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

CONTENTS

  • [01] INONU IN TRNC

  • [02] DEMIREL: "TURKEY IS ALREADY A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY"

  • [03] GHALI TO VISIT TURKEY IN JULY

  • [04] HAMBURG POLITICIAN URGES VOTING RIGHTS FOR TURKS IN GERMANY

  • [05] "STRUGGLE AGAINST DRUGS" STARTS IN ANKARA

  • [06] PM'S OFFICE: 19,000 DEAD IN 11-YEAR PKK CONFLICT

  • [07] TURKISH EXPORTERS TO UZBEKISTAN, TURKMENISTAN

  • [08] UN AGREEMENT

  • [09] DUFF AND PHELPS RAISES TURKEY'S RATING

  • [10] EU FAMILY MEETING IN CANNES

  • [11] GREEK SUPPORT FOR KURDISH LEADER

  • [12] EU COUNCIL "WATCHING TURKEY CLOSELY"

  • [13] MORE LOBBYING FOR CUSTOMS UNION

  • [14] GROSSMAN IN DIYARBAKIR

  • [15] TODAY: "TURKEY IS A TOURISM PARADISE"

  • [16] "FIRST PRODUCTION" AZERI OIL

  • [17] POPE SUPPORTS TURKEY'S EUROPEAN UNION MEMBERSHIP

  • [18] STATE MINISTER KUMBARACIBASI IN MOSCOW

  • [19] PRESIDENT DEMIREL GOES TO BULGARIA

    •

    WITH THE COMPLIMENT OF

    DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION

    TURKISH PRESS REVIEW

    JUNE 27, 1995

    Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish

    press this morning.

    [01] INONU IN TRNC

    Arriving in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) yesterday, Foreign Minister Erdal Inonu guaranteed the security of the TRNC in a statement which fell short of promising a defence cooperation accord between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot state. Inonu told journalists upon arrival in Nicosia on his first visit to the island as foreign minister that the TRNC's security would continue under current arrangements. "The TRNC is as secure as Turkey" Inonu said. Pointing out that armament efforts of the Greek Cypriot administration were very worrying, Inonu added: "It is very wrong to seek an armed-solution as if getting ready for a war. The TRNC people are in security because of the guarantee and alliance agreements and Turkey's attitude followed until now. The world must see that Greek Cypriots are making a big mistake". Noting that steps taken by the Greek Cypriot administration regarding EU membership within the framework of present international agreements were invalid, Inonu stressed that EU membership could only be realized in case a solution was achieved in Cyprus. Inonu said: "Our problem is now to reach a lasting solution in Cyprus. There is no meaning for Cyprus to try to enter the EU without this solution". Inonu indicated that the participation of Greek Cypriot leader Glafkos Klerides in the EU summit in Cannes would not change Turkey's attitude. Meanwhile, Inonu stated that Turkey would increase cooperation to solve TRNC's economic problems. TRNC Prime Minister Hakki Atun called for assistance from Turkey on the privatization of state economic enterprises and up-dating the TRNC taxation system. /Hurriyet/

    [02] DEMIREL: "TURKEY IS ALREADY A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY"

    President Suleyman Demirel said yesterday that Turkey was not seeking to become a democratic country, because democracy was already in effect in Turkey, the Anatolia news agency reported. Receiving foreign journalists in Turkey as the guests of the Environment Ministry, Demirel said that European countries misunderstood Turkey and that the latter failed to express herself well. Demirel noted that Turkey had an independent judiciary system, thus it would be an undemocratic action to release the pro-Kurdish deputies merely upon the wish of European countries. Noting that the EU seemed to be readying to accept former eastern bloc-countries as members, Demirel said he doubted whether these countries were more democratic than Turkey. Demirel, who also spoke of environmental issues, said an international treaty should be created to stop global pollution. Demirel and Environment Minister Riza Akcali received journalists from the US, France, Britain, Denmark, Germany, Russia and Azerbaijan. Replying to a question on whether strengthening of the Islamic religion would pressurize the state system, Demirel said: "Turkey is a secular country. There is religious freedom and there is no pressure. Secularism guarantees religious freedom. I think that the Turkish nation likes the state order set up by Ataturk". /Sabah/

    [03] GHALI TO VISIT TURKEY IN JULY

    UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali is due to begin an official visit to Turkey on July 19, the Foreign Ministry's Deputy Spokesman said yesterday. Nurettin Nurkan told members of the foreign press based in Ankara that the Cyprus problem, the Bosnia crisis and the general situation in the Balkans would be high on the agenda of talks between Ghali and Turkish officials. This will be Ghali's first visit to Turkey as UN Secretary-General. Former UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar visited Ankara in July 1991.

    [04] HAMBURG POLITICIAN URGES VOTING RIGHTS FOR TURKS IN GERMANY

    In a seminar on "Germany: Current Problems of the Turkish Community and Prospects for the year 2000", a Hamburg politician urged voting rights for Turks in Germany, the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday. Hakki Keskin, a deputy of the Hamburg State Parliament, said in the seminar at the Turkish- European Institute in Exertel that the two million Turks living in Germany did not have the influence and organized institutions that one would expect, considering their huge presence in the country. "The best way to become influential in parliamentary democracies is to obtain the right of political participation". Keskin, who is of Turkish origin, said that he was hopeful for the future situation of Turks in Germany.

    [05] "STRUGGLE AGAINST DRUGS" STARTS IN ANKARA

    Interior Minister Nahit Mentese, said yesterday that Turkey has always supported campaigns to stop drug trafficking and drug abuse, the Anatolia news agency reported. In a message to a symposium entitled "Struggle Against Drug Trafficking and Consumption", Mentese noted that Turkey is a signatory to the UN's regulation regarding the struggle against drugs. Security General Director Mehmet Agar, in his opening speech, said Turkey, as part of its state policy, placed special importance on the struggle against drugs. UN Representative Francis O'Donnell, who also spoke at the symposium, said that Turkey had fulfilled its task of stopping drug trafficking.

    [06] PM'S OFFICE: 19,000 DEAD IN 11-YEAR PKK CONFLICT

    More than 19,000 people have died, over half of them Kurdish separatist militants, in almost 11 years of government fighting against the PKK terrorist organization, the Prime Minister's office said in a statement yesterday. The statement said that 19,560 people have been killed in the fight led by the PKK since the group took up arms in 1984. More than 11,000 PKK members have been killed since then, and 3,825 members of the security forces, the statement said. A total of 4,727 civilians have died, it added. Meanwhile, fourteen PKK militants were killed in operations in Hakkari, Bitlis and Sirnak, the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday. Seven PKK militants surrendered to Turkish security forces to take advantage of the Repentance Law. Separatist militants killed three people and wounded four others on the Olukbasi plateau in Adana's Osmaniye district.

    [07] TURKISH EXPORTERS TO UZBEKISTAN, TURKMENISTAN

    A 51-person delegation headed by Foreign Trade Undersecretary Nejat Eren left for Uzbekistan's capital Taskent for an official visit, the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday. The delegation will also visit Turkmenistan. During the visit, organized by the Central Anatolia Exporters' Union, the Turkish delegation aims to improve further economic relations with both Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan and seek new business opportunities in the region. The delegation is scheduled to return home on July 2.

    [08] UN AGREEMENT

    The 56th anniversary of the United Nations Agreement has been celebrated in Ankara. The UN-Turkish Association Chairman Prof. Cahit Talas pointed out that 20 million people have been killed in the regional wars since the establishment of the organization and said: "The UN remains weak under these circumtances in front of people's eyes and has lost prestige". /Cumhuriyet/

    [09] DUFF AND PHELPS RAISES TURKEY'S RATING

    Prominent rating agency Duff and Phelps described as an official rating agency by the Japanese Finance Ministry and the Bank of England, has raised Turkey's rating to BB. Standard and Poor's, which downgraded the Turkish economy to B minus last year, is also expected to rate Turkey BB in July. This rating shows that foreigners can make investments in Turkey which has credibility, and that Turkey will be able to obtain easier credits from abroad. In its statement, Duff and Phelps said: "Measures taken by the Turkish government against the crisis in 1994 have improved the Turkish economy". /Sabah/

    [10] EU FAMILY MEETING IN CANNES

    As the 15 country-European Union (EU), along with upcoming members, Austria, Sweden and Finland met in Cannes for a big family meeting, step-child Turkey could only stand outside and look through the window. With no invitation to attend, Turkey had no option but to look at the EU festivities from afar. Turkish officials admit that attending would have been a big feather in Turkey's cap -but the EC obviously sees the matter in a different light. Although top-level EU officials say that they want to see Turkey in the EU, what they say seems to carry little weight. During her recent visit to Paris for a West European Unity (WEU) meeting, Prime Ministet Ciller spoke with French President Jacques Chirac and French Prime Minister Alain Juppe, who both expressed their hope that Turkey would soon be a member in the EU. But they could not get Turkey into the Cannes meeting it seems. Nevertheless, the Cannes meeting did have some importance for Turkey: With upcoming changes in EU administration, forthcoming meetings for the Mediterranean countries (EUROMED), and the Cyprus issue, Turkey will be more involved despite the lack of an invitation this time around. /All papers/

    [11] GREEK SUPPORT FOR KURDISH LEADER

    Following the visit of the Greek parliamentarians to PKK terrorist leader Abdullah Ocalan, the news from Athens today is Greek support for leader of the so-called Kurdish Parliament in-exile, Yasar Kaya.

    Within the framework of the Greek "any enemy of Turkey is our friend" policy, Yasar Kaya is being given the full treatment by the Greeks with ceremonies and visits to parliament. Greek government spokesmen however, and other officials, are still avoiding giving a clear answer to just what they hope to achieve by buttering-up to these individuals. /All papers/

    [12] EU COUNCIL "WATCHING TURKEY CLOSELY"

    According to Spanish EU parliamentarian Miguel Martinez, the Council of EU Parliamentarians is watching developments in Turkey "closely." He has noted that there have some positive steps forward, among them the quick withdrawal of Turkish military forces from northern Iraq following operations against PKK terrorists.

    The Council is now waiting to see progress on constitutional and legal system reforms including human rights issues. Turkey's current situation in relation to membership in the EU is already being reviewed by sub-committees attached to the Council. Again, according to Martinez, Turkey is meeting up to the expectations of the EU Council. The signals from Europe are thus described as being "more positive." /All papers/

    [13] MORE LOBBYING FOR CUSTOMS UNION

    The Turkish Association of Businessmen and Industrialists will host ten EU parliamentarians in Antalya at the start of next month. The association feels that there are a lot of gaps in the present promotion programme, and wants to lobby for customs union with the EU on its own terms.

    Association members are attaching a lot of importance to the meetings and lobby plans, and add that they want to make up the deficiences they have seen in Turkish promotion campaigns. /Milliyet/

    [14] GROSSMAN IN DIYARBAKIR

    Marc Grossman, US Ambassador to Turkey, went to Diyarbakir yesterday to provide details about the Southeast Education, Health and Economy project. After being briefed about the problems of the city, Grossman said that Turkey had taken important steps forward in the economy and democracy issues. He added: "Turkey is a democratic country. I support Turkey on every international platform where I am present. The Turkish economy is developing. I will start initiatives to ensure that US businesses invest in Turkey." /Milliyet/

    [15] TODAY: "TURKEY IS A TOURISM PARADISE"

    British daily newspaper "Today" stressed that Turkey is a tourism paradise. The paper said that Turkey is full of historical and natural beauties. Apart from Turkey's geographical attractions Turkish hospitality and cuisine are also praised by Barbara Jackson, who wrote the article. Jackson said that high grade touristic facilities have excellent services and tourists have the chance to both visit touristic places and enjoy water and mountain sports. /Sabah/

    [16] "FIRST PRODUCTION" AZERI OIL

    Prime Minister Tansu Ciller started diplomatic initiatives during last week by sending a letter to the US President regarding "first production Azeri oil". A Turkish delegation, formed by Foreign Ministry and Turkish Petroleum Company officials, will go to the States headed by top Prime Ministry Advisor, Emre Gonensay. The delegation will hold negotiations with US officials about the Azeri Caspian oil. /Milliyet/

    [17] POPE SUPPORTS TURKEY'S EUROPEAN UNION MEMBERSHIP

    Pope Jean Paul II said that he supported the full membership of Turkey in the European Union (EU). The Pope stressed that Turkey which holds a special position between West and East, also has taken upon itself the important role of building bridges between different cultures within the structure of Europe and forming positive relations amongst the people living in critical regions. The Pope declared during a meeting with Turkish Ambassador Semih Belen, appointed to the Vatican, that "Turkey's full membership in the EU will be a heartening development stemming from forming economic and political institutions which will make contributions to the material and moral prosperity of our societies." /Hurriyet/

    [18] STATE MINISTER KUMBARACIBASI IN MOSCOW

    Saying that Turkey was ready to agree to a natural gas agreement for 10-12 years with Russia, State Minister Onur Kumbaracibasi sent out a call to Russian enterprises to participate in biddings for projects in Turkey. Flying to Moscow for a one-day working visit in order to revise commercial and economic relations before the Turkish-Russian Joint Economical Committee (JEC) meeting planned to be held in September, Kumbaracibasi met with Oleg Soskovec, JEC co-chairman and first deputy Russian President. Stressing that the acceleration of Turkish-Russian relations improvement had decreased, Kumbaracibasi stated that Turkey was ready to share in joint projects with Russian companies in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries. Inviting Russian companies to show more interest in foreign investments in Turkey, Kumbaracibasi said the construction of the Deriner dam, worth $ 650 million was an example and added some projects such as the modernization of metallurgy plants and gas fired power plants. Kumbaracibasi said that another slice of Eximbank credits worth $350 million could be given to Russia by the end of year, and said problems regarding re-payments on previous credits now due for re-payment following the expiry of the non-payment term could be dealt with. Kumbaracibasi also gave a message to Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin from Tansu Ciller inviting him to Turkey in September for an official visit. Mentioning natural gas and oil exports to Turkey, Soskovec also said that the Russian government would take the demand for an increase into consideration. /Cumhuriyet/

    [19] PRESIDENT DEMIREL GOES TO BULGARIA

    President Suleyman Demirel will make an official visit to Bulgaria between 4-6 July as the guest of Bulgarian President Jeleu Jelev. Foreign Minister Erdal Inonu will also be in Bulgaria on 28-29 June in order to make preparations for President Demirel's visit. /Cumhuriyet

    END

    HTML by the HR-Net Group / Hellenic Resources Institute
    news2html v2.09c run on Wednesday, 28 June 1995 - 14:42:24