Turkey and imperialism

[english at ozgurluk.xs4all.nl]

From: Press Agency Ozgurluk <ozgurluk at xs4all.nl>

 Turkey to play key role in Middle East peace process

  _________________________________________________________________
  
Turkish Daily News

Ankara - The Israeli ambassador to Ankara Zvi Al Peleg declared Turkey
to be the country in a position to play the biggest role in the Middle
East peace process on Friday, affirming once again that "relations
between Turkey and Israel are not detrimental to other countries," the
Anatolia news agency reported.

While visiting Adana to bid farewell to Mayor Aytac Durak, Al Peleg,
whose post in Turkey has come to an end, commented on the peace
negotiations between Palestine and Israel. The ambassador said, "there
have been setbacks in the peace process negotiations, but we will
overcome these."

Recognizing that both countries have to learn to live in the same
region, Al Peleg pointed out Turkey's importance geographically,
historically and relation-wise in the peace process.

"What we are trying to explain to the Arab world is, instead of
fighting us, come and unite with us in fields such as industry,
science, high theology, medicine and even defence. [For example,] we
would like to invite them to take part in our military maneuvers," Al
Peleg said.
  _________________________________________________________________
  
Mete Goknel: 'US-sponsored Caucasus-Eurasian Common Market to compete with KEI'

  * 'Saudi capital in charge of Central Asia'
 
  _________________________________________________________________
  
 By Saadet Oruc / Turkish Daily News
 
Ankara - International efforts initiated in June for economic
development in the Black Sea, Caucasus and Caspian Sea regions, which
aim at the establishment of a "Caucasus-Eurasian Common Market," are
competing against the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Conference (KEI),
a leading bureaucracy-experienced businessman, Mete Goknel, commented
on Wednesday

Briefing the Turkish Daily News on the issue, Goknel, former head of
the Turkish Pipeline Company (BOTAS) and one of the leading advisors
to the Chechens, warned Ankara to have a significant involvement in
this project.

"Otherwise, we will definitely be facing the danger of losing our
influence in the Caucasus and Central Asia. Turkey has to review its
Caucasian policy carefully," said Goknel.

The idea of establishing a common market for the development of the
Caucasus was first discussed during the "Forum of Crans-Montana,"
which was held June 26-29, 1997 in Switzerland.

The structure envisioned for the Caucasus-Eurasian Common Market
includes a "Caucasus International Chamber of Commerce" as well as a
"Caucasus Investment Bank."

The countries and cities which are planning to take part in the new
common market are the following:

_Ukraine: _Kiev, Odessa

_Russia:_ Rostov, Novorossisk

_Georgia: _Tbilisi, Batumi, Poti, Supsa

_Chechenya:_ Grozny, Geldyoen

_Armenia:_ Yerevan

_Azerbaijan:_ Baku, Gvendizh, Naxcivan, Sumgelt

_Kazakhstan: _Aktau, Atvrau

_Turkmenistan: _Turkmenbashi, Cheleken

_Turkey:_ Istanbul, Trabzon

The investment projects include energy, transportation, and
telecommunications along with the Caucasus Investment Bank, which is
planned to be a part of the Regional Council for the Development of
the Caucasus, and which will reportedly have branches in Tbilisi,
Istanbul, Cairo, London, Moscow and Tokyo.

  Saudi Arabian capital
  
Adnan Kasikci, one of the richest people in the world, is also lending
his financial support to the project. His wife, Shahpari Kasikci, is
vice president of the executive board of the United States-Caucasus
International Chamber of Commerce, which is headed by Khozh-Akhmed
Noukhaev, former first deputy prime minister of Chechnya.

White House advisor Mel Levine, is also on the board of directors, as
are many U.S. scholars and ambassadors.
  _________________________________________________________________
  
 Turkey, US navies to give free fuel oil to each other

  * The deal envisages that the agreement will last for five years,
 with a planned extension of five more years, subject to a maximum
 term of 20 years
 
  _________________________________________________________________
  
Turkish Daily News

Ankara - The Cabinet approved an agreement that foresees the exchange
of fuel oil between the warships of the Turkish and American navies in
a reciprocal system in which no money is to be exchanged.

According to the official gazette quoted by the Anatolia news agency,
the agreement states that when both sides' warships visit each other,
they will not be billed for the fuel that they obtain in order to
continue their mission or navigation. The relevant military
authorities must approve the requests for fuel which should be made
ten days prior to their arrival at any of each others' harbors.

The deal envisages that the agreement will last for five years, with a
planned extension of five more years, subject to a maximum term of 20
years.
  _______________

-- 
Press-Agency Ozgurluk: http://www.ozgurluk.org
The struggle for human right, freedom, justice and democracy in Turkey
and Kurdistan
Mailinglistinfo: petidomo at ozgurluk.xs4all.nl