TRKNWS-L Turkish Press Review (June 12, 1995)

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

Subject: TRKNWS-L Turkish Press Review (June 12, 1995)

CONTENTS

  • [01] DEMIREL LEAVES FOR KAZAKHSTAN

  • [02] TURKEY REPORTS BIG SUCCESS AGAINST SEPARATISTS

  • [03] TURKISH NAVY BEGINS SCHEDULED EXERCISE

  • [04] TOP TURKISH COUNCIL ADVISES EXTENSION OF PROVIDE COMFORT

  • [05] PANEL TO DISCUSS MIDDLE EAST SECURITY

  • [06] EUROPEAN CEMENT PRODUCERS MEET IN ISTANBUL

  • [07] EUROPEAN POLICE CHIEFS MEET IN DUBLIN

  • [08] STATE MINISTER ATAC VISITS ISRAEL

  • [09] ADMIRAL BAYAZIT LEADS DELEGATION TO ALBANIA

  • [10] 128th ANNIVERSARY OF THE RED CRESCENT

  • [11] CHILDREN'S PARLIAMENT IN ISTANBUL

  • [12] ANKARA PLAN FOR BOSNIA

  • [13] TURKEY WARNS IRAN ABOUT SUPPORTING PKK

  • [14] NO TERRORISM IN TOURIST AREAS

  • [15] IMPROVED TIES WITH GEORGIA

    •

    WITH THE COMPLIMENT OF

    DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION

    TURKISH PRESS REVIEW

    JUNE 12, 1995

    Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish

    press this morning.

    [01] DEMIREL LEAVES FOR KAZAKHSTAN

    President Suleyman Demirel leaves today for a visit to Kazakhstan intended to boost relations with the former Soviet Republic. Demirel's three-day visit includes talks with his Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev and laying the foundation for the Hoca Ahmet Yesavi International Turco-Kazakh University. The visit is intended to focus on economic aspects of the ties between the two countries, with particular emphasis on bringing Kazakh oil to international markets with a pipeline via Turkey. /Hurriyet/

    [02] TURKEY REPORTS BIG SUCCESS AGAINST SEPARATISTS

    Security forces killed 35 Kurdish separatists yesterday in clashes throughout southeastern Turkey, the Anatolia news agency reported, quoting local officials in the provincial centre of Diyarbakir. Five soldiers reportedly died in the fighting. The agency also said 26 other rebels were captured in the area, including two militants sought for the bombing of a bus stop in Batman last week that killed 11 people and wounded 18. The latest figures for losses by the PKK terrorist organization are 141 killed and 167 captured since the start of the month, Interior Minister Nahit Mentese told the Anatolia news agency. Mentese said the successes of the security forces over the past two years have helped to disperse the atmosphere of gloom over the country. The PKK has been fighting for an independent Kurdish state covering parts of Turkey, Iraq, Iran Syria since 1984. Some 16,000 people, including rebels, policemen, soldiers and civilians have died in the fighting.

    [03] TURKISH NAVY BEGINS SCHEDULED EXERCISE

    The Turkish navy began on Saturday a scheduled exercise in the eastern Mediterranean, the Aegean and the Sea of Marmara, a military statement said. The Sea Wolf/95 exercies will end on June 23. Military officials said several of the ships taking part in Sea Wolf/95 would temporarily join Efes-95, a combined land, air and sea exercise underway in the Aegean since June 1. They will return to Sea Wolf/95 when the combined operation ends on June 15. Turkey launched Efes-95 the day after the Greek Parliament ratified a treaty giving Athens the right to extend its territorial waters to 12 miles. /All papers/

    [04] TOP TURKISH COUNCIL ADVISES EXTENSION OF PROVIDE COMFORT

    The Turkish National Security Council yesterday recommended the extension of the mandate of an allied strike force stationed in Turkey to protect Iraqi Kurds. A statement issued after the monthly meeting of the council chaired by President Suleyman Demirel said the task force, named Operation Provide Comfort, should continue to be based in Turkey. The council also proposed the extension, for another four months from June 19, of a state of emergency in 10 southeastern Turkish provinces to fight against the PKK terrorist organization. Parliament will have the final say when it votes on both issues later this month.

    Deputy Prime Minister Hikmet Cetin yesterday also attended the meeting held at the Cankaya Palace with members of the National Security Council (NSC). Following discussion of terrorist actions throughout Turkey, measures to be taken against attempts for establishing a "Kurdish government in-exile" were considered. The NSC also supported the Turkish government's efforts to block moves by some European countries to support attempts by groups to establish the so-called parliament in exile.

    The PKK terrorist organization's attempts to penetrate the Mediterranean tourist regions, discussed in previous meetings, were again reviewed and a decision to increase security measures in the region was unanimously accepted.

    The Turkish government will also make a four-month extension to the state of emergency rule obtaining in the southeastern regions of the country, and a six-month extension to the Provide Comfort mandate. /All papers/

    [05] PANEL TO DISCUSS MIDDLE EAST SECURITY

    Today Foreign Minister Erdal Inonu will open a panel discussion on the "new dimensions of Middle East security" which will bring together international academics and security experts at the Middle East Technical University (METU). The panel, organized jointly by METU and Harvard University's Middle East Studies Centre, will seek to redefine the concept of security with new elements such as politics, economics and other concerns of the Middle Eastern states.

    [06] EUROPEAN CEMENT PRODUCERS MEET IN ISTANBUL

    The annual meeting of the European Cement Bureau is scheduled to take place in Istanbul today, the Anatolia news agency reported. The three-day convention will be attended by 170 delegates from 17 countries. This is the second time Turkey has hosted the Bureau's annual meeting.

    [07] EUROPEAN POLICE CHIEFS MEET IN DUBLIN

    Ankara Police Chief Orhan Tasanlar is to join the "17th European Capitals Police Services Conference" in Dublin today, the Anatolia news agency reported. Tasanlar, who will be one of the 30 European police chiefs at the event, is expected to discuss "the drug ties of the PKK terrorist organization". The police chiefs will be received by Irish President Mary Robinson on June 16.

    [08] STATE MINISTER ATAC VISITS ISRAEL

    State Minister Baki Atac will go to Israel tomorrow as the guest of the Israeli Agriculture Minister. He will hold talks with agriculture ministry officials on the two countries' joint ventures. Atac will be negotiating the financial, technological and operational details with regard to the agriculture, industry, irrigation, and environment-related ventures involving the Southeast Anatolia Project's (GAP) Regional Development Planning office and the Israeli government. Atac is expected to return to Turkey on June 15. /Cumhuriyet/

    [09] ADMIRAL BAYAZIT LEADS DELEGATION TO ALBANIA

    Admiral Vural Bayazit, commander of the Turkish Naval Forces, led a delegation that arrived in the Albanian capital Tirana Friday for an official visit, the Anatolia news agency reported. The Albanian ATA news agency reported that Adm.Bayazit and the delegation visited Admiral Muharrem Kucana, commander of the Albanian Naval Forces, and Gen.Seme Kosova, commander of the Albanian Ground Forces. President Sali Berisa also received Adm.Bayazit and his delegation to discuss military relations between the two countries, the agency reported.

    [10] 128th ANNIVERSARY OF THE RED CRESCENT

    President Suleyman Demirel said yesterday that the Turkish Red Crescent (Kizilay) society served all individuals, protecting their lives and health, and did not discriminate on the grounds of nationality, race, religion, way of life or political beliefs. In a message to Red Crescent Chairman Kemal Demir on the occasion of the 128th anniversary of the society's foundation, Demirel said the Red Crescent was not only at the service of Turkish citizens but of all mankind. Today, Demirel continued, the Red Crescent has extended its helping hand in the name of the Turkish nation to people in Azerbaijan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Chechnya, northern Iraq and Afghanistan who have been in difficulties. He noted that Kizilay had put up a determined struggle in the fight against starvation, poverty and disease, adding that the society, with its 649 branches nation-wide, continued to fulfill its mission. Prime Minister Tansu Ciller, who also sent a message to Chairman Demir, said the Red Crescent had given the most wonderful examples of tolerance and solidarity. Demir held a press conference on the occasion. /Sabah/

    [11] CHILDREN'S PARLIAMENT IN ISTANBUL

    The Istanbul Children's Parliament, uniting children from 110 countries to discuss international issues close to their hearts, took place in the Istanbul Municipality Council Chamber, the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday. At the meeting, where children took turns delivering short speeches, mainly on their fears for the environment and the consequences of war, particularly moved the participants when children from Bosnia-Herzegvoina spoke of their own experiences.

    [12] ANKARA PLAN FOR BOSNIA

    Ankara has a plan that will initiate moves to oust Serb leader Radovan Karadzic. Turkey has begun contacts with "alternative" leader Mirko Peyanovic, and will promote him as the best man to replace the present Serb leader.

    By inviting Peyanovic to Ankara and holding him up as a man acceptable to both sides, Ankara has given Peyanovic an "international identity" -one that will help in the removal of Karadzic in the search for a way to bring peace to Bosnia. /Hurriyet/

    [13] TURKEY WARNS IRAN ABOUT SUPPORTING PKK

    Interior Minister Nahit Mentese has warned Iran about allowing the PKK terrorist organization to set up temporary camps along the Iran-Iraq border. The camps have been set up to shelter PKK terrorists filtering across the border from Iraq.

    In a telephone message, Iranian officials have been told that Turkey is not happy about the news that the camps have been set up for the benefit of the PKK.

    Acording to some reports, some camps have been set up just across the border from Dogubeyazit and Baskale. Turkish security has been stepped up in the region to prevent PKK terrorists filtering into Turkey through the Van and Hakkari regions. Turkish military representatives have declared that Turkish forces are ready to clean out the terrorist camps.

    In the meantime, the fight against the PKK within the borders of Turkey seems to be going against the terrorists. Reports given to the government claim that PKK mountain forces have suffered some deadly blows and that the PKK has lost much of its strength as a result. In clashes over the weekend in the Tunceli, Sirnak, Hakkari, Diyarbakir, Bingol, Bitlis and Mardin regions, 35 terrorists have been reported killed. /All papers/

    [14] NO TERRORISM IN TOURIST AREAS

    During a conference held over the weekend at the Antalya- Kemer "Magic World" holiday village, foreign ambassadors and other officials were assured that terrorism has not penetrated the holiday areas along the southern coasts of Turkey.

    Ambassadors and others representing 27 countries were briefed on security arrangements and were given a guarantee that measures taken were sufficient to deal with any eventuality. After the meeting, the participants were taken on a tour of the region. /Sabah/

    [15] IMPROVED TIES WITH GEORGIA

    It has been stated that important improvements are developing in Turkey-Georgia relations. Georgia is one of the brother countries that like Azerbaijan has no serious problems with Turkey. It has been reported that there was an accord of viewpoint between Turkey and Georgia regarding the transportation of Asian and the Caucasian oil and natural gas to Turkey over Georgia, and that this issue would be on the agenda of the talks of Georgian Foreign Minister Aleksandr Sikvaydze in Ankara on 12-13 June. Officials from the Turkish Foreign Ministry have stated that Georgia is of a great importance for Turkey and that the "Georgian route" was an ideal transportation line for Central Asian and Caucasian oil and natural gas. Officials admit that Turkey had no alternative other than Georgia, because of serious problems with Armenia and Iran. Meanwhile, it has also been reported that a new border gate will be opened in the Turkgozu-Ahiska region between Turkey and Georgia in July, and that Turkish President Suleyman Demirel and Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze would attend the opening ceremony. This border gate will also be important for Ahiska Turks living in the region. /Milliyet/

    END

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