TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA (Cyprus PIO review) 95-12-20

From: Panayiotis Zaphiris <pzaphiri@Glue.umd.edu>

Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Directory

TURKISH PRESS

AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 239/95 20/12/95

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] TURKIYE, TGRT owner launches EUROTURK TRADE monthly

The English-language monthly Euroturk Trade is dispatched largely to import firms, political and bureaucratic circles in Turkey, and the 15 EU countries.

According to Mehmet Soztutan, director of publications at Euroturk Trade, the basic aim of the paper is to advertise Turkey and Turkish firms and products in European markets and European firms and products in Turkey.

Indicating that this paper will serve as a bridge between Turkey and Europe, Soztutan said: "We have been advertising Turkey through Turkiye in 104 countries for the past 14 years. In view of the developments between Europe and us, we felt the need to undertake a more effective role, one that is right for this region. In pursuit of this goal, Euroturk Trade will publish quality news and commentaries, news about firms, advertisements, and reports on laws, regulations, and formalities pertaining to trade relations between Europe and Turkey."

[02] Ciller reportedly promised Clinton to solve the Cyprus problem

President Clinton recently made an unexpected move related to Ciller's promise. Presidential elections will be held in the United States in 1996. One election slogan Clinton will use concerns Turkey. It is as follows: I will solve the Cyprus problem.

Europe finds the slogan interesting. Clinton wishes to solve the Cyprus problem. But how will he do it? President Clinton's slogan cannot be seen as mere words. Concrete developments indicate that he is serious. Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides and Rauf Denktash may meet in New York early in 1996. President Clinton has planned for the meeting.

Clinton informed Europe of the slogan he plans to use in his election campaign. The EU welcomed it. The vote on the Customs Union will take place this week. Obviously, this is the ideal time to put pressure on Turkey on every problem. Why? EU circles believe: Ciller has been using the Customs Union to get Turkey on the train to Europe and strengthen her position at home. She is prepared to agree to any demand by the EU countries.

That is what EU circles in Strasbourg think. The parliamentarians and technical cadres of various groups have delivered this assessment of Ciller's approach and policies. Unfortunately, it implies that "they stand to gain from whatever they can wrest from Turkey." Regarding Ciller's promise to President Clinton, the same circles say: "Although Clinton has put pressure on Europe to realize the Customs Union between the EU and Turkey, he has secured a concession on Cyprus in return."

How will the Cyprus problem be solved? Clinton has asked European countries to outline their views. All this shows Ciller has made a concession on Cyprus in return for the Customs Union. Interesting claim

The European countries have forced Turkey to make several concessions in return for the Customs Union. As if that was not enough, they drew up a draft resolution urging Turkey "to agree to hold talks with the Workers Party of Kurdistan as an organization representing the Kurdish people." Ciller strongly reacted to the draft in Ankara. She said: "We will not agree to it." Nevertheless, various political groups in Strasbourg, including the socialists and conservatives, made an interesting claim backstage. They said "Ciller knew of the draft resolution. She tried hard to block it. But she failed."

It has been claimed that various officials studied the draft resolution in Ankara.

All this has created unease while, backstage, people wait for tomorrow's vote."

[03] Verdict on Apostolides due on 22 December

The court brought charges against Apostolides for "unauthorized entry into a first degree military area" and for causing material damage amounting 1.251.457,040 TL.

Apostolides is reported to have pleaded guilty of the above charges. (M.Y.)

[04] CUMHURIYET on so-called free trade agreement

Sariibrahimoglu says that the Turkish Foreign Ministry, because of Ankara's obligation stipulated under the CU agreement to abide by the common trade and competition policies, prefers the signing of the free trade agreement with the occupied area in a silent manner.

She adds that the untimely statement made by Nejat Eren, Foreign Trade Under Secretary to the effect that a free trade agreement should be signed caused problems in Ankara (see Eren's statement Turkish Press dated 16,17,18/12/95, No. 237/95, item 5).

However she adds, because of Turkey's commitments to the EU, it prefers in order to fend off any political pressure on Ankara from the EU to keep silent regarding whether or not an agreement will be signed with the occupied area. (M.Y.)