TRKNWS-L Turkish Daily News (March 14, 1996)

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

Turkish News Directory

CONTENTS

TURKISH DAILY NEWS / 14 March 1996

[01] Demirel decries lack of cooperation on terrorism

Turkish Daily News

SHARM El-SHEIKH- President Suleyman Demirel on Wednesday called on the international community to cooperate effectively in order to combat terrorism, which he said has become a global concern.

Demirel, who was addressing a historic summit on terrorism in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el Sheikh, decried the insufficient cooperation between nations in this sphere.

Adding a touch of irony to his remarks, Demirel told the summit that compared to the collaboration seen among terrorist organizations, international cooperation fell far short of expectations.

Demirel arrived in Sharm el Sheikh on Wednesday morning from Israel where he was on an official visit as the guest of President Ezer Weizman.

Demirel and his delegation were greeted warmly on their arrival at the airport by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who together with U.S. President Bill Clinton is co-hosting the summit.

The summit, hastily convened after the recent bomb attacks in Israel by Islamic militants, aims at increasing international cooperation against terrorism, and rescuing the Middle East peace process harmed by the recent bombings.

President Demirel was accompanied by newly appointed Foreign Minister Emre Gonensay, the foreign ministry undersecretary, Onur Oymen, and deputy undersecretary and spokesman, Omer Akbel.

Addressing the crowded gathering of heads of state, heads of government, and high ranking government officials from the Middle East and around the world, Demirel pointed to the timely nature of the convening such a summit.

"The high level of participation at this summit reflects our interest to take concerted action against terrorism. We would have wished all the states invited to this forum to be present here," Demirel said when starting his address.

Demirel's remarks were clearly addressed to Syria, which is boycotting the summit.

Demirel has been vocally accusing Damascus in recent days of supporting the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) which is waging a violent separatist war.

The United States also designates the PKK as a terrorist organization and some European countries, most notable Germany, have outlawed it.

"Terrorism is no longer the problem of any single country. On the contrary, terrorism, by making use of sophisticated technology, alongside brutal and primitive methods, has become a global concern. It is threatening democratic systems, public order and above all regional and global peace and stability" Demirel said.

"Combatting terrorism requires effective international cooperation. Unfortunately, compared to the collaboration seen among terrorist organizations, international cooperations falls far short of our expectations" he said.

Demirel pointed to what he said was "the lack of unified international responses and established international norms" as one of the basic obstacles that hinder the effective fight against terrorism, both at the national and international level.

"Diverse stands adopted by some countries against terrorism further weaken the combat," he added.

"A terrorist act is simply a terrorist act. Terrorist violence can neither be a valid nor a legitimate means to achieve political goals or to promote human rights or other rights," Demirel said.

Demirel went on to term as "disturbing" the implicit and explicit support given by some countries to terrorism.

"The existence of countries which give shelter to terrorists and provide them with training facilities, definitely makes it harder to effectively combat terrorism." Demirel then listed the following suggestions that he said Turkey believes will eradicate terrorism if implemented in earnest:

- Tough measures must be taken to deter states that support terrorism or harbor terrorists. One such measure might be the imposing of economic sanctions.

- A significant part of combatting terrorism, as well as terrorist front organizations, necessitates the banning of TV and radio stations and other media that promote or support terrorism and terrorist organizations and provide means for terrorists to disseminate their false propaganda.

- A center that will collect and classify information on terrorist groups, their methods and financial sources should be established. All states must fully cooperate to extend information to the center. Turkey is keen to participate in the establishment and operation of such a center.

- All support should be extended to the countries that combat terrorism and all technical material used in combatting terrorism should be brought to the disposal of these countries.

One of the most effective methods to combat terrorism is the unconditional extradition of the perpetrators of terrorist acts to the relevant countries. States should comply with the stipulations of already existing international agreements in this field. This will be a significant contribution to reaching the ultimate target.

- No political or other considerations should be advanced to avoid the extradition of terrorists.

- Another responsibility for all states towards countries combatting terrorism is to find out the origins of the weapons and arms provided to the terrorists. It is the right of the international community to expect explanations from those countries that are the source of these arms.

These suggestions put forward by Demirel were seen by analysts as covering the whole gamut of complaints that Turkey has vis-a-vis various countries, starting from Syria's giving refuge to PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, and stretching to the fact that the pro-PKK television station MED-TV is allowed by Britain to broadcast from London. Turkey also has extradition grievances with countries such as Germany, Holland and Britain who are considered as being too lenient on PKK members, even those who may have been involved in attacks in Turkey.

[02] Economy minister says Turkey may resume talks with IMF

ANKARA- A Cabinet minister in Turkey's fresh center-right coalition has said that Turkey could resume negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a possible stand-by arrangement.

State Minister Ufuk Soylemez, one of the three economy ministers in the Cabinet, said whether to request IMF consultation would depend on the budget work which is to be done.

He told the semiofficial Anatolia news agency that the government had not yet made any specific decision to resume talks with the IMF.

"I believe we shall discuss that option after having passed the budget," he said.

Turkey's latest stand-by agreement with the Fund began in July 1994 and expired on Feb. 2, 1996.

Soylemez ruled out any fresh austerity program.

"Two principal objectives we have agreed on are to allow the lira to depreciate in proportion with the going rate of inflation and not to delay state sector price hikes. Those may seem to be simple principles but they are our essentials," he explained.

He also said he believed the Motherpath coalition would prove to be successful after having worked like a single party government.

[03] US commerce secretary plans trip to Turkey to promote business

ANKARA- U.S. Commerce Secretary Ron Brown will visit Turkey this year in an effort to attract the interest of U.S. investors and businesses in the opportunities Turkey presents as a Big Emerging Market (BEM), according to the United States Information Agency (USIA).

Brown announced his trip in a March 7 speech to the Annual Conference and Trade Exposition sponsored by the American-Turkish Council and American Friends of Turkey.

"As we look to the future, I can say without hesitation that Turkey with its young, energetic population and its great wealth of resources and opportunities will continue to grow and prosper," the USIA quoted him as saying. "The United States wants to be part of this growth. That is what our BEM program is all about, and we are already seeing results." The secretary also said he is "encouraging U.S. companies to take another look at the Turkish market now that Turkey has concluded a customs union agreement with the European Union an agreement that we strongly endorsed and actively supported.

.. Reduced barriers to trade and increased market access will stimulate new trade and investment opportunities." He added that "Turkey's economic gains from the customs union will be directly related to the amount of new investment Turkey is able to attract. In order to attract further investment and to grow to its potential, Turkey must continue on the liberalizing path and to clarify legal uncertainties that stand in the way of future projects." Turkey "has made a great start," Brown said. "In anticipation of the customs union and other changes, inflows of foreign direct investment into Turkey reached a record $1.3 billion in 1995 a 50 percent increase over 1994.

"With a more open economy and strong economic program, Turkey will continue to be successful in competing internationally for investment capital."

[04] Turkish coalition names planning board members, privatization chief

ANKARA- Turkey's new right-wing coalition has named the members of the Supreme Planning Board (YPK) and the head of the privatization office.

The prime minister's press office said that the members of the YPK, chaired by Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, were state ministers Rusdu Saracoglu (ANAP), Ufuk Soylemez (DYP) and Yaman Toruner (DYP), Public Works Minister Mehmet Kececiler (ANAP), Industry and Commerce Minister Yalim Erez (DYP), Energy Minister Husnu Dogan (ANAP), and State Planning Undersecretary Necati Ozfirat.

The Supreme Privatization Board (OYK), also chaired by the prime minister, will consist of state ministers Ufuk Soylemez and Rusdu Saracoglu, Finance Minister Lutfullah Kayalar (ANAP) and Industry and Commerce Minister Erez.

A statement released from the Privatization Board (OIB) said its Deputy Chairman, Ergin Nural, had been appointed acting chairman. Nural is succeeding former acting Chairman Metin Ercan. He served at executive posts at three privately-owned company groups, Cihan, Alarko and Pet.

Prime Minister Yilmaz will take direct responsibility for privatization. The premier's decision to take personal control of privatization was disclosed in a statement signed by Yilmaz, detailing the roles of government ministers, the semi-official Anatolia news agency said.

The coalition agreement reached last week between Turkey's two center-right parties pushed Turkish shares to record levels on optimism about the coalition's ability to push through sell-offs. The privatization process, which is a priority for both coalition parties, has been stalled by court challenges and revenues generated by the sell-offs lag well below the target of $2.7 billion last year. Turkey raised some $600 million through sell-offs in 1995.

Bulent Ecevit, leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP), is now expected to challenge the privatization plans of the new government. Ecevit has served notice he was prepared to oppose the coalition's plans for social and economic liberalization.

Last week Yilmaz bowed to DSP pressure and omitted from the new government's program plans to privatize social security bodies. Moreover, a prominent member of the DSP led the recent campaign to block the sell-off of the telecommunication giant Turk Telecom.

Aside from privatization, the prime minister's duties will include management of state planning and money and credit coordination.

[05] Yilmaz makes first foreign visit to Paris as PM to attend EDU meeting

ANKARA- "Turkey has made it clear that its destiny is interrelated with that of Europe's by joining in customs union, now Europe should prove Ankara's importance by inviting it to the EU's Intergovermental Conference in Turin," said Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz in Paris on Wednesday.

Yilmaz, who rushed to the French capital on Tuesday, just after his coalition government received a vote of confidence, was addressing a one-day meeting of European Democratic Union (EDU), of which he is also the deputy chairman and his Motherland Party a member.

Shortly after landing in Paris, Yilmaz attended a dinner given by his French counterpart Alain Juppe in honor of conservative party leaders from 29 countries who gathered to discuss the future of the continent at the EDU meeting. EDU is an 18-year-old organization which brings together Europe's conservatives.

Yilmaz, as the newly-appointed prime minister of Turkey, was reportedly the focus of attention at the dinner. Juppe and Yilmaz took the opportunity for a brief conversation.

The gathering of Euro-conservatives was deprived of several of its heavyweights, such as German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and British Prime Minister John Major, who were attending a summit on terrorism in Egypt.

Talking at the meeting, Yilmaz underlined that the solidarity mechanism which the EU has launched with non-member countries should also include Turkey.

Yilmaz also repeated that Mediterranean countries had an important role with respect to the security of Europe and stressed that the peace process in the Middle East should be supported.

The Turkish prime minister later moved on to a joint conference of leaders where, pointing out that both Greece and Turkey were members of NATO, Yilmaz said that good relations between the two countries were also to the good of Europe.

"We as a government are ready to solve our problems through dialogue, however we should first agree on what these problems are," Yilmaz was quoted by the Anatolia news agency as saying.

Criticizing Greece for its opposition within the framework of Turkey's customs union with EU, Yilmaz said that Juppe had made a commitment to him that France would continue to support Turkey.

Referring to the Cyprus question, Yilmaz said that it was not possible for the Greek Cypriot side to become a full member of the EU on behalf of the whole island before a solution was brought to the whole island.

Greek New Democracy Party leader Miltiades Evert, who spoke after Yilmaz, said that it was Turkey which had increased the tension between the two neighbors.

Mesut Yilmaz, later in the day, had contacts with Czech Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus and Albanian President Sali Berisha.

Yilmaz on his way back to Turkey is scheduled to stop in Germany to pick up his wife and his son who is there to undergo medical treatment for his eye.

[06] Yumurtalik-Kirkuk pipeline deal on track

ANKARA- Negotiations between Iraq and the United Nations in New York to determine the amount of Iraqi oil allowed to be pumped to world markets in May appears to be nearing a positive conclusion.

According to diplomatic sources in New York, if the Yumurtalik-Kirkuk pipeline were opened, 500,000 barrels of oil per day would be pumped through Turkey to the world market.

Meanwhile, the Mina al-Bakr line in southern Iraq would carry 200,000 barrels of Iraqi crude.

Last week, Iraq Oil Minister Amir Muhammad Raseed and Turkish officials agreed on the reopening of the Yumurtalik-Kirkuk pipeline, which is closed as part of a U.N. embargo on Iraq after that country's invasion of Kuwait in August 1990.

The sticking point in the New York negotiations appears to be over who will distribute the food and medicine, paid for by the oil sales, to the Kurdish people in northern Iraq. The Iraqi authorities want to do it themselves, while the United Nations favors using international aid organizations, the Anatolia news agency reported.

U.N. Security Council resolution 986, approved in April 1995, allows Iraq to sell oil worth $1 billion over a three-month period but demands that 30 percent of this revenue be transferred to the U.N. Compensation Found and 15 percent be allocated to the Iraqi Kurds' needs.

The Yumurtalik-Kirkuk pipeline pumped 1.5 million barrels per day of Iraqi crude before it was shut down as part of a U.N. embargo on Iraq after its invasion of Kuwait in August 1990.