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Turkish Press Review, 96-08-19Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>CONTENTS
TURKISH PRESS REVIEWMONDAY AUGUST 19, 1996Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning[01] ERBAKAN IN INDONESIAPrime Minister Necmettin Erbakan said over the weekend that Turkey had neglected its relations with the Islamic world until now but that these relations would now be revitalized. Erbakan was addressing a press conference on Saturday in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, during the fourth leg of a five-nation tour. During his two-day visit to Malaysia which began on Friday, Erbakan held talks with his counterpart, Mahathir Bin Mohammed, and also was received by King Tuang Cafer Abdullah. Erbakan moved to Indonesia on Sunday, the last leg of his 10-day trip which has also taken him to Iran, Pakistan and Singapore.While in Malaysia, Erbakan also delivered a lecture to students at the International Islamic University and told them that many of the inventions and applications forming the basis of modern science were discovered by Islamic scientists. Erbakan said during his press conference on Saturday that his contacts with Malaysian authorities had indicated that there was a great potential for the two countries to cooperate in the fields of the defence industry, the automotive sector, technological exchange and tourism. Erbakan went on to say that Malaysia initially would be buying 700 armoured personnel carriers from Turkey and was also interested in the purchase of two submarines. Pointing out that Malaysia has a very strong organization for sending Islamic pilgrims to the holy city of Mecca for the annual pilgrimage, Erbakan said that this represented a $2 billion undertaking. Erbakan said that there was the possibility of student exchange programs between the two countries and that Malaysia has also a labour deficit which it wants to fill using foreign labour. The Turkish prime minister wanted to bring in 2.5 million workers within this framework and indicated that 500,000 of these workers could come from Turkey. /Milliyet/ [02] BAYKAL TO VISIT SOUTH KOREAChairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP) Deniz Baykal will visit South Korea today. Baykal will attend a conference on "The role of peninsula countries in the 21st century" to be held in Seul, the South Korean capital. Former foreign minister, Baykal will deliver a speech at the conference on "Turkey's contribution to world peace from the geopolitical standpoint". Representatives from 30 countries will participate in the conference. Baykal will return to Turkey on 25 August. /Hurriyet/[03] TURKEY WELCOMES INDIAN TRADE MISSION TO BOOST LINKSIn an indication of the increasing business links between Turkey and India a trade mission from the latter country will be arriving in Istanbul today for a three-day visit to conduct a series of meetings aimed at boosting commerce. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Development Authority Wheat Mission will be holding discussions with leading Turkish importers and will have meetings with other involved agencies through the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce. The Indian trade delegation will also be meeting with Turkish quarantine agencies during their stay. /All papers/[04] AMERICAN-TURKISH CONSORTIUM MEETING POSTPONED TO NOVEMBERThe American Turkish Consortium (ATC), which directs trade and investments of the US in Turkey, has postponed its broad-based meeting to November 1996. The meeting will debate investment and employment problems as well as privatization and energy issues. /All papers/[05] JUSTICE AND EDUCATION MINISTERS REVEAL PROTOCOL WITH IRAQJustice Minister Sevket Kazan and Education Minister Mehmet Saglam, who have been on an official visit to Iraq, have returned to Turkey. They held a press conference at the airport informing the press on their meetings in Iraq. The ministers stated that they had meetings with Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, Deputy President Taha Yasin Ramazan, Deputy Chairman of the Revolution Council Izzet Ibrahim and Deputy Prime Minister Tarik Aziz during their two-day visit to Iraq. They said that every issue concerning Turkey and Iraq was discussed during the meetings and that the Iraqi officials seemed to be keen to have warmer relations with Turkey as in the past. Kazan stated that a protocol consisting of seven articles was signed between the two countries and that this protocol would be submitted to the Foreign Ministry. Kazan and Saglam signed on behalf of Turkey and the energy minister and trade minister on behalf of Iraq. /All papers/[06] TROUBLES IN THRACE CONTINUEProvocative action by Greek demonstrators again created problems over the weekend for the Turkish community in Gumulcine (Komotini), Thrace.Young Greek fanatics, copying their friends in Cyprus pulled down a Turkish flag in one of the mostly Turkish districts of Gumulcine, leading to disturbance and damage to Turkish property. After Turkish Consular officials complained to local Greek officials, the Greek youths involved in the flag incident were found and arrested. The flag was later returned to Turkish officials. /Milliyet/ [07] IRAN GUARANTEES NATURAL GAS SUPPLIES TO TURKEYIranian Minister for Petrol, Gulamriza Agazade guaranteed over the weekend that Iran would meet all the terms of the natural gas supply agreement made between Turkey and Iran. Minister Agazade noted too that changes in the Turkish government would not affect standing agreements. /Milliyet/[08] TURKEY CAN INFLUENCE IRANDespite the opposition of the US administration to the natural gas deal between Turkey and Iran, The Washington Post newspaper noted over the weekend that Turkey, through its dialogue with Tehran, could well influence Iran in some sensitive areas.The Washington Post suggested that Turkey could lean on Iran on matters involving terror and the support of terror. Other leading US papers have also proposed that that the US would do well to exhibit a little more friendliness towards Prime Minister Erbakan and his government. /Milliyet/ [09] GERMANY EASING PRESSURE ON PKKThe noted German Der Spiegel weekly magazine claims that the German government could be looking a little more favourably at the efforts of PKK terrorist leader Abdullah "Apo" Ocalan to "legalize" the PKK, and improve its image. Certain German officials are quoted a saying that more support should be given to Ocalan's efforts to halt PKK violence. /Hurriyet/[10] RELIGIOUS LEADERS BLAMED FOR CYPRUS VIOLENCEGreek religious leader Hrisostomos reportedly opened the way for the recent violence on Cyprus. An apostle of the notorious Greek Orthodox Bishop Makarios, Hrisostomos also advocates violence to achieve Greek aims for Cyprus. Even after the death of two young Greek men inflamed by religious fervour, Hrisostomos persists in making statements about "fighting to the end" and "drinking the blood of Turks." Newspaper reports suggest that the religious leader is planning more violent provocation. /All papers/[11] US INITIATIVES FOR CYPRUSThe US government has begun initiatives to ease the tensions on Cyprus after Greek provocation stirred up violence between the two communities on the island. Reports in Greek newspapers said over the weekend that top US officials were inclined towards a "Dayton style agreement" for Cyprus.Other reports suggest that there could be talks between top US representatives and high level Turkish and Greek military leaders. Britain's Independent newspaper said on Sunday that Turkey's views on Cyprus had been confirmed as right in view of the circumstances. The paper also blamed the negative attitudes of politicians on both sides for the hate and distrust between the Turkish and Greek communities. /All papers/ [12] TURKEY: POPULAR HOLIDAY COUNTRYWith its many tourism opportunities, natural beauty, cultural and historical assets, Turkey has become a popular country for many noted people. Among those who came to Turkey during the 1996 summer were wife of US President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Kazakh Head of State Nursultan Nazarbayev, Bosnia-Herzegovinian President Alija Izzetbegovic, Macedonian President Kiri Gligorov, Monaco Princess Caroline, scientist Jacques Cousteau, US artist Bette Midler and singer Bon Jovi. /Cumhuriyet/END Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |