TRKNWS-L Turkish Daily News (February 29, 1996)

From: TRKNWS-L <trh@aimnet.com>

Turkish Press Review Directory

CONTENTS

TURKISH PRESS REVIEW

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 29, 1996

Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning

[01] CILLER, YILMAZ AGREE ON COALITION

She and Yilmaz had reached a consensus on the formation of Motherpath in its general outlines, Ciller said, and added that they had also decided that it would remain in power for a period of five years. Yilmaz also said he and Ciller had reached an agreement on all issues in principle. Ciller said a committee consisting of four officials from both parties would work on the government program today. She said that the program would contain ideas from the structural transformation programs of both parties which would also cover issues ranging from justice to education and corruption. She added that the performance of the projects set forth in the program could be tied to a schedule on a yearly basis. Ciller said that she hoped that the Motherpath coalition would be auspicious, and added that the DYP would try to build confidence through good intent and concessions. /Hurriyet/

[02] CHIEF OF STAFF TO VISIT TURKISH MILITARY UNITS IN ITALY

[03] IRAQI OIL MINISTER TO VISIT TURKEY FOR PIPELINE TALKS

[04] ANKARA WANTS SYRIA'S DETAILED REPLY ON "APO"

[05] EC TO GIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO EIGHT PROJECTS IN TURKEY

The program aims at increasing cooperation between European and Mediterranean local authorities and developing their capacity to pursue the main objectives of the EU's Mediterranean policy: economic development, social stability, management of the environment and improving the quality of life. According to the press release, the 59 projects selected for funding will receive in total around ECU 1.58 million (around $2 million).

Meanwhile, the EU will give financial aid worth ECU 2 million (nearly TL 100 billion) for a "professional training project" in the Turkish tourism sector. The project, which will be carried out by the Tourism Training General Directorate of the Tourism Ministry and supported by the government with ECU 445,000, will be brought to life in the coming days and will last four years. /Sabah/

[06] AKBEL: "NO PROBLEM ON CU"

[07] PLANS TO SQUEEZE THE GREEKS

Turkey's National Security Council has already discussed Turkey's options where Greece is concerned, and details of the new program against Greece include four main targets: Turkey will press for satisfaction in connection with the rights of the Turkish minority living in Thrace, and will demonstrate how Athens has ignored past agreements made to deal with this sensitive issue. The problems of Turkish families living on Aegean islands belonging to Greece will also be brought to international platforms.

Thirdly, Ankara will also bring up the matter of how Greece is quietly arming islands in the Aegean in contravention of international agreements. Along with this, air corridors and coastal limits will be taken up. Pressure against Greece will be increased by developing existing agreements with Albania and Macedonia. There have already been suggestions that Turkey wants joint military exercises with those two countries, that both back onto Greece.

On the other hand, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Omer Akbel again stressed yesterday that Turkey wants to open up new dialogue with Greece as a prelude to solving problems amicably. He noted that there was "no rule against dialogue" and everything to be gained by pressing for talks. /All papers/

[08] LONDON SIDES WITH ANKARA

Talking to journalists in Strasbourg, Rifkind said that Turkey's relations with the European Union (EU), should be accepted within their own framework, and that problems between Turkey and Greece had to be examined in a different light. He stressed that the two were not connected, and that the EU would follow that policy when reaching decisions involving the two countries. /Hurriyet/

[09] NEW PROTOCOL FOR HAMMER FORCE

According to its "Provide Comfort" operational brief, the force is there to secure stability in the regions between Turkey and northern Iraq, and to ease Ankara's fears that the force could abuse its terms of operation, new rules will now be examined by Washington. Talks between committees from both sides have led to a reassessment of the situation, and now Washington is looking more positively at proposals for revised operational rules.

One of the first matters that a new government must take up will be the question of the role of the Provide Comfort strike force, this especially in view of the sensitivity of the issue in certain quarters. /Milliyet/

[10] WORLD ENERGY COUNCIL MEETING IN TURKEY

[11] ISRAELI WEAPONS FOR GREEK CYPRIOTS

[12] ARSONISTS ATTACK TURKISH MOSQUE IN GERMANY

[13] BOSNIAN ARMY TO BE TRAINED IN ANKARA

After the departure of NATO forces from the region, material aid donated in order to provide the Bosnia-Croat Federation with the means of self-protection against a possible Serbian attack, will be gathered in Ankara, which will at the same time, be the center of a training program for the Bosnian Armed Forces.

The US administration has distributed the terms in the equip-and-train program drawn up by the Dayton peace accord committed among the allied countries. Turkey has undertaken a leading role within this program.

High-level commanders of the Bosnian-Croat military corps have been in Washington for two days to participate in talks and seminars on the question of "How Should Armed Forces Function within a Democratic Order?"

The US administation is paying a special attention to the Aid onference to be held in Ankara. It is reported too, that a military delegation headed by General Cevik Bir will hold high-level talks in Washington in March. /Hurriyet/