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TRKNWS-L Turkish Press Review (February 2, 1996)From: TRKNWS-L <trh@aimnet.com>Turkish Press Review DirectoryCONTENTS[01] EUROPEANS STRESS TURKEY'S EUROPEAN IDENTITY[02] BOSNIA PRAISES TURKEY'S PEACE EFFORTS[03] MORE TALKS FOR NEW GOVERNMENT[04] IRAQ OPENS BORDERS TO TURKISH PILGRIMS[05] US SEEKING SOLUTION TO AEGEAN DISPUTE[06] TURKEY LOOKING FOR TEXTILE DEAL WITH GREECE[07] RESERVES CLIMB TO 13.6 BILLION DOLLARS[08] TURKISH-GEORGIAN TALKS[09] CHECHEN ACTIVISTS ON TRIAL[10] ADMIRAL ERKAYA IN THE NETHERLANDSTURKISH PRESS REVIEWFRIDAY FEBRUARY 2, 1996Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning.[01] EUROPEANS STRESS TURKEY'S EUROPEAN IDENTITYDuring an international conference in London the influential British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and other par- ticipants stressed the role Turkey has to play in the European scheme of things.Under the theme of "Turkey Between Europe and the Muslim World: Security and Development Dynamics" leading speakers and experts noted that there was no difference between Turkey and Europe. Tom Richardson, a leading FCO figure declared that Britain, for example, was most pleased that Turkey was in the Bosnia Peace Implementation Steering Committee. Other European Union Commission speakers, taking a similar line to that of the FCO, suggested that Turkey would move into a per- iod of economic recovery following the customs union agreement. Although some speakers felt that Turkey still suffered from a lingering identity crisis, all agreed that that Turkey's future lay in Europe. EC Commission member Dr. Fraser Cameron wound up his part of the conference by saying that for better or worse, whatever happened in Turkey would deeply influence the rest of the region. /All papers/
[02] BOSNIA PRAISES TURKEY'S PEACE EFFORTSBosnian President Aliya Izzetbegovic has praised Turkish peace efforts, especially in connection with the structuring of the Bosnian-Croat federation and the furthering of improved ties with Croatia.Although full of praise for Turkish peace initiatives, Izzetbego- vic did warn however, of problems still ahead. Commenting on the difficulties to be dealt with regarding the city of Mostar, Izzetbegovic went to say that "we praise President Demirel's efforts regarding the Bosnian peace deal." He later invited Demirel to visit Sarajevo to share views on how Turkey could share more in the reconstruction of the region. /All papers/
[03] MORE TALKS FOR NEW GOVERNMENTHopes that a coalition between the two leading centre right part- ies -- the Motherland Party (ANAP) and the True Path party (DYP) -- have virtually been extinguished as party leaders fail to reach agreement.Prime Minister and leader of the DYP, Tansu Ciller, declared yesterday that hopes of a coalition government based on a fusion of the two parties were now pretty well dead. Instead she is now looking to the minority parties with the possibility perhaps of forming a minority government, doing everything possible to exclude the pro-Islam Welfare Pary led by Necmettin Erbakan. Prime Minister Ciller meanwhile has tried to cash in on Turkey's success over the recent Kardak rock incident, during which Turkey and Greece almost came to blows over a miniscule rocky islet in the Aegean Sea, just off the coast of Turkey. Political circles in Ankara are growing more concerned that the present caretaker government is overstaying its welcome and are hoping that a break will appear soon, leading to a democratic resolution of the government crisis. /All papers/
[04] IRAQ OPENS BORDERS TO TURKISH PILGRIMSIraq has eased visa requirements for Turkish pilgrims going through the Habur border gate on their way to Mecca. Iraq's ambassador to Ankara, Rafi Daham Mijvel Al-Tikriti, said yesterday that Turkish pilgrims could also visit Moslem holy places in Iraq as they journied through. /All papers/
[05] US SEEKING SOLUTION TO AEGEAN DISPUTEIn the wake of the Kardak rock dispute between Turkey and Greece, the US has revised its priorities in the region. Chief US negotiator Richard Holbrooke has announced that although he will visit to try and ease the Cyprus problem as planned, he will now give more attent- ion to the pressures between Turkey and Greece as they affect the Aegean Sea islands.Holbrook is expected to visit Turkey later this month, and was to have especially discussed developments on Cyprus. Now the weight of talks will swing over to the Aegean problem, about which Holbrook says he will try to find a lasting solution. Holbrooke is expected to propose the establishment of a red telephone between Ankara and Athens, as well as to urge the two neighbour countries to exchange information on the schedule of their military exercises in the region and to abstain from conducting such military exercises in the "hot areas" of the Aegean. On the other hand, the Turkish National Security Council has decided to establish an Aegean Commission with the aim of finding a solution to the controversial issues in the Aegean Sea and to open the way for constructive dialogue with Greece. Turkey would like to have a dialogue on both the Cyprus and Aegean issues, but Greece remains aloof. Athens has said nothing so far about the change of plans regarding Holbrook's upcoming visit. Holbrook will visit both Athens and Ankara, and by drawing leaders together he will hope to defuse the Aegean bomb forever. /All papers/
[06] TURKEY LOOKING FOR TEXTILE DEAL WITH GREECEWhile the politicians wrangle, the Turkish and Greek textile sectors are looking for a way to improve ties to their mutual benefit. Last month Turkish and Greek textile associations met in Istanbul to talk about developments even though many opportunities have been lost through dispute between the two countries.Turkish representatives stress that even now -- despite setbacks like the Kardak affair -- joint ventures with Greek companies could lead to big business in the Balkans, Europe, Japan and the US. With this in mind, sector representatives have announced that more meetings will be held soon. /All papers/
[07] RESERVES CLIMB TO 13.6 BILLION DOLLARSCentral Bank foreign exchange reserves increased by 571 million dollars within a one-week period between January 19-26. Information from the Central Bank shows that the amount of foreign exchange reached $13.609 billion and that of commercial banks increased to $9.367 billion. /Cumhuriyet/
[08] TURKISH-GEORGIAN TALKSPolitical advisory negotiations will be held between Turkish and Georgian delegations between February 5-7. What is expected to be negotiated during the talks is the issue of the construction of the Baku-Supsa oil pipeline that will carry oil from in Azerbaijan to world markets, and which will be financed by Turkey. According to a written statement from the Foreign Ministry regional and international issues will also be taken up. /Cumhuriyet/
[09] CHECHEN ACTIVISTS ON TRIALNine Chechen activists who hijacked an Avrasya-Eurasia ferry with 211 passengers on the board, have been held for trial following investigation into the incident. /Sabah/
[10] ADMIRAL ERKAYA IN THE NETHERLANDSNaval Forces Admiral Guven Erkaya arrived in the Netherlands yesterday, to pay a two-day official visit on the invitation of the Dutch Commander of Naval Forces. It is reported that the admirals will talk about the military cooperation between Turkey and the Netherlands. /Sabah/
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