Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-12-08

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

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

08 DEC 1998

CONTENTS

[01] YILDIRIM, THE STATE MINISTER: ''300 CITIZENS HAVE RETURNED TO TURKEY FROM NORTHERN IRAQ THIS YEAR''

[02] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM IN BRUSSELS

[03] HAS THE SHUTTLE DIPLOMACY POSITIVE RESULTS ON CYPRUS, KOFI ANNAN TO GO TO THE ISLAND

[04] THE FIFTH TURKISH-IRANIAN HIGH SECURITY COMMISSION MEETING

[05] THE TRNC ELECTIONS - UBP CAN NOT BE THE ONLY PARTY IN THE GOVERNMENT

[06] SHARON, ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER: - ''TURKEY IS A SIGNIFICANT COUNTRY THAT CAN BE A CORNERSTONE IN OVERALL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE REGION''

[07] RANTZAU, GERMAN SPECIAL ENVOY TO CYPRUS: ''WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE S- 300 MISSILES''

[08] THE 70TH MEETING OF IMO STARTS - TURKISH STRAITS ARE ON THE AGENDA OF IMO

[09] EGE, FOREIGN TRADE UNDERSECRETARY: ''TURKISH TEXTILE SECTOR PROBLEMS WILL BE OVERCOME SOON'' - JOHNSON, WHITE HOUSE TRADE ENVOY: ''WE ARE SEEING TURKEY AS A VERY IMPORTANT TRADE PARTNER''

[10] EU COUNCIL OF MINISTERS' MEETINGS - NO AGREEMENT UPON THE ISSUE OF THE CHIEF OF THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK IN MEETINGS

[11] THE US ISSUES A PRESS RELEASE REGARDED WITH ACTIVITIES OF SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION

[12] TWO BRIDGES IN ISTANBUL CONTRIBUTE TO TURKISH ECONOMY

[13] EU COUNCIL OF MINISTERS' MEETINGS - SCHUSSEL, THE AUSTRIAN FM: ''THE ISSUE OF OCALAN IS NOT OUR BUSINESS''

[14] ECEVIT SPEAKS TO GERMAN ''ZDF'' TV AND ''STERN'' MAGAZINE: ''EU'S POLITICAL INSISTENCE CAN NOT BE ACCEPTED''

[15] EROGLU, PRIME MINISTER OF TRNC: ''A NEW PERIOD OF STRUGGLE AND TERM IN OFFICE AWAIT US''

[16] SEARCHS FOR COALITION GOVERNMENT IN TRNC - PRESIDENT DENKTAS TO RECEIVE LEADERS OF POLITICAL PARTIES ON WEDNESDAY

[17] ECEVIT, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: ''I HAVE CONVEYED CILLER THE REASONS FOR ANAYOL-SOL FORMULA. I HOPE TO GET A POSITIVE OUTCOME''

[01] YILDIRIM, THE STATE MINISTER: ''300 CITIZENS HAVE RETURNED TO TURKEY FROM NORTHERN IRAQ THIS YEAR''

Yildirim told A.A correspondent that many Turkish citizens left the country and went to Northern Iraq in serious conditions when terrorism was really intense.

Yildirim also said, ''the number of our citizens who returned from Northern Iraq this month is 133. We are continuing to launch efforts in order not to face problems when some other citizens come back. We are in contact with the UN Refuguees Commission. We accept our citizens as the infrastructural studies are completed, because we faced some problems arising from infrastructure before.''

Halil Ulusoy, the Governor of southern Sirnak province, stated that 200 more people would return to Turkey the following week by recalling that 157 houses were built for the citizens.

Stressing that there were 5000 Turkish citizens living in Northern Iraq, Ulusoy noted that the United Nations (UN) informed them about the people who wanted to come back to Turkey.

[02] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM IN BRUSSELS

Addressing to journalists at the Esenboga Airport before his departure, Cem pointed out that the trial of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK, by an international court having the quality of ''adhoc'' is politically and legally baseless. He added, ''Ocalan who claimed thousands of lives, should be extradited.''

Reminding that the presence of Ocalan in Italy damages relations between Turkey and Italy, Cem expressed concern over Italy that becomes the center of the separatist terrorist organization.

Pointing out that Ocalan is a citizen of Republic of Turkey and has committed most of his crimes in Turkey and against Turkish people, Cem stressed that he should be tried in Turkey in accordance with the Turkish Penal Code.

The NATO Foreign Ministers will scrutinize the last preparations for the NATO Summit in Washington D.C in April during the meetings that will last for two days.

The meetings will focus on the issues such as internal and external adaptation of the Alliance, Europe's security and defense identity, the joint cooperative mission force, the structure of command, the latest developments in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo, the enlargement of the Alliance, the cooperation in the Mediterranean and the relations with Russia and Ukraine.

Meanwhile a joint announcement concerning the threats of the weapons of mass destruction, will be issued during the meetings. The NATO Foreign Ministers are expected to underline that terrorism threatens territorial integrity of the states, and condemn terrorism in the announcement.

Ismail Cem is expected to hold bilateral talks with his Italian counterpart Lamberto Dini and his French counterpart Hubert Vedrine at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels.

Cem is scheduled to return to Turkey on Wednesday.

[03] HAS THE SHUTTLE DIPLOMACY POSITIVE RESULTS ON CYPRUS, KOFI ANNAN TO GO TO THE ISLAND

Annan will visit Rauf Denktas, President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot Leader.

A.A correspondent quoted some close sources to the UN as saying the fact that having a compromise in the issues regarding the measures to increase the security and stability on the Island attached great importance. The same sources noted that Kofi Annan was willing to settle the question on Cyprus, which was one of the long-during questions in the history of UN and that he intended to visit the Island in case the two sides came to an agreement.

TRNC is now facing the period of forming a new government after the election held on Sunday. Thus, the new government can put its stance on the visit of Annan forth in the following one or two weeks.

The main obstacle for Annan's probably not visiting the Island the following year is the rejection of the Greek Cypriot part of recognising that there are two states on Cyprus. Pointing out that the ''base of the dispute was this fact'', the diplomats stated that they were curious about whether or not this dispute could be overcome by the contacts of Ann Hercus.

[04] THE FIFTH TURKISH-IRANIAN HIGH SECURITY COMMISSION MEETING

The Foreign Ministry stated that the Turkish delegation presided by Yahya Gur, the Interior Ministry Undersecretariat, went to Tehran on Monday to attend the meeting.

Iran Embassy noted in a statement that the meeting was realized in a short period of time of six months and this showed that two countries attached importance to the meeting.

In its statement, the Embassy defended the view that Iran contributed to the efforts of overcoming the tension between Turkey and Syria and that it proposed to ''be a mediator'' in the relations between Turkey and the European Union (EU).

[05] THE TRNC ELECTIONS - UBP CAN NOT BE THE ONLY PARTY IN THE GOVERNMENT

As the deputies were unofficially determined, the formation of the government took the attention of the people and the press in TRNC. Dervis Eroglu, the Prime Minister of the coalition government, had earlier said that they would think of a coalition government and that they would not let their citizens live in a state without a government.

Eroglu has not pronounced the party with which he would form the new coalition government. The executive councils of the National Unity Party (UBP) will decide on the issue of the formation of the coalition.

UBP lost the chance of being the single party in the government with a few votes. Winning 24 chairs in the 50 chair-parliament, UBP can not form the government just by itself.

[06] SHARON, ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER: - ''TURKEY IS A SIGNIFICANT COUNTRY THAT CAN BE A CORNERSTONE IN OVERALL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE REGION''

Addressing a press conference, Sharon who pays an official visit to the US, expressed Israel's gratification at the relations with Turkey.

Stressing that they want peace in the region, Sharon noted that peace will come to the region along with important projects. He also added that the region is rich of opportunities.

[07] RANTZAU, GERMAN SPECIAL ENVOY TO CYPRUS: ''WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE S- 300 MISSILES''

Speaking to Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot Leader, Rantzau expressed the concern of his country over the S-300 missiles.

Rantzau stated that he believed that ''the S-300 missiles issue should be solved in the most useful way for Cyprus.''

Emphasizing that a solution to the question on the Island should be found, Rantzau, the German diplomat, stressed a stable solution on the Island could only be achieved by the two sides on Cyprus and it should not be imposed by foreign countries.

[08] THE 70TH MEETING OF IMO STARTS - TURKISH STRAITS ARE ON THE AGENDA OF IMO

Turkey in this meeting continues to oppose ''without regarding its results'' the efforts of increasing the traffic in the Straits by a group of countries headed by Russia by reliable thesis.

Mithat Rende, the Undersecretary of the Turkish Embassy in London and Permanent Representative of Turkey to IMO, defends the thesis of Turkey in the meeting to which a Turkish group formed by Haydar Berk, Foreign Ministry Deputy General Director of Maritime and Naval Affairs, Omer Kilic, Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary of Maritime Affairs and many Maritime Headquarters experts attend.

''Vessel Rotation Working Group'' has been decided to be established to carry out investigations in Istanbul, Canakkale Straits and some other problematic straits and rotations under the studies of the 70th Committee of IMO Naval security.

Turkey did not take the report aimed at the increase of the traffic in the Straits into consideration in the meeting held in May.

The observers recalled that Turkey considered itself ''as having an important position'' by being the only country surrounded by sea when she saw the report concerning the ambition of the countries on the route of the carrying of the Azeri oil.

Thus, Turkey in the meeting in July had maintained her stance and ideas on the increase of the traffic in the Straits and stated that ''it was impossible to make amendments on the traffic separation figures.''

Tendering the radar system which will ensure the traffic in the Straits and restructuring the Straits Regulation, Turkey earlier pointed out that the point of view concerning the increase of the traffic in Straits would not comply with the task and directives of IMO.

Turkey's provisions on the increase of the traffic in the Straits in the last meeting were as follows:

-The traffic of the Straits has increased.

-The quality of the cargo has changed. (oil, burning gases)

-The dimensions of the vessels have increased.

-However, the geographical and physical limitations of the Straits remained the same.

-The increase of the traffic in the Straits is impossible due to the changeable morphological aspects such as flows and wind.

-Local traffic has increased.

-The Straits are the way of immigration of various species of fish. They can be negatively affected and can extinct.

-Istanbul is a centre of business, history and culture in which 12 million people live.

[09] EGE, FOREIGN TRADE UNDERSECRETARY: ''TURKISH TEXTILE SECTOR PROBLEMS WILL BE OVERCOME SOON'' - JOHNSON, WHITE HOUSE TRADE ENVOY: ''WE ARE SEEING TURKEY AS A VERY IMPORTANT TRADE PARTNER''

Speaking in the seminar concerning ''The Cooperation Opportunities in the Textile and Ready-to-wear Sectors between Turkey and the US in the years 2000'' held by the Union of Istanbul Textile and Ready-to-wear Exporters (ITKIB), Ege said the textile and ready-to-wear industries was the key sector of Turkish economy.

Stressing that the one third of the 30000 companies activating in this sector were dealing with import and export, Ege noted that Turkish textile industry realized 6.6 billion US dollars of export in the first eight months of 1998.

Pointing out to the fact that the US was the second significant market of Turkey in textile export, Ege said, ''the export to Russia decreased 28 percent in the first eight months of this year. Significant decrease in the domestic production was also faced particularly in September and October. Turkey will soon overcome these problems by the newly-established integrated and modern factories. Turkey is an appropiate country where the US investors can invest.''

Okan Oguz, the Turkish Exporters' Assembly Chairman, said in his speech that the US had a significant and privileged position in the export sector of Turkey.

Stating that the world textile was on the eve of significant changes on the treshold of 2000, Oguz said, ''the advances and the changes that will occur in textile sector by the year 2000 have complicated structure. The best way to be successful in international competition in line with these developments is to have cooperation between the countries and the sectors. Thus, it will be useful to underscore a more serious cooperation in these sectors between Turkey and the US.''

Don Johnson, US White House Trade Envoy, stressed that an integration period would be faced as the trading quotas applied in the textile sector were lifted off and that this period would be difficult for both Turkey and the US.

Drawing the attention to the fact that the trade between the US and Turkey have reached to higher figures, Johnson said, ''we are seeing Turkey as a significant trading partner. We have tried to help Turkey in every situation.''

[10] EU COUNCIL OF MINISTERS' MEETINGS - NO AGREEMENT UPON THE ISSUE OF THE CHIEF OF THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK IN MEETINGS

Responding to questions of the press, Spokesman of the Luxembourg Foreign Ministry said that ''it has been seen that it is not possible to bring a concrete solution proposal within the framework of the EU to the issue of Ocalan and the issue has been transferred to the Council of Europe (COE).''

The Spokesman of the Austrian Foreign Ministry said earlier the same day that ''a statement would be published about the issue.'' The statement would state that ''EU condemns all terroristic activities of PKK and other terrorist organizations and supports struggle against terrorism, moreover the EU announces its confidence on internal laws of Italy and extends support to efforts aiming at trial of the terrorist chief before an international tribunal,'' but such a statement was not issued.

The Spokesman of Luxembourg Foreign Ministry said that an official statement is out of question due to ''disagreement'' upon the issue, adding the EU Term Presidency can only give information verbally.

Meanwhile it is reported that Hans van den Broek, the EU Commissioner responsible from Foreign Affairs requested the foreign ministers of the EU member states to issue a clear message concerning Turkey and her candidacy has to be stressed by a clear statement at Vienna Summit. It is reported that Greece has taken a negative position against this proposal.

[11] THE US ISSUES A PRESS RELEASE REGARDED WITH ACTIVITIES OF SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION

Officials at the US Embassy in Ankara told the A.A correspondent that the preparation of the press release which is thought to be useful to inform countries about the terrorist actions of the PKK, was completed on Friday.

The press release points out:

- Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of separatist terrorist organization PKK, has maintained iron-fisted control over the PKK and approved and directed terrorist attacks against civilian targets and assasinations of PKK defectors.

- In addition to insurgent operations against Turkish military and security forces, the PKK under Ocalan's control, has carried out scores of terrorist attacks against non-combatant targets including the assasinations of Turkish teachers, village guards and their families, and Turkish government officials. PKK terrorists have conducted several massacres of civilians including many women and children, in villages deemed hostile to the separatist terrorist organization.

- Ocalan threatened in March and May 1996 to use Hamas-style suicide bombers in Western Turkish cities to distrupt tourism if Ankara did not pursue negotiations with the PKK. Following through on the threat, a female PKK terrorist disguised as a pregnant woman rushed into a military parade in the Eastern province of Tunceli in 30 June and detonated a bomb hidden under her clothes. She killed nine soulders and wounded 35 others in what is the first confirmed instance of a PKK suicide bombing against Ankara.

- Ocalan asserted later that the 30 June attack was a model for future PKK suicide bombers. Since June 1996, the PKK has launched four suicide bomb attacks and attempted three more, killing six terrorists, twelve security personnel and two bystanders and injuring 57 others.

- To weaken the Turkish economy, the PKK conducted terrorist attacks against industrial infrastructure in Southeastern Turkey and against tourist sites in major cities and along the Mediterranean Coasts.

- In an effort to discourage tourism, the PKK publicly ordered terrorist bombings against major tourists sites in Istanbul and Turkish resort areas. As part of this effort, the PKK has also bombed passenger trains, ferryboats and buses in Southeastern Turkey. Many of these attacks have resulted in civilian casualties.

- The PKK has conducted violent demonstrations and arson attacks against Turkish diplomatic, commercial and cultural facilities in Germany and other European countries.

- In 1993 and 1994 the PKK staged a series of kidnappings of foreigners. A total of 21 people were kidnapped in Eastern Turkey to frighten away tourists and to embarrass the Turkish government.

- In 1992 the PKK conducted at least six attacks against Western oil facilities in Southeastern Turkey, forcing two foreign companies to suspend operations in the region.

- During the past decade, the PKK has conducted assasinations, kidnappings and acts of arson in Western Europe against former PKK members and ''Kurdish immigrants''� opposed to the separatist terrorist organization. Assasinations of PKK defectors occured in Sweden in 1984 and 1085; in Denmark in 1985; in the Netherlands in 1987 and 1989 and in Germany in 1986, 1987 and 1988.

- Ocalan has taken efforts last year to encourage the German Government to lift its four-year-old ban over the PKK's activities. In August 1997 he reiterated his 1996 public promise to forbid PKK-instigated acts of violence on German soil. Indeed, acts of terrorist violence attributable to the PKK in Germany for the year declined significantly.

[12] TWO BRIDGES IN ISTANBUL CONTRIBUTE TO TURKISH ECONOMY

The Directorate General of Highways stated that the revenue gained by the transition of vehicles from the Bogazici and Fatih Sultan Mehmet bridges of Istanbul reached to a total of 18.2 trillion Turkish liras in the first ten months of 1998, approximately eight trillion liras of which was gained from Bogazici Bridge and approximately 9 trillion of which was gained from Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge.

The figures of the Directorate General of Highways showed that a total of 100 million vehicles used the two bridges, approximately 53 of which used Bogazici Bridge and approximately 46 of which used Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge in the first 10 months of this year.

The officials pointed out that the total of the revenue gained from the two bridges would exceed 20 trillion Turkish liras by the end of 1998.

[13] EU COUNCIL OF MINISTERS' MEETINGS - SCHUSSEL, THE AUSTRIAN FM: ''THE ISSUE OF OCALAN IS NOT OUR BUSINESS''

Noting that the issue concerning the chief of the separatist terorist organization PKK was informally taken up during the lunch, Schussel pointed out that ''we have to underline the fact that EU is against terrorism and we have to focus on the terrorist activities of the PKK while saying this.''

Claiming that the terrorist chief has to be tried at an international court due to his terrorist acts, Schussel said that Lamberto Dini, the Italian Foreign Minister proposed a solution within the framework of the Council of Europe (COE), adding that ''the EU can't announce a statement about this issue, forming an international court is not a simple issue. We think that Ocalan has to be tried at a court.''

When asked whether or not his statement is on behalf of the EU, Schussel stated that ''it is not on behalf of the EU, I say this as Austria is the Term President upon the will of Italy and Germany.''

Reiterating the view that the EU is not authorized to decide on the issue of trial of Ocalan, the terrorist chief in a European country, Schussel said ''we can't know how he will be tried.''

When asked whether or not Turkey has been invited to the Vienna Summit, Schroder stated that this issue is indefinite and contacts still continue.

Schroder added that ''a crisis between Turkey and the EU is out of question.''

[14] ECEVIT SPEAKS TO GERMAN ''ZDF'' TV AND ''STERN'' MAGAZINE: ''EU'S POLITICAL INSISTENCE CAN NOT BE ACCEPTED''

Speaking to ''Frontal'' program of German tv channel ZDF and weekly Stern magazine, Ecevit said Turkey is a radical state and a state tradition for centuries, adding that ''Turkish Republic is mature enough to cope with its own internal problems.''

Stressing that Turkey is closed to insistences coming from abroad, Ecevit said relations between Turkey and the EU entered into a recession period yet that this was not an obstacle for Turkey to improve its bilateral relations with the other EU member countries.

Responding to questions related with Turkish-EU relations, Ecevit said ''when we look at the issue from historical, cultural and geographical point of view, full membership of EU is Turkey's right. Also, our membership to NATO, Customs Union Agreement and 1964 Ankara Agreement are facts that justify our full membership.''

Ecevit said ''I would like to mention that Europe is very important for us yet the world is not only Europe. Turkey is European as well as a Balkan, Middle East and Mediterranean country. We have close relations with the countries in Central Asia and in former Soviet Union Republics and with Russia. This means we are in a position opening to east and the west. So, I believe that EU will knock our door one day and invite us to membership.''

Speaking about Germany's attitude in giving up its decision to call for extradition of Abdullah Ocalan, chief of separatist terrorist organization, Ecevit said ''German government, with the thoughts of security, refrains from allowing the judgement to be carried out. I really find this strange. If Germany opens this way with the Ocalan example, than every terrorist will find a way not to be judged.''

Ecevit said terrorist Ocalan was searching for a place in the world to shelter and that Italy got bored of him adding that ''the most appropriate solution is the extradition of Ocalan to Turkey to be judged. Nobody should have doubt that Ocalan will be judged with courts like the other criminals.''

When recalled that there is capital punishment in Turkey, Ecevit said ''capital punishment has not been implemented in Turkey for 15 years and Democratic Left Party (DSP) continiously requests for the lifting of this punishment.''

[15] EROGLU, PRIME MINISTER OF TRNC: ''A NEW PERIOD OF STRUGGLE AND TERM IN OFFICE AWAIT US''

Eroglu issued a written statement saying that the Turkish Cypriots with their free will concluded a democratic election period and stressed once more their sovereignty to the world.

''The victory of UBP was the indicator of the Turkish Cypriots' reliance to the TRNC and determination. This victory resulted from the UBP's responsible policies for the development and increase in the level of prosperity in the TRNC. UBP has never made concessions from the target of living together with motherland Turkey,'' Eroglu stated.

''We founded our state. We will exalt the TRNC together. The solidarity and unity of the Turkish Cypriots will bring the TRNC into the desired level in the international platform,'' Eroglu emphasized.

Meanwhile, the official results, which were released late on Monday, showed that the UBP leader Eroglu won Sunday's parliamentary elections with 40.33 percent of the votes which was equivalent to 24 seats at the 50-member TRNC Parliament.

But, this result couldn't let Eroglu to form the government just by the UBP.

Under the TRNC Constitution, the TRNC Parliament holds its first meeting within the next ten days following the announcement of the final results in the Official Gazette. At this meeting, the deputies, who receive the official report from the Supreme Election Committee, take an oath at the Parliament.

Under the Constitution, the TRNC President assigns the leader of a political party or a deputy to form the government. The deputy or the leader, who was assigned by the President, forms a ten-member cabinet within 15 days at the latest and submits this proposal to the President.

According to the final results, the Democrat Party (DP) gained 13 seats, the Socialist Liberation Party (TKP) gained seven seats and the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) won six seats at the 50-member TRNC Parliament.

[16] SEARCHS FOR COALITION GOVERNMENT IN TRNC - PRESIDENT DENKTAS TO RECEIVE LEADERS OF POLITICAL PARTIES ON WEDNESDAY

President Denktas will firstly meet with Dervis Eroglu, the leader of the National Unity Party (UBP) and the Prime Minister of the TRNC.

Later, President Denktas will receive Serdar Denktas, the leader of the Democrat Party (DP), the Minister of State and the Deputy Prime Minister of the TRNC; Mustafa Akinci, the leader of the Nationalist Revival Party (TKP); and Mehmet Ali Talat, the leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP).

Meanwhile, TRNC President Rauf Denktas will leave for Ankara on 10 December to receive a madical treatment at the Gulhane Military Medical Academy.

President Denktas is expected to appoint a political party leader to form a government before his departure to Turkey.

[17] ECEVIT, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: ''I HAVE CONVEYED CILLER THE REASONS FOR ANAYOL-SOL FORMULA. I HOPE TO GET A POSITIVE OUTCOME''

Responding to the questions of reporters Ecevit said his meeting with Ciller on Monday was reflected in media and pointed out that ''we will hold our second meeting on Wednesday or Thursday. She will convey me her absolute views. Of course, I will convey these views to Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz.''

When asked if he was still hopeful following his meeting with Ciller, Ecevit said ''I am an optimistic person. It was clear that Ciller was not positive towards my formula yet, I told her the facts to this end.''

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