TRKNWS-L Turkish Daily News (March 12, 1996)

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

Turkish News Directory

CONTENTS

TURKISH DAILY NEWS / 12 March 1996

[01] Demirel condemns terrorism, but says peace process should go on

JERUSALEM- President Suleyman Demirel on Monday strongly condemned recent terrorist bomb attacks by Islamic militants that killed dozens of people in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv but called on the Israelis to carry on with the peace process, saying that "terrorist attempts to derail it should not discourage us from moving forward." Earlier in the day Demirel became the first Turkish president to pay an official visit to the state of Israel when he arrived at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv heading a delegation of 180 people including top diplomats, academicians, businessmen and journalists.

Newly-appointed Foreign Minister Professor Emre Gonensay accompanied the president on his own first foreign trip in his new post.

Demirel, speaking at a dinner hosted by his Israeli counterpart Ezer Weizman, said Turks were outraged by the assassination of former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin by a Jewish right-wing extremist and said "he was a victim of blind bigotry." The president called the Hamas bomb attacks against Israelis "savage and cowardly bomb attacks" and said "we condemn, in the strongest terms, any form of terrorism and share the grief of the Israeli people." "The challenge we face to achieve security and stability in our region has become more urgent than ever. Terrorist attempts to derail the peace process should not discourage us from moving forward. We know very well that terrorism, by its very nature, is self-defeating," Demirel said.

The president said he was looking forward to the terrorism summit in Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt "as an opportunity to engage the international community to solidify its determination to eradicate terrorism and strongly condemn those who support it." Turkish officials charge that the Kurdish terrorist organization the Kurdistan Workers' Party or PKK, which is waging a separatist war in southeastern Turkey, is being sheltered by neighboring countries. Turks say PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan is stationed in Damascus.

Demirel said terrorism, xenophobia and ethnic nationalism were creating disturbing developments in the world which show "we still have a long way to go before we can come close to a well-secured peace."

Earlier in the day, while visiting the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem, Demirel said "the crimes committed against the Jewish people should never be forgotten" but added, "unfortunately humanity has not learnt a lesson from the past as xenophobia, fanaticism and terrorism have not been successfully eradicated." Demirel lauded the Turkish-Jewish ties throughout history and said while leaving the museum: "I believe other nations have a lot to learn from our example of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

The Jewish community in Turkey has always been regarded as a contribution to our cultural riches." Later the president also mentioned the Jews in Turkey at his dinner speech saying: "throughout history the Turkish people have always embraced Jewish people fleeing persecution. These descendants of former refugees, are today a colorful part of the strongly-cemented mosaic of Turkish society.

Their accomplishments in Turkey are well recognized." Demirel also said Turkey's citizens of Jewish origin and those who emigrated to Israel had established a strong bridge and a moral link between Turkey and Israel and declared "we are proud of them." Several of Turkey's prominent Jews are accompanying Demirel in this visit including community leaders as well as Jefi Kamhi, the business tycoon who won election to Parliament recently.

Today's highlight will be Demirel's address to the Knesset, the Israeli parliament. Demirel will also visit Bat-Yam near Tel Aviv where there is a large Turkish community. After attending the anti-terrorism summit in Egypt, Demirel will return to Israel and on Thursday will sign some landmark agreements, including a free trade accord between the two countries. He will then pay an official visit to Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian president. Demirel will return home Thursday night.

[02] Turkey and US put last touches on Provide Comfort

By Nazlan Ertan

Turkish Daily News

ANKARA- Turkey said that Washington had been receptive to Turkish concern over the status of Operation Provide Comfort -- the multinational force stationed in Turkey to protect the northern Iraqi Kurds from Saddam Hussein's wrath -- and that fine tuning efforts were continuing with the hope of being completed ahead of the March 31 deadline.

The new shape of Provide Comfort (commonly known in Turkey as Poised Hammer) appears to be the most immediate test of Mesut Yilmaz' new government, which has a pressing foreign policy agenda ranging from the water question to the financial aid from the European Union currently blocked by Greece.

Yilmaz focused attention on the issue with his reading of the government's program in Parliament on Monday, admitting that the conditions now are not the same as they had been in 1991, when the force was first stationed in Turkey. Yilmaz promised that talks were going on "with Turkey's allies" to correct the situation.

"I agree with you," Yilmaz said in response to Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Bulent Ecevit's words on the force. "There is great difference between (the force's) reason of existence now and the reason of its establishment." But the new prime minister assured that Turkey was making the necessary contacts with its allies to "correct" the status quo.

"I have tried to keep you informed on our talks," he said.

Yilmaz also appealed to the parliamentarians to "give the new government time" to finalize its contacts with the allies. "Then we would be able to reach a solution that will satisfy Turkish interests," he said in Parliament late on Sunday.

Many alternatives have been floating concerning the future of Provide Comfort, such as a possible NATO umbrella formula, a withdrawal of the British and French components. However, given the short time before the Parliament must vote on an extension to Operation Provide Comfort's mandate, it seems likely that Yilmaz will ask the Parliament for at least a three-month extension, as was the authorized extension the last time the matter came to Parliament. The DSP, which is traditionally against the presence of the force, is expected to abstain.

The contacts between Turkey and the United States on Provide Comfort concentrates on two main points for Turkey. First, Ankara insists that a "political settlement dimension" should be brought to the operation.

"We think the peace process in northern Iraq, started through the efforts of the United States, should be speeded up," Foreign Ministry deputy spokesman Nurettin Nurkan said on Monday.

"During the visit of Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Onur Oymen, we stressed the importance we placed on peace and stability in northern Iraq and on the territorial integrity of Iraq." Ankara fears that the fighting between the rival Kurdish factions will enable the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) to infiltrate fully into the region. Part of Turkey's worry is the threat of Iran extending its influence in the region. Turkish officials say that the U.S. peace initiative should also include Turkey's security concerns in the region and measures to prevent the PKK infiltration.

In a move to push for their own peace initiative, the United States is preparing to send a new delegation to the region to talk to the two Kurdish leaders, Anatolia news agency reported from Washington.

The second point raised by Ankara was to make technical arrangements, mainly through a new set of rules of engagement, that would give Turkey greater control over the operations of Provide Comfort.

Some measures to ensure flight-safety have already been taken, such as dividing up the air space over Iraq for separate use of Turkish and allies.

After the talks of General Cevik Bir, the deputy Chief of Staff, and Oymen in Washington, the Foreign Ministry's Deputy Undersecretary Ali Tuygan remained in the United States for further talks.

"We want to finalize the arrangements on an experts level. If the technical arrangements are completed before voting, it would help," Nurkan said.

Turkish and U.S. officials may discuss the issue once more towards the end of the week, when a large delegation from the United States comes to Ankara for the Donors' Conference for Bosnia on Friday. The delegation is to be headed by Strobe Talbott, the U.S. deputy secretary of state, Sandy Berger, the deputy national security adviser and Jan Lodal, the deputy undersecretary of defense for policy.

"The delegation is coming for the conference. But we are always ready to discuss anything with our U.S. allies," Nurkan said.

It is speculated that Berger is going to bring a courtesy message of President Bill Clinton to Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz.

The Parliament has to vote on whether or not to extend Provide Comfort's mandate before March 31. The National Security Council (MGK), an advisory body chaired by President Suleyman Demirel, is to have a meeting on the issue on March 23. On March 27, President Demirel will make a working visit to the United States.

"The visit will enable the two countries to reaffirm the existing good ties... The two leaders will take up all issues of concern between Turkey and the United States, assess the regional role played by Turkey and exchange views on international developments," a Foreign Ministry statement said.

Movement of troops along the border

Responding to a question on Turkish troop build-up in northern Iraq, Foreign Ministry spokesman Nurkan replied that Turkey had "important security concerns." It is natural that the Turkish army should take necessary care to prevent the PKK infiltration from northern Iraq," he said.

[03] Istanbul one of strongest-performing emerging markets during February

ANKARA- Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) was seen to be one of the strongest-performing emerging markets during February, according to a monthly report released by Morgan Stanley.

The report said the strongest market during February was India, where stocks yielded 22 percent returns in U.S. dollar terms. The gain was trimmed during the final days of trading, however, as investors reacted to a political scandal involving several former senior ministers in the country's Cabinet, it added. Also, at the end of the month, foreign banks announced higher prime lending rates in India.

Morgan Stanley said among the other emerging market countries, the other strongest performers during February were Turkey, where the yields averaged 11.7 percent, and Venezuela, with 9.4 percent.

"Hopes for a political alliance that could end months of uncertainty about the government helped markets in Turkey," the report suggested.

It said both markets advanced even more sharply when measured in local currency terms (Turkey 17.4 percent, Venezuela 33.3 percent), but declines in their currencies against the dollar reduced the gains when expressed in dollar terms.

The weakest performers among emerging markets in February included several countries that corrected after strong showings in January. Argentina (-14.3 percent) reversed a double-digit percentage gain from the previous month. The other weakest performers among emerging markets countries were Mexico (-9.2 percent) and South Africa (-8.0 percent). A sharp drop in South Africa's currency during the month contributed to the decline.

Overall, four of the five weakest-performing emerging markets countries were in Latin America, contributing to the 6.1 percent decline in MSCI's EMF-Latin America Index.

Among the developed markets countries, the strongest performer in February was Sweden (+9.6 percent), which benefited from interest in cyclical stocks amid expectations of a strengthening economic outlook for 1997.

The other strong developed markets during the month were also in Europe: Spain (+6.4 percent) and Switzerland (+4.4 percent).

Spain's moderate-conservative party finished ahead in Sunday's general election, and investors anticipate an interest rate cut soon after the election. The MSCI Europe Index gained 1.6 percent in the month, as modest declines in Europe's largest markets were more than offset by gains in those countries' currencies against the dollar. France (+1.0 percent), Germany (+0.8 percent) and the U.K. (+0.5 percent) experienced small declines ranging from -0.3 to -0.8 percent when measured in local currencies, before the effects of gains against the dollar are considered.

The weakest performers among the developed market countries during February were Finland (-2.2 percent), Japan (-1.8 percent), and Hong Kong (-1.4 percent). The Hong Kong market's decline came after a strong January, when it was one of the world's highest-performing markets.

[04] Grossman reaffirms US support for Turkish territory and democracy

By Ugur Akinci

Turkish Daily News

WASHINGTON- U.S. Ambassador to Ankara Mark Grossman affirmed once again U.S. support for "Turkish democracy and territorial integrity" during a key note speech he delivered at an American-Turkish Council (ATC) luncheon on Friday.

Grossman also confirmed that "the United States supports a strong security partnership based on our shared interests," and that the United States "supports Turkey's economic success." He mentioned that the United States was looking forward to the visit of President Suleyman Demirel to Washington in late March to discuss such issues with president Clinton.

Primacy of private sector

To drive home the important role the private sector will play in the future of U.S.-Turkish relations, Grossman shared the following anecdote with a luncheon crowd of about five hundred: "Last summer I was in Gaziantep when the Mayor asked if I would like to meet some of my 'fellow Americans.' 'Of course,' I said, turning to greet an American Rotary Club group. My immediate reaction was one of surprise: How could this group be in Turkey without my knowing it? But then I realized how wonderful this was. No government had to approve or oversee their visit.

A PRIVATE American organization established links with PRIVATE counterparts in Turkey." "Our relations today are dominated by official, government-to-government ties. I'd guess that two-thirds of the U.S.-Turkey partnership is official, with only one-third being between private citizens, businesses and organizations. We should commit today to reversing those numbers," he said.

Security

After praising Turkey's membership of the European custom union, being selected as one of ten Big Emerging Markets in world, support for Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Constitutional Amendments realized in July 1995, Ambassador Grossman stressed the nature of the continuing security relationship -- which includes the lease of two KC-135 tanker aircraft and the production of 80-new F-16s.

Confidence

After admitting that "1996 has already been more challenging" than 1995, a direct reference to the Kardak crisis, Grossman spelled out what he believes in: "We have confidence in the democratic process in Turkey. We have confidence in our commitment to Turkey. We have confidence in our policy toward Turkey," he said.

The PKK

He said the United States supports Turkey's legitimate fight against the PKK terrorism. "Turkey has a right to defend itself. But there is no solely military solution to the problems in the Southeast," he said.

Economic highlights

In terms of the economic highlights of the relationship, Grossman mentioned the preparation of double-taxation agreement; $122 billion in business pursued by U.S. firms in the power-generation sector; a telecommunications conference to be held in May in Istanbul; investment opportunities at GAP; and pipelines from the Caspian.

50 businessmen from the Southeast

The U.S. Consulate in Adana has arranged to bring 50 businessmen from the Southeast to the ATC Conference. "Just as the GAP project symbolizes the future of economic and social development of the Southeast, these businessmen seeking to interest U.S. firms in the potential of Turkey's GAP region represent another new face of U.S.-Turkish relations," he said.

Human rights

Mentioning that respect for human rights is the key aspect of any civil society, "We know that the Turkish people will meet this challenge because it is THEIR country," he said. "They will not do this to please outsiders. Not to please the EU. Democracy will be enhanced for Turkey and all of its citizens."

Education

Among the educational initiatives linking the two countries, Ambassador Grossman mentioned the Cochran Fellowship Program that brings agricultural experts to the United States; the plans to create an American Studies Program at Bogazici University; the Turkish studies programs at Georgetown and Princeton universities and the ones about to take off at Chicago and Portland State universities; the Fullbright Exchange Program; and the Turkish Higher Education Council (YOK)'s program to send graduate students overseas.

He also said the Council on Foreign Relations would focus on Turkey in 1996. A delegation headed by former Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger is expected to arrive in Turkey in May.

Kandemir on lobbies

Also delivering a key note speech during the same lunch, Turkish Ambassador to Washington Nuzhet Kandemir also detailed the evolution of Turkish-U.S. relations from security-based to a broad-based exchange.

In order to tap the full potential of Turkish-U.S. relations, "the first step requires that we silence the anti-Turkey lobbies," he said, since they "obstruct the full realization of our bilateral economic, political and social cooperation." He admitted that such ethnic lobbies "force us to exert energy and time in damage-control efforts after they sweep through Congressional offices and committees with their destructive agendas." "If these lobbies persist, they will certainly damage our relations," Kandemir warned. And that is not good "for either of our countries, for our business communities, for the ties of friendship between our peoples," he added.

Calling on private sector

Kandemir appealed to the private sector "to speak up" in order to "bring Turkish-American economic and business cooperation to a higher, deeper, enhanced level." He said "work is underway by both governments to outline the mechanisms which would ensure the effective contribution of the private sector in an institutional manner to the intergovernmental bodies, such as the Joint Economic Commission and respective government agencies." "We are thus putting the private sector to the forefront of our economic relations, with a clear responsibility to lead the way and challenge governmental agencies," he said.

[05] Denktas undergoes angioplasty

ANKARA- Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas underwent an angioplasty operation yesterday morning and is reported to be in "very good condition." Professor Semih Baskan, who headed a team of doctors for the operation on President Denktas, said the left frontal artery of the heart had plaque. He said that the artery was functioning with 5 percent of its capacity. "Continued failure of that artery to provide blood to the heart may result in death. The situation was serious," he said.

The angioplasty professor disclosed that the operation on Denktas lasted 20 minutes. He said the artery was enlarged with a balloon and later a steel cage was planted to reduce the risk of plaque reoccurrence.

"The risk of plaque development after a by-pass operation is 20 percent. The plaque recurrence rate after angioplasty is around 30-40 percent. By applying the steel cage method we have reduced the risk of plaque recurrence to 20 percent. The president is in very good condition," he said.

The professor stated that because of the steel cage application, the president may be discharged from hospital within one week.

He did not say when Denktas could resume his presidential duties.

Meanwhile, Denktas' son, Serdar Denktas, said the affection of the Turkish nation extended to his father during his stay in the Ibni Sina hospital has deeply moved his father.

In another development, President Suleyman Demirel, who left Ankara yesterday for a landmark visit to Israel -- the first by a Turkish head of state -- phoned Denktas and wished him an early recovery.

A statement from the Presidential Palace said Demirel also received a briefing from the doctors of the Turkish Cypriot leader about his situation.

[06] Newt Gingrich praises Ataturk and Turkish-US friendship

By Ugur Akinci

Turkish Daily News

WASHINGTON- Newt Gingrich, the influential speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, praised Ataturk's role in history and the value of the Turkish-US relationship during a keynote speech he delivered at the banquet of the American-Turkish Council (ATC) 1996 Annual Conference. The dinner was attended by approximately 800 Turks, Turkish-Americans and American friends of Turkey. ATC President Fred Haynes and Master of Ceremonies Rep. Ed Whitfield of Kentucky presented Gingrich with the ATC's Distinguished Leadership Award.

During his speech, which was frequently interrupted by heartfelt applause, Gingrich said he was happy at every opportunity "to express my personal admiration for the people of Turkey and the accomplishment of Turkey, and the degree to which it is a country committed to modernizing, committed to developing for all of its citizens a better future. I think that all around the world people can learn by studying 20th century Turkish history."

Stressing the importance of a personal hero of his, Gingrich said: "I know of no one who made a greater contribution in one generation to the future of his people than did Ataturk." As an example of the risks Turkey took in the name of US-Turkish friendship, Gingrich recalled that at a time when "American aircraft were asked to fly around some Western European countries, the United States aircraft were based solidly in Turkey.

And there was no flinching, there was no sense of questioning our joint friendship." "I know that all of us, who cherish and care for the rule of law, and a civilized decent future for all citizens in the world, owe a great deal to Turkey for being a keystone which has stood firm in circumstances where other countries might well have found a reason to shirk, or to shrink, or to equivocate.

Turkey has not done so. It has not done so at times when it faced tremendous internal crisis. The fact is that the role of warfare, acts of terrorism, bombings, don't only happen in London, or Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. And yet the Turkish people have not flinched even in periods of terrible bloodshed, and even when they faced economic problems. And so I'm always proud to speak out, to say that we owe a great deal of mutual respect, mutual admiration and mutual friendship in this relationship," he said.

"We need to be reminded, as we will be in a few days at a conference (on terror) in Egypt, that all of us who believe in civilization have a deep vested interest in working together and seeking together a better and more prosperous future for all of our children in all countries, so that those who would tempt them into terrorism, barbarism and savagery don't find easy breeding grounds, and don't find easy opportunities to exploit," Gingrich continued.

"That requires, I believe, close ties between Turkey and America, and tonight's dinner is an example on this side of the Atlantic of our commitment to those kind of closer ties."

Pointing at the flags of different Turkic republics of Central Asia standing behind him on the podium, Gingrich said: "The flags behind me are the reminders of a key fact of Turkish history -- and that is that Turkey is in many ways a gateway to Central Asia.

There are relations of language, of history, of religion, which allow Turkey to potentially be an extraordinarily important leader in bringing a number of countries and a number of peoples into the rule of law, into prosperity, and into the 21st century."

Gingrich acknowledged there could be some strains in the relationship but said that was expected in every "family." "So, from my standpoint, I see Turkey as an absolutely inevitable and vital leader in the 21st century ... That doesn't mean there are no problems. It doesn't mean that our Greek friends, with whom there are tensions at times, are not also friends ... I know of no family that doesn't have occasional arguments. I can't imagine a family reunion of freedom in which we each come with our own religious background, our own dietary differences, our differences of tradition, that isn't going to have some friction, some tension," he said.

"I want all of you to know that we are committed to working with Turkey, we are committed to working with the Americans who are friends of Turkey, and we want you to know that in the United States House of Representatives you have strong friendship, strong interest, and real willingness to learn from you in the hope that we share with you, as we go into the future together," Gingrich concluded.

[07] Gen. Bir: Turkish defense industry ready for coproduction & consortia

by Ugur Akinci

Turkish Daily News

WASHINGTON- A Turkish military delegation including Deputy Chief of Staff Gen. Cevik Bir, Secretary General of the Turkish National Security Council Gen. Ilhan Kilic and other senior officers has completed its week-long tour of New York and Washington and returned to Turkey at the weekend, seemingly with bags full.

Reporting "very satsifactory" contacts with his counterparts at the Pentagon, the Department and U.S. National Security Council, Gen. Bir hinted of breakthroughs and gains in several issues important for Turkey.

Deputy National Security Adviser Sandy Berger, Deputy Secretary of Defense Jan Lodall, Bosnia Interagency Task Force Director Jim Pardew and Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations Kittani were among the U.S. officials visited by Bir and Kilic.

Coproduction

Gen. Bir said the U.S. officials were told that the Turkish defense industry had reached a point of development where it ceased to be a simple market. Turkey is today ready for coproduction in many fields and can participate in consortia, Bir said.

Concerning the expected sale of frigates and Super Cobra helicopters, Bir said he expected the State Department to send notification soon to the Congress.

Kardak

Kardak and the tensions in the Aegean were among the issues discussed between Turkish and U.S. officials. "We do not have ships in the area but coast guard vessels," Gen. Kilic explained. "We are for dialogue," he said Gen. Bir said Turkish Chief of Staff Gen. Ismail Hakki Karadayi had proved Turkish goodwill when, as he was flying through Greek airspace on his way back from Italy, he sent his best wishes to his Greek counterpart.

Opting for balance

Concerning the dominant approach of the United States to regional conflicts, Gen. Kilic said: "The United States always opts for a balance between the parties. It does not choose one side over the other." Yet on the terrorism issue, for example, Kilic said that did not prevent the Turks from telling everyone that Greece gave aid and support to the PKK. "The allies get involved directly only during very important crises," he said.

Israel

Gen. Bir emphasized the importance of developing relations between Turkey and Israel, and mentioned the recently signed Turkish-Israel Military Education Cooperation Agreement as a step taken in that direction. "This agreement was received very positively by the United States," Bir said. "As two democracies in the Middle East, Turkey and Israel want to show the other countries in the region the benefits of democratic cooperation," he added, emphasizing that the agreement between Turkey and Israel was educational in character and not a defense agreement.

Rules of engagement

The Turkish generals discussed at a technical level the changes that Turkey wanted to see in Operation Provide Comfort.

Among such technical items was a change in the rules of engagement. Gen. Bir said that the question of what constituted the "right to self-defense" formed the core of such discussions with U.S. officials Other sources told the TDN that Turkey complained that Provide Comfort had created an authority vacuum in northern Iraq which the PKK took advantage of. However due to Provide Comfort's restricted rules of engagement, Turkey found it difficult to counter the PKK terrorists effectively Gen. Bir also categorically denied the recent press reports that Turkey was shifting forces to its border with Iraq in order to launch another operation into northern Iraq.