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Turkish Press Review, 97-05-16Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>CONTENTS
TURKISH PRESS REVIEWFRIDAY MAY 16, 1997Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning[01] SECURITY FORCES HIT THE PKK HEAVILY IN N.IRAQTurkish security forces have inflicted heavy blows on the PKK terrorist organization in northern Iraq, killing 87 militants in clashes during a two-day operation, military sources said. Thousands of Turkish troops backed by air and artillery support entered northern Iraq early Wednesday morning in pursuit of PKK members in the region.Militants surrounded by security forces, fleeing towards the Iraq-Iran border, took some hard blows during clashes in the Sarisavaklar region, across the border from the Turkish province of Sirnak. Meanwhile, the US administration once again came to the support of its NATO ally Turkey and justified the recent operation in northern Iraq against PKK targets as a case of legitimate self-defence. "You know that we believe that Turkey has a right to defend itself from PKK terrorism. Turkey must protect its population in southeastern Turkey" Burns said. /Milliyet/ [02] DEMIREL MEETS RAFSANJANIPresident Demirel and his Iranian counterpart Rafsanjani, visiting Turkmenistan to participate in an ECO summit being held there, had a bilateral meeting yesterday. Upon a question by Rafsanjani about possible measures for improving bilateral relations, Demirel said that the principle of non-interference in domestic affairs played an important role for enjoying friendly relations and pointed out that Turkey was very sensitive in that respect. During the meeting Demirel expressed his condolences over the high number of people killed in a recent earthquake in Iran. /Cumhuriyet/[03] PROTOCOL FOR COOPERATION WITH UZBEKISTANThe Uzbekistan National Goods and Resources Exchange Market and the Izmir Trade Exchange signed a protocol for economic cooperation. Both sides agreed to exert efforts for improving bilateral commercial relations. /Cumhuriyet/[04] FOREIGN MINISTRY PLEASED WITH NATO-RUSSIA DEALThe Turkish Foreign Ministry voiced its pleasure over a recently concluded NATO-Russia deal that foresees a peaceful, new relationship between the former Cold War enemies. In a written statement, the Foreign Ministry said that the sides have reached a phase which is very important for the new European security architecture, and that Russia will take its deserved place in 21st century Europe.The ministry indicated that the conditions emphasized by Turkey were reflected in the deal, adding that it would contribute to efforts to improve cooperation with Russia. Turkey will surely support the implementation of the deal, which is supposed to be signed between Russia and NATO on May 27, the foreign ministry said. /All papers/ [05] TURKISH GOVERNMENT TO RECONSIDER IRAQ EMBARGOThe Turkish government, which signed an oil and natural gas agreement with Iraq earlier this week, announced it was considering ways to resume trade with that country, Energy Minister Recai Kutan said at a press conference yesterday. Kutan, who recently returned from a trip to Baghdad, said he had learned there that Jordan was taking advantage of Article 50 of the UN Convention which sets terms for one country to trade with another which is under sanction.The Turkish government has pegged Turkey's losses due to the embargo on its neighbour at $30 billion. Kutan recalled that Turkey had just signed a natural gas and oil deal with Iraq. According to the agreement on natural gas, both countries will construct a pipeline which will stretch 1,372 kilometers and cost $650 billion. Turkey will buy 10 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year from Iraq and construction of the pipeline is set to begin once the embargo is lifted. According to the oil deal, Iraqi officials propose that Turkey develop some large oil reserves south of Baghdad and transport the product to Ceyhan. Minister Kutan, who travelled on to Turkmenistan to participate in the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) summit after the Baghdad leg of his trip, explained that Turkmenistan natural gas would be carried to Europe via Iran and Turkey in future. According to the deal, 60 kilometers of the pipeline will be in Turkmenistan, 1,260 kms will travel through Iran and 630 kms will be in Turkey. The project will cost $1.6 billion. /Sabah/ [06] UN SUPPORTS SOUTHEAST DEVELOPMENTCoordinator of United Nations Social and Economic Affairs Paul Hanswijdke Jonge has said that the UN will open a representative office in Diyarbakir. UN officials visited Diyarbakir Mayor Ahmet Bilgin yesterday. Coordinator Jonge said that the UN wanted to provide economic and social support for the cities of southeastern Turkey and explained that the office in Diyarbakir was being opened for this reason. Mayor Bilgin said his community would support all UN efforts in the region. /All papers/[07] EUROGOLD PROTECTS THE ENVIRONMENTA controversial gold mining operation near the western Anatolian city of Bergama will be the best and environmentally the safest in the world, former Australian Environment Minister Ros Kelly says. Kelly, group executive of the Damos and Moore Company, the world's leading environmental company, said in an interveiw in Istanbul, "I wouldn't be here to support the project if I had any uncertainties about it". /All papers/[08] NO FLIGHTS OVER CYPRUSGreece has agreed to US proposals that Greek fighter planes should not fly over Cyprus during military exercises in the region. Turkey has responded by voicing pleasure over the Greek decision, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Omer Akbel. /Cumhuriyet/[09] KAZAKH PETROL STILL ON THE AGENDAThere are still hopes that Kazakh petrol will be carried to the international market through Turkish facilities at Ceyhan. One shadow over a possible deal could be that Turkey has shown little interest in the Central Asian countries recently because of intense domestic activity and this is reflected in the attitudes of both Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. Nevertheless, Azeri President Haydar Aliyev has again indicated that he would like to see Turkey included in new petrol deals. /Cumhuriyet/[10] PREPARATIONS FOR NEW STABILIZATION PACKAGEAn economic committee meeting today under the chairmanship of State Minister Ufuk Soylemez will start discussions about the preparation of a new medium-range stabilization programme. The programme will cover a period of 2-3 years, and if approved by the government will be presented to IMF officials in September. /Cumhuriyet/[11] AWARDS FOR TURKISH SCIENTIST AND WRITERThe German Union of Bookstores will award Turkish Writer Yasar Kemal for his contributions to world peace. The Frankfurt Book Fair Peace Prize will be presented to Kemal at a ceremony in October.The French Academy of Science presented the Lataud Award to Prof.Dr. Celal Sengor from Istanbul Technical University for his contributions to international research in geology. /Milliyet/ Please note: Because of the National Youth and Sports Holiday on Monday May 19, the Turkish Press Review will next appear on Tuesday May 20. END Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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