TRKNWS-L Turkish Press Review (May 25, 1995)

From: hristu@arcadia.harvard.edu (Dimitrios Hristu)

Subject: TRKNWS-L Turkish Press Review (May 25, 1995)

CONTENTS

  • [01] DEMIREL CONTINUES HIS CONTACTS IN CHINA

  • [02] PRESIDENT DENKTAS IS PLEASED WITH THE "SECRET" TALKS

  • [03] THREE INJURED IN EXPLOSION

  • [04] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT MPS ARRIVE IN ANKARA

  • [05] TURKISH DEPUTIES HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE

  • [06] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT WILL ELECT NEW CHAIRMAN TODAY

  • [07] TURKEY SENDS HUMANITARIAN AID TO NORTHERN IRAQ

  • [08] NEW SUGGESTIONS FOR SECURITY OF BORDERS

  • [09] TALABANI'S DELEGATION VISITS TURKEY TODAY

  • [10] MINISTER MEETS ITALIAN, MACEDONIAN AND FRENCH ENVOYS

  • [11] US EXIMBANK DIRECTOR VISITS ANKARA

  • [12] IDB TO MAKE LOAN TO TURKEY

  • [13] FEBRUARY EXPORT INCENTIVES AT $1.504 BILLION

  • [14] FORMER RUSSIAN PARLIAMENTARIAN IN ANKARA

  • [15] SOYSAL ELECTED AS TURKISH GRAND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY (TGNA) FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMISSION CHAIRMAN

  • [16] TEXTILE OLYMPIAD

  • [17] US PATENT FOR TURKISH UNDERWEAR

  • [18] "KOMITEE", PKK'S TRIGGERMEN IN GERMANY

  • [19] BRIEFING ON TERRORISM TO MEDITERRANEAN BUSINESSMEN

    •

    WITH THE COMPLIMENT OF

    DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION

    TURKISH PRESS REVIEW

    MAY 25, 1995

    Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish

    press this morning.

    [01] DEMIREL CONTINUES HIS CONTACTS IN CHINA

    While visiting the Wall of China President Suleyman Demirel said that Turkey would contribute to the new world order together with China and establish a "contemporary silk road".

    On the third day of his visit President Suleyman Demirel laid a wreath on the Monument of Heroes. He then visited the Wall of China. Demirel also met with Chinese Prime Minister Li Peng and Qiao Shi, the Speaker of the National People's Congress yesterday.

    Officials said out that Turkish Prime Minister Tansu Ciller will pay an official visit to China in July.

    Foreign Minister Erdal Inonu, who is accompanying President Suleyman Demirel on his visit to China said that Turkey's expressing her thoughts to Europe on human rights and democratization was as difficult as constructing a wall of China. In reply to a question, Inonu said that Turkey would like to unite with Europe.

    He also gave information on his meetings with Chinese officials and said: "We exchanged views with Chinese authorities and asked them to be more active on the issue of, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Azerbaijan, as China is a member of the UN Security Council. Completing his contacts, Foreign Minister Erdal Inonu returned home last night. /Hurriyet/

    [02] PRESIDENT DENKTAS IS PLEASED WITH THE "SECRET" TALKS

    The "secret" talks in London aimed at breaking the Cyprus deadlock came to an early end yesterday, but Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas told the Turkish Cypriot TAK news agency: "There are points that we have agreed upon. We have taken notes and we see no point of concern. We regard the developments positively and we are pleased". /Hurriyet/

    [03] THREE INJURED IN EXPLOSION

    Three people were wounded when a bomb exploded in front of a building used by the Republican People Party (CHP), True Path Party (DYP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) at their Kucukcekmece district headquarters in Sefakoy yesterday. The windows in the buildings around the place where the explosion occurred were broken. The three people, who were wounded as they were passing by the automobile at the moment it exploded, were taken to hospital for treatment. /Hurriyet/

    [04] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT MPS ARRIVE IN ANKARA

    The chairwomen of three left-wing groups in the European Parliament (EP) arrived in Ankara on Tuesday to discuss Turco- European relations, strained by human rights issues and prospects of democratization. Socialist Group leader Pauline Green Cahherine Lalumiere, head of the European Radical Alliance, said upon arrival that they were saddened by the weakness of ties between Turkey and the EP, which will vote on a customs union between Turkey and the Fifteen in the fall. The two politicians, accompanied by Green group chairwoman Claudia Roth, paid a visit to the jailed deputies of the Democracy Party (DP) Tuesday morning. "Those deputies want Turkey to be closer to Europe. In fact, we all want Turkey's integration" Green said. Afterwards, the Euro-MPs arrived in the Foreign Ministry for a briefing on human rights. They also met with Prime Minister Tansu Ciller, Parliament Speaker Husamettin Cindoruk, Deputy Speaker Kamer Genc and State Minister responsible for human rights Algan Hacaloglu yesterday. They are expected to meet with Deputy Prime Minister Hikmet Cetin and Foreign Minister Erdal Inonu today. During the meeting, Ciller said: "I am a Prime Minister of a democratic country. The government cannot give an order to independent judiciary organs to let the prisoners (DP deputies) free. In which democratic country can such a situation occur? Those deputies confessed their relations with the PKK terrorist organization before the world". /Cumhuriyet-Sabah/

    [05] TURKISH DEPUTIES HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE

    The regulatory commission of the Western European Union (WEU) Assembly approved a proposal to give Turkish deputies the right to vote in Assembly meetings and commissions. The proposal, known as the Fisberg report, was prepared by Britain's Lord Fisberg and foresees giving voting rights to associated members of the WEU, namely Turkey, Norway and Iceland. It was approved by the commission despite resistance from Greek, Italian, Spanish and Belgian deputies. The Fisberg report will be presented to the WEU General Assembly for approval at the latter's meeting on June 19-20. It envisages granting associate members' deputies full voting rights except in budget and annual report matters. The Turkish deputies have boycotted WEU meetings since the beginning of 1994, saying that they could not accept second-class membership. Sait Kemal Mimaroglu, Chairman of the Turkish Parliamentarians' Group, characterized the commission's decision as a significant development and said: "We left our seats empty in the Assembly to get to this point. We will attend meetings once the General Assembly gives its approval". /Sabah/

    [06] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT WILL ELECT NEW CHAIRMAN TODAY

    The elections for the post of president of the Constitutional Court will be held today. The president is elected by an absolute majority in a vote of the 11 full members. The post became vacant when Yekta Gungor Ozden's term in office as the presiding judge expired on May 7. Elections for the office are held every four years. /All papers/

    [07] TURKEY SENDS HUMANITARIAN AID TO NORTHERN IRAQ

    Turkey donated 2,316 tons of food ($40,000) to 154,419 people in northern Iraq from April 1 to May 8. Turkey began giving humanitarian aid to northern Iraq in October 1993, the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday.

    At the end of a ceremony held in Habur, Silopi, Turkey extended financial aid to civilians who were harmed during Turkey's cross border operations in Northern Iraq.

    Foreign Ministry Information Department said in a statement that Turkish Armed Forces returned to Turkey on May 2 after concluding their mission to wipe out bases belonging to the separatist terrorist organization in northern Iraq.

    The statement said: "Turkish government decided to extend financial aid to the ones who suffered looses during the operation. To this end, a ceremony was arranged on May 24 in Habur to extend financial aid." /Hurriyet/

    [08] NEW SUGGESTIONS FOR SECURITY OF BORDERS

    There were meetings held between Turkish and US authorities, yesterday, before meetings with Iraqi Kurdish leaders, who were invited to Turkey to discuss new security arrangements to prevent the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) to resettle in northern Iraq.

    Director of the Near East-South Asian Affairs Marc Parris, Director of Southeast European Affairs of the European Office of the Secretary of State, Marshall Adair, and Director of North-Gulf Affairs of the Near East Office of Secretary of State, David Litt were the representatives of the US side at the meetings.

    After the meeting Marc Parris said that there was a consensus of opinion between the sides on four main points: 1.The main aim is to have a stable Iraq, which will not pose a a threat to neighbours, 2.Both sides condemn terrorism and understand Turkey's struggle against the terrorism, 3.Iraq should comply with the UN Security Council's decisions, 4.Territorial integrity of Iraq should be preserved. /Milliyet/

    [09] TALABANI'S DELEGATION VISITS TURKEY TODAY

    A delegation from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) headed by Celal Talabani will arrive in Ankara today. The security problem of northern Iraq will be taken up at the meetings. An official from the PUK said: "If we agree with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), we can ensure security against the PKK along the border. We do not permit PKK military existence in the region under our control. Our policy continues". /Cumhuriyet/

    [10] MINISTER MEETS ITALIAN, MACEDONIAN AND FRENCH ENVOYS

    Culture Minister Ercan Karakas received the Italian, Macedonian and French ambassadors separately yesterday in Ankara, the Anatolia news agency reported. After the meetings, Karakas said French Ambassador Dopffer had told him France would help Turkey enter the EU. France has the largest cultural cooperation programmes with Turkey, following Russia. Karakas said that Turkey would be participating in the French film festival with 100 films to support European cinema.

    [11] US EXIMBANK DIRECTOR VISITS ANKARA

    US Eximbank director, Dr.Rita Rodriguez, met yesterday with Turk Eximbank general manager Ersoy Volkan and his staff to discuss opportunities for US Eximbank and Turk Eximbank to cooperate in financing in third countries, a statement issued by the US Information Service said. The two Eximbanks signed a Cooperative Financing Agreement at the Joint Economic Commission meeting in Washington on March 30,1995. This agreement will allow US and Turkish companies to present an integrated financial package to support their joint sales efforts in third countries. /All papers/

    [12] IDB TO MAKE LOAN TO TURKEY

    The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has decided to grant a loan of $177.4 million to certain countries, including Turkey ($23 million) , the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday. IDB was founded in 1975 to finance development projects of members of the Islamic Conference.

    [13] FEBRUARY EXPORT INCENTIVES AT $1.504 BILLION

    In February this year, a total of 364 export incentive certificates worth $1.504 billion were issued by the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat (DTM), the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday. According to the statement made by the DTM in the Official Gazette, 331 of the certificates were issued for manufacturing, 32 for services, and one for the agriculture sector.

    [14] FORMER RUSSIAN PARLIAMENTARIAN IN ANKARA

    Former Russian Parliament Speaker Ruslan Hasbulatov, in Ankara as a guest of the Caucasus Chechnya Solidarity Committee, called for peace in Chechnya. The former speaker, who is of Chechen origin, underlined that the realities of the war in Chechnya were not being brought out into the open and added that 40,000 lives had been lost in a matter of five months. "This is a tragic holocaust" he said. Hasbulatov stressed that although he hoped for eventual independence for Chechnya, the first step which needed to be taken was to bring about an "internationally enforced peace" in the area. He went on to say that Turkey, as a nation close to the Caucasus, had a crucial role to play with regard to inviting the Russian government to opt for a peaceful solution. Meanwhile, Russian troops in Chechnya have undertaken large operations to occupy the mountanious regions in the country yesterday morning, prior to the peace consultations which will be held today upon the initiation of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Hungarian diplomat will participate in the peace consultations. OSCE has proposed that a full halt be made to the conflicts by midnight yesterday. /Milliyet-Cumhuriyet/

    [15] SOYSAL ELECTED AS TURKISH GRAND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY (TGNA) FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMISSION CHAIRMAN

    Republican People's Party (CHP) Ankara Deputy and former Foreign Minister Mumtaz Soysal has been elected as the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) Foreign Affairs Commission Chairman. This post has been vacated by Erdal Inonu's appointment as Foreign Minister. Soysal was the sole candidate for the post and was chosen unanimously. /Milliyet/

    [16] TEXTILE OLYMPIAD

    The 76th Textile Olympiad held in Turkey this year, has ended. 295 directors from 34 countries have attended the Textile Olympiad creating good possibilities for high level business-contacts especially for France, Germany, Italy, the US, Pakistan, Australia and South Africa. The fashion show exhibiting Ottoman Palace clothing held on the first day of the three-day conference attracted great interest. After the concert held on the second day, examples of Turkish fashion creativity have been exhibited at the Cemil Ipekci Fashion Show yesterday at the Swissotel Ball Room. /Milliyet/

    [17] US PATENT FOR TURKISH UNDERWEAR

    Aykon Dogan, State Minister responsible for the economy, who has been in Paris attending the meetings of the Council of Ministers, held talks with the US Secretary of Commerce Ronald Brown. The ministers coming together on the request of Brown discussed issues relevant to increasing American investments in Turkey. Ronald Brown proposed the establishment of "a committee for improving business opportunities" to Aykon Dogan. Commercial relations of the two countries were discussed during talks. Dogan asked the US secretary to increase the US quota applied for textile products. Stressing that the percentage of underwear imported from Turkey by the US was very low (1.33 %) when compared to general imports, Dogan stated that if the textile quota, which has already been fully utilized, is also to be applied to underwear, commercial relations between the two countries would be negatively affected. In reply, Ronald Brown has stressed the necessity of Turkey's making her legal arrangements in the shortest possible time in regard to industrial and property rights and claimed that these arrangements would encourage foreign investments in Turkey. /Milliyet/

    [18] "KOMITEE", PKK'S TRIGGERMEN IN GERMANY

    A high level official from the State Security Department of the Berlin General Directorate of Security has said that the "Komitee" organization were the triggermen for the separatist terrorist organization PKK in Germany. An 38 years old woman named Beate Krauth who was a member of the "Komitee" has been arrested and it was ascertained that the "Komitee" organization had given support to the separatist terrorist organization PKK. Offficials have stated that Krauth was arrested for attempting to blow up the "cross-border prison" located in Grunau, Berlin on 10 April by using 120 kilos of bombs. Meanwhile, the office of the Germany Federation of the Associations of Turkish-German Businessmen (TIDAF) has been raided by the members of the illegal leftist organization "Reformist People's Independence Front". A Turkish travelling agency was razed yesterday morning in Esslingen, Germany. Stuttgart Attorney General officials have stated that aside from material damage, no losses or wounded have been reported. /Sabah/

    [19] BRIEFING ON TERRORISM TO MEDITERRANEAN BUSINESSMEN

    Hasan Akyol, Minister of Industry and Trade told Mediterranean businessmen coming to Turkey that Turkey's struggle against terrorism was fully justified and nobody had the right to intervene in Turkey's interior affairs. Atalay Sahinoglu, head of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce has noted that relations between the Mediterranean countries were weak in the past but new opportunities were being considered. /Cumhuriyet/

    END

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