Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-02-27

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

AA Daily

27 February 1999 Saturday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TURKISH-EGYPTIAN ENERGY COOPERATION - TWO COUNTRIES SIGN A PROTOCOL REGARDING NATURAL GAS PIPELINE BETWEEN TURKEY AND EGYPT

[03] JUDGEMENT OF TERRORIST CHIEF - ANKARA STATE SECURITY COURT PREPARES APPROVAL MINUTES OF THE SUIT IN WHICH OCALAN, TERRORIST CHIEF, WOULD BE JUDGED

[04] GREECE'S ATTITUDE IN GRANTING POLITICAL ASYLUM TO TWO FEMALE TERRORISTS - ATACANLI, FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''GREECE REGISTERED ITS SUPPORT TO TERRORISM IN INTERNATIONAL PLATFORM''

[05] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''IT HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY CLARIFIED THAT GREECE IS ONE OF THE LEADING COUNTRIES EXPENDING SUPPORT TO TERRORISM. THIS ATTITUDE CAN NOT BE FORGIVEN''

[06] FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM EUROPE TO THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - OCALAN ADMITS THAT HE IS RESPONSIBLE OF KILLINGS OF 30 THOUSAND PEOPLE - OCALAN: - ''EUROPE USED ME AGAINST TURKEY''

[07] ALLEGATIONS OF THE LAWYERS OF OCALAN - PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''WE ARE RESOLVED TO PREVENT ANY EXCESS THAT MAY CAST SHADOW OVER JUSTICE''

[08] D-8 SUMMIT - PRESIDENT DEMIREL TO REPRESENT TURKEY AT SUMMIT

[09] FREE TRADE AGREEMENT TALKS BETWEEN TURKEY AND MOROCCO

[10] DEMIREL AND SHEVARDNADZE IN DEIK MEETING

[11] STORY OF TERRORIST CHIEF'S ESCAPE AND CAPTURE

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

OCALAN ARGUES WITH HIS LAWYER
It was revealed that arguement with Abdullah Ocalan, terrorist chief, lied under the decision of Okcuoglu, lawyer of Ocalan, to resign. It was reported that the lawyer opposed when Ocalan wanted his statements ''I did not receive torture'' to be recorded in the written report. The lawyer left the island when Ocalan insisted.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

MILITARY: DGM WITHOUT MILITARY
During a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC), State Security Court (DGM) was discussed which received reaction because of its military members. Civilians and military agreed on the decision ''DGM should not have members from the military.'

SABAH (LIBERAL)

GENERAL KIVRIKOGLU: GREECE CAPTURED IN THE VERY ACT
General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, Chief of General Staff, said that support of Greece to the terrorist organization was known from the very begining, adding ''they are captured in the very act now. The world itself saw what they did. They don't have a word to utter.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

RADIKAL (LEFT)

FAMOUS SINGER MUSTAFA SANDAL TO SHAKE FRANCE
Mustafa Sandal, famous Turkish pop music singer, will shake France, as famous singer Tarkan did in recent weeks. Sandal signed an agreement with the Sony company in Paris, concerning the production of two albums titled ''Araba'' (The Car) and ''Aya Benzer'' (Looks Like the Moon).

YENI YUZYIL (LIBERAL)

The first attack happened when unidentified assailants threw firebombs in an office belonged to the True Path Party (DYP) in Zeytinburnu district. The device exploded causing fire, which was extinguished with the help of the citizens. In a sepate attack, unidentified assailants threw fire bomb in a pastry-shop in Gaziosmanpasa Yenimahalle Fatih Avenue. The fire which broke out, was extinguished in a short time. No casualties were reported at the incidents. Police said operations underway to capture the assailants who fled after the attacks.

PKK OBTAINS AN INCOME OF 5 BILLION
GERMAN MARK FROM DRUG TRAFFICKING
The General Staff stated that the terrorist organization PKK obtains an annual income of 5 billion German Mark from the drug trafficking. On the contrary of terrorist chief Abdullah Ocalan's allegations claiming that they have no connection with the drug smuggling, the General Staff issued a 76-page report named as the ''Terrorist Organization PKK and Its Connection with Drug'' which gives broad place to document regarding the connection of PKK with drug trafficking.

T�RK�YE (RIGHT)

Evaluating terrorist incidents in Southeastern Anatolian Region, General Kivrikoglu said ''the situation is calm and will be better in the region. Terrorist incidents came to a level that can be controlled. There are still some young people in the mountains who were deceived. We believe that they will surrender to Turkish justice soon because insisting on it will not be a way out.''

JOINT ATTITUDE AGAINST TERRORISM
President Suleyman Demirel and President Eduard Shevardnadze of Georgia who pays a two day official visit to Turkey, signed a joint declaration envisaging to assume joint attitude against terrorism.

Meanwhile Turkey and Georgia also agreed to take steps to bring the joint projects such as the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline, transportation of Turmen natural gas via Turkey, Kars-Ahilkelek-Tbilisi railway and the revival of Silk Road into force as soon as possible.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] TURKISH-EGYPTIAN ENERGY COOPERATION - TWO COUNTRIES SIGN A PROTOCOL REGARDING NATURAL GAS PIPELINE BETWEEN TURKEY AND EGYPT

Ziya Aktas, the Energy and Natural Resources Minister, and Hamdi al-Bambi, the Egyptian Oil Minister, have signed the protocol.

Addressing the signing ceremony, Aktas said that he believes the protocol will be beneficial for the both sides.

Hamdi al-Bambi said in his part that he is pleased with positive results of his visit to Turkey.

Turkey and Egypt have decided to take into consideration two alternatives of ''land line'' and ''water line'' which is thought to be constructed under the Mediterranean for the natural gas Turkey will purchase from Egypt.

In the protocol, the two sides also agreed to prepare feasibility reports together.

The decision regarded with the pipeline route, will come after feasibility studies were finished.

Turkey and Egypt had agreed earlier to construct a pipeline under the Mediterranean Sea last June, but the two sides are now also considering an alternate, overland pipeline.

Aktas said after his meeting with el-Bambi, ''We have decided that an overland pipeline is also possible.''

The overland pipeline would cross Jordan and Syria before reaching Turkey. It was not clear how much it would cost.

[03] JUDGEMENT OF TERRORIST CHIEF - ANKARA STATE SECURITY COURT PREPARES APPROVAL MINUTES OF THE SUIT IN WHICH OCALAN, TERRORIST CHIEF, WOULD BE JUDGED

A.A correspondent learned that the court, in the approval minutes, decided to continue the for the arrest of Ocalan, and for the judgement of terrorist chief by Ankara State Security Court.

''Capital punishment''is wanted for Ocalan on grounds that he made treachery in a speech made in MED TV and that he commited crime against his country and the sovereignty.

Meanwhile, it was reported that Talat Salk, Chief Prosecutor of DGM who interrogated Ocalan in Imrali Island and prosecutors Nuh Mete Yuksel and Hamza Keles continue their studies for the indictment of the suit they will file against Ocalan.

[04] GREECE'S ATTITUDE IN GRANTING POLITICAL ASYLUM TO TWO FEMALE TERRORISTS - ATACANLI, FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''GREECE REGISTERED ITS SUPPORT TO TERRORISM IN INTERNATIONAL PLATFORM''

Responding to questions about the bringing of three female terrorists from Greek Embassy in Nairobi to Athens, Atacanli said ''This action shows that Greece has not taken the necessary lessons from the situation it has fallen into because of its support for terrorism until now and also showed that it is desirous to continue its attitude which put itself to the position an illegal state.''

Atacanli stressed that Greece should understand that the door of persuasion was closed, adding that ''Turkey always wanted to have normal relations and continue dialogue with Greece, yet Greece assumed attitudes contradicting with this.''

Atacanli said this attitude of Greece contradicted with principles of international attitude and international law.

Atacanli said the most important obstacle preventing normal relations between Turkey and Greece was the support of Greece to terrorism and noted that it was impossible for international community to accept the continuation of this support.

Atacanli said ''Greece must clearly and immediately cut its links with terrorism in order to become a country with which there can be normal relations.''

[05] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''IT HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY CLARIFIED THAT GREECE IS ONE OF THE LEADING COUNTRIES EXPENDING SUPPORT TO TERRORISM. THIS ATTITUDE CAN NOT BE FORGIVEN''

When asked how he evaluated the attitude of Greece which granted political asylum to three terrorists instead of apologizing, Ecevit said ''capture of Ocalan and latest developments proved that Greece was one of the leading countries expending support to terrorism. Allies of Greece came to a position that they are not able to ignore facts to this end. This is not an attitude that can be forgiven. Greece has become a main shelter and training center of the terrorists who want to split up Turkey. This is a human crime. I hope Greek people has remorse on this issue.''

Responding to another question Ecevit said the government did not have a decision taken for imposing a visa requirement to passages from Greece to Turkey.

[06] FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM EUROPE TO THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - OCALAN ADMITS THAT HE IS RESPONSIBLE OF KILLINGS OF 30 THOUSAND PEOPLE - OCALAN: - ''EUROPE USED ME AGAINST TURKEY''

Noting, ''Europe used me against Turkey'', Ocalan pointed out that Europe was aiming at preventing Turkey. He said that Europe which talks continously about the human rights, caused bloodshed by using him.

Ocalan confessed that he formed the PKK, noting that their target was establishing an independent state at the beginning. Stressing that he was angry with those who burnt themselves in order to hold demonstrations, Ocalan noted that he does not want such demonstrations.

Pointing out that the people living in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia Regions were mostly effected negatively from the terrorist actions, Ocalan noted that PKK's leading names such as Semdin Sakik, Blind Cemal and Sahin Balic had intensed pressure and terrorist actions on the regional people.

Saying that he ordered killings of these people who objected him as a result of disagreements, Ocalan reminded that Semkin Sakik escaped from being killed.

Ocalan admitted the responsibility of 30 thousand people who were massacred by terrorists, adding that he did not use weapons, but gave orders to kill people.

Terrorist chief Ocalan noted that he has no information about the murder of Ugur Mumcu, a leading Turkish journalist and writer who was killed in a bomb attack in 1993, and emphasized that terrorist organization PKK has no connection in Mumcu affair.

Claiming that in 1993 a high-level official of the time had offered him cease-fire through journalists, Ocalan said that they had disclosed their decision in 15 March 1994 together with Jalal Talabani. He added several deputies from the People's Labour Party (HEP) were also in attendance at the meeting.

Defending that he was not responsible for the killings of 33 soldiers in Bingol Province, Ocalan said in his testimony that it was Semdin Sakik who ordered the attack.

Describing People's Democracy Party (HADEP), the Human Rights Association (IHD) and the Mazlum-Der as the close organizations to the PKK, Ocalan pointed out that the Free Agenda (Ozgur Gundem) Newspaper was working upon their directions. He noted that within this framework, Behcet Canturk had 25 percent shares of the newspaper, and rest of the shares were belonged to the organization.

Stressing that he had received a message in 1996 from a high-level official through Mervan Zerki and another person who claimed that he was the representative of Syria, Ocalan said that message was about the scheduled stud�es in Souteastern Anatolia Region and was offering peace. Ocalan pointed out that he sent a letter and accepted such positive offer.

Saying that he supported the �dea of a cooperat�on between the HEP and the SHP in 1991 elections, Ocalan added that he endeavoured to reach a result to th�s end. He noted that he ordered candidates to talk in Kurdish language and to stress their Kurdish origin at the parliament after being elected as deputy.

Ocalan pointed out that the groups trained in Romania and Moldova, were used in the HADEP's activities, adding that many people from provincial organizations of HADEP, were sent to the camps both in abroad and the rural areas. Ocalan said that they sent a financial aid worth of 200 thousand German Mark to assist establishment of the party.

Noting that money collected in Europe formed most of the financial source of the terrorist organization PKK, Ocalan confessed that they collected illegal money under the pretext of tax. He also confessed that the money collected in Europe is in the Swiss banks.

Ocalan added that within this framework they sent 15 million U.S. dollars to the so-called Solhan region. He also gave the names who were forced to give money to the organization including famous singers, businessmen and the contractors working in the region.

Terrorist chief noted that his brother Osman Ocalan had also taken place in all these.

Noting that they collected money in Greece through Ayfer Kaya using the code name of Rozelin, Ocalan pointed out that they purchased more than 15 Strella missiles from Serbia and took missiles to Northern Iraq. He added that other missiles seized by terrorists were also taken to Northern Iraq via the Caucasian countries. Ocalan noted that Iranian Secret Service seized some of the missiles. He also stressed that necessary trainings for the missiles were given in Kosovo.

Evaluating relations between Greece and terrorist organization PKK, Ocalan said in his testimony that these relations were more or less the same with those between Syria and the terrorist organization. He also noted that the PKK has a hospital in Urumieh in Iran.

Referring how they set up the MED-TV, the broadcasting organ of terrorist organization PKK, Ocalan said that they took the license from a company in Britain and provided the satellite from France.

Noting that they opened two schools in Damascus, the capital of Syria, educating terrorists both in Turkish and Kurdish, Ocalan added that these schools were being inspected from time to time by Syrian Secret Service.

Reminding that several famous singers gave many concerts on the MED-TV, Ocalan said it could be evaluated as a support for the terrorist organization.

Ocalan also added that he had more than 2 million U.S. dollars when he left Syria, but he took only 50 thousand U.S. dollars with him and left rest of the money to a man named Delil in Syria.

[07] ALLEGATIONS OF THE LAWYERS OF OCALAN - PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''WE ARE RESOLVED TO PREVENT ANY EXCESS THAT MAY CAST SHADOW OVER JUSTICE''

Speaking to journalists in front of Premiership Building, Ecevit responded to the allegations of the lawyers. Ecevit said the two lawyers who met Ocalan in Imrali Island, did not have a rightful reason to quit.

''Required measures were taken for the demonstrations of small groups against the lawyers in Mudanya'' Ecevit said, adding that ''we are very sensitive to this end. We are resolved to prevent any excess that may cast shadow over justice.''

Ecevit said according to his impressions, the two lawyers who quit were disappointed as they could not find anything to exploit and could not see any sign of pressure or torture, ''for this reason they cut the meeting short and left the island'' Ecevit added.

Ecevit said the other lawyer was taken under custody as there was a decision for detention against him on charges of another crime, but later this decision was lifted.

Noting that the doctors in Imrali covered health condition of Ocalan everyday and that they informed them with the reports, Ecevit said ''there is not a health problem at the moment for Ocalan that will prevent him from participating in the hearings.''

When asked if the statements of Ocalan regarding killing of Olof Palme and Necmettin Erbakan, former leader of the Welfare Party (RP) which was closed by the Constitutional Court were true, Ecevit said ''I am following these from media. I don't know which is right or which is wrong. We have not received any official information.''

When recalled news reports regarding putting an end to the assignments of military judges in State Security Courts, attributing to the National Security Council (NSC) meeting, Ecevit said withdrawal of military judges from the courts was not in question without any change in the Constitution. Ecevit said ''yet, all the concerned institutions agree that position of State Security Courts should be reviewed. We will be in an effort to provide the discussion of Repentance Law and law related with the State Security Courts primarily in the Parliament when it convenes again following the elections.''

Responding to another question Ecevit said he did not have an official information that a new organization was established in Syria instead of terrorist PKK.

Ecevit said they have allocated very large sources for the investments foreseen to be made in the East and the Southeast.

[08] D-8 SUMMIT - PRESIDENT DEMIREL TO REPRESENT TURKEY AT SUMMIT

President Suleyman Demirel will represent Turkey that is the term president of the D-8, at the two-day summit which will begin on Monday.

Nigeria may be absent at the D-8 summit because of the national elections.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and foreign ministers of the other countries will be in attendance at the meeting.

The summit is expected to focus on the progress of economic and technical cooperation as recommended in the first summit of the D-8 in Istanbul in 1997.

Other issues such as environment, health, poverty alleviation, telecommunications, science and technology, agriculture, finance and banking and fishery will also be discussed at the summit.

Meanwhile tight security measures have been taken in and around the summit venue, the Dhaka Sheraton Hotel, by army soldiers with sniffer dogs.

The D-8 was established in 22 October 1996 in Istanbul by Turkey, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, Malaysia, Egypt, Indonesia and Nigeria.

The third summit of the D-8 is envisaged to be held in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, but the certain date and place of the third summit will be determined in Dhaka Summit.

[09] FREE TRADE AGREEMENT TALKS BETWEEN TURKEY AND MOROCCO

Officials told the A.A correspondent that the sides agreed in principle on the draft agreement during the first round of talks held in Rabat between February 15 and 16.

Reyhan Atmaca, the Deputy Undersecretary of Foreign Trade, headed the Turkish delegation, and Fath'Allah Sijilmassi, the Director of International Commercial Relations of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts

Ministry, led the Morrocan delegation during the talks.

The sides decided to hold the second round of talks in Ankara in April.

Reyhan Atmaca was received by Alami Tazi, the Morroccan Industry Trade and Handicrafts, during the negotiations.

The sides scrutinized the opportunities to increase the trade volume between Turkey and Morrocco which is currently 100 million U.S. dollars, to a level as higher as possible.

[10] DEMIREL AND SHEVARDNADZE IN DEIK MEETING

Addressing a meeting staged by Foreign Economic Relations Committee (DEIK) within the framework of the visit of Eduard Shevardnadze, Georgian President, Demirel said the people will not be enriched if there is not peace and stability, adding that peace and stability will be spoilt if there is not development.

Demirel said ''we believe that cooperation between the two countries will be for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries.''

Demirel said there were many cooperation fields between the two countries and pointed out that mutual agreements were made and protocols have been signed for the legal base of the economic cooperation. Demirel said the two countries have confidence in each other, yet double taxation should be lifted to operate agreement for the promotion of investments.

Demirel said Turkey played the role of a bridge for Georgia's relations with the West and that Georgia was the only bridge for Turkey in relations with the East.

Demirel said they wanted Turkish and Georgian businessmen to work together in the third countries, adding that obstacles in front of this should be removed.

Noting that there may be very big projects that could be realized between the two countries, Demirel said businessmen and the two countries have very important roles to this end.

Demirel pointed out that conditions of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan projects were prepared and that this project will be tendered and its construction will begin before the middle of the year 2000. Demirel said this project required 2.5 billion U.S. dollars finance.

Recalling that there were also Kars-Tbilisi Railway, Caspian passage and Turkmen gas projects, Demirel said the U.S. Eximbank would finance Turkmen gas project.

Demirel also said during the visit the two Presidents agreed on the betterment of Batum Airport and harbour and joint usage of them, adding that businessmen will have great contributions and support to this end as they are very big projects.

Meanwhile, Eduard Shevardnadze, Georgian President, said Georgia was a reliable gate for Turkey opening to Central Asia.

Shevardnadze pointed out that Georgia was a reliable country but not strong enough, adding that it will be a strong country soon with cooperation with Turkey.

Noting that Georgian businessmen learned the rules of free market economy from Turkish businessmen, Shevardnadze said there are more than 100 Turkish- Georgian joint companies.

Georgian President pointed out that Turkey was a strategic partner of Georgia due to foreign economic and trade relations, adding that bilateral relations should be improved further and that the two Presidents will contribute to this end.

Shevardnadze said Georgia was a stable country despite several conflicts and pointed out that his people understood the importance of freedom.

[11] STORY OF TERRORIST CHIEF'S ESCAPE AND CAPTURE

Ocalan said in his testimony that he had left Syria for Greece by a plane on October 9, 1998 together with Ayfer Kaya using the code name of Rozelin. He noted that he had used the false passport arranged in the name of Abdullah Sar�kurt that was provided by the so-called representation of the terrorist organization during his travels.

Evaluating the attitude which he encountered within Greece, Ocalan said, ''Greece, that was paying compliments to me, showed her bad face. The Greeks told me either to return where I came from or to go wherever I want within three hours.''

Reminding that he sought for political asylum from Greece, but he was refused, Ocalan noted that he left Greece for Russia by the plane belonging to the Greek Secret Service. He added that he held contacts with Jirinovsky, the fascist Leader, and Jirinovsky's fellow named Mitrapo, showed interest in him.

Pointing out that he also talked to the chief of Russian Interior Security Organization, Ocalan stressed that he had to depart Russia after he spent 33 days in a house hired by Mitrapo.

Noting that he had come to Italy together with Ahmet Yaman, so-called representative of the PKK in Rome, and with Mondovani, Italian Deputy who visited Ocalan in Syria before, Ocalan noted that he was arrested in Rome, but stayed in a hospital instead of a prison.

Recalling that he sought for political asylum from Italy, Ocalan said, ''Italian Justice Ministry had released me. Meanwhile I met with three Turkish journalists and writers and with a number of foreign journalists, deputies and the representatives of several organizations within 66 days. Italy that had granted political asylum to many members of the terrorist organization before, put pressure on me to depart Italy immediately.''

Ocalan said that they hired an airplane and landed on Rovinrant Airport near Moscow, with a false diplomatic passport arranged in the name of a journalists from the Greek Cypriot side, which was provided by Ayfer Kaya.

Terrorist chief added that he returned to Greece in 29 January 1999, upon the Russia's threat as ''we will send you to Syria'', together with two Greeks named Badavas and Nagazakis. Stressing that he stayed in Greece for only one day, and then he was sent to Belarus by Greece, Ocalan said he had to wait for four hours at the Minsk Airport in freezing cold. He noted that he was back to Greece on January 31, 1999.

Ocalan continued that he was helpless on Corfu Island, adding that he was then forced to leave for Kenya on February 2 together with a PKK sympathizer named Ibrahim.

Stressing that he was hosted in the Greek Ambassador's residency in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, for 13 days, Ocalan added that he refused to move another place. He added that he sought for political asylum, but could not receive a response.

Noting that a group of four Greeks had come to Kenya to force him to leave, Ocalan complained that Greece betrayed him. He added that he was forced to leave the embassy residence by deceiving him to take him to the Netherlands.

Reminding that the Greek Ambassador wanted to take him to the airport by his automobile, but the Kenyan officials prevented him, Ocalan said that he was brought into a plane which he did not know its destination.

A.A

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