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TRKNWS-L Turkish Press Review (August 28, 1995)From: hristu@arcadia.harvard.eduTurkish News DirectoryCONTENTS[01] DEMIREL IN KYRGYZSTAN[02] VICTORY DAY TO BE CELEBRATED[03] MINISTER LAUNCHES BOSNIA PROJECT[04] GREEK-CYPRIOT DEMONSTRATION[05] BAD NIGHT IN ISTANBUL[06] TURKEY LEADING BOSNIA INITIATIVES[07] TENSION HIGH IN NORTHERN IRAQ[08] PKK ACTIVE IN BELGIUM[09] SECURITY FORCES KILL SIX TERRORISTS[10] WOMEN CALLING FOR PEACE IN BOSNIA[11] TURCO-SAUDI COOPERATION[12] TURKEY CONNECTED TO INTERNATIONAL FIBER OPTIC SYSTEM[13] ATTACKS AGAINST TURKS IN GERMANY[14] TURKEY AND ESTONIA TO SIGN COOPERATION AGREEMENT[15] GREEK PRESIDENT: "TURKEY MUST ENTER THE EU"[16] TURKEY AIDS VICTIMS OF CHERNOBYL[17] TOBB TO OPEN OFFICE IN BRUSSELS[18] NEW TURKISH AMBASSADOR VISITS MONGOLIA[19] DEMIREL SENDS SYMPATHY MESSAGE TO MOROCCO[20] INCREASE IN NUMBER OF TOURISTS COMING TO TURKEYTURKISH PRESS REVIEWMONDAY AUGUST 28, 1995Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning[01] DEMIREL IN KYRGYZSTANPresident Suleyman Demirel said yesterday that realization of a project to build a highway to connect Central Asia with Turkey was a very high priority for Ankara. "The vast resources of Central Asia should reach the world through Turkey; we must build this road" Demirel told reporters while flying from Ankara to the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, where he is attending a summit meeting of six Turkish-speaking republics. Demirel and Presidents Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan, Islam Kerimov of Uzbekistan, Saparmurad Turkmenbasi of Turkmenistan and Haydar Aliyev of Azerbaijan are attending the "Third Turkish- Speaking Republics Summit" in Bishkek, hosted by Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev. Demirel said this first Turkish summit held in the territory of the former Soviet Union had a symbolic meaning. But he has tried to soothe Russia's apparent worries over the closer cooperation among the Turkish-speaking countries saying this rapprochement does not target the interest of third countries. "Furthermore, we have no Pan-Turkish or Pan-Islamist tendencies" he said. Russia, which still has vast interests in Central Asia, criticized the first two summits, both held in Turkey, saying such groupings on an ethnic basis, could undermine the other countries in the region. Turkey and the five Turkish-speaking republics today conclude their summit with a joint declaration pledging closer cooperation, particularly in economic and cultural areas. Their leaders also attend ceremonies today to celebrate the 1000th anniversary of the Manas legend. Foreign Minister Erdal Inonu and the minister of state responsible for Central Asian Republics, Ayvaz Gokdemir are accompanying Demirel on his three-day visit. Demirel was welcomed by Kyrgyz President Akayev at Manas Airport and then attended the opening of the Manas Village Complex. While visiting the Kyrgyz-Turkish University, Demirel was later presented with a "Number 1 Diploma" and a gold medal. /Cumhuriyet-Milliyet-Sabah/
[02] VICTORY DAY TO BE CELEBRATEDThe 30th of August, Victory Day, will be celebrated throughout Turkey, in the representative offices of Turkey in foreign countries, and in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The celebration of the 73rd anniversary of Victory and Turkish Armed Forces day will start with a commemoration of Ataturk at Ataturk's mausoleum and will include 54 Air Force planes flying in formation over Ankara.
[03] MINISTER LAUNCHES BOSNIA PROJECTAysel Baykal, state minister responsible for women, family and social affairs, said on Friday that a project has been launched to provide aid to the women and children in the war-torn republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina. At a press conference in Ankara, Baykal said that under the terms of the program, called "Humanitarian Aid for Women and Children Against the Violence in Bosnia", a group of 200 women and children, who are suffering physical or psychological side-effects from the war, would be brought to Turkey for treatment lasting up to eight months.
[04] GREEK-CYPRIOT DEMONSTRATIONMembers of the Greek-Cypriot community on Cyprus have added to already serious tensions by staging another demonstration along the border with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).Demonstrators shouted anti-Turkish slogans and mocked the security forces who stood firm as the crowds of Greek-Cypriots pelted them with stones. Some of the demonstrators managed to set fire to dry undergrowth on the TRNC side of the border. The demonstration lasted about three hours. /Hurriyet/
[05] BAD NIGHT IN ISTANBULSunday night Istanbul took a beating from summer storms and four bomb explosions. The storms passed with some flooding and minor electricity cuts, but the four bomb explosions in Laleli, Beyoglu and Beykoz left two dead and 44 injured.Among the 44 injured by the blasts were a number of foreigners. The first explosion happened in a Laleli restaurant and first police reports said that a bottled gas container had exploded. Later experts reported that the explosion had in fact, been a bomb. City officials later said that this bomb and others in Beyoglu were similar to those used by the terrorist PKK organization. Later reports also said that one of the people killed had been a tourist. City officials noted early monday morning that terrorist groups wanted to wreck developing city tourism, and papers described the bomb attacks as traitorous. /Hurriyet-Milliyet/
[06] TURKEY LEADING BOSNIA INITIATIVESFollowing an announcement from the UN to the effect that peace force troops would be withdrawn from the region around Gorazde, Turkey has embarked on a new round of diplomatic initiatives to try and save the situation.Turkish officials declared over the weekend that "everything was being done to secure the safety" of the people in Gorazde. Turkey has again called for UN air protection. Other Islamic countries including Pakistan and Malaysia have apparently protested even more strongly to the UN, condemning UN plans to withdraw -leaving the local moslem people stranded and without protection. /Hurriyet/
[07] TENSION HIGH IN NORTHERN IRAQWith widening differences between the PKK terrorist group and the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP), tension in northern Iraq climbed steeply over the weekend. With reports that heavy guns were deployed on both sides, there have been further rumours that the KDP could well seek the aid of Turkey to deliver a crushing blow to the PKK through a semi-military operation.Suggestions that Kurdish leaders Mesud Barzani and Celal Talabani could join forces against the PKK have been denied, with Talabani representatives saying that since they had good relations with Turkey, there was no need to look elsewhere for military or other support. /All papers/
[08] PKK ACTIVE IN BELGIUMWith the heat on in Germany, the PKK terrorist organization has slipped across the border into Belgium, from where reports have come that the PKK has set up training and education facilities.Belgian security forces, concerned that the PKK could initiate the kind of terrorist actions that have plagued Germany, have stepped up control of the PKK and its members in Belgium. The PKK has already organized in at least five regions in Belgium, where the PKK has converted farms into military education camps. /Cumhuriyet/
[09] SECURITY FORCES KILL SIX TERRORISTSMeanwhile the battle with the PKK continues to rage in the southeastern regions of Turkey. The latest reports say that over the weekend, security units in Bingol, Mardin, Tunceli, Mazgirt and Sirnak killed six terrorists during weekend clashes.PKK weapons and equipment was confiscated, and security forces defused 27 mines planed by the terrorists. /Sabah/
[10] WOMEN CALLING FOR PEACE IN BOSNIAThe more than fifty women going from Turkey to attend the Beijing September conference on women's rights will also call for peace in Bosnia.During meetings that will deal especially with the Balkan regions, the Turkish women delegates will demand more action for peace in the area, in line with the theme of the international conference "Peace, Equality and Development". Women of the world will be asked to respond to calls for Balkan peace. /Sabah/
[11] TURCO-SAUDI COOPERATIONSaudi Arabia and Turkey have undertaken steps to further cooperation in the struggle against drug smuggling. Interior Ministry officials from the two countries will come together to discuss measures for fighting illegal groups engaged in drug smuggling.As the result of investigations by Turkish security units, it has been found out that the materials necessary for the production of Captagon medicine have not been imported to Turkey for ten years. So the medicine, behind the execution of four Turkish citizens in Saudi Arabia, entered Turkey by illegal ways, and was then smuggled into Saudi Arabia. Turco-Saudi Arabian cooperation will try to uncover the drug smuggling ring and render it ineffective. Furthermore, Turkey will take measures for stricter control of trucks going to Saudi Arabia. /Hurriyet/
[12] TURKEY CONNECTED TO INTERNATIONAL FIBER OPTIC SYSTEMWith the completion of the project for Black Sea Economic Cooperation, Turkey will be connected as an end country to the world's largest fiber optic system (KAFOS). KAFOS has great importance for the development of commercial and social relations within the framework of the Organization for Black Sea Economic Cooperation. The KAFOS project is directed by the PTT. The fiber optic cable system will connect Varna (Bulgaria), Mangalia (Romania), Istanbul and Igneada. The 504 km long system will enter into use in July 1996. /Milliyet/
[13] ATTACKS AGAINST TURKS IN GERMANYOn Sunday night a restaurant, a cafe and a travel agency owned by Turks were attacked in Bielefeld, northern Germany. Nobody was killed, but serious material damage was reported. /Cumhuriyet/
[14] TURKEY AND ESTONIA TO SIGN COOPERATION AGREEMENTA Commercial and Economic Cooperation Agreement between Turkey and Estonia will be signed today. The agreement will be signed by Turkish Culture Minister Ismail Cem and Estonian Economy Minister Liina Tonisson. The Office of the Foreign Trade Undersecretary reported that the agreement seeks to improve commercial and trade relations, technical cooperation, and cooperative investments between the two countries. The spokesmen added that the trade volume between Estonia and Turkey was very low, some $2.7 million, at the moment. They concluded that the agreement would benefit both countries.
[15] GREEK PRESIDENT: "TURKEY MUST ENTER THE EU"Greek President Kostis Stefanopoulos said that his country had good intentions toward Turkey. Stefanopoulos, during his tour of the Greek Aegean islands told reporters that Greece had good intentions toward all of its neighbours. The president said that he hoped Turkey would respond positively to his message. "We live in a era in which disputes are solved through international laws. Once these laws are implemented, there will be no dispute between Ankara and Athens. I hope Turkey will understand there is only one way that leads to a solution. Until that day (when we reach a solution), Greece will remain peaceful" Stefanopoulos said. He added: "I support Turkey's full membership in the Customs Union and the EU. Membership means that Turkish-Greek relations will gain a European perspective and our problems will end within the framework of peace, friendship and cooperation". /Sabah/
[16] TURKEY AIDS VICTIMS OF CHERNOBYLThirty-five children from Ukraine, guests of the Turkish Red Crescent Foundation, left for Turkey Friday night, the Anatolia news agency reported. The children, all victims of the 1988 Chernobyl nuclear power plant explosion, will be given medical treatment and a holiday. Officials from the Chernobyl Children's Foundation said that this was the second year that children had been invited from Ukraine. Turkey takes the issue of nuclear safety very seriously and, along with other countries such as Belgium, Germany and the Czech Republic, has done a great deal to alleviate the suffering of the victims of the accident.
[17] TOBB TO OPEN OFFICE IN BRUSSELSThe Turkish Chambers of Commerce and Bourses (TOBB) plans to buy a building in Brussels in which it will have an office to organize the activities of Turkish businessmen with the EU. TOBB spokesmen said the office would serve as a business headquarters after Turkey becomes a full member in the EU. The Economic Development Fund and the Foreign Economic Relations Committee will also have representatives in the building.
[18] NEW TURKISH AMBASSADOR VISITS MONGOLIATurkey's new ambassador to Moscow, Bilgin Unan, who is also in charge of diplomatic relations with Mongolia, visited that country's capital, Ulan-Bator to present his credentials to President Ochirbat Punsalmaagiin. Unan met Mongolian ministers of metallurgy and culture during his visit.
[19] DEMIREL SENDS SYMPATHY MESSAGE TO MOROCCOPresident Suleyman Demirel has sent a message of sympathy to King Hasan II of Morocco, a presidential press release reported on Friday. President Demirel expressed his sorrow at the floods in Marrakesh that have damaged houses and killed many people.
[20] INCREASE IN NUMBER OF TOURISTS COMING TO TURKEYTourism Ministry spokesmen said that 1 million tourists visited Turkey in July. They said that the majority of the tourists were German and that they were expecting more German tourists in August and September. According to the ministry, $1.8 billion was earned from tourism in the first six months of the year, a 20 % increase compared to the same period last year. More than 4 million tourists visited Turkey in the first seven months of the year.
[21] ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS TO MEET IN ISTANBULThe Federation of International Engineering Consultants, representing engineering consultants from 57 countries, will debate urbanization and corruption in the world at a general assembly in Istanbul starting today. The Union of Turkish Consultancy Engineers and Architects, host of the conference, in a written statement noted that the delegates will also review the worldwide privatization of state enterprises and examine the problems of Istanbul. Officials from the World Bank, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the International Bar Association and the International Chamber of Commerce will be participating in the four-day gathering.END |