Subject: TRKNWS-L Turkish Press Review
President Suleyman Demirel stated that the UN had not kept its promise and thus he had been unable to go to Sarajevo
during his visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina. Noting that he would convey his "sorrows and regrets" to UN
Secretary-General Boutros Ghali and his Bosnia Envoy Yasushi Akashi, Demirel said: "The problems I have faced in
carrying out a totally peaceful visit is an indication of the heavy pressures under which Bosnia labours" Demirel
visited Turkish UN peacekeeping troops in Central Bosnia and then went to Zagreb for talks with Croatian President Franjo
Tudjman. The president said his talks with Tudjman had been very fruitful but his trip to former Yugoslavia had failed
to allay his deep concerns about the situation in the Balkans. "The degree of sensitivity shown by the world for
this exceptional human tragedy is insufficient and shows helplessness". Republican Peoples Party (CHP) Chairman
Hikmet Cetin indicated that recent developments proved that the UN was not impartial in Bosnia-Herzegovina and said: "I
condemn this intentional block against our President". Turkey's opposition parties also criticized the UN, saying
that the UN had once more surrendered to Serb threats. /Cumhuriyet/
During her visit to Japan, Prime Minister Ciller stressed time and again that the time had come for more cooperation
between Turkey and Japan. According to reports about her visit to Japan, Ciller's emphasis on more cooperation
created a good impression with Japanese businessmen. Talking about more "partnership" between Turkey and Japan,
Ciller worked to show that Turkey was a no risk country for foreign investment. Although Ciller went to Japan looking
for something in the way of economic support, she noted that what Turkey really wanted was more cooperation in the trade
and commercial sectors. Detailing developments in the Turkish privatization process, Ciller said that it was the
hope of Turkish businessmen that their Japanese counterparts would show more interest in the Turkish market. "Just as we
are developing ties with Europe, so we want to strengthen relations with Japan" said Ciller. /Hurriyet/
Foreign Minister Murat Karayalcin has arrived in Brussels and held talks with his Belgian counterpart Frank
Vandenbroucke and EU commissioner responsible for external relations, Hans Van Den Broek, to lobby for the customs
union issue to be resolved on March 6-7 as scheduled. Karayalcin said: "After my contacts, I am very hopeful
about March 6. I think that there is no possibility for the postponement of the meeting". Belgian Foreign Minister
Frank Vandenbroucke stated that Turkey's entry would contribute to stability in the southeastern wing of Europe
both politically and economically. Two top-ranking bureaucrats, Akin Alptuna and Reyhan Atamaca, from the
Foreign Ministry and Foreign Trade Undersecretariat, also went to Brussels to give the finishing "technical-level"
touches to the customs union deal. /Milliyet/
One of the most powerful of the European syndicates, the Confederation of European Syndicates, has shown open support
for European customs union with Turkey. Secretary-General of the Confederation, Emilio Gabaglio, is reported as saying
that Turkey's customs union with the European Union (EU) member countries is a "step in the right direction." Taking
the issue further forward, Gabaglio also said that the Confederation of European Syndicates did not accept the
Greek political veto of the customs union. He noted too, that Turkey's human rights record and customs union were two
different issues. /Milliyet/
An Italian delegation of four deputies from the parliamentary foreign relations commission arrived in Ankara
yesterday and began official talks with their Turkish counterparts. The delegation led by commission deputy
chairman Giovanni Rivera met separately with Erdal Inonu, the chairman of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA)
foreign relations commission and acting Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Unal Unsal. Today the delegation will meet
Turkish Bar Association chief Onder Sav and Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission co-chairman Tunc Bilget before
returning to Italy. /All papers/
The prosecutor's office in Bremen, Germany, has offered a reward for information about attacks against Turkish travel
agencies. On Sunday, unidentified persons attacked six Turkish travel agencies in Bremen, Cologne and Berlin,
causing severe material damage. The attackers left leaflets protesting about Turkey. Bremen State cultural
representative, Helga Trupel, told Turkey's Anatolia news agency that the latest attacks in the city may spoil
relations between the Turks and Kurds living there.
Caricaturist Ahmet Aykanat, who is also a lecturer at Uludag University, has come first in the International Marostica
Humor Festival organized in Italy. Aykanat was awarded a medal for his success in the competition, in which 439
cartoonists from 38 countries took part. This is Aykanat's fourth international award. Last year, he came first in the
Yunus Nadi Caricature Competition. /All papers/
Ten thousand copies of a book about Turkey have been prepared by the Turkish Consulate General in Houston, Texas,
and will be distributed to students in the city's schools, the Anatolia news agency reported. The distribution of the
book will coincide with the Turkish Festival to be held in Houston in April.
The new housing loans announced by the Mass Housing Administration (TOKI) will be made available to Turkish
workers living in Germany through the German Home Savings Unions. These workers will be able to get loans of anywhere
from DM 50,000 to DM 100,000. TOKI Chairman Yigit Guloksuz indicated that his administraion would have to use its own
resources to finance housing projects this year. /All papers/