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Turkish Press Review, 98-02-10
From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>
10.02.98
Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
CONTENTS
[01] YILMAZ MEETS WITH DISK CHAIRMAN
[02] US AGAINST A KURDISH STATE
[03] HUMANITARIAN AID REGION ESTABLISHED
[04] ANKARA SHAKEN BY BRITISH FM COOK'S STATEMENT
[05] US PLANES IN INCIRLIK
[06] CRISIS COORDINATION COUNCIL MEETING
[07] TURKISH EMBASSY IN BAGHDAD WILL NOT BE EVACUATED
[08] PAPA-GULEN MEETING
[09] ALIYEV TO VISIT TURKEY
[10] COTTON BOURSE IN GAP
[11] JORDAN AIR FORCE COMMANDER VISITS TURKEY
[12] TURKEY'S AMBASSADORS IN BALKANS CONFER ON SECI
[01] YILMAZ MEETS WITH DISK CHAIRMAN
Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz met with Ridvan Budak, chairman of the
Confederation of Revolutionary Workers' Unions (DISK) in Istanbul
yesterday. Yilmaz answered reporters' questions about the crisis in
Iraq. "We wish our ally the US had had more contact with us" he said.
He referred to remarks by Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, who
stated that Turkey's main cause for concern was the possibility that the
US plans to establish a Kurdish state in Iraq.
Yilmaz also pointed out that Iraq should comply with all UN
resolutions and not allow an armed conflict to develop. "I hope that we
will not experience developments which will be harmful to Turkey" he
said. In a weekly press conference yesterday, Foreign Ministry
Spokesman Necati Utkan affirmed that Ankara is making proper
"contingency plans" in case of intense military build-up and a possible
military strike in the region. /All papers/
[02] US AGAINST A KURDISH STATE
Washington has replied to Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent
Ecevit's claims regarding the US stance yesterday. US Ambassador to
Ankara, Marc Parris, later made a statement and said: "The essence of
our policy is to protect the territorial integrity of Iraq. We are
against an independent Kurdish state". US State Department Spokesman
James Foley also noted that the territorial integrity of Iraq would be
protected. /Cumhuriyet-Sabah/
[03] HUMANITARIAN AID REGION ESTABLISHED
Due to the war which could explode in the Gulf and to prevent a
likely Kurdish immigration to Turkey from northern Iraq, the Turkish
Armed Forces have completed their preparations to establish a security
corridor, which they have set-up in northern Iraq together with the
Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). The Turkish Red Cross has sent many
tents and medicine supplies to the Southeast region, while the General
Directorate of Civilian Defense has sent gas masks. Governor of the
State of Emergency Rule Region, Aydin Arslan, said: "We are closely
following developments in Iraq. There is no extraordinary situation
there now". /Cumhuriyet/
[04] ANKARA SHAKEN BY BRITISH FM COOK'S STATEMENT
Ankara reacted fiercely to British Foreign Minister Robin Cook`s
statement that Britain would be pleased with an authority gap in Iraq
which could end in the division of the country. British Ambassador to
Ankara David Logan was summoned yesterday to the Turkish Foreign
Ministry and was informed about Turkish anxiety over Cook`s statement.
"Statements like this will only serve as a justification for Saddam's
feverish armament drive", Turkish Foreign Ministry officials said.
/Hurriyet/
[05] US PLANES IN INCIRLIK
The US has sent new EA-6B Prowler planes to Incirlik military base
near Adana. The planes are able to render enemy radar equipment
ineffective, and will greatly facilitate US military action if a
possible hot confrontation flares up in Iraq. /Hurriyet/
[06] CRISIS COORDINATION COUNCIL MEETING
The Prime Ministry Crisis Coordination Council set up by the
National Security Council (NSC) in 1997 will convene today to evaluate
the latest developments in Iraq. The meeting will be headed by State
Minister responsible for coordination Sukru Sina Gurel. Representatives
of the General Staff and various ministries will attend the meeting.
/Sabah/
[07] TURKISH EMBASSY IN BAGHDAD WILL NOT BE EVACUATED
At a press conference yesterday, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Necati
Utkan denied reports that personnel from the Turkish Embassy in Baghdad
will be called back to Turkey. According to Utkan, the related decision
will be given by the Turkish Ambassador to Baghdad depending on
developments in the region. /Sabah/
[08] PAPA-GULEN MEETING
Fettullah Gulen, who went to the Vatican at the invitation of Pope
II Jean Paul, was received by the Pope yesterday at his residence.
During the meeting, which lasted for nearly half-hour, Fettullah Gulen
conveyed Turkish President Suleyman Demirel's invitation to Pope to
visit Turkey and noted that he would be happy to assist in these
arrangements. /Cumhuriyet/
[09] ALIYEV TO VISIT TURKEY
It is reported that Azeri President Haydar Aliyev will visit Turkey
on 13 February. A high-level official from the Turkish Foreign Ministry
said that Aliyev would meet with President Suleyman Demirel and Prime
Minister Mesut Yilmaz. Demirel and Aliyev are expected to hold a joint
press conference on Saturday. /Cumhuriyet/
[10] COTTON BOURSE IN GAP
While Turkey's first cotton bourse is being set up within the
Southeast Anatolian Project (GAP), seven product bourses will be
established throughout Turkey with the financal support of the World
Bank. Deputy Undersecretary of the Industry and Trade Ministry, Mustafa
Korel Aytac, said that when product bourses work according to
international norms, the problem of support price, which actually works
against producers, would be removed. /Cumhuriyet/
[11] JORDAN AIR FORCE COMMANDER VISITS TURKEY
Turkish Air Force Commander Gen.Ilhan Kilic said yesterday that
they are taking all necessary measures in the Iraqi crisis. Gen.Kilic
met his with Jordanian counterpart, Maj.Gen.Mohammed Kahir Ababneh, at
Turkish Air Force Headquarters and praised the deep-rooted relations
between Turkey and Jordan. The guest commander will visit several air
bases throughout the country and will leave Ankara on Friday.
Ababneh said that he was very pleased to be in Turkey. In response
to questions, Ababneh said that he would prefer a peaceful solution to
the current Iraq-US crisis, one that will not harm Iraq's interests or
its territorial integrity. He also defended controversial
Turkish-Israeli ties, saying thet he believed Turkey when it had assured
Jordan that these ties would not target any third country. Gen.Ababneh
later visited the Chief of General Staff Gen.Ismail Hakki Karadayi and
Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ismet Sezgin. /Sabah/
[12] TURKEY'S AMBASSADORS IN BALKANS CONFER ON SECI
Ankara held consultations with its ambassadors in the Southeast
European Cooperative Initiative (SECI) yesterday "on the great
importance Turkey attaches to its relations with Balkan countries and to
the process of the South Eastern Initiative" the Foreign Ministry
announced.
The present round of discussions will be held in Ankara on February
9-10, Spokesman Necati Utkan said, "During the discussions, views will
be exchanged on our policy for the region and preparations concerning
the meeting of foreign ministers and heads of states or governments of
southeastern European countries, which we plan to hold this year, will
be reviewed". Regional ambassadors will meet with President Suleyman
Demirel and Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz today.
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