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Turkish Press Review, 96-06-26Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>CONTENTS
TURKISH PRESS REVIEWWEDNESDAY JUNE 26, 1996Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning[01] YILMAZ STANDS FIRM ON AUSTRIAN RELATIONSPrime Minister Mesut Yilmaz stated that there are problems in Turkish-Austrian relations which result from the opportunities given to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Austria, as well as other issues. At the reception given for Austrian President Thomas Klestil and Foreign Minister Wolfgang Schussel, who are on an official visit to Turkey, Schussel said that Austria sees Turkey as an important political partner in the region and that they had come to Turkey with quite a number of businessmen for the development of commercial relations.Yilmaz, expressing his belief that relations between the two countries would flourish, pointed out however, that there were some problems. He said that these had arisen since the formation of the new coalition in Austria. He said that the Austrian Interior Minister had given permission for the ERNK, the military arm of the PKK, to operate in Austria. "The prosecutor's office has initiated legal proceedings against the Interior Ministry". He said that the fault lies not with the Austrian government per se but with the Interior Ministry. "The conventions signed by both countries and the international organizations, of which both countries are members, require collaboration between Austria and Turkey in the fight against terrorism. Unless Austria is more sensitive on this issue, it is not possible to establish our relations on a sound basis" Yilmaz said. Yilmaz added that Austria wants to cancel a previously signed agreement on social security. This would lead to the disentitlement of TL 2 trillion for approximately 22,000 children. Yilmaz stated that Turkey cannot accept the abolishment of previously earned rights and that this was contrary to Austria's obligations to the EU. Yilmaz also added that Turkey has the greatest number internationally licensed trucks (TIRs) in Europe and that Austria should allow an increase in the Turkish quota from 15,000 to 25,000. Yilmaz concluded by saying that the visit of the Austrian delegation carries the prospect of mutual investments as well as partnership directed toward third countries. /Cumhuriyet/ [02] TURKEY TO KEEP SUDANESE DIPLOMATS UNDER SURVEILLANCETurkey has sent official notice to the UN that it will carry out "surveillance" of diplomats representing Sudan, in accordance with the April 26 decision by the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on that country for sheltering terrorists. The sanctions included decreasing the number of Sudanese diplomats, restricting their movements and not giving travel visas to Sudanese ministers and military officials.In a letter to the Un Secretary-General, Turkey declared that the number of Sudanese diplomats in Ankara has already been restricted and thus Turkey will not demand a decrease which would cause a disruption in services. However, Ankara has rejected the Sudanese proposal to open a consulate in Istanbul. /All papers/ [03] EKEUS DUE IN TURKEY TODAYUN chief weapons inspector Rolf Ekeus will visit Ankara in order to discuss the UN-Iraq food-for-oil agreement. Turkish Foreign Ministry officials said that Ekeus would inform Turkey about the latest developments about sanctions. /All papers/[04] EU-TURKEY JOINT PARLIMENTARY COMMITTEE MEETINGThe European Union-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee meeting which started yesterday in Ankara showed that human rights dominate relations between Turkey and the EU and Greece, as well as economic aid problems. At the opening ceremony in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA), co-chairman of the committee, Kahramanmaras Deputy Mehmet Saglam, said that in Turkey there was a general impression that the EU was badly informed about the realities of Turkey and that those who are hostile to Turkey tried to fill this gap. He said that last year's changes in the Constitution and the criminal law were important and a step forward on the path of improving democracy. French parliamentarian Rene Emile Piquet, said that the aim of the meeting was an exchange of views and that the European delegation had come to listen to Turkey's problems. He told the assembled parliamentarians that Europe carefully watched the developments in democracy in Turkey.Turkish Foreign Minister Emre Gonensay said that Greece used its position as a member of the EU in order to prevent the development of the relationship between Turkey and the Union. He pointed out that the dialogue mechanisms between Turkey and Greece had broken down after Greece became a full member, a situation which he called "thought-provoking". /Cumhuriyet-Milliyet/ [05] POLICE DEAL BLOW TO PKK IN ISTANBULFollowing a series of operations against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) which is once again preparing for serious action, Istanbul police have arrested eight militants, including two women, and seized the biggest armory found in recent years, together with sensational action plans. Istanbul Police Director Kemal Yazicioglu said some of the militants captured had been trained in bombing and sabotage in Greece. He said some of the militants were caught producing explosives, while others were seized as they were trying to put their plans into effect in various districts of Istanbul. Yazicioglu said five rocket launchers, three Kalashnikov automatic rifles and five pistols, together with ammunition, had been seized during the searches conducted at hideouts revealed by the militants.Yazicioglu noted that if the militants had not been captured on June 14 they would have blown up the Aksaray subway at rush hour, using a time-fused bomb. He said they were also preparing to carry out bomb attacks against large shopping malls, markets, hotels, entertainment centres and other locations popular with tourists. Responding to journalists' questions, Yazicioglu said that the militants who were trained at the Lavrion refugee camp in Greece had infiltrated into Turkey via the Maritza river. He added that it was exteremely fortunate that the militants had been caught without being able to carry out their planned actions. /Hurriyet/ [06] SURPRISE SUPPORT FROM JORDANIn a surprising statement yesterday, Jordanian Air Forces Commander, General Muhammed Ababneh said that he hoped Jordan too would be able to benefit from the military training cooperation agreement made between Turkey and Israel.Speaking in general terms about the Middle East situation, Ababneh said that Turkey and Israel were not the only countries in the region, and that everyone was obliged to further the peace process. The Jordanian Commander also noted that it was evident Turkey had no ulterior designs against Iran. /Hurriyet/ [07] NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MIDDLE EASTThe French Liberation newspaper, commenting on the new balances in the Middle East regions drew attention to the new fronts lining up: the Iran-Syria front and the Turkey-Israel front.The paper said that Syria sees both Turkey and Israel as enemies, and that Egypt was one of the new major players in the region. Liberation, noting regional unease over developments, commented also on the determination to continue with the peace process. /Sabah/ [08] CROESUS TREASURE GOING ON DISPLAYRestored to Turkey from the New York Metropolitan Museum after years of legal wrangling, the famous and priceless treasures of Croesus will go on display in Usak near Izmir starting this Friday.Minister for Culture Agah Oktay Guner along with other top officials will attend a ceremony at a modernized museum where the treasure will be displayed to advantage. /Cumhuriyet/ [09] "PAMUKKALE WILL REMAIN WHITE FOREVER"A new era for Pamukkale has started with the "Pamukkale will remain white forever" project. Culture Minister Agah Oktay Guner criticized the implementations that were carried out in the past -within the framework of the "Pamukkale Project" - while the Pamukkale Consultation and Orientation Board has decided that the project be revised. The board, presided over by Guner, met on Tuesday to evaluate the project. The board, besides strictly prohibiting walking on the limestone formations, has proposed new innovations to enable tourists to benefit from the white waters of Pamukkale. /Cumhuriyet/Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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