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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-06-02Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>02 JUNE 1998CONTENTS
[01] ANOTHER STEP TAKEN FOR THE AKKUYU NUCLEAR POWER PLANTANKARA, June 2 (A.A) - The Spanish EA, the consultancy company for the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant tender, had almost concluded its technical study, it was reported on Tuesday.Officials from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Sources said that the EA consultancy company, which helped with the evaluation of the construction proposals for the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant Project, presented the technical studies which it prepared for the Nuclear Power Plant to the Turkish Electricity Production and Distribution Inc. (TEAS). Officials said that the assignment of the EA didn't finish with the preparation of the technical report and that it will continue throughout the project. Proposals obtained for the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant tender on October 15 are expected to be concluded by the end of this month. Details of the agreement will be discussed with the consortium which won the tender. This evaluation is expected to last for three months. Later, the credit negotiations will start. The construction of the power plant is expected to start in 1999 and the first unit of the power plant will go into operation in 2006. Three consortiums which bid for the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant and the companies which are in these consortiums are as follows: 1- AECL (Canada), Kuaerner John Brown (Britain), Hitachi (Japan), Daiwoo (Southern Korea), Ansoldo (Italy), G�ri�, Gama, Bayindir (Turkey), 2- Westinghouse (US), Mitsubishi (Japan), Enka-MNG (Turkey), 3- NPI (France-Germany), Siemens (Germany), Framatome, GEL-A (France- Germany), Campenon Bernard-Hochtief (France-Germany), Simko, Garanti Koza, STFA, Tekfen (Turkey). [02] TURKISH REFUGEES FORM THE LARGEST GROUP IN THE EU - REFUGEES FROM FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, IRAQ AND FORMER SOVIET UNION FOLLOW THE TURKISH REFUGEESIZMIR, June 2 (A.A) - Turkish refugees form the largest group in the member states of the European Union, it was reported on Tuesday.Officials from the EU Information Bureau told the A.A correspondent that 29, 143 of the 226,344 refugees in the EU countries are Turkish people. Refugees from the former Yugoslavia, including Bosnia Herzegovina, follow the Turkish refugees with 25,335 people, the Iraqi refugees with 22,389 people and refugees from the former Soviet Union with 17,026 people. Refugees mostly apply to Germany, Poland and Bulgaria. France, Holland, Sweden and Britain are the countries which have the least refugees, and the number of refugees increased in Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Swetzerland and Austria in recent years. The countries whose citizens apply to the EU countries are as follows: Turkey............................................29,143 Former Yugoslavia(including Bosnia Herzegovina)...25,285 Iraq..............................................22,389 Former Soviet Union...............................17,026 Afghanistan.......................................10,824 Sri Lanka..........................................9,519 Iran...............................................9,303 Romania............................................7,825 Somalia............................................6,985 Democratic Congo Republic..........................6,263 [03] NUMBER OF THE FOREIGN VISITORS COMING TO TURKEY INCREASES 1.4 PERCENT IN JANUARY-APRIL PERIODANKARA, June 2 (A.A) - The number of the foreign visitors who came to Turkey increased 0.3 percent in April and 1.4 percent in the January- April period, compared with the same period in the last year, it was reported on Tuesday.Officials from the State Institute of Statistics told the A.A correspondent that 643,702 foreign visitors came to Turkey in April. This number was 642,080 last year. The number of foreign visitors was determined to be 1,842,892 during the January-April period. 1,817,425 foreign visitors came to Turkey in the same period last year. [04] NOTE OF PROTEST FROM TURKEY TO FRANCE - ANKARA REQUESTS SECURITY MEASURES TO BE STRENGTENED FOR TURKISH DIPLOMATSPARIS, June 2 (A.A) - Turkey on Tuesday lodged a note of protest to France related to the draft resolution on the so-called genocide on Armenians, which was recognized by the French Parliament.The note which was given to the French Foreign Ministry by Sonmez Koksal, Turkey's Ambassador to France, said that the draft resolution in question may incite Armenian terrorism again and requested from Paris better protection for Turkish diplomats. The draft resolution which was adopted at the French Parliament on Friday forsees recognition of the so-called genocide on Armenians. Meanwhile, diplomatic sources said that the draft resolution may be brought onto the agenda of the Senate on June 29. Senate ratification is required for the legalization of the draft resolution. Turkey harshly reacted to France on Friday, due to the recognition of the draft resolution. [05] OPERATION IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY - 14 TERRORISTS KILLED, ONE CAPTURED AND THREE OTHERS SURRENDERED TO SECURITY FORCESDIYARBAKIR, June 2 (A.A) - Security Forces killed 14 terrorists, captured one terrorist and three others surrendered to security forces during the operations staged in Southeastern Turkey against the separatist terrorist organization, it wa reported on Monday.The Emergency Rule Regional Governor's Office said in a written statement that 12 terrorists were killed in Tekeli Village of Hakkari Province, one terrorist was killed in Cicikdere Village of Bingol Province and one killed in Sehitkoy Village of Bingol Province. Security forces captured one terrorist in C�nar County of Diyarbak�r Province, while three terrorists surrendered to security forces in Guclukonak County of S�rnak Province and in Pervari County of Siirt Province. One member of the security forces died during the clashes that erupted. Operations are underway in the region. [06] BIRDAL TO UNDERGO SURGERY ON WEDNESDAYANKARA, June 2 (A.A) - Ak�n Birdal, the Chairman of the Human Rights Association who was shot and seriously wounded on May 12, will have undergo surgery on Wednesday, it was reported on Tuesday.Officials at the Sevgi Hospital said that Birdal, who has been under medical treatment, will have an operation due to the broken bones in his right shoulder and in his left foot. [07] UTKAN, THE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN: ''TURKEY DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO HIDE CONCERNING THE NAZI GOLD''ANKARA, June 2 (A.A) - The Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that ''Turkey doesn't have anything to hide'' concerning the claims written in the US report about the Nazis who seized Jewish gold during the Second World War and changed them to money in five non-allied countries, including Turkey.Necati Utkan, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman told a weekly press briefing, ''it is important not to make basic mistakes. Turkey is ready for cooperation in this respect.'' Noting that Turkey responded to the first report prepared concerning the Nazi gold, Utkan recalled that efforts headed by Sukru Sina Gurel, the Minister of State, are underway concerning the issue. Noting that a response was given to the claims written in the first report, Utkan added that Gurel, is carrying out a serious study to respond to the claims written in this report. [08] CASPIAN SEA PETROLEUM-NATURAL GAS'98 FAIRBAKU, June 2 (A.A) - Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, said on Tuesday that they attribute great importance to supplying the oil and natural gas demand of Turkey from friendly and neighboring countries, adding that within this context, they give great importance to relations with Azerbaijan.Addressing the ''Caspian-Petroleum-Natural Gas '98'' fair opened in Baku, Cumhur Ersumer said that Turkey has limited oil and natural gas reserves and would need annually 30 million tonnes of oil and 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas in the 2000s. Stressing that the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) participated in the two important projects in Azerbaijan which has a great quantity of oil and natural gas resources, Ersumer said that the TPAO will have a share in the operation of the Kardasi oil bed in the Caspian with an agreement to be signed the same day. Pointing out that the most appropriate route is the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline project for transporting oil to the western markets from the Caspian, Ersumer said that this pipeline, which has strategical importance for both Turkey and Azerbaijan, will be realized as soon as possible. Cumhur Ersumer stressed that they were pleased with the Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev's attributing importance and support to this pipeline. ''I want to state that giving start as soon as possible to the studies and concrete steps for this project is very important because the pipeline should be ready to transport the oil when Azerbaijan starts to produce a high amount of oil,'' he added. [09] SALOMON SMITH BARNEY: ''TURKEY CAN BE A RELIABLE COUNTRY FOR INVESTMENTS IN DEVELOPING MARKETS''ANKARA/LONDON, June 2 (A.A) - The Salomon Smith Barney, one of the leading investment-counseling companies, stated on Tuesday that Turkey, which is making very important and positive decisions in her economy, can be a reliable country for investments in the developing markets.The Salomon Smith Barney said that in its evaluation including the latest developments in the Turkish economy, the stock exchange last week lost more than nine percent in value in parallel with the fluctuations and decrease at the developing markets; the prices of bonds were increased and thus the Turkish capital market had recently started to be affected by these developments, although traditionally it was not more affected by the global developments, adding that the latest development was the proof of this. The evaluation said that the stock exchange in Turkey still has a situation less affected by these developments. Pointing out that the recent positive developments in Turkey stemmed from more stable and appropriate political administration compared with the other developing countries, the Salomon Smith Barney said in its evaluation that the su�table atmosphere makes Turkey a reliable country for investments. The evaluation said that several positive decisions were made in the economy in Turkey; positive arrangements were made in grain-cereals; the Central Bank achieved the taking under control of the growth of reserve money within the framework of its strict money policy and the Treasury is in concordance with the markets within the framework of the borrowing programme. Noting that the reserves of the Central Bank increased at a record level to 25.9 billion US dollars due to the capital increase in Turkey in the last 2- 3 months, the evaluation said that all of these positive developments had turned Turkey into a desired country for investments. Salomon Smith Barney said that the consumer prices index had been proceeding below the seasonal rate of 4.5 percent since February 1998, adding that the inflation in the consumer prices in May would be between 3.5 and 4 percent and the wholesale prices would be between 3 and 3.5 percent. Consequently, the evaluation said that the decision of the Central Bank regarding not realizing the compulsory foreign exchange and effective transfers and sales for June and July 1998 would produce a result in the summer, adding that this decision would cause a decrease in the inflation and prevent the loss in value of the Turkish Lira. [10] CULTURAL AND ASSISTANCE ASSOCIATION FOR BULGARIAN TURKS: ''OUR KINSMEN WHO RETURNED TO TURKEY HAVE ACQUIRED THE RIGHT TO RESIDENCE AND ENGAGE IN THEIR PROFESSIONS''ANKARA, June 2 (A.A) - Ibrahim Efendioglu, the Chairman of the Cultural and Assistance Association for Bulgarian Turks said on Tuesday that the kinsmen who returned to Turkey from Bulgaria have acquired the right to residence and engage in their professions.Addressing a written statement, Efendioglu stated that this permission has been provided to those people by the new law No. 4360 adopted on May 16, 1998. Recalling that a similar written decree was adopted by the Council of Ministers on May 12, 1998, Efendio�lu said that the new law shouldn't be confused with the written decree. Efendioglu pointed out that the residence permits of kinsmen were extended for two years by the written decree which is valid for our kinsmen who came to Turkey by obtaining visas up until March 3, 1997. Noting that the law No. 4360 is valid for our kinsmen who came to Turkey up until May 16, 1998, Efendioglu stated that both the law and the written decree are important for our kinsmen who have difficulties. [11] MAN COMPANY OF GERMANY TO SET UP INTEGRATED ENERGY PRODUCTION FACILITY IN SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIADIYARBAKIR, June 2 (A.A) - The world famous MAN Company of Germany will establish an integrated energy production facility at the Free Zone in southeastern Mardin Province, it was reported on Tuesday.Faik Hamidi, the Chairman of the Turkey Executive Board of the MAN company, told the A.A. correspondent that the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources gave the necessary permit for the MAN company to construct this facility. Pointing out that this investment between the Turkish Mardin Energy Company and the MAN is the first foreign investment in Mardin, Hamidi said that at first, a natural gas power plant would be built at the integrated facility. ''This investment will be realized in three different steps. At the first step, a total of 6.5 million US dollars in investments will be realized; at the second step this will be 3 million US dollars and at the last step the investment will be 2 million US dollars. A total of 5,200 megawatts of energy will be produced annually with the first investment. When the third investment is concluded, the annual energy production will increase to 15, 600 megawatts,'' he added. The facility will be constructed on an area of 15 thousand square meters. Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz will lay the foundation of the facility with a ceremony to be held at the Mardin Free Zone on June 6, 1998. [12] TURKEY WARNS FRANCE - FM: ''WE WARN FRIENDLY AND ALLIED FRANCE AND INVITE HER TO REFRAIN FROM DISTURBING TURKISH-FRENCH RELATIONS''ANKARA, June 2 (A.A) - The Foreign Ministry invited France on Tuesday to refrain from disturbing the relations between Turkey and France concerning the draft law on the so-called genocide on Armenians.Necati Utkan, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman told a weekly press briefing, ''we warn friendly and allied France and invite her to make up for these losses.'' ''France isn't a hostile country against Turkey, on the contrary she has a great cultural, political and economic partnership with Turkey. However Turkish-French relations will be negatively affected by the draft law,'' said Utkan. ''We would like to announce the invalidity of the genocide to the whole world,'' said Utkan, adding that the French Government Spokesman said that this decision wouldn't contribute to peace in Caucasia. Pointing out that the new administration rejects the views of the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group about the situation in Nagorno Karabakh, Utkan said that Armenia favours a tougher attitude concerning her relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey. Responding to a question asking whether Robert Kocharian, the Armenian President asked President Suleyman Demirel to meet during the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Summit which will be held between June 4-5, Utkan said that there is no such request, but if there is, it will be evaluated. Utkan, who came to the meeting with approximately 80 research books which explain the Armenian issue, said ''I would like to draw attention to the fact that everybody can obtain information and research concerning the Armenian issue from the archives. There are statements of the American, British and French experts in this regard, there isn't an issue between Turkey and Armenia.'' Noting that Turkey is concerned about the increase in terrorist activities against Turkish diplomats, Utkan stressed that measures have been taken to prevent that. [13] KLIMA, THE AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR'S STATEMENTS - UTKAN, THE FM SPOKESMAN: ''KLIMA IS IN LINE WITH THE LUXEMBOURG DECISIONS''ANKARA, June 2 (A.A) - While evaluating the statements of Victor Klima, the Austrian Chancellor issued to a French newspaper, namely ''Le Figaro,'' Necati Utkan, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman, said on Tuesday, ''Klima is in line with the Luxembourg Decisions.''Addressing a weekly press briefing, Necati Utkan recalled the statements of Klima who said, ''Turkey has to solve issues like human rights and the Kurdish problem in order to join the European Union (EU)'' and stressed ''we hope that the views of Klima will change in line with the realities up until the Cardiff Summit or during the decisions made at the Cardiff Summit.'' [14] THE RELATION BETWEEN SYRIA AND THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST PKK ORGANIZATION - FM: ''THERE IS NO NEED TO OFFICIALY ASK SYRIA TO RETURN THE CHIEF OF THE SEPARATIST ORGANIZATION, BECAUSE THE INITIATIVE HAS BEEN TAKEN EARLIER''ANKARA, June 2 (A.A) - Necati Utkan, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman, said on Tuesday, ''there is no need to officialy ask Syria to return Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist PKK organization, because the initiative has been taken earlier.''Utkan mentioned it in an interview published in an American magazine during a weekly press briefing and said, ''we have to attribute importance to the contacts held with the Syrian officials.'' The American magazine published an interview made with Ocalan, the chief of the separatist PKK organization in Damascus and this interview caused such interpretations as saying that the organic link between the Syrian administration and the separatist PKK organization has been clearly displayed. Utkan stressed that Turkey plans to monitor the developments in Syria and to hold possible meetings with Syria, adding that the Undersecretary of the Syrian Foreign Ministry is expected to visit Turkey in this regard. Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |