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Turkish Press Review, 96-12-20
From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>
CONTENTS
[01] IRANIAN PRESIDENT ARRIVES IN ANKARA
[02] CILLER VISITS RUSSIA
[03] PARLIAMENT TO DECIDE ON OPC REPLACEMENT
[04] PKK CAMPS IN NORTHERN IRAQ BOMBED
[05] TURKEY AND CHINA TO PRODUCE WS-1 MISSILE
[06] ISTANBUL SUMMIT OF BALKAN SMEs OPENS
[07] HARBOUR PRIVATIZATIONS
TURKISH PRESS REVIEW
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1996
Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this
morning
[01] IRANIAN PRESIDENT ARRIVES IN ANKARA
Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, accompanied by a large
delegation, started his four-day visit to Turkey on Thursday. This is
the first time the Iranian President has visited one country
exclusively. He has visited Turkey on two other occasions, in 1991
and 1993. During his stay, Rafsanjani will visit Izmir, Trabzon and
Sanliurfa, and will make a stop at the South Eastern Anatolia (GAP)
project as well. President Demirel, speaking at a welcoming ceremony,
said that there had been regular meetings with Rafsanjani and that,
during this visit economic ties between the two nations would be
improved. "We will talk about border security and terrorism and, of
course, we will also examine regional and international matters,"
Demirel said. /All papers/
[02] CILLER VISITS RUSSIA
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller has completed
her official visit to Russia. Speaking at a press conference at the
end of her visit, Ciller called the trip a "generally successful one
with the potential to bestow many benefits on Turkey." Ciller's visit,
which began on December 17, focused on creating an environment of
confidence in political ties and establishing partnership on economic
issues. Ciller said that Russia had promised not to obstruct the
construction of the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline with political excuses. She
also announced that in the near future Turkey and Russia would issue a
joint document on approaches to finding a peaceful solution to the
Nagorno-Karabakh issue. /Hurriyet/
[03] PARLIAMENT TO DECIDE ON OPC REPLACEMENT
The Turkish Parliament will retain the power to make decisions
concerning the proposed multinational air force which will replace the
the Turkey-based Operation Provide Comfort force when the latter's
mandate expires on December 31, 1996. During the talks between
Turkish and American military officials which began in Ankara two days
ago, the Turkish side turned down an American suggestion that the
power to make that decision be delegated to the Turkish government.
According to the agreement reached by the two sides, the US, Turkey,
Britain and France will take part in the proposed force which will
check whether the Baghdad regime complies with UN restrictions. The
number of planes, weaponry and rules on 'engagement in case of radar
lock-in' will be finalized during talks between military delegations.
/All papers/
[04] PKK CAMPS IN NORTHERN IRAQ BOMBED
Turkish fighter jets yesterday bombed PKK camps in Metina and Hakurk,
Northern Iraq. Officials note that the PKK suffered heavy losses in
both camps. The actual number of casualities has not been released.
/Hurriyet/
[05] TURKEY AND CHINA TO PRODUCE WS-1 MISSILE
Turkey has signed an agreement with China to produce middle-range
missiles. The project will cost $ 150 million. According to the
agreement, first a battery of WS-1 missiles will be exported to Turkey
and then five of them will be jointly produced in Turkey. As a
result, the Turkish Armed Forces will renew their missile system and
modern missile production technology will be transferred to Turkey.
/Hurriyet/
[06] ISTANBUL SUMMIT OF BALKAN SMEs OPENS
Member countries of the Balkan Center for Cooperation Between Small
and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are meeting in a two-day summit to end
Friday, designed to enhance cooperation among members and formulate
plans for 1997. The summit is hosting 40 delegations from 10 member
countries including Turkey, Greece, Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania,
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Albania. The Balkan Center for Small
and Medium Enterprises was founded by Romania, Turkey, Greece and
Bulgaria in 1994 as a project for the Black Sea Economic Cooperation
countries. /All papers/
[07] HARBOUR PRIVATIZATIONS
Bidding for the privatization of the Tekirdag, Antalya and Hopa
harbours was completed yesterday. The Tekirdag harbour has been
rented for 30 years by the "Tekirdag Harbour Management" which paid
$134.6 million. Antalya harbour has been handed over to the "Link"
company for $102.5 million, and Turgay Ciner, the owner of Park
Holding, has undertaken the management of Hopa harbour. /Sabah/
END
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