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Turkish Press Review, 98-11-09
From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>
09.11.98
Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
CONTENTS
[01] BARZANI AND TALABANI HOLD ANKARA SUMMIT
[02] ANKARA WARNS MOSCOW OVER OCALAN
[03] WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM IN ISTANBUL
[04] SEZGIN IN BULGARIA
[05] TURKISH COMMERCIAL FLEET DOUBLES
[06] TAX REFORM PROVES TO BE FRUITFUL
[07] AMBASSADOR OF AUSTRALIA VISITS MT.NEMRUT
[08] EAST MEDITERRANEAN-98 MILITARY EXERCISE
[09] TANER: "EU COMMISSION REPORT A MISTAKE"
[10] TURKEY-EU JOINT PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION MEETINGS
[11] SMUGGLING OF HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS IN HAKKARI
[12] DENIZOLGUN VISITS TRNC
[13] DRUG OPERATION
[14] NEW IRANIAN AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA
[15] MARCH FOR ATATURK
[16] TRADE CENTRE IN ROMANIA
[17] US CONSULATE PUBLISHES A GAP BOOKLET
[18] WORLD LAWYERS TO DISCUSS QUALITY
[19] DIJBOUTI MINISTER IN ANKARA
[20] TURKEY'S PEACE THESIS IS ACCEPTED
[21] TWO ISRAELI ARRESTED IN SOUTHERN CYPRUS
[22] SECOND ISRAEL-TURKEY-US JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE TO BE IN JANUARY
[23] US JEWISH LOBBY CONGRULATES THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY
[24] OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN IRAQ
[25] RAF MILITANTS ON THE SIDE OF PKK
[26] TERRORIST CRISIS BETWEEN GERMANY AND TURKEY
[01] BARZANI AND TALABANI HOLD ANKARA SUMMIT
The Iraqi Kurdish leaders held a summit in Ankara yesterday,
discussing Mesud Barzani's meetings with Turkish officials last
week and Celal Talabani's contacts with authorities in Ankara in
the upcoming days. Leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP)
Barzani briefed Leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK)
Talabani about his meetings with Turkish government officials and
the military and about Turkish expectations from the latter.
Talabani, accompanied by Barham Saleh, the PUK Washington
representative and Muhammed Tofiq, a member of the PUK political
bureau, will be received by senior Foreign Ministry officials
today and Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit tomorrow. He will
leave Ankara on Thursday for Tehran and Damascus. Barzani
reportedly told Talabani that Ankara wants assurances that
Talabani will keep his word to remove the PKK from northern Iraq
as was stipulated in the Washington agreement. Talabani told
Barzani he would obey the Washington accord and do whatever is
necessary against the PKK terrorist organization. /All papers/
[02] ANKARA WARNS MOSCOW OVER OCALAN
Ankara has warned that the presence of the leader of the PKK
terrorist organization, Abdullah Ocalan, in Moscow may cause
cracks in bilateral relations between Turkey and Russia, the
Anatolia news agency reported yesterday. Russia's Interfax agency
quoted Turkey's Ambassador to Russia Nabi Sensoy as saying:
"Following the Duma's decision, Russia should guarantee Turkey
that they won't grant political asylum to Ocalan". Sensoy noted
that Ocalan is responsible for the deaths of 30,000 people in
Turkey, including women and children, and reminded the Russians
that Ocalan is also wanted by Interpol.
Meanwhile, Germany's weekly magazine Focus has reported that the
head of the PKK would prefer Belgium as his new safe haven. After
extensive pressure from Turkey, Ocalan was recently forced out of
Syria.
[03] WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM IN ISTANBUL
The World Economic Forum's (WEF) meeting in Turkey started
yesterday in Istanbul. Monday's meetings will include an
assessment of Turkey's new leadership, as well as discussions on
Turkey's energy industry and key export-oriented industries for
Turkey in the 21st century. Investments in the Southeastern
Anatolia Project (GAP), surviving global volatility, travel and
tourism, the prospects of Turkish-Russian business relations,
Turkish-Greek business relations, the prospects for
Turkish-European relations under the German-EU presidency, the
geopolitical impact of the Turkish-Israeli axis, banking and
investments will also be discussed.
The final plenary session will include an address by President
Suleyman Demirel on the "Changing Geo-Economic and Political
Position of Turkey". /All papers/
[04] SEZGIN IN BULGARIA
Following heated competition between Balkan nations to host the
multi-national southeastern European peacekeeping force, Turkish
Defense Minister Ismet Sezgin has voiced Turkey's support for the
Bulgarian city of Plovdiv as the first headquarters of the force.
"We are giving our full support to Plovdiv", Sezgin told
reporters in Sofia, where he arrived on Friday for a three-day
official visit. Sezgin's Bulgarian counterpart, Georgi Ananiyev,
expressed his gratitude for Turkey's backing. On Saturday and
Sunday, Sezgin visited several defense industry plants and a
military academy.
In a clear sign of the positive state of relations between Turkey
and Bulgaria, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit will pay a
visit there on November 11-12. Following Ecevit's visit,
Education Minister Hikmet Ulugbay will be in Bulgaria on November
25. /All papers/
[05] TURKISH COMMERCIAL FLEET DOUBLES
The number of commercial Turkish ships has increased from 601 to
848 in the last 10 years, doubling transportation capacity.
According to information obtained by the Anatolia news agency
from the Maritime Undersecretariat, the number of ships in 1987
larger than 300 gross tonnage (GRT) was 601 and their
transportation capacity was 5,387,000 deadweight (DWT, long tons,
2,240 pounds). This rose to 848 ships and 9,952,000 DWT this
year. Of the 1,197 ships over 150 GRT in the Turkish commercial
fleet, the 17th largest in the world, 282 are owned by the public
sector and the remaining 715 by the private sector.
[06] TAX REFORM PROVES TO BE FRUITFUL
The tax reform has begun to bear its first fruits. According to
calculations made by the Finance Ministry, state tax revenues
will be TL 450 trillion more than estimated in 1998. The increase
is a result of measures taken against the underground economy and
more frequent inspections made in an effort to stop tax evasion.
Although TL 8.9 quadrillion of tax income was forecast for the
1998 budget, this figure has now been revised to TL 9.35
quadrillion.
[07] AMBASSADOR OF AUSTRALIA VISITS MT.NEMRUT
Australian Ambassador Ian Forsyth visited the world's eight
wonder Mt.Nemrut. Forsyth, who came to the Southeastern Anatolia
Project (GAP) region for a five-day visit, said that he was
impressed, the Anatolia news agency reports.
[08] EAST MEDITERRANEAN-98 MILITARY EXERCISE
The fourth stage of the Turkish naval forces military exercise
'East Mediterranean-98' has been successfully completed. Naval
warships belonging to Britain, Holland, the US, Italy, France,
Spain, Belgium and Germany also participated in the exercise.
/All papers/
[09] TANER: "EU COMMISSION REPORT A MISTAKE"
Taner Etkin, the minister of defense and foreign affairs of the
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), has described the
latest European Commission report on southern Cyprus' membership
to the European Union (EU) as 'another ring in the chain of grave
mistakes by the Union'. Speaking at a press conference in Lefkose
yesterday, Etkin commented on the TRNC government's assessment of
the Commission's November 4 report. /Cumhuriyet/
[10] TURKEY-EU JOINT PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION MEETINGS
The Joint Parliamentary Commission, which serves as a body for
dialogue between the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) and
the European Parliament, will convene in Brussels today. The
Commission will be co-chaired by Istanbul Deputy Bulent Akarcali
and Socialist Group Member of the European Parliament Pieter
Dankert. During the meetings, which will last for two days,
recent situation in Turkish-European Union (EU) relations will be
taken up. Bilateral contacts and visits are also expected between
the members of the TGNA and the European Parliament. The meetings
will end with a joint press conference on Tuesday, the Anatolia
news agency reports.
[11] SMUGGLING OF HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS IN HAKKARI
During operations carried out by police, 30 pieces of historical
artifacts have been seized in Hakkari. Four people have been
taken into custody. Officials noted that investigations into the
incident were continuing, the Anatolia news agency reported
yesterday.
[12] DENIZOLGUN VISITS TRNC
Minister of Transportation Ahmet Arif Denizolgun will pay a
one-day visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)
today. Denizolgun and an accompanying delegation will observe
initiatives in the infrastructure of transportation and
communications, the Anatolia news agency reports.
[13] DRUG OPERATION
During operations in the Kayadibi village of Elmadag, Ankara, 656
grammes of hashish were confiscated yesterday. Market value of
the hashish totals TL 100 billion. One person was taken into
custody regarding the incident. /Cumhuriyet/
[14] NEW IRANIAN AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA
Seyid Muhammed Huseyin Lavasani has become the new Iranian
Ambassador to Ankara. A press bulletin issued on the occasion
said: "I (Lavasani) was assigned by President of the Islam
Republic of Iran Mr.Hathemi as the new Iranian Ambassador to
Ankara to create an atmosphere of mutual confidence and to
further develop relations between Turkey and Iran". /Cumhuriyet/
[15] MARCH FOR ATATURK
There will be a march for "Love for Ataturk, the founder of the
Republic of Turkey" today within the framework of the
'Commemoration Week of Ataturk' organized by the Office of Ankara
Governor. This year is the 60th anniversary of the death of
Ataturk, who died on November 10, 1938. /Cumhuriyet/
[16] TRADE CENTRE IN ROMANIA
An agreement was signed for the establishment of a 'Bucharest
Colentina Trade Centre' between Turkish and Romanian officials
last week. The trade centre will take place in the Romanian
capital of Bucharest. 5,000 Turkish firms are expected to make
investments worth $350 million in Romania by the end of this
year. /Cumhuriyet/
[17] US CONSULATE PUBLISHES A GAP BOOKLET
US Adana Consul Stuart E. Jones has published a booklet promoting
the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP). In a statement he sent
to Chairman of Gaziantep Chamber of Industry Nejat Kocer, Jones
said the US Consulate in Adana was seeking ways to strengthen
trade and friendship ties with Turkey and the GAP. Jones stated
that he prepared this booklet to promote the accomplishments
achieved in Southeastern Anatolia to the US business world and
expressed that he was impressed by the opportunities created by
the GAP in improving these ties. /Hurriyet-Cumhuriyet/
[18] WORLD LAWYERS TO DISCUSS QUALITY
Quality in the legal system will be discussed by leading
international and Turkish lawyers. The seventh Quality Congress
organized jointly by Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's
Association (TUSIAD) and Quality Association (KalDer) this year
will be held on November 11-12. The Congress to host many foreign
lawyers is the second largest quality congress in the world. Many
internationally renowned lawyers such as Catherine Lalumiere from
the European Union, Stephen Saphiro from the American Liberties'
Union, Parliament Ombudsman of Norway Claes Eklund will attend
the Congress. /Hurriyet/
[19] DIJBOUTI MINISTER IN ANKARA
Dijbouti Trade and Industrial Minister Muhammed Barkad Abdillahi
and an accompanying delegation have come to Turkey to improve
trade relations between Turkey and Dijbouti. The minister and
delegation will start their negotiations today with State
Minister Hasan Gemici, the Anatolia news agency reports.
[20] TURKEY'S PEACE THESIS IS ACCEPTED
An agreement which was signed between Iraqi Kurdish leaders Mesud
Barzani and Celal Talabani on 17 September in Washington and
creates uneasiness from the point of view of Turkey will be
changed by a joint declaration to be issued tomorrow. Turkey as a
powerful country in its region made the US and British
administrations accept the joint declaration. With the
declaration the continuation of Ankara process will be stressed
and it will be pointed out that Turkey will continue its rightful
struggle against the PKK separatist terrorist organization in
cooperation with Kurdish groups in northern Iraq. Finally the
declaration will point out that a federated structure in northern
Iraq could only be established at the end of the meetings which
the northern Iraqi administration and all Iraqi people will
attend. / Sabah/
[21] TWO ISRAELI ARRESTED IN SOUTHERN CYPRUS
Two Israeli citizens were arrested yesterday in Larnaka, southern
Cyprus with the claim of being espionage for Turkey.
Representative of southern Cyprus in Israel, Euripides Evriviades
said that the claims had been investigated and they had series
evidences against two Israeli citizens. Euripides added that they
would try to conclude the issue as soon as possible in order not
to damage their relations with Israel.
Meanwhile, Israeli President Eizer Weizman said that 'goodwill'
atmosphere reached at the end of meetings during his visit last
week to southern Cyprus was damaged. /Milliyet/
[22] SECOND ISRAEL-TURKEY-US JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE TO BE IN JANUARY
Chief Advisor of Israel Defense Ministry and one of the
constructors of the Turkish-Israeli military cooperation, David
Ivri said in his statament to daily Milliyet newspaper that the
second Israeli-Turkey-US joint military exercise would be planned
to be started in January. He noted that Israel would not like to
increase the present problems, however, they would be on the side
of Turkey while evaluating arms sales and military cooperation
with regional countries. Moreover, Ivri noted that if Ankara
interested in Arrow missiles then they will be ready to ask the
approval of the US administration for a probable Turkish-Israeli
cooperation in joint production of missiles. Finally he said that
Southern Cyprus efforts to launch Russian-made S-300 missiles on
the island was a provocative initiative. /Milliyet/
[23] US JEWISH LOBBY CONGRULATES THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY
The Jewish lobby in America gave an advertisement to one of the
leading newspapers of the US, the News York Times, congratulating
the 75th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey. The advertisement
given by American-Jewish Committee, American Jewish Congress and
LIG Organization Against Separatism, said that they applaud
Turkey for its democratic values, close relations with America,
strategic role in NATO, improving relations with Israel and its
historical tradition of giving shelter to Jewish people.
/Milliyet/
[24] OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN IRAQ
Turkish security forces started a wide-range operation in
northern Iraq. Military sources announced that Turkish security
forces started an operation beyond its borders three days ago
since the PKK terrorist organization increased its military
activities at the Turkish border. The announcement said:
"Operations are still continuing in Zaho, Dohuk, Semdinli,
Cukurca in Turkey and Mergasor and Hakurk regions in northern
Iraq. Turkish forces yesterday seiged the PKK camps in Lolan,
Hacumran, Sidekan and Coman regions by the Iran border.
/Milliyet/
[25] RAF MILITANTS ON THE SIDE OF PKK
One of the leading German newspaper, Der Spiegel, claimed in its
today's issue that militants of the prohibited German Red Army
Fraction (RAF) were participating in PKK rows in order to gain
power. In the article by Felix Kurz and George Mascolo, it was
said that RAF militants were trained in PKK camps in Bekaa Valley
and then sent to southeast region of Turkey. /Milliyet/
[26] TERRORIST CRISIS BETWEEN GERMANY AND TURKEY
German Foreign Ministry announced that Germany had asked
information from Turkish authorities on news published last week
in German media that Andrea Wolf, a terrorist of prohibited
German Red Military Fraction (RAF) had been arrested and later
killed by Turkish security forces on 24 October. German
authorities added that violent attacks against Turkish
institutions in Germany would increase upon the news and that
Turkey should be very careful in the face of such a sensitive
issue. Diplomatic circles pointed out that if the claim was true
there would be a new crisis in Turkey-Germany relations.
/Hurriyet/
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