Turkish Press Review

[kurdeng at aps.nl]

               FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 1995
                   -------------------------
               
Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press
this morning



DEMIREL ASSIGNS CILLER TO FORM NEW GOVERNMENT

President Suleyman Demirel yesterday assigned Tansu Ciller
to form the country's new government a day after she ended
a four-year coalition partnership with the social democrats.
A brief statement issued from the Prime Minister's office
after Ciller's meeting with Demirel said she would start
preparations to form the new government on Friday after
meeting with officials of her True Path Party (DYP).
Shortly before her assignment, Ciller addressed the nation
on television and reaffirmed her opposition to an early election
because the country's economy would not be able to survive
spending on electioneering. At present, Ciller's True Path
Party (DYP) commands 182 seats in the Parliament, followed by
the Motherland Party (ANAP) which has 96. The Republican People's
Party (CHP) has 65, the Islamist Welfare Party (RP) 38.
the National Movement Party (MHP) has 17, the Democratic Left
Party (DSP) has 10, the Grand Union Party (BBP) has 7, the New
Party (YP) has three and a liberal New Democracy Movement (YDP)
has two seats. There are six independents and 22 vacant seats
in the legislature. Ciller has to form the new government in 45
days. Therefore, she must form the government by 4 November.
Otherwise, dissolution of the Assembly and an early election
will head the agenda.

Meanwhile, Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) Speaker
Husamettin Cindoruk proposes to form a wide-base election
government. He is against a weak minority government
models and considers the preparation of a new electoral law
as the first priority. He added that he believed the crisis
will be evaded when a date for an early election is announced.
Cindoruk in a television program also noted he would not
run away from duty "as a politician who is playing in the
finals" if he is called upon to fulfill certain obligations
for the sake of the country's and the people's interests.
/Hurriyet-Cumhuriyet-Sabah/

13 PKK MILITANTS KILLED, SIX CAPTURED AND SIX SURRENDER

Thirteen militants of the PKK terrorist organization were
killed during military operations in the Southeast, six were
captured and six surrendered. One non-commissioned officer
and five soldiers were killed, and four soldiers were injured
during clashes. Officials from the emergency rule region said
that eleven militants were killed in Siirt's Kalender district,
and two in Batman's Kozluk district and Sirnak's Ballikaya
district. A soldier was killed in action during the clashes.
Six PKK militants surrendered in Mus' Haskoy district, Sirnak's
Silopi district and in Bingol, with their weapons. Twenty-one
PKK militants were arrested after their capture in Bingol,
Bitlis, Mardin, Mus and Tunceli. A non-commissioned officer
and five soldiers were killed in action in Van's Gurpinar
district, and four soldiers were injured during a clash.
Meanwhile, five militants were captured in Icel's Tarsus
district by police and many outlawed documents were
confiscated. /Hurriyet/

GERMANY EXTENDING MILITARY AID TO TURKEY

At a press conference yesterday, German Ambassador to Ankara
Hans Joachim Vergau gave details about the lifting of the
weapons embargo Germany imposed against Turkey after military
operations in Northern Iraq. He said that Germany will extend
previously postponed military aid to Turkey worth $150 million,
together with military equipment worth DM 100 million in the
form of grants. More than two million Turks live in Germany, and
for this reason Germany, more than any other country, has the
right to expect a non-military solution to the problem in
Northern Iraq, Ambassador Vergau said, commenting on recent
developments in southern and southeastern Anatolia. He added
that the Turks living in Germany were also effected
by violent reactions to Turkish domestic problems. /Cumhuriyet/

RESIGNATION TURKEY'S OWN AFFAIR

A spokesman for the European Union (EU) Council in Brussels,
said yesterday that the EU was not about to interfere in the
domestic workings of Turkey, following the resignation of Prime
Minister Ciller.

The EU spokesman added that the current political situation in
Turkey would not affect the process now going ahead that will
bring Turkey into customs union with the EU countries. "This is
something that only affects Turkey's own internal affairs.
Relations with the EU and the customs union process will not be
influenced." /Milliyet/

US PROMISES CONTINUED AID

According to reports from Washington, the US Senate has not seen
fit to make changes in economic aid to Turkey during the 1996
fiscal year.

Within the framework of the Economic Support Fund (ESF), the US
will continue to extend economic aid to Turkey regardless of
present political developments. Although alternative reductions
were put forward by the chairman of the Committee for Banking,
Housing and City Issues, Alfonse D'Amato, these were turned down
by the Senate.

Other Senators spoke out in support of Turkey, and the situation
now appears to be that barring any sudden change in policy,
economic aid levels will be set at 100 million dollars.
/Milliyet/

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