TRKNWS-L Turkish Daily News (January 19, 1996)

From: TRKNWS-L <trh@aimnet.com>

Turkish News Directory

CONTENTS

TURKISH DAILY NEWS

19 January 1996

[01] Refah-ANAP government not now, but 'a little later'

Yilmaz met Prime Minister-designate, Welfare Party (RP) leader Necmettin Erbakan on Thursday, their second meeting since Erbakan received the mandate to form a government from President Demirel. Following the meeting, Yilmaz told the press there was no way he could give a positive reply to the RP without first assessing other alternatives.

Erbakan implied that he would return the mandate after the RP had discussed the situation for one last time. Efforts toward an RP-ANAP coalition will be suspended for the time being.

Whether the proposed "Motherpath" government -- between the Mothrland and Ciller's True Path Party (DYP) -- is feasible will become clear once Erbakan returns the mandate and DYP leader Tansu Ciller is charged with forming the new government. Since ANAP has said explicitly and repeatedly that it will not participate in a government led by Ciller, the latter is expected to return the mandate after a short while. And then the process of forming an RP-ANAP coalition will resume. Political circles in Ankara say that the Erbakan-Yilmaz meeting indicates the RP-ANAP government is being postponed "until a little later."

The meeting lasted one-and-three-quarter hours. The first statement came from Yilmaz who said: "Today we have reached a better point in the dialogue we started with the Welfare Party to form a government." Noting that the ANAP executive had assessed the possibility of an RP-ANAP coalition, Yilmaz said, "Speaking for the ANAP, I expressed our conviction that it would be wrong to act with haste to form a coalition government, that it would be wrong to adopt a binding stance without evaluating the alternatives which could implement the executive program Turkey needs today. I told Mr. Erbakan that it would not be possible for us to give them a positive reply without first assessing the other alternatives."

Yilmaz said that his decision would have significant consequences for ANAP, leading to a loss of time although the 45-day constitutional period in which a new government must be formed has not begun. Therefore ANAP does not feel under "time pressure," he said. He said that Tansu Ciller had taken an attitude which ANAP found impossible to understand. But ANAP would continue to act with a sense of responsibility, he stressed.

Yilmaz said they agreed to maintain dialogue with the RP, and that Erbakan would return the mandate to the president.

Erbakan told the press that the proposed "Motherpath" government was not feasible, that efforts in that direction would be futile and time-wasting, that their dialogue with ANAP would continue, and that the issue of returning the mandate would be discussed at a party meeting on Friday. In reply to a question, he said that it would not be "elegant" for the RP to take part in a coalition government led by another leader.

What happens now?

After Erbakan returns the mandate, President Demirel is expected to ask Ciller to form the government. But the RP leader has already announced that he would not agree to become partners with the DYP because that would not be "elegant." In fact that is a farfetched idea because the DYP leader has repeatedly declared that she would not even propose a DYP-RP coalition.

Since ANAP is determined not to take part in a government led by Ciller, it seems that Ciller will find it impossible to form a government.

Ciller is not expected to change her stance. Since she is expected to continue rejecting both a "Motherpath" coalition led by a person other than herself as well as the rotational Prime Ministry alternative, her attempt to form a government seems destined for a failure by the end of next week.

Under the circumstances, it seems that the only development which could render a "Motherpath" government feasible would be a big rebellion in the ranks of the DYP persuading Ciller to drop her claim on the Prime Ministry. But veteran politicians in Parliament do not think this is a serious possibility.

Yilmaz's current maneuvering is believed to be aimed at making the general public see that the "Motherpath government cannot be formed because of Ciller's stubbornness." It was with this in mind that Yilmaz has asked for "a little time" during Thursday's meeting with Erbakan.

After Ciller too returns the mandate, the possibility of an RP-ANAP government with indirect Democratic Left Party (DSP) support would become a stronger -- and the last remaining -- possibility. Since by then the counting of the 45-day constitutional period will have begun, parliamentarians will be under pressure to meet the deadline. And the public will be more inclined to accept any solution. So the RP-ANAP coalition seems to be a possibility only two steps away.

[02]The European cites experts to dismiss Turkish claims that photographs of soldiers holding severed heads were faked

Turkish Daily News

LONDON- The European newspaper on Thursday quoted an independent expert at the international photographic giant Kodak as saying that he cannot see any evidences of manipulation on photographs which are alleged to show members of a Turkish special forces unit with the severed heads of Kurdish victims.

The report came a day after Turkish authorities sent the result of the examinations of the photos carried out in Turkish laboratories claiming that all the pictures were photomontages.

Contrary to this explanation, independent expert Nigel Suckling was quoted in The European as saying, "I and my colleagues have found no evidence that the prints have been retouched or altered in any way." He also added, however, that without seeing the original negatives, it was not possible to determine if those prints were straight prints or photomontages. He was reported to have said that any conclusion not based on physical evidence would be subjective.

The European newspaper, which published the controversial photos of soldiers holding decapitated heads of men last week, had been sent the result of the examination made in Turkey of the photos, diplomatic sources said on Wednesday. The newspaper was also informed about the result of the investigation carried out by the chief of staff in Turkey regarding the alleged soldiers in the photos whose names were also made known to Turkish authorities by The European.

The newspaper was told that according to the results of the examination of the photos made in laboratories in Turkey, they are photomontages. The eight photos were faxed to the Turkish Embassy in London before being published on Thursday last week.

The European was informed that: "The severed head in photograph No. 1, apparently being held by the figure standing on the right side is a montage cut in a regular fashion from a different photograph. The right hand of the standing figure (a person in a soldier's uniform) is also montage from a different picture." A spokesman for the leader of the Socialist group in the European Parliament was quoted by The European as describing the Turkish authorities claims as "knee-jerk reaction."

The newspaper pointed out that the Turkish authorities had dismissed the pictures as crude photomantages and part of a misinformation campaign by the Kurdish rebels. The newspaper wrote that Nurettin Nurkan, Foreign Ministry spokesman, said last week that efforts would be made to take legal action against those foreign publications which under the influence of terrorist organizations use untrue stories defaming Turkey.

It also quoted a Kurd in London who wanted to have his mane withheld as claiming that the photos had been sent to him by a soldier based in Hakkari in southeast Turkey.

The European Editor Charles Garside said in the article that the newspaper was neither for nor against Turkey. "But we are against the inhumanity which these pictures depict," he was reported to have said. He criticized the authorities in Ankara for targeting the newspaper for publishing the pictures. He said "those in Ankara want to shoot the messenger."

Meanwhile the newspaper also touched upon the award ceremony in Strasbourg for Leyla Zana, jailed ex-Democracy Party deputy who was chosen to receive the Sakharov prize. It quoted Danielle Mitterrand, the widow of the late French president, as saying that she was disappointed with the ratification of Turkey's customs union. According to The European, she also described Zana's award as "sugar coating the pill."

[03] Stoltenberg is considered as possible replacement for Clark as Cyprus envoy

ANKARA- The former Norwegian foreign minister and co-chairman of the Former Yugoslavia Conference, Thorvaald Stoltenberg is reportedly being considered as a possible replacement for Joe Clark, the outgoing special envoy of U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali.

Clark, a former Canadian prime minister, who has declared his intention to leave the U.N. post, is expected to tender his resignation late in February.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is against replacement of Clark with a European "irrespective of nationality" on the grounds that Greece is a member of the European Union and Turkey is not. Although a national referendum rejected Norway's membership of the European Union, the TRNC has not yet commented whether it considers Stoltenberg a "European" and therefore opposes his appointment as special envoy.

According to Turkish Cypriot officials, by trying to get a European appointed to the post, the European Union is aiming at getting involved in the Cyprus problem.

Turkey, which has declared its full support for the Turkish Cypriot refusal of the appointment of a European, says that the United Nations platform continues to constitute the "best means" for efforts aimed at settling the Cyprus problem.

Last month, Turkish Cypriots refused the appointment of an Italian to the post.

According to Turkey's semi-official Anatolia News Agency, the U.N. Secretariat has not yet officially notified Turkish Cypriots or Turkey about the name being considered as a replacement for Clark.

Before Clark, the post of the special Cyprus envoy of the U.N. secretary-general was occupied by Argentinean Hugo Gobbi and Oscar Camillion. Former U.N. Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar, a Peruvian, also served as the special envoy.

Ankara urges Iraq to change position on UN's limited oil sale provision

[04] Celem: Turkish Ambassador to UN calls on Baghdad to start negotiations with world body

ANKARA- Turkey is in favor of Iraq's changing its position concerning the limited oil it is allowed by the United Nations to sell for humanitarian purposes, the Anatolia News Agency, reporting from New York, quoted a senior Turkish official as saying on Thursday.

Huseyin Celem, Turkey's ambassador to the United Nations, addressing a press conference in New York said Turkey hopes for a change in the Iraqi position and for negotiations to start between Baghdad and the United Nations on this subject.

Iraq, which is still the subject of a continuing U.N. embargo -- imposed after the country invaded Kuwait in 1990 -- has nevertheless been allowed by the Security Council to export up to $2 billion of oil to enable it to purchase much-needed humanitarian supplies.

Baghdad has refrained from availing itself of this limited facility provided it by the world body on the grounds that conditions attached to its selling oil are a violation of its sovereignty.

Pointing out that the subject has both a "humanitarian" and an "economic" dimension, Celem said it was Turkey's wish that Baghdad comply with U.N. resolutions and normalize the situation the region.

A recent letter from Iraq's First Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz to U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali indicating Baghdad's desire to negotiate over Resolution 986 -- which provides the conditions for the sale of oil by Iraq -- had raised hopes in Ankara that the long dormant Turkey-Iraq pipeline might begin to operate again.

Turkey has been looking forward to Iraq complying with the "limited Sale" resolution for oil so that the pipeline can be flushed to prevent further corrosion of this multi-billion dollar asset.

The pipeline -- 641 kilometers of which are on the Turkish side and which has a capacity to carry 70 million metric tons of oil per annum -- has been dormant for the past five years with corrosive oil trapped in it.

Turkey wants to flush this oil for a number of reasons, the first being to prevent further damage to the pipeline. It also wants to claim money owed it by Iraq in oil from this pipeline.

Turkish officials also complain that the country has been deprived of the $250 million in transit fees it earned annually from the pipeline.

The same officials put Turkey's losses from the U.N. embargo on Iraq over the past five years as high as $20 billion dollars.

Should Iraq decide to accept the limited oil sale provision this oil is expected to pass through the pipeline connecting Iraq's Kirkuk with Yumurtalik on Turkey's Mediterranean coast.

[05] Vergau: Germany's policy on Turkey's full EU membership continues

ISTANBUL- "Germany's policy is that Turkey's road to full membership in the European Union (EU) should be an open one and it will continue to be its unchangeable policy," said German Ambassador Hans-Joachim Vergau.

Speaking on a Rotary Village Association panel on Thursday at the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza, the ambassador added that the debates on Turkey's entry into the customs union with the EU showed that the EU governments believed that Turkey today deserved support and trust much more than ever because of the security factor in a problematic environment geostrategically.

He also said that the reforms which Turkey had carried out on its own initiative and in line with its own interests and which was based on the will of a trustable political majority showed the EU and Turkey held the same ideas.

"Today the topic is our use jointly of all the advantages of the customs union in order for Turkey to get much closer to Europe," Vergau commented. There can be no doubt about the constitutional reform in July 1995 has been taken seriously in Europe; the achievement (of this reform) through the promulgation of the laws which are to be passed is expected; the EU wants to see the strengthening of its trust through the continuation of the requests for the reform of democratic structures and new practices in human rights."

Vergau stressed that Turkey could expect understanding and active assistance from Germany, pointing to the traditional relationship between the two countries which went as far back as the appointment of the first German ambassador in 1554 and which had been deepening following World War I.

The ambassador also noted that Europe has opened itself more to Turkey by means of the customs union and is supportive of Turkey's democratic base being reflected onto the neighboring regions. As well Europe could benefit from Turkey by using it as a bridge to, the Caucasus and to the Turkic republics of Central Asia.

[06] Perigot: Turkey will benefit from customs union

Turkish Daily News

ISTANBUL- The customs union between Turkey and the European Union, activated on January 1, will bring significant two-way trade, a transfer of technology and increased foreign investment to Turkey, the president of the European Industry Employers' Confederation (UNICE) said on Thursday.

"The long term benefits of the customs union will outweigh the short term costs," UNICE's president Francois Perigot told a meeting of the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association in Istanbul. "It will draw Turkey closer to Europe." Perigot noted the EU needed Turkey as much as Turkey needed western Europe.

"Europe has lost its competitive edge against the developing countries of the Far East, which have lower production costs and weaker social security systems."

He said the EU needed new markets and possible less expensive manufacturing bases, such as Turkey, to restore economic growth.

"We must join forces in a bigger market, create greater economic discipline," Perigot stressed.

Under the customs union, Turkey dismantled all trade barriers, including import taxes and duties, against all EU industrial products as of January 1.

It also complied with the lower EU tariffs against third countries and enacted legislation to protect copyrights, patents and other intellectual property rights, according to international standards, in a bid to attract more foreign investment.

The EU, in return, has removed all quotas against Turkish textiles and pledged economic aid.

Baykal expresses hope for "new beginning" with Athens

[07] Hope: Turkish FM says cooperation between Turkey and Greece will benefit both countries and calls on 1996 to be declared 'Year of the Aegean'

ANKARA- Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Deniz Baykal on Thursday, the day Greece was due to elect its new prime minister to replace the seriously ill Andreas Papandreou, sent "olive branches" in the direction of Athens and expressed his hope for a new page in relations between the two countries.

Baykal said that the decision by Greece's Prime Minister, Andreas Papandreou, to step down for health reasons had made a change in the administration in Athens inevitable.

Baykal said that a new prime minister in Athens will "represent a new beginning" for Ankara in its ties with Greece.

Answering questions from the Anatolia news agency on Thursday, Baykal said that Turkey wanted good relations with Greece regardless of who is elected prime minister in that country.

He said that the new Greek prime minister would also accept the need for good relations with Turkey.

"If, within the context of such an understanding, the chance for a new beginning can be captured, then both Turkey and Greece will benefit," Baykal said.

"We look to the future with this understanding and with hope," he added.

Stressing the importance of cooperation between the two countries, Baykal said his belief was that "there is no major problem preventing such cooperation." "The Aegean should not be seen as a sea that divides Turkey and Greece but as a sea which unites them. There are many fields of cooperation. These, unfortunately, have not been explored due to political concerns and unfair perceptions," Baykal said.

"I hope that in the coming period a political dialogue can be developed quickly between Turkey and Greece, that political contacts at every level can be revitalized, that an environment of peace can prevail, and that the two countries can develop joint projects in this environment," he added.

Citing tourism as a field in which the two countries can cooperate, Baykal called on Turkey and Greece to declare 1996 as "the Year of the Aegean." Baykal pointed out that the Turkish tourism sector is developing very rapidly and becoming one of the most dynamic in Europe.

He said it was known that Greece had experienced some problems in this sector last year and added that cooperation in this field would benefit both countries.

"We want to share this. We want to invite the whole world to the Aegean," Baykal said.