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Turkish Press Review, 97-05-07
From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>
CONTENTS
[01] HAYDAR ALIYEV: TURKEY IS PRIORITY FOR THE MAIN ROUTE
[02] TURKEY, ISRAEL AND THE US WILL HOLD JOINT EXERCISES
[03] DEMIREL LEAVES FOR POLAND
[04] GREEK AND TURKISH "WISE MEN" WILL START TALKS
[05] FOREIGN MINISTRY PREPARES REPORT ON TURKEY
[06] US PRESSING FOR TURKEY'S INTEGRATION WITH EUROPE
[07] NATO EXERCISE AT INCIRLIK
[08] BOTAS TO TENDER FOR SECOND PHASE OF GAS LINE TO IRAN
[09] 93 PKK TERRORISTS KILLED
TURKISH PRESS REVIEW
MAY 7, 1997
Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this
morning.
[01] HAYDAR ALIYEV: TURKEY IS PRIORITY FOR THE MAIN ROUTE
Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev said his country was attaching
priority to the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline for transportation of Caspian oil
to world markets. Aliyev pointed out that the strategic cooperation
agreement signed during his visit was important for Azerbaijan.In an
address at the Parliament, the Azri president praised Turkish support
in Azerbaijan's struggle for independence. He noted that Turkey has
increased its share in the proceedings of Caspian oil from 1.75 to
6.75 percent and stressed that they would always value Turkey's
partnership in the rich oil reserves. During talks with President
Demirel, Aliyev voiced concern over Russian arms sale to Armenia and
asked for Turkish strategic support. /Milliyet/
[02] TURKEY, ISRAEL AND THE US WILL HOLD JOINT EXERCISES
Second Chief of the General Staff General Cevik Bir said that Turkey
would participate in joint military maneuvres with Israel and the US.
The exercises will commense in eastern Mediterranean in a few weeks
and are qualified by observers as a "warning to Teheran and Damascus".
Arab countris and the Greek Cypriot administration have been alarmed
by the reports for the joint maneuvres. In a statement on his return
from Tel Aviv General Bir said: "We have discussed every element
constituting a threat to stability in the region. The joint exercises
are of a humanitarian nature. They will include search and rescue
training." /Milliyet/
[03] DEMIREL LEAVES FOR POLAND
President Demirel will pay a three-day official visit to Poland.
Demirel is expected to meet in Warshaw with his Polish counterpart
Alexander Kwasnievsky, Prime Minister Wlodzimiers Cimoszewicz, Polish
Parliament and Senate Speakers and former president Lech Walesa.
/Hurriyet/
[04] GREEK AND TURKISH "WISE MEN" WILL START TALKS
Turkish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Onur Oymen said that the
so-called "wise men" of Athens and Ankara would within a month
initiate moves to define and seek solutions to bilateral problems.
Turkey will be represented in the committe of wise men by former
Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Sukru Elekdag and retired Ambassador
Suat Bilge while Greek representatives will include Prof. Argiris
Faturos from the Athens University and Krateros Yoannu from the Thrace
University.
[05] FOREIGN MINISTRY PREPARES REPORT ON TURKEY
Following an official EU statement that Turkey's application for EU
membership would be evaluated according to the same criteria as the
other candidate countries released at the end of Turkey-EU Association
Council meeting in Brussels late in April, the Foreign Ministry has
prepared a detailed report on the Turkish economy. The report
compares Turkey and the other candidate countries with respect to
their GNP, growth rates, real increase in exports, number of cars,
phones and computers and a number of other factors. The statistics
included in the report unvail Turkey's superiority in comparison to
the other candidates. /Hurriyet/
[06] US PRESSING FOR TURKEY'S INTEGRATION WITH EUROPE
US Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott voiced support for
Turkey's integration with Europe. He pointed out that everybody would
benefits from a Turkey that is strong, successful, secular, democratic
and is granted EU full membership. /Hurriyet/
[07] NATO EXERCISE AT INCIRLIK
The Incirlik military base in the southern province of Adana is
hosting Distant Thunder'97 annual NATO exercises. The exercises are
designed to develop a common understanding of peacekeeping operations,
doctrine and interoperability between the air forces of Italy, Turkey,
the US and the UK. The exercises will continue until May 9. /All
papers/
[08] BOTAS TO TENDER FOR SECOND PHASE OF GAS LINE TO IRAN
Turkey's state pipeline company Botas will soon invite local and
international bidders for the second phase of a prposed gas pipeline
that will evenually extend from Iran's Tabriz to Ankara. Botas
officials said the company was preparing tender terms for the 874-km
section from Erzurum to Ankara via Sivas. The officials did not give
the estimated cost byut analysts say it will be up to $500 million.
[09] 93 PKK TERRORISTS KILLED
In clashes in the southeastern provinces of Hakkari and Diyarbakir
between the PKK separatist organization and the security forces, 93
terrorists and 12 soldiers were killed over the last two days. It is
reported that the terrorists run away throwing their dead in the
nearby Zap river and loading the wounded on mules.
The Turkish Armed Forces have initiated operations in the Southeast
upon reports that plans were afoot for a PKK penetration into the
Turkish territory. /Hurriyet/
END
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