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FBIS3-57847_6 | Cetin's Foreign Policy Statement Detailed | security. Bilateral issues can also be discussed during the bilateral meetings of the foreign ministers. Turkey has no problem with Iraq. Iraq's problem is with the international community. We are of the strong belief that the 3.5 years of isolation Baghdad has suffered is enough, and all parties, particularly Iraq, should strive for this country's reintegration with the world. A delegation from the Iraqi Foreign Ministry will come to Turkey to discuss what could be done with the oil in the Yumurtalik-Karkuk pipeline. There are two major problems in this context: What will be done with Iraqi portion of the oil once it's taken out of the pipeline, and how will the pipeline be filled again to prevent damage? We are also discussing this issue with the Americans. Operation Poised Hammer (Provide Comfort) is here due to regional conditions. Its removal or continuation will not solve anything, although its going may aggravate the situation. What will solve the problem in this context is talks between the northern Iraqi leaders and the Baghdad government. Our enhanced partnership with the United States has been furthered during Prime Minister Tansu Ciller's visit to Washington and the intense diplomatic efforts which followed. Cetin went on to say that 1993 had underlined the need for new policies based on new political realities. Cetin stressed the search for a New World Order which would replace the former bipolar world. "There is little that causes us to be optimistic," he said. "On the contrary, it is clear that this period of disorder will continue in the coming days, and this situation is particularly valid for our part of the world." Stressing that "long-term planning was necessary in domestic and foreign policy," Cetin said: "In 1993, which seemed to be longer than a normal calendar year, Turkey had to deal with a multitude of foreign policy problems and crises, and at the same time. Unlike some other states, we did not have the luxury of concentrating on a single thing." He added the developments in the field of diplomacy in 1993 were not always black and white. "The problems we confronted, the lack of will in the international arena, the double standards in the world and the inaction in the face of major crises is not something Turkey can be accused of having taken part in," Cetin said responding to criticism that Turkish foreign policy had been ineffective. |
FBIS3-57849_0 | Ciller Gives News Conference in Diyarbakir | Language: Turkish Article Type:BFN [News conference by Prime Minister Tansu Ciller and Deputy Prime Minister Murat Karayalcin at Dicle University in Diyarbakir -- live] [Excerpts] [Ciller] Valuable citizens of Diyarbakir and prominent members of the press and television, I salute you. We arrived to embrace the citizens of Diyarbakir and southeast Anatolia. I want to say that the warm welcome and the support I saw made me very happy and confirmed once more the fact that we are truly a united entity. The empathy we received here constitutes our greatest force. We came here to extend support and we leave here next year, that means on 1 January, stronger than ever thanks to the devotion of our people. All we wish is to be able to protect our citizens, children, babies, and old people. Our sole wish is to be able to bring life security as well as the state and the government to the people of the region. What we witnessed here today proves that whatever happens our historical unity cannot be easily disrupted. The state is great and strong, and all our citizens from all regions are happy to belong to such a beautiful country. We are determined to bring the strength of the state to all our citizens -- be they in Diyarbakir, Izmir, or Istanbul -- who are free to live anywhere they want and when they want. For this reason, we invested 1.6 trillion Turkish lira in Diyarbakir last year and this year we are endeavoring to invest an additional 3.7 trillion Turkish lira, which has already been included in the budget. We have arrived in Diyarbakir bringing with us approval of this additional amount within the framework of planning. [passage omitted] [Unidentified correspondent] It has been reported that due to financial difficulties, there has been a stand still in the GAP [Southeast Anatolia Project]. What are your views on this issue? [Ciller] There is no slowdown in the GAP. We are aiming at bringing water to Urfa by means of an internal pipeline until summer. We had a mild backlog on this issue due to a difficulty the contractor confronted but we want to help him. We will overcome this problem by using state mechanisms and negotiating with various banks, among them the Development Bank. The income we will receive from the transportation of water will cover our additional expenses. We are determined on |
FBIS3-57849_8 | Ciller Gives News Conference in Diyarbakir | other provinces who are living in tents. Although I was not asked, I would like to make it very clear that it is our aim to extensively implement the rules of democratization in the southeast of the country as well. As the prime minister noted, it is one of our primary goals to reduce and eventually eliminate terrorism and stop the bloodshed in 1994. In conjunction with this goal, our government will undertake great leaps in the field of democratization. [passage omitted] [Unidentified correspondent] Western countries adopted a front against the PKK [Kurdish Workers Party] as a result of your visit to these countries. How long will this last? In Antalya, you stated that terrorism will be eliminated in 1994. We infer from this that the armed struggle will be intensified. If in the future, these Western countries pressure you to stop the armed struggle, then what will you do? [Ciller] Our internal affairs are our own concern. We will be the ones to make the decision. What we did vis-a-vis the outside world was to tell them there are babies, women, elderly and innocent people among our citizens living in this region. These citizens are being cruelly murdered. We must protect these people. We are not only protecting them, but in times of need we also opened our borders and provided shelter and food for 1 million of their brothers across the border. Our problem is not with the people of this region. Our problem is with a terrorist group which is preventing us from providing services, investments, and state support to the region, and which is even trying to oust the political parties and the press from the area. Let us wage this struggle against the terrorists together. Let us do this together in all parts of the world -- in Somalia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Azerbaijan, and Iraq. There is no question of us redirecting our policy in line with their various wishes, and there cannot be such a question. It must be said, however, that until now Germany wanted to stop us using their weapons in the struggle against terrorism, but now the world has realized that these people are terrorists and they are killing our innocent citizens. If our cause is just, we can continue to defend it. It is important that we should be in the right. It is important for us to reach out to our |
FBIS3-57850_0 | PKK-Related Casualty Figures for 1993 Given | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Ankara--Despite official statements that the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) received a major blow in 1993, official figures show a twofold increase in terrorist activities during the first 11 months of the year in comparison to the same period in 1992. According to official figures provided by Turkish security sources and the Interior Ministry, the number of civilians killed this year increased by 100 percent compared to last year's statistics. Official data shows that in all of 1992 there were 1,920 PKK-related incidents throughout Turkey while this figure reached 3,901 in only the first 11 months of this year. meanwhile, the civilian death toll was recorded at 1,249 as of Nov. 30, 1993, representing an increase of about 100 percent from 1992's year-end figure of 618. During the same period in 1993, a total of 676 security officials, including temporary village guards, soldiers and policemen, were killed. Last year, this figure stood at 634. Official figures, provided in writing to the TURKISH DAILY NEWS, revealed an increase in PKK casualties and injuries in 1993 with 1,552 terrorists killed and 121 wounded, in contrast to last year's figures of 1,228 killed and 52 wounded. However, the number of alleged terrorists caught by security forces so far in 1993 was 7,640 lower than the 7,908 terrorists caught in 1992. While 853 civilians were wounded in 1992, the figure rose to 1,389 in 1993. The number of wounded security personnel also increased in this year's figures. During the first 11 months of 1993, security forces confiscated 3,028 rifles, 1,221 guns, 2,164 bombs and 463,378 bullets. In all of 1992, security forces had managed to seize 3,109 rifles, 1,290 guns, 2,368 bombs and 352,959 bullets. |
FBIS3-57854_0 | EC Issue Causes Record Political Instability | Language: Norwegian Article Type:CSO [Article by Ole Nygaard: "Great Movement Within the Electorate"] [Text] The 1993 Storting election resulted in the biggest migration within the electorate since World War II. Between 1989 and 1993, 44 percent of the voters changed party. The election study of 1993 features striking figures and it shows very clearly how important the EC issue is to voters. The study was done by two election researchers, Henry Valen and Bernt Aardal, and will be published in this week's edition of Weekly Statistics from the Central Bureau of Statistics. A whopping 44 percent switched party allegiance between 1989 and 1993. This represents the lowest level of stability in any election where such facts have been recorded. In 1989 the figure was 39 percent, and in 1985, 29 percent. There can be no doubt that in the 1993 election we saw the greatest movement within the electorate since World War II. The displacement is much greater than in that other election year that was overshadowed by the EC issue: 1973. "It was in the election of 1973 that the voters' allegiance to a certain party started to cool, and this trend only intensified up until the 1993 Storting election," Aardal said. The Winners The election's winners naturally enjoy the greatest stability: 87 percent for the Center Party and 74 percent for the Labor Party. The Progress Party's level of stability is extremely low: A mere 25 percent of the party's voters from 1989 voted the same way in 1993. The Socialist Left Party also has a very low level of stability: 37 percent. "Among the larger parties it is those to the extreme right and left that suffer very low stability, even when the election result per se is not catastrophic. The other parties have much greater stability than the ones that represent themselves as alternatives," Aardal said. Historically, the Progress Party and the Socialist Left Party have had the strongest support among young voters. A mild trend in that direction continues, but both parties are now decidedly weaker among young voters than they were in 1989. First-Time Voters A full 23 percent of this year's first-time voters (18-21 years) voted for the Center Party. That is four times as many as in 1989 when only 6 percent did. The Labor Party continues to be weak among this group of voters, getting only 20 percent, as opposed to |
FBIS3-57870_0 | Bani Sadr Alleges Complicity Between France, Iran | Language: French Article Type:BFN [Veziane de Vezins report: "The Cold Fury of Bani Sadr -- At His Home in Versailles, the Former President Deposed by the Mullahs Does Not Mince His Words"] [Text] While the presumed assassins of the opponent of the Tehran regime, Kazem Rajavi, are heading back to Tehran, one Iranian, the vestige of an attempt at democracy, and the most highly profiled target of the mullahs' regime, is boiling with indignation in his freezing house in Versailles. The former president of the Iranian Republic, Abolhassan Bani Sadr, who came to power in 1981, only to be deposed by the parliament 18 months later, rants and raves in his own particular manner, [which is] both oriental and Parisian. Without dropping his shy smile and virtual whisper, he said: "The government is respecting neither its laws, nor the European extradition treaty. Not so long ago, it was committed to `terrorizing the terrorists.' Who said this is the country of human rights?" Not just anybody who so desires can gain access to the large white building, but the excessive zeal is out of place. In front of the railings there is a police car. Behind them, in the garden, there is a CRS [state security police] bus, converted into a spartan antechamber, for security checks. Visitors are always searched, but the few policemen and CRS officers guarding the former president confirm that neither the numbers of personnel nor the security precautions themselves have been stepped up. A secretary wearing jeans comes to fetch visitors on the steps, ushers them through a small door, and guides them along the white corridors into a bare lounge. The windows, in front of which two frozen cypress trees sway in the wind, give out onto the Jewish cemetery. "During the 10 years we have been here," the secretary assures me, "we have grown used to the cold and solitude." Hypothesis The master of the house, who was granted political asylum in France, presses on angrily. How can the French government's refusal to extradite Mohsen Sharif Espahani and Ahmad Taheri to Switzerland be explained? Bani Sadr evokes the choice between fear of a new wave of terrorist activity and deliberate complicity. "Fear? I do not think so. Every time a government gives in to a terrorist state it is encouraging acts of violence. When Naccache was sent back to Iran they assassinated Bakhtiar. And look |
FBIS3-57876_0 | Berlusconi Interviewed on Economic Objectives | Language: Italian Article Type:BFN [Interview with Fininvest President Silvio Berlusconi by Mario Sechi; place and date not given: "Berlusconi: There Is a Limit to Taxes"] [Text] He has not tasted the bitter cup yet but he already wants to change the Constitution to put the brakes on a tax mechanism that has gone crazy and is chopping up the savings of Italians. Silvio Berlusconi proposes a maximum tax levy (35 percent) and his allies are [National Rebirth Pact leader] Mariotto Segni (who has criticized Ciampi's maneuver), [Radical leader] Pannella, and the Northern League. And those who thought that Berlusconi was ready to incite a tax revolt, perhaps being struck by [League ideologue] Miglio's ideas, have been disappointed. The Knight [Berlusconi nickname] has made [Democratic Party of the Left (PDS) Secretary] Occhetto's and [PDS Deputy Secretary] D'Alema's moustaches stand on end with these words: "More than 47 percent of what we produce ends up in the State's coffers. This means that each Italian works from 1 January to 28 July for the government and works for his family only from 29 July on." The PDS response was immediate. [Sechi] Occhetto has called your proposals demagoguery and has added: "Berlusconi should tell me how many old people he wants to turn out into the street, how many schools and hospitals he wants to close." What is your reply? [Berlusconi] What old people on the street. How dare Occhetto talk of old people. He is the one who has contributed to destroying the real value of wages and pensions by forcing old people to live in poverty, by being the accomplice of a system that should have been opposed and not supported by an opposition party. My proposal focuses on increasing wealth and employment in Italy. It has been primarily the demagogic choices made by the PCI [Italian Communist Party] and the PDS that have damaged the national economy. [Sechi] The tax ceiling is just the foretaste of a broader program for economic recovery. Can you provide an outline, give an anticipation of some points to our readers? [Berlusconi] The program we are working on is at an advanced stage and will be made public in due course. The only anticipation I feel like giving is that it is a change in course compared to what has happened over the past 10-15 years. Our objective is to restore to Italians the liberties that |
FBIS3-57887_0 | PKK Members Reportedly Train at Camps in Armenia | Language: Turkish Article Type:BFN [Report by Gorsel Polat: "PKK Will Attack With ASALA in the Spring"] [Text] Ankara--It has been reported that the Kurdish Workers Party [PKK] members, who train in several camps in Armenia, and ASALA [Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia] militants will carry out joint operations against Turkey through Armenia's border in the spring. The General Directorate of Police has compiled a file on "PKK activities in Armenia." A document in the file notes that the PKK established its camps around villages close to Turkey's border, villages that are mostly inhabited by Kurdish citizens and Armenians who are hostile to the Turkish people. The file indicates that the PKK members are training with the ASALA militants in al-Biqa' valley in Lebanon and the Zeli camp in northern Iraq. Regarding PKK's links with the Armenians, it said: 1. The terrorist ASALA militants have trained the PKK members in the PKK camps in Jordan [as published] and Syria, recruited new members for that organization, and supplied arms and other required material to them. ASALA continues to support the PKK. 2. PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan is supported by Armenia and ASALA. He personally supervises PKK's links with Armenia. Ocalan has established training camps near Armenian villages close to Turkey's border. His militants train in those camps at the present time. The Armenian Government is aware of PKK activities and supports them. PKK training camps are located around villages close to Turkey's border, which are mostly inhabited by Kurdish citizens and Armenians who are hostile to the Turkish people. 3. It is believed that the PKK members and ASALA militants, who train in those camps, will attack Turkey through Armenia's border in the near future (beginning in spring 1994). The file noted that the Armenian Government is aware of the support given to the PKK in Armenia. The following Armenian villages are listed as having helped the PKK: Mirek, Ria Taza, Elegis, Shengavit, Derek, Afsin, Suphan, Chumyshvan, and Senger in Aragats district; Baradzh, Hakko, Gelto, Sorik, Kabaktapa, Tellik, and Sechanly in Amri Taze, Talin district; Ferik in Baysyz Echmiadzin district, and Samiran in Ashtarak district. |
FBIS3-57888_0 | Ankara Reportedly Ready To Receive Iraqi Delegation | Language: Turkish Article Type:BFN [Report by Muharrem Sarikaya: "First Official Contact With Iraq"] [Text] Ankara--The Turkish Grand National Assembly passed the government bill on the extension of the Hammer Force mandate yesterday. Meanwhile, the government conveyed a message to the Baghdad administration informing it that Ankara is prepared to receive a delegation from Iraq headed by an under secretary. Foreign Minister Hikmet Cetin said: "They have asked for talks for a long time. We have responded to their request. The matter is not very important. The question of the oil pipeline between the two countries will be discussed." According to Foreign Ministry circles, for a long time the Baghdad administration had asked Turkey at every opportunity to agree to an official visit. However, considering the UN embargo on Iraq, Ankara has rejected the request so far. The Oil in the Pipeline Will Be Withdrawn The Foreign Ministry officials have said that the main topic at the talks with the visiting delegation, which will be headed by an under secretary, will be the pipeline. They recalled that Prime Minister Tansu Ciller convinced the U.S. Administration when she visited the United States of the need to withdraw the oil in the pipeline between Karkuk and Yumurtalik and said: "The only problem on the matter is the question of sharing the oil that will be withdrawn from the pipeline. The UN officials have proposed that the sides concerned each receive one-third of the oil in the pipeline. However, we have proposed that Turkey receive 50 percent of that oil. We shall discuss the matter with the Baghdad administration. Iraq maintains an approach in Turkey's favor. We are trying to convince the UN officials to agree. The United States is involved in the matter. Meanwhile, the UN secretary general's decision has to be considered. If he agrees, then Turkey will receive 50 percent of the oil in the pipeline." The officials also said that the developments in northern Iraq will be discussed with the visiting delegation. They asserted: "We have said at every opportunity that Iraq must not be divided. We shall outline our views on the developments in northern Iraq and the need for Baghdad's compliance with the UN resolutions." |
FBIS3-57893_0 | _o_ Media Notes: Relations With Skopje Discussed | Article Type:CSO [Editorial Report] Developments in the Balkans have been the subject of reporting and commentary in the Greek press. U.S. Role in Balkans Favored In the 12 December Athens weekly TO VIMA TIS KIRIAKIS, Nikos Marakis reports on the views of the Greek Government and the opposition regarding the role the United States and the European Union (EU) should play in the Balkans. In a departure from past policy, Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou now believes that Greek interests in the Balkans and elsewhere are served "almost exclusively" by a complete harmonization of Greek and U.S. foreign policy. This view, Marakis says, is shared by Minister of Foreign Affairs Karolos Papoulias and Minister of Defense Yerasimos Arsenis. Marakis also writes about the discussion of the issue within the opposition New Democracy (ND). Party luminary Andreas Andrianopoulos believes that Washington, to establish "control" over the southern Balkans, will promote the establishment of a new Yugoslav federation under Serbian hegemony including the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). According to Marakis, Andrianopoulos worries that aligning Greek policy too closely with that of the United States might involve the country in a potentially "explosive" contest for influence in the Balkans, pitting France and Germany against the United States. Another ND luminary, Yeoryios Souflias, argues that Greece should follow its natural pro-European orientation and simultaneously maintain good relations with the United States, Marakis writes. A contrasting view is held by ND official and former Minister of Defense Ioannis Varvitsiotis who, according to Marakis, believes that the U.S. reaction to former Prime Minister Konstandinos Mitsotakis' Balkans policy was so negative that Washington succeeded in engineering the fall of the Mitsotakis government. Varvitsiotis represents an "anti-Atlantic" faction in the ND which includes almost all Eurodeputies and deputies from areas favored by EU grants, Marakis writes. FYROM Recognition by European Countries Viewed The decision by six European countries to establish diplomatic relations with the FYROM stems from their disdain for Greek demands, Thodhoros Rousopoulos writes in the 19 December Athens KIRIAKATIKI ELEVTHEROTIPIA. Even Sweden and Finland, whose application for European Union membership will be reviewed during the Greek EU presidency, were part of this initiative. While a Greek veto on membership is unlikely, Rousopoulos cites Ministry of Foreign Affairs sources as saying that Greece may use delaying tactics to postpone entry of these countries in the EU. According to Rousopoulos, however, Greece lacks leverage in the EU, |
FBIS3-57896_0 | Ankara, Brussels Disagree on PKK Incidents | Language: French Article Type:BFN [Article by Agnes Gorissen and Alain Guillaume: "Ankara and Brussels Split Over Interpretation of Incidents"] [Excerpt] The violent clashes that took place this weekend between groups of Turks and Kurds in the Brussels communes of Saint-Josse and Schaerbeek have had rapid repercussions. On Monday morning [2 January], the Turkish Government issued a communique stating that the Belgian authorities were responsible for the incidents. They were responsible firstly for allowing Kurdish intellectuals from Bonn -- whom the Turkish Government claims are supporters of the separatist Workers Party of Kurdistan [PKK] -- to "demonstrate in an area with a large Turkish population," and then for "laying the way open for the spread of such incidents" by the decision not to ban the PKK in Belgium, as has been done in France and Germany. In particular, the Turkish Government was outraged by the "inadmissible" statement of Belgian Interior Minister Louis Tobback who had "shifted the blame" for these incidents onto the Turks. The result was a veritable diplomatic merry-go-round, with the charge d'affaires at the Belgian Embassy in Ankara being summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry while Belgian Foreign Minister Willy Claes received the Turkish ambassador before speaking directly with his Turkish counterpart, Mr. Hikmet Cetin. According to the semi-official Turkish press agency, ANATOLIA, Mr. Cetin again stressed the need to extend the ban on the PKK to cover Belgium. The same source claims that Mr. Claes, for his part, stated that the demonstrators would be "expelled" from Belgium and that Brussels "in no way accepted the use of violence," adding that his government "would not tolerate terrorism and terrorists." These reported statements were quickly denied by Willy Claes, who made it known that any possible expulsions could only be decided on in agreement with the other government departments. This statement was in line with the moderate tone taken yesterday afternoon by the foreign minister when he received -- another sign -- a delegation from the Union for the Protection of the Kurdish Culture [YRWK], which had organized Saturday's meeting. According to the Foreign Ministry communique, "the delegation informed the minister of the Kurdish people's hopes for the recognition of its identity." In response, Mr. Claes "expressed his understanding for the Kurdish problem but condemned the use of force as a way of fighting political battles." The minister added that "Belgium, with its tradition of hospitality for political refugees," |
FBIS3-57897_1 | Sudan's Ambassador on Expulsion, Bilateral Relations | first place. [Yasin] Well I'm really sad for being expelled from the United Kingdom because of the retaliation to what has been done by my government, but it is known in international practice in a situation like this, but I thought the British Government would have thought otherwise by substituting Peter Streams with somebody else. [Snow] Let's get to the nub of this, because Peter Streams is accused of basically having hammered the human rights issue, which very many people feel very strongly about. Not just Britain but many other Western nations in particular, have voiced their concerns, and surely that, at the end of it, has made him an unpopular ambassador with you? [Yasin] Well, in fact he was stressing human rights issues, but he was very much exaggerating on issues which were only based on heresay. You know, he doesn't have direct evidence to condemn my government. He was just a good and observant listener of people from the opposition and he was making prejudgments in cases which could not be proved. [Snow] Well, he was hardly a lone voice. The Amnesty International has a list of cases of grave concern in Sudan and of course the civil war itself is thrown up the most awful realities of human rights abuse. [Yasin] Well, I must tell you maybe some people are exceeding the polls here or there but it was under absolute control of my government, and my government has opened the doors and all the avenues for any person from outside to see for himself, and the archbishop has been given the opportunity to see for himself the tolerance and freedom for everybody to worship whatever religion he chooses. The situation in Sudan is, we are not hiding anything. [Snow] Is there now a sense of regret that the Islamic fundamentalism practices that the government indulged in up until the last year or two have perhaps gone too far? [Yasin] Well, I can't see any sort of fundamentalist practices that would be reproached or blamed in Sudan; it is just an allegation. Sudan is living in a very civilized situation now. We are far better than any other country in the continent of Africa or even the Middle East. If you can name any country better than the Sudan now, I will admit to what you have said. [Snow] Ambassador, on that note, thank you very much. |
FBIS3-57902_0 | Cetin Warns Against PKK Incidents in Europe | Language: Turkish Article Type:BFN [Announcer-read report over video] [Text] Foreign Minister Hikmet Cetin has said that the incidents in Belgium show us the proportions that such incidents might attain in the event the separatist terror organization is not banned in the other European countries as well. Cetin was replying to an off agenda speech delivered by Baki Durmaz, True Path Party deputy from Afyon, at the Turkish Grand National Assembly that met under Yasin Hatipoglu today. He said: [Begin Cetin recording] While our workers employed in Europe are deprived of the right of free movement, certain countries grant the right of free circulation to terror organizations. This stand, of course, has begun to disrupt the public order in the countries concerned. Some 200 militants arriving from Germany caused the recent incidents in Brussels. Following these incidents, the Foreign Ministry has taken all the necessary steps, be they at headquarters or in Brussels, and has shown the necessary reaction and interest. In a bid to contain the incidents, all the personnel at our embassy and our consulate general as well as all the religious personnel and teachers in the region have tried to soften and ease the situation. Certain Belgian press organs or officials are trying to give the impression that the incidents occurred between ethnic groups. The issue is not a Turkish-Kurdish clash. The issue is not a clash among our citizens. It is an incident that occurred between a terror organization and our citizens. [end recording] Referring to the phone conversation he held with the Belgian foreign minister yesterday, Cetin recalled that he told the minister that if measures are not taken the incidents might spread to other European cities as well. He added that the issue will be brought up again at the NATO member countries meeting to be held on Sunday [9 January]. |
FBIS3-57905_0 | Turkes' Group To Attack Kurdish `Mafia' in Europe | Language: Turkish Article Type:BFN [Report by Mehmet Salih Ceviker] [Text] Frankfurt -- There are indications that the Idealist [Turkish right-wing organization affiliated with the Grey Wolves of Alparslan Turkes] mafia in Germany is getting ready to attack the Kurdish mafia. A source that once was a member of MHP's [National Movement Party] European organization said that the attacks will be "directed against prominent Kurds in the narcotics business." The attacks are being organized from Germany. There are indications that Kurdish businessmen who have considerable control over the narcotics business in Frankfurt are the primary targets. It was also reported that operations are also planned against the Kurdish businessmen and PKK [Kurdish Workers Party] leaders in other cities. It is being said that MHP leader Alparslan Turkes has moved to activate the Turkish Federation, which is MHP's side organization in Europe. It is being said that Turkes has issued the following instruction: "We started the operation in Turkey. Now, it is time to act in Europe. We will definitely go into action." The Turkish Federation has been rapidly losing ground in recent years. The grass roots of the Turkish Federation have been to a great extent taken over and organized by other extreme right-wing organizations. There are indications that "dergahs" [courts] organized abroad by a team operating under Muhsin Yazicioglu, leader of Grand Unity Party, have gathered most MHP members around them. Turkes Was in Frankfurt on 25 December It is being reported that Turkes held a number of meetings during his visit 25-26 December visit to Germany. It is being said that Turkes was introduced to people to be used in the operations, and that he even said the following to these people: "The Turkish people need you and your experience. Trust in the Federation and make your preparations." There are indications that after many years, the Turkish Federation has started to gather "fanatic and arms-carrying" militants. It is being reported that these people are constantly subjected to the propaganda that "the Kurds are collecting protection money from the Turks, that is, from people close to us. How long could we remain spectators to this?" and that they have been given certain names as their targets. It was learned that they have particularly targeted a certain Huseyin and a certain Erdal in Frankfurt, the Kurdish mafia godfathers. In the meantime, efforts are under way to "improve relations" between MIT [Turkish |
FBIS3-57906_0 | Kinkel Discusses Ban on Kurdish Terrorist Group | Language: Turkish Article Type:BFN ["Text" of exclusive interview with German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel by MILLIYET correspondent Regaip Minareci in Bonn; date not given] [Text] Bonn--[Minareci] Germany was the first country to describe the Kurdish Workers Party [PKK] as a terrorist organization and ban its activities. Meanwhile, it has encouraged several countries in Europe to close down the Kurdish organizations in them. A widespread view behind the political scenes in Turkey is that Germany expects Turkey to reciprocate. [Kinkel] No, expecting something in return from Turkey is out of the question. I have always wanted to have the PKK activities banned. I am glad that that has been done now. The legal requirements for and the possible outcome of banning associations in Germany, which is governed on the basis of a liberal constitution, have to be debated in detail. That is essential. The significant wave of agitation throughout Germany on 4 November should have convinced everyone that remaining inactive against the militant Kurdish groups, which wanted to achieve their objective through violence, was no longer possible. They posed a threat to Germany's security and public order. They also posed a threat to peaceful coexistence in Germany. We cannot allow the internal disputes in Turkey to be transferred to our country. Nor do we wish to allow that to happen. We respect the rights of the Turkish citizens in Germany. However, we must not be expected to adopt an understanding approach on acts of violence. [Minareci] The CSCE countries have agreed to ban terrorist activities in Europe. Turkey has tried during the past eight years to explain to the West that the PKK is a terrorist organization. However, terrorist activities have only been banned very recently. Can you explain the reason for that state of affairs? [Kinkel] The CSCE countries condemned terrorism in the statement that was made at the end of the Helsinki summit in 1992. They stressed that they were prepared to closely cooperate on the matter. The German Government fully supported that political undertaking. However, I reject the view that the German officials remained completely inactive before the PKK activities were banned. The police, judicial organs, and other official establishments always took action against illegal activities. They brought those who broke the law to account. It is common knowledge that several courts in Germany have been hearing penal cases against the PKK members for many years, regardless of |
FBIS3-57907_1 | Kinkel Notes Plans To Ease Arms Export Controls | exports easier. According to information obtained by our Bonn office, talks on this have been conducted between the Defense, Economics, and Foreign Ministries. Yesterday the Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union [CDU/CSU] parliamentary group spoke in favor of easing the export provisions. The Social Democratic Party announced its resistance to this. Gerd H. Pelletier reports. [Pelletier] One day after the move forward by CDU deputies toward relaxing the arms export provisions, today it was revealed that the ministries concerned -- defense, economics, and foreign -- have been dealing with the European harmonization of the tricky issue for weeks already. The confidential file has lain at the Federal Chancellery since before the Christmas period. It says that a ruling on dual-use exports is urgent. For example, we have the case of the Libyan toxic gas factory in Rabta, which the German company Imhausen Chemie claimed was a fertilizer plant. When the deal was uncovered, company head Hippenstiel was sentenced and regulations on granting export permits were tightened drastically. All-European guidelines are being called for in this area. But Ruehe's Defense Ministry also wants to make it easier for the arms industry to export. Kinkel's Foreign Ministry, however, would prefer to adhere to the Arms Export Control Act of 1982. For example, if the British partners require the future Eurofighter to be desertworthy, the German manufacturing partners will know that it was to be sold outside the NATO area. Must our arms export restrictions be relaxed for that reason? [Begin Kinkel recording] For some time we have been considering in the responsible ministries -- in cooperation between the Foreign Ministry and the Defense Ministry -- how we can deal with this sticky issue. We mustn't rush at it. We will look at the CDU/CSU proposals, which have now been submitted, in addition to our own ideas, and then decide in good time. [end recording] [Pelletier] The arms industry does not want to wait that long. European reality: The company Eurocopter is a DASA enterprise with French majority ownership. The German partners cannot and do not want to know where the French parent company, Aerospatiale, is selling the combat helicopters. Whatever happens, it is thought less likely that the European partners will give in to the cautious German arms export restrictions in the short or long term. It is more likely that the compromise will lie in the gradual relaxing of these German provisions. |
FBIS3-57908_1 | CDU/CSU Faults Strict Controls | a newspaper that the German arms export guidelines put German companies at a disadvantage: "Thousands of jobs and high-tech know-how that are of enormous importance for the civilian industry threaten to be lost." Lamers demands a uniform European Union [EU] policy on arms exports. This is also mentioned as an objective in the section on joint foreign and security policy of the Maastricht Treaty. Lamers said that, due to the resistance of other European states, however, the high German standards cannot be maintained in Brussels. Bonn's attempts to facilitate arms exports through Brussels meet with strong resistance from the Social Democratic Party of Germany [SPD]. SPD Bundestag group manager Peter Struck said the constitution demands that the Bundestag be consulted by the Federal Government first. The constitutional amendment passed when the Maastricht Treaty was ratified says: "The Federal Government, before agreeing to an introduction of new laws by the EU, gives the Bundestag the opportunity to comment. The Federal Government bases its negotiations on these comments." Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, deputy SPD chairwoman and European affairs expert, accused the government of negotiating a softening up of arms export guidelines in the European Council of Ministers, "behind the Bundestag's back, ignoring the constitution, and excluding the public." The government is "by no means entitled to do this." The Economics Ministry denies negotiating uniform export guidelines for traditional armament products within the EU. These negotiations only refer to dual-use products. This means products that can be used for both civilian and military purposes, such as machinery, special steels, and pesticides. Reinhard Goehner, government coordinator for aerospace and space technology, has repeatedly said that it will not be possible to maintain the strict German export regulations. Negotiations on dual-use products have reached the final stage. The German guidelines for traditional arms and dual-use products were tightened after the second Gulf war in early 1991. UN inspectors had discovered that a large share of Iraqi dictator Saddam Husayn's arms supply came from German companies. Since then, the German arms industry constantly complained about disadvantages compared to other countries, especially France and Great Britain. Arms producers from these countries have blamed the Germans for being unreliable, the German arms industry said. Over the past four years, 280,000 jobs were lost in the armament industry. Yet, according to the Stockholm-based SIPRI Institute, with a 3.1 billion-mark turnover, Germany was still the world's third largest arms exporter in 1992. |
FBIS3-57911_1 | Editorial on International Withdrawal from Bosnia | Article Type:BFN [Unattributed editorial: "Discouragement"] [Text] It is not yet headlong flight, but the signs pointing to a withdrawal of the international community from the Yugoslav conflict are growing clearer. The early recall -- at his request -- of General Francis Briquemont, head of the "Blue Helmets" in Bosnia-Herzegovina, is one of the clearest signs of a state of mind which is rapidly spreading: Discouragement at the glaring failure of any international initiative. Shortly before the announcement of the Belgian general's departure, Jean Cot, his immediate superior, had given in to a display of revolt against the "humiliations" his men constantly have to endure. The UN Protection Forces [UNPROFOR], the "armed wing" of an international community that has never been dazzling in its coherence in the two years and six months the war in the former Yugoslavia has lasted, has been tossed about by the contradictory stances and false threats for which it suffers the terrible consequences on the ground. People like General Cot or General Briquemont can, with some legitimacy, wonder what they are doing in the Yugoslav mess when they are deprived of the means of ensuring respect for any Security Council resolution and when all their requests for reinforcements are rejected. The disquiet felt among the "Blue Helmets" can only increase, given the many admissions of failure by diplomats and the statements referring more and more specifically to a forthcoming withdrawal of the UNPROFOR if no progress is made in the negotiations over the next two months -- as European mediator David Owen has just stressed. And although the French political officials have demonstrated splendid ambiguity on this subject, the Canadians have been very clear in announcing that they "would reexamine" their presence in Bosnia in April. It is difficult to see how the western countries will succeed in extricating themselves from the deadlock in which they have been caught. The alternative now facing them has no encouraging aspect when every prospect of peace is receding: Either they withdraw the "Blue Helmets" and henceforth take no interest in the conflict and its victims, or they decide to provide themselves with the means of a real intervention and run the risk of a daunting ensnarement. In both cases, moreover, Europe is likely to pay very dearly for the political impotence it has shown since June 1991: by extending the conflict in a region that has always been explosive. |
FBIS3-57922_0 | Turkish Embassy Reportedly Involved in Clashes | Language: French Article Type:BFN [Article by Alain Guillaumme and Alain Lallemand: "Clashes in Brussels: Agitators Come From Everywhere -- French-Speaking Community Subsidized Grey Wolves"] [Text] Foreign Minister Willy Claes and Interior Minister Louis Tobback met Monday [3 January] and Tuesday with representatives of the Turkish and Kurdish communities, and calm returned to the hot spots in the capital. Late Wednesday morning, the Kurds -- who met yesterday with the European commissioner responsible for external relations -- are due to hold talks with members of the European Parliament, then give a news conference. Afterward, without having held a demonstration, they are scheduled to leave Belgian territory. Some already left yesterday, though. Louis Tobback was satisfied with this outcome: "I listened to the explanations and demands of the Kurdish representatives here in Brussels. These questions fall under the scope of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I personally am responsible for public order. I am happy we have found some common ground, and I have no reason to fear that the agreements we reached will not be respected." Otherwise, however, the interior minister stuck to his previous statements. From his point of view, according to the information gathered by the Gendarmerie and the National Security Service, there are serious reasons to believe that the events in Brussels are not spontaneous. The presence of several agitators, including the Turkish nationalist movement called Grey Wolves, had been established. Nonetheless, Louis Tobback says the information at his disposal calls for discretion, but he is prepared to pass it on to Parliament. According to our sources, the Gendarmerie and National Security Service think they noticed "personnel" with close links to the Turkish Embassy (or its consulates) at the riot sites. These persons supposedly "guided" the crowds, sometimes pushing them onto the streets, sometimes persuading them to return home. On the Kurdish side, as Louis Tobback confirmed, the police also noticed a strong presence of members of extreme left-wing Belgian groups. Furthermore, it would seem that in 1993, and to an even greater extent in 1992, the famous Grey Wolves actually received subsidies from both the cultural administration and the administration of social affairs of the French-speaking Community! This fact was confirmed Tuesday by the cabinets of Minister Robert Collignon and Minister Magda De Galan, who at the time were in charge of granting the subsidy in question. The reaction of a dumbfounded Louis Tobback was as follows: |
FBIS3-57938_1 | Demirel Cited on Foreign Issues, Election, PKK "No One Can Run in the Name of the PKK, for the State Knows Everything" | one knows. But our defense system is flexible. It could readjust at any time. Of course, a new assessment of a threat will be made eventually. I believe the General Staff will brief us on this issue in the first week of January. [Yalcin] Assuming Turkey can engage in political activity over a wider area when there are two superpowers, will the new situation benefit Turkey? Can Turkey act more freely if Zhirinovskiy makes further claims against the West? [Demirel] It doesn't much look that way. Zhirinovskiy's views, first, are targeted against Turkey and Central Asia. Let us put it this way: Zhirinovskiy is the mouthpiece of a group of people who are uncomfortable with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, although how his utterances could be put into practice is something different. These are people who want to revive the empire, although not in its excessive communist form, which can't be done. Already, there are nearly 30 million Russians outside Russia. Russia openly expressed its interest in these people in the near abroad. The Russians make up 38 percent of Kazakhstan. They constitute 20 percent in Kyrgyzstan. Efforts to recreate the Russian empire have considerably unsettled officials in these republics. They already had such fears. Change in Essence of Relations With Iran [Yalcin] Looking at the Middle East, are we seeing a change in the essence of the relations among Turkey, Iran, and Syria or is this a simple improvement in ordinary relations? There have been reports of late that joint operations could be undertaken in Iran and Iraq and that signs in this direction are being observed. Was this a qualitative jump? [Demirel] There is some information to the effect that the PKK [Workers Party of Kurdistan] has settled in Iran. These were rumors for a while and Iran rejected them. Later, the situation was explained to Iran. Incidents that might have happened over there would have concerned them. Upon that, a major rapprochement took place. I held a long conversation with Hashemi-Rafsanjani in Tehran last year. I also held a long conversation with him when he visited Istanbul for the ECO [Economic Cooperation Organization] meeting. Our foreign minister went to Iran and their's came here. All these things are good, but there is also an agreement that goes back to 1932. If they [the PKK] are there, let us launch an operation against them. We have reached |
FBIS3-57943_0 | Ciller's Talks With Clinton Previewed; PKK Developments | Language: Turkish Article Type:BFN [Column by Ertugrul Ozkok: "The Days That Will Decide the PKK's Fate"] [Excerpt] Internal Affairs Minister Nahit Mentese will leave for Syria in the next few days. Police Director General Mehmet Agar was supposed to visit that country two weeks ago. However, it was decided that Mentese should visit Damascus instead. The visit will be important for Turkey and Syria because relations between the two countries have reached a crucial point. Turkey and Syria previously promised to help each other on security matters. It is now time to implement what has been promised. PKK Leader Ocalan's Press Conference Turkey recently received unconfirmed reports from Syria that indicate that Workers Party of Kurdistan [PKK] leader Abdullah Ocalan is under some kind of custody. Meanwhile, it is common knowledge that Kemal Burkay, secretary general of the Kurdistan Socialist Party, who is in northern Iraq, has not been able to secure a visa from Damascus to visit Syria. A more interesting report is that Damascus has prevented Semdin Sakik, one of PKK's most important militants in Turkey, from holding talks with Abdullah Ocalan in Syria. All this indicates that Ocalan's freedom has been restricted and that the state of affairs has placed the PKK in a difficult position. Two weeks ago, it was announced that Abdullah Ocalan would hold a press conference, but he has not done so in the last two weeks. Ocalan will not find it easy to hold a press conference because Turkish intelligence units are watching his activities closely. He will find it difficult to maintain his security when he leaves his hideout. In view of that, he can only hold a press conference under Syria's protection. Reports were received some time ago that Ocalan planned to hold a press conference in northern Iraq, but northern Iraq is not a safe place for him. This is a fact. For Ocalan, only Patriotic Union of Kurdistan leader Jalal Talabani is a friendly force in northern Iraq. It is common knowledge that Democratic Party of Kurdistan leader Mas'ud Barzani and his supporters are not friendly with Ocalan. In view of that, it would be difficult for Ocalan to cross into northern Iraq to hold a press conference. The Ciller-Clinton-al-Asad Triangle Nahit Mentese's visit to Damascus will take place at a critical time. Turkey wants to be informed about Ocalan's situation. Prime Minister Tansu Ciller said last week |
FBIS3-57946_0 | Poll Shows Pasqua's Popularity on Rise | Language: French Article Type:CSO [Article by Charles Rebois: "Pasqua's Rise in the Polls"] [Excerpts] Although jobs remain the French people's top priority, public safety is also one of their major concerns. They said as much--in spectacular fashion--on the FIGARO MAGAZINE-SOFRES [French Opinion Polling Company] barometer in December by their vote on the performance of Interior Minister Charles Pasqua, who gained 15 points, with 59 percent wishing to see him play a major role in the future compared to 44 percent the previous month. The raid carried out on the premises of the FIS [Islamic Salvation Front]; the expulsion of the Turkish imam of Nantua; the police operation against the Kurds of the PKK [Workers' Party of Kurdistan]; and Pasqua's statement (made over TF-1 [French Television-Channel 1] on 21 November during the "Seven on Seven" program) to the effect that "France will no longer allow, on its soil, activities likely to harm its interests," constituted a veritable "Pasqua festival" and fulfilled the wishes of the very large segment of the public that voted massively for the right last March. The French people are also praising this cabinet minister for having acquired the constitutional means for ending the abuse of the right to asylum. At the political level, Charles Pasqua is seeing his influence grow. As one of the trio who heads the honors list of the leading figures of the right, he is closing fast behind Edouard Balladur and is within one point of Simone Veil. His actions contradict those--both within the majority and on the left--who criticize the government's policy on grounds that it is not bold enough. These actions also tend over time to marginalize the National Front by taking away one of its principal electoral arguments. The intensity of the pro-public safety sentiment is also confirmed by Pierre Mehaignerie's six-point rise in the poll. The French people approve of the keeper of the seals [justice minister], who dared to brave the hostility of the legal profession by introducing a bill that prescribes life imprisonment for rapists who murder their child victims. Most of the leading figures of the right are not lagging behind. The prime minister continues to rise in the poll, scoring a gain of five points: 65 percent of those polled have confidence in him, compared to 31 percent who do not. This score places him out of range of the criticism of an evanescent left. |
FBIS3-57948_1 | Firm Allegedly Helped FRG Arms Producer Evade Bans | pretending to import the weapons into Britain as the "end-user" and then exporting them to their real destinations, many of which were affected by German, and in some cases, international embargoes. Sources close to the prosecution have told the INDEPENDENT that they have evidence of 50 examples over 10 years. The case is focusing on a shipment of 1,100 Heckler & Koch machine-guns, some of which were seized in Italy in 1987 on their way to the United Arab Emirates, a destination banned under German law. Their true destination, however, was thought to be Iraq, according to the Italian police, who made the original arrests in 1987. The ship, which had sailed from Liverpool, was sailing under the flag of Qatar and the police noted 17 officers of the Iraqi Navy among the 23 sailors. The court has been told that the guns were allegedly assembled from German parts at the Royal Ordnance small arms division's factory in Enfield, north London. Royal Ordnance added the firing pins to the finished weapons and procured false documents showing they were destined for use in Britain. The prosecution has claimed that Royal Ordnance's role was to "build a smokescreen." Walter Lamp, the managing director of Heckler & Koch, based in Oberndorf, in Baden-Wuerttemberg, is pleading not guilty to breaching German law on weapons exports, arguing that he was not personally responsible for export licensing. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison. Apart from shipments to the Middle East, German customs officials have alleged at the trial that Royal Ordnance was involved as a "middleman" helping Heckler & Koch to export guns to East Germany. At least 300 Heckler & Koch weapons have been found since reunification in the possession of the former communist security forces and police. Parts allegedly went from Oberndorf to England, where the guns were assembled and then shipped to Rostock. The prosecution has issued a statement stating that Heckler & Koch weapons were also found in Nicaragua in the possession of the Contra guerrillas in 1986. The statement alleges that the weapons went via Royal Ordnance. The case, which has been adjourned for Christmas, has attracted extensive media attention in Germany. Sources close to the German prosecution are not clear to what extent the British Government knew of the company's alleged activities with Heckler & Koch before its 1987 privatisation and sale to British Aerospace. |
FBIS3-57948_2 | Firm Allegedly Helped FRG Arms Producer Evade Bans | over 10 years. The case is focusing on a shipment of 1,100 Heckler & Koch machine-guns, some of which were seized in Italy in 1987 on their way to the United Arab Emirates, a destination banned under German law. Their true destination, however, was thought to be Iraq, according to the Italian police, who made the original arrests in 1987. The ship, which had sailed from Liverpool, was sailing under the flag of Qatar and the police noted 17 officers of the Iraqi Navy among the 23 sailors. The court has been told that the guns were allegedly assembled from German parts at the Royal Ordnance small arms division's factory in Enfield, north London. Royal Ordnance added the firing pins to the finished weapons and procured false documents showing they were destined for use in Britain. The prosecution has claimed that Royal Ordnance's role was to "build a smokescreen." Walter Lamp, the managing director of Heckler & Koch, based in Oberndorf, in Baden-Wuerttemberg, is pleading not guilty to breaching German law on weapons exports, arguing that he was not personally responsible for export licensing. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison. Apart from shipments to the Middle East, German customs officials have alleged at the trial that Royal Ordnance was involved as a "middleman" helping Heckler & Koch to export guns to East Germany. At least 300 Heckler & Koch weapons have been found since reunification in the possession of the former communist security forces and police. Parts allegedly went from Oberndorf to England, where the guns were assembled and then shipped to Rostock. The prosecution has issued a statement stating that Heckler & Koch weapons were also found in Nicaragua in the possession of the Contra guerrillas in 1986. The statement alleges that the weapons went via Royal Ordnance. The case, which has been adjourned for Christmas, has attracted extensive media attention in Germany. Sources close to the German prosecution are not clear to what extent the British Government knew of the company's alleged activities with Heckler & Koch before its 1987 privatisation and sale to British Aerospace. In 1991, Royal Ordnance bought Heckler & Koch. British Aerospace told the INDEPENDENT: "The alleged events took place before Royal Ordnance purchased Heckler & Koch. It is an individual that is on trial, not the company, and it is inappropriate for British Aerospace to comment any further." |
FBIS3-57961_2 | Lamassoure on European Enlargement, Schengen | in France. These are small firms, but all the same. In the paper sector, we have seen prices collapse and some large French companies are on the verge of bankruptcy. We have decided to closely monitor imports from Finland. At the same time, experts from both countries are going to get together to work out an acceptable solution. [Dauvergne] Is this a precondition for the accession agreement? [Lamassoure] That is not what I am saying. But we do want any bilateral problems to be settled so that negotiations, and then ratifications, can be completed under the very best conditions. [Dauvergne] After several delays, the Schengen accords -- which will finally permit the free movement of citizens between nine European countries -- are set to enter into force on 1 February. You announced it. Is this deadline going to be met? [Lamassoure] It is not certain. We have overcome all the problems relating to external border controls and the fight against drug trafficking. The political and legal problems have therefore been solved. But a technical problem remains: the functioning of the data processing system (charged to Sema, Siemens and Bull). We have appointed two experts -- one French and one German -- who will be submitting their final report in early January. We need to find out what is at the origin of these difficulties -- which are affecting certain software programs -- and what can be done to correct them as soon as possible. Later, we must look at the circumstances surrounding the conclusion of the contract and the selection of this group. But in the meantime it is unlikely that the deadline of 1 February will be respected. [Dauvergne] Would it not save time -- these technical hitches have been creating problems for months now -- if we simplified the system which was initially planned ? [Lamassoure] The system as planned -- a central computer file linked to national files -- is no doubt too complicated. But, unfortunately, that is the system laid down in the Schengen Treaty. A different system would mean changing the treaty and therefore starting the process of ratification all over again. You can imagine how long that would take! [Dauvergne] You defend the principle of a single list of candidates representing the majority coalition at the European elections. But there is a huge gap between your view of Europe and that held by Philippe |
FBIS3-57982_0 | Delegations Issue Joint Statement | Language: Serbo-Croatian Article Type:BFN [Text] A joint statement was issued and a meeting between President Tudjman and President Izetbegovic was announced in Vienna at the talks between Croatian and Bosnia-Herzegovina delegations, headed by Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic and Bosnian Prime Minister Haris Silajdzic. Jozo Curic reports from Vienna. [Curic] Minister Granic and Prime Minister Silajdzic are holding talks with co-chairmen Owen and Stoltenberg. At around 1300 [1200 GMT] the two delegations ended this round of talks which was held in preparation for the Geneva conference scheduled for 18 January. Both sides accepted a peaceful political resolution of the crisis. The talks were constructive despite a difficult situation on the ground. Both sides acknowledged the situation and the danger of a wider escalation of the conflict. Croatia firmly insists on Neum and is against [granting the Muslims] access to the sea near Prevlaka [on Croatian-Montenegrin border], which the co-chairmen proposed. A joint statement was coordinated and issued. Both sides confirmed that an urgent cease-fire, a permanent cessation of hostilities, and a permanent normalization of relations between the Croat and Bosniak [Muslim] peoples in Bosnia-Herzegovina, including territorial, political, humanitarian and other aspects of a permanent resolution, were in the long-term and strategic interest of both peoples and the two states. In light of this, it was agreed that Croatian President Franjo Tudjman and President of the Bosnia-Herzegovina Alija Izetbegovic should meet in Bonn on Saturday 8 January 1994. Special attention at the talks was devoted to the need to fully and consistently respect previous cease-fire agreements, particularly because of the situation in central Bosnia. The two sides confirmed that in preparing for the summit, efforts would be made to prepare a comprehensive plan for implementing the cease-fire along the entire front line and ending all combat operations, in order to create conditions for a permanent cessation of hostilities, the protection of the population and the implementation of confidence-building measures, the joint statement says. Both sides confirmed that the disputes on territorial demarcation should be resolved only by peaceful, political means without the use of force and in accordance with the Sarajevo declaration dated 12 November 1993. As far as humanitarian issues are concerned, it was agreed that a commission for humanitarian issues should meet on Friday 7 January, to reach an agreement on free movement of humanitarian convoys, including discussion on establishing new routes as well as securing the evacuation of |
FBIS3-57994_1 | * Poll: Continued Strong Support for Peacekeeping Role | Finns so that they could participate in peace enforcement with combat forces. Nearly 60 percent of them oppose this system. Reports have appeared on a poll commissioned by the National Defense Information Planning Board in which Finns' opinions on our security policy are analyzed. It is also evident from them that more Finns than before think that their life during the next few years will be more insecure than now. They worry most about the situation in Russia, economic developments, and unemployment. Finns take a more doubtful view than before of the chances of ending the war in the Balkans. Thirty-seven percent of them do not support intervention in the civil war in former Yugoslavia but would, instead, let the parties involved fight out their war among themselves. Last spring, 25 percent of the respondents held this view. At the present time, 57 percent of all Finns want the international community to somehow intervene in the events taking place in the Balkans. This is 12 percentage points less than last spring. Nearly 80 percent of them support humanitarian aid for the Balkan theater of operations and aid for the refugees. Furthermore, over 70 percent hope that the UN peacekeeping forces will try to keep the warring factions apart from one another. The same number also support peaceful sanctions and an embargo of the Balkans. Life Looks Gloomier Than Before How Finns feel about the security and insecurity of their own lives was also examined in the poll. Less than half of the respondents, 46 percent, think that their personal lives will become more insecure in the course of the next five years. On the other hand, 16 percent of the respondents think they will be more secure than now, and 31 percent think there will be no difference. The number of those who felt that their lives were insecure in the fall of 1990 has increased by 16 percentage points. On the other hand, the number of respondents who viewed their lives as being secure has decreased by 5 percentage points. Women's and men's views of the future clearly differ from one another. Sixty-one percent of the women view the future as being more insecure, while 48 percent of the men do. The members of the youngest age group, 15 to 24, viewed this most favorably. One out of every five of them viewed the future as being more secure. |
FBIS3-57999_0 | Kinkel Plans `Construction Collaboration' With Greece | Language: German Article Type:BFN [Text] Bonn (DPA) -- On the occasion of the EU [European Union] presidency passing from Belgium to Greece, German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel wishes the Greeks good luck and success. With a view to Germany taking on the presidency itself in six months, he announced today that there would be "constructive collaboration." "This year, 1994, the EU is facing a new stage of European integration and enormous tasks, in view of profound upheavals in world politics and global economic challenges," Kinkel said. Particular attention must be paid to securing Europe as an investment location. It is also important to deepen relations between the EU and the states of Central and East Europe, and to support the reform process in Russia. Relations with the Asiatic region and the southern African states also have to be strengthened. Negotiations with the EFTA [European Free Trade Association] states (Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Austria) on expansion must be concluded by 1 March in order to allow these countries to join on 1 January 1995. In addition, cooperation has to be improved between the 12 EU states, particularly in the area of asylum law, Kinkel said. |
FBIS3-58033_2 | Ciller: Partnership for Peace Is `Too Gradual' | it's a realistic kind of attitude. I feel that we should be looking not for the separation of Europe, but for the unification of Europe. The Partnership for Peace proposal is even too gradual as far as we are concerned, maybe we should move a little faster," she said. Mrs Ciller warned that the West should take seriously a potential Russian threat to newly-independent states in the Muslim southern belt of the former Soviet Union, whose population has ethnic links to Turkey. "Despite what President Yeltsin may have in mind, a theme has come to the surface now, not exactly going back to the old borders (but) definitely a nationalistic attitude. The will is there...to make Russia the sole protector of that region," she said. But she stressed that Turkey -- which once kept watch on a third of NATO's front with the Warsaw Pact -- wanted to co-operate with its northern neighbour and had no ambitions of territorial expansion. But she refused to rule out completely military intervention to stop Armenia's victories against Turkey's ethnic cousins in Azerbaijan. "We always are watching closely...considering and reconsidering. As far as Turkey is concerned, we all feel that Armenia should withdraw," she said. When the British Prime Minister, John Major, Mr Clinton and other NATO leaders gather at the Brussels summit they will meet a woman not afraid to make demands, particularly over clamping down on the activities in Europe of sympathisers with the Marxist Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Turkish officials say reports of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan's death in Syria are untrue and hope for Western pressure on Damascus to curb his activities, particularly after the banning of the PKK in Germany and France. "We have to stand together on all these issues. We should not mix up the issue of the PKK with the Kurds living in Turkey and elsewhere. About 2,000 people have been killed in Turkey in the last year. We are trying to protect our citizens," she said. Mrs Ciller showed no sign of flinching from her backing for the security forces' nine-year-old attempts to put down the separatist rebellion by force. Any hint of approaching moderate Kurds was muted, as was any promise of reforming Turkey's 1982 constitution under which people are still sent to prison merely for speaking their mind on Kurdish and other issues. "Democratisation is something we believe in. We are going to |
FBIS3-58063_2 | Ciller: Partnership for Peace Is `Too Gradual' | it's a realistic kind of attitude. I feel that we should be looking not for the separation of Europe, but for the unification of Europe. The Partnership for Peace proposal is even too gradual as far as we are concerned, maybe we should move a little faster," she said. Mrs Ciller warned that the West should take seriously a potential Russian threat to newly-independent states in the Muslim southern belt of the former Soviet Union, whose population has ethnic links to Turkey. "Despite what President Yeltsin may have in mind, a theme has come to the surface now, not exactly going back to the old borders (but) definitely a nationalistic attitude. The will is there...to make Russia the sole protector of that region," she said. But she stressed that Turkey -- which once kept watch on a third of NATO's front with the Warsaw Pact -- wanted to co-operate with its northern neighbour and had no ambitions of territorial expansion. But she refused to rule out completely military intervention to stop Armenia's victories against Turkey's ethnic cousins in Azerbaijan. "We always are watching closely...considering and reconsidering. As far as Turkey is concerned, we all feel that Armenia should withdraw," she said. When the British Prime Minister, John Major, Mr Clinton and other NATO leaders gather at the Brussels summit they will meet a woman not afraid to make demands, particularly over clamping down on the activities in Europe of sympathisers with the Marxist Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Turkish officials say reports of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan's death in Syria are untrue and hope for Western pressure on Damascus to curb his activities, particularly after the banning of the PKK in Germany and France. "We have to stand together on all these issues. We should not mix up the issue of the PKK with the Kurds living in Turkey and elsewhere. About 2,000 people have been killed in Turkey in the last year. We are trying to protect our citizens," she said. Mrs Ciller showed no sign of flinching from her backing for the security forces' nine-year-old attempts to put down the separatist rebellion by force. Any hint of approaching moderate Kurds was muted, as was any promise of reforming Turkey's 1982 constitution under which people are still sent to prison merely for speaking their mind on Kurdish and other issues. "Democratisation is something we believe in. We are going to |
FBIS3-58077_0 | Government Captures 49 PKK Members | Language: Turkish Article Type:BFN [Announcer-read report over video] [Text] The Adana Governor's Office has announced that 38 members of the PKK [Workers Party of Kurdistan] terror organization, one of them a woman, have been captured in Adana. The statement notes that the suspects were involved in four separate murder cases as well as in armed attacks on police stations, police vehicles, and power stations. The suspects also supplied logistic support to the organization, recruited members, engaged in smuggling in a bid to obtain arms for the organization, and extorted money. A Kalashnikov, 28 guns, 209 rounds of ammunition, propaganda video cassettes, and organizational documents were seized in searches conducted in the homes and offices of the suspects. Meanwhile, 11 persons reported to have abetted the PKK have been captured in the Ercis District of Van. Four more are being sought. A rifle, a revolver, many rounds of ammunition, and propaganda cassettes were found in searches conducted in the homes of the suspects. |
FBIS3-58079_1 | Turkish Attitude Toward Kurds Denounced | to the Kurds' right to self-determination. VU [People's Union] Senator Nelly Maes said that, according to confidential information that she obtained from Finance Minister Philippe Maystadt, Turkey and Saudi Arabia are the main customers for Belgian manufacturers of light weapons. Her colleague, Willy Kuijpers, asked for the withdrawal of the 42 licenses granted by various countries to Turkish arms manufacturers and which make it -- after American Lockheed -- the world's largest arms producer. Deputy Hugo Van Dienderen of AGALEV [Flemish ecologists] would like to know which countries have been supplied with the weapons produced by Belgium to the value of 5 billion Belgian francs. Agitator Kuijpers called upon the Turkish Embassy in Belgium to remove from the streets the man codenamed "Osman," a member of the secret service whom he openly charged with being one of the agitators involved in the New Year clashes in Saint-Josse. Senator Sleeckx of the SP [Flemish Socialist Party] even repeated charges of human rights violations observed during last year's visit by a parliamentary delegation to southeastern Turkey. He expressed his full support for minister Tobback and his interpretation of Saturday's events. Senator Hugo Van Rompaey of the CVP [Christian People's Party] was of the same opinion and also hinted that former Turkish President Turgut Ozal may not have met with a natural death due to having showed signs of readiness to grant the Kurds a place to live of their own. He also stated that he, too, would resort to arms if his people were treated as the Kurds are treated. "The PKK [Workers Party of Kurdistan] people are guerrillas not terrorists," he stated, while not advocating violence. He stressed the need for a solution to the Kurdish problem through dialogue. Dr. Ismet, a lawyer and former senior lecturer at the Sorbonne, who has supported the cause of the Kurds for the last 25 years, pleaded for the Kurds' right to self-determination, even within the existing Turkish state system. He wondered whether the federal states in the five countries where Kurds now live could not achieve cross-border cooperation and referred to Europe where the borders between countries are now disappearing and to the federal structure of Belgium and Switzerland. He urged those present "not to fall into the trap of Turkish propaganda" and said that the PKK members were not terrorists but "a well-organized resistance," who were themselves calling for an arms truce. |
FBIS3-58088_0 | * New Health Minister Profiled | Language: French Article Type:CSO [Article by Marie-Claude Lortie: "`A Tax on Illness Is Out of the Question!'" [Text] The new minister of health pledges that she will defend the universality of health care. Ottawa--For Diane Marleau, the new federal minister of health, there can be no discussion of it: Public funds may well become scarce, but the sacred principle of universal health care will not be touched. As long as the Sudbury deputy is at the helm, tickets [portion of the cost of treatment paid by the insured] of whatever nature will be unacceptable at the Ministry of Health. "Whether they be called `ticket orienteur' or `ticket moderateur,' in the final analysis the ticket is a tax on illness, and I want no part of it," she snaps without the slightest hesitation, putting an end to the sentence somewhat abruptly, with a slight smile that seems to say: "Next question?" The next question is the most difficult one, namely, the one that the provincial and federal governments have faced for many years now. It is the question of how to reduce the cost of health care while adhering to the principle of universality. This time, the minister's response is more lengthy, less clear-cut. She begins by responding: "We must set our priorities and do the best we can with the dollars we have." A 50-year-old Franco-Ontarian, she comes to the Ministry with the experience of one who, with a degree in business administration, has raised three children, made a career of municipal politics, headed an accounting office, and managed a restaurant, among other things. Explaining that her strategy will consist first and foremost of rooting out abuses, the minister continues, "We must address the abuses. It is clear that there are abuses. Is charging going to eliminate the abuses? I do not think it will.... If diligent effort is devoted to eliminating abuses, the means of doing so can be found," she says. She speaks of instilling a greater sense of "responsibility," of awareness of the costs of health care, in the users and the operators of the system. Do you really think that approach would suffice, that it would work? "Nothing ventured, nothing gained," replies the minister. Yes, but isn't that likely to be difficult? "It is always difficult, but it is worth the effort.... It is surprising what can be done with a little cooperation." According to the |
FBIS3-58090_1 | * Developments in Presidential Race Viewed * Paper on Election System Problems | Article Type:CSO [Unattributed editorial: "Childhood Diseases of Direct Elections"] [Text] Eleven candidates finally succeeded in capturing slots in the first direct presidential elections. Based on the game rules currently in effect, the number could easily have been even larger. This makes one think of tightening the rules. It is very simple to fulfill the requirement of needing the signatures of 20,000 supporters, if they can be collected in the same manner as one fills out a lotto ticket at a service station. Signing for someone else or for an imaginary person constitutes fraud and deception of the authorities. A person who engages in such behavior, or the candidate's election representative, could be brought up on criminal charges. The right of popular movements to appoint candidates should not, in itself, be made too difficult in connection with direct popular elections. If we end up having as many candidates as we have now, the notion of giving all candidates equal treatment in the media becomes absurd. The media, including the Finnish Broadcasting Company, must, to a greater extent, rely on their journalistic judgment. Otherwise, we would end up in a situation where the media publicity resulting from the status as a presidential candidate could be used as a front for various ulterior motives. Some obvious weaknesses have become evident in the parties' preliminary election procedures. Remedying these shortcomings should mainly be up to the political parties. In particular, the experiences that all the parties involved have had with the open preliminaries should give us food for thought. The appointment of a candidate for the Social Democratic Party moved away from the party to outsiders. The Center Party's preliminary elections, in Helsinki and suburbs, attracted a large number of people from other areas who only wanted to protest against the appointment of the party's sure candidate. In its current form, the presidential election campaign, including preliminary elections and party summer congresses, will last almost a year. As the preliminary elections have come to stay, the role of the party congresses in appointing candidates becomes insignificant and a formality. The preliminary elections and the naming of candidates could easily be moved to early fall, which would mean that the election campaign could be shortened to only a few months. If some parties want the party congress to give a candidacy its imprimatur, they could arrange for an extraordinary party congress once every six years. |
FBIS3-58091_0 | Trade Minister Cited on EC Environmental Agreement | Language: Norwegian Article Type:BFN [Article by Trade Minister Bjorn Tore Godal: "Norway and the EU Agreed on High Environmental Standards"] [Text] In the negotiations for Norwegian membership of the EU [European Union], one of Norway's main objectives has been to uphold our standards in the fields of health, safety, and the environment. At the 21 December ministerial meeting between Norway and the EU in Brussels, agreement was reached that Norway may maintain the level of its standards on health, safety, and the environment in those areas where Norway has stricter rules than the EU. Health, safety, and environmental issues are of importance for many different areas of society. I want to stress that the technical review prior to the negotiations showed there were very few cases of differences between Norwegian regulations and EU regulations, and a very limited number of areas in which it took time to find satisfactory solutions. In addition, these are often technically difficult areas where people should ideally have a good prior knowledge to be able to evaluate the results. The negotiations have not covered standards for emissions from industrial installations, the purification of waste by local authorities, health and safety in the workplace, and so on. Here the EU has minimum standards, but member nations are free to introduce their own stricter standards. There can be no doubt that the EU is on the right road when it comes to health, safety, and the environment, even though things move a little sluggishly at times. The chances that within the course of a few years the EU will come up to our standards in those areas where it is currently lagging behind are great. Nor should we forget that in a few fields the EU is actually ahead of us. For example, the EEA [European Economic Area] agreement means that we have to tighten up our standards or introduce new regulations covering the sulfur content of oil and rules covering major industrial accidents and emergencies. Norway has been given confirmation that Norwegian rules covering asbestos and some other hazardous materials do not conflict with the EU's regulations, and that we may as a result retain Norwegian regulations. This also applies to the labeling of organic solvents, safety information documentation for chemical substances and preparations, concentration limits for hazardous preparations -- 5 percent in Norway as against 25 percent in the EU -- PVB [polyvinyl butyral] and |
FBIS3-58093_3 | Dinkelspiel on EU Membership Negotiations | it is better than expected, but in institutional terms is worse: "For me it is incomprehensible that the `no' side is so strongly critical of the EEA agreement because of its institutional solutions (Swedish influence) and then opposes EU membership." He pointed out that the EEA agreement also embraces Sweden's state alcohol monopoly and transport subsidies that are so important for Norrland and the forestry industry. "Regardless of what happens we are bound by the EEA agreement. The membership negotiations do not really change anything on these points. They are therefore of minor interest." The uproar in Rostanga [village near Malmo] involving the Ica [Swedish grocery chain] storekeeper who challenged the state alcohol monopoly on New Year's Day made many Swedes ask: Just who is it who actually decides? "In the EU it is the governments of all the countries which decide jointly," the European affairs minister said. "But if there are problems of interpretation, as in the present case, it is the EU court which decides in the final instance." Nor does the question of summer cottages worry him. On the subject of the sale of Swedish leisure homes to EU citizens he said: "I do not think that this is a major issue either for the country as a whole or for the electorate." If the timetable is to hold, the negotiations must be completed in seven or eight weeks' time. Sweden will not wait for slower countries, the European affairs minister stressed: "It would run contrary to Swedish interests to make our negotiations dependent on those of other countries." Norway and Finland are demanding transitional arrangements in the field of agriculture which would mean continued border controls. Dinkelspiel affirmed that it is Sweden's goal to abolish them in January 1995. Temporary border controls could be introduced in the Nordic area. Once the negotiations have been completed Dinkelspiel's people will take two or three weeks to draft a departmental memorandum on the results. It will go to the Riksdag and then be sent out for comment for three months. Proposed legislation on membership would not come before the summer, the European affairs minister said. But a referendum could very well take place before then, he pointed out. A popular version of the result of the negotiations will be published. The whole government machine is chugging along as if membership were on the cards, whereas public opinion poll figures |
FBIS3-58093_5 | Dinkelspiel on EU Membership Negotiations | before the summer, the European affairs minister said. But a referendum could very well take place before then, he pointed out. A popular version of the result of the negotiations will be published. The whole government machine is chugging along as if membership were on the cards, whereas public opinion poll figures show that almost 60 percent of the Swedish people are opposed to membership. What does Ulf Dinkelspiel think is the essential reason for this opposition? "Uncertainty," he replied. "Many interacting factors," he added, without being specific. He repreated his criticism of the Social Democrats: "When Sweden's largest party does not make up its mind, it is not easy for the voters to do so. Uncertainty is given legitimacy." Ulf Dinkelspiel reiterated his prime arguments for membership: peace, jobs, prosperity. Are these arguments believable? Look at Yugoslavia, look at the millions in Western Europe who are permanently unemployed.... For Ulf Dinkelspiel this is simply confirmation of the fact that the European ideal has still not been fully achieved. This time he did not say that better information will have an effect on the negative body of public opinion. Instead he spoke of commitment. Not only on the part of politicians, but also on the part of all Swedes who want a "yes." "It is possible that we are allowing the 'no' side too much room for maneuver." Is it not possible that the "yes" side's glossy picture of the EU as the solution to all problems has made the arguments less believable? Should it not draw attention to the problems and produce analyses in order to win people's confidence? "Yes, I believe so," Ulf Dinkelspiel cried. "It is important to draw attention to the fact that membership has both advantages and disadvantages." Mention a disadvantage! "One of them is the net cost to Sweden. And in some respects the bureaucracy is something that I would want to be involved in reducing as a member. I will work for greater openness." Ulf Dinkelspiel has the EU emblem in his lapel and an EU watch around his wrist. Could these not be taken as signs that he is more on the side of the EU than that of Sweden in the negotiations? He sees them as symbols of the European ideal. "The negotiations are not some zero-sum game. It is a question of finding joint solutions which are of mutual interest." |
FBIS3-58134_0 | EU Institutions To Adopt Vetting To Counter Espionage | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Report from John Carvel in Brussels: "EU Prepares To Counter Espionage"] [Text] Senior Eurocrats are preparing defences against espionage in European Union [EU] institutions now that their activities have been expanded into sensitive areas of foreign policy and counterterrorism. Positive vetting of key personnel is being set up for the first time in the secretariat of the Council of Ministers in Brussels. The Commission is extending arrangements originally designed to protect Euratom nuclear secrets. The moves were disclosed in a letter from Niels Ersboll, secretary-general of the Council of Ministers, to Alex Falconer, Labour MEP [Member of European Parliament] for Mid Scotland and Fife, who led the European Parliament's successful campaign to fight previous attempts to instigate official secrecy in the Community. "Given its responsibility under the new treaty (of Maastricht), the Council secretariat will have to deal with certain classified information (e.g. information relating to the security policy of member states or information on terrorist threat) which, as you will understand, necessitates special precautions to ensure confidentiality and avoid unauthorised disclosure of material which would seriously damage the security and interests of member states and their citizens," Mr Ersboll said. A small number of staff would be "required to undergo the security screening which will form part of the proposed security regime." A senior Council official said that positive vetting would only apply to staff who were given access to sensitive documents, including security analyses and comments by member states' diplomatic services on foreign governments. The vetting will be carried out by the security services of the individual's own member state or, in the case of foreigners living in Belgium, by Belgian authorities. "The European Union does not itself have the services which could handle these matters. We are very much in the hands of the national capitals. They will have to take care of their own nationals," he said. The Commission is understood to be preparing to increase the number of offlcials who must be positively vetted before they can work on the more sensitive parts of common foreign and security policy, justice and home affairs -- the second and third pillars of the EU agreed at Maastricht. Hitherto, only a handful of Commission officials have required positive vetting by MI5 or other national security services. Routine checks are carried out at recruitment to ensure that staff have no police record. But security clearance |
FBIS3-58139_0 | Newspapers Comment on U.S. Government Policy Clinton Learns `A Lot' About Europe | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Editorial: "Shoulder to the Wheel. Clinton Draws Closer to Europe"] [Text] When President Clinton comes to Europe next week to attend the NATO summit he is not going to offer much satisfaction to the Poles, Czechs and Hungarians who are knocking at the doors of NATO and demanding protection from a possible resurgence of imperialism in Russia. But, to judge by yesterday's major foreign policy speech in Milwaukee, delivered by Vice President Al Gore because of the death of Mr Clinton's mother, the President seems to have learnt a lot about the dangers and challenges facing Europe -- and the importance of facing them if America is to remain prosperous and secure. In his ideas, if not yet in his actions, Mr Clinton clearly wants his visit to Europe to mark a clean break from last summer when Warren Christopher, his Secretary of State, could dismiss the war in Bosnia as "a humanitarian crisis a long way from home in the middle of another continent." Europe's central importance for America was certainly the welcome message yesterday from Milwaukee. "Nothing is more important than our relationship with Europe," declared Mr Clinton. But what was more convincing, and potentially significant, was his ability to justify this airy statement to a domestic American audience which still shows every sign of wanting to turn its back on the outside world. Predictably Mr Clinton explained that Europe was an "invaluable trading partner" and a market for exports. It was also a possible source of security threats and global instability and therefore a potential drain on American government finances. But Mr Clinton went beyond these cliches to emphasise a more intangible, and even more important, feature of America's relationship with Europe: a feature which lies at the heart of the challenge for Europe and explains why the Atlantic will always be more important to America than the Pacific, regardless of the future flows of trade and the balance of world economic growth. What Europe now needed above all else, said Mr Clinton, was a new form of protection, built not on walls and barbed wire, but on free commerce, democracy and respect for human diversity and political dissent. After the decades of Communist uniformity and repression, Europeans had rediscovered their ethnic and religious differences. They now had to transform Europe's diversity from a source of conflict into its great strength. America's indispensable |
FBIS3-58140_1 | Newspapers Comment on U.S. Government Policy Clinton Policy May End in `Catastrophe' | Mr Clinton. For months on end, the Administration did not fill the middle-level positions in the State Department, and those expected to run foreign and security policies assumed that they were still on the university benches. Hefty documents poured out of the White House, all advocating "engagement" or the "enlargement of democracy." Beautifully crafted, they nevertheless remained irrelevant: abstract notions intended to paper over confusion and weak personalities. Secretary of State Warren Christopher remains the lawyer he always was: good with a client's brief; useless without one. Most of the animosity generated in transatlantic relations remains of the worst kind: carelessness born out of sloppiness. Mr Christopher's remarks last November that America's policies have been unduly Eurocentric and need to be redirected towards Asia was followed by a flood of statistics on trade, all supposedly indicating that, at least in economic terms, Europe's importance is eclipsed by the potential of the Pacific "tigers." While it is true that America trades more with Asia than with Europe, the same applies to the European Union, which exported goods worth $73 billion to Asia last year, compared with only $67 billion to the United States. Constructing a new security pecking order out of this is childish and counterproductive. Furthermore, co-ordination on foreign policy with the Europeans continues to be appalling. The Germans, for instance, who sent troops to Somalia after a long and anguished debate at home, learnt of Mr Clinton's decision to withdraw U.S. soldiers from the area not in a diplomatic communication but from the media. Careless talk, coupled with sudden shifts: Mr Clinton and his foreign policy advisers have given the concept of megaphone diplomacy a new meaning. Washington's dispute with the Europeans over the handling of the Yugoslav war is another example of misunderstandings. Like the Europeans, Mr Clinton thought that the Balkans civil war challenged basic security principles. But, like the Europeans, he wished to see someone else's soldiers punish the Serbs. One moment the Administration swore it would not tolerate any further outrages; the next day its officials asserted that Bosnia was not, after all, America's concern. The result was the worst of both worlds. Insisting on the principle that aggression must not be allowed to succeed, Washington scuppered two peace plans for Yugoslavia but offered no viable alternative apart from the traditional drop of food parcels intended to expiate everyone's consciences. An offer of peacekeeping forces |
FBIS3-58166_0 | Turkey's Ciller Meets Leaders at NATO Summit | Language: Turkish Article Type:BFN [Eriz Oktar telephone report from Brussels over video] [Excerpt] The question of NATO membership for Central and East European countries is the main element behind the importance of this NATO summit. The leaders of NATO member countries, including U.S. President Bill Clinton, French President Francois Mitterrand, German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, and British Prime Minister John Major, were received by Secretary General Manfred Woerner upon their arrival at NATO Headquarters. Prime Minister Tansu Ciller arrived at NATO Headquarters accompanied by Foreign Minister Hikmet Cetin. Before the opening session of the summit, Ciller held her first bilateral meeting with Major. It was learned that PKK [Workers Party of Kurdistan] terrorism in particular, the developments in northern Iraq, and the Cyprus problem were discussed during the meeting, which lasted approximately half an hour. During the coffee break prior to the opening session, Ciller exchanged views with the prime ministers of Greece, Spain, and Denmark individually. Ciller proceeded later to the summit hall, where she was approached by Clinton. They held a three-minute conversation. Ciller also spoke separately to the prime ministers of Britain, Spain, Norway, and Germany. [passage omitted] |
FBIS3-58170_4 | Report on Zhirinovskiy's Business Contacts | which Ivanovic operates in Montenegro with partners from Titograd and whose deals are violating the UN sanctions against Serbia and Montenegro. An investigator believes Ivanovic came to Carinthia for the following reasons: "There are hints that one of Zhirinovskiy's financial advisers is establishing cover companies in Western Europe and is looking for partners so he can fully participate in oil trade." The name of this man is Alexej Wedenkin, and he procures cash for the extremist from Moscow. "Mr. Wedenkin has established 10 enterprises in Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Switzerland," Zhirinovskiy's host Neuwirth pointed out. Wedenkin boasted: "We have millions of dollars." A certain Dimitriy Klinkov is also commuting between Klagenfurt and Moscow. Klinkov, 23, uses the title of "trade director" of the IBC GmbH company. The IBC registered in Klagenfurt belongs to Josef Hambrusch and is carrying out trade with the East. Asked about his links with Zhirinovskiy, Hambrusch replied: "No comment. We do not want to see our names in the newspapers." The Klagenfurt businessman confirmed, however, that he knew two other visitors who had come to Carinthia: Werner Girke and Werner Neumann from Berlin. The two men are responsible for discreet trust transactions about which they did not want to talk. Their Berlin Fiduciary Management and Organization GmbH company (TVO) is considered a center of Zhirinovskiy's West German investments. "Chief Executive" Girke only stated: "We deal with property management. But we do not grant any interviews." Zhirinovskiy's most interesting interlocutor had to make the longest journey: The Russian Anton Nenakov, 26, from Amsterdam, where he is the head of the Global Money Management Trust enterprise. At present, he is allegedly trying to obtain a permit to establish an investment bank, and he provided funds for Zhirinovskiy's election campaign in December. From Belgium, a man arrived in Carinthia whose name is, in all likelihood, Luc L. (the full name is known to the editors). He is 65, and has for decades been operating a successful enterprise in Antwerp that sells all kinds of weapons. L's specialty is supplying rebel organizations in Black Africa with military equipment. Zhirinovskiy is pleading for massive investments in the ailing Russian defense industry. After all, envoys of Fikret Abdic, the Muslim feudal entrepreneur and head of the Agrokomerz concern which was involved in a scandal in Bihac in western Bosnia, wanted to persuade Zhirinovskiy to pay a short visit to his country. |
FBIS3-58173_0 | Turkish Prime Minister Comments on PKK Incidents | Language: Turkish Article Type:BFN [Excerpt] Prime Minister Tansu Ciller has declared that the incidents caused by the terrorist PKK [Workers Party of Kurdistan] organization in Belgium must be condemned by the whole world, and added that international cooperation in the struggle against terrorism is inevitable. TRT correspondent Yasar Kefeli reports from Brussels: [Begin recording] Prime Minister Tansu Ciller, who arrived in Brussels today to attend the NATO summit, received the representatives of the Turkish community in Belgium and listened to their problems. Ciller stated that the Turkish state wants to help Turkish citizens abroad in a way that will keep them from forgetting their origins. Pointing out that some of the just causes of Turks living in Belgium can be addressed immediately, Ciller said: Some of the incidents that occurred in this country particularly have saddened and deeply hurt you all. The whole world should condemn the recent PKK actions. These incidents have caused concern among our citizens here. We will have the opportunity to raise this matter again with the relevant authorities and on the necessary platforms. Conveying their problems to Ciller, representatives of the Turkish community in Belgium remarked in turn that the local media and political circles leveled unjust accusations against the Turkish community with regard to the incidents triggered by the PKK in Brussels. The representatives asked the prime minister to send a Turkish parliamentary delegation to Brussels to investigate and clarify the matter. [passage omitted] [end recording] |
FBIS3-58175_0 | Request for U.S. Troops in Bosnia Lacks `Credibility' | Language: Dutch Article Type:BFN [Unattributed report: "Lubbers Says Request for U.S. Support in Bosnia Still Lacks Credibility"] [Text] The Hague -- Prime Minister Lubbers believes the countries of Europe must first try to bring the violence in Bosnia under control before asking the United States for help. He believes that a request to Washington to supply ground troops will lack credibility as long as Europe fails to honor its own agreements. Lubbers was reacting Friday [7 January] to the call by the [Netherlands] House of Representatives for a substantial U.S. military presence in Bosnia because the present force there is inadequate. The question of Bosnia will feature on the agenda of the NATO summit to be held 10-11 January in Brussels. "In principle, the United States must participate," Lubbers said in the Second Chamber on Friday. "It is more credible, however, if Europe first provides extra troops itself." The PvdA [Labor Party] and VVD [People's Party for Freedom and Democracy] are rallying behind French Defense Minister Philippe Leotard, who intends to ask Washington to intervene in order to protect the citizens of Bosnia and to provide them with more aid. Foreign Minister Kooijmans described the French statements as hypocritical. The United States only wants to provide large quantities of ground troops to the UN force when the warring factions have concluded a peace settlement. At present, the United States is only participating in air operations over Bosnia. National Defense Minister Ter Beek said the Netherlands is still prepared to send a battalion of the airborne brigade to the Muslim enclaves of Zepa and Srebrenica. The previously planned departure was postponed because Serbian troops are completely blocking access to the "safe areas." During the extra committee meeting, the House of Representatives also debated the topic of NATO expansion, with the government parties CDA [Christian Democratic Appeal] and PvdA putting pressure on Lubbers and Kooijmans to bring forward, during the NATO summit, the date of NATO membership for Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. According to the CDA and PvdA, NATO must speed up its expansion before the Russian extreme nationalism of Zhirinovskiy takes hold over those countries. Under the leadership of the United States, NATO is not in favor of rapidly granting membership to former East Bloc countries. NATO does not want to go further than a "Partnership for Peace," comprising closer political and military cooperation. Lubbers said NATO should |
FBIS3-58177_0 | Ciller Confirms Operation into Syria | Language: Turkish Article Type:BFN [Ihsan Akdemir and Aydin Hasan report: "Ciller Confirms Operation Into Syria"] [Excerpt] Adana--Prime Minister Tansu Ciller has confirmed the MILLIYET report on the operation the security forces have carried out in Syria. She said: "Cross-border operations have taken place." While flying to Adana to attend the True Path Party meeting, Ciller answered a MILLIYET correspondent's question about the credibility of reports that the security forces have crossed into Syria by asserting: "Cross-border operations take place on our eastern border from time to time. We shall continue to take the measures required to end terrorism. The question of cross-border operations is always on Turkey's agenda. It will continue to be on the agenda." Asked whether the border between Turkey and Iraq was included in the plans for the cross-border operation, Ciller said: "We have informed our neighbors not to attach too much importance to the air and ground operations. Penetrations have been made into Turkey from Iraq, but they were insignificant. Turkey is fourth on the list of countries with many neighbors. It is time for Turkey's neighbors to prove their friendship with our country. This year will be one in which the important stages of this issue will be wrapped up." [passage omitted] |
FBIS3-58184_0 | Iraqi Delegation Begins Contacts in Ankara Under Secretaries Meet | Language: Turkish Article Type:BFN [Announcer-read report over video] [Text] An Iraqi delegation headed by Iraqi Foreign Ministry Under Secretary Riyadh al-Qaysi, who arrived in Turkey yesterday, began to hold contacts in Ankara today. Al-Qaysi first visited Foreign Ministry Under Secretary Ozdem Sanberk. The two delegations later held talks headed by the two under secretaries, respectively. Before the meeting, Sanberk said Turkey supports protecting Iraq's unity and integrity, and sincerely hopes that country will reassume its place in the international community. Sanberk stressed that the Karkuk-Yumurtalik oil pipeline is an important investment for both countries. We have been discussing the pumping of the oil in the pipeline for some time now, he said. We have been making contacts and working on ways to eliminate the problems created by the fact that the pipeline was idle for three years, he said, and on ways to reactivate the system once the embargo is lifted in the future. Sanberk said that at the meeting they would discuss what kind of a common solution can be found to the problem within the framework of UN Security Council resolutions. Al-Qaysi said relations between the two countries are historical ties of friendship. We will exchange views, he said, on issues concerning the two countries. Foreign Minister Hikmet will receive the Iraqi delegation this afternoon. |
FBIS3-58185_0 | Iraqi Delegation Begins Contacts in Ankara Iraqi Official `Pleased' | Language: Turkish Article Type:BFN [Text] Foreign Minister Hikmet Cetin today received and conferred with Iraqi Foreign Ministry Under Secretary Riyad al-Qaysi, who arrived in Ankara yesterday. Foreign Ministry Under Secretary Ozdem Sanberk and Iraqi Ambassador to Ankara Rafi' Dahham al-Tikriti were also present at the meeting. The official talks between the Turkish and Iraqi delegations headed by Sanberk and al-Qaysi respectively continued in the afternoon. Sanberk and al-Qaysi spoke to the press about the talks held today. Al-Qaysi said the delegations discussed bilateral and international questions as well as issues concerning the interests of the two countries. He said he was pleased with this political dialogue started in line with the historical ties between the two countries. Sanberk said the bilateral talks will be developed mutually. Replying to a question, Sanberk said a solution is being sought to the problem of pumping out the oil in the Karkuk-Yumurtalik pipeline within the framework of UN resolutions. The official Turkish-Iraqi talks will continue tomorrow. |
FBIS3-58186_0 | Iraqi Delegation Begins Contacts in Ankara `Positive, Fruitful' Talks End | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Ankara, Jan 9 (AA) -- Official talks between Turkey and Iraq which were sponsored by Foreign Ministry Under Secretary Ozdem Sanberk and his Iraqi counterpart Riyad al-Qaysi ended on Sunday [9 January]. Sanberk told at a press conference that during the talks they reviewed the possibilities to drain the oil remaining in the Turkish-Iraqi pipeline which was shut-off during the Gulf war. Sanberk said that the pipeline between Karkuk and Yumurtalik was an important investment for both countries and "we have been reviewing the issue of draining the pipeline, for a while. The objective is to eliminate the problems arising from the three-year- long idleness of the pipeline and to prepare the system to function again when the (international) embargo is removed." The delegations looked for solutions to the problem under the UN Security Council decisions, in the talks. Al-Qaysi said the talks were very positive and fruitful. The guest under secretary will depart Turkey on Sunday after completing his official contacts. |
FBIS3-58194_3 | * Energy Policy To Stress Natural Gas, Renewable Sources | had that all along," said Palmgren. "But the money we now pay to have our waste taken care of and processed in Tchelyabinsk also helps the Russians finance the cleanup of the area, which suffered heavy radioactive contamination in the 1950's." Palmgren thought the government had yielded to outside political pressure in formulating its statement. He pointed out that it would certainly be possible to provide final underground storage for the waste from Lovisa in Finland, but that it would be a barbaric way to dispose of it. In this case, usable fuel would also be buried while long, medium, and short-lived waste would all be mixed together. Therefore, Palmgren feels it is better to send it to Russia now that it is also possible for both Imatran Voima and Finland's Radiation Safety Center to check that the waste is handled properly. Old Formula In other respects Wednesday's statement repeats the government's old formula for the economic management of Finland's energy. One element is energy taxes to make energy use efficient and achieve the environmental goals that have been set, another is a revised program to cut energy use and sector agreements on energy-saving measures in industry. The government also wants to increase the use of bioenergy and other domestic energy. To promote this goal, increased support will be given to research in new technologies applicable to gasification plants, among other things. It will become easier for small-scale power plants to enter the electricity network and the possibility of increased electricity production in connection with the cellulose industry will be studied. The government is also stressing the development of energy technology and will subsidize export efforts in this area. In addition, the electricity market will be deregulated and there will be increased competition. Previous emission goals will remain in effect in the energy sector, sulfur dioxide emission must be cut 80 percent in relation to the 1980 level, nitrogen dioxide emission 30 percent, and carbon dioxide emission will be checked at the end of the 1990's. Industry Dissatisfied Industry's Energy Association feels the government's energy policy line is still based on empty phrases just as it was after the negative decision on nuclear power. Pentti Sierila, the association's president, says the government energy statement is not in line with the good goals that are presented at the beginning of the statement. "The energy policy line that has now been presented |
FBIS3-58197_1 | Editorials on Prospects for NATO's Eastward Expansion Expansion Favored | and the interests of the states in Central and East Europe as well. Germany's interests: In NATO and in the European Union we are the country with the most neighbors in the uncertain East. For unrest and upheavals, civil war, and migrations of poverty there not to endanger stability here we must promote stability in the region as much as possible. Defense Minister Volker Ruehe said in his statement at the turn of the year: "It is in our urgent interest that NATO and the European Union, that prosperity and democracy do not end at Germany's eastern borders." NATO's interests: As a result of the end of the Cold War, the Western alliance has lost its actual task -- averting the Soviet urge for expansion, and not even Mr. Zhirinovskiy will give it back. The Western inability to respond cohesively and with determination to the challenges of the first European conflict of the new time, the Balkan war, gives little reason for the hope that the alliance will react to future massacres in East Europe with anything else than with agonizing abstinence. To be better equipped against future dangers from the disorderly east and southeast of the continent, NATO must expand its own zone of stability. "Those who are in it are safe," NATO Secretary General Manfred Woerner says, "those who are not in it are not safe." Finally, the interests of the East European reform states: Even though they have freed themselves from the forced Soviet pact of the past, they see themselves increasingly classified by Moscow as belonging to the new Russian zone of influence, the "near abroad." Some people in the West shrug off their worries as emotional exaggeration. However, how disquieted would the Germans or British be, if Moscow wanted to order them that they must not be members of the Western alliance and if, at the same time, it were to increase the size of its army, as announced? After the latest Russian elections Estonian President Meri called the "partnership program" of the NATO summit a "used-up bottle of perfume" -- "nice to look at, but empty." What should be done instead? The successful reform countries -- Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic at first, others perhaps later -- should receive the promise of the Western alliance even now that they will become full members of the alliance by the year 2000. The necessary adjustment |
FBIS3-58201_0 | Documentary Details Zhirinovskiy's Views | Article Type:BFN [Editorial report] At 2050 GMT on 9 January 1994 Cologne RTL-Plus Television Network in German in its "Spiegel TV" magazine program carries an unattributed 15-minute report on Vladimir Volfovich Zhirinovskiy, nicknamed Adolfovich because of his Hitlerite views. The report begins with clips in Zhirinovskiy's 47th birthday in Moscow recently, where he received Gerhard Frey, chairman of the German People's Union, and Iraqi ambassador to Russia Gafil Husayn, who wished him well. The reporter notes that Zhirinovskiy and Iraq's Saddam Husayn are comrades because of their "joint hatred for the Jews." The report then flashes back to the time after the putsch against Gorbachev. At a meeting in the Kremlin in September 1991, Zhirinovskiy is shown engaging in "political forecasts": "There will be only one unified Russia; no autonomous republics. The bolsheviks have experimented. This has failed. Now come the democrats. This will fail, too. And then I will come." At some unidentified outdoor rally, Zhirinovskiy is seen speaking to a crowd of people: "I reach my hands out for the nuclear weapons. I will put an end to Russia's humiliation. Our Army will stay there, and not one single Georgian combat plane will ever again shoot down a Russian pilot. No gang of Afghans will ever again violate the border again. Not one single kilogram of Russian goods will ever again be stolen. No one will harm even one hair on a Russian's head. Then they will feel what Russia is. But those guys in the Kremlin are just dragging themselves, groaning and panting, from the buffet to the toilet. That is all that they are still able to do. When Moldovan bandits saw a Russian to pieces with a chainsaw, I will destroy their industry -- quite simple. And when in Kyrgyzstan a Russian is torn apart by two horses, I will destroy the entire region." An unidentified officer in the crowd speaks up, holding out his right arm in the fascist salute: "Vladimir Volfovich, we officers support you." There follow clips on interviews with people in the street, who all support Zhirinovskiy: "Zhirinovskiy is great, much better than Yeltsin. He defends Russia. He stops the sell-out of the nation." "He speaks very well, above all soberly." "He describes everything correctly. The nation is being oppressed, our nation." The reporter notes that Zhirinovskiy supported the "putsch of the Stalinist nomenklatura against Gorbachev." Zhirinovskiy is shown commenting on |
FBIS3-58217_0 | Government Reportedly Launches Operation Against PKK | Language: Turkish Article Type:BFN [Text] It has been discovered that the preparations for a wide-scale operation against the Workers Party of Kurdistan [PKK] this winter has been intensified, special commando units in the garrisons have been transferred to sensitive areas, and several special army units have been based in Sirnak. Reports from southeastern Turkey indicate that the operation against the PKK in sensitive areas has already begun. The State of Emergency Governor's Office has moved to implement the security measures planned for Nevruz [spring festival] and the local elections in March. Teams have been established to work at the Winter Operations Headquarters to maintain effective coordination between the military and civilian units around the clock. State of Emergency Governor Unal Erkan, Deputy State of Emergency Governor Ahmet Erturk, and other high-ranking officials closely studied the preparations during the past three days. Special Teams Based in the Region Special security measures are being taken against the PKK's urban activities in Diyarbakir, Batman, and Sirnak, which have been declared sensitive towns. It has been reported that the towns are being patrolled by trained teams of two or four security personnel armed with automatic Kalashnikov firearms. The patrol units wear civilian clothes and carry field radios. Meanwhile, some 500 civilian police have been transferred to the region to maintain security at public establishments and installations used by the media and the private sector. It has been reported that the first special Army teams in the region have been based at the installations used by the Turkish Coal Mining Works Company, which are 10 km from Sirnak. The teams reportedly are prepared to render ineffective the Botan branch of the PKK in Sirnak, Idil, and Cizre. It has also been reported that they clashed with the PKK militants between Ikiztepe and Toptepe Villages the night before last, and that special teams will be deployed to predetermined areas in that region. F-16 Aircraft Based in Diyarbakir The preparatory work required to deploy F-16 aircraft at the 2d Tactical Air Base in Diyarbakir has been completed. Two F-16 squadrons reportedly will be based in Diyarbakir in the next few days. The officials are convinced that the F-16's, which are equipped with systems that lock on to enemy targets, will be effective against the PKK. |
FBIS3-58227_6 | Woerner on Expansion, `Partnership' Benefits | is aimed at everyone who is interested. There will come a time when we will differentiate. [DER SPIEGEL] After all, the fear is that the European continent will be divided into spheres of influence as in the past: here NATO, there the former Soviet Union, and the rest remains an unstable Europe in between? [Woerner] NATO does not establish spheres of influence, nor will it promote the establishment of such a sphere by others. Our concept is cooperative security for all of Europe. [DER SPIEGEL] A relapse into a policy of power and alliance as in the last century is feared. [Woerner] In contrast to the period at the beginning of this century, now we have two international instigations that can prevent the threatening relapse -- the European Union and the Atlantic alliance. They are facing two historic tasks: first, establishing the new overall Europe by including the largest European power of today and tomorrow -- that is, a strategic partnership with Russia; second anchoring the new democracies in Central and East Europe in the structures of the West. [DER SPIEGEL] Are these not very contradictory goals? [Woerner] Why should this be mutually exclusive? Of course, it is always the task of the statesman's skill to make sure that both processes take place harmonically and are coordinated. For this we need diplomatic skill, cautiousness, flexibility, but also leadership. After all, the alternative is that this Europe will fall apart and old categories of power policy will become dominant again. We have a unique historical opportunity, which one can also ruin or fail to seize. [DER SPIEGEL] Do we absolutely need NATO and the Americans for that? [Woerner] Yes, they provide the geopolitical balance -- even in a cooperative relationship with the Russians. On the other hand, the alliance is necessary also for the current balance in West Europe, because otherwise the old question: "Who controls whom?" in Europe might occupy first place again. [DER SPIEGEL] Do you seriously believe that NATO and the European Union will be able to master these tasks? [Woerner] Who else? [DER SPIEGEL] Despite the fact that even there the forces of disintegration are growing? [Woerner] I do not dream of denying that. In view of the current historical transition periods and the disappearance of the great enemy, the centrifugal trends are increasing. So far, we have managed to come to grips with that, and I |
FBIS3-58228_0 | Impact on NATO-WEU Relationship | Language: German Article Type:BFN [Report by Stefan Kornelius: "Draft for Final Communique of Summit Meeting: NATO Offers East Europe Cautious Rapprochement, While at the Same Time Strengthening the Alliance in West Europe"] [Text] Bonn, 9 January -- The NATO heads of government and the foreign ministers will take cautious steps to establish closer relations with the East European states. At the same time, they want to strengthen the West European pillar of the alliance. In a final communique of the conference, the draft of which is available to SUEDDEUTSCHE ZEITUNG, the delegations will agree on the following formula: "We expect and would welcome an expansion of NATO toward the democratic states east of us in an evolutionary process that would take into consideration the security-political development in Europe." In a first step, the alliance will offer the East European states political and military cooperation under the formula Partnership for Peace. The heads of state and government and the foreign ministers of the 16 NATO states will meet in Brussels for a two-day meeting today. According to the agenda, the declaration Partnership for Peace is to be adopted on the first day, and a final communique on the second. Both documents have largely been completed after weeks of negotiations. Some particularly controversial issues -- the financing of Partnership for Peace, for example -- are still unsettled. The Partnership for Peace declaration states that NATO will remain open for other states "that are in a position to promote the principles of the North Atlantic Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic territory." First of all, however, the Partnership program will be adopted to allow the development of a new "security relationship." "Active participation in the Partnership for Peace program will play a significant role in the evolutionary process of NATO expansion," the declaration reads. The states of the North Atlantic Cooperation Council and other CSCE countries have been invited to participate. NATO bodies will decide on the election of the partners. NATO promises that consultation will be held with every participant in the program if its "territorial integrity, political independence, or security are in peril." It is still unclear whether the individual partners in the program can ask NATO for consultations or whether the alliance has to take the first step. The communique stipulates that the East European partners themselves will decide to what extent they want to |
FBIS3-58241_0 | French Leadership on NATO's Role in Bosnia Mitterrand on NATO's `Determination' | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Brussels, Jan 11 (AFP) -- French President Francois Mitterrand on Tuesday [11 January] emphasised NATO's "determination to eliminate obstacles" preventing the UN Protection Force from accomplishing its mandate in Bosnia-Herzegovina. He told a press conference at the end of the summit that "actions are planned to open the airport at Tuzla (northeast Bosnia) and allow the relief of UNPROFOR troops in Srebenica," the Moslem enclave where a Canadian contingent has been trapped for six months. He said Britain and France had put forward the proposal to take concrete action. The proposal was added on Tuesday morning to the text of the final declaration and adopted unanimously, he said. Mitterrand said the wording had been drawn up by British Prime Minister John Major and French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe and checked by U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher. Mitterrand refused to specify what kind of action was envisaged, saying that it was "not usual" to make such information available for security reasons. "We can no longer count on the goodwill of the three warring parties and the first duty of the United Nations forces is to ensure the safety of their comrades engaged in peacekeeping activities. That will be the case in Srebenica and at Tuzla Airport." Last August NATO announced it would resort to air strikes to protect UN troops on the ground and in Moslem safe areas if the United Nations formally requested it. |
FBIS3-58243_0 | WEU's Van Eekelen Views Gains From NATO Summit | Language: Italian Article Type:BFN [Interview with Western European Union (WEU) Secretary General Willem van Eekelen by Leonardo Malsano in Brussels; date not given: "`Three Reasons for a Success'"; first paragraph is IL GIORNALE introduction] [Text] Brussels -- "It will be a success, a fantastic success, a turning point in the policy of the Atlantic alliance." Willem van Eekelen, the former Netherlands defense minister and general secretary of the WEU [Western European Union], which in Maastricht found the fertile ground allowing it to liberate itself from an uncertain political and military arrangement to grow into the "armed wing" of Europe, is exultant about the outcome of a summit that, for the most part, had already been predicted. [Malsano] Why a success? [van Eekelen] Great progress was made in three areas: the adoption by NATO of greater flexibility in its internal structures; giving the WEU permission to use the structure of the Atlantic alliance; and the Partnership for Peace aimed at benefiting the countries of Central and East Europe. The first and second points are interrelated and have a precise significance: The summit will open the road to the creation of multinational interarmy groups. This means putting at our disposal (the Western European Union comprises the Twelve except for Ireland and Denmark, whereas Greece has to finalize its parliamentary ratification in order to gain full membership -- IL GIORNALE editor's note) the NATO headquarters for these operations which are the responsibility of Europe alone. [Malsano] So this is the theory of the "two caps," which says that the NATO structures could, from time to time, be put at the WEU's service. [van Eekelen] Exactly. This is the hypothesis on which I have worked for years, and which will put NATO in charge of collective defense and us in charge of undertaking our missions. However, the aspect that must be emphasized is the political rather than military. This summit will lead to a full and unconditional "yes" by the Americans regarding the existence of the WEU, a "yes" that had never been clearly stated in the past. In the second place, the United States acknowledges that there could be scenarios in which ground forces would not participate, as is the case in Bosnia now. This facilitates cooperation, and makes everyone more flexible -- including NATO, which in the event of noninvolvement by the United States in military operations, could offer its bases to |
FBIS3-58259_0 | Andreatta Views `Ambiguities' of NATO Pact | Language: Italian Article Type:BFN [Interview with Italian Foreign Minister Beniamino Andreatta by Bernardo Valli in Rome; date not given: "`Europe Will Respond to the East's Fears'"] [Excerpt] Rome -- [introductory passage omitted] The election results in Russia took almost everyone by surprise, and now Vladimir Zhirinovskiy's 20 million votes loom like a threat over the Atlantic Council session in Brussels. Andreatta gave this analysis of the Russian election results: "Inertia, indifference, the fact that so many Russians failed to take part in the first democratic elections in their history could prompt a comparison with Weimar (pre-Nazi Germany -- LA REPUBBLICA editor's note). Questions also arise concerning the national character, the legacy of communism, apathy, nostalgia for equality within poverty. Zhirinovskiy's violence and the mourning for the loss of empire, the anti-Semitism, and the spirit of self-pity and revenge are reminiscent of men who hide in cellars, a reminder of Russia's constant oscillation between humiliation and a sense of mission -- the Third Rome, the New Constantinople. All this creates a sense of danger, the impression of the possible collapse of the institutions, of the political mechanism." [Valli] In other words, something in a precarious state of balance, from which we must protect ourselves but that at the same time must not be angered, offended, provoked, to avoid causing or hastening a possible disaster? [Andreatta] On the one hand, there is our objective anxiety about Russia, and, on the other, the realization that the way in which the West manages its security policy could prompt reactions in Russia, could determine events at an unsteady time when the country has an identity problem. [Andreatta ends] Hence the existence of two schools of thought. One, strict and unyielding, that would extend NATO to the countries of Central Europe or even the Baltics, that have become emancipated since the collapse of the Soviet empire, both to protect them and to "contain" possible future Russian impulses. The other is concerned with not prompting the old sense of insecurity that has often been behind these expansionist impulses on Russia's part. [Andreatta continues] Henry Kissinger represents the former school of thought, ruthlessly, albeit lucidly, as always. He says that to leave a security vacuum on Russia's borders means causing history to repeat itself. The other school of thought would help Russia's reformist leaders in the security field, as has been done in the economic field, with a |
FBIS3-58273_0 | Ciller on Regional Security, Kurds | Language: French Article Type:BFN [Interview with Turkish Prime Minister Tansu Ciller by Nicole Pope and Luc Rosenzweig in Ankara on 5 January: "Tansu Ciller: `We Are Aiming at Democratization for All of Turkey'" -- first paragraph is LE MONDE introduction] [Text] Ankara -- Since assuming power in July 1993, Tansu Ciller -- 47 and Turkey's first female prime minister -- has primarily aimed to consolidate her position at the head of her coalition government comprising the True Path Party (DYP) and the Social Democratic Populist Party (SHP). As a result of the implacable repression against the Kurd separatists of the PKK [Workers Party of Kurdistan] in the southeast of the country and abroad, Turkey seems to be a country in the region whose stability could be threatened. This is an impression Mrs. Ciller tried to dilute by meeting with representatives of the western press on 5 January at her residence in Ankara. [LE MONDE] The latest elections in Russia ended with a breakthrough by Mr. Zhirinovskiy's ultranationalist party. He has made provocative statements about your country. Does that worry you? [Ciller] Of course it does. Things are changing in Russia, and this process is going to continue. There is a reactionary movement in the former Soviet Union, probably caused by the economic and political situation in Russia. No matter what Boris Yeltsin might think, one theme has now come to the surface: A return to the old borders, which is reflected in a nationalist attitude toward the republics that have obtained their independence. As for the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), I think Russia is trying to exert pressure on the independent states by forcing them to sign bilateral military agreements that will result in them being isolated from the rest of the world. From whom, for example, are they trying to protect Azerbaijan? From Armenia or from the NATO countries, like the United States and Turkey? Russia has a tendency to see itself as the sole protector of that region against the entire world, and especially Europe. We have already stated that Turkey wishes to coexist and cooperate with Russia. When I was in Moscow, that is what I said to Boris Yeltsin, while at the same time emphasizing that we had cultural affinities with those (Turkish speaking -- LE MONDE editor's note) countries that have become independent. [LE MONDE] What form could this cooperation take? [Ciller] We are |
FBIS3-58274_0 | Defense Minister Discusses `Foreign Threat' | Language: Turkish Article Type:BFN [Telephone interview with National Defense Minister Mehmet Golhan by Mehmet Ali Birand; place not specified -- live] [Excerpts] [Birand] How are you, Mr. Minister. [Golhan] Fine, thank you. This is the first time in 15 years I have attended the opera. I have left the hall to watch your program. [Birand] We thank you. Hundreds of thousands of people are waiting to hear what you have to say. We are sorry to have interrupted your opera. What I would like to ask is the following: Military affairs are always planned in advance. We are well aware that both the National Defense Ministry and the Chief of the General Staff's Office are very meticulous on the issue. It was your government that shortened the military service. Were you not aware that you would be faced with the current situation? If you were aware, then why did you shorten it? This is what everyone wants to know. [Golhan] Mr. Birand, naturally the problems and the potential risk facing Turkey when we shortened military service and the situation about a month or two ago -- or even the current situation -- are very different. In other words, we did shorten the military service from 18 to 15 months last year. It was the right decision at the time. Since then, however, certain changes have taken place in our neighbors. I would not like to name them now. Everyone is well aware to whom I am referring and which countries I would like to include in this basket. Our viewers are very intelligent and they will understand. If, however, I name names now, then there will be talk about the defense minister creating adversity against that country. Certain conclusions will be drawn. The foreign threat Turkey was facing yesterday is different than the one it is facing today. The current potential foreign threat is very different than the one in the past. This is the first issue. Secondly, we have for the last five or six months been repeatedly saying that we should be taking every necessary measure to end the PKK [Workers Party of Kurdistan] curse we are facing. These operations will be concluded this winter and spring. Turkey will be rid of this problem. We have, for the last six months, been saying loudly that every possible measure will be taken to render these bandits ineffective. No doubt, |
FBIS3-58276_0 | Security Forces, `Terrorists' Clash Near Sirnak | Language: Turkish Article Type:BFN [Announcer-read report over still of regional map] [Excerpt] Three terrorists were killed last night in a clash that erupted between the security forces and terrorists, who used mortars, rocket launchers, and rifles in Cizre, a district of Sirnak. Five citizens were killed when their house was hit by mortar fire. Fourteen members of the PKK [Workers Party of Kurdistan] were caught in Diyarbakir, Sirnak, Batman, Hakkari, and Tunceli. Two terrorists were caught in the Ercis and Gurpinar Districts in Van. [passage omitted] |
FBIS3-58280_0 | Journalist Accuses Government of Torture, Reprisals | Language: German Article Type:BFN [Interview with Mehetsah Yildiz, OZGUR GUNDEM journalist, by Monika Hoehn; place and date not given: "If This Is Democracy, I Am Against It"] [Text] At noon on 25 November 1993, on the road from Diyarbakir to Bismil: A police patrol arrests a group involved with caring for Kurdish refugees in the FRG. On their trip to the victims of Turkish terror in Kurdistan, they were accompanied by two journalists from the daily OZGUR GUNDEM. The Germans are now safe again, as opposed to their comrades. Monika Hoehn talked to OZGUR GUNDEM journalist Mehetsah Yildiz, one of her colleagues, following their release. [Hoehn] What sort of reprisals are you subject to in your work as a journalist? [Yildiz] Our newspaper and its employees are constantly subjected to reprisals. So far, nine employees have been arrested. Some of my colleagues were imprisoned for three and sometimes four months and tortured in prison -- even though there was no evidence of guilt on their part. We are persecuted because we are against the war and report on the war objectively. The Turkish Government and its security forces do not want to let us investigate and work in peace. There is no freedom of the press of any kind. After the threat, I went from Batman to Diyarbakir. Nothing happened there until I was arrested with you. There is no doubt that our life is in danger. However, there is a standard for correspondents -- namely, to tell the truth -- and we are doing this work by risking our life. We do this for our people who are tortured and massacred, and who live in misery. [Hoehn] You said torture is an everyday occurrence, and that you live with it. How is this possible in a country described by Prime Minister Ciller as a pioneer of democracy and human rights? [Yildiz] Every day 30 soldiers and a few guerillas and civilians are shot dead. Nevertheless, Mrs. Ciller says there are only a few terrorist actions and there is no war. There is a war of intimidation underway, and murders are committed by unknown perpetrators. There are 200 arrests every day. They all take place under the aegis of the state of emergency. One must ask why these people are killed. There is a war between the Turkish Army and the Kurdish people. [Hoehn] What personal reprisals have you suffered? |
FBIS3-58283_1 | Commentaries Discuss Brussels NATO Conference `Historic' Chance To Expand | security structure -- but not in this specific partnership model. The school of thought trying to achieve this as well will not succeed. On the other hand, any signs indicating that Russia is actively excluded from the European security framework are to be avoided. It is doubtful whether this will succeed. Russian politics thinks in conspiratorial ways as a matter of principle -- the changes have left this unaltered. The fear of being isolated spreads quickly, and it can be spread quickly -- refusing a visa can be enough. Following Lithuania's formal application for membership, Yeltsin once again explicitly warned NATO against "expansion." His Brussels statement that he would have to "build a Berlin Wall" on the Russian border, if necessary, has never been denied. The question, discussed since Travemuende, as to whether the Partnership for Peace model with bilateral agreements and operative measures is the final or the starting point for NATO expansion will not be answered after the summit either. For the alliance, this process, which goes far beyond the club-like character of the Cooperation Council, is a great achievement. But on the other hand, the countries of East Europe know that there is no alternative to a formal integration into the alliance and its guarantee of assistance. The terminally ill Hungarian [Prime Minister] Antall summed it all up like this: "Yeltsin is ill, Zhirinovksiy is healthy." Speaking in Brussels in December, Ukraine Chief of Staff Lopata described Moscow's policy of trying to destabilize his country. He quoted a proverb: "When it gets cold in Moscow, Kiev freezes over." The East Europeans cannot help but be dissatisfied. The worst thing that could happen to these states is that the past is continued in a new "intermediate Europe." In Warsaw, Prague, and Budapest, where all sorts of crises have led to a high level of clear-sightedness, one speaks of the West's historical and moral failure. This is also said with a view to the Balkans. And this has had its effects. Lopata said there are two schools of thought in Ukraine: One wants to orient itself toward the West, the other toward Moscow. All the countries in our eastern vicinity will get to this crossroads tomorrow or the day after. These states are looking for support from West Europe and the United States. But their aspirations could well end in a repetition of old tragedies. Germany would be involved |
FBIS3-58285_1 | Commentaries Discuss Brussels NATO Conference Clinton's `European Year' | heavily criticized in Washington -- of neglect and rapt disinterest. This has entailed a mixture of basic, but diffuse good intentions on the part on the new government (toward Germany for example) along with ominous statements such as those made by Foreign Minister Christopher on how the Americans' "Eurocentric" conduct was over and that Asia had now become "the most important region" for them. This was then modified in connection with Clinton's travel preparations and was most recently expressed by Vice President Gore in the terms: "If Europe is at war, we suffer. If Europe is secure and free, we prosper." However, something of an aftertaste has remained and has been strengthened even more by the escalation of the war in the Balkans. Frustrated by European disagreement and manacled by Congress, Clinton does not even want to touch this particular conflict with a barge pole. Every shell that hits Sarajevo can prompt questions in Brussels about the practical value of a Partnership for Peace with an Alliance that has done so little in Southeastern Europe over such a long time. As the WASHINGTON POST assessed the issue at the weekend, Bosnia is the "skunk at the garden party" NATO is staging. It is true that the French let the Americans know that they wanted the question to appear at the top of the agenda, but how little that has to do with the wishes of the Washington administration was apparent at the last joint press conference staged by Secretary of State Christopher and [former] Secretary of Defense Aspin before the visit. They themselves said nothing about the Balkans; when asked, they evaded the issue, using meaningless formulas. Apart from domestic policy, which interests him and led to his election, Clinton primarily concerned himself with international economic policy issues during his first year in office. The exception was the sudden "summit" with the beleaguered Yeltsin in Vancouver last February. There, he made personal and political support for the "security partner" in Moscow a constant element in his foreign policy. Then, in July, he traveled to the meeting of the "big seven" in Tokyo and afterward visited America's Asian ally, South Korea. In November, he hosted the first Asian-Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) in Seattle. He also campaigned successfully for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), attended to relations with neighboring Mexico and Canada, and helped bring about a worthy end to |
FBIS3-58287_0 | Commentaries Discuss Brussels NATO Conference East's Chances for Membership | Language: German Article Type:BFN [Article by Winfried Muenster: "Back Door for East European NATO Membership"] [Text] Brussels, 9 Jan -- The formula Partnership for Peace, which allows our East European neighboring states to enter the NATO waiting room, has at least been accepted on this side of the Oder and Neisse. It has never really been controversial among the 16 Western member states that are starting a summit in Brussels today. Not one of them presently knows how the security needs of the East Europeans can be met in a satisfactory manner. Thus, all rely on the old saying: Time will tell. However, some European allies believe (or are afraid) that the problem concerning the alliance's expansion will worsen in the United States because Congress is likely to reject additional assistance guarantees. At this point, however, one country -- France -- views itself as the winner of the current discussion about the eastward expansion of the alliance. It advocates the establishment of security links with the East European states in a roundabout way: Once they are members of the European Union, it would be possible for them to join the Western European Union [WEU], a purely Western assistance pact. German Defense Minister Ruehe hinted at the meeting of the NATO planning committee four weeks ago -- was it furtively or roguishly? -- that the West Europeans, the members of the European Union at least, are not really free to decide whether they want the East Europeans to be their allies or not. Moreover, the West is not really seeking this option. Those East Europeans to whom the European Union has opened up the possibility of membership will be invited to actively participate in the WEU. Once they are accepted by the European Union, they are also entitled to become full members of the WEU, an alliance that -- even if not formally -- is part of European-American NATO. From this perspective, the current discussion about NATO's eastward expansion is a great deal of fuss about little. In fact, British and French NATO officials occasionally voice their unease. After all, their countries were dragged into World War II through alliances with East Europe. At present, however, these reminiscences are no longer very important. The large states of the European Union, England, France, Italy, and naturally Germany welcome the membership of the East European states. Yet the United States is maneuvering itself |
FBIS3-58292_0 | CDU/CSU Opposes Looser Arms Export Controls | Language: German Article Type:BFN [Report signed "K.B.": "Unexpected Protest Against Easier Arms Exports"] [Text] Bonn, 5 Jan -- Several leading members of the Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union [CDU]/[CSU] Bundestag group have criticized foreign policy spokesman Lamers for his statements on arms export controls. Lamers had demanded the establishment of common European export rules. This would make arms exports easier than they are in line with the current German regulations. The Federal Government, too, is skeptical about this suggestion. So far, it has been assumed that a memorandum of the Foreign Policy Working Group, headlined "Common European Defense -- Common Arms Market -- Common Arms Export Policy," which was drawn up with Lamers' participation, meets with approval by the Bundestag group. This memorandum, which was published at the end of November, is now causing excitement with some delay. On Wednesday [5 January] deputy group chairman Gerster came out against loosening the German export rules. Before one can think of approving regulated arms exports along broader lines and for larger areas, one must emphatically counteract excessive illegal deliveries of armament materiel in an internationally coordinated action. CDU Deputy Eppelmann, the former GDR defense minister, thinks that it is rather necessary to tighten the arms export rules instead of loosening them. To combat illegal arms trade, Gerster demands additional legal regulations. It must be possible to use evidence the Federal Intelligence Office [BND] has obtained from monitoring German arms dealers in court. Germany must not become the turntable for weapons from the former East Bloc. Therefore, checks at the borders must be tightened not only by the Customs Administration and the Federal Border Police, but also with the help of the Bundeswehr. Eppelmann criticized the Lamers' proposal and the Foreign Policy Working Group for not aiming at solving conflicts. Lamers does not speak of disarmament; the working group seems to want to resign itself to current conditions. As was confirmed on Wednesday, the Federal Government does not intend to follow the demand for loosening the export guidelines and export control regulations. However, there are indications of considerations to change the examination and licensing procedures with the final decision in the Federal Security Council. This is aimed at making the German armament industry better able to cooperate in Europe. This would be a reaction to complaints from the armament industry that purely private cooperation projects between German and European companies are delayed so |
FBIS3-58305_1 | CIA Reportedly Warns of Plan To Kill Ciller | yesterday. It has been discovered that the CIA received an intelligence report that the Workers Party of Kurdistan [PKK] planned to assassinate Ciller. It immediately informed Ankara and the police in Belgium about the matter. Acting on that information, the police in Belgium took maximum security measures. Meanwhile, police officials have said they have taken additional measures but do not believe that an attempt to kill Ciller is possible. The source of the information received by the CIA agents, who have been working in Brussels for many days because President Clinton will attend the NATO summit, has not been disclosed. The police in Brussels called the Turkish Embassy two days before Ciller arrived in Belgium to tell the officials about the information they received on the assassination attempt. Ciller's arrival in Brussels was delayed for two hours in accordance with the additional security measures that were implemented. The information on the assassination attempt by the PKK militants, who selected Belgium as a base after the PKK was banned in Germany and France, has created as wave of anxiety. The fact that the information on the assassination attempt was received only a week after PKK militants created incidents in that country has added to the state of uneasiness. Ciller postponed her departure from Ankara to Brussels for two hours yesterday. She was scheduled to leave Ankara at 1200. She arrived in Brussels in the evening and found herself in the middle of a wall of police officials. The police officials said they took all the necessary measures to protect Ciller but added that they did not take the information on the assassination attempt seriously. Prime Minister Ciller went to the Hilton Hotel after arriving in Brussels. She gave statements to the BRTN and RTBF Television Networks in Flemish and French respectively in her hotel last night and received the representatives of the Turkish community in Belgium. She was briefed by the representatives on the incidents the PKK created in Belgium last week. Ciller also appeared on a live CNN telecast with Frank Fesno. Minister of State Necmettin Cevheri will fill in for Ciller while she is in Brussels to attend the NATO summit. The circular on Cevheri assuming the prime minister's duties was published in the official gazette yesterday. Minister of Labor and Social Security Mehmet Mogultay will fill in for Foreign Minister Hikmet Cetin, who has accompanied Ciller to Brussels. |
FBIS3-58308_0 | Future Role of Western European Union Discussed | Language: Dutch Article Type:BFN [Report by Jos Klaassen: "European Union's Defense Task: A Little Work on the Side"] [Text] Does the "European defense identity" remain a stepchild of NATO, even if at present Washington is ready to take this "identity" a little seriously? This question is the only point on the agenda of the NATO summit in Brussels which was not thought up by the United States. The main feature of the allies' summit is a new U.S. plan for Europe: Partnership for Peace [last three words in English], together with the Combined Joint Task Forces [last four words in English]. In addition the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons will be discussed. At NATO people are not being hard with Europe. "Of course the European Union and its own security and defense policies will be applauded in the final communique. A small sentence or so," a NATO official says. European security remains primarily a NATO matter. In this field the European Union and its "military arm," the Western European Union (WEU), can do a bit of work on the side. The United States -- them again! -- have even thought up a term to express this: separable, but not separate [four last words in English]. Which means that of course Europe can undertake the odd peace operation without the Americans, but not without their permission. At present Manfred Woerner, NATO secretary-general, is maintaining excellent contacts with Wim van Eekelen, the secretary-general of the WEU. Woerner values the cooperation, but he never neglects any opportunity to emphasize that without NATO, Europe can kiss goodbye to its security. "NATO is irreplaceable," Woerner says. "It must be clear that the alliance is the central body where the decisions on the security of the NATO member states are taken." Van Eekelen is certainly not in a position to say something along the same lines. The WEU, the alliance's European pillar, is still in its infancy. Nothing has changed since the Cold War. Now, as in the past, the United States continues to set the tone in Europe when European security is involved -- in the past with glittering brochures about the dangers of Soviet Military Power [last three words in English], nowadays with ideas calling for not entering into conflict with the Russians, please. Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia as members of NATO? Rather not. The Russians are against that. As the West |
FBIS3-58316_0 | Government To Study Option of Cutting Social Benefits | Language: German Article Type:BFN [Unattributed report: "Social Benefits To Be `Examined'"] [Text] Vienna -- On Tuesday [11 January], Chancellor Franz Vranitzky announced that he would examine the option of establishing income ceilings for receiving social benefits. Vranitzky was reacting to a proposal by Social Affairs Minister Hesoun, who had called for cutting maternity pay for women whose partners earn more than 70,000 Austrian schillings per month. The Minister for Women's Affairs, Johanna Dohnal, although in favor of weeding out the social benefit system, opposed cuts in maternity pay. Austrian People's Party [OeVP] Chairman, Vice Chancellor Erhard Busek also rejects such cuts. He said that misuse had to be stopped before introducing selective cuts. |
FBIS3-58330_0 | Dailies Comment on Brussels NATO Summit Step Toward Security Policy | Language: German Article Type:BFN [Eberhard Wisdorff editorial: "Consideration for Yeltsin"] [Text] For the third time since the collapse of the East Bloc, the 16 heads of state and government of the NATO countries tried at their summit in Brussels to give clearer contours to a new comprehensive security structure for Europe. In mid-1990 in London the alliance formulated the offer for cooperation with the East and, a few months later, it confirmed it in the CSCE Charter of Paris. A year later in Rome NATO adopted its new strategic concept, which is adapted to the changed situation. Almost at the same time, the 12 member states of the then-European Community agreed on the treaty for the establishment of the European Union (EU), which envisages an independent foreign and security policy by using the Western European Union (WEU) as a complementary institution to NATO. Already these few stations mark the speed of development following the upheavals in the East. Nevertheless, now in Brussels there were once again new factors, such as, above all, the uncertainty about the Russian reform policy, that characterized the debate, at the end of which it remains unclear what the security structures on the old continent will be like in the end but whose result should clarify the relationship between Europe and the United States and the former East Bloc at least for some time. In shaping relations with Russia, the other CIS republics, as well as the Central East European countries, which are all already cooperating with NATO in the North Atlantic Cooperation Council, the alliance partners agreed to the U.S. concept of Partnership for Peace without any major debate. Bilateral Cooperation It offers these countries the opportunity to introduce close bilateral military cooperation with NATO, for instance through joint maneuvers, training for peace missions, and consultations in the case of a threat. Accession to the alliance, which is demanded above all by the reform states Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia as well as by the Baltic countries after the election success of Russian rightist-nationalist Zhirinovskiy, is offered as a prospect, but without giving any specific date. This is done out of consideration for Russian fears of being surrounded and avoids drawing a new, at least theoretical border in Europe. This priority set by Washington is useful certainly as long as there are justified hopes that the Moscow reform process will be continued. Furthermore, |
FBIS3-58337_0 | Fascist Group Threatens Gysi With Murder | Language: German Article Type:BFN [Report signed "ND-Noelte": "Gysi Threatened With Murder"] [Text] Berlin -- A fascist group in Berlin, which calls itself "Weissensee Aryan Resistance" (WAW), threatens Gregor Gysi and all "Reds" and "asylum-seekers" with murder. A threatening letter that the Weissensee district office of the Party of Democratic Socialism [PDS] received by mail on Monday morning [3 January], says: "Beat them to death," "beat the communists to death," "the time has come finally for us to fight back so that Germany wakes up." The letter demands that the building in Weissensee be cleared out by the end of January, "otherwise what the asylum-seekers in the Weissensee asylum-seekers' hostel have already experienced will occur." Last summer a hand grenade attack was carried out at the hostel. At that time, police investigated "unknown perpetrators." The district mayor and the police denied that the deed had a fascist background. The PDS has filed a complaint against this group with the police "for threats." PDS Land Chairwoman Petra Pau stated that this threatening letter is the climax so far in a chain of attacks on PDS institutions. The "WAW" has become active in Berlin for the first time. At a national level a group called "White Aryan Resistance" is known. |
FBIS3-58339_0 | `Thousands' Commemorate Rosa Luxemburg's Death | Language: German Article Type:BFN [Excerpt] Berlin (DDP/ADN) -- Thousands of Berliners have been demonstrating since this morning at the memorial of the socialist leaders Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht in Friedrichsfelde. The cofounders of the German Communist Party (KPD) were killed by volunteer corps officers in Berlin on 15 January 1919. The demonstrators are marching presently in close rows past the stone monument, inscribed with the words "The dead remind us," and past the graves and placing flowers there. One of the first demonstrators, despite receiving a murder threat at the beginning of the week, was Gregor Gysi, head of the Party of Democratic Socialism's [PDS] Bundestag group. He is accompanied by the PDS Chairman Lothar Bisky and the party's honorary chairman, Hans Modrow. The demonstration was called by Berlin Peace Coordination, a loose association of leftwing parties and organizations as well as environmental and peace groups. Last year around 40,000 people took part in the event. [passage omitted] |
FBIS3-58349_3 | Giraud Cited on Unemployment, Social Security | generate, on its own, a number of jobs likely to significantly reduce unemployment. However, the government is justified in hoping for the full effect of the emergency measures (law of 27 July 1993), the five-year law (better organization of work, training, youth employment...), and the 1994 budget. Thus, during the second half of 1994, we should experience an encouraging deceleration in the unemployment curve. [Lecluse] With hindsight, if you were to draft the five-year law today, would you proceed in the same way? Do you have regrets? [Giraud] The process of design, drafting, consultation, and then consideration of the five-year law took place over eight months... In all honesty, I do not think that I could now take a more open approach... On the other hand, with regard to some expectations -- I am thinking in particular of the "32-hour" working week -- I might envisage a more vigorous response so that the attention of our fellow citizens is not distracted from the essential issue of the law's content. Moreover, it is in this spirit that I have started a wide-ranging effort to provide information on all the new measures proposed in this law. [Lecluse] The government plans to pursue the reform of social security funding. Do you advocate a more rapid implementation of the timetable to include family contributions in the budget or a new reduction in the sickness benefit contribution? [Giraud] The pursuit of the reform of social security funding and its implementation provisions require a concerted and united choice by the government. I would like to confirm two personal convictions: -- The relationship between the reduction in contributions and the preservation or creation of jobs is undoubtedly strong. -- The effort to reduce social security contributions must be based on the minimum wage if we are to secure the maximum effect with regard to employment. I am therefore strongly in favor of speeding up the reduction in the cost of labor for the benefit of the lowest wages, and, moreover, this is a way of protecting the jobs concerned. [Lecluse] Are you not afraid of creating daunting threshold effects by concentrating the reductions on wages in the region of the minimum wage at the very time when enterprises are very strongly limiting their wage increases? [Giraud] This is a false debate in that there is no threshold proper. Indeed, every year until 1998, the level of the |
FBIS3-58349_4 | Giraud Cited on Unemployment, Social Security | the reform of social security funding. Do you advocate a more rapid implementation of the timetable to include family contributions in the budget or a new reduction in the sickness benefit contribution? [Giraud] The pursuit of the reform of social security funding and its implementation provisions require a concerted and united choice by the government. I would like to confirm two personal convictions: -- The relationship between the reduction in contributions and the preservation or creation of jobs is undoubtedly strong. -- The effort to reduce social security contributions must be based on the minimum wage if we are to secure the maximum effect with regard to employment. I am therefore strongly in favor of speeding up the reduction in the cost of labor for the benefit of the lowest wages, and, moreover, this is a way of protecting the jobs concerned. [Lecluse] Are you not afraid of creating daunting threshold effects by concentrating the reductions on wages in the region of the minimum wage at the very time when enterprises are very strongly limiting their wage increases? [Giraud] This is a false debate in that there is no threshold proper. Indeed, every year until 1998, the level of the wage exempted increases by 10 percent in accordance with the process started last July. In addition, through the opportunity given to new enterprises to benefit from the 1998 conditions as from 1994, considerable room to maneuver is being opened up. In other words, the reductions do not fix the most modest wages at their present level. I am even convinced that they could encourage a gradual increase in them. [Lecluse] Are corporate social plans being presented to you today better constructed than a few months ago? [Giraud] Since the beginning of last fall, we have observed a clear improvement in the quality of social plans. The mobilization of the public employment services, greater awareness on the part of enterprise chiefs, and the early implementation of the provisions of the five-year law make it possible to further encourage alternative solutions to redundancies. Out of 2,000 procedures concerning enterprises with more than 20 employees, only 80 observations of shortcomings have been reported. This is a good development especially because the number of social plans is still worrying. In reality, we are gradually moving toward company plans composed of three largely equal parts: one-third internal measures (partial unemployment, gradual early retirement, shorter working |
FBIS3-58351_1 | De Villiers To Lead Anti-Maastricht List | group led by Philippe de Villiers (UDF-PR [Republican Party], will make its presence felt in an attempt to reignite the debate that went on during the Maastricht ratification campaign, on behalf of those whose opposed the Treaty. "We want a sovereign France in a new Europe. We want the election on 12 June to be an opportunity to ask for a referendum on a new European project," the Vendee representative [de Villiers] told his group's departmental officials in Paris on Sunday 8 January. Mr. de Villiers' takes issue with at least six elements in the common platform which the two right-wing parties have been drawing up. These relate to the "urgent" integration of greater Europe, in other words, that of the former Soviet Block countries; the application of a "genuine Community preference"; the rejection of the single currency ultimately provided for by the Maastricht Treaty; the restoration of internal border controls removed pursuant to the Schengen Accord; the defense of a "strict and integral national citizenship"; and finally, the preservation of French sovereignty, "which Community practice has made meaningless." On the other hand, the president of the General Council of the Vendee Region [de Villiers] did not give any information on the identity of his fellow Brussels-bashing candidates. Intent on avoiding a political split with the majority, the former first cohabitation minister [1986] [de Villiers] insists that a rival right-wing list in the European Election is no sign of dissidence. "The proportional voting system does not divide," he contends, "it enhances and enriches. Just imagine there is only one list, a pro-Maastricht one. What of all the French people who want another Europe?" Mr. de Villiers remains cautious, however. He does not expect high praise from the government for his initiative. Mr. de Villiers is equally cautious in his appraisal of the prime minister's record; he describes Mr. Balladur as an "estimable and honorable" man. "The majority is large enough for it to include people who do not shrink from the truth," he suggests. While he said "no" to the GATT agreement through a vote of no-confidence in the prime minister, the leader of "Combat pour les valeurs" does commend the government for amending the Falloux Act [on private Catholic and state school funding]. "We said we would do it and so we did; it is as it should be and the government has earned praise for this," he claims. |
FBIS3-58361_0 | Papandreou Discusses Balkans, Cyprus With Clinton | Language: Greek Article Type:BFN [Report by Mirella Kalostipi from Brussels--recorded] [Text] The Greek side appears completely satisfied with the results of the Brussels visit, both with regard to the outcome of the NATO summit and inter-Atlantic cooperation as well as with the prime minister's contacts with the U.S. President. Telemakhos Khitiris, the deputy prime minister, discussed the mission, saying it has been crowned with full success since, as he put it, there was an opportunity to outline at length the Greek positions on the issues occupying the Balkans as well as the Cyprus problem, which the Clinton Administration appears determined to end. At last night's dinner of the 16 NATO leaders, as well as at today's luncheon with President Bill Clinton and Jacques Delors, the prime minister discussed thoroughly the situation in the region and the dangers inherent in an expansion of the war southward and the Skopje issue. The harsh positions which were heard from certain sides before last evening on ways of addressing the crisis in the former Yugoslavia were not included in the final statement of the NATO summit that was issued today. The interventions, particularly by Greece and Canada, contributed a great deal to the final resolution, which, although it warns the belligerent sides that a NATO air attack is not ruled out, gives priority to a solution through negotiations. Greek-U.S. relations today entered officially into an extremely positive stage, since the time allotted for the Clinton-Papandreou-Delors luncheon was extended because of the personal interest shown by the U.S. President in being briefed by Mr. Papandreou on the Greek positions on a series of issues. The Greek prime minister outlined to President Clinton his views on the Yugoslav issue in general, the situation in Bosnia-Hercegovina and Kosovo, and ended with the Skopje issue, saying that it is a tragic irony for pressure to be exerted only on Greece which is stable, European, and a NATO member and who has no designs on anyone. Mr. Papandreou drew the U.S. President's attention to this issue and asked that there be similar pressure and moves in the direction of the other side for the sake of stability, cooperation, and peace in the region. The Greek prime minister also referred to our country's desire for good, cooperative relations with Albania and the initiatives Greece is prepared to take in this direction. Mr. Clinton thanked the prime minister for the analysis, |
FBIS3-58363_2 | Clinton's Policy on Iraq, Disappointment Viewed | pipeline, which has begun to corrode, in return for Iraq's debts to Turkey. Consequently, Ciller is looking for a new escape route. Can She Persuade Saddam? Considering Washington's approach, Ankara has moved to find a way to persuade Baghdad. That was why the under secretary of the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs was recently invited to visit Turkey for the first time since the Gulf War. Washington may have been displeased with the invitation but Ankara believes the visit is very important. The talks that are expected to take place next week can be viewed as Turkey's move to persuade Saddam Husayn. Turkey is convinced that the controlled sale of oil from the Ceyhan-Iskenderun pipeline will be helpful to Turkey and Iraq. The UN proposal that Iraq be allowed to sell oil worth $1.6 million to meet its urgent needs is not new. But Saddam Husayn is opposed to any UN control over the use of the profit Iraq will make from the sale. The UN officials insist that they control the way Iraq will use the amount it will have after Baghdad's debts to Turkey are paid and an amount is allocated to the war reparation fund. Saddam Husayn agreeing to the UN proposal without objection will be an important political and economic development for Iraq. It may be allowed to sell more of its oil if the Baghdad administration agrees to the UN formula, regardless of its sales being subject to control. That will be an important step for lifting the embargo. Resuming oil sales will prevent corrosion in the pipeline, which has cost millions of dollars. Undoubtedly, the sale is regarded as a way to help Turkey reduce the loss it has suffered during the past three years. The political implications of putting that formula into effect are equally important. Baghdad can have its sovereignty over north Iraq registered. Naturally, Baghdad's anxiety is justified. It is convinced that the Kurds may move to sabotage the pipeline when the pumping of oil is resumed. But the Turkish Government is prepared to maintain the pipeline's security. Can Ciller Persuade Saddam? In short, Turkey is not only trying to redeem the loss it has incurred because of the embargo but it is also intensifying its diplomatic initiatives aimed at obstructing the establishment of a Kurdish State in north Iraq. Can Ciller, who has not received Clinton's approval, persuade Saddam Husayn? |
FBIS3-58369_0 | Security Forces Kill 33 `Terrorists' in Southeast | Language: Turkish Article Type:BFN [Statement by the Office of the State of Emergency Region Governor; dated 12 January 1994 -- read by announcer] [Text] So far, eighteen terrorists were killed during operations started by the security forces on Kato Mountain near Hakkari on 10 January and which were supported by air units. One security person was martyred during the clashes. Also, a big group of terrorists who arrived from northern Iraq fired rocker-launchers and rifles at the Pirinceken gendarmerie border post in Cukurca District in Hakkari at 2030 on 11 January. At least 13 terrorists were killed in the clash that erupted following the attack. Two privates were martyred during the initial attack by the terrorists. Area search operations continue in both regions. Meanwhile, Major Mehmet Sahin, commander of the Elazig Commando Battalion, and a private were martyred in the clash that erupted between terrorists and the security forces in Suveren in Bingol Province. Extensive operations are under way to catch the terrorists who fled after the incident. Also, two terrorists were killed in a clash with the security forces near Kirbasi village in Hilvan District in Sanliurfa Province. One Kalashnikov and an M-16 as well as organizational documents were found at the site of the incident. [Ankara ANATOLIA in Turkish at 1435 GMT on 12 January carries a similar report on the terrorist attack on the Pirinceken gendarmerie border post and adds: "Commando units have entered five kilometers into northern Iraq to capture the terrorists who escaped."] |
FBIS3-58371_0 | Dehaene: Government Will Not Outlaw PKK | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] During the NATO summit, Prime Minister Dehaene has repeated that Belgium does not intend to outlaw the Kurdish nationalist PKK [Workers Party of Kurdistan] party, but Belgium does condemn the terrorist activities of the PKK. Dehaene had a short talk with his Turkish colleague Ciller at the summit. Turkey had asked Belgium to ban the PKK after the recent Turkish-Kurdish riots in Brussels. Belgium, however, is sticking to its own policy. Dehaene said that the government would decide itself how to deal with problems here. He asked the Turkish premier to solve the problems between the Turkish Government and Kurdish minority through negotiation, and pointed out that Belgium had solved its community problems peacefully. |
FBIS3-58373_0 | Pasqua: No Explanations To U.S. Needed on Iranians Case | Language: French Article Type:BFN [Interview with Charles Pasqua, minister of state for Interior and Terrritorial Development, by Franz-Olivier Giesbert, in Paris--live] [Excerpts] [Giesbert] Charles Pasqua, good morning. [Pasqua] Good morning. [Giesbert] You are the deputy prime minister of the government. So far, everybody agreed that you had not made any mistakes. You have changed quite a lot. [Pasqua] Do you think so? [Giesbert] Yes. You have become quite consensual. [Pasqua] No, not especially. [Giesbert] In any case, two affairs have tarnished your good image recently, one after the other. First of all, the Kraouche affair. One of the documents found at the home of the Algerian Islamic activist is alleged to belong to the French counter- intelligence services. It is not very nice. [passage omitted] [Giesbert] Let us now talk about the Iranians affair. In 1986, you promised you would terrorize terrorists. [Pasqua] And so I did. [Giesbert] Yes. We are now under the impression that the terrorists are the ones terrorizing. [Pasqua] When I arrived at the Ministry of Interior in 1986, bombs were going off in Paris and we had 10 being held hostage. We did what we had to do. We do not feel any misplaced vanity about it, but you will notice that at the time, we did not explain what we were doing either. You can now see the results. [Giesbert] You sent two suspects back to their home country in order to enable them to escape from the Swiss judiciary, didn't you? [Pasqua] The issue is not to enable them to escape from the Swiss judiciary. The issue, when one is faced with this type of situation, as I explained yesterday -- [pauses] the role of the interior minister is first and foremost to guarantee the security of people and property in France and to see to it that threats coming from abroad do not damage French interests, in France or elsewhere. [Giesbert] The Americans have asked you for explanations. [Pasqua] I do not have to give any explanations to the Americans. I am not an employee of Mr. Clinton's. I know that the Americans have on their territory one of the FIS [Islamic Salvation Front] leaders abroad, Mr. Anouar Adnan. We protested, and they answered that they could not do anything about it. [Giesbert] Didn't you deport these Iranians suspects to get Tehran's help against Algerian FIS Islamic fundamentalists? This is what everyone |
FBIS3-58378_0 | Praises Partnership for Peace | Language: Portuguese Article Type:BFN [Excerpts] The NATO summit ended in Brussels this morning. [passage omitted] Armando Pires, our special envoy, reports. [Pires] [passage omitted] During a meeting with Portuguese journalists, Prime Minister Cavaco Silva described as historic the decisions made at this summit. Cavaco Silva welcomed the American decision to keep Europe as one of its defense priorities, and said he believed the summit had eliminated the areas of disagreement between NATO and the WEU [Western European Union]. The Prime Minister said the conditions have been created for both NATO and the WEU to dedicate themselves fully to the peace operations entrusted to them. One of the decisions Cavaco Silva described as historic was the Sixteen's approval of the Partnership for Peace plan. An evolutionary process, according to him, which will depend on its interpretation by the East European countries. As is known, the document was not all the Polish, Hungarians, Czechs, and Slovaks wanted, but Cavaco Silva explained this with the need not to isolate Moscow in this process. [Begin Cavaco recording] We had an Iron Curtain which was destroyed, and we must not do anything now which would represent moving an Iron Curtain further east. The main advantage of this Partnership for Peace is nondiscrimination. It does not discriminate between any country belonging to the CSCE, it promises (?peace to all), and I think it would in fact be a mistake at the moment to discriminate against Russia or Ukraine or Belarus, or any other country. It is open to all countries which want to commit themselves to the strengthening of security in Europe. [end recording] [passage omitted] [Pires] In the last part of this press conference, Cavaco Silva expressed the satisfaction of the Portuguese Government which, following Spain's example, wanted this Brussels summit to voice its commitment to the defense and security of the Mediterranean. Europe is today affected not only by the waves of immigration caused by the regional conflicts spreading in the region, but also feels the danger caused by the political and military instability in the so-called European southern flank. Cavaco Silva revealed that a high-level group was set up to study the situation in the southern Mediterranean. |
FBIS3-58400_2 | `Clinton's Summit' Renews Transatlantic Relations | use of combined joint task forces, in which it neither wants to nor is able to participate itself -- the Europeans will have to show they are ready for the role. At the same time, the U.S. leadership will not be compromised in any way. It is an old truth that the alliance only works well under clear U.S. leadership. In this respect, there was general relief in Brussels that Washington remains fully committed to its obligations and that Clinton is even pulling the alliance along behind him. Nobody makes any secret of the fact that this was very much "Clinton's summit." The dominant themes -- the new balance, enlargement to the East, and halting the proliferation of nuclear weapons -- were all Clinton's themes. The question yet to be answered is to what extent they will work. In particular, doubts hang over the Partnership for Peace which is designed to draw closer to NATO the candidate members from Central and East Europe. NATO admits that this proposal does not give these countries what they are seeking: security guarantees against a Russian threat. By inviting them to participate in military cooperation or peace missions, NATO hopes to prepare them for full membership at some time in the future. There is no longer any discussion on the principle of expanding the alliance. Everyone agrees that this will happen. Nobody, however, ventures to say how and which countries will be the first to be considered for membership. Not all the candidate countries will be able to join at once. This would, however, mean that some countries (Romania, Bulgaria) will have to remain behind in a Russian-dominated zone which is something NATO cannot allow. New dividing lines in Europe are not acceptable. It is uncertain whether the Partnership for Peace will be able to solve this problem. For internal reasons, it is the best NATO can offer itself: it postpones the painful decision. For this fact alone, the summit has been a success. But this success is tempered by the continuing failure on one subject: Bosnia. However much the alliance may want to reorganize itself, it stands or falls by its credibility, which has been seriously damaged in Bosnia. Threatening language cannot restore it. NATO's worth is determined only by its ability to implement its policy. Further empty threats would further damage its prestige and finally create nothing but a profound general malaise. |
FBIS3-58401_1 | Editorialist Says U.S. Took `Gamble' at Summit | Council), whose creation aimed to fill the political and military gap created by the disappearance of the Warsaw Pact and the collapse of communism. We can, therefore, now be certain that real cooperation will be established on the European Continent, even if the prospects offered by the Partnership remain vague. The terms of the final communique leave no room for doubt: The expansion of the alliance is within the realm of possiblity and has been announced, although no timetable has been established. Compared with the intentions expressed in autumn, this is considerable progress. Of course, some people rightly think that this development is not rapid enough. The Central European countries in particular, whose heads of state will meet with Bill Clinton in Prague this Wednesday [12 January], will probably regret that the alliance has not taken more account of their hopes. But the choices made in Washington at the initiative of Strobe Talbott, the new assistant secretary of state (a former journalist who was posted to Moscow), show that the White House's European policy is determined to do nothing which could jeopardize Boris Yeltsin's reforms. On the other hand -- diplomatic circles make no secret of this -- if things turn out badly in Russia, it seems obvious that the Central or even East European countries would receive their membership without delay. In such conditions, the Western countries would no longer allow themselves to give in to the amoral temptation of isolationism: They would have to provide the security guarantees which Prague, Warsaw, and Budapest are asking of them. Paradoxically, as an expert stressed, the worst thing to happen -- which nobody wants -- would favor the aspirations of the members of the Visegrad group.... In short, the U.S. Administration is taking a kind of gamble. It wishes to play on two stages at once. Assured of the rapprochement of the countries naturally attracted by the Western world and which have no choice but to accept the Partnership formula, it would like to establish (if not maintain) the best possible relations with the Kremlin at the same time. But, in politics, it can also prove tricky to keep two pots on boil. In addition, the historical precedents of this century certainly should not encourage the Visegrad group leaders into thinking that the Western countries would give them aid worthy of the name if their relationship with Moscow were to deteriorate. |
FBIS3-58405_0 | Iran's Foreign Minister Velayati Begins Dublin Visit Discusses Bilateral Ties With Reynolds | Language: Persian Article Type:BFN [Text] 'Ali Akbar Velayati, our country's foreign minister, is currently in Ireland to attend the second joint commission of Iran and Ireland. He met this morning with the prime minister of Ireland. The Central News Unit reports that during this meeting Irish Prime Minister Albert Reynolds expressed delight with the expansion of ties between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Ireland, and asked for precise implementation of articles of the two countries' joint commission and for further expansion of bilateral relations. According to this report, Velayati is due to meet and hold talks this evening with the Irish president; the foreign minister; the ministers of agriculture, development, and investment; and the head of Irish parliament's foreign policy commission. The Iran-Ireland second joint commission will begin work in Dublin tomorrow morning. The first round was held in Tehran in the year 1370 [Iranian year beginning 21 March 1991]. |
FBIS3-58406_0 | Iran's Foreign Minister Velayati Begins Dublin Visit Confers With Robinson on Bosnia, Relations | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Dublin, Jan. 12, IRNA -- The Irish President Mary Robinson in a meeting with the visiting Iranian Foreign Minister 'Ali Akbar Velayati here today expressed hope for the expansion of relations between the two countries. Referring to Iran and Ireland as two spiritual countries, Robinson said that Iran could count on Ireland as a good friend. On strengthening bilateral ties she said that mutual cooperation should in the long term pave the way for strengthening the commonalties between the Muslims and the Christians. Expressing concern about the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina, she said Ireland did not approve of what was going on there. Velayati in his meeting with the Irish president defined his talks with the Irish officials as well as the setting up of the joint commission as "constructive." Referring to the genocide of Muslims in Bosnia and the indifference of international organizations towards the crimes committed by the Serbs there, Velayati criticized the double standard attitude of the UN Security Council towards the Muslims. |
FBIS3-58417_1 | Iranian Offical Meets Bundestag Leader | that German national, Helmut Szimkus, sentenced to death for espionage, be pardoned by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah 'Ali Khamene'i. Referring to Iran's policy in Central Asian republics, Larijani who arrived here last Monday, said Tehran was to provide security to its borders with those countries. He noted that the U.S. prevented Iran from having cooperation with the Persian Gulf littoral states and from setting up regional cooperation to bring peace and stability into the region. Larijani also said Iran was for annihilation of arms of mass destruction, atomic, chemical and biological weapons in the region. On Tehran's opposition to the PLO-Israeli accord, the Iranian official said Iran only expressed its political opinion in this connection and it was not an obstacle to peace but was rather for realization of a just and real peace. The only way for real and lasting peace in the region was consideration of equal rights for Muslims, Christians and Jews, he noted. "The Islamic Republic of Iran is always ready to use its influence, if asked by Europe, in the region to establish real peace," Larijani said. In another development, Larijani had a separate meeting with Deputy Economic Minister of Germany Dieter von Wuerzen who stressed the importance of continuation and improvement of Iran-Germany political and economic relations. He also welcomed the proposal of cooperation among Iran, Europe and the Central Asian republics and expressed Bonn's readiness to play an active role in Iran's second five-year development plan (1994-98). Head of the German Parliamentary friendship group, Christoth Matschie [name as received], also present in the meeting lauded Iran's efforts for establishment of peace in the region, to mediate between warring Azerbaijan and Armenia in particular, and for hosting millions of Afghan, Azeri and Iraqi refugees. He referred to the Rushdie issue, allegations on Iran's involvement in assassination of kurdish leaders in Berlin and Iran's disagreement with the PLO-Israeli accord as differences existing between the two countries. Larijani, in response mentioned the granting of asylum to terrorist organizations by Germany, Bonn's failure to carry out its obligation towards Tehran including completion of Bushehr power- plant, negligence of German judiciary system regarding hundreds of Iranian prisoners in Germany, the West's support for Salman Rushdie and the biased stance and unrealistic attitude of the German press against Iran. He said Iran considered the West's support for Rushdie as open hostility with Islam and Islamic sanctities. |
FBIS3-58429_0 | Giugni: Economy Has `Structural' Disadvantages | Language: Italian Article Type:BFN [Text] Italy lacks at least three million jobs. This is a "structural" disadvantage compared to other European countries which, together with a low level of education, makes the Italian situation especially difficult. This was said by Labor Minister Giugni at the presentation of a study of medium-term prospects for the labor market. Giugni said that in October employment fell by 550,000 units compared with October 1992 and numbers unemployed increased by 350,000 units, while the unemployment rate went up from 9.7 percent to 11.3 percent. |
FBIS3-58447_0 | Cindoruk Receives U.S. Delegation; Golhan on Military Aid | Language: Turkish Article Type:BFN [Announcer-read report over video] [Text] Husamettin Cindoruk, speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, has declared that the establishment of an artificial state in the Middle East will further exacerbate the conflicts in the region. Cindoruk received members of the U.S. Congress Defense Subcommittee. In a statement during the meeting, Cindoruk remarked that the international measures adopted regarding northern Iraq have failed to solve the problem and asked that the issue be reassessed. [Begin Cindoruk recording] The current situation creates two sets of difficulties for Turkey. First, we have sustained great material damage because of the embargo. Second, the current de facto situation in northern Iraq makes it more difficult for Turkey to wage its struggle against terrorism, and furthermore, the region is a breeding ground for elements that seek to divide Turkey. [end recording] John Murtha, chairman of the U.S. Congress Defense Subcommittee, declared that Turkey's importance is increasing with time because of world developments and the country's geopolitical position. Meanwhile, National Defense Minister Mehmet Golhan expressed concern over the U.S. decision to cease military aid and the 7:10 ratio applied by the United States in its aid to Greece and Turkey. Golhan received Murtha and the delegation accompanying him. Pointing out that most of the equipment, machinery, and weapons used by the Turkish Armed Forces are U.S.-made, Golhan said that the decision to stop the aid should be reviewed within the context of common goals. President Suleyman Demirel also received the visiting delegation at the Cankaya Mansion and conferred with its members for some time. |
FBIS3-58448_0 | Cross-Border Operation Launched Into Northern Iraq | Language: Turkish Article Type:BFN [Text] The security forces have launched an operation into northern Iraq to capture the PKK [Workers Party of Kurdistan] members who attacked a Gendarmerie post in Cukurca District of Hakkari. It was learned that the commando units crossed the Turkish-Iraqi border early this morning and advanced 5 km into Iraq. It is being indicated that the military helicopters are conducting reconnaissance flights in Iraqi airspace during this operation. It is being reported that the security forces, which encircled the mountainous region, are engaging in clashes with PKK members in some places. |
FBIS3-58452_5 | SPD Chairman Answers Kohl's Address on NATO | not depend, first and foremost, on whether the equipment of its Army is NATO-compatible. What is decisive is progress in efforts to improve people's opportunities in life. [applause] Only if, Ladies and Gentlemen [applause], only if this proves successful can we create stability, without which there can be no lasting peace in Europe as a whole. Partnership for Peace must therefore, be accompanied by a partnership for development -- in economic, social, and democratic terms. Making this partnership reality and offering concrete aid is the proper way, and the only one that offers the promise of success. [applause] Germany on its own has done much, and we are not criticizing this, on the contrary. However, Mr. Chancellor, I cannot see any integrated security and development policy ideas for East Europe. The German Government has repeatedly described itself as the advocate of the countries of East Europe, I recall statements to this effect especially from you, Mr. Kinkel. And it is true that the government never tires of constantly assuring as many East European countries as possible that Germany will support them in every possible objective, above all, in their wish to join the European Community, or rather the European Union. I believe the government means what it says, but we should not forget that Germany on its own cannot possibly deliver the support that is expected. I repeat, what is needed is an integrated concept for security and development that is supported and materially backed by all our Western partners, if possible by Japan as well. [applause] Security, Ladies and Gentlemen, is not only, not even first and foremost, a military problem. Mr. Chancellor, you know this as well as I do. However, I cannot detect any willingness on your part to take the correct foreign policy decisions that follow from this. At any rate, I have heard nothing to this effect in your statement today. You could, Mr. Chancellor, say in your defense that this was not, and could not have been, the subject of the NATO summit. However, I take a different view. Have we not always stressed, not least yourself, that NATO is more than an alliance with just a military purpose. Is NATO not also a forum for political debate and agreement, as well as a policy tool? We at any rate take this view, Mr. Chancellor, and for this reason we would have liked the |
FBIS3-58452_6 | SPD Chairman Answers Kohl's Address on NATO | I believe the government means what it says, but we should not forget that Germany on its own cannot possibly deliver the support that is expected. I repeat, what is needed is an integrated concept for security and development that is supported and materially backed by all our Western partners, if possible by Japan as well. [applause] Security, Ladies and Gentlemen, is not only, not even first and foremost, a military problem. Mr. Chancellor, you know this as well as I do. However, I cannot detect any willingness on your part to take the correct foreign policy decisions that follow from this. At any rate, I have heard nothing to this effect in your statement today. You could, Mr. Chancellor, say in your defense that this was not, and could not have been, the subject of the NATO summit. However, I take a different view. Have we not always stressed, not least yourself, that NATO is more than an alliance with just a military purpose. Is NATO not also a forum for political debate and agreement, as well as a policy tool? We at any rate take this view, Mr. Chancellor, and for this reason we would have liked the alliance's heads of state gathered in Brussels to have taken a wider understanding of the concept of partnership than they in fact did. Once again, security is not just a military problem. But unfortunately, it is the case that in the unstable current situation, in view of the numerous conflicts and brutal wars, that military calculations have moved to the fore, in the face of the high hopes many people had after the fall of the Iron Curtain and the collapse of Communism. We dreamt of a peaceful, free, economically flourishing Europe, of a Europe that could return to its roots in unity once again. Ladies and Gentlemen, I am still hopeful, but I admit that my hope is now mixed with concern, fear, and anger. The peoples of East Europe have returned to Europe from Communist imprisonment, it is true. But how have we, who so praised their role in the liberation of East Europe, how have we accepted them here? Europe is in fact still divided and will remain so for a long time unless there is a great joint effort. And there will be no secure peace in Europe so long as this practical division remains. [applause] |
FBIS3-58469_1 | Commentary Says PRC Treats France, U.S. `Differently' | Here is the gist of the official statement, released yesterday: "Aware of China's concerns, the French Government undertakes not to allow French companies to contribute to Taiwan's armament in the future." Last year, the PRC had been enraged by the announcement that France would sell 60 Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft and six frigates to Taiwan. The contracts were vital for the French arms manufacturing sector -- France being the world's second biggest arms exporter after the United States. China had retaliated by unilaterally closing down the French Consulate in Canton. United States Unaffected And yet, the French were not the first Western nation to decide to sell weapons to Taiwan. After the Tiananmen Square massacre (1989), the Americans had gone back on their 1982 pledge not to sell any more weapons to Taiwan. Last July, a vote at the House of Representatives had even confirmed and broadened the U.S. policy change. Furthermore, in terms of volume, the U.S. armament contracts (supplying 150 F-16 fighter-bomber aircraft and leasing a number of frigates) are more than twice as large as the French ones. And yet Beijing has not implemented any retaliation measures against the United States, thus clearly breaking Mao's old iron law which states that "China treats all nations, whether small or large, on an equal footing." At the time, the announcement of the armament contract with Taiwan had not been criticized in France nor in the United States. As shown by the December 1992 parliamentary election, the Taiwan regime, turning its back to the Kuomintang dictatorship, has become a Western-style democracy. Although strictly unofficial, relations between thriving Taiwan and mainland China are quite strong: Through intermediaries operating from Hong Kong, "nationalist" Chinese have become the leading investors in Communist China, thus contributing to the latter's extraordinary economic growth. However, the PRC -- sole holder of Chinese sovereignty in the eye of both the French and the U.S. Government -- has still not abandoned the idea of forcibly bringing back into the fold the island, which seceded in 1949. In such a context, asks a Western diplomat, "can one prevent Taiwan from acquiring what it needs in order to discourage Beijing's intentions?" This same diplomat adds: "Sooner or later, the French Government, which is usually just as ready to uphold the cause of democracy as it is to protect its interests vis-a-vis the United States, will have to dispel the ambiguity." |
FBIS3-58485_0 | Karayalcin Warns Against Linking Water, Terrorism | Language: Turkish Article Type:BFN [Inci Tanriover video report from New York] [Text] In New York, Murat Karayalcin, state minister and deputy prime minister, issued the message that the struggle against terrorism will continue. Karayalcin explained that terrorism cannot be surmounted solely through measures to be adopted within Turkey and that certain measures must also be introduced outside the country. In a news conference at the end of his contacts in New York, Karayalcin replied to questions, explaining that there is no water problem between Turkey and Syria. This issue is being exaggerated by foreign sources, he said. [Begin Karayalcin recording] It is not appropriate to weigh the water and terrorism issues together. This is not compatible with goodneighborly relations. Turkey has never considered depriving its neighboring countries of water. If, however, someone tries to link water with terrorism, then we will give them the necessary response. [end recording] Karayalcin noted that it cannot be said that Turkey has brought its relations with all its neighbors to the necessary level on the subject of fighting terrorism. He expressed the hope, nevertheless, that the decisions adopted by certain countries against the terrorist PKK [Workers Party of Kurdistan] organization will yield fruit. In reply to a question, Karayalcin expressed the view that the local elections to be held on 27 March are historically important. The developments concerning the candidates clearly demonstrate this, Karayalcin declared, adding that deputies are submitted as mayoral candidates for the first time in Turkey's political history. Karayalcin also attended the dinner hosted by the Federation of Turkish-U.S. Associations, where he delivered a speech. In his speech, the deputy prime minister recounted that Turkey and the United States fought shoulder to shoulder during the Korean War, the Cold War, and the Gulf war and established a strong relationship. Karayalcin said that today, too, the two countries are determined to pursue a close partnership in the defense and security, economic and commercial, as well as cultural and social fields. Karayalcin will proceed to Washington today. He will hold a meeting with U.S. Vice President Al Gore later in the evening. |
FBIS3-58486_0 | Ciller Views Kurdish Issue, Russia, Cyprus | Language: French Article Type:BFN [Interview with Turkish Prime Minister Tansu Ciller by Pierre Lefevre; place and date not given] [Text] [Lefevre] Do you think there is a military solution to the Kurdish problem in Turkey? [Ciller] There is no military solution. There is a solution which must come from implementation of the law. We are doing nothing you would not do in your country. People are being massacred in Turkey. The PKK [Workers' Party of Kurdistan] is a separatist group that must be distinguished from the Kurdish population. They live throughout Turkey, not only in Anatolia in the southeast. We have 25 very mixed ethnic groups throughout the country. But the PKK separatists are killing the Kurds themselves. That is why that population is afraid and supports them. The law must protect that population where it is. The Kurds and the Turks coexist in the Army and in Parliament; they make laws together and implement them together against that separatist group. [Lefevre] Last March, the PKK proposed a cease-fire. Why did the Turkish Government not seize that opportunity and seek a political solution, as the British Government is doing with the IRA? [Ciller] What is a political solution? Does it mean abandoning part of your country? You do not have the right to do that. People live there and do not want their house, their land to be abandoned to uncertainty. As for the cease-fire demanded by the PKK, it was exactly what we thought: A means of temporarily withdrawing to recover and secure logistical aid. Toward May or early June, they relaunched their massacres on all sides. We knew that would happen. [Lefevre] Do you not think that applying the CSCE principles relating to minorities to the Kurdish population could make it easier to find a political solution? [Ciller] We do not have a minority. Turkey is a mixture of 25 ethnic groups. We do not have second-class citizens, or minorities, or first-class citizens. What do you Belgians want? You want to be able to travel where you wish, speak your language, be a voter, become a minister, carry on the business you wish. Everybody can do that in my country. If that was what the PKK wanted, there would be a solution. [Lefevre] Why are radio broadcasts in Kurdish banned in Turkey? [Ciller] We do not even have a framework law governing radio or television broadcasts. We have |
FBIS3-58497_0 | OIC Renews Call for Air Strikes in Bosnia | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Excerpt] Geneva, Jan 17 (AFP) -- Islamic countries meeting here Monday [17 January] renewed a call for air strikes on Bosnia and issued a veiled threat of economic sanctions against countries backing a partition of the former Yugoslav republic. Foreign ministers from the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) "agree to continue to review their economic relations with those governments which continue to impede the achievement of a just settlement." But they did not name the governments which they said blocked chances for peace by "legitimizing the fruits of aggression," a reference to a plan that would give Serbs land which they captured from the Moslem-led government. "We've not really identified who this is targeted at," according to Pakistani Foreign Minister Assef Ahmed Ali, chairman of the eight-country OIC group handling the Bosnia crisis. "It's just a statement of general principles," he said, adding the OIC would try to come up with a common position. Nor did the ministers, meeting here on the eve of resumption of Bosnia peace talks, explain what they meant by "a review of economic relations." The OIC includes major oil exporters Saudi Arabia and Iran. Each country can "read into it what it wishes," Ali said. The OIC group issued their statement after talks with UN Secretary General Butrus Butrus-Ghali and Bosnian Prime Minister Haris Silajdzic ahead of new talks between the Bosnian factions which broke off in December. [passage omitted] |
FBIS3-58501_5 | Butrus-Ghali on UN Security Council Reforms | the veto right -- even if the resolution has been passed by a national assembly in which there is no veto right. [LE FIGARO] So...? [Butrus-Ghali] To my mind, what counts is not so much the reform, but the fact that via this reform I can attain greater participation by the most important member states in the role of the United Nations. [LE FIGARO] So now we are coming back to your initial remarks. [Butrus-Ghali] Yes, the lack of political will on the part of the large countries. [LE FIGARO] The lack of leadership...American leadership. [Butrus-Ghali] No, I do not agree with you on that. American leadership used to be counterbalanced by another leadership. We had a bilateral system, bipolarism. Once one of the leaderships disappeared and collapsed, we emerged into a system which we cannot control. Nobody knows what has to be done anymore. The fact is that the very big member states are not up to their importance. Whether in Latin America or Asia, member states are not playing the role they should be playing -- a role they could afford to play if they had the political will to do so. [LE FIGARO] In more general terms, do you mean that all the nations are less interested today than before in the affairs of the rest of the world? That everyone is withdrawing into their own problems? [Butrus-Ghali] Yes, I repeat: There is a kind of laxness. [LE FIGARO] How do you explain it? [Butrus-Ghali] The end of the Cold War created a general relaxation. We are confronted with new phenomena. [LE FIGARO] With a confirmed political will and a clearer vision of what we could have done, do you think that we could have stopped the escalation of hostilities in Yugoslavia by intervening just after the first confrontations between Croats and Serbs? [Butrus-Ghali] It is very difficult to answer that question. A political will must not be expressed just at the beginning. It must be constant. That is the true lesson. The problem of peace is like the problem of health. You cannot allow yourself to go on a diet for two weeks. If you stop, you will get sick again. There must be continuity in peacekeeping operations: before, during the conflict, and afterwards. You must not stop checking up on the patient. There must be permanent attention. It is like cleaning the streets of Paris. |
FBIS3-58515_0 | Confidence in Future Airbus Orders Noted | Language: French Article Type:BFN [Article by Pierre Sparaco: "Airbus: A Year Fraught With Every Danger"] [Text] Last year, the three major airliner manufacturers [Boeing, Airbus, McDonnell Douglas] faced one business difficulty after another. Together, they sold fewer than 300 aircraft and suffered some 400 cancellations. This gives a very real illustration of the scale of the crisis currently affecting the airlines industry. Overcapacity is continuing to wreak havoc, although there are signs that it has peaked. In 1993, regular international passenger traffic increased by 7 percent, and freight traffic by 8 percent, which is very encouraging. But the company tills are empty and it will be a long time before they are firmly back on their feet. Also, paradoxically, fuel is at present "too cheap." This means that the new generation of aircraft -- which are particularly fuel efficient -- have lost much of their appeal. The manufacturers are thus failing to obtain their just rewards. About a 1,000 airliners are presently grounded, waiting patiently for better days to come in impressive parking lots in the California desert. In fact, about 500 of them will never leave the ground again: apart from the fact that their owners have simply disappeared (Pan Am, Eastern, and others), they are technically and economically outdated. But there remain the other 500 more recent aircraft -- some virtually new -- which sooner or later are destined to find themselves back on the runways of major airports. This surplus represents 12 months of production for Boeing, McDonnel Douglas, and Airbus Industrie. Which means that these "big three" are going to have to wait an extra year following any real recovery before being able to benefit from increased contracts. In the meantime, the manufacturers are having to make the best of a bad situation. Boeing has sharply cut its production and is gradually shedding almost 28,000 jobs. McDonnel Douglas is taking a similar course of action but does have the benefit of the wealth and diversity of military orders. Airbus Industrie, on the other hand, is developing in a much more original context. The European consortium has, for the time being, succeeded in stabilizing production, despite a disastrous balance sheet at the end of 1993. With 38 new orders and 69 cancellations, the group ended the year with a seriously negative net deficit. But in 1994 it will nevertheless be delivering 134 aircraft, just two less [than |
FBIS3-58517_1 | Defense Minister on NATO, U.S. Foreign Policy, Russia | fact that the Eastern reform states have not been accepted as members is not primarily a concession to Russian President Yeltsin. The foremost consideration in this is the alliance's unity. Homogeneous political, economic, and social structures are the real strength of NATO. This requires an adaptation process of several years for prospective members. I expect this process to be concluded before the end of this decade. -- Consequences for Europe: We must not draw the wrong conclusions from the outcome in Brussels. The truth is that Europe will have to do more for its security by itself, also in the future. -- Consequences for Austria: We are going a different way: Security via integration. Austria will try to codetermine European security within the European Union. -- Clinton's foreign policy: However fervently the U.S. President may state the opposite, the fact is that following the end of the Cold War American interests have moved away from Europe. And a power vacuum has formed in the Pacific area, which has the highest population growth and where some of the countries have two-digit economic growth rates. Japan, the leading economic power, only has a very small army. Opening up of Communism requires a different security policy in that part of the world. There are also other parts of the world that are more important to the United States than Europe at the moment: the Middle East for instance, where the peace process demands support; or the petroleum producing countries, upon whose political stability the United States' economy is dependent. -- The situation in Russia: The recent developments should not be dramatized. History has shown that times of big changes tend to play into the hands of radical nationalists. But the danger must not be underestimated, either. In Russia we have the same situation now as before the elections: The president faces a parliament where communists and nationalists hold a majority. Considering this, a long period of political and military instability can be expected. -- Nuclear arms: In view of the distribution of arms in four states of the former Soviet Union and considering the diminishing central power and control, nobody can rule out that mass destruction arms get into the wrong hands. This is the real challenge to American security policy. Beside continuing efforts for disarmament, it would be important to include the new nuclear arms countries in a network of international monitoring. |
FBIS3-58523_3 | `Fear' Delays EU Moves Toward Common Interior Policy | officials have embarked on a fundamental review of immigration and asylum. They are examining not just the question of access but far wider issues such as the economic factors that lead people to uproot themselves from their homelands in the first place and ways in which they can best be integrated once they have reached the shores of the Union. Once completed, the document will go to the full Commission for approval early next month. The Commission will be at pains not to stir up a hornets' nest by the inclusion of too many contentious proposals, but the tensions underlying the EU's foray into this most sensitive of policy areas are never far from the surface. Britain is still hoping to limit the encroachment of Brussels into the fields of justice and interior affairs. Though not opposed in principle to Europol, London is determined to keep the organisation strictly nonoperational -- that is, as an intelligence network without the power to make arrests. And it is similarly jealous of its rights over asylum and immigration policies. By contrast, to Bonn even the basic architecture of the interior and justice pillars did not go far enough. Germany remains keen to pass responsibility for asylum policy over to the EU, and is still attracted to the idea that this can be done by sharing round the incomers through quotas among the member state -- not a welcome idea in other capitals. Chancellor Kohl is beset by fears about the growth of organized crime: foreign diplomats complain that he keeps harking back to reports that the Mafia bought up every pizza parlour in eastern Germany. And he still wants Europol to be a real counterpart to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the United States. Ironically, those governments, such as the German one, wanting more control at the Union level find themselves sharing a common cause with the very groups set up to help the refugees whose entry they wish to curb. Refugees' groups say that there is an unanswerable need for the Twelve to adopt a comprehensive asylum policy. Anne Castagnos of the Paris-based France Terre d'Asile comments: "It is vital that groups like ours can make representations during the decision-making process rather than seeing policy created behind closed doors, as at present. We want a coherent, open policy with both national parliaments and with European Parliament having a much bigger say." |
FBIS3-58532_1 | Commentaries View Accomplishments of Clinton's Trip Presents for Yeltsin | Peace and it contains -- with Western approval -- a Russian right of veto concerning the military relationship between NATO and Moscow's former satellites in East Europe. The Partnership proposal is full of sweet words, and includes some attractive offers for the reform countries, but excludes membership in the alliance. As a result of noisy Russian warnings, the terms "maybe/sometime" and renewed discussion were used in connection with the questions as to who will be accepted when. The second present consisted of Ukraine's nuclear weapons. The United States and Russia had already reached agreement on what Clinton described in the following way in Moscow: The "clear opportunity" has come "for us to be able to draft a new security structure for Europe." When Ukraine's President Kravchuk signed the treaty on elimination of the inherited Soviet nuclear missiles, he did that because of joint pressure by U.S. and Russian leaders. He was bribed by Clinton and blackmailed by Yeltsin: Ukraine will receive money from the United States -- $1 billion -- and Russia will resume its supply of oil and gas, which it has suspended systematically over the past few months. New Structure The third present was more symbolic but still quite valuable. The two presidents announced that Russian and U.S. nuclear missiles will no longer be directed against one other but at the sea. This will not really decapitate the hydra-headed monster, because the United States can reprogram the targets within a few minutes, even while the missiles are in flight. Yet, symbolism is politics and, for this reason, Yeltsin was right when he stressed: "We have met to settle the final point of the last problem of the Cold War." Thus, the Cold War has been declared as ended. What will follow now? In fact, in their enthusiasm and relief over America's return to the old continent, the Europeans have not really realized that Clinton showed them in a friendly way who dominates world politics. The Partnership for Peace concept was developed in Washington, and the Ukrainian nuclear potential was not brought closer to the scrapping sites by Kohl and Mitterrand but by Clinton and Yeltsin. If a "new security structure for Europe" is to be built, the architects will be the United States and Russia. For a country that "lost" the Cold War, this is an honor that would have made Talleyrand envious after 1815 and Adenauer after |
FBIS3-58559_0 | Foreign Minister Comments on Middle East Peace | Language: Turkish Article Type:BFN [Text] Turkish Foreign Minister Hikmet Cetin has described as a positive development that U.S. President Bill Clinton included the activities of the separatist terror organization on the agenda of his meeting with Syrian President Hafiz al-Asad. ANATOLIA Agency reports that Cetin drew attention to the fact that the U.S. secretary of state, raised PKK [Workers Party of Kurdistan] terror at a previous meeting he held with his Syrian counterpart. Pointing out that it is not sufficient for world countries to establish ties with Israel in order to bring a lasting peace to the Middle East, Cetin noted the importance of the security issue in the region. He added that the region has to be purged of terror organizations if a lasting peace is to be established. Cetin noted that Turkey attaches importance to its ties with Syria, but that Syria should put forward its [word indistinct] regarding the separatist organization, the PKK. |
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