TRKNWS-L Turkish Press Review (June 29, 1995)

CONTENTS

  • [01] FM INONU IN SOFIA

  • [02] `KUCUK ZEKI': "SYRIA AND GREECE SUPPORT PKK"

  • [03] ERKAN: "THERE ARE TERRORISTS IN SOUTHEAST FROM EVERY COUNTRY"

  • [04] TURKEY RAPS SENTENCE AGAINST BERNARD LEWIS

  • [05] PKK LOOKING FOR "SARIN" GAS

  • [06] TURKISH-DUTCH MEETING TODAY

  • [07] ARAFAT REQUESTS FINANCIAL AID FROM TURKISH UNIONS

  • [08] ANKARA WARNS ATHENS

  • [09] 36 PKK MILITANTS KILLED

  • [10] TRNC ENGULFED BY WIND-WHIPPED FOREST FIRES

  • [11] NEIGHBOUR COUNTRIES SHELTERING PKK

  • [12] ROMANIA SEEKING TURKEY-GREECE REMEDY

  • [13] ARMENIA WAVING OLIVE BRANCH

  • [14] FOREST FIRES STARTED BY PKK

  • [15] US APPROVES HAMMER DECISION

  • [16] PKK STRENGTHENING POSITION IN GREECE

  • [17] MINISTERS CALL FOR DIALOGUE

  • [18] CLINTON REPORT: "CILLER GAVE ASSURANCE"


  • WITH THE COMPLIMENT OF

    DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION

    TURKISH PRESS REVIEW

    JUNE 29, 1995

    Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish

    press this morning.

    [01] FM INONU IN SOFIA

    Foreign Minister Erdal Inonu arrived in Sofia yesterday for an official two-day visit to improve bilateral relations and discuss security in the Balkans. Inonu was greeted by his Bulgarian counterpart Georgi Pirinski at Sofia Airport where Turkish Ambassador to Sofia, Yalcin Oral was also present. Inonu asserted that the improving relations between Bulgaria and Turkey would benefit Europe and the Balkans. Pirinski said that his country was requesting immediate enactment of the agreements on friendship, good neighbourliness, cooperation and security, which were signed in 1992. Inonu met with Bulgarian President Jelu Jelev, Prime Minister Jan Videnov and Parliament Speaker Bladovest Sendov. The opening of new border gates and new consulates; fishing rights' the social rights of immigrants; improving the Bulgarian banking system; cooperation against drug trafficking; struggles against terrorism and the strengthening of economic and trade relations between the two countries; regional and international issues are the main items of the agenda between Turkish and Bulgarian officials. Inonu will also try to find a way to halt the steady migration into Turkey of thousands of economically hard pressed people looking for a better life. During the past five years, about 250 thousand people have arrived in Turkey, many of them without permission, and it is likely that a technical level committee will be set up to deal with the problem during Inonu's official visit to the Bulgarian capital. /Hurriyet-Milliyet-Sabah/

    [02] `KUCUK ZEKI': "SYRIA AND GREECE SUPPORT PKK"

    Nevzat Ciftci, also known as "Kucuk Zeki", who was the right-hand man of PKK terrorist organization commander Semdin Sakik and who turned himself over to Turkish forces on June 23, was shown to the press by the gendarmarie in Tunceli. Ciftci said that Syria and Greece supported the PKK diplomatically. He also said that the Armenians, too, supported the PKK. Ciftci said that he left the Law Faculty and had gone to the Bekaa Valley to receive military education, after which he had directed many PKK raids in Tunceli and that he had been in the Bekaa valley twice and met PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. Ciftci also said that he had gone to Greece and that a Greek general had helped him to enter the country and that the Greek press sees the PKK as a political power and that the Syrian army especially supports the PKK. Ciftci said that there is lack of confidence in Semdin Sakik and that the PKK has lots of military problems. He added: "Many Europeans, especially German Parliamentarians visit PKK camps in the Bekaa valley and meet with Ocalan" /Sabah-Milliyet/

    [03] ERKAN: "THERE ARE TERRORISTS IN SOUTHEAST FROM EVERY COUNTRY"

    A meeting was held yesterday in Van by the emergency rule region governors. Governor of the State of Emergency Unal Erkan, Commander of the Security Region Gen.Hasan Kundakci and governors of 13 provinces were present at the meeting. Erkan said at the meeting that this year 3,286 militants had been neutralized, with 1,930 of those killed by security forces. Erkan said that 1,063 weapons, 52 bazookas, 1,270 hand grenades, 744 mines, food and many documents had been confiscated. Erkan also said that five Iranians, 21 Iraqis, 110 Syrians and two Lebanese PKK militants -a total of 138 foreign militants- had been captured in the region, and 81 more had been killed. Erkan noted that 228 members of the outlawed Hezbollah had been captured and 66 guns confiscated with them. Erkan stated that military operations continue in the region. /Milliyet/

    [04] TURKEY RAPS SENTENCE AGAINST BERNARD LEWIS

    Turkey, often criticized by the European countries for the high number of prisoners convicted under laws restricting freedom of thought, criticized France for trying and convicting an academic for his views on Armenian genocide. "It is incomprehensible how some European states, who claim to be advocates of freedom of expression and thought, can try and convict some academics for expressing their thoughts, on the grounds that he has ignored other views" Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman Nurettin Nurkan said regarding a question on Bernard Lewis. "We bring up this conflict before the eyes of those who bring proposals to you in terms of human rights". Lewis was sued by the Forum of French Armenian Associations, which accused the academic of defamation by denying that up to 1.5 million Armenians were systematically exterminated in 1915-23.

    Meanwhile, Turkey expressed its pleasure over the results of the Cannes summit during which French President Jacques Chirac urged fellow EU leaders to take steps to bring Turkey into the Western fold. Chirac said he hoped Turkey would be able to participate in the next summit with a special status as soon as the Turco-EU customs union was ratified by the European Parliament. "It is beyond any doubt that the special status in question will be an important point in the ties which are based on the Ankara Association Treaty and will be further enhanced by the establishment of the customs union" Nurettin Nurkan, the Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman, said at a weekly press conference yesterday. He noted that various countries had supported the Chirac proposal while Greek Prime Minister Andreas Papandreu objected to the proposal. "We know Papandreu has objected to Chirac's proposal. But the important thing is the decision of the EU summit and those decisions are within our expectations" Nurkan added. /Hurriyet/

    [05] PKK LOOKING FOR "SARIN" GAS

    The PKK terrorist organization is trying to obtain deadly Sarin gas for urban chemical attacks like the Tokyo subway incident. /Milliyet/

    [06] TURKISH-DUTCH MEETING TODAY

    A Joint Highway Transportation Commission meeting between the Netherlands and Turkey will start today in The Hague, the Anatolia news agency reported. Officials from the Ministry of Communications said officials would focus on improvements in highway transportation between the two countries; relevant statistical data; and the increase in the number of people using highway transportation.

    [07] ARAFAT REQUESTS FINANCIAL AID FROM TURKISH UNIONS

    Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat is reported to have asked for financial aid from the pro-Islamic Labour Confederation (Hak-Is) and the Confederation of Turkish Labour Unions (Turk-Is) for the Confederation of Palestinian Workers' Unions during his recent visit to Turkey, according to the Anatolia news agency. Turk-Is Chairman Bayram Meral, talking to the agency, said that they had agreed to the request. Hak-Is Chairman Necati Celik noted that they were still considering the demand.

    [08] ANKARA WARNS ATHENS

    Greek Deputy Information Minister Telemachus Chytiris said his country had made a major concession in lifting its objection to a customs union with Turkey, but since that date Ankara had shown no sign of a willingness to reciprocate. "We would have no objections if Turkey would only behave as a modern democratic country" Chytiris said. Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman Nurettin Nurkan said: "We have learned of certain remarks by the Greek government spokesman, Venizelos, regarding Turco-European Union ties. We believe that the Turco-Greek problems, like all international issues, can be solved through dialogue and compromise. Before making suggestions on other countries' relations with Europe, Greece itself must start acting like a European country in terms of its intention to settle political problems with dialogue and carrying out its obligations in fighting against terrorism". In a thinly veiled reference to the meeting of six Greek deputies with PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, and the visit of Yasar Kaya, the head of the so-called Kurdish Parliament in-exile to Greece, Nurkan added: "Some Greek deputies' efforts to make a hero out of the leader of a terrorist group does not exactly give prestige to the Greek nation. Turkey has the right to request Greek reaction, considering its international obligations, against the terrorist organization which has massacred thousands of innocent people in Turkey". /Milliyet-Sabah/

    [09] 36 PKK MILITANTS KILLED

    Nineteen militants of the PKK terrorist organization were killed and one soldier died in action in a clash in Cemce district, Agri province. Agri Governor Emir Durmaz said the guns of the 19 militants were confiscated and military operations are still continuing in the region against the PKK. Meanwhile, seventeen militants of the PKK were killed and five militants were captured during military operations in the southeast. Officials from the State of Emergency said that 11 militants were killed in Hakkari, three militants were killed in Mardin's Nusaybin district, two militants were killed in Siirt's Kurtalan district and a militant was killed in Sirnak. Five militants were captured during military operations in Siirt and Sirnak. A militant also surrendered with his gun in Bitlis. /Hurriyet/

    [10] TRNC ENGULFED BY WIND-WHIPPED FOREST FIRES

    As forest fires swept through the Five Fingers mountain range Tuesday and Wednesday, TRNC President Rauf Denktas declared the area a disaster zone. Twelve villages had to be evacuated as the fire leapt eastwards, fanned by strong winds. The evacuations were ordered by the Civil Defence Organization, broadcasting on Bayrak radio and television in both Turkish and English. TRNC Prime Minister Hakki Atun said: "It is the country which is burning, the trees which are turning to ash". Atun then called the general of the UN peace corps on the island to ask for help in putting out the fire. As the area known as "Ciklos" between Nicosia and Girne was burning violently, the road linking the two towns, which passes through "Ciklos" was closed to traffic. The Council of Ministers of the TRNC, which held an emergency meeting, asked the Turkish Forestry Ministry and the Turkish Aviation Association to send water trucks, planes and helicopters. The Ministry took action immediately, dispatching a team of experts, one helicopter and two water trucks. /Milliyet/

    [11] NEIGHBOUR COUNTRIES SHELTERING PKK

    Speaking at the Istanbul Military Academy about "Turkey and the World in June 1995" President Suleyman Demirel said that particularly Syria, Iran and Greece were sheltering PKK terrorists despite their claims to the contrary. "We know that despite their denials, the PKK is finding support in these countries," said Demirel yesterday.

    The President also spoke about democratic development, the economy and Turkey's powers of defence, and stressed that no one should doubt that Turkey has a bright future. "We know exactly where we are going" concluded Demirel. /Milliyet/

    [12] ROMANIA SEEKING TURKEY-GREECE REMEDY

    With the latest gathering of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation being held in Bucharest, host country Romania wants to mediate better relations between Turkey and Greece.

    Talking to journalists, Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Malescanu said that the disagreement between Turkey and Greece was creating a feeling of unease in Romanian government circles. Both Malescanu and the Romanian President have indicated that they would like to bring the Greek and Turkish presidents together for a mini summit within the framework of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation meeting which begins tomorrow. /Hurriyet/

    [13] ARMENIA WAVING OLIVE BRANCH

    Top advisor to Armenian President Levon Ter Petrosyan, professor Jirayir Libaridian, has announced that Armenia is ready to make new agreements with Turkey-without any pre-conditions.

    The Armenians say that historical issues like turn of the century massacres will not be brought up, positive suggestions on the route of new overland pipeline projects will be made, and Armenian fears of Pan-Turkism will be openly discussed. /Cumhuriyet/

    [14] FOREST FIRES STARTED BY PKK

    Forestry Minister Hasan Ekinci said yesterday that forest fires in the Marmaris region had been started by PKK terrorists trained in arson techniques by the Greeks.

    In an official statement, Ekinci detailed the damage from forest fires since the start of the year, and claimed that 60-70 percent of the 400 fires reported had resulted from "sabotage." Ekinci added that a main target of the arson had been the Marmaris yacht marina, but the PKK had been thwarted in this by local fire fighters. /Sabah/

    [15] US APPROVES HAMMER DECISION

    The Clinton administration has noted that it approves the decision of the Turkish parliament to extend the UN Provide Comfort mandate by another six months.

    Administration officials said yesterday that they were pleased Turkey had taken this line, and spokesman Nicholas Burns added that the US wanted to continue in this area of cooperation with Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/

    [16] PKK STRENGTHENING POSITION IN GREECE

    According to reports the PKK is becoming even more firmly entrenched in Greece. Of all the European countries, the PKK terror organization has the best ties with Greece.

    Greece has opened its doors to the PKK and the PKK feels quite at home in Greece with many of its representatives and offices in Athens. Despite claims by Greek Prime Minister Papandreu that "Greece has no official ties with the PKK" Turkey says that all the evidence points to complicity between the PKK and Greece.

    Greek government spokesman Venizelos told a Turkish journalist that claims that Greece was supporting the PKK "were a figment of Turkey's imagination" and that "anyone was free to come and see for himself whether or not there were PKK camps in Greece." /Sabah/

    [17] MINISTERS CALL FOR DIALOGUE

    The Committee of Ministers which is the decision making organ of the Council of Europe has asked the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe to continue dialogue with Turkey. In his speech at the CACE general assembly, European Council term Chairman Czech Foreign Minister Josef Zieleniec, gave details about the activities of the Committee of Ministers. Dwelling upon the criticism about the Committee report, on Turkey, the Czech Foreign Minister said that the Committee of Miniters was in close cooperation with Turkey, and that the same cooperation and dialogue should continue between the CACE and Turkish parliamentarians. Stating that work regarding constitutional reforms were continuing in Turkey, Zileneniec added that they expected the results of these reforms to conform the objectives of the Vienna summit declaration. The CACE put forth three requirements according to its decision taken in April and asked the Committee of Ministers to suspend the membership of Turkey if Turkey did not fulfill these requirements, and laid down further conditions including a deadline for constitutional amendments, finding a peaceful solution to the problems in southeastern Anatolian and complete withdrawal from northern Iraq. In a written reply by the Council of Ministers to the CACE last week, statements supporting Turkey were used without taking the proposal to suspend Turkey's EC membership into consideration. The CACE presiding board has decided to have the Council of Ministers' reply examined by the Political Affairs Committee. CACE officials state that the position of the Political Commission regarding Turkey would be clear in September in the light of constitutional improvements in Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/

    [18] CLINTON REPORT: "CILLER GAVE ASSURANCE"

    US President Bill Clinton in his latest Cyprus report said that "Prime Minister Ciller gave assurances that Ankara would find a rapid solution to the problem." Clinton also said that the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Rauf Denktas had expressed his wish to find a solution many times. President Clinton sent his Cyprus report, which includes the 1 April-31 May period, to the US Congress. Clinton described the secret consultations made in London as the "most important developments of the past two months". Clinton declared that these consultations could form a firm base for the second visit of Cyprus Special Representative, Richard Beattie when he will investigate possible fields of agreement. Clinton recalled that he had consultations with Ciller on April 19 and he noted that "Prime Minister Ciller conveyed her wish to apply the Confidence Building Measures (CBM) at once, and confirmed Turkey's strong support for consultations aiming to reach a general solution to the island's problems." Clinton added that Denktas had been voted President again, and that all the election candidates had said they wanted a solution through negotiations with the other side. Clinton concluded : "One of the slogans of Mr.Denktas was "1996, Solution Year" and he thus underlined his wish to find a federal solution including the two communities which was mentioned repeatedly in the 1977 and 1979 agreements. /Cumhuriyet/

    WITH THE COMPLIMENT OF DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION

    TURKISH PRESS REVIEW JUNE 28, 1995

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

    NUMBER OF DEPUTIES IN COMMISSION LOWERED TO 500

    The Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) Constitution Commission has lowered the number of the deputies from 600 to 500. During debates on the 9th Article of the Constitution, the Welfare Party (RP) was against increasing the number and ANAP wanted it lowered to 450. /Milliyet/

    EMERGENCY RULE TO STAY IN SOUTHEAST

    Parliament yesterday extended the eight-year-old State of Emergency in Turkey's southeast for another four months, endorsing a government recommendation with 225 votes to 140 against. Addressing the Parliament before the vote, Interior Minister Nahit mentese said the extension was necessary because of the continuing combat against the PKK terrorist organization in the area. Meanwhile, Parliament yesterday also gave a Turkey-based Western air force protecting the Iraqi Kurds a fresh mandate, prolonging its stay until the end of the year. The lawmakers endorsed the government recommendation for the six-month extension for the UN Operation Provide Comfort by 202 votes to 153 in a key ballot. /All papers/

    ARMY: 754 TERRORISTS KILLED SINCE JAN.1994

    In a press briefing by the Third Army yesterday about the terrorist activities within its area of responsibility, officials said that 754 terrorists had been killed and 221 terrorists had been captured since January 1994, and 143 terrorists had turned themselves in during the same period. Because of the loss of personnel in the PKK terrorist organization, its mountain cadres had changed and now youths from 15 to 16 years of age were being brainwashed and used for terrorism. The information given indicated that the right-hand man of PKK commander Semdin Sakik, Nevzat Ciftci, also known as "Kucuk Zeki", turned himself in on June 23. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Nahit Mentese stated that 19 PKK militants have been killed in Kagizman, Kars. Two terrorists were killed in clashes with the security forces in Malatya yesterday. /Hurriyet/

    SHALIKASHVILI DEFENDS HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRESS IN TURKEY

    General John M.Shalikashvili, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, in a letter he wrote to Rep.Sonny Callahan (R-AL) on June 21, recalled Turkey's value as a staunch ally and warned that if the US Congress succeeds in cutting aid to Turkey for alleged human rights violations and "taking on the role of adversary" the US leaders will "lose access to key (Turkish) decision makers. Callahan is the chairman of the House Appropriations Foreign Operations subcommittee. Defending the progress the Turkish Armed Forces had made in regard to human rights issues, Shalikashvili said: "I have personally engaged General Karadayi, Turkey's Chief of Staff, in dialogue regarding human rights and found him to be willing to assist in moving forward with new measures aimed at enhancing Turkish democracy and human rights. Karadayi is backing progress on human rights and is ready to make a concerted effort to see democratization legislation pass. Imposing more restrictions on this valued ally will only hinder our attempts to encourage progress and bring about lasting change. Recent progress combined with Turkey's unquestioned strategic importance, should drive the US to increase support to Turkey in order to achieve our objectives, not destroy bilateral relations. The Turkish military is actively engaging in efforts to improve human rights awareness among its personnel. Progress is visible in their newfound willingness to discuss this sensitive issue openly. They instituted new rules of engagement for all military operations and provided additional training to many soldiers assigned to anti-terrorist operations. While the recent operations in northern Iraq drew sharp criticism from many of Turkey's European neighbours, evidence indicates that the Turkish military went to great lengths to protect the lives of innocent civilians while destroying terrrorist camps". Shalikashvili reminded Callahan of the crucial role played by Turkey as a US ally in NATO, the Gulf War, Korea, Provide Comfort and in Somalia. "As of June 19, the coalition has flown over 23,000 sorties out of Incirlik in support of humanitarian operations protecting the Kurds in N.Iraq. Further, without Turkish military support, our humanitarian operations in Provide Comfort would have long since been terminated and Saddam Hussein would have subjugated the Kurds of N.Iraq" Shalikashvili said. In a similar effort to block Rep.John Porter's (R-IL) attempt to cut aid -especially economic support funding- to Turkey, three influential leaders of the House Appropriations Committee circulated a "Dear colleague" letter last Friday. Bob Livingston (R-NJ), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep.Callahan and Charlie Wilson (D-TX), ranking member of the House appropriations foreign operations subcommittee urged the House members to read Chairman Shalikashvili's letter. /Milliyet/

    GURPINAR TAKES OVER AT CULTURE MINISTRY

    Irfan Gurpinar took over as Culture Minister yesterday, following Ercan Karakas' resignation from the post on Friday. Speaking at a special ceremony to mark his appointment, Karakas said that during his short time as Culture Minister he had tried to establish cultural activities and arts at every level of society. He also indicated that during his three months in office, the Law on Intellectual Property Rights had been ratified and changes in the Tax Law had been approved. This, he said, would encourage many people to invest in the arts. /All papers/

    AZERI FM CONDEMNS TURKISH CONSULATE BOMBING

    Azeri Foreign Minister Hasan Hasanov said that he condemned the bomb attack on the Turkish consulate in Nakhichevan, the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday. He added that he was very sad that such an attack could have occurred in the democratic state of Azerbaijan where the rule of law reigns. "There are forces behind this who are jealous of the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey" he claimed.

    EXPERTS SAY EUROPE SHOULD BE MORE HONEST WITH TURKEY

    Experts participating in a seminar organized by the Federal Security Policy Academy in Germany said that Turkey was faced with hypocritical attitudes, the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday. According to an article in the German daily General Anzeiger, the speakers said that Europe should be honest towards Turkey with regard to the latter's demands from the EU. One expert said that information about the Kurdish question in Turkey which German parliamentarians received was usually one-sided and incomplete and added that Turkey was the only country towards which Germany showed such a conflicting attitude. Experts at the seminar concluded that Turkey's exclusion from Europe would be detrimental to Europe's security policy in the long run.

    ISRAELI TOURISTS PUT TURKEY FIRST

    An opinion poll has revealed that Israeli tourists have made Turkey their first choice for vacations. The poll showed that while only 4.5 % of Israeli tourists had chosen Turkey as their holiday destination during the 1985-1992 period, this number had increased by 300 % in the last three years.

    DEMIREL PRAISES TOFAS ACHIEVEMENTS

    President Suleyman Demirel said yesterday that Turkey's number one carmaker TOFAS had become an international company. In a speech delivered at the celebrations held to mark the 25th anniversary of the TOFAS foundation, Demirel noted that the company, set up originally to produce 20,000 automobiles, had grown 12 times over and currently produced 250,000 cars. The president said it was a success story for Turkish industry that TOFAS was selling its products in world markets. "I hereby introduce a new term into the Turkish language: factories of globalization. This is the name for factories which dare to challenge the world". Prime Minister Tansu Ciller also attended the TOFAS celebrations and identified competition as the main criteria for the success. /Cumhuriyet/

    GROSSMAN REPEATS US VIEWS ON PKK

    US Ambassador to Turkey, Marc Grossman yesterday repeated that his country had always considered the PKK a terrorist organization and added that all the countries in the region were aware of this, the Anatolia news agency said yesterday. Grossman spoke during a visit to the governor of the southeastern city of Sanliurfa, Ziyaeddin Akbulut. Indicating that he had visited the region of the massive Southeast Anatolian Project (GAP), a network of dams which is expected to transform the region, Grossman said it was impossible for visitors to the region to be unaffected by the magnitude of the project.

    THANK YOU CHIRAC

    In the absence of Turkey at the European Union (EU) leaders conference at Cannes, French President Jacques Chirac devoted a lot of his time to talking about Turkey.

    Chirac silenced Greek complaints about Turkey and then said that in order for Turkey to be able to attend future similar meetings, a "special status" would have to be given to Turkey.

    France at the moment is very supportive of Turkey and is exerting every effort on Turkey's behalf to find ways of making sure that customs union goes ahead -clearing the way for Turkey's full membership in the EU. Much of the French interest stems from the fact that France feels Greece has overstepped the mark in certain areas and is siding with Turkey as a result.

    The Cannes meeting has opened new debate on just what can be done about Turkey-EU relations. With Greece blocking moves to bring Turkey into the fold where it can, and other countries tending to remain impartial, Chirac's moves in support of Turkey are that much more welcomed by Ankara.

    Spain too has shown that it favours a quick decision in favour of Turkey. With new currents in favour of Turkey moving more deeply through the EU, some reports suggest that Turkey is likely to be invited to attend a similar summit planned for December. That would mean Prime Minister Ciller would be the first Turkish prime minister to attend such a high level EU summit-style meeting. /All papers/

    PKK BOMB PLAN FOILED

    Greek supported PKK plans to plant time bombs in and around the main holiday centre of Antalya have been foiled by security officials. Antalya police have arrested nine people suspected of being involved in the PKK bomb plan.

    According to details so far known, two members of the PKK arrived in Antalya from Greece to check the place out before going ahead with planting their bombs. The bombers had previously been trained for months in camps in Greece. /Sabah/

    BIG FOREST FIRES IN CYPRUS

    In the wake of the hot spell, forest fires in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) are wreaking massive damage. Members of the public and the fire services are fighting the flames in a losing battle. Villages in the region of the fires have been evacuated.

    In Turkey, fires have broken out in the forests around Mugla and nearby centres. Officials in the TRNC and Turkey describe the situations as disastrous. /Cumhuriyet/

    TURKEY ISSUES CYPRUS WARNING

    Foreign Minister Erdal Inonu has warned the EU about the situation on Cyprus and what moves towards accepting the Greek Cypriot community into the EU could lead to.

    Inonu has pointed out to the European Unity that bringing Cyprus into the EU without considering the problems of both communities on the island will only worsen an already very difficult situation. Inonu added that a new evaluation of the situation was vital before any new steps were taken to involve Cyprus as a whole in the EC. /Hurriyet/

    CETIN-YILMAZ REACH AGREEMENT ON CONSTITUTION CHANGES

    Chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP) and Deputy Prime Minister Hikmet Cetin visited Chairman of the Motherland Party (ANAP) Mesut Yilmaz yesterday and they agreed on changes to the constitution. At the meeting it was decided after the first round of the vote for approving the constitutional changes, the True Path Party (DYP), the Motherland Party and the Republican People's Party would prepare a minutes of accord about giving union rights to the personnel of the State Economic Enterprises, and lifting political restrictions against academicians. /Milliyet/

    PKK LEADERS IN ATHENS

    It has been reported that three PKK leaders are in Athens and have begun contacts with Greek officials. However, Evangelos Venizelos, Greek Government Spokesman said that he had no information about the matter. Yasar Kaya, Chairman of the so-called Kurdish parliament-in-exile in Holland, Abdulrahman Dure and A.Satan laid a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the Greek Assembly building together with PKK organization members residing in Athens. Reports note that the three PKK members asked for a rendezvous with Greek Assembly Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis. /Cumhuriyet/

    TURCO-GREEK SUMMIT EXPECTED IN BUCHAREST

    After the lapse of a considerable period of time, now a Turco- Greek summit is to be realized on a head of state-level on June 30 in Bucharest during a planned Black Sea Economic Cooperation summit. Participating in the summit will be President Suleyman Demirel and Foreign Minister Erdal Inonu and their Greek counterparts, President Konstantin Stafonopulos and Foreign Minister Karolos Papulyas. Neither side has put forward a request for a meeting. However, it has been emphasized that the possibility of a realization of the summit is very likely. The question of the extension of territorial waters, the PKK and Cyprus will be brought up in the search for a solution to end the crisis. Turkey's expectation is that Greece will give a guarantee not to extend support to the PKK. In the meantime, the US is acting as intermediary to find a solution to the problems of the Aegean Sea. /Hurriyet/

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