TRKNWS-L Turkish Press Review (May 26, 1995)

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

Subject: TRKNWS-L Turkish Press Review (May 26, 1995)

CONTENTS

  • [01] COOPERATION WITH CHINA

  • [02] EMBARGO ON POTATOES FROM THE TRNC

  • [03] DEMIREL SENDS NATIONAL DAY MESSAGE TO ARGENTINA

  • [04] AMBASSADOR BATU CRITICIZES "FOOTBALL MATCH" APPROACH TO EVENTS IN FORMER YUGOSLAVIA

  • [05] CABINET ENDORSES TRADE ACCORD WITH PHILIPPINES

  • [06] EXIMBANK PROFITS UP 84.3 % IN 1994

  • [07] US EXIMBANK CHIEF TO PROMOTE TURKISH BOT PROJECTS

  • [08] TURKEY TO TAKE PART IN NEW AZERI OIL PROJECT

  • [09] TURKEY CRITICIZES YELTSIN OVER CHECHNYA

  • [10] US ADMINISTRATION REFUSES TO LINK U.S ARMS TO HUMAN RIGHTS

  • [11] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT RE-ELECTS OZDEN

  • [12] EURO-MPS CONCLUDE THEIR VISIT TO TURKEY

  • [13] DOGAN ATTENDS OECD MEETING

  • [14] POLITICIAN PROTESTS AGAINST RULING SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT IN BULGARIA

  • [15] COUNTDOWN STARTS FOR LOCAL ELECTIONS

  • [16] THIRTY FOREIGN JOURNALISTS INVITED TO VISIT TURKEY

  • [17] BOMB EXPLOSION AT A MINIBUS STATION IN BATMAN

  • [18] TALABANI'S DELEGATION IN ANKARA

  • [19] US AND TURKEY AGREE ON THE PEACE PLAN

  • [20] INVESTMENTS IN TURKEY ON A MEDIUM LEVEL

    •

    WITH THE COMPLIMENT OF

    DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION

    TURKISH PRESS REVIEW

    MAY 26, 1995

    Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish

    press this morning.

    [01] COOPERATION WITH CHINA

    It was pointed out that, during President Demirel's visit to China, one of the subjects on the agenda was the defence industry. President Suleyman Demirel told his Chinese counterpart Jiang Zemin during bilateral meetings that Turkey desires cooperation with China in the field of defence and Zemin had a positive approach to the subject.

    Contacts in the field of defence has a long history with both countries transferring technology to one another. President Suleyman Demirel said that contacts were very satisfactory. The two countries' presidents decided that Turkish and Chinese foreign ministers would hence forth pay mutual visits twice a year.

    Chinese officials noted that they would increase their import from Turkey and they canvassed possibilities of selling goods to Europe via Turkey.

    On the fourth day of his visit President Suleyman Demirel went to Xian, which was the former capital of the empire.

    Demirel also visited the Buyuk Cami (Big Mosque) that had been erected during the period of the Ming dynasty. He invited the imam of the mosque, Muhammed Yunus Maliangi, to Turkey.

    Later, President Demirel, visited Terra Kota (the tomb of soldiers burried with their emperor) Museum in Xian. /Cumhuriyet-Hurriyet/

    [02] EMBARGO ON POTATOES FROM THE TRNC

    Upon the application of Greek Cypriots, the High Court of Britain has imposed an embargo on potatoes coming from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) that were exported to Britain via Turkey.

    However, the Greek Cypriots were not satisfied with this decision as it did not encompass an embargo on Citrus fruits.

    Export of potatoes form TRNC totals only $1.3 million annually while citrus fruit export is $16.6 million.

    Political observers have noted that although figures for potato exports are small, the embargo will nevertheless have a big negative effect politically. /Hurriyet/

    [03] DEMIREL SENDS NATIONAL DAY MESSAGE TO ARGENTINA

    President Suleyman Demirel sent good wishes to his Argentian counterpart Carlos Menem on the occasion of Argentina's National Day. Demirel, who also thanked Menem for the warm welcome he received during his recent visit to Argentina, stressed that he was looking forward to welcoming Menem to Turkey in order to "deepen the ties which have been initiated".

    [04] AMBASSADOR BATU CRITICIZES "FOOTBALL MATCH" APPROACH TO EVENTS IN FORMER YUGOSLAVIA

    At a UNPROFOR meeting in New York, chaired by Gen.Bernard Janvier of the UN peacekeeping force in former Yugoslavia, Turkish Ambassador Inal Batu accused the organization of "playing the role of a neutral referee" and not coming up with any solutions to the problem, the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday. The ambassador, who stressed that the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina was "nothing less than a tragedy" said he was protesting against the Western world for perceiving it as "some kind of footbal match", where their aim was to be there without taking sides. Batu went on by saying that the new suggestion foreseeing the reduction of peacekeeping forces in the area clearly meant leaving the outcome of events at the mercy of the Serbs. Batu, who expressed his objection to halting NATO air intervention in the area, was supported by UNPROFOR representatives from Egypt, Pakistan and the Netherlands.

    [05] CABINET ENDORSES TRADE ACCORD WITH PHILIPPINES

    The Turkish Cabinet has endorsed a trade agreement with the Philippines, the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday. According ot the law, which was published in the Official Gazette, the countries, in order to improve and promote trade relations, would take the necessary measures within the framework of each country's laws and regulations.

    [06] EXIMBANK PROFITS UP 84.3 % IN 1994

    The state-run import and export bank Eximbank increased its profits last year by 84.3 %, the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday. According to a statement published in the Official Gazette on Wednesday, the company's profits climbed to TL 454.9 billion in 1994. Meanwhile, the bank's profits from the capital markets last year rose to TL 73.6 billion, from a low of TL 16.5 billion in 1993. Eximbank's net interest revenues, which stood at TL 2.5 trillion in 1993, rose to 4.75 trillion last year.

    [07] US EXIMBANK CHIEF TO PROMOTE TURKISH BOT PROJECTS

    US Eximbank boss Rita Rodriguez said she would invite US firms to invest in energy projects using the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday. "I believe that Turkey would be successful in BOT projects and US Eximbank would support such projects financially" Rodriguez was quoted as saying. The two Eximbanks are especially interested in looking into projects in Central Asia, the Russian federation and Israel. In Istanbul, Dr.Rodriguez, accompanied by the US Eximbank vice president for project finance, Dianne Rudo, addressed the "US-Turkey Private Power Conference" which was sponsored by US and Turkish government agencies. /Milliyet/

    [08] TURKEY TO TAKE PART IN NEW AZERI OIL PROJECT

    Turkey will have at least a 15 % stake in a consortium to be established to develop a new Azeri oil field in the Caspian Sea, the head of the Azeri state oil company SOCAR said yesterday. The Anatolia news agency quoted Natik Aliyev as saying in Baku that the Azeri government could finalize its decision over the setting up of an international consortium regarding the Shahdeniz oil field. Aliyev said the projected 15 % for Turkey's share in the consortium could be increased upon Ankara's request. British Petroleum and Norway's Statoil are expected to lead the Shahdeniz consortium. Azerbaijan has already signed an $8 billion agreement with another international consortium to develop three other Azeri oil fields in the Caspian. Turkish Petroleum has a 6.75 share in that consortium.

    [09] TURKEY CRITICIZES YELTSIN OVER CHECHNYA

    Turkey on Thursday criticized Russian President, Boris Yeltsin, over his move to reject a parliamentary proposal to start unconditional peace talks with the rebel Chechen leadership. "It has been understood from reports by the Russian media that the President of the Russian Federation had vetoed a decision by the State Duma (Parliament's lower house) to start unconditional talks on Chechnya" the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "That a goodwill intitative put forward by the elected representatives of the people of the Russian federation, the Federation's republics and regions has not been pursued, has become a disappointing development for those, both in Russia and the world, who expect to see an end to the bloodshed in Chechnya" it said. Turkey urges the related sides to assume peace talks, for a ceasefire in the first place, in Chechnya where even in small residential areas the civilians are subject to attacks, the statement added. /All papers/

    [10] US ADMINISTRATION REFUSES TO LINK U.S ARMS TO HUMAN RIGHTS

    The US administration has registered its strong opposition to initiatives in Congress to link arms sales to Turkey to human rights. US State Department Spokesman Nick Burns said: "Our position is that we have very strong relations with Turkey, that Turkey is a strategic ally, that we see no reason to change the fundamental nature of our relationship with Turkey as a result of any actions in the past couple of months. Turkey has withdrawn its forces from northern Iraq. We were delighted to see that. We stand ready to work with Turkey on a host of problems that confront both Turkey and the US in southeast Europe. Turkey is a valued ally. We don't support any move to decrease US military or economic or political cooperation with Turkey". /Hurriyet/

    [11] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT RE-ELECTS OZDEN

    Yekta Gungor Ozden was re-elected to the post of presiding judge of the Constitutional Court yesterday, extending his term in office until 1997, when he is expected to retire. He was elected in the first round by an absolute majority vote, which is essential for a candidate to be elected. Ozden, speaking to journalists after the election, said the Constitutional Court was a fully independent and impartial institution which fulfilled its duties with sensitivity. He also said the election had been conducted in a democratic manner by the members of the court. "The Constitutional Court is the guarantee of everybody's rights and freedoms. That is why people should not try to undermine it" Ozden said. /All papers/

    [12] EURO-MPS CONCLUDE THEIR VISIT TO TURKEY

    A group of European Parliament deputies, concluding a visit to Turkey, urged Turkish officials to speed up democratization. "We are for full integration of Turkey with the EU" Claudia Roth, the leader of the Greens, told a press conference. "We are aware that a judicial process is being continued, but we hope that the jailed Democracy Party (DEP) deputies will be released and their rights restored" Roth said. The other two deputies, Socialist group's leader Pauline Green and European Radical Alliance chairwoman Catherine Lalumiere, said the European Parliament expected some progress from Turkey. Green allowed that the EP hoped that the judiciary appeal of the DEP deputies would be finalized before the Parliament voted on a customs union accord with Turkey. Meanwhile, Green stated that the EP would definitely oppose terrorism throughout the world. Lalumiere said that she really wanted Turkey to take its place in all European institutions and supported the customs union with Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/

    [13] DOGAN ATTENDS OECD MEETING

    Speaking at the annual meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris on May 23-24, State Minister Aykon Dogan said that the economic reforms and measures implemented in Turkey had started to yield positive results. At the OECD Council headed by Spain and consisting of 25 ministers of member states, Dogan furnished information regarding developments in the Turkish economy, stating that the stability package put into practice in 1994 had been very useful, and that public sector borrowing had considerably diminished and exports had increased. Stressing that a privatization programme for public institutions was being implemented in Turkey, Dogan pointed out that this programme would increase the power of the Turkish economy and improve production. Indicating that amendments in tax laws were foreseen to increase incomes and strengthen budgetary revenues, Dogan added that work was in progress for important changes in the social security system. He said that there were significant developments in the world economy last year, production increased and positive steps were taken on international trade and investments. Meanwhile, in a report on Turkey for last year, the OECD, which closely observes economic developments in Turkey, continuously supports the economic measures and predicts that inflation will fall. The OECD also continues to support the privatization initiatives and budget austerity in the public sector. Dogan also met with US Secretary of Commerce Ronald Brown. They took up bilateral economic and commercial relations and regional issues. /Cumhuriyet/

    [14] POLITICIAN PROTESTS AGAINST RULING SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT IN BULGARIA

    Ahmet Dogan, chairman of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (HOH) and one of the well-known leaders of the Turkish minority in Bulgaria, has said that if the opposition parties unite, he will participate again in the activities of the Parliament. According to the report from the Anatolia news agency yesterday, Dogan has boycotted Parliamentary activites for the past four months in protest against the ruling Socialist Party. His party has 15 deputies in the Bulgarian Parliament.

    [15] COUNTDOWN STARTS FOR LOCAL ELECTIONS

    The Supreme Election Council (YSK) has announced the regulations to be applied during campaigning for the local elections scheduled for June 4, the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday.

    [16] THIRTY FOREIGN JOURNALISTS INVITED TO VISIT TURKEY

    The Environment Ministry has invited 30 journalists from 12 countries to visit Turkey's natural and historical sites, the Anatolia news agency said yesterday. Ministry officials stressed their desire to give the foreign press a different perspective on Turkey, concentrating mainly on social, political, military and economic aspects. The media representatives are expected to arrive on June 24 and stay for a week.

    [17] BOMB EXPLOSION AT A MINIBUS STATION IN BATMAN

    As a result of a bomb explosion at a minibus station in Batman, eight people were killed, 4 of them children and 20 were seriously wounded. Bomb specialists investigating the event on the spot found four more bombs which were detonated. The Governorship of the State of Emergency stated that the bombs were planted by PKK terrorists. Batman Mayor Salih Sarman stated that the one, who planted the bomb, also was killed. The wounded were brought to the Diyarbakir Medical Faculty Hospital and the Batman SSK and State Hospitals. Meanwhile, fifteen terrorists near Bingol's Dallitepe Village, three terrorists in the Genc districts Suveren region and two terrorists in Tunceli's Pertek district were killed. /Hurriyet/

    [18] TALABANI'S DELEGATION IN ANKARA

    The delegation sent by Celal Talabani, leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) began their contacts in Ankara yesterday. Holding talks with officials from the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and gendarmarie yesterday, the delegation headed by Umar Fatah, member of the PUK polit bureau will also hold talks in the Foreign Ministry today. Cautioning the delegation on the PKK's settlement in Northern Iraq, the Ankara government is also trying to evaluate proposals of the Kurdish leaders on measures for controlling the region. Contacts with Mesut Barzani's delegation had been made previously, following the operations in Northern Iraq. /Milliyet/

    [19] US AND TURKEY AGREE ON THE PEACE PLAN

    Turkey and the US have agreed on the peace plan in order to achieve security in Northern Iraq.

    Technical Support

    The US will provide technical support for the security network which is being considered for the Turco-Iraqi border against PKK terrorists. Keeping contacts politically with the Kurdish leaders in Northern Iraq, the US will encourage them to work in close cooperation with Turkey. A US delegation will go to Northern Iraq for this purpose.

    Provide Comfort

    Discomfort over the Provide Comfort forces felt in public opinion is expected to be offset by US support against the PKK. /Cumhuriyet/

    [20] INVESTMENTS IN TURKEY ON A MEDIUM LEVEL

    While investments are lifting borders in globalized world, a research has showed that Turkey is on a medium level in regard to investment possibilities. In the research conducted by the BERI Institute in Geneva, criterias regarding productivity, business laws, education, infrastructure, worker's salaries in the countries were taken into consideration and thus the sitability of the respective countries were ascertained. According to this research accepted by the leading institutions of the world, Turkey has succeeded in receiving a passing note of 52 points. Turkey was ahead of Italy, Mexico, India, Russia, Poland, China and Brazil. Singapore was noted as being the country most convenient for investments with 79 points. Sweden and Japan were next on the list. /Sabah/

    END

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