Turkish Daily News

[kurdeng at aps.nl]

There will be no radical change in Turkish foreign policy, Inonu says

Turkish Daily News
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ANKARA- Foreign Minister Erdal Inonu, referring to the government crisis,
disclosed Tuesday that there would be no radical change in Turkish foreign
policy, the Anatolia news agency reported.

Inonu, who came to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly
meeting, during his bilateral contacts with his western counterparts, stressed
that Turkey would not change its stance over the issue of the customs union
with the European Union (EU).

Inonu had separate meetings with Portuguese Foreign Minister Jose Durrao
Barroso and Danish Foreign Minister Niels Helveg Petersen.

He told his counterparts that the postponement of the customs union would
negatively effect Turkish public opinion. It is known that the issue of the
former Democracy Party (DEP) deputies came onto the agenda during the
Inonu-Petersen meeting. Inonu pointed out that the European Parliament's stance
against the issue was wrong and that it was impossible to interfere in the
judicial process.

He also asked his Danish counterpart for measures to be taken against the
Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) activities in Denmark.

Barroso expressed Portugal's support for Turkey's customs union with EU during
the meeting.

It is expected that Inonu will have separate meetings with the foreign
ministers of France, Malaysia, Albania, Bulgaria, Belgium, Luxembourg and
Sweden on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, diplomatic sources told Anatolia that Turkey wants to complete the
customs union process on Jan. 1 1996. "Turkey does not want any consensus for a
postponement to be reached among the political parties, press or in public
opinion. Inonu clearly gave this message to his counterparts during the
meetings," sources disclosed.
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Vorgau pleased about Turkish-German friendship

Turkish Daily News
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ISTANBUL- German Ambassador Dr. Hans-Joachim Vorgau expressed his pleasure over
the relationship between Turkey and Germany at a reception and buffet dinner
held at the German Consulate General Monday evening.

"Turkish-German friendship is on a good road," said Vorgau. "During the first
months I was here the stone which had been placed in the path, that is, the
stopping of the cooperation over weapons, made my duty very difficult. However,
ever since Wednesday this stone has been dug up out of its place, and the road
in front is open." (On Wednesday of last week Germany decided to resume
military aid to Turkey, suspended in March.)

The ambassador reminded the guests of Germany's active role in supporting
Turkey's entry into the customs union with the European Union (EU).

The country is also following this up with encouraging Turkey as the decision
day in December approaches. He also stressed Germany's commitment to keeping
the way clear for Turkey's full membership in the EU. He referred as well to
the cooperation over security in the region, in keeping with Turkey's
importance in the area and the steps which Germany has taken to support
Turkey's contributions towards peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Turning to the cultural field, Vorgau emphasized that he intended to continue
supporting the traditional Turkish-German symbiosis in the academic area and
the promotion of German language teaching.

The ambassador indicated that he had been in contact with all the universities
in Turkey in addition to those in Istanbul and Ankara. He expressed the hope
that before this year is over, he or his colleagues who were involved with this
would visit each one of the universities. Moreover he was very happy at the
agricultural symposium which was held this month at Ankara University, which he
pointed to as a beautiful example of the continuation of an unbroken, modern
and great tradition.


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