Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-11-09

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

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

09 NOV 1998

CONTENTS

[01] SEZGIN, THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND DEFENSE MINISTER: ''THE AIM OF THE OPERATION IN NORTHERN IRAQ IS TO DESTROY MEMBERS OF THE SEPARATIST ORGANIZATION WHO ESCAPE THERE FROM SYRIA''

[02] WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM - ERCEL, PRESIDENT OF CENTRAL BANK: ''FIRST RESULTS OF ANTI-INFLATIONIST PROGRAMME ARE POSITIVE''

[03] DENIZKURDU, THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE RETURNS TO TURKEY: ''A NEW PAGE WILL BE OPENED BETWEEN TURKEY AND THE EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS''

[04] CEREMONIES TO BE HELD IN ISTANBUL TO COMMEMORATE ATATURK, THE FOUNDER OF MODERN ATATURK ON NOVEMBER 10

[05] DENIZOLGUN, THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION LEAVES FOR TRNC - DENIZOLGUN: ''THE TELEPHONE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND THE TRNC WILL BE PROVIDED THROUGH SATELLITE''

[06] TURKEY IN BRIEF - 9 NOVEMBER 1998

[07] DENKTAS REPLIES ROLANDIS, GREEK CYPRIOT TRADE MINISTER - ''TRNC WON'T SUFFER FROM LACK OF ELECTRICITY'' - ''GOD, DO NOT MAKE US DEPENDENT TO DASTARDS'' - ''IF THEY ARE INTERESTED IN WATER, THEY BETTER JOIN IN THE CONSORTIUM''

[08] CRITICISM OF EU'S POLICY ON TRNC

[09] SEZGIN, THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND DEFENSE MINISTER WRAPPS UP HIS VISIT TO BULGARIA - SEZGIN: ''WE ARE CLOSELY INTERESTED IN ISSUES OF PRIVATIZATION AND IN BULGARIA AND JOINT INVESTMENTS''

[10] TURKISH ECONOMY AND FOREIGN BORROWING

[11] TURKEY AND NORWAY TO COME TOGETHER TODAY FOR ADAPTATION OF CFE

[12] TRESURY AUTHORIZES COMMERZBANK AND DEUTSCHE BANK FOR BORROWING

[13] TREASURY TO ARRANGE 10-MONTH TERM BOND TENDER ON TUESDAY

[14] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS RECEIVES DENIZOLGUN, THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE - TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS:''OUR RELATIONS WITH TURKEY ARE FURTHER DEVELOPING''

[15] VESSEL WHICH CARRIED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO ITALY - BAYRAM, TRANSPORTATION MINISTER OF TRNC: ''THERE IS NOT ANY INFORMATION TO PROVE THAT SHE IS A TRNC-FLAGGED SHIP''

[16] GERMAN PRESS' CLAIMS ABOUT THE KILLING OF A GERMAN TERRORIST IN A CLASH IN TURKEY - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''GERMANY ASKED FOR INFORMATION AND WE ARE INVESTIGATING''

[01] SEZGIN, THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND DEFENSE MINISTER: ''THE AIM OF THE OPERATION IN NORTHERN IRAQ IS TO DESTROY MEMBERS OF THE SEPARATIST ORGANIZATION WHO ESCAPE THERE FROM SYRIA''

Responding to questions of journalists in Plovdiv city of Bulgaria about the news saying that Turkish Armed Forces started a wide scale operation in Northern Iraq, Sezgin stated that the agreement signed with Syria also foresees trial and extradition of the separatist terrorist PKK members to Turkey.

''I imagine that the terrorists succeeded in escaping to the authority vacuum of northern Iraq. We have intelligence that there are between 400 and 500 people there,'' said Sezgin.

''The operation is not a wide scale one, whenever we start a military operation, we have to take security measures. This has to considered within this framework,'' said Sezgin.

Sezgin stressed that Massoud Barzani, the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) acts together with Turkey in the struggle with the terrorist PKK organization.

''We have an agremeent with Bulgaria concerning the struggle with terrorism, organized crime and drug smuggling and we see that our friend Bulgaria fully abides by the provisions of this agreement. We don't expect Bulgaria to act in another way,'' said Sezgin.

[02] WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM - ERCEL, PRESIDENT OF CENTRAL BANK: ''FIRST RESULTS OF ANTI-INFLATIONIST PROGRAMME ARE POSITIVE''

Addressing the World Economic Forum's (WEF) meeting, which was closed to the press, Ercel said the developments in international arena following the crisis in Russia forced Turkey to take position against the global crisis.

Ercel stated that the developing economies were affected by the Asian crisis.

Pointing out that the powerful corner stones of the Turkish economy continue to exist without any change, Ercel said that the anti-inflationist measures of the government let the economy reach a better level.

Noting that the liberal economy based on market and the dynamic private sector put Turkey into a different position, Ercel stressed that the effective pursuing of monetary policies and the structural reforms will further strengthen the economy.

[03] DENIZKURDU, THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE RETURNS TO TURKEY: ''A NEW PAGE WILL BE OPENED BETWEEN TURKEY AND THE EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS''

Justice said on Sunday that Turkey has to be more developed in the field of law than other countries in the world, adding that ''a new page will be opened between Turkey and the European Court of Human Rights.''

Denizkurdu, who participated in the opening meeting of the European Court of Human Rights which convened in Strasbourg, returned to Turkey the same day.

Noting that he met with the Chairman and Secretary General of the European Court of Human Rights, Denizkurdu stated that the European Court of Human Rights was manipulated by some countries as a political springboard and a double standart was used against Turkey in the past.

Pointing out that there are 8000 cases pending before the Court concerning Turkey, Denizkurdu stated that one fourth of these cases are against Turkey.

''We will either have to pay 5-6 billion dollars due to the decisions that will be given by the Court against us or we will use this money to change our justice system and our laws. The new laws adopted in the world today show the limitation of rights of individuals by the state on specific conditions. We have to change all kinds of laws particularly the Constitution which regulate our daily lives. We have to change the Turkish Penal Code, the Turkish Civil Law,'' said Denizkurdu.

Stressing that Turkey faces with the biggest terrorist acts of the world, Denizkurdu said that ''Spain is the European country where terrorism targets many people, but its effect is far lesser than the one in Turkey. You can't expect the judges of the European Court of Human Rights who give their decisions by looking at the flowing river in Strasbourg and drinking French wine and food, to understand the dimensions of terrorism in Turkey. I have invited the newly elected Swedish Prime Minister to Turkey. He will come to Turkey for a symposium. We will launch efforts to make the Turkish justice know the judges of the European Court of Human Rights.''

Noting that he also met with German Minister of Justice, Denizkurdu said that he plans to come together with him again as soon as possible, adding that he will take up the issue of the terrorist organizations which take shelter in Germany.

Denizkurdu said that the issue of ''Metin Kaplan,'' who is the chief of an illegal fundamentalist organization who stays in Germany will be taken up at the meeting.

Responding to a question about the extradition of Alaattin Cak�c�, a famous mafia boss to Turkey, Denizkurdu said that ''the French Attorney General asked for the extradition of Cak�c� to Turkey, but the final decision will be given by the French court.''

Denizkurdu added that they are working on a constitutional change which foresees change in the State Security Courts and they will submit it to the Council of Ministers soon.

[04] CEREMONIES TO BE HELD IN ISTANBUL TO COMMEMORATE ATATURK, THE FOUNDER OF MODERN ATATURK ON NOVEMBER 10

Istanbul Governorship said that the ceremonies at Taksim Republic Monument will start at 08.55 local time and a minute of silence will be observed at 09.05 when Ataturk passed away 60 years ago.

A similar ceremony will be held at ''Ataturk's Room'' at Dolmabahce Palace where he used to stay during his illness.

The ceremony which will be held at Ataturk Culture Centre and State Opera and Ballet group will sing marches.

Later a play will be held by the students of Istanbul University State Conservatory headed by Y�ld�z Kenter, a famous actress.

[05] DENIZOLGUN, THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION LEAVES FOR TRNC - DENIZOLGUN: ''THE TELEPHONE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND THE TRNC WILL BE PROVIDED THROUGH SATELLITE''

Denizolgun left for TRNC the same day to make inquiries in TRNC in order to determine investment projects in the fields of transportation and communication.

Addressing a statement at Ataturk Airport before his departure, Denizolgun stated that there are two airports in TRNC - one is military and the other is civilian - adding that Gecitkale military airport can't be used in full capacity for three years except extraordinary situations.

Denizolgun stated that the deficiences of Gecitkale Military Airport and Ercan airport will be overcome as soon as possible.

Noting that the improvement of Girne Tourism Port and the old marina in Girne in TRNC were realized by the support extended by the Ministry of Transportation, Denizolgun pointed out that efforts will be launched for improvement of existing fishing shelters and construction of new shelters and two new marinas in TRNC.

Denizolgun recalled that the telephone line between Turkey and TRNC is realized by fiberoptic cable system under the sea and radiolink, adding that the telephone connections will be provided through satellite soon.

Minister Denizolgun and the accompanying delegation will leave TRNC the same day.

[06] TURKEY IN BRIEF - 9 NOVEMBER 1998

Within the framework of his contacts in Ankara, Barzani met with Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz; Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister, and the oficials from the Foreign Ministry.

ISTANBUL - The exhibition on ''Rumelia With Historical Photographs'', which was organized by the Rumelian Turks' Culture and Solidarity Association within the framework of the 75th anniversary of the Republic and the Week for Commemoration of Ataturk, was opened on Sunday by Hakki Atun, the Speaker of the Parliament of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
The exhibition, which includes more that 80 photographs from Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Romania and Greece, will remain open until 11 November.

ISTANBUL - Fikret Ongen, the former Director of the Emlak Bank's branch office in Kizilay district, who was sentenced to 12-year imprisonment and wanted for nine years on charges of nicking 80 million US dollars (nearly 21 trillion Turkish Liras) from the Emlak Bank, was captured on Sunday.

Security forces, acting on a tip-off, detained Ongen in Sariyer district in Istanbul.

ISTANBUL - Mustafa Tasar, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, met on Sunday with Paolo de Castro, the Minister of Agriculture of Italy, who arrived in Turkey to participate in an international conference.

Tasar said that Turkey and Italy have good relations also in the field of agriculture.

FETHIYE - The ''Second National Underwater Picture Hunting Competition'', which was organized by the Turkish Federation of Underwater Sports, was held in Fethiye county of Mugla province, it was reported on Sunday.

A total of 40 contenders attended the competition.

ANKARA - The Ashkabad Mosque, which was constructed in the Turkmenistan's capital Ashkabad by the Chairmanship of Religious Affairs and with the contributions of people, will be opened to worship by President Suleyman Demirel on 12 November, it was reported on Monday.

The Ashksbad Mosque of which construction process started in 1993, costed nearly 17 million US dollars.

ANKARA - Turkish Telekomspor basketball team, which collected ten points in six matches in the European Raimondo Saporta Cup Group B, will host Czech Republic's Mlekarna Kunin, which has eight points, in Ankara on Tuesday night.

Ido Bergman of Israel and Stelian Banica of Romania will referee the match.

ANKARA - Sophon Phetsawang, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand, and the accompanying delegation will visit Turkey between 11-15 November as the official guests of the Parliament, it was reported on Monday.

The guest delegation will leave Turkey on 15 November.

ANKARA - The hippodrome namely ''75th Year Ankara Hippodrome'', of which construction is nearly concluded in Ankara, will be opened on 14 November and welcome the horse races, it was reported on Monday.

A total of ten trillion TL has been spent for the hippodrome up until now.

ANKARA - The Council of Ministers approved the Fifth Term Meeting Protocol of the Turkish-Albanian Economic, Commercial, Industrial and Technical Cooperation Commission, it was reported on Monday.

In accordance with the protocol, the common targets were foreseen to be the development of commercial and economic relations and increasing of trade and investments.

LAHTI - The 69th Men's and Women's World Weight Lifting Championships will start on Tuesday in Lahti, Finland.

The countries to host the 2001 and 2003 Championships will be determined while Turkey, Poland, Germany and Nauru were the candidates for the 2003 Championship.

ANKARA - Istemihan Talay, the Minister of Culture, received on Monday Pan Zhenzhaou, the Deputy Minister of Culture of China.

Noting that Turkey and china will sign a ''cultural exchange programme'', Talay said that protocol will further improve the friendship and cultural ties between the two countries.

[07] DENKTAS REPLIES ROLANDIS, GREEK CYPRIOT TRADE MINISTER - ''TRNC WON'T SUFFER FROM LACK OF ELECTRICITY'' - ''GOD, DO NOT MAKE US DEPENDENT TO DASTARDS'' - ''IF THEY ARE INTERESTED IN WATER, THEY BETTER JOIN IN THE CONSORTIUM''

Responding Rolandis, the Greek Cyprios side's trade minister, who said that ''we won't give electricity to Turks from the Greek Cypriot side if they suffer from lack of electricity because of insufficient fuel oil. They should not expect this,'' Denktas said that ''God, please do not make us dependent to the dastards!''

Pointing out that during the days when the Greek Cypriots gave electricity to TRNC, they used this situation as a weapon, and used it to destroy the industry of TRNC, and de-moralize Turkish Cypriots, Denktas said ''but they could not succeed.''

Reminding that 103 Turkish villages were without electricity between 1963 and 1974 in Cyprus, Denktas said that ''many of our villages were without water. When I asked permission to open artesian wells from Clerides, he had put forward conditions for us to recognize their government. Our people were without water but they did not recognize this racist and occupier administration as their government.

Also reminding that Turkish planes put out a forest fire in the Greek Cypriot side without expecting anything in return a few months before, Denktas said, ''we will bring water from Anatolia. We said that we could give water to them (Greek Cypriots). They refused. And they incomprehensibly attempted to bring water from Greece just not to take water from the Turk.''

Denktas said that water for agriculture will be brought from Turkey to TRNC by a pipeline under the sea in a few years, and the Greek Cypriot side increasingly suffer from the lack of water. ''If they are interested, they better come and join the consortium which will be established. They should give up their fanaticism. They should not worry. The one who drinks Turkish water will not be a Turk. And they should not forget! The TRNC will not be without electricity. Even if she is without electricity, she continues to exist, and does not ask for favor from the Greek Cypriots. We know that the Greek Cypriots won't give us even a needle unless they need us. They try to take for 35 years whatever we have,'' he said.

[08] CRITICISM OF EU'S POLICY ON TRNC

Kufi Seydali, the Honourary Consul of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to Austria said that the recent decision taken by the EU Commission conflicted with the decision of the EU Council of Ministers dated on February 24, 1997 which noted that ''membership negotiations should not start with the Greek Cypriot side unless the Cyprus question is solved.''

Issuing a press statement upon the recent developments concerning the EU enlargement process, Seydali recalled that the 1960 Founding Treaties of the Cyprus Republic foresaw that Cyprus can't be represented in any organizations if Turkey and Greece are not members of them.

''If Austria wishes to find a just and permanent solution to the chronic Cyprus question during her term presidency, she has to show to the all concerned sides that the rejection of the existence rights of Turkish Cypriots will not be helpful to Europe,'' Seydali said.

[09] SEZGIN, THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND DEFENSE MINISTER WRAPPS UP HIS VISIT TO BULGARIA - SEZGIN: ''WE ARE CLOSELY INTERESTED IN ISSUES OF PRIVATIZATION AND IN BULGARIA AND JOINT INVESTMENTS''

Ismet Sezgin wrapped up his official visit to Bulgaria the same day and was received by Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov before leaving for Belarus. Sezgin informed Stoyanov about his contacts in Bulgaria and about the issues of defense industry and military cooperation between the two countries.

Sezgin said after the meeting that the Turkish-Bulgarian friendship and cooperation relations develop and they have seeped up by reciprocal visits between the two countries.

Noting that his visit to Bulgaria was very positive, Sezgin stated that ''we have seen that the defense industry production in Bulgaria is within NATO standarts. We can do many things together with Bulgaria.''

Sezgin who wrapped up his official contacts in Bulgaria left for Minsk, the capital of Belarus the same day.

[10] TURKISH ECONOMY AND FOREIGN BORROWING

Commerzbank, which mediates in Eurobond sales over German mark in Europe and put itself in for Turkey's bond issue over German mark, evaluated the Turkish economy.

According to the evaluation of Commerzbank, the conformation to the Staff Monitoring Agreement and its financial targets carry great importance for winning the investors' confidence especially before the general elections planned to take place in April 1999.

Stressing that the Staff Monitoring Agreement affected positively the rating of Turkey, Commerzbank recalled that within this framework, the leading rating organization Standard and Poor's (S and P) confirmed that it gave positive note to Turkey in August, the period in which the countries get negative notes in general.

Emphasizing that Turkey's credit note can increase if she conforms to the targets of the Staff Monitoring Agreement, Commerzbank stated that the S and P is the organization which can firstly increase Turkey's rating.

Noting that the increasing interest trend will raise difficulties for the financial deficit target of Turkey, Commerzbank said that the privatization should be accelarated and the social security reform should enter into effect to this end.

[11] TURKEY AND NORWAY TO COME TOGETHER TODAY FOR ADAPTATION OF CFE

Foreign Ministry said that during the OSCE Summit held in 1996 in Lisbon, OSCE decided to adapt CFE to changing conditions which was signed in 1990 and which entered into force in 1992.

Foreign Ministry pointed out that Turkey and Norway who have a close cooperation in this framework will come together for a consultation meeting in Oslo concerning the CFE. A technical meeting will be held between Turkey and Russia concerning the adaptation of CFE on November 11 in Moscow.

Consultations are being regularly held with other concerned countries concerning the adaptation of the CFE, the Foreign Ministry added.

[12] TRESURY AUTHORIZES COMMERZBANK AND DEUTSCHE BANK FOR BORROWING

The Undersecretariat of Tresury issued a statement saying, ''the Treasury has authorized Commerzbank AG and Deutsche Bank AG to seek new borrowing opportunities in the Euro-Mark market.''

The Treasury is expected to realize a foreign borrowing this week. Officials said the issue may initially be worth 300 million German marks with a maturity of three to five years.

The Treasury has realized up until now this year a total of four Eurobond issue worth of 1.9 billion US dollars.

[13] TREASURY TO ARRANGE 10-MONTH TERM BOND TENDER ON TUESDAY

The effective date of this year's first ten-month term bond tender was specified to be 11 November and the repayment date to be 6 October 1999 while the Treasury foresees a 100 trillion Turkish Liras maximum in sale.

In the previous six-month (182-day) term tender on 3 November, the Treasury sold 662 trillion 159.4 billion TL in bonds while the gross annual interest rate became 113.47 percent.

[14] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS RECEIVES DENIZOLGUN, THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE - TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS:''OUR RELATIONS WITH TURKEY ARE FURTHER DEVELOPING''

Rauf Denktas said that the frequent visits of Turkish Ministers to TRNC please them, adding that ''our relations with TRNC are further developing.''

Denizolgun said that the Ministry of Transportation has investments in TRNC, stressing that communication should be provided with satellite system in TRNC and this will be realized in a short of period of time.

Noting that the ports of Girne and Gazimagosa will be repaired, Denizolgun stated that also new fishing shelters will be constructed.

Denktas stressed that the Joint Declaration signed with Suleyman Demirel, the President on January 20, 1998 gives confidence to Turkish Cypriots.

[15] VESSEL WHICH CARRIED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO ITALY - BAYRAM, TRANSPORTATION MINISTER OF TRNC: ''THERE IS NOT ANY INFORMATION TO PROVE THAT SHE IS A TRNC-FLAGGED SHIP''

Speaking to reporters, Bayram said that the news published in the TRNC press about the issue were only ''claims'' and there was not an official evidence.

Bayram stated that they will make researches if they receive an official information.

Enver Yetkili, the General Director of the TRNC Seaports Administration, told the A.A correspondent that the vessel, which was seized near the Italian shores while she was carrying illegal immigrants, didn't have a registration at the TRNC Seaports Administration.

Yetkili said that they got information showing that ''Zeynep'' was a Syrian- flagged ship.

[16] GERMAN PRESS' CLAIMS ABOUT THE KILLING OF A GERMAN TERRORIST IN A CLASH IN TURKEY - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''GERMANY ASKED FOR INFORMATION AND WE ARE INVESTIGATING''

An official from the Foreign Ministry said that the German authorities had informed them about the issue and now they launched an investigation into it.

The German press claimed that a German woman terrorist, Andrea Wolf, was killed by the Turkish security forces after she was captured on 24 October near the Iranian border near eastern Van province.

The Emergency Rule Governor's Office has announced that there wasn't any information that a woman terrorist of foreign origin had been killed during the operations.

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