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TRKNWS-L Turkish Press Review (April 2, 1996)From: TRKNWS-L <trh@aimnet.com>Turkish Press Review DirectoryCONTENTS[01] GEORGIAN PRESIDENT TO VISIT TURKEY[02] DEFENCE MINISTERS DISCUSS BALKAN SECURITY[03] TURKISH-GREEK SUMMIT IN US[04] RUSSIA: "WE REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH TURKEY FOR PETROL"[05] GREEK-SYRIAN COOPERATION[06] DAMASCUS PLAYING WITH FIRE[07] POLICE SEIZE 54 KILOS OF HEROIN IN SOUTHEAST[08] KIWI PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION ARRIVES TODAY[09] OPTIMISTIC COMMENT BY THE ECONOMIST[10] GERMANS WANT OCALAN ARRESTED[11] BONN CALLS FOR STOP TO MED TV[12] OFFICIAL TALKS BETWEEN TURKEY AND IRAN[13] US DELEGATION GOING TO NORTHERN IRAQ[14] SONY TO ESTABLISH FACTORY IN TURKEY[15] CIVILIANS SEEK REMEDY TO TURCO-GREEK DISAGREEMENTTURKISH PRESS REVIEWTUESDAY APRIL 2, 1996Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning[01] GEORGIAN PRESIDENT TO VISIT TURKEYGeorgian President Eduard Shevardnadze is to pay a two-day visit to Turkey starting on Wednesday as an official guest of Turkish President Suleyman Demirel. It is reported that the issue of transporting Caspian oil via pipelines to world markets will be taken up during his visit. Meetings are continuing regarding the Baku-Supsa pipeline, whereby Turkey proposed that it would finance the construction of the oil pipeline that would carry early Azeri oil to the Georgian Black Sea port of Supsa.Shevardnadze aims to create a peaceful and prosperous region by solving the problems in Caucasia with the support of Ankara and Moscow. Ankara will encourage a peace summit headed by Georgia for a solution to the Caucasian problems. Demirel will try to persuade Shevardnadze to hold a dialogue again with Abhazian leaders. To this end, Deputy Prime Minister Nahit Mentese met with officials of the Abhazian-Caucasian Solidarity Committee yesterday. If peace is achieved in Caucasia, Demirel's project for a "Benelux Model in Caucasia", consisting of Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia, will be dwelt upon. Turkey's support for economic integration between these three countries with this model will be taken up. /Cumhuriyet-Hurriyet/
[02] DEFENCE MINISTERS DISCUSS BALKAN SECURITYUS Defence Secretary William Perry yesterday praised Turkey's and Italy's contributions to international military cooperation at a meeting of defence ministers in Tirana, Albania. Perry was addressing a one-day meeting of ministers from Turkey, Italy, Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria and the US. He said that both Turkey and Italy had gained important experience in IFOR (the NATO-led peace Implementation Force) in Bosnia, and in Somalia. Turkey was represented at the meeting by Defence Minister Oltan Sungurlu. Departing from Ankara Esenboga Airport on Sunday, Sungurlu told reporters that Turkey would bring peace to the Balkans, and would convince Greece of the need for peace despite not having received a satisfactory answer to Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz's recent offers of negotiation. The minister said that Greece had also been invited to the meeting, which focused on military cooperation in quelling conflicts without the use of arms, but had chosen not to participate.Sungurlu met Defence Secretary Perry for breakfast on Monday to discuss relations between Turkey and the US, recent regional developments, and restructuring former Yugoslavia after the Dayton agreement. Sungurlu said that the breakfast meeting had been successful and positive, adding that the countries agreed on the problems of the region. Opening the meeting proper, Albanian Defence Minister Saffet Zhuali said the risk of war still plagued the region despite the Dayton agreement and efforts to develop relations between the countries must increase. In his speech to the meeting, Sungurlu said that early and effective crisis management was the most important factor in Balkan security. The defence minister noted that the mechanisms for peace were in place but what was required was a lasting solution that must be reached by the region's countries to ensure stability. /Sabah/
[03] TURKISH-GREEK SUMMIT IN USWeekly Pontiki magazine published in Greece has said that the US is preparing a Turkish-Greek summit like the "Camp David" meetings to solve disputes between Turkey and Greece. According to the magazine, US President Bill Clinton will convey a verbal message to both prime ministers, Kostas Simitis of Greece, and Mesut Yilmaz of Turkey, for a summit meeting in the US. The magazine noted that the proposal had been accepted by Yilmaz and now Simitis' response was awaited. If Simitis accepts the proposal, the visit which Simitis will pay to the US between 7-14 April will begin one day before and Simitis will later meet with Yilmaz face-to-face. /Sabah/
[04] RUSSIA: "WE REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH TURKEY FOR PETROL"Albert Chernishev, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, said that relations between countries could be compared to the seasons of the year. Using this metaphor he described relations between Turkey and Russia as entering "spring", Cherhishev noted that problems between neighbouring countries were natural. He urged both sides to work together to solve the problems because they had no other choice, living side-by-side as they were. He pointed out that important developments were made during the negotiations Onur Oymen, Undersecretary of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, had in Moscow as an official guest of Igor Ivanov, First Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia. Chernishev said that there was no problem between two countries regarding the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline, and noted that they were not against the pipeline, what they were against was that the oil was to be transferred via only one pipeline. "Ambassador Oymen understood our problem, and we understood him. We reached an agreement on this issue" said Cherhishev. Stating that the Russian Foreign Minister would visit Turkey, Chernishev said that he, himself, would probably come to Ankara on 20 April. /Hurriyet/
[05] GREEK-SYRIAN COOPERATIONIn the wake of Turkey's call to Greece to engage in "comprehensive dialogue" to solve bilateral disputes, Greek Defence Minister Gerassimos Arsenis said that his country pursued a policy of cooperation with countries that had problems with Turkey. "We have military cooperation with non-NATO countries that have problems with Turkey" Arsenis told Greek daily Elefterotipia. "This is our policy". He said that Syria had actually given authorization to Greek planes to land at its airports. "This Greek-Syrian deal has truly annoyed Turkey" he was quoted as saying. This is the first time Arsenis has admitted that the accord was more than military training. Before, Athens had neither confirmed nor denied that the agreement allowed Greece the use of Syrian airports in the case of conflict with Turkey or the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.The Greek Defence Minister, who also served under former Prime Minister Andreas Panadreou, has previously urged the establishment of an anti-Turkish front with several other countries. He suggested military cooperation with Russia, Armenia, Bulgaria, Iraq, Iran and Syria. But his remarks were criticized by daily To Vima's commentator Rihordos Someritis, who said in his analysis that the countries mentioned by Arsenis, "had their own problems and reasons not to offend Turkey". Moreover, these efforts would draw reaction from Turkey, the US and Europe, Someritis said. He added that Arsenis' intention of "new alliances" would not facilitate the foreign policy of the Simitis-led government. /Cumhuriyet-Sabah/
[06] DAMASCUS PLAYING WITH FIREThe Syrian government seems determined to continue with its policy of creating contention with Turkey. Now there is news that PKK leaders will be meeting in Damascus this weekend in some sort of "Kurdish summit." It is understood that Kurdish leaders from northern Iraq will also be involved in the meeting.In view of Syria's determined stance against Turkey, and it's determination to involve as many of Turkey's neighbour countries as it can, Ankara has been forced to take action of its own. Ankara has sent stern wanings to the Kurdish leaders of northern Iraq about attending the Damascus summit. The warning notes that attending the meeting will more than strain ties with Turkey, and possibly delay a final solution to the instability in the region. /Hurriyet/
[07] POLICE SEIZE 54 KILOS OF HEROIN IN SOUTHEASTPolice seized 54 kilos of heroin hidden on a lorry in the southeastern town of Gaziantep, security officials said yesterday. The heroin haul has a market value of around TL 700 billion ($10 million), the officials added. The police have detained the truck driver for questioning and are seeking four brothers in connection with the find. The amount of heroin seized by Turkish security forces rose sharply in 1995 to 3.4 tonnes, more than a fifth of all the heroin captured worldwide, and up from a Turkish haul of 1.6 tonnes in 1994. Most drugs from Turkey find their way to western Europe either overland to Greece and then by sea or directly on ships from Istanbul.Iranian citizens appear to lead drug trafficking in Turkey. Of the 238 foreigners arrested for smuggling drugs, 62 were Iranians (26 %), and Nigerians came second with 25 arrests (10.5 %). Turkey has continued to work with many other countries in the worldwide struggle against illegal drugs. To this end, Turkey has signed protocols and agreements with more than 36 countries, and works with international organizations such as Interpol. Turkey belongs to the 25-member Pompidou Group which has been established by the European Council. The group fights the illegal drug trade and drug addiction. Turkey also participates in the work of HONLEA (an association of European chiefs of anti-drug departments) and encourages the Pompidou Group and HONLEA to work together. Turkey, along with the UNDCP (United Nations Drug Control Program), helped to set up the UN committee against drug smuggling and related issues. UNDCP monitors illegal drug smuggling cases around the world and informs member countries about anti-drug measures. /All papers/
[08] KIWI PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION ARRIVES TODAYPeter Wilfred Tapsell, Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament, arrives in Turkey today as an official guest of his Turkish counterpart, Mustafa Kalemli. A parliamentary delegation headed by Tapsell will visit Kalemli, DYP leader Tansu Ciller, RP leader Necmettin Erbakan and Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz. The delegation will also meet with the Parliament's Foreign Affairs Commission. President Suleyman Demirel will receive the delegation on Thursday. /All papers/
[09] OPTIMISTIC COMMENT BY THE ECONOMISTIt is reported that there is a positive development in the current accounts of the Balance of Payments wherein Turkey's incomes and expenses take place in foreign exchanges. According to the "Indicators of rising market countries" published in The Economist Magazine, while Turkey's deficit of current accounts was 1.5 % in comparison with the national income in 1990, this ratio decreased to 0.6 % in 1995. With this result, Turkey ranked 10 among 25 countries which the magazine reviewed. /Hurriyet/
[10] GERMANS WANT OCALAN ARRESTEDIn view of increasing antipathy against the terrorist PKK organization, the German Social Democrat Party (SDP) has called for an international warrent for the arrest of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. Top party official Otto Schilly, stressing that German would never yield to terrorism, said that this was Germany's answer to PKK threats.Commenting on the situation in Germany, Schilly went on to say that PKK inspired violence would not be allowed to happen again, and that Germany should learn from what has already happened that terrorism must not be taken lightly. /All papers/
[11] BONN CALLS FOR STOP TO MED TVThe German government wants to see an end to Kurdish MED TV satellite broadcasts. MED TV broadcasts from a station in London, although there have been reports that the British government has had the stationed closed down. MED TV has reportedly set up an operation in Switzerland. The Bonn government has shown itself to be against the channel which is known to support the PKK.Bonn officials said yesterday that with the support of other countries, "we can achieve concrete results" in this matter. Germany has been in touch with Britain about the issue which Turkey is also following closely. /All papers/
[12] OFFICIAL TALKS BETWEEN TURKEY AND IRANThe Turkish Foreign Ministry has officially applied to Iran for information that could throw light on the murders of journalist Cetin Emec and driver Sinan Ercan. Because there has been no Iranian response to more informal enquiries by Turkey, the government has been obliged to resort to more serious official demands. As a result, there will be a first meeting in Ankara on April 9-11.In view of recent disclosures, there is solid reason for thinking that the murder of Emec was planned in and carried out from Iran. Turkish officials are anxious to close the case and to do this, talks with Iranian officials are vital. Foreign Ministry officials said yesterday that other matters of concern to both countries will also be taken up. /Hurriyet/
[13] US DELEGATION GOING TO NORTHERN IRAQThe Foreign Ministry revealed yesterday that a US delegation would be going to northern Iraq about the middle of this month. During a Foreign Ministry press conference yesterday, deputy spokesman Nurettin Nurkan said that the delegation was going because of the continuing instability in the region.Nurkan said that the delegation would stop-over in Ankara on the way to the troubled region for talks with Foreign Ministry representatives. The delegation members anticipate having further talks with Kurdish leaders Celal Talabani and Mesud Barzani. /Cumhuriyet/
[14] SONY TO ESTABLISH FACTORY IN TURKEYJapan's leading electronics company, Sony, has decided to establish a company in Turkey. Following the EU Customs Union Agreement, Sony has speeded up its activities in Turkey.Chairman of the Sony Corporation's European Operations, Jack Schmuckli, said: "Our aim is to get a good share in the Turkish market." He added that Turkey was a market which had a big potential, and that they were very hopeful about Turkey's future. Schmuckli said that after the customs union agreement they had included Turkey into Sony's European operations because Turkey was European country and the Turkish people were like European consumers. As Turkey was a bridge between Europe and Asia, Sony Corporation would enter the market of the Turkish-Speaking Republics through Turkey, said Schmuckli, adding that Sony nevertheless gave priority to the Turkish market. Schmuckli said: "Turkey will become the biggest market of Europe." /Hurriyet/
[15] CIVILIANS SEEK REMEDY TO TURCO-GREEK DISAGREEMENTThe Turkey and Greek branches of the Helsinki Citizens Assembly is looking for a "final remedy" to solve disagreements between the two countries.Last week-end, almost 70 Turkish and Greek civilians met in Naflion, Athens, and discussed how to lift the obstacles between the two countries and prevent future crisis. During the three-day meeting the role of the press was one of the important topics that was highly discussed and the importance of the "reponsible" publisher was stressed. And it was decided that with the initiatives of the Helsinki Citizens Assembly, dialogue between Turkish and Greek press organizations would be increased. It was pointed out that it would be very useful to increase cultural activities between the two countries and it was suggested that a "Peace Festival" could be planned. It was further noted that Turkish and Greek businessmen also carried great responsibility for developing dialogue in the economic sectors and that the Turco-Greek Business Council should encourage trade between the two countries. /Cumhuriyet/
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