From: Guven.Guzeldere%STANFORD.BitNet@pucc.PRINCETON.EDU (hq.ggg)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.turkish
Subject: News articles on Turkey
Date: 25 Jan 1993 03:54:45 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
Reply-To: Turkish Cultural Program List <TRKNWS-L%USCVM.BitNet@pucc.PRINCETON.EDU>
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 01/24 0023  TURKEY ASKS INDIA TO PROTECT MUSLIM HOLY PLACES
 01/24 0023  PAKISTAN--PRESIDENT DISCUSSES BOSNIA WITH
TURKEY'S ECEVIT
 01/24 0023  PAKISTAN - FURTHER REPORT
 01/24 0022  PAKISTAN - DEFENSE MINISTER RECEIVES TURKISH
             DELEGATION
 01/23 2354  SYRIA - AL-BA'TH EDITORIAL--SULEYMAN DEMIREL
             VISIT
 01/23 2353  SYRIA - COMMUNIQUE ISSUED--dEMIREL VISIT
 01/23 2353  SYRIA - FURTHER REPORT--S. DEMIREL CONFERENCE
 01/23 2352  SYRIA - HOLDS NEWS CONFERENCE
 01/23 0904  TURKISH SECURITY FORCES REPORTEDLY BATTLING
             KURDISH REBELS
 01/24 1136  CAR BOMB KILLS TURKISH JOURNALIST, UGUR MUMCU

01/24 0023  TURKEY ASKS INDIA TO PROTECT MUSLIM
HOLY PLACES

(JAN. 22) MIDDLE EAST INTELLIGENCE REPORT - Turkey has asked
India to take effective steps for protecting the life,
property, and honor of its Muslims and their holy places. A
press release issued by the Turkish Embasy in Islamabad says
the desecration of Babri Mosque at the hands of Hindu
fanatics has caused widespread anger and anguish among
Muslims.
   From Radio Pakistan Network in Urdu
   Date 21 January 1993

01/24 0023  PAKISTAN-PRESIDENT DISCUSSES BOSNIA WITH
TURKEY'S ECEVIT

(JAN. 22) MIDDLE EAST INTELLIGENCE REPORT - Democratic Left
Party leader Bulent Ecevit, who is conducting contacts in
Pakistan, has been received by President Ghulam Ishaq Khan.
It was reported that the democratization process in Pakistan
and international issues were discussed during the meeting.
   TRT (Turkish Radio and Television) correspondent Irfan
Sapmaz reports that, referring to BosniaHercegovina, the
Pakistani president declared that he shares Ecevit's worries
on this matter. Ecevit remarked that Ghulam Ishaq Khan said
that the Islamic countries failed to demonstrate the
necessary reaction on the subject of Bosnia-Hercegovina.
   During the meeting, Ecevit noted that an imposed Cyprus
solution will not bring peace to the island and could lead
to a tragedy similar to the one being experienced in Bosnia-
Hercegovina.
   From TRT Television Network in Turkish
   Date 18 January 1993

01/24 0023  PAKISTAN - FURTHER REPORT

(JAN. 22) MIDDLE EAST INTELLIGENCE REPORT - The defense
minister, Syed Ghaus Ali Shah, has said Pakistan cannot
remain oblivious to its defense so long as Kashmir issue
remains unresolved. He was talking to the visiting Turkish
defense delegation led by Lieutenant General Huseyin
Tabakoglu in Islamabad today. Syed Ghaus Ali Shah said no
problem could be solved through war. He apprised the Turkish
delegation of the atrocities perpetrated upon innocent
Kashmiris in Held Kashmir and said Turkey's moral support
would encourage them in realizing their objective of the
right to self-determination as envisaged in UN resolutions.
He expressed the hope that the world body would avoid
double standards on international issues. Lt. Gen. Tabakoglu
said Turkey would stand by Pakistan in the hour of need.
   The Turkish defense delegation also called on the federal
minister for defense production, Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani, in
Islamabad today. Mr. Bijarani apprised the delegation that
the government has decided to encourage private sector to
invest in defense production in Pakistan. Lt. Gen. Huseyin
Tabakoglu appreciated the policy of self-reliance of the
present government. Both sides emphasized that a number of
joint ventures in the field of trade and defense should be
enhanced.
   From PTV Television Network in English
   Date 19 January 1993

01/24 0022  PAKISTAN - DEFENSE MINISTER RECEIVES TURKISH
DELEGATION

(JAN. 22) MIDDLE EAST INTELLIGENCE REPORT - Pakistan and
Turkey are to join hands at various levels for progress and
prosperity of their masses. This was stated by the minister
for defense, Syed Ghaus Ali Shah, at a meeting with an
eight-member Turkish defense delegation which called on him
in Rawalpindi today. It was led by the secretary of the
Turkish Ministry of Defense, Lieutenant General Huseyin
Tabakoglu. The defense minister told the delegation that due
to unresolved issue of Kashmir, Pakistan had to maintain
preparedness at all times. However, it was Pakistan's belief
that no problem could be resolved without a meaningful
dialogue. He apprised the Turkish defense delegation of the
atrocities perpetrated upon innocent Kashmiris in held
Kashmir and said Turkey's moral support was an encouragement
for Kashmiri people.
   From Radio Pakistan Network in English
   Date 19 January 1993

01/23 2354  SYRIA - AL-BA'TH EDITORIAL--SULEYMAN DEMIREL
VISIT

(JAN. 22) MIDDLE EAST INTELLIGENCE REPORT - In its editorial
today, the newspaper AL-BA'TH writes about Syrian-Turkish
relations and their course, which is dominated by a spirit
of concern and interest in improving them.
   The paper says: Turkish Prime Minister Suleyman Demirel's
visit and talks with President Hafiz al-Asad and a number of
Syrian officials came to bolster this course and underline
an appropriate method to entrench cooperation and remove
obstacles in this or that aspect, obstacles which are,
sometimes, inherited from the past.
   AL-BA'TH says: Syria has always been eager to maintain
good relations with our neighbor Turkey. This is not said as
a customary diplomatic courtesy. In light of the current
international conditions, this is particularly important
because such relations are in the interest of both
countries, in the interest of good relations between the
Arabs and Turkey, and in the interest of security and
stability in the entire region.
   The paper points out that Syria always asserts the need
to maintain good relations with Turkey. This assertion is
based on a genuine and common interest in the wellbeing of
the Syrian and Turkish peoples.
   The paper says: Although we have no control over the
past, with its bright and dark sides, we still have the
future. We can shape it as we wish, in accordance with the
objectives we seek to achieve.
   Al-BA'TH adds: When there are good intentions and mutual,
sincere confidence, Syria and Turkey will undoubtedly find
many common factors that can provide a good base for the
improvement of relations to yield the best fruit for the two
peoples and countries.
   The paper concludes by saying: Syria sees the common
history of the Syrian and Turkish peoples, who have historic
links and a shared religious and cultural heritage, as a
good basis for building the best and strongest relations.
Good intentions will help the two countries tackle all
bilateral issues, regardless of how difficult they may be,
and achieve results that serve the interests of the two
sides, as well as the interests of peace, stability, and
regional development.
   From Syrian Arab Republic Radio Network in Arabic
   Date 21 January 1993

01/23 2353  SYRIA - COMMUNIQUE ISSUED--dEMIREL VISIT

(JAN. 22) MIDDLE EAST INTELLIGENCE REPORT - Official Syrian-
Turkish talks led by Prime Minister Mahmud al-Zu'bi and
Turkish Prime Minister Suleyman Demirel concluded at 1630 at
the Prime Ministry today. (passage omitted)
   At the outset of the session al-Zu'b welcomed Demirel and
his delegation. The prime minister said Syria and Turkey
have a great deal in common, and called for their brotherly
and friendly relations to be further cemented. Syrian-
Turkish cooperation will have positive repercussions for the
region and the world, as well as for the two countries. This
is especially so, added al-Zu'bi, given that breaking
international developments have underscored the importance
of our bilateral cooperation for peace and security.
   We are glad to note that relations between our two
countries have been making headway over the past few years
in all areas, and we sincerely hope they will be enhanced
still further. Al-Zu'bi noted that exhaustive and thorough
discussions were held between the Turkish guests and
President Hafiz al-Asad yesterday, and that we ourselves
have had useful and fruitful talks.
   Demirel expressed his and his delegation's gratitude for
the warm reception and hospitality accorded them in Syria.
The Turkish prime minister said he was pleased with the
meeting and talks he had with President al-Asad about ways
to deepen and consolidate ties between the two brotherly and
friendly countries. There is the political will in Turkey,
he stated, to develop its relations with Syria, a friendly
and neighboring state, in all spheres. Demirel emphasized
that the near future should witness a new push to develop
and deepen these ties so as to advance the joint aim of
serving the ambitions of our two peoples. He concluded by
saying that world developments dictate that we reinforce our
friendship and step up our cooperation to advance bilateral
interests and firm up regional stability, peace, and
security. He stressed that Turkey will never do anything to
the detriment of Syriaa friend and neighbor. On behalf of
the Turkish president and government, Demirel renewed an
invitation for President Hafiz al-Asad to visit Turkey and
expressed the hope that he would accept the offer. He also
invited Prime Minister Mahmud al-Zu'bi to visit Turkey.
   In this session, the two sides reviewed the progress of
the bilateral talks on all fronts. They also went over what
the two sides have agreed on in terms of giving a boost to
bilateral ties and issues of common interest.
   Afterward, Prime Minister al-Zu'bi and Turkey's Demirel
signed the joint communique with the delegates from both
sides in attendance.
   The communique expressed mutual satisfaction over the
rapid and positive development in bilateral ties, stressing
that this should promote not only their joint interests, but
regional peace and stability. Building on a common heritage
and culture, they expressed their determination to
consolidate all aspects of the bilateral relations. The two
sides stated their satisfaction over the positive
developments regarding the security along their common
borders which has been made possible by a spirit of
cooperation and exchanges of official visits. They
reiterated their resolve not to sanction any activity on
their respective territories that could prove detrimental to
the security of the other side.
   On the question of the Euphrates water, the two sides
agreed to work out a final solution by the end of 1993,
whereby quotas of the river's waters are allocated to all
sides. This is pursuant to the protocol signed between the
Syrian and Turkish Governments in 1987. The Syrian and
Turkish foreign ministers have been asked to follow this
matter.
   The two sides have also underlined the need to broaden
the scope of contacts and consultations in all spheres,
hoping their cooperation will be further developed in the
areas of the media and consular relations. They expressed a
common desire for each country to set up a cultural center
in the other as soon as possible, and noted the need for
consolidating cooperation between Syrian and Turkish
universities. They agreed to boost the volume of their
annual trade to $1 billion and to promote two-way travel and
tourism, to explore avenues for increased cooperation
between the chambers of commerce and industry and between
the private sectors in the two countries, to upgrade
transport facilities, and to promote joint ventures and
bilateral investment and cooperation in the areas of
electricity networks and the production of  natural gas and
oil.
   On the political front, the two sides condemned Israel's
expulsion of over 400 Palestinians from the occupied
territories and demanded the enforcement of UN Security
Council Resolution 799 and called for international
legitimacy to be grounded in justice and equality. They
stressed the importance both attach to keeping the Middle
East peace process going on the basis of Resolutions 338 and
442. The two sides expressed their disquiet over the
continuing Iraqi Government's policies that are proving
detrimental to the Iraqi people and are clashing with UN
resolutions. They stressed the importance of the civilian
population in Iraq being spared in the process of
implementing Security Council resolutions. The two sides
also underscored the need to preserve the territorial
integrity of Iraq. They exchanged views about Bosnia-
Hercogovina, the dispute over NagornoKarabach, and the
Caucusus. They appealed to the international community's
sense of justice and equality insofar as the enforcement of
UN resolutions over Bosnia-Hercegovina is concerned.
(passage omitted)
   From Syrian Arab Television Network in Arabic
   Date 20 January 1993

01/23 2353  SYRIA - FURTHER REPORT--S. DEMIREL CONFERENCE

(JAN. 22) MIDDLE EAST INTELLIGENCE REPORT - Damascus, 19 Jan
(SANA)Turkish Prime Minister Suleyman Demirel held a news
conference this evening at the Sheraton Hotel in Damascus.
The conference was attended by correspondents from Arab and
foreign news agencies, world television networks, the
Turkish media accompanying Demirel, as well as other
newsmen.
   At the outset, Demirel thanked President Hafiz al-Asad
and Syrian officials for the hospitality he and his
delegation were accorded in Damascus.
   He added: We were honored to meet with President Hafiz
al-Asad. We held a first round of talks, and also visited
the Umayyad Mosque and the tomb of Salahat-Din.
   Demirel went on to say: During the talks, we emphasized
that Syria and Turkey carry weight in the region and enjoy
security and stability, and that promoting ties between them
contributes effectively toward maintaining their stability
and achieving peace in the region.
   He noted that exchanging visits between officials of the
two countries helps to remove the ambiguity surrounding some
issues and gives an opportunity to hold consultations and
explore avenues for cooperation between the two states.
   He added: We discussed economic cooperation between Syria
and Turkey and increasing trade between them to $1 billion.
We also discussed some difficulties obstructing this
prospect, such as means of transportation and
communications. We also reviewed joint investments and
linking electricity grids between the two countries, as well
as exchanging scientific expertise, university professors,
lecturers, and scholarships.
   Demirel affirmed that the two sides had identical views
on various issues.
   Demirel said: The two sides have emphasized their desire
to have good neighborly relations and to respect mutual
interests.
   He added: We discussed the subject of sharing Euphrates
River water emanating from the importance of this subject to
the three countriesSyria, Turkey, and Iraq stressing that
Turkey will not take a position that harms the interests of
its neighbors, and will respect the Syrian and Iraqi
interests in this respect.
   Demirel pointed out: The talks dealt with the situation
in Iraq and Bosnia-Hercegovina where we stressed anew our
concern for maintaining Iraq's unity and its territorial
integrity, and for the return of the Palestinian deportees
to their homeland. He said that the assistant to Turkish
prime minister has previously discussed this subject with
the Israelis.
   Answering a question on the latest allied raids on Iraq,
Demirel said: Iraqi civilians and Iraqi territorial
integrity should be protected.
   Answering another question if he thinks that there is a
double standard policy in the application of UN resolutions,
particularly concerning the Arab territories that Israel is
occupying and the subject of deportees, Demirel said: We are
sorry for the deportees, and we consider the implementation
of UN resolutions a responsibility of the whole world.
   Answering a question on the possibility of establishment
of a state in northern Iraq, Demirel said: The establishment
of such a state concerns Turkey, Syria, and Iran, and if
such a state is established it will be a source of danger,
not only to the three countries but to the Middle East
region.
   From SANA in Arabic
   Date 19 January 1993

01/23 2352  SYRIA - HOLDS NEWS CONFERENCE

(JAN. 22) MIDDLE EAST INTELLIGENCE REPORT - Prime Minister
Demirel held a news conference at 1730 today. He stressed
that Turkey attaches great importance to the improvement of
relations between the two brotherly and neighborly
countries, which have a common border of close to 900 km and
a common history. He pointed out that Turkey and Syria are
two countries whose contributions to regional stability
cannot be underestimated. He said that efforts are being
made to eliminate certain old prejudices, misunderstandings,
and mistrust. Such high-level contacts between the two
countries, he said, are of great importance in eliminating
these negative elements.
   Demirel pointed out that the basis necessary for
developing relations with Syria exists, adding that the
development of political and economic relations will be in
the interests of both countries.
   The prime minister said that at his meeting with
President at- Asad they discussed Workers Party of Kurdistan
terrorism and border security. Demirel said: The honorable
President al-Asad has said that Syria will not support
terrorism which threatens Turkey's security. Various reports
are being concocted, but Syria will never engage in
activities that threaten or disturb Turkey. It is
inconceivable for Syria, Turkey's neighbor and a brotherly
country, to support a murderous gang which kills innocent
people in Turkey every day and which martyrs Turkey's
soldiers and policemen. That is what the honorable president
said. I am pleased that President alAsad made such a
statement.
   Demirel said that another issue they discussed with the
Syrian president involved the waters of the Euphrates River.
The prime minister noted that this issue has been discussed
for the past 40 to 50 years. There are no problems at the
moment, he said, adding that Turkey releases the waters of
the Euphrates after collecting them in (word indistinct).
Nor is there any need to worry about this in the future, he
added.
   Demirel said that the developments in Iraq were also
discussed at the meeting. He pointed out that Iraq must
protect its own territorial integrity, yet it engaged in a
renewed confrontation with the world. We are opposed to
attacking civilians or civilian targets in Iraq, he said,
adding that the regional countries, namely Turkey, Iran, and
Syria, are concerned about the attitude of the Baghdad
administration.
   Demirel explained that as a result of the Iraqi
Administration's intransigent attitude, the UN Security
Council adopted certain resolutions and that Poised Hammer
was the creation of one of these resolutions. He stressed
that in addition to Turkey, Iran and Syria are also opposed
to the establishment of a Kurdish state in northern Iraq.
The Syrian president agrees, he said, that the establishment
of such a state would disturb not only these three countries
but also the entire Middle East.
   The prime minister said that he told al-Asad that he
condemns Israel's refusal to take back the deported
Palestinians.
   Demirel added that he told the Syrian president of his
concern and ideas about the issues of BosniaHercegovina and
Nagorno- Karabakh.
   From TRT Television Network in Turkish
   Date 19 January 1993

01/23 0904  TURKISH SECURITY FORCES REPORTEDLY BATTLING
KURDISH REBELS

ANKARA, TURKEY (JAN. 23) UPI - Security forces blasted
Kurdish rebel encampments in the mountains of southeastern
Turkey during the past two days, inflicting heavy damage,
officials said Saturday.
   Military planes, helicopter gunships and ground forces
took part in the operations against five encampments of the
outlawed Kurdish Workers Party, or PKK, near Bitlis, some
525 miles southeast of Ankara, the officials said.
   The rebel camps suffered heavy damage, but there were no
immediate reports of casualties. The attacks began Thursay,
when at least 100 PKK rebels were believed to be sheltering
in the camps, hidden in mountainous terrain.
   The Ankara newspaper Turkish Daily News said operations
of the sort carried out near Bitlis involved warplanes
accompanied by Cobra and Sikorsky helicopter gunships which
blasted the rebel encampments from the air. Ground forces
then moved in to mop up.
   The Bitlis operations were still continuing when last
reports came in, the newspaper said. A spokesman for the
General Staff declined to comment.
   Last week, the military estimated that 150 PKK rebels
were killed in similar operations in the area, but there was
no confirmation of the casualties.
   Turkish security forces are preparing for a spring
offensive against the PKK guerrillas in the southeast of the
country, to follow up an offensive carried out in November
against the rebel group's bases in northern Iraq, officials
said.
   Friday night, Prime Minister Suleyman Demirel chaired a
meeting of the National Security Council, made up of senior
cabinet ministers and the country's top military brass.
   Details of what was discussed were not released to the
media, but the government later issued a statement thanking
the security forces "for their fine work" against Kurdish
rebels.
   In related a development, three people were killed and
one injured when PKK gunmen opened fire on them with
automatic weapons in Batman, about 475 miles southeast of
Ankara, the Turkish state radio TRT said.

01/23 0018  DEMIREL FACES CENSURE AFTER ALLIES USE INCIRLIK
TO HIT IRAQ

 ANKARA, Turkey (JAN. 23) UPI - Turkish Prime Minister
Suleyman Demirel faces a censure motion in Parliament after
allied warplanes used an air base in southern Turkey to
blast targets in northern Iraq.
   Opposition Motherland Party chief Mesut Yilmaz, who
introduced the censure motion in the Grand National
Assembly, or Turkish Parliament, said Demirel illegally
permitted the planes to use the Incirlik air base near Adana
for attacks on Iraq.
   Earlier, a government spokesman said Ankara had not
permitted allied planes to use the Incirlik base to hit
targets in northern Iraq. The allies had simply acted in
self-defense after observing hostile intent on the part of
the Iraqis, he said.
   The censure motion came Friday after a heated controversy
in the Turkish media about whether the U.S.-led coalition
had the right to use the bases in Turkey to attack Iraq.
   The opposition parties said the allied planes were
allowed to stay in Turkey only to strike at troops loyal to
Iraqi President Saddam Hussein if they attacked Kurds within
a safe haven in northern Iraq.
   U.S. planes twice used the Incirlik base this week to
attack Iraqi warplanes and missile sites north of the 36th
parallel.
   Opposition parties in the Turkish Parliament, including
Motherland, the Islamic fundamentalist Welfare Party and the
left-of-center Republican People's Party also accused
Demirelof withholding facts from tbe media and breaching the
constitution.
   The opposition said only Parliament had the right to
permit the coalition aircraft to use Incirlik for purposes
other than those allowed when the legislature in December
1992 renewed a mandate for their stay in Turkey for six
months.
   Under the constitution, only Parliament can permit the
country to go to war. The opposition implied that by
permitting the coalition forces to use Incirlik to attack
Iraqi warplanes and a missile site, the government had
illegally dragged Turkey into war.
   Thursday, Yilmaz told reporters the U.N. Security Council
passed no resolutions calling for no-fly zones in Iraq,
north of the 36th parallel or south of the 32nd. The United
States, Britain and France acted on their own accord to set
up the zones, he said.
   Officials said the government had about two weeks within
which the censure motion may be put on the parliamentary
agenda, and even if it is debated, Demirel has a comfortable
majority of 244 votes to 163 with which to avoid a censure.
   In a related development, a Foreign Ministry spokeswomen
said Ankara was pleased with Iraq's decision to observe a
cease-fire in its latest confrontation with allied forces.

01/24 1136  CAR BOMB KILLS TURKISH JOURNALIST, UGUR MUMCU

ANKARA (JAN. 24) DPA - A well known Turkish journalist and
expert on  terrorism, Ugur Mumcu, was killed by a car bomb
Sunday.
   A group calling itself Islamic Liberation Organisation
claimed responsibility for the killing in anonymous
telephone calls to several newspapers.
   Numerous Turkish journalists and political figures
immediately flocked to the scene to express their grief.
Prime Minister Suleyman Demirel said he was outraged and
shocked, and promised to see that the assassination was
fully investigated.
   Mumcu, 50, was chief columnist for the leftist-liberal
Istanbul daily Cumhuriyet since 1975. He gained an
international reputation with his reporting on the
background of the assassination attempt against Pope John
Paul II in 1981, on militant activities by Islamic
fundamentalists, and on mafia activities in Turkey.
   He also opposed Kurdish separatism and the goals of the
militant Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) which has been
conducting a guerrilla war against the Turkish government
for eight years.




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