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Turkish Press Review, 96-09-05Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>CONTENTS
TURKISH PRESS REVIEWTHURSDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 1996Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning[01] TURKEY SAYS PKK MILITANTS MASSING ON BORDER FROM IRAQForeign Minister Tansu Ciller said yesterday militants of the PKK terrorist organization in northern Iraq had massed on Turkey's borders and that Ankara would have to take measures to secure its frontiers. "We have noted that to a large degree the terrorists have massed on our borders and there could be infiltrations of our boýrders" Ciller told reporters. "In such a dangerous situation, Turkey is of course going to ensure border security and stop crossings" she said. "Turkey is going to evaluate what measures it will take with neighbouring countries and do what is necessary". Ciller was speaking in a news conference about the situation in northern Iraq.Ciller said she had sent a written message to US President Bill Clinton concerning Turkey's significant financial losses from the trade embargo on Iraq. Ciller added that there were aspects of the northern Iraq crisis that were beneficial for Turkey, in particular the relocation of non-governmental organizations and western military personnel inside the Turkish border, something Turkey had been pressing for in negotiations for the extension of the Operation Provide Comfort, under which a Western air force is patrolling a no-fly zone in northern Iraq to protect the Kurdish enclave. Ankara says instability in northern Iraq enables the PKK to set up bases there and attack Turkey. "As of today, no military operation has begun" Foreign Ministry Spokesman Omer Akbel later told reporters. "I believe it is best to interpret (Ciller's) remarks today as a warning to certain people and circles" he said, referring to the PKK. Akbel said Turkey was ready to take all kinds of precautions in response to the events in northern Iraq. "It goes without saying that our precautions, as always, will be respectful of Iraq's sovereignty, and its political and territorial integrity" he said. /Cumhuriyet-Milliyet/ [02] IRAQI OIL SALE SUSPENDEDThe US and Britain continue their efforts to fully prevent the implementation of the UN No:986 decision which envisages Iraq's limited oil sale. When some countries reacted to a draft which these two countries have brought to the UN Security Council and foresees the annulment of the sale, the UN Secretary General's "suspension for an indefinite period of time" formula has been prefered.The status of the May 20 accord between Iraq and the UN that permits Baghdad to sell $2 billion worth of oil in order to purchase medical supplies and other goods reamined unclear as the UN Security Council extended the sanctions on Iraq for another two months. Meanwhile, France, one of the permanent members of the UN Security Council, has stated that the oil sale should be made as soon as possible. Russia and Germany also support France's views. However, political observers note that the implementation of oil sale is very difficult for the present time. /Sabah/ [03] A SUMMIT FOR NORTHERN IRAQA summit will be organized tomorrow at the Presidential Cankaya Palace to evaluate the crisis in northern Iraq and to form Turkey's strategy. The "Foreign Policy Summit" will be headed by President Suleyman Demirel. It is expected that Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan, Chief of General Staff Gen.Ismail Hakki Karadayi, Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller, Defence Minister Turhan Tayan and National Intelleigence Agency Undersecretary (MIT) Ambassador Sonmez Koksal will attend the summit. /Hurriyet-Cumhuriyet/[04] CLINTON TO GREECE: "RESPECT TURKEY'S ROLE"US President Bill Clinton said in a letter to Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis given by US Ambassador to Athens Thomas Niles on Tuesday night that Turkey has a key role to play in the Middle East. According to the Greek press, Clinton emphasized that the US interest in the latest incidents was to maintain peace, security and stability in the Middle East. Noting that Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein had once again shown that he is ready to use violence to reach his aims, Clinton said that the US was resolved to respond strongly and rapidly to Saddam's latest move of violence and suppression. Stating that the US would show Saddam that he will pay the price for resorting to violence, Clinton asked for continued Greek support in this critical peace and security problem.Clinton said that Saddam's threatening moves in northern Iraq created much concern, especially in Turkey. "Recognizing the legitimate security interests and key position of Turkey, we hope that you will unite us to resist Saddam. Saddam's moves in the north have changed the conditions of Operation Provide Comfort to a great extent". /Hurriyet-Sabah/ [05] MEASURES TO PREVENT ILLEGAL PASSAGEThe Turkish Coast Security Commandery has sent a report to the Turkish Parliament regarding terrorism and smuggling. The report noted that measures have been taken to prevent illegal passage from Syria to Turkey by sea and the number of security boats in the Mediterranean Cevlik region has been increased. The Turkish Parliament's Borders Security Research Commission requested information from all commanderies. /Hurriyet/[06] BOSNIA LOOKING FORWARD TO TURKISH INVESTORSBosnian Foreign Trade and Foreign Relations Deputy Minister Seadeta Cebric has paid a visit to the Istanbul Chamber of Trade. Cebric pointed out that Bosnia-Herzegovina attached great importance to foreign investors and added that the foreign companies operating in Bosnia benefitted from encouraging measures such as tax exemptions extended by the Bosnian government. He invited Turkish entrepreneurs to invest in Bosnia, and showed as an example the Turkish Kar company operating in Bosnia, that even though it is not profiting much now, it is expected to make great profits in the future. /Sabah/[07] BELIEF TOUR FOR FOREIGN TOURISTSThe "Belief Tour", organized by the Tourism Ministry with the aim to promote a new kind of tourism in Turkey, started yesterday in Istanbul. Tourists from all over the world as well as 22 Turkish journalists are participating in the tour. The tour programme includes visits to various religious establishments in Istanbul, Bursa, Balikesir, Izmir, Manisa, Denizli and Aydin. At a press conference yesterday Tourism Minister Bahattin Yucel said that Turkey possessed a rich cultural heritage with respect to Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and pointed out that their aim was to share this heritage with representatives of various religions. /Hurriyet/END Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |