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TRKNWS-L Turkish Press Review (December 11, 1995)From: hristu@arcadia.harvard.edu (Dimitrios Hristu)Turkish News DirectoryCONTENTS[01] FINAL COUNT-DOWN[02] CUSTOMS LAWS BEING REVISED[03] DEMIREL WARNS ABOUT RACISM[04] OYMEN: "NO CYPRUS-CU TRADEOFF"[05] TURKEY HAS NOT FORGOTTEN NORTHERN CYPRUS[06] DENKTAS-KLERIDES SUMMIT IN JANUARY[07] DINCER TO ATTEND ISLAMIC FOREIGN RELATIONS CONFERENCE[08] TURKEY'S AUTO OUTPUT SOARS 43 % IN NOVEMBER[09] TURKEY LEADING ECONOMIC REVIVAL IN CAUCASIA[10] GOLD FROM KAZAKHSTAN ON THE WAYTURKISH PRESS REVIEWMONDAY DECEMBER 11, 1995Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish pressthis morning[01] FINAL COUNT-DOWNFor the next two days the European Parliament (EP) will be debating the future of Turkey. The final count-down for a customs deal with the European Union (EU) really has begun with the last major decisions to be made during last few weeks of December.Big decisions will be made on December 13 as European parliamentarians vote on the union agreement. After that the final agreement will stamped at the end of the month and come into effect on January 1. In both Turkey and the EU, there is nothing left to be done. The vote is now in the hands of the EP. Most of the dissenting voices have been silenced, after weeks of shuttle diplomacy by top Turkish officials. Leading European figures formerly opposed to customs union with Turkey have changed around and made it known that they are supporters of bringing Turkey into the customs fold. With almost total support, the stage looks set for Turkey to take its place with the Europeans starting with the first day of the new year. /All papers/
[02] CUSTOMS LAWS BEING REVISEDIn line with expected customs union, Turkey's own customs regulations are being brought into line with European standards and rules. New provisions have already been passed to deal with competition, unfair trading, restrictions, decision-making boards and for the application of regulations as the need arises.Trade marks, patents, commercial marks, security and safety, trading rights and other issues all come within the scope of the revision and the new regulations coming into effect. /Sabah/
[03] DEMIREL WARNS ABOUT RACISMPresident Suleyman Demirel stated that they wanted from all states especially those in which Turkish citizens live that they would struggle against racism, xenophobia and inhuman tendencies which are 'deprived of tolerance'. Demirel called for the establishment of a "joint front at universal level" against terrorist activities which target innocent people.In a message released on the 47th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, President Demirel said the principles accepted during the 1990 Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSEC) Summit had confirmed the universal character of human rights. He said that the Turkish state, being aware of this responsibility, had become a signatory to international treaties concerning human rights and continues to be a party to such accords. Demirel said no contemporary country could claim it was faultless on the human rights issue and neither could Turkey. He stressed, however, that Turkey considers it a "high duty" to further the development of human rights. Prime Minister Tansu Ciller said in a statement that she had found "incorrect and unjust" the negative campaign against Turkey that says that human rights are not respected here. She noted that the Parliament and the Government were exerting great efforts for the improvement of democracy and human rights. Ciller criticized inhuman events experienced in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Parliament Speaker Ismet Sezgin said in a message that Turkey respected human rights and the basic freedoms within the framework of the supremacy of law. /Cumhuriyet-Hurriyet/
[04] OYMEN: "NO CYPRUS-CU TRADEOFF"The Foreign Ministry yesterday categorically dismissed allegations that the government had lifted its objections to the EU membership of Greek Cyprus in return for Turkey's entry to the Customs Union (CU), saying Turkey's position regarding the dispute remains well-known and unchanged. Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Onur Oymen told a news conference yesterday that Ankara remained committed to backing a bi-communal, bi-zonal federal settlement through UN-brokered talks between the Turkish-Cypriot President and Greek-Cypriot leader which had to be approved separately by the two communities through referenda. Oymen said Turkish Prime Minister Tansu Ciller had told British Labour Party leader, Tony Blair that the Greek Cypriot government would have to accept the UN-proposed confidence-building measures (CBM) to facilitate a peaceful settlement, and that the EU membership of Cyprus should not be discussed before the settlement of the dispute. He said Turkey's views regarding the Cypriot EU membership were known and accepted by Western governments.Addressing himself to some prevalent misconceptions in the West regarding the Cyprus dispute, Oymen said a fundamental one was the notion that the problem had to be solved by concessions to be made by the Turkish Cypriots, whereas no dispute can be resolved through the efforts of only one side. Another was the views that Turkey was an active part in the dispute and could influence its outcome, whereas the only sides to the dispute were the Turkish and Greek Cypriots who would have to reach a settlement through direct negotiations, Oymen said. Asked about the reported intention of Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke to embark on a mediation mission on Cyprus following his Bosnia success, Oymen said: "We are ready to tell our view to Holbrooke if he wants, but there is an established mechanism for the settlement of the issue and that (Holbrooke's mission) does not mean that this mechanism will be altered". /Milliyet-Cumhuriyet/
[05] TURKEY HAS NOT FORGOTTEN NORTHERN CYPRUSA delegation from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has arrived in Ankara to discuss economic integration with Turkey, and economic relations between the two countries after a possible customs union between Turkey and the 15 member-countries of the European Union (EU). An economic integration between the two countries will enable free movement of capital and labour between the two countries, so that Turkey and Northern Cyprus in an economic sense will become as one country. Nevertheless, if the Turkey-EU customs union is established, Turkey will have to obtain EU permission for economic integration with a third country. Thus, a decision for economic integration between Turkey and Northern Cyprus should be taken prior to January 1, 1996, when the customs union is expected to enter into force. Otherwise, Turkey will have to apply EU standards in its relations with Northern Cyprus. /Sabah/
[06] DENKTAS-KLERIDES SUMMIT IN JANUARYUS Ambassador to Nicosia, Richard Boucher has submitted to Greek Cypriot leader Glafkos Klerides a document from US President Bill Clinton, proposing a summit meeting between Klerides and Northern Cypriot President Rauf Denktas in January, 1996. The document dwells on two main discussion topics: the support of a Federal Cyprus membership in the European Union on the part of Northern Cyprus, and respect for Northern Cyprus rights of political equality and sovereignty on the part of Greek Cypriots. Klerides, who previously rejected a similar document from US President Clinton, has now bowed to political pressure and accepted the second document. Klerides will announce his final decision regarding the document after a National Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday. /Cumhuriyet/
[07] DINCER TO ATTEND ISLAMIC FOREIGN RELATIONS CONFERENCEState Minister Ali Dincer went to the Guinean capital Conakry to attend the 23rd Islamic Foreign Relations Ministers Conference. At an airport press conference prior to his departure, Dincer said the conference would focus on current political, economic and cultural subjects that are crucial for international peace and the Islamic world, adding that Bosnia-Herzegovina would be one of the most important subjects on the agenda. "Developments in the Middle East peace process will be evaluated at the conference, and regional and international problems, in addition to economic relations within the Islamic countries, will be discussed" Dincer said. He also stated that he would call on the Islamic countries to participate in Habitat II that will take place in Istanbul between June 3 and 14, 1996. Dincer is scheduled to return to Turkey on December 14. /All papers/
[08] TURKEY'S AUTO OUTPUT SOARS 43 % IN NOVEMBERTurkey's automotive output soared by 43 % to 34,914 units in November from 24,417 a year ago, the Association of Turkish Automotive Industry (OSD) has revealed. Car production which led the way with 24,924 units rose by 35 % from November 1994. OSD said automotive ouput reached 287,612 units in the January-November, up 20 % over the corresponding period of 1994. /All papers/
[09] TURKEY LEADING ECONOMIC REVIVAL IN CAUCASIATurkey is leading the Turkey-Azerbaijan-Georgia three-pronged economic attack in the Caucasias. The three allies are steadily moving into a stronger position in the region, following the concrete steps forward taken by Turkey.The allies, united by shared economic aims, now plan to set up a regional economic power based on the Benelux model. Taking problems with Armenia into consideration, the three allies want to establish a realistic economic policy for the region that will bring in social, political and economic stability. Ties between Azerbaijan and Georgia have grown stronger and a shared language have joined in cementing new relations. /Cumhuriyet/
[10] GOLD FROM KAZAKHSTAN ON THE WAYOfficials from the Istanbul Gold Exchange have announced that eighty tons of gold are on the way to Turkey from Kazakhstan reserves.A seven-man Kazakh delegation led by Kazakh Central Bank president Daulet Sembaev, has been having talks with the Istanbul Gold Exchange and agreed to sell the next three year's gold production of eighty tons to Turkey. The deal will likely lead to Kazakhstan becoming a member of the Gold Exchange. /Milliyet/
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