TRKNWS-L Turkish Press Review(April 27, 1995)

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

Subject: TRKNWS-L Turkish Press Review(April 27, 1995)

CONTENTS

  • [01] US: "CILLER KEEPS HER PROMISE"

  • [02] TURKEY SEVERS DEFENCE INDUSTRY TIES WITH THE NETHERLANDS

  • [03] FM INONU TO VISIT AZERBAIJAN

  • [04] FM SPOKESMAN ATAMAN SAYS GOOD-BYE

  • [05] PAKISTANI GENERAL WAHEED RECEIVES HONORARY AWARD

  • [06] CETIN: "TERROR IS THE BIGGEST VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS"

  • [07] TAIWANESE TRADE MISSION TO VISIT TOBB

  • [08] TRADE COMMITTEE TO LEAVE FOR KUWAIT

  • [09] YET MORE SUPPORT FROM THE US

  • [10] 20,000 TURKISH TROOPS WITHDRAW

  • [11] EU'S PROPOSAL DECISION

  • [12] MARATHON BEGINS IN CYPRUS

  • [13] "MUGLA HOUSE" OPENS IN FLORIDA

  • [14] NEW STATUS FOR MULTINATIONAL HAMMER FORCE

  • [15] DIPLOMATIC PRESSURE TO CLOSE MED-TV

  • [16] PKK RELEASES JOURNALISTS

  • [17] NEW MEASURES FOR MIDDLE EAST SECURITY

  • [18] ANKARA REFUSES MOSCOW PROPOSAL

  • [19] TURKISH FILMS WEEK IN HOLLAND

    •

    TURKISH PRESS REVIEW

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    THURSDAY APRIL 27, 1995

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    [01] US: "CILLER KEEPS HER PROMISE"

    US State Department Spokesman Nicholas Burns said the Turkish decision to withdraw 20,000 more troops from northern Iraq was "obviously a positive development. It is consistent with the assurances given to the President and the Secretary of State last week by Prime Minister Ciller that Turkey would meet its agreement (that) this incursion would be limited in scope and duration. We are very encouraged to see that the Turkish civilian and military authorities are acting on their commitment to this, that this will in fact be limited". Burns then reaffirmed US support for Turkey's campaign against the PKK. "We believe that Turkey has a right to try to cope with the very serious problem of terrorism that has emanated not only from northern Iraq but from within Turkey's own borders" Burns said.

    Meanwhile, Germany said yesterday that Turkey had taken a step in the right direction by agreeing to pull out most of its troops from northern Iraq. Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel said he was happy Turkey had heeded its allies' calls and withdrawn more than 20,000 troops. Kinkel said: "Now the remaining 10,000 soldiers must be withdrawn without delay". /Hurriyet/

    [02] TURKEY SEVERS DEFENCE INDUSTRY TIES WITH THE NETHERLANDS

    Angry over the Netherlands' failure to stop the meetings of a so-called Kurdish Parliament-in-exile in The Hague, Ankara declared yesterday that it would halt future military purchases from the Netherlands. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ferhat Ataman said Turkey had placed the Netherlands on a "red list". "We have decided to stop all new military procurements from the Netherlands and Dutch firms will not be able to participate in Turkey's military tenders" Ataman said in his weekly press conference. But he added that there were ongoing military deals between the two countries and these would continue as contracts had been signed.

    Ataman said the ban would continue until Amsterdam came up with a guarantee that the so-called parliament would never be allowed to convene in the Netherlands again. In Amsterdam, the Dutch Parliament also debated Turco-Dutch ties following a motion from the opposition. The Christian Democrats have demanded that the government explain why it allowed such a meeting and how it planned to overcome the difficulties that might a rise in Dutch foreign policy.

    Meanwhile, Dutch Foreign Minister Hans Van Mierlo called upon his Turkish counterpart Erdal Inonu to meet at an "impartial" place. Mierlo will meet with representatives of Turkish institutions and federations next week. /Sabah-Hurriyet/

    [03] FM INONU TO VISIT AZERBAIJAN

    Foreign Minister Erdal Inonu will visit Azerbaijan on May 3-4 as the guest of his Azeri counterpart, Hasan Hasanov. "The visit will be a part of a process of close political consultations with Azerbaijan, and is expected to give momentum to bilateral ties", Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ferhat Ataman said in his weekly press conference yesterday. It is expected that the latest developments in the region, such as the opening of the air corridor to Armenia via Turkey, will be discussed during the visit. /All papers/

    [04] FM SPOKESMAN ATAMAN SAYS GOOD-BYE

    Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ferhat Ataman, who has been guiding the ministry's relations with the press for nearly six years, said good-bye in a final press conference yesterday. Ataman, who is soon to leave for Kuala Lumpur for his first ambassadorial appointment, introduced Nurettin Nurkan, the new spokesman to journalists at the conference. /All papers/

    [05] PAKISTANI GENERAL WAHEED RECEIVES HONORARY AWARD

    General Abdul Waheed, Pakistani land forces commander, was decorated with a honorary award by his Turkish counterpart Hikmet Bayar during a military welcoming ceremony in Ankara yesterday. Speaking afterward, the two generals reaffirmed the brotherly ties which link Pakistan and Turkey. Waheed, who will also visit Istanbul, is expected to leave the country on April 30. /All papers/

    [06] CETIN: "TERROR IS THE BIGGEST VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS"

    Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman, State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Hikmet Cetin pointed out that terror was the biggest violation of human rights and stated that terror has nothing to do with democracy, rule of law and human rights. He said that within the frameworks of democracy and law, every country had the right to fight against terror. He noted that changes should be made in the Struggle against Terror Law, apart from the Constitution. He said: "I beleive that Turkey will overcome every problem including terror along with democracy". /Cumhuriyet/

    [07] TAIWANESE TRADE MISSION TO VISIT TOBB

    Taiwan's deputy Finance Minister S.J.Lee will visit the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) today, the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday. According to a statement released by TOBB, the meeting will include representatives from Turkish and Taiwanese public enterprises and the economies of both countries will be discussed.

    [08] TRADE COMMITTEE TO LEAVE FOR KUWAIT

    A delegation of businessmen headed by Yalim Erez, Chairman of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), is scheduled to leave for Kuwait today, the Anatolia news agency reported. Besides meetings with Kuwaiti businessmen, the delegation is also to hold talks with government officials in the country. A cooperation agreement between the chambers of the two countries is expected to be signed during the visit, which will last until May 2. /Hurriyet/

    [09] YET MORE SUPPORT FROM THE US

    Billy White, US Deputy Energy Secretary, has proposed that Turkmenistan's 28 billion cubic meters of natural gas and oil pipelines should pass beneath the Caspian Sea and through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. White's proposal, made during an official visit to Turkmenistan, has been interpreted by experts as the first open US statement expressing its opposition to the transportation of Turkmen natural gas via Iran. White said Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Russia and Azerbaijan should decide for themselves on the Caspian issue, but did not mention Iran, even though this country has a Caspian shore. White indicated that if an agreement was reached on the Caspian, Turkmenistan's energy lines could pass under that sea and reach Turkey via Azerbaijan and Georgia. /Sabah/

    [10] 20,000 TURKISH TROOPS WITHDRAW

    Explaining the situation in Northern Iraq after the withdrawal of 20,000 Turkish troops, a high level official of the Chief-of-Staff stated that Turkish troops would remain at critical points in order to provide security, and said:" The Turkish Armed Forces will obey if the political authority finds a new solution and gives a new order. The Turkish Armed Forces are withdrawing units which have achieved their aims but some units are being deployed at critical points just as some officials stay behind to check the field after a match. By leaving some units behind our aim is to control border crossing." Stressing that news claiming Peshmerge regional forces had taken over control the places where Turkish troops have been withdrawn did not reflect the truth, the official said: "The Turkish Armed Forces have not left their places to Peshmerges and have not made an agreement regarding this issue with the Peshmerges until now. We are withdrawing the units that have completed their task and we are now taking necessary measures regarding security. The Turkish Armed Forces are controlling the necessary places and the personnel left there are enough to do this task." Criticizing comments claiming that the withdrawal of the 20,000 troops had been planned to be realized before the General Council meeting of the European Council, the same official said: "The political authorities could have been approached with this in mind but we did not receive such an order from the political authority before this meeting. There is no further need to keep our units deployed there. They have finished their work. Keeping them there would only mean an extra expense." /Milliyet/

    [11] EU'S PROPOSAL DECISION

    Following a debate by the European Union Parliamentary Assembly on the future of Turkey's relations with the EU, 156 members voted in favour of a decision that Turkey should find a peaceful solution to the Kurdish issue and northern Iraq issue, before full membership could be considered. The Assembly also decided to give Turkey a period of time to harmonize her laws and constitution with European Council principles, and that if Turkey makes little or no progress regarding these issues, membership will be suspended.

    Regarding the recent proposal decision of the Parliamentary Assembly of the EU, Speaker of the Turkish National Assembly (TGNA), Husamettin Cindoruk said that Turkey did not deserve such a tough decision. Noting that he would write a protest letter to EU General Secretery Miguel Martines, Cindoruk said: "Although we have a deficiency, democracy is functioning in Turkey."

    Twelve Turkish Parliamentarians attending the voting session, left the meeting to protest the proposal decision. /Milliyet/

    [12] MARATHON BEGINS IN CYPRUS

    After the recent two-round election marathon, re-elected President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Rauf Denktas, has begun yet another marathon in search of a solution to the Cyprus issue. US President Bill Clinton has decided that a solution to Cyprus problem must be found. Clinton has given Denktas no chance to rest after the elections and is sending two US State Department experts to the island today. According to the US Nicosia Embassy, the visit of US State Department Cyprus Coordinator James Williams and Cyprus Desk Chief Joe Merante will begin today and last until April 30. The two officials will first hold consultations with Greek Cypriot leader Glafkos Klerides. The second round of consultations will be with Denktas. Political circles in the TRNC have drawn attention to the fact that the US side is seeking an an urgent solution to the Cyprus issue. /Cumhuriyet/

    [13] "MUGLA HOUSE" OPENS IN FLORIDA

    An exact replica of a traditional Turkish house from Mugla was presented this past Sunday to the Graves Museum of Archeology and Natural History in Dania, Florida by the Turkish American Business, Education and Cultural Development Cooperation (TABEC), thanks to the contribution of several Turkish businessmen, the Restoration of Antique Mugla Houses Foundation, and the Turkish Government. The house was ferried in parts to Florida by Turkish Cargo Lines and installed at its new Ft.Lauderale location by Turkish architect Ertugrul Aladag. Dr.Lale Aytaman, Governor of Mugla, Ambassador Reha Ataman and Ambassador Nuzhet Kandemir from Washington were present at the presentation ceremony, a gala dinner on Sunday night attended by over 125 distinguished guests. Ft.Lauderdale is the official sister-city of Mugla. The house itself is a smaller version of the original Mugla house. An 8-by-10 foot, one-room-house, complete with chimney and tile roof and porch, was made in ready-to-assemble sections in Turkey. The wood used in the construction is "Agla Wood" from the Koycegiz region. /Hurriyet/

    [14] NEW STATUS FOR MULTINATIONAL HAMMER FORCE

    One of the issues that Prime Minister Ciller spoke about during her visit to the US recently concerned the functions of the "hammer" force deployed at Incirlik base near Adana.

    The UN multinational strike force has long been a bone of contention between certain groups in Turkey, and Ciller said during her US contacts that the sit- uation needed to be revised. Ciller wants the status of the strike force revised according to the conditions now obtaining in the region, especially in view of the Turkish military incursion into northern Iraq just over a month ago.

    Reports now suggest that a new series of talks at tech- nical levels with US officials have been agreed to in principle, but nothing concrete has been decided. /All papers/

    [15] DIPLOMATIC PRESSURE TO CLOSE MED-TV

    Claiming that the PKK terror organization is supporting the London-based Med-TV satellite channel, Turkish Am- bassador to London, Candemir Onhon, has officially re- quested the British government to have the station closed down.

    After a series of diplomatic notes from Ankara, the struggle to have Med-TV closed has moved to London, where Ambassador Onhon is trying to show that the TV station broadcasts PKK propaganda during its daily three hour satellite broad- casts.

    According to the broadcasting contract made with Med-TV, the TV station is only allowed to broadcast music and similar light entertainment-not political propaganda that favours the PKK terrorist organization. /Cumhuri- yet/

    [16] PKK RELEASES JOURNALISTS

    Two Turkish journalists held by PKK terrorists in the Nusaybin region since March 31 have been released. AFP reporter Kadri Gursel and Reuter journalist Fatih Saribas were released early yesterday morning after an eight hour walk to a village near Sirnak, in the southeastern borders of Turkey.

    Acording to Reuters' Ankara bureau chief, Jonathan Lyons, both of the journalist are well. Fatih Saribas has been in telephone contact with his office and reported that other than losing a few kilos he is fine. /All papers/

    [17] NEW MEASURES FOR MIDDLE EAST SECURITY

    In a move to establish security cooperation similar to that in Europe, Turkey has taken the first initiative to set up a Middle East security cooperation to bring a lasting solution to regional tensions.

    During a meeting of high level officials held at the beginning of the month in Antalya, it was agreed that information about military activities in most regional countries should be made available to other countries sharing the same desire for regional security.

    Turkey has engineered a series of three meetings so far on the issue, and the general opinion is that they have been a success. Conditions ruling military development and activity have been drawn up and accepted in principle by the countries participat- ing in the initiative. /Cumhuriyet/

    [18] ANKARA REFUSES MOSCOW PROPOSAL

    Russia has proposed that Turkey should withdraw from the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) Agreement and instead come to a mutual agreement with Russia. Ankara has turned the offer down.

    Former Ambassador to Ankara, Albert Chernishev will arrive in Ankara on Friday as the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, and it is likely that he will try to push some kind of agreement through with Turkey. In view of recent developments throughout the whole of the Central Asian region, Moscow would like to Turkey on its side, this especially so in view of moves to develop oil and other resources in the region. /All papers/

    [19] TURKISH FILMS WEEK IN HOLLAND

    "Turkish Films Week" starts today in the Nijmegen, Amsterdam and Rotterdam cities of Holland. Films will be shown until May 5 in Nijmegen, between 4-10 May in Amsterdam and between 11-14 May in Rotterdam. /Cumhuriyet/

    END

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