TRKNWS-L Turkish Press Review

[newsdesk_aps_nl at apsf.aps.nl]

From: newsdesk_aps_nl at apsf.aps.nl (newsdesk at aps.nl)
Subject: TRKNWS-L  Turkish Press Review


                             TURKISH  PRESS  REVIEW
                                 MARCH 17, 1995


          Summary of the political and economic news  in  the  Turkish
          press this morning

          CURFEW LIFTED IN ISTANBUL

          Authorities lifted the curfew that was in  effect  in  three
          districts  of  Istanbul  after daily life returned to normal
          yesterday.  Meanwhile, local judicial organs have started an
          investigation  into the incidents that left nearly 20 people
          dead.  Prime Minister Ciller will fly to Istanbul  today  to
          visit  the  injured  in  hospitals  and  wish  them a speedy
          recovery.  /All papers/


          KARAYALCIN WARNS ATHENS

          Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat  Karayalcin
          informed the US administration about the incidents that have
          taken place in Istanbul since  the  weekend.   In  reply  to
          journalists'  questions,  Karayalcin  said that some reports
          indicated Greek involvement in the Istanbul  incidents.   He
          noted  that  some terrorists interrogated by the police also
          suggested Greek involvement, adding that the government  had
          been  receiving  information  regarding  terrorists  who had
          infiltrated into Turkey from Greece.  In the  meantime,  the
          Turkish Foreign Ministry announced last night that the Greek
          tolerance of anti-Turkish acts in Greece was preventing  the
          formation  of  an  atmosphere  of confidence between the two
          countries.  Yesterday, about 50 militants of  the  terrorist
          PKK  group staged a protest demonstration in Athens near the
          Turkish  Embassy,  burning  Turkish   flags   and   shouting
          separatist  slogans.   PASOK  MP  Dimitris Vunachos was also
          reported as saying that the security of  Greek  borders  and
          regional  peace  depend  on  Kurdistan  and the mountains of
          Karabakh.  /Cumhuriyet/


          COMMENTS

          Today most of  the  major  newspapers  point  out  in  their
          commentaries  that  the whole nation had seen on TV the real
          perpetrators of the incidents:  members of illegal terrorist
          organisations  opening  fire  on the security forces.  Daily
          newspaper   Sabah   publishes   photographs   of    suspects
          participating  in  demonstrations  in  Istanbul  and Ankara,
          alleging that  these  terrorists  instigated  the  violence.
          Emin  Pazarci  of  Aksam  and Guneri Civaoglu of Sabah notes
          that nearly 100 militants from illegal terrorist groups took
          part  in  the  recent  demonstrations  and  provoked people,
          concluding that the incidents cannot be viewed only  as  the
          reaction of Alevi citizens.  Hasan Cemal of Sabah notes that
          Greece has been trying to  use  the  PKK  as  a  trump  card
          against  Turkey  by  tolerating  PKK  acts  in  Greece,  and
          maintains  that  such  an  attitude  would  not  serve   the
          interests  of  Greece.  He also points out that both foreign
          and domestic circles have so far failed  to  provoke  unrest
          either between the Turks and Kurds or between the Sunnis and
          Alevis.  Rauf Tamer of Hurriyet says  that  the  cool-headed
          approach  of  the  security  forces  and particularly of the
          police  prevented  further  bloodshed,  noting  that  police
          officers  did not intervene while terrorists were destroying
          their vehicles.  Emin Colasan, in his commentary in Hurriyet
          also   notes  tha  fact  that  the  local  people  were  not
          responsible for the violence that was instigated by  members
          of  left,  right and fundamentalist terrorist groups.  Altan
          Oymen of Milliyet also notes  that  everybody  watching  the
          radio transmitted police order "do not fire" and saw elderly
          women trying to stop militants attacking the police.


          GROWING PAINS OF A NEW DEMOCRACY

          Top US  officials  have  assessed  the  recent  violence  in
          certain  districts  of  Istanbul,  Ankara  and  other places
          throughout the country as the "pains that always accompany a
          growing  democracy."  David  Johnson,  spokesman  for the US
          State Department, said that the US administration  applauded
          the  efforts  of  Turkey's prime minister and hoped that the
          inter- national community would  lend  its  support  to  the
          people  of  Turkey.  The US has conveyed its hope to Turkish
          officials that the Turkish  parliament  will  agree  to  the
          "courageous"  proposals  of  Prime  Minister Ciller, and the
          measures  she  recommends  to   resolve   domestic   unrest.
          Although recognizing that Turkey has passed through a period
          of massive change and development, the US  also  notes  that
          human  rights  still  remain  as a major problem for Turkey.
          /All papers/


          TURKISH FLAG BURNT IN GREEK DEMONSTRATION

          Greek supporters of the terrorist PKK organization staged  a
          protest demonstration yesterday against Turkey.  About fifty
          people shouted anti-Turkey slogans in the centre  of  Athens
          and   gathered   out-   side   the  Turkish  Embassy  there.
          Protestors carried banners with slogans showing support  for
          the   PKK   and  Kurdistan.   Women  protestors  were  quite
          prominent  in  the  crowd,   note   reports   from   Athens.
          /Hurriyet/


          TURKEY REACTS TO BELGIAN SUPPORT FOR KURDS

          Turkey has reacted strongly to Belgian support for moves  to
          establish  a  Kurdish  parliament  in exile in that country.
          Turkey has told Belgian  government  officials  that  Turkey
          will  impose  an economic embargo against Belgium and severe
          diplomatic connections by withdrawing the Turkish Ambassador
          from Brussels if the move goes ahead.  Ankara has also tried
          to enlist the support of NATO and the European  Union  (EU).
          The  government  has  also  made  it known that it views the
          formation of  a  Kurdish  parliament  as  a  threat  against
          Turkey's territorial integrity.  /Hurriyet/


          PAINT BOMB ATTACKS ON TURKISH CONSULATE

          About 100  demonstrators  attempted  to  storm  the  Turkish
          Consulate  in  the  German  city of Frankfurt yesterday, the
          Anatolia news agency reported.  Armed  with  stones,  planks
          and paint bombs, the demonstrators, most of whom wore masks,
          stoned the police car parked  in  front  of  the  Consulate,
          injuring  two officers.  The police were forced to use water
          cannons to disperse the crowd and the incident ended with 60
          of the demonstrators being taken into custody.

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