Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-05-26

Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>

26 MAY 1998

CONTENTS

[01] ECEVIT, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: ''SYRIA'S CONSIDERING WATER AS A PROBLEM IS POLITICAL. SHE WANTS TO KEEP TURKEY OUT OF THE MIDDLE EAST AND TO WEAKEN TURKEY''

[02] ''THE STORY OF TWO SEAS'' CONFERENCE ... - YERGIN, CHAIRMAN OF CESA: ''TURKEY SIGNS SUCH AGREEMENTS WHICH WILL AFFECT THE WORLD AND SHE PLAYS A PRODUCTIVE ROLE IN HER REGION''

[03] CONTACTS OF GASPAROVIC, SPEAKER OF SLOVAKIAN PARLIAMENT, IN TURKEY - GASPAROVIC: ''WE WILL STOP THE BROADCAST FROM OUR COUNTRY OF THE MED-TV, THE TV CHANNEL OF THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST PKK ORGANIZATION''

[04] BORTTSCHELLER, INTERIOR MINISTER OF BREMEN STATE OF FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, IN ANKARA - BASESGIOGLU: ''FIGHTING AGAINST TERRORISM AND DRUG SMUGGLING IS INEVITABLE'' - BORTTSCHELLER: ''WE ARE TRYING TO ANNIHILATE THE TERRORIST PKK WITH PROOF''

[05] ''THE STORY OF TWO SEAS'' CONFERENCE ... - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''EURASIA IS AT THE CENTRE OF GLOBAL MARKET WITH ITS GREAT POTENTIALS AND OPPORTUNITES AND TURKEY IS AT THE HEART OF EURASIA''

[06] ''THE STORY OF TWO SEAS'' CONFERENCE ... - VASILE, THE ROMANIAN PRIME MINISTER: ''WE WILL MAKE A PROPOSAL TO DECREASE THE BURDEN ON THE BAKU- CEYHAN PIPELINE''

[07] CONTACTS OF LABOR MINISTER CAGAN IN GERMANY

[08] TURKISH-US RELATIONS - COUNSELOR DELEGATION OF THE US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ARRIVES IN TURKEY

[09] EU COUNCIL OF MINISTERS' MEETING - COOK, THE BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY: ''IMPROVEMENT OF TURKISH-EU RELATIONS CAN ONLY COME THROUGH DIALOGUE''

[10] KINKEL, FOREIGN MINISTER OF GERMANY: - ''TURKEY IS AN IMPORTANT BRIDGE TO THE ISLAMIC WORLD'' - ''TRADITIONAL STRATEGICAL IMPORTANCE OF TURKEY HAS INCREASED'' - ''TURKEY CAN'T BE EU MEMBER IN NEAR FUTURE''

[11] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

[12] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

[13] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (3)

[14] EU COORDINATION COUNCIL HEADED BY GUREL, THE STATE MINISTER, PREPARES A ''STRATEGY TO DEVELOP RELATIONS WITH EU''

[15] LOGAN, BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA: - ''THE TURKISH-EU RELATIONS EXPERIENCE A DIFFICULT PERIOD'' - ''WE WANT TO SEE A FEDERAL CYPRUS WITH TWO REGIONS AND TWO COMMUNITIES AS THE MEMBER OF THE EU''

[16] TURKEY DOESN'T THINK TO PARTICIPATE AT EU SUMMIT IN CARDIFF - EU IS EXPECTED TO ADOPT A ''PRE-ACCESSION STRATEGY'' FOR TURKEY AT CARDIFF

[17] EP DISCUSSES TURKEY'S RELATIONS WITH EU

[18] CYPRUS - GREEK-CYPRIOT COURT SENTENCES TWO TURKISH PEOPLE TO ONE YEAR IMPRISONMENT ON GROUNDS OF ARMS SMUGGLING

[19] FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''THERE IS NOTHING NEW IN NORTHERN IRAQ''

[20] TURKISH-EU RELATIONS - ATACANLI, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN OF FOREIGN MINISTRY SAYS THERE IS NO POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT IN TURKISH-EU RELATIONS

[21] DENKTAS-MILLER MEETING - DENKTAS: ''THE SECURITY COUNCIL CAN'T MAKE A DECISION THAT THE TRNC IS ILLEGAL'' - MILLER: ''WE HAD A GOOD MEETING WITH DENKTAS''

[22] MILLER, US DEPARTMENT OF STATE SPECIAL COORDINATOR, SAYS DEPLOYMENT OF THE S-300 MISSILES NOT TO HELP SOLUTION OF CYPRUS QUESTION

[23] TURKISH-JAPANESE COOPERATION IN MINING

[24] ANOTHER ARREST IN ABSENCE FOR SEVKI YILMAZ

[25] NATIONAL DAY OF GEORGIA - PRESIDENT DEMIREL SENDS A CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO SHEVARDNADZE

[26] WORLD BANK SUPPORT TO EIGHT YEARS COMPULSORY EDUCATION

[27] KARKAMIS DAM IN GAP REGION DUE TO BE CONCLUDED BEFORE THE SCHEDULED TIME - THE DAM WILL PRODUCE 652 MILLION KILOWATT-HOUR ELECTRICITY ANNUALLY

[28] RELIGIOUS BELIEF TOURISM TOUR'98 ENDS - KAMIL SUBASI, THE MAYOR OF SELCUK: - ''WE ARE READY FOR THE CELEBRATIONS OF 2000TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST''

[29] INTEREST OF US COMPANIES IN TURKEY

[30] TASAR, MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND VILLAGE AFFAIRS LEAVES FOR ESTONIA

[31] CLARIFICATION OF THE IMPORT OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS OF EU ORIGIN

[01] ECEVIT, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: ''SYRIA'S CONSIDERING WATER AS A PROBLEM IS POLITICAL. SHE WANTS TO KEEP TURKEY OUT OF THE MIDDLE EAST AND TO WEAKEN TURKEY''

Responding to the questions of journalists about his visit to Southeastern Turkey, Bulent Ecevit stated that the governmnet tries to attract investments to the region, but more organized industrial areas have to be set up to this end.

Responding to a question about the claims of Syria about water, Ecevit said, ''as we have listened to the experts, Syria has a political aims in making the water issue a problem. We have also learned from the experts that more than three times the amount of water which is promised to Syria is given to Syria. However, Syria doesn't mention this reality. Syria's claim isn't serious. Turkey fulfills her responsibilities towards her neighbours and she'll continue to do so, but she'll also continue to protect her own national interests.''

[02] ''THE STORY OF TWO SEAS'' CONFERENCE ... - YERGIN, CHAIRMAN OF CESA: ''TURKEY SIGNS SUCH AGREEMENTS WHICH WILL AFFECT THE WORLD AND SHE PLAYS A PRODUCTIVE ROLE IN HER REGION''

Addressing the Conference on ''The Story of Two Seas'' held in Istanbul, Yergin said that the economic change has also changed the world and today people talk about a Caspian region, which was only seen as a sea in the past. Yergin added that not only the coastal states, but also the periphery countries like the Ukraine and Georgia are part of the Caspian region, as they are on the energy transport routes.

Giving Turkey and Russia as examples, Yergin said that these countries have both cooperation and reciprocal economic interests, however they have the tradition of speaking to each other as ''rivals.''

Noting that the Black Sea economic region and the Caspian basin have a broad cultural and economic richness, Yergen said that such kinds of conferences can be considered as a start for cooperation. Suleyman Demirel, the President, Radu Vasile, the Romanian Prime Minister, Abid Serifov, the Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister, Anatoly Holubchenko, the Ukrainian First Secretary of the Prime Minister, Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Niko Lekishvili, the Georgian Minister of State and other officials are participating in the Conference.

[03] CONTACTS OF GASPAROVIC, SPEAKER OF SLOVAKIAN PARLIAMENT, IN TURKEY - GASPAROVIC: ''WE WILL STOP THE BROADCAST FROM OUR COUNTRY OF THE MED-TV, THE TV CHANNEL OF THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST PKK ORGANIZATION''

Gasparovic and the accompanying delegation met with Ismet Sezgin, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of National Defense. Sezgin said in the meeting that they targeted to improve the relations between the two countries.

''I hope the cooperation in the field of defense, which has a powerful infrastructure, will further improve and close relations will be set up between our two nations,'' Sezgin said.

''The Med-TV is connected with the separatist terrorist PKK organization and broadcasts programmes against Turkey. I want to express my sorrow about the unkept promises of Slovakia. However, I learned that Slovakia promised to prevent the broadcast of this TV channel,'' Sezgin said.

Gasparovic said that there isn't a political view about the broadcast of the Med-TV, but the broadcast of this TV channel is in the initiative of the company which signed the contract.

''We gave a commitment to Turkey, We promised. The Slovakian Telecom didn't sign a contract with the Med-TV, it was signed with a British TV channel. It was extended. We made a political decision and we will cancel the contract the Slovakian Telecom signed with the British TV channel,'' Gasparovic added.

[04] BORTTSCHELLER, INTERIOR MINISTER OF BREMEN STATE OF FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, IN ANKARA - BASESGIOGLU: ''FIGHTING AGAINST TERRORISM AND DRUG SMUGGLING IS INEVITABLE'' - BORTTSCHELLER: ''WE ARE TRYING TO ANNIHILATE THE TERRORIST PKK WITH PROOF''

Borttscheller was welcomed by Basesgioglu at the Esenboga Airport. Basesgioglu said at the airport that the comprehensive cooperation activities are continuing within the framework of the close frienship between Turkey and Germany.

Stressing that fighting against terrorism and drug smuggling is inevitable, Basesgioglu said that Borttscheller and he will make beneficial and comprehansive negotiations regarding these issues.

Pointing out that Borttscheller and he will review the cooperation and exchange of ideas on the issues of international drug smuggling, terrorist organizations and worker agents.

Ralf Borttscheller said that the meetings between the police authorities of the two countries will continue, stressing that the attitude of Germany and Bremen against the terrorist PKK continues.

''We are trying to destroy the terrorist PKK with evidence. The separatist PKK includes a Stalinist staff. It isn't in favor of democratization and doesn't take into consideration the democratic principles. The separatist organization forces the Turkish citizens living in Germany to give money to it and blackmails, besides it incites some Turkish citizens to commit crimes. This can't be accepted in Germany. Germany is a legal state,'' Borttscheller said. The contacts of Borttscheller in Turkey will continue until May 31.

[05] ''THE STORY OF TWO SEAS'' CONFERENCE ... - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''EURASIA IS AT THE CENTRE OF GLOBAL MARKET WITH ITS GREAT POTENTIALS AND OPPORTUNITES AND TURKEY IS AT THE HEART OF EURASIA''

Addressing the opening speech of the Energy Conference on the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea on ''The Story of Two Seas,'' President Suleyman Demirel stated, ''Euroasia is just at the centre of the global market with its great potentials and opportunites and Turkey is at the heart of Eurasia.''

Noting that the Turkish firms succeeded to enter among the 500 largest firms in the world, President Demirel said that Turkey has opened nearly 1.19 billion US dollars in credits to the Eurasian countries up until the present.

''The Baku-Ceyhan Project is one of the most interesting projects of the 21st century. The Caspian Basin has a part of the world's largest oil and natural gas reserves and Turkey is a key country concerning the transports of these energy sources to the world markets,'' said Demirel.

Noting that the 200 billion barrels of oil and 40 trillion cubic meters of natural gas in the Caspian basin, which are worth more than 8 trillion US dollars, will be brought to the surface and a significant part of it will be transported to Ceyhan by the Trans-Caucasian pipeline and to the European markets via Turkey, Demirel said, ''diversification of energy sources of the region is also important.''

''The realization of the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline will establish security of energy in the region and will also consolidate the geopolitical pluralism in the region, which occurred due to the dissolution of the Soviet Union,'' said Demirel.

Pointing out that the Turkish Straits are under the threat of environmental pollution and danger concerning security, Demirel stressed that the Baku- Ceyhan pipeline should be completed soon, because the Straits don't constitute an economic, stable and safe energy-transport route.

Noting that the Turkish market will be a door opening to the wide Eurasian market, Demirel said ''Istanbul is becoming not only the financial and commercial trade center of Eurasia, but also the center of transports and communications.''

President Demirel said that the energy needs of Turkey create a great opportunity for international investors and the countries having the rich energy sources and Turkey aim to increase her energy capacity from 21 million kilowatts to 30-32 million kilowatts.

Demirel also added that the leaders of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) member countries will meet in Yalta on June 4.

[06] ''THE STORY OF TWO SEAS'' CONFERENCE ... - VASILE, THE ROMANIAN PRIME MINISTER: ''WE WILL MAKE A PROPOSAL TO DECREASE THE BURDEN ON THE BAKU- CEYHAN PIPELINE''

Addressing the ''The Story of the Two Seas,'' Conference, Vasile recalled that Romania is one of the most important producers of oil and natural gas in Europe and Turkish firms can work on the transport lines which will pass via Romania.

Abid Seriov, the Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister said that the first official meetings held with Turkey between May 13-14 concerning the main oil pipeline were useful.

Niko Lekishvili, the Georgian Minister of State stressed that the Baku- Ceyhan pipeline is very important regarding the transports of Azerbaijani early oil to the West.

Lekisvili pointed out that the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) isn't against any country, adding ''no country should distance itself from this cooperation project.''

Anatoliy Holubchenko, the Ukranian First Secretary of the Prime Minister said that the Ukraine has a perfect status concerning the transports of transit oil to Europe.

Noting that there are three real projects for the transports of Caspian oil to the West, namely the Baku-Supsa, Baku-Ceyhan and Baku-Novorossiysk, Holubchenko said they favour the former, adding that the Baku-Supsa-Samsun- Ceyhan route will be useful to decrease the burden and environmental problems in the Turkish Straits.

The conference in which 300 persons are participating will end on May 27.

[07] CONTACTS OF LABOR MINISTER CAGAN IN GERMANY

Briefing Minister Cagan on the activities of the company, Dieter Hennig, a member of the executive Board of the Thyssen Group said that ten percent of the trainees are Turkish citizens.

Later, Nami Cagan visited the European Federation of Turkish-German Businessmen (TIDAF) in Cologne, Germany.

Cagan said in the meeting held at the TIDAF that the cooperation between the Turkish and German businessmen means a more powerful Turkey and a powerful Turkey gives them prestige.

Cagan said that the issues of employment, education, hatred against foreigners, separatist implementations, deportation of convicted young people, implementation of the social security agreement between Turkey and Germany were discussed during his contacts in this country.

''I hope my visit will make a considerable contribution to the restart of a dialogue and cooperation between the Turkish and German Ministries of Labour,'' he added.

''The successes of the Turkish businessmen carries great importance for our citizens living in Western Europe as well,'' he said.

''We expect the TIDAF to realize more effective activities for the solution of the problems of the Turkish citizens living in Germany. Turkey will be pleased with the increase in the investments and contributions of the TIDAF, '' he added.

[08] TURKISH-US RELATIONS - COUNSELOR DELEGATION OF THE US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ARRIVES IN TURKEY

The Foreign Ministry said in a written statement that the visit of the counselors, who give counseling services for the members of the US Congress, is very important for briefing them on Turkey and the problems of Turkey.

The statement said that the 12-member delegation arrived in Ankara on Monday and will hold contacts in Ankara on Tuesday and then proceed to Istanbul to participate in a conference at which ''the energy, mining, transport and development projects in Central Asia, the Caucasus and the Black Sea region'' will be discussed.

It said that the delegation, following the conference, will make observations at the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region and in the regions where the Baku-Ceyhan Pipeline Project is foreseen to be realized.

[09] EU COUNCIL OF MINISTERS' MEETING - COOK, THE BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY: ''IMPROVEMENT OF TURKISH-EU RELATIONS CAN ONLY COME THROUGH DIALOGUE''

The Foreign Ministers of the EU countries discussed the relations with Turkey in the EU Council meeting the same day.

Robin Cook said that he informed the Council about his visit to Turkey, adding that Turkey didn't find the ''EU Presidency Declaration'' to be satisfying and preferred not to participate at the Association Council meeting.

''We are ready to meet and also advantages exist in favour of Turkey,'' said Cook, adding that they wish to improve Turkish-EU relations and they are open to dialogue.

Klaus Kinkel, the German Foreign Minister said that Turkey rejected participating in the Association Council meeting because the financial cooperation wasn't realized. ''I don't think that unrealization of the financial cooperation is a valid reason for not participating in the Council,'' Kinkel claimed.

Kinkel said he would seek a one-to-one meeting with Ismail Cem, his Turkish counterpart, on the sidelines of the NATO meeting in Luxembourg on Thursday to restart the dialogue. ''We have to put the relationship back on track,'' he told reporters. ''Both sides must make an effort to come closer together.''

Hans Van den Broek, the EU Commissioner for Foreign Affairs said, ''you don't resolve problems with boycotts,'' while Hans Van Mierlo, the Dutch Foreign Minister, responding to a question stated, ''the pressure on Greece can be expected to increase''.

Meanwhile, Yorgo Papandreu, the Greek Minister responsible for relations with the EU, claimed during a press briefing that Greece isn't the reason why the Association Council meeting wasn't held.

[10] KINKEL, FOREIGN MINISTER OF GERMANY: - ''TURKEY IS AN IMPORTANT BRIDGE TO THE ISLAMIC WORLD'' - ''TRADITIONAL STRATEGICAL IMPORTANCE OF TURKEY HAS INCREASED'' - ''TURKEY CAN'T BE EU MEMBER IN NEAR FUTURE''

Addressing the opening speech of the conference on ''Islam and Europe'' organized by the Berlin-based ''House of World Cultures'', Foreign Minister Kinkel said that the traditional strategical importance of Turkey had increased.

Kinkel said that he had hoped to meet with Ismail Cem the Turkish Foreign Minister Cem in the Turkish-European Union (EU) Association Council meeting, but this meeting won't be held after Turkey decided not to participate at the Association Council.

Repeating that he accepted the invitation from Cem, Kinkel said, ''I believe we will able to remove the misunderstandings during my contacts in Ankara. I will make every effort to revive the relations between our two countries and I believe my Turkish counterpart and I will put forward our resolve on this issue.''

Noting that Turkey started to play an effective role in the Eastern Mediterranean region, Kinkel stressed that Turkey is an associated member of the EU and shouldn't be isolated by Europe.

''Especially Germany has a special friendship relation with Turkey. I hope the tension between our two countries recently will not give rise to misunderstandings,'' he said.

''We should further improve the relationship. We want to support Turkey regarding political, economic and security policy. However, Turkey can't be a member of the EU in the near future. The human rights situation, economic problems, Cyprus issue and the relations with Greece are the determinative factors for the membership of Turkey,'' Kinkel added.

[11] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

(Derived from the Newsspot of the Turkish General Directorate of Press and Information.)

TURKEY, US HOLD EXERCISE IN MEDITERRANEAN
Turkish and American naval and air forces are to carry out a military exercise between May 26 and 29 in the international waters and airspace of the eastern Mediterranean. The exercise will include warships from the US Sixth Fleet and Turkish naval forces and warplanes. /Cumhuriyet-Milliyet/

DENKTAS TO MEET MILLER
Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), will meet with Thomas Miller, US Special Envoy to Cyprus, on Tuesday. Miller will participate in a conference in Greek Cyprus on Tuesday morning and then cross over to the TRNC to meet with Denktas. Miller is also scheduled to have talks with the representatives of the Greek Cypriot Administration to cancel the deployment of the Russian-made S-300 missiles, which are scheduled for installation on the island in mid-August. /Hurriyet/

TURKISH LABOUR MINISTER IN GERMANY
Nami Cagan, the Turkish Minister of Labour and Social Security, who has gone to Germany as the official guest of his German counterpart Norbert Blum, described his visit as an ''important opportunity for the further development of relations and dialogue between the two countries''. Following a meeting between the two ministers yesterday, German Labour Minister Blum said, ''We know that Turkey is an important country and has a significant role in world policy''. The two ministers and the delegations of the two countries will also hold a meeting today. /Milliyet/

ENERGY CONFERENCE IN ISTANBUL
President Suleyman Demirel and Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said at an energy conference yesterday in Istanbul attended by regional countries that the Baku-Ceyhan Pipeline Project had no alternative from many standpoints. Demirel noted that the Turkish Straits were being subjected to danger and that a new transport line was required. Yilmaz stated that the Baku-Ceyhan Pipeline Project was superior to the other alternatives from many aspects such as security, technology and the environment. Demirel thanked the countries involved, especially the US for their support for Turkey regarding the Baku-Ceyhan Pipeline Project. /Milliyet/

[12] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

(Derived from the Newsspot of the Turkish General Directorate of Press and Information.)

NEW EU STRATEGY FOR TURKEY
In response to the ''European Union (EU) Strategy for Turkey'' prepared by the European Commission, the EU Coordination Council has completed its study, which aims to develop relations between Turkey and the EU. The Council presented its study called ''Strategy for the Development of Turkish-EU Relations'' to Sukru Sina Gurel, the Turkish Minister of State Responsible for EU Affairs, yesterday. Gurel said that if the EU changed its discriminative stance against Turkey, then Turkey would review her attitude towards the EU.

He indicated that the study included a proposal for the establishment of a consultation mechanism, which will provide for Turkey's participation in joint decision-making while determining relations especially with third countries. It is reported that after Gurel submits the study to Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Gurel is planning to visit Brussels. /Milliyet/

ARMENIAN DRAFT TO BE DISCUSSED BY FRENCH PARLIAMENT
The so-called Armenian genocide draft, which has created diplomatic problems between France and Turkey, will be discussed today for the first time by the French Parliament. The draft will be initially discussed at the Foreign Relations Commission and then at the Bureau of Assembly. Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz had earlier said that if the draft was approved, relations between Turkey and France would be seriously damaged. /Milliyet/

INCREASE IN TURKEY'S ARMS EXPORTS
The Turkish Machinery and Chemicals Industry (MKEK) exports arms to 50 countries. According to officials from the MKEK General Directorate, Turkey's arms exports made via the MKEK, have tripled during the last five years. The MKEK officials have noted that South Korea, Pakistan, Oman, Jordan, Tunisia, Switzerland, Britain, Denmark, Norway, Finland and the US are all major importers of Turkish-made weapons. /Milliyet/

DEPUTY CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF IN ISRAEL
Cevik Bir, the Deputy Chief of General Staff started contacts in Israel yesterday. Aykut Cekirge, the Director of the Middle East Department of the Foreign Ministry, is accompanying Bir who is participating in strategic assessment meetings held by Israel and Turkey twice a year in line with an agreement signed by the two countries which want to cooperate in military fields. /Cumhuriyet/

SWEDISH TRADE DELEGATION IN TURKEY
A delegation of Swedish tradesmen, headed by the Undersecretary of the Swedish Ministry of Industry and Trade, visited yesterday the Turkish Association of Industrialists and Businessmen (TUSIAD). The delegation will continue contacts in Ankara where it will seek ways to improve bilateral commercial relations between Sweden and Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/

[13] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (3)

(Derived from the Newsspot of the Turkish General Directorate of Press and Information.)

NETHERLANDS RANKS THIRD AMONG COUNTRIES INVESTING IN TURKEY
In an interview with the ''Cumhuriyet'' daily newspaper, Adrian J. Quanjer, the Dutch Consul, noted the huge investment capacity of the Netherlands in Turkey. He said that the Netherlands takes third place among the countries investing in Turkey, while the United States and France hold the first and second places. /Cumhuriyet/

BAYKAL RE-ELECTED AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CHP
The Republican People's Party (CHP), held its 28th national convention over the weekend in Ankara. Deniz Baykal was re-elected as the chairman of the CHP with 875 votes out of a total 1,169 voters. /Sabah/

FOREIGN POLICY AND GAP PROJECT ON THE AGENDA OF MGK
The National Security Council (MGK) will meet today under the chairmanship of President Suleyman Demirel. The current situation of the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP), the flood disaster which occurred last week in Turkey, and Turkey's policies on Syria, Cyprus and Greece are all on the agenda of the Council. /Sabah/

BORTTSCHELLER: ''THE PKK AIMS TO CREATE CHAOS''
Ralf Borttscheller, the Bremen Minister of the Interior, visited his Turkish counterpart Murat Basesgioglu yesterday in Ankara. During the visit Basesgioglu said that prevention of the separatist terrorist activities had the priority on the agenda of Turkey. Borttscheller said that there should be cooperation throughout the world against terrorist activities. He added, ''The PKK aims to hold demonstrations against Turkey in Europe and cause clashes to create chaos.'' /Sabah/

SLOVAKIA TO BAN MED TV
Ivan Gasporovic, the Speaker of the Slovakian Parliament, met yesterday in Ankara with Ismet Sezgin, the Minister of National Defense. At the meeting Gasporovic said that senior officials of the Slovakian telecommunications institution would come to Ankara to meet with their Turkish counterparts. He added that they had already started initiatives to cancel the contract with MED TV. /Sabah/

HANS VAN DEN BROEK HOPEFUL ABOUT TURKISH-EU RELATIONS
Hans van den Broek, the European Commission's Commissioner for Foreign Relations, expressed hope that the European Union (EU) could still find a way to improve relations. Van den Broek expressed disappointment about ''Turkey's staying away'', saying this wasn't a way to solve problems.

Meanwhile, Klaus Kinkel, the German Foreign Minister said that he intended to meet with Ismail Cem, the Turkish Foreign Minister, in Luxembourg on Thursday at a meeting of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Kinkel said that the EU must work hard to mend fences with Turkey while also attempting to persuade Greece to lift her veto against a 375 million ECU (415 million US dollars) aid package for Ankara. /Hurriyet/

THIRD EURASIAN ISLAMIC COUNCIL HELD IN ANKARA
The third meeting of the Islamic Council of Eurasia began in Ankara on Monday with the participation of 48 foreign guests from several countries, from Albania to the Russian Federation. Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz, the Chairman of the Directorate of Religious Affairs, Ismet Sezgin, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, Hafiz Sabri Koci from the Islamic Society of Albania, Allahsukur Pasazade from Azerbaijan, Mehmet Emin Aga from Western Thrace, Mustafa Efendi Ceric from Bosnia-Herzegovina and Ahmet Kadirov from Chechenya were among the participants. /Cumhuriyet- Hurriyet/

[14] EU COORDINATION COUNCIL HEADED BY GUREL, THE STATE MINISTER, PREPARES A ''STRATEGY TO DEVELOP RELATIONS WITH EU''

The Strategy Document takes up the ways to improve Turkish-EU relations, which have entered into a crisis after the Luxembourg summit which Turkey responded by the curtailment of political dialogue and the rejection of the Turkish-EU Association Council meeting.

Gurel, told the A.A correspondent that the strategy incorporates detailed proposals on many issues ranging from agriculture to the service sector, adding that the most important article of the Strategy Document is the ''Consultation Mechanism'' which is planned to be established.

Sukru Sina Gurel said that the strategy takes up the issues of the operation of the Customs Union and the free movement of workers.

Recalling that Turkey has promised to abide by the common policies foreseen by the EU, Gurel stated ''when the EU makes decisions that directly interest us, it should at least consult with us during this decision process.''

''If we participate in the EU meetings, even if we don't have the right to vote, we will at least have prior information about the decisions which are formed about us,'' said Gurel, therefore Turkey can contribute to making common decisions about Turkey.

The strategy document will have a political character after it is submitted to Mesut Y�lmaz, the Prime Minister and Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister. When this is materialized, then Gurel will inform the EU side about the strategy document during his visit to Brussels.

Gurel said that the strategy document also attributes great importance to the issue of financial cooperation.

Responding to a question about the Turkish-EU Association Council meeting, Gurel said the main reason why the Council didn't convene stems from mentioning the political conditions which were claimed during the previous Council meeting held on April 29, last year.

Gurel said ''if the EU does the necessary things, the Association Council may convene on June 8.''

[15] LOGAN, BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA: - ''THE TURKISH-EU RELATIONS EXPERIENCE A DIFFICULT PERIOD'' - ''WE WANT TO SEE A FEDERAL CYPRUS WITH TWO REGIONS AND TWO COMMUNITIES AS THE MEMBER OF THE EU''

Addressing the seminar on ''The Relations Between Turkey and Britain, the Term President of the EU, and Views'' organized by the Ataturk Organized Zone Industrialists' Solidarity Association, Ambassador Logan said that the Turkish government had refused to discuss the political issues with the EU, adding that Britain, as the Term President of the EU, makes her utmost effort to put this important relationship on track.

Pointing out that the Turkish government believes the EU had discriminated against Turkey with the decisions made at the Luxembourg Summit, Logan said, ''we believe the Luxembourg Summit included a lot of benefits for Turkey. Even the Turkish government has accepted that the Summit included some positive elements. Turkey rejected the invitation to the conference which took place on March 12 in London. We respect this decision. However, I hope Turkey will participate in the further meetings. Because I believe the participation of Turkey in these conferences will be beneficial for her.''

''Europe isn't an entire block. It becomes wealthy with the cultural varieties of its nations. However, being a member to another organization doesn't enable a country to automatically become a member of the EU. The membership of Turkey in the EU will be evaluated by an objective criteria with the other candidates,'' Logan said.

''Turkey is a country having regional and strategical importance. We hope Turkey will review her decision to discuss the political issues with the EU, especially the Cyprus and Aegean issues. We want a federal Cyprus with two regions and two communities to be the member of the EU'', Logan added.

[16] TURKEY DOESN'T THINK TO PARTICIPATE AT EU SUMMIT IN CARDIFF - EU IS EXPECTED TO ADOPT A ''PRE-ACCESSION STRATEGY'' FOR TURKEY AT CARDIFF

Turkey will probably be invited to one stage of the summit that will be held in Cardiff, the capital of Wales.

A high ranking diplomatic official said that the insistence on the political conditions put forward against Turkey by the EU puts the Turkish- EU relations into a deadlock, because the EU even didn't accept Turkey as a candidate state. The official said, ''Turkey isn't planning to participate at the Cardiff Summit and we won't hold any political dialogue with the EU unless Turkey's status is accepted as equal to the status of the other 11 candidate countries.''

Noting that the EU put forward political conditions for Turkey which are necessary for the full membership, the official said it isn't possible for Turkey to accept this political persistence of the EU.

Meanwhile, Robin Cook, the British Foreign Secretary, didn't give sufficient guarantees to Turkey concerning the overcome of the Greek veto on the financial assistance that is promised to be given to Turkey. Cook had said that the 14 EU states could fulfill their promise towards Turkey by isolating Greece.

The EU is expected to plan what could be done for Turkey till the Cardiff Summit and it is also expected to adopt a ''pre-accession strategy'' for Turkey in Cardiff.

Noting that the candidate status of Turkey will be cleared by then, the diplomatic sources said that Turkey doesn't reject the conditions such as economic development, the free market economy, democracy, human rights and good neighbourhood relations. The same sources emphasized the fact that the strategy which is prepared for Turkey should have a name, adding that the EU should tell Turkey that she is the 12th candidate.

[17] EP DISCUSSES TURKEY'S RELATIONS WITH EU

Addressing the EP session, Eric van der Linden, the EU Commissioner and the Director of the Turkey Desk, said, ''we want to be hopeful about the future.''

Van der Linden, who accompanied Robin Cook, the British Foreign

Secretary on his visit to Turkey, stated that Turkey didn't want the realization of the Turkish-EU Association Council meeting by taking these conditions into account, recalling that the Turkish side rejects discussion of political issues.

Reiterating his view that Turkey had misunderstood the decisions made during the Luxembourg Summit, Van der Linden said, ''the EP has to have strong relations with Turkey.''

Mc Millan Scott, the British Conservative party member, who prepared a report about Turkey said that he sees several positive steps in Turkey, claiming that the EP should force the doors for political dialogue with Turkey.

Scott pointed out in the draft resolution of his report that the Customs Union with Turkey works, but the current status of Turkish-EU relations is becoming unproductive.

The draft law will be submitted to the EP Foreign Affairs Commission in June and to the European Parliament in July.

[18] CYPRUS - GREEK-CYPRIOT COURT SENTENCES TWO TURKISH PEOPLE TO ONE YEAR IMPRISONMENT ON GROUNDS OF ARMS SMUGGLING

The lawyer asked for five-year imprisonment for both Osman Kunduz (41) and Mustafa Veli (33). The court gave a verdict of one-year imprisonment, although Kunduz and Veli didn't accept the accusations.

Kunduz and Veli, who live in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) were captured by police at the Greek-Cypriot side with two pistols and bullets last October.

Kunduz and Veli claimed that this incident was the plot of the Greek- Cypriot police.

Meanwhile, Abdulkadir Dogan (35), a Turkish citizen, was taken into custody in Larnaka on grounds that he entered the Greek-Cypriot side illegally. The Greek-Cypriot police said the custody period of Dogan is three days.

[19] FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''THERE IS NOTHING NEW IN NORTHERN IRAQ''

Addressing the weekly press conference for foreign journalists, Sermet Atacanli, the Deputy Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, responded to the question whether or not the Iraq Kurdistan Democratic Party (IKDP) participated in the military operations with Turkey against the separatist terrorist PKK organization in Northern Iraq, as ''it is true that the Turkish security forces help the IKDP from time to time, but there is no joint operation.''

[20] TURKISH-EU RELATIONS - ATACANLI, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN OF FOREIGN MINISTRY SAYS THERE IS NO POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT IN TURKISH-EU RELATIONS

Addressing a news conference staged for foreign journalists Atacanli said no important development could be recorded during the Council of Europe (COE) Foreign Ministers' meeting, for the improvement of the Turkish-EU relations.

Atacanli said the atmosphere appeared after the Luxembourg Summit, the visit of Robin Cook, British Foreign Minister to Ankara and the failure to convene the Turkish-EU Partnership Council and the views of Ankara were clear, adding that they expected the developments at the Cardiff Summit to change the issues about which Ankara felt uneasy.

Atacanli recalled that Sukru Sina Gurel, the Minister of State Responsible for the EU prepared a document on the ''Strategy to Improve Turkish-EU Relations'' following the strategy which was foreseen for Turkey by the European Commission. Atacanli said the document would be submitted to the EU officials at an appropriate time after its conclusion.

Atacanli said that Turkey disclosed her own views in the ''Counter- Strategy.''

Responding to a question, Atacanli said there is a possibility for Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister and Klaus Kinkel, his German Counterpart to convene during the NATO Foreign Ministers' meeting scheduled to take place on Thursday.

Mentioning the importance of bilateral relations with Germany, Atacanli said this country has an important place within the EU.

[21] DENKTAS-MILLER MEETING - DENKTAS: ''THE SECURITY COUNCIL CAN'T MAKE A DECISION THAT THE TRNC IS ILLEGAL'' - MILLER: ''WE HAD A GOOD MEETING WITH DENKTAS''

Noting that Miller came to the island to attend a conference and hold talks with both sides, Denktas added, ''we explained to Miller that we can't accept a situation in which there is no TRNC, in which we don't have sovereignty on the island, and in which the Greek Cypriot's full membership application to the European Union is valid and the Turkish Cypriots are ready to support it.''

Denktas told the reporters that ''Glafcos Clerides, the leader of the Greek Cypriot administration, prefers the membership application to the EU because he thinks that he will possess the whole island with help of the EU. But he will demolish all the bridges of unification between the two nations living on the island by doing so.''

Responding a question about the S-300 missiles, Denktas stressed that Miller talked about the missile issue with the Greek Cypriot side, not with them.

Pointing out that the Greek Cypriots started to remove all parametres of the ''international negotiations'', such as allowing Greece to set up a base on the island, the ordering of missiles, unilateral application to the EU, Denktas said, ''these actions damage the negotiations.''

Denktas said, ''we want everybody to know that our rights to negotiate on the basis of a state should be accepted; that the decision of the United Nations Security Council which tries to show the TRNC as an illegal organization, are unacceptable and unfair; that the Security Council isn't a unit which can decide the TRNC is illegal, and the only illegal unit on the island is the Greek Cypriot administration; that three guarantors including Greece, came to the decision that 'there are two autonomous administrations on Cyprus' at the Geneva Conference, and that no development occurred which will make one of these autonomous administrations the legal government of the other so far; that accepting the Greek Cypriots as the legal government of the island will be the approval of the colonization of the Turkish Cypriots; and that the Turkish Cypriots didn't accept being colonized under the Greek Cypriots even in 1963-1974. We defend our rights and will continue to do so''.

Thomas Miller noted that he won't give information about the meeting, but said, ''we had a good meeting with Denktas.''

Miller came together with Clerides early this morning. He told the reporters after the meeting with the Greek Cypriot Leader that the US' initiative isn't up to the Greek Cypriot side's cancelling the order of the Russian-made S-300 missiles.

Miller will leave the island after addressing a conference which was started yesterday at the Greek Cypriot side.

[22] MILLER, US DEPARTMENT OF STATE SPECIAL COORDINATOR, SAYS DEPLOYMENT OF THE S-300 MISSILES NOT TO HELP SOLUTION OF CYPRUS QUESTION

Miller, who proceeded to the Greek Cypriot side after speaking with Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), said that annulment of the agreement related to the S-300 missiles wasn't a condition for the US initiative.

When asked if he brought a proposal about missiles issue, Miller told the press at the Greek Cypriot side, ''there are always ideas to this end.''

Responding to a question of whether or not there were improvements in his contacts, Miller said there were lots of things to do and that he would be insistent.

[23] TURKISH-JAPANESE COOPERATION IN MINING

JICA's office based in Turkey said the third of the seminars for ''the Third Country Education Program; Research and Evaluation of Underground Sources'' implemented within the framework of the Technical Cooperation Program, carried out by the JICA, will take place at the MTA between June 1- 30, 1998.
The program will be realized by the MTA for five years and most of its finance will be met by the JICA.

The first of the seminars took place in 1996 and the other one took place in 1997.

[24] ANOTHER ARREST IN ABSENCE FOR SEVKI YILMAZ

Yasar Urkan, the Judge, said the address of the defendant couldn't be specified so gave the decision for arrest in absence under Article 223 of the Criminal Trial Procedure Law (CMUK) and postponed the hearing.

The indictment prepared by Yalcin Kartopu, the Republic Prosecutor, called for terms of four months imprisonment for Yilmaz who insulted Tasar in the meeting staged in Vienna on April 7, 1994.

It was reported that the decision of arrest in absence was given for Yilmaz, although he was summoned to the hearings in many cases opened against himself and he didn't come to the hearings.

[25] NATIONAL DAY OF GEORGIA - PRESIDENT DEMIREL SENDS A CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO SHEVARDNADZE

According to the Presidential Press Center's statement Demirel congratulated the National Day of Georgia on behalf of the Turkish people, noting, ''Turkey is pleased with Georgia which gained an honourable place on the international platform, despite all the difficulties which she faced. We watch the results of Georgia's efforts towards strengthening the independence and setting up a state which is based on democracy and the supremacy of law.''

Demirel stressed in his message that Turkey gives great importance to the independence and friendship of Georgia and added, ''We accept the friendship links between the Turkish and Georgian people as the guarantee of the good relations between the two countries in the future. Turkey will continue to support Georgia in every field.''

[26] WORLD BANK SUPPORT TO EIGHT YEARS COMPULSORY EDUCATION

A total of 350 million US dollars of the 650 million US dollar credit which the World Bank will extend, will be used for the construction of classrooms.

The agreement which will put into operation the first part of the credit, is expected to be signed in Washington, D.C., in July.

The World Bank earlier promised to meet 25 percent of the 10 billion US dollar financing of the eight years compulsory education project.

[27] KARKAMIS DAM IN GAP REGION DUE TO BE CONCLUDED BEFORE THE SCHEDULED TIME - THE DAM WILL PRODUCE 652 MILLION KILOWATT-HOUR ELECTRICITY ANNUALLY

Officials from the General Directorate of the State Water Works told the A.A correspondent that the Karkamis Dam and the Hydroelectric Power Plant whose foundation was laid on May 25, 1996, and planned to be concluded in 2000, will cost 176 million US dollars.

The dam and the station which will produce 652 million kilowatt-hour of electricity annually will be formed with 6 platforms. The dam which was financed with a foreign loan, is being constructed by a consortium including Turkish and Austrian companies Elin-Voith-Verbundplan- Yuksel- Temelsu.

The Karkamis Dam and the Hydroelectric Power Plant will also contribute to the economic and social life in the region.

[28] RELIGIOUS BELIEF TOURISM TOUR'98 ENDS - KAMIL SUBASI, THE MAYOR OF SELCUK: - ''WE ARE READY FOR THE CELEBRATIONS OF 2000TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST''

Kamil Subasi, the Mayor of Selcuk, gave a luncheon in honour of the native and foreign journalists who participated in the six day tour including Istanbul, Iznik, Bursa, Izmir, Bergama and Selcuk.

Addressing the luncheon, Subasi told the reporters that Ephesus which has a history of three thousand years, is the largest ancient city in the world. He added, ''Ephesus was the center where paganism, Christianity and the Islamism spread all over the world. The Bible was accepted here and the leading names of Christianity lived in Ephesus. The year 2000 will be both the beginning of a new century and the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ. We are ready for the celebrations.''

Jesse Merrell, the US journalist, told the A.A correspondent, ''tourism, especially the religious belief tourism, will help Turkey to wake up from her deep slumber. With these tours people will have the opportunity of seeing the priceless treasures of Turkey.''

Nikolayevic Sarov, the Editor of the Russian Pravda Newspaper, described Turkey as a ''wonderful'' country.

[29] INTEREST OF US COMPANIES IN TURKEY

The conference on the ''Crossroads Point of the World'' staged by the US Trade and Development Association (TDA), as an outcome of the cooperation of the US Departments of Commerce, Energy, State and Transportation will end on May 29.

The written statement of the US Istanbul Consulate General said that the conference will propose opportunities for international business partnerships as well as export opportunities of more than 20 billion US dollars to the US business circles. Important projects in Turkey, Romania, Moldova, Bulgaria, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, the Ukraine, Georgia and Albania will be promoted.

J. Joseph Grandmaison, the TDA Director said that close to 100 high-ranking people who are authorized on the subject of projects, would be in Istanbul, adding ''this reflects the importance of the conference.''

Federico Pena, the US Secretary of Energy, Chuck Hagel, the US Senator and Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz will participate in the general session of the conference on Wednesday.

[30] TASAR, MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND VILLAGE AFFAIRS LEAVES FOR ESTONIA

Tasar left for Estonia on Tuesday to participate in the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 21st Europe Regional Conference that will take place in Tallinn between May 25-29.

Speaking to reporters in Ataturk Airport Tasar said issues like ''changes in food and agriculture products in Europe'', ''role of consumer against producer'', ''joint approach to quality'', ''establishment of soil information system and its utilities'' and ''FAO activities and 1996-97 report'' will be taken up during the conference.

Tasar said during the conference he would convey Turkey's studies in agriculture field and projects foreseen to be implemented in Central Asia and Caucasia republics to provide foodstuff security in our region.

Responding to a question about the decision of EU to bring a ban on the importation of aquaculture products from Turkey, Tasar said ''this issue has been under investigation for a long time. As far I read in newspapers, they say they will bring restrictions to several projects.''

Recalling that ministry officials held contacts in Brussels to this end, Tasar said ''we called on the companies who are involved in this issue to overcome their deficiencies. Our ministry has been interested in this issue for 11 months. Delegations from Brussels came here to investigate the factories here.''

Responding to another question Tasar said Turkey's annual aquaculture products are 580,000 tonnes.

Tasar is expected to return to Turkey on May 30.

[31] CLARIFICATION OF THE IMPORT OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS OF EU ORIGIN

According to the announcement which took effect as of Jan 1, 1998, and which was issued in today's official gazette, in order to make use of the tariff quotas, the concerned side should apply to Foreign Trade Undersecretariat at last within 15 business days.

The same exporter can not make application more than one time for the same tariffs quotas.

Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article