TRKNWS-L NEWS from Vic McDonald

[newsdesk_aps_nl at apsf.aps.nl]

From: newsdesk_aps_nl at apsf.aps.nl (newsdesk at aps.nl)
Subject: TRKNWS-L NEWS from Vic McDonald


EU criticises Turkish raids against Kurds in Iraq

    PARIS, March 21 (Reuter) - The European Union on Tuesday criticised a
massive Turkish military incursion into Iraq to hunt for Kurdish guerrillas
as breaking basic principles of international law.

    French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe, speaking for the presidency, said
the air and ground raids violated Iraq's sovereignty.

    ``We support, in Turkey as elsewhere, the principle of territorial
integrity and sovereignty...This applies to all, including the current
incursion of Turkish troops into Iraq,'' he told journalists after a two-day
European stability conference.

    Turkish jets pounded Kurdish rebel camps and ground forces secured a zone
40-km (25 miles) deep inside north Iraq on Tuesday in the second day of a
massive incursion.

    In contrast to the European reaction, The United States tacitly endorsed
the incursion on Monday after receiving assurances from Turkish Prime
Minister Tansu Ciller that the operation would be limited and civilians
safeguarded.

    Turkish troops used the Kurdish new year holiday of Nowrouz -- a
traditional time of separatist unrest -- to hunt Kurdistan Workers Party
(PKK) separatist guerrillas inside the Western-protected ``safe haven'' for
Iraqi Kurds.

    Juppe said that while the EU regarded the PKK as a terrorist
organisation, Ankara had a duty, whatever its difficulties, to abide by the
basic principles of legality and human rights as an associate member of the
EU and a member of NATO and the Council of Europe.

    ``We have drawn (Turkey's) attention to the fact that these principles
are not currently being respected,'' he said. He pointed to the recent
jailing of Kurdish parliamentarians tried for treason for allegedly
sympathising with the PKK.

    Juppe is to head the EU troika of foreign ministers on a one-day trip to
Ankara on Thursday to discuss human rights, Turkish occupation of the
northern part of Cyprus, and the implementation of a customs union accord
signed this month with the EU.
REUTER     Transmitted: 95-03-21 11:34:34 EST\

NEWS SUMMARY: France condemns Turk attacks; Brazil ports on strike

KNIGHT-RIDDER FINANCIAL NEWS--London, Tuesday, Mar 21
 --France condemns Turkish offensive against Kurds  --Nationwide 48-hour
warning strike idles Brazil's ports  --Gasoline prices double in Iran as
government urges austerity  --Commerce's Brown says US-Japan auto talks may
resume shortly  --Kuwait premier threatens to quit over newspaper suspension
uproar  --Poland's Premier Oleksy rejects Walesa forecast of govt failure
 --Cabinet posts seen as reward for Nigeria constitutional conference


    FRANCE CONDEMNS TURKISH OFFENSIVE AGAINST KURDS--France condemned  the
massive Turkish offensive against Kurdish bases in Iraq today,  saying the
operation violated Iraq's territorial integrity and  democratic principles.
Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said Turkey had  to respect the basic principles
of human rights, democracy and the  right to self-defense. (7626)


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 + Origin: APS Amsterdam (aps.nl), bbs +31-20-6842147 (16:31/2.0)