fields and foster the historical and cultural linkages between the two countries.

    END

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