TRKNWS-L Turkish Press Review (June 20, 1995)

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

Subject: TRKNWS-L Turkish Press Review (June 20, 1995)

CONTENTS

  • [01] FOR CILLER

  • [02] ES LOBBY

  • [03] EY, PALESTINE DISCUSS ECONOMIC AID, PEACE PROCESS

  • [04] EY MAY CHOP ZEROES FROM THE LIRA

  • [05] ITICAL MEETING FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

  • [06] I ARABIA AND TURKEY REAFFIRM COOPERATION

  • [07] KK MILITANTS KILLED IN SOUTHEAST

  • [08] AN CITIZENS OF TURKISH ORIGIN TO SET UP PARTY

  • [09] MACEDONIAN PM: "TURKEY IS MACEDONIA'S BIGGEST TRADE PARTNER"

  • [10] BILGIN AND MENZIR IN BULGARIA

  • [11] TURKMENISTAN APPROVES GAS AGREEMENT WITH TURKEY

  • [12] TURKISH TOURISM GETS "TOP MARK" IN LONDON

  • [13] ISTANBUL MUSIC FESTIVAL

  • [14] ALTER OF ZEUS ON BRITISH TV

  • [15] BIG OPERATIONS AGAINST PKK

  • [16] GREEK MEMBERSHIP UNDER REVIEW

  • [17] NEW BUSINESS GUIDE

  • [18] WOMEN PARLIAMENTARIANS

  • [19] TABA IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE US TRADE CHAMBER

  • [20] RUSSIAN SUPPORT FOR TURKISH TOURISM

    •

    WITH THE COMPLIMENT OF

    DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION

    TURKISH PRESS REVIEW

    JUNE 20, 1995

    Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish

    press this morning.

    [01] FOR CILLER

    Prime Minister Tansu Ciller flew to Paris yesterday to attend the Western European Union (WEU) Parliamentarians Assembly meeting in which report calling for autonomy for the Kurds will be approved. Ciller, who will have to pass a difficult "examination" on customs union, will make a speech during the meeting today and will talk with French President Jacques Chirac and Prime Minister Alain Juppe. A delegation of deputies including Deniz Baykal, Engin Guner, Selcuk Maruflu, Coskun Kirca is also attending the General Council meetings under the presidency of Sait Kemal Mimaroplu, the Ankara deputy of the True Path Party (TPP). A report regarding security in the Eastern Mediterranean, which proposes autonomy for the Kurdish people in Turkey will be discussed in the meeting. Ciller has already noted that she will stress the injustice of some critics and their suggestions in her speech. Ciller said: "Turkey does not close her ears to the voices coming from Europe of which she is a part nor she will close her ears in the future, but it is also our right to distinguish whether these voices are friendly and just or not." Diplomatic circles are saying that Ciller's speech was very important for being the first confrontation with European public opinion before the Customs Union. It is also expected that Ciller will send out a message, saying that the democratization process has begun and that the Constitutional amendments are subject to the approval of the Turkish Grand National Assembly.

    [02] ES LOBBY

    It has been noted that Ciller will lobby in her talks with Chirac and Juppe in Paris to have Turkey invited to the Cannes EU summit in France at the end of this month. Same sources have suggested that Ciller will stress the importance of Turkey's presence in the EU summit emphasizing that Turkey now has a different status following the signing of the Customs Union agreement on 6 March. Meanwhile, making a surprise gesture to Turkey, Italy also proposed Turkey's participation in the summit. It has been said that this proposal from Italy is supported by France, Britain and Germany. /Hurriyet-Milliyet/

    [03] EY, PALESTINE DISCUSS ECONOMIC AID, PEACE PROCESS

    Palestinian President Yasser Arafat arrived in Ankara yesterday to pay his second official visit following the start of the Middle East peace process. Welcomed by Foreign Minister Erdal Inonu at Esenboga Airport, Arafat first visited Ataturk's mausoleum. He was welcomed with an official ceremony by President Demirel at the Cankaya Presidential Palace. Arafat and Demirel held a one-hour meeting and then meetings between delegations were held. Arafat and Turkish officials discussed ways to expedite an economic aid package Ankara had earlier pledged to extend to the Palestinian state to support several development projects in the newly autonomous areas. Arafat also briefed President Suleyman Demirel and other Turkish officials he met in Ankara on developments in the Middle East peace process and in particular the Palestinian-Israeli talks. At official talks following Arafat's arrival in Ankara yesterday morning, the Palestinian delegation also asked the Ankara government to encourage the Turkish private sector to do business in Palestine. "The Palestinian people have not forgotten and will not forget Turkey's assistance. They now need Turkey's help more than ever" Arafat said in a meeting with Demirel. Demirel said at a dinner he gave in Arafat's honour that Turkey would continue to do what it could to contribute to the economic and social development of the Palestinian people. Explaining the political and practical difficulties the Palestine administration faces, Arafat asked for Turkey's political support. He also requested observers from Turkey for the Gaza and Jericho elections and Turkish soldiers to participate in the international police force to be established. Arafat and Prime Minister Tansu Ciller spoke on the phone and briefly discussed the peace process before Ciller flew to Paris yesterday afternoon to attend a Western European Union meeting. Arafat will meet Turkish party and union leaders and receive an honorary doctorate at Ankara's Gazi University today before leaving Turkey later in the day. /All papers/

    [04] EY MAY CHOP ZEROES FROM THE LIRA

    Turkish economy officials have revived long plans to chop three zeroes from the lira to create a new currency but political sources said the plan needs a final go-ahead from Prime Minister Tansu Ciller. State Minister Onur Kumbaracibasi said that the monetary authorities recommended yesterday the suitability of the plan. "Taking off the zeroes is not a way to fight inflation" Kumbaracibasi told reporters. It will just be a technical step to gain, as we anticipate (positive) psychological effects. It is, after all, a step which many other countries have already taken" he said after a meeting with the top-level bureaucrats. Chief Adviser responsible for economic coordination, Prof.Emre Gonensay, Chairman of the Central Bank Yaman Toruner, Treasury Counselor Ayfer Yilmaz and State Planning Organization (SPO) Counselor Necati Ozfirat were alo present at the meeting. There were press reports yesterday that the monetary authorities considered three options to name the new currency: eti; new lira; and akce. "I would prefer to name it Ata lira (a reference to Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey). Akce (Ottoman currency) sounds a bit old-fashioned to me" Kumbaracibasi said. /Sabah/

    [05] ITICAL MEETING FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

    The Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) Constitution Commission will hold a meeting tomorrow to discuss again the amendments in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 17th and 22nd articles of the Constitution. /Milliyet/

    [06] I ARABIA AND TURKEY REAFFIRM COOPERATION

    Turkey and Saudi Arabia reaffirmed that they would continue their efforts to play a major role in the reconstruction of the Middle East. "The two countries are in a position to contribute to the reconstruction of the Middle East" Deputy Prime Minister Hikmet Cetin said as he met with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Suud al-Faisal. "We are two important countries of the region and we cooperate closely with Saudi Arabia for peace and stability in the region". Al-Faisal, for his part, said that his talks in Turkey had been very constructive. The minister also met with Turkish President Suleyman Demirel earlier yesterday. /All papers/

    [07] KK MILITANTS KILLED IN SOUTHEAST

    Ten militants of the PKK terrorist organization were killed during military operations in the Southeast. Officials from the state of emergency said that four militants were killed at Mount Dugun located in the west of Sirnak, four in the towns of Dargecit and Nusaybin in Mardin, one in the town of Adakli in Bingol and another in the town of Ovancilar in Elazig. Three militants were killed by the security forces yesterday morning at Mount Ziyaret in Agri. Five other militants, of whom one is a woman, who abandoned the separatist organization to benefit from the Repentance law turned themselves over to the security forces. Meanwhile, 29 members of the PKK who were arrested during operations, were detained by the court after interrogation by the police was completed. /Milliyet/

    [08] AN CITIZENS OF TURKISH ORIGIN TO SET UP PARTY

    A group of German citizens of Turkish origin held their first meeting in Frankfurt to establish a new political party, the Democrat Party, the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday. A total of 45 people participated in the meeting. Sedat Sezgin, chairman of the party's committee, said their aim was to gain equal rights for foreigners in the country and to enter the German Parliament in three or four years time, Anatolia said.

    [09] MACEDONIAN PM: "TURKEY IS MACEDONIA'S BIGGEST TRADE PARTNER"

    Branko Cvrvenkovski, the prime minister of Macedonia, said yesterday that Turkey was his country's number one trading partner, the Anatolia news agency reported. At a press conference in Skopje, the prime minister reiterated that his visit to Turkey had been very successful and that Turkey was Macedonia's best friend in the Balkans. He added that Turkish officials had promised him that they would help Macedonia enter the markets of Central Asia and the Islamic world. He also said that President Demirel would be visiting his country in the first week of July.

    [10] BILGIN AND MENZIR IN BULGARIA

    Avni Bilgin, Istanbul chief prosecutor, and Necdet Menzir, general director of the Istanbul police, arrived in Sofia to make a two-day official visit to Rosen Dimov, chief prosecutor of Bulgaria's Filibe district, the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday. Nikola Danev, the Filibe chief of police, said that this kind of visit develops relations between Turkey and Bulgaria and increases cooperation against drug smuggling and terrorism, the agency reported.

    [11] TURKMENISTAN APPROVES GAS AGREEMENT WITH TURKEY

    Turkmen President Saparmurad Turkmenbasi (formerly Niyazov) has ratified an agreement to sell Turkmen natural gas to Turkey, the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday. According to the deal, which in principle involves Iran, Turkey would receive Turkmen gas through a pipeline crossing Iranian territory. Another option is to pump the Turkmen gas through a planned pipeline underneath the Caspian Sea, then across Azerbaijan and Georgia.

    [12] TURKISH TOURISM GETS "TOP MARK" IN LONDON

    A "Congress Tourism Fair '95" organised by the Promotion Council was held in London on Saturday, June 16, the aim of which is to increase tourism ties between Turkey and England. Some 21 firms which came from Turkey, interacted with about 300 British firms. Representatives of the British firms said that Turkey should be thought of as more than just a "summer holiday" place. They added that Turkey's potential as a convention and exhibition venue should not be overlooked. Mustafa Turkmen, Turkey's Promotion Counsellor in London, stressing that the Fair which was taking place for the fifth time this year, collected increasing interest every year, said Turkey's success in the field of congress fairs has been proven. "We are proudly exhibiting Turkey's facilities in London, the world capital for congress tourism", said he. In his statement given to the Travel TV Channel broadcasting to west Europe, he said that Turkey was one of the most attractive countries for British tourists. Answering a question Turkmen said: "A tourist is still regarded as a 'guest' in Turkey and a 'a guest' is most respected visitor. In addition, Turkey is one of the most secure countries for tourists." At a reception given at the end of the convention, Ozdem Sanberk, the new Turkish ambassador in London, said that he was pleased with the flow of British tourists to Turkey. Company- sponsored tourism, which began with international organizations awarding their employees by sending them abroad on touristic trips that are paid for by the company, was mentioned during the convention as one form of tourism that is increasingly profitable for the host country.

    [13] ISTANBUL MUSIC FESTIVAL

    The 23rd International Istanbul Music Festival, organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts, will open today. The concerts and performances this year will take place at the Ataturk Cultural Centre, Aya Irini and Topkapi Palace. The festival continues its tradition of a very rich programme. In the 1995 programme, 800 foreign and 350 Turkish performers will participate together with six full orchestras, nine chamber music concerts, one recital, two operas, three ballet performances and nine traditional music concerts. In addition, the Young Soloists Series consisting of 15 soloists, three orchestras and two chamber music ensembles will also attract attention. The Presidential Symphony Orchestra (CSO) will give the opening concert today under Prof.Gurer Aykal's direction and Huseyin Sermet as the soloist. The CSO, one of the oldest symphony orchestras in the world to have performed continously up to the present, was founded in Istanbul in 1826 during the reign of Mahmut II, as a court orchestra, and continued its activity in Ankara from 1924, after the declaration of the Republic.

    [14] ALTER OF ZEUS ON BRITISH TV

    Stolen from the Bergama region 120 years ago by German archeologists and for many years on display in Berlin, the famous Alter of Zeus has been screened on Britain's popular channel 4.

    The programme detailed the history of the alter which dates from 197 BC, and is one of the real treasures of Turkey. /Hurriyet/

    [15] BIG OPERATIONS AGAINST PKK

    Groups of PKK terrorists are being sandwiched between Turkish military units closing in on known PKK strongholds dotted throughout the southeastern regions.

    As Turkish forces continue to press the PKK, Iranian officials are reported as saying that a combined operation deploying Turkish and Iranian units is not on the cards for the time being. Nevertheless, Ankara says that it wants some sort of concrete suggestion from Tehran about blocking the movements of groups of PKK terrorists to and fro across the border. /All papers/

    [16] GREEK MEMBERSHIP UNDER REVIEW

    In what has been described as a surprising move, the member countries of the Western European Union (WEU), are taking a closer look at the full membership of Greece in the Union.

    Greece is already on the way to being admitted as a full member, but this move could be a set back to Greek plans to increase its presence in both the WEU and the European Union. /Milliyet/

    [17] NEW BUSINESS GUIDE

    A new "1996" guide to Turkish businessmen and companies includes the names of 23 thousand Turkish companies.

    The book and its contents are primarily directed towards foreign companies and individuals who want to invest in Turkey, or who are seeking partners for projects in Turkey or third countries. /Sabah/

    [18] WOMEN PARLIAMENTARIANS

    Women parliamentarians from the Islamic countries will come together at the 1st Women Parliamentarians Conference in Pakistan. The conference, organized by the Pakistan National Assembly and opened by Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, will begin on 1 August. The prime ministers of Turkey and Bangladesh are invited to the conference and a delegation from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will also attend the conference. /Cumhuriyet/

    [19] TABA IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE US TRADE CHAMBER

    Chairman of the Turkish-American Businessmen's Association (TABA), Bulent Senver was elected to the Executive Board of the European Council of the US Chambers of Trade (ECACC) at the end of Council meetings between 7-9 June in Washington. The Chambers, in which 23 countries are members, will under the chairmanship of Turkey together with Britain, Germany, and Belgium, decide on what to do to ensure "A Cross Atlantic Working Dialogue". /Cumhuriyet/

    [20] RUSSIAN SUPPORT FOR TURKISH TOURISM

    A TOBB Commission (Turkish Union of Chambers and Exchange Commodities) consisting of approximately 80 businessmen and bureaucrats, chaired by Yalim Erez completed its contacts in Tatarstan two days ago and went on to Moscow yesterday. Russian Chairman of the Trade and Industry, Alexandrowid Smirnov, who addressed the Turkish commission said that "Turkey will get ahead of Greece and Spain in tourism. The support of Russian tourists to Turkish tourism will eventually be superfluous." The Turkish commission began meetings with Russian officials yesterday morning. TOBB Chairman Erez said that they wanted the Black Sea to be "sea of cooperation" and said that "consolidation of relations between our countries will not only increase prosperity between our countries but in each country of the Commonwealth of Independent States as well. Common initiatives should be a field where Turkey and Russia can evaluate their comparative advantages." /Hurriyet/

    END

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