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Turkish Press Review, 97-01-20Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>CONTENTS
TURKISH PRESS REVIEWJANUARY 20, 1997Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning[01] ADAK RETURNS FROM USState Minister Fehim Adak said yesterday that during his official visit to the US he had had positive meetings with government officials, private sector and finance circles, adding that the US gives great importance to cooperation with Turkey. Speaking at Ataturk airport upon his return, Fehim noted that he had brought up the sale of Russian S-300 missiles to Greek Cyprus. "I expressed our determination as the Turkish state on the issue. I said that the issue carried great importance for us, and that the US should appreciate this. I explained that it damages the interests of not only Turkey, but the world's countries and noted that the underlying reason was the effort on the part of some powers to gain a warm water port, which could lead to disastrous results for the world" Adak explained.Noting that the Turkish economy had achieved success in a short period of time, Adak emphasized that the US private sector leaders had expressed their wish to make investments in Turkey. However, Adak noted, international rating agencies were not aware of Turkey's development yet. /All papers/ [02] "A GOLDEN PERIOD WITH TURKEY"Celal Talabani, leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), said that all problems with Turkey were over. Completing his contacts in Ankara, Talabani noted that at present they had very good relations with Turkey.Talabani arrived in Ankara last week, immediately after the third round of the talks beteen his PUK party and the rival Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) held in the Turkish capital under Turkish and US auspices with British and Turkmen officials in attendance. Talabani pointed out that the main success of the visit was the "good relations established with Turkish brothers based on confidence" "I think now both sides trust each other more" he said. "We agreed about the continuation of the peace process in Iraqi Kurdistan. And we will do our best, step by step, for securing the Turkish border. The demands of our Turkish brothers are very reasonable. It is not something that we cannot do". When questioned what these demands were, Talabani explained: "They are not asking us to fight against the PKK. They just asked us not to cooperate with the PKK, not to help the PKK. They told us that they understood our situation". /Sabah/ [03] XULAM ARRAIGNED IN WASHINGTON COURTKani Xulam, the director of the pro-PKK Kurdish organization AKIN (American Kurdish Information Network) was arraigned at a court house in Washington on Saturday on the charges of submitting a "false financial statement" in California and for being a "fugitive from justice" from the same state. Court papers show he is wanted in California for "larceny". After his arraignment hearing, the judge let Xulam go free with a $5,000 bond on his own personal recognizance. Xulam's next hearing in a Washington court will be on February 19, 1997 to determine whether he should be extradited to California. /All papers/[04] DENKTAS IN ANKARA TO SIGN A JOINT DECLARATIONPresident of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Rauf Denktas is expected to arrive in Ankara today on the invitation of President Suleyman Demirel to sign a joint declaration between the two countries. In the joint declaration that will also include economic aspects, Turkey will underline its determination to secure the integrity of the TRNC. Denktas is expected to meet Parliament Speaker Mustafa Kalemli, Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller and Chief of General Staff Ismail Hakki Karadayi. /Sabah-Cumhuriyet/[05] KLERIDES SAYS NO MORATORIUMLeader of the Greek Cypriot community Glafkos Klerides said over the weekend that a moratorium on the island's air space was not under consideration and was unlikely to be in the future.Nevertheless, flights over the island by Greek Air Force planes was again being discussed and was a matter for further consideration. /Cumhuriyet/ [06] NEW HELICOPTER CRISISEven as tensions remain high in the wake of the Greek Cypriot Russian S-300 missile purchase, new Greek Cypriot moves to buy Russian-made KA-50 helicopters have added fresh fuel to the contention on the island between the Greek and Turkish communities.The hi-tech Russian helicopters compare to the US-made Apache and have laser techonology to guide lock-on missiles super accurate within a ten km radius. /Cumhuriyet/ [07] NATO CHIEF TO VISIT ANKARA IN FEBRUARYNATO Secretary-General Javier Solana is expected to visit Ankara for one day on February 5 or 6 to meet with top Turkish politicians and officials. During what will be his second visit to Turkey, Solana is expected to meet with President Suleyman Demirel, Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan, Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller, Defence Minister Turhan Tayan and Chief of General Staff Gen.Ismail Hakki Karadayi. /All papers/[08] TURKEY EXPERT PROF.DODD HARSHLY CRITICIZES EU CYPRUS POLICYProfessor Clement Dodd, an expert on Turkish politics and the Cyprus problem, criticized the Europen Union (EU) at a conference in London on January 17 for agreeing to start negotiations for Greek Cyprus' membership in the EU. Dodd said it was creating many difficulties. He emphasized that a solution was technically possible in Cyprus, but was hard to achieve now because of many factors, including the increased armament in Southern Cyprus. "Unless the EU's attitude to the problem changes, I will remain pessimistic about a solution. The deadlock will force the TRNC to become more attached to Turkey and Turkey will accept this" Dodd emphasized speaking at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) where a large audience was present. /All papers/[09] RAND CORP: TURKEY EXPOSED TO MISSILE THREAT FROM NEIGHBOURSTurkish public opinion, galvanized by the future deployment of S-300 Russian-made surface-to-air missiles in Greek Cyprus might be interested to know that, in the judgment of a prestigious US think-tank, the RAND, there are plenty of missiles deployed all around Turkey that should cause similar concern.In a new study entitled "Strategic Exposure: Proliferation Around the Mediterranean" RAND authors Ian O.Lesser and Ashley J.Tellis, document the proliferation of cruise missiles, combat aircraft, artillery and battlefield rockets in the "arc of crisis" slashing from Morocco and Algeria to Turkey's neighbours: Iran, Iraq and Syria. /All papers/ [10] CEMENT OUTPUT RISES BY 6.3 % IN 1996Turkish cement production rose by 6.3 % to 35,232,949 tonnes in 1996 compred to 33,143,390 tonnes in 1995, the cement manufacturers' union said. It said 32,087,477 tonnes of cement was sold on the domestic market last year, a rise of 6.66 % from the previous year, and 3,095,129 tonnes of cement was exported, an increase of 2.35 %. Clinker output firmed to 27,851,775 tonnes last year from 1995's 27,095,539 tonnes. /All papers/END Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |