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Turkish Press Review, 97-03-24Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>CONTENTS
TURKISH PRESS REVIEWMARCH 24, 1997Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning [01] NEVRUZ CELEBRATED IN PEACENationwide celebrations of the Nevruz spring festival were enjoyed without the violence that marked celebrations only a few years ago. The official line on the Nevruz festival this year has been the meaning of the day for the Turkish world.Most of the celebrations involved traditional dancing and the lighting of bonfires. A few more politically oriented marches were soon dispersed by the police without violence. /All papers/ [02] DEMIREL SETS OFF FOR PAKISTANPresident Demirel set off for Pakistan on Saturday as an official guest attending the Pakistan National Day celebrations. Demirel will spend four days in Pakistan, then journey on for a two day visit to Bangladesh.During his stay in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, Demirel spoke at a meeting of the 51 member Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). The meeting is designed to show the solidarity of the Islamic world. Referring to the situation involving Israel and the Middle East Peace Program, Demirel sharply denounced Israeli policies of expansionism and said "The world cannot tolerate religious conflicts or new divisions." /Cumhuriyet/ [03] EU SOCIALISTS IN TURKEYMembers of the European Parliament (EP) Socialist Group led by Pauline Green have been carrying on with an intensive round of talks in Ankara, meeting with leading political party chiefs and top ministers.The European Socialists have made it clear that they do not think religious differences should block Turkey's membership in the EU. They do however, expect to see some improvements in other areas. They admit that Turkey still has some way to go before becoming a full member in the Union, but they are not pessimistic. [04] "HUMAN RIGHTS WILL NO LONGER BE A PROBLEM"Following a meeting with the European Socialists, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Onur Oymen said that by the end of this year, human ręghts issues would no longer be on the agenda of the Turkey- European Union.Speaking to reporters at a reception to mark the National Day of Pakistan, Oymen said that Turkey was working on measures to improve the human rights situation, and thus improve matters with the EU. [05] US SUPPORT FOR TURKEYSpeaking to the US House of Representatives Foreign Relations Committee about foreign aid allocations, US Secretary of Defence William Cohen said that "Turkey is a close and geostrategic ally of the US. Washington's help for Turkey also helps America."Cohen stressed that Turkey was an island of stability in a region of political unrest, and that Turkey was a democratic ally with close ties with the West. [06] KINKEL COMING TO ANKARAWhen German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel comes to Ankara he will come with three main conditions for Turkey's full membership in the European Union (EU).Top of Kinkel's list comes human rights improvements, then there is the so-called Kurdish problem and last of all, the continuing question of Turkish-Greek friction in the Aegean Sea region and on Cyprus. /Hurriyet/ [07] FEARS OF CONFLICT IN NORTHERN IRAQReports from the region of northern Iraq suggest that conflict could again flare up in the area. Despite efforts by Turkey, Britain and the US, peace seems to be eluding the grasp of the main paries involved in talks.Kurdish leaders in northern Iraq have sent out messages warning that Iraqi leader Saddam was moving into a position whereby he could again try for full control over the region. In a letter to the US administration, Kurdish leader Celal Talabani said that his opponent Mesut Barzani had set up a deal with Saddam and that fast action was needed to block dangerous developments. /Sabah/ [08] OYMEN TO HEAD BALKAN TOURForeign Ministry Undersecretary Onur Oymen will head a delegation going on a tour of the Balkan countries. Oymen will visit Albania Mecedonia and Bulgaria, and convey messages from Turkey to the leaders of those countries. Talks will be held with both military and political leaders.The delegation set off for its first port of call Tirana, today. /Cumhuriyet/ [09] ITALY WANTS MORE TRADE WITH TURKEYItalian Trade Commissioner Giovanni Giordano said over the weekend that Italy wants to increase its trade with Turkey.Italy is already Turkey's third largest trade partner after Germany and the US. But Italy wants more, and says that these are most exciting times in Turkey's development. Giordano also said that new scholarships in some of the trade sectors would be offered to Turkish students. [10] TURKEY PRESENTS TERROR RESOLUTION TO UNTurkey has presented a a new draft resolution to the UN calling for terrorism to be declared a human rights violation.The Anatolia news agency reported that the draft said terror was a threat to human life, and acted in opposition to this most basic of human rights. [11] ECZACIBASI IN CHINADuring the Frankfurt Medical Equipment Fair that is held every two years, the chairman of the Eczacibasi Holding Group held a press meeting and said that the Group was now in a position to compete with the Europeans.He noted too, that the Group was exporting to China, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore, and that soon the Group wanted to go into production in those countries. /Cumhuriyet/ [12] INVESTMENTS FOLLOW PROMOTIONAfter seventeen days of promotion and presentations in Germany, the Aegean Free Zone Operation Corporation chalked up another ten German companies that want to deal in Turkey.Company Deputy General Director, Fahri Gokyayla said that his company's promotion campaign had gone down well and that German businessmen had shown a lot of interest in the Aegean region. /Cumhuriyet/ Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |