Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-03-20

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AA Daily

20 March 1999 Saturday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] MESSAGE FROM TURKEY TO EU TERM PRESIDENCY: ''BROADCASTS OF MED-TV HAVE TO BE CEASED''

[03] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKEY IS ONE OF COUNTRIES WHICH MOSTLY SUPPORT LITHUANIA'S WISH TO JOIN THE NATO''

[04] DENKTAS, PRESIDENT OF TRNC: ''THERE IS A TURKISH REPUBLIC ON CYPRUS AND SHE WILL CONTINUE TO EXIST''

[05] TURKMEN NATURAL GAS PROJECT - AKTAS, MINISTER OF ENERGY: ''WE ARE FOCUSING ON A FLEXIBLE PRICE SYSTEM AT THE TALKS FORESEEING PURCHASE OF NATURAL GAS FROM TURKMENISTAN'' - ''WE WANT TO SIGN NATURAL GAS TRADE AGREEMENT TILL MAY''

[06] OZKOK, DEPUTY CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF, IN TRNC - ''WE NEVER THINK OF A CLASH HERE'' - ''TURKISH ARMED FORCES AND CYPRUS TURKISH PEACE FORCES HAVE THE DETERMINATION AND CAPABILITY TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS'' - DENKTAS: ''WITH THEIR LAST BETRAYAL, THEY DESTROYED EVEN THE STATE-TO-STATE BASIS''

[07] REGIONAL MEETING OF TURSAB - TAN, MINISTER OF TOURISM: ''TURKEY MANAGED TO RECORD GROWTH IN TOURISM IN THE ATMOSPHERE OF TERRORISM SHE HAS SUFFERED FOR YEARS'' - ''THE REAL SIDE TO BE CONDEMNED IN THIS GAME IS THE EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS NOT THE EUROPEAN MASS MEDIA''

[08] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''I AM ANNOUNCING TO THE WESTERN COUNTRIES: DO NOT CAST SHADOW OVER OUR RELATIONS WITH GREECE''

[09] TURKEY-GREECE

[10] TURKISH-EU RELATIONS - FOGG, EUROPEAN COMMISSION TURKEY REPRESENTATIVE: - ''THE EU IS DEFINITELY NOT A CHRISTIAN CLUB, ITS DOORS ARE OPEN FOR TURKEY'' - ''I THINK CUSTOMS UNION IS WORKING AND FUNCTIONING VERY WELL''

[11] DENKTAS, PRESIDENT OF TRNC, RECEIVES FOREIGN MINISTRY DELEGATION

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

DEMIREL EVALUATES WARNING OF PASHA ''IF THEY WOULD HAVE SHOW SOME MORE
PATIENCE''
President Suleyman Demirel does not hide that he feels uneasy as reaction of General Staff is reflected to the public. Demirel says ''we should refrain from efforts to include military to the discussions. Look, foreign press again gave news reports saying ''military intervened.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL) KUTAN TOLD ERBAKAN THAT ''312 CAN NOT BE ISSUED'' AND
ADDED THAT ''GIVE UP THIS JOB''
Members, who took up political situtation in group meeting of Virtue Party (FP), requested Recai Kutan, Party leader, ''talk to Erbakan.'' Kutan talked to Erbakan on Thursday evening and said ''give up this job. 312 and other laws will not be issued, the government will not collapse and elections will not be postponed.'' Asilturk shared the same views and said ''give up this job.''

INVESTIGATION TO GULEN
Ankara State Security Court (DGM) Chief Prosecutorship initiated an investigation against Fetullah Gulen. Chief Prosecutorship, after observing prayer tapes of Gulen, decided that the contents of the tapes were forwarded to the aim of ''changing Constitutional order by force'' which is identified in Article 146 of the Turkish Penal Code and which foresee capital punishment.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

APO BRIEFING TO FOREIGN PRESS
Foreign Ministry gave an Apo briefing to foreign press members who rushed to Turkey after capture of Abdullah Ocalan, chief of terrorist organization. In the briefing it was reported that the demands to cover the hearing and interviews about Apo, will be evaluated by State Security Court (DGM). It was also reported that simultaneous translation will be made in the hearing for the foreign press members.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

The relationship between the disgruntled deputies and the FP administration was interrupted after the statements of General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, the Chief of General Staff. Nine of the signatory deputies joined the Democratic Turkey Party (DTP) when the FP withdrew its support. The signatories, which opened the way for ebtablishment of the fifth group, said, ''we will topple Uluc Gurkan, the Acting Parliament Speaker. The number of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) deputies decreased to 59. We can take the post of Acting Parliament Speaker.''

The number of votes in favor of censure motion to topple the government remained at 240 in the voting while there is a need for 276 votes to topple the government. Meanwhile, Recai Kutan, the leader of the FP, said they will vote against the motion to postpone the polls.

FIRST HEARING OF OCALAN TO BE HELD IN HIS ABSENCE
The delegation of the Ankara State Security Court (DGM) No:2 extended by one month the period of concluding the preparations on Imrali Island upon the request of the Prime Ministry Crisis Center.

The delegation, which decided to make the first hearing on 24 March in Ankara in Ocalan's absence, is thinking of making the hearing on the island on 24 April.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

The disgruntled deputies, who didn't attend yesterday's meeting of the Parliament, had the Democratic Turkey Party (DTP) set up a Parliamentary group. Their aim is to separate the general and local elections from one another by having the majority at the Parliamentary commissions.

TERRORISM SPREADS INTO TEXTILE SECTOR
Bulent Atuk, the Chairman of the Association of Turkish Textile Industrialists, announced that some foreign importers cancelled their purchase visits due to recent bombings and arson attacks staged by terrorists following the apprahansion of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the terrorist PKK organization.

YEN� Y�ZYIL (LIBERAL)

Erhan Goksel, the Chairman of the Verso Research Institute, said, ''the leftist voters of Ankara confused. The real trump of Gokcek is bread.''

BRIDGE INVOICE TO SHIPYARD
The loss of the Halic Shipyard has reached 1.5 million U.S. dollars since the vessel traffic was closed with the Galata Bridge. The shipyard became obliged to reject twenty business offers since July 1998. The shipyard will be out of work and unemployed when the repair of three vessels finish.

SABANCI DOESN'T CARE ABOUT CRISIS
Sakip Sabanci, the Chairman of the Sabanci Holding, said they successfully concluded 1998 despite all negative conditions.

''We will make 500 million U.S. dollars of investment this year. Our goal is to make more business producing more meal,'' he said.

T�RK�YE (RIGHT) TENSION DECREASES
The possibility of postponing elections is removed from the agenda. Confidence came to the markets. Disgruntled deputies became unsuccessful when Virtue Party (FP) withdrew its support. Statements of President Suleyman Demirel that elections will take place and warning of Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu, chief of General Staff, that ''cancalletion will bring chaos'', made the expectations of disgruntled deputies to become vain.

NEWROZ ALARM
Ankara Directorate General of Security doubled security measures against the incidents that the supporters of terrorist organization may cause during Newroz celebrations that will take place on Sunday.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

The gradually worsening socio-economic situation negatively affect the employer-employee section. Dr. Arif Verimli from the Bakirkoy Psychiatry and Neurology Hospital which is accepter as the the psychological barometer in Turkey, said the psychological health and situation of people is gradually worsening.

RAIN TO CONTINUE
The State Meteorology Works directorate General estimated that the rainy weather will continue throughout the country till the eve of the religious holiday to start on 27 March.

[02] MESSAGE FROM TURKEY TO EU TERM PRESIDENCY: ''BROADCASTS OF MED-TV HAVE TO BE CEASED''

Ambassador Nihat Akyol, Turkey's Permanent Representative to the EU, invited the EU Term President Germany to call the member countries to take the necessary measures.

In his letter of request which he submitted to the EU Term Presidency, Ambassador Akyol said that within the frame of the developments following the apprehension of chief terrorist Abdullah Ocalan, the Med-TV works as the voice of the terrorist organization PKK and incites terrorism and violence in Turkey and EU, and its role in coordinating the terrorist activities of PKK terrorists in Europe is obvious.

Stressing that Med-TV has assumed an attitude supporting and coordinating terrorism since its establishment, Akyol recalled that Ankara launched initiatives within the structure of the EU member countries to put an end to those dangerous and hostile broadcastings, adding that the television channel of terrorists still continue its programmes and terrorism propagandas.

Emphasizing that Med-TV prepares its programmes in a European country and broadcasts via satellite over another European country, Akyol said that the EU member countries have to make the necessary to cease the broadcasts of Med-TV, of which programmes are watched in Europe and North Africa, and prevent continuation of its broadcasts from a EU member country.

Calling the EU member countries to assume a common attitude stressing the the sensitivity of the issue and its dangers, Ambassador Akyol recalled the basic agreements and principles of the EU foreseeing the member countries to cooperate against terrorism and criminal organizations.

Recalling the commitments of EU on struggle against terrorism, Akyol invited the EU Term Presidency to call for taking necessary steps to stop broadcasts of Med-TV.

[03] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKEY IS ONE OF COUNTRIES WHICH MOSTLY SUPPORT LITHUANIA'S WISH TO JOIN THE NATO''

Addressing the dinner, President Demirel said that important steps were taken to develop the relations between Turkey and Lithuania after Lithuania gained her independence and the mutual high-level visits formed a concrete basis for relations.

Noting that he believes the relations will be intensified in every field, Demirel said, ''in this respect, I want to mention that Turkey is one of countries which mostly support Lithuania's wish to join the NATO. In accordance with the open-door policy decided at the Madrid Summit, Turkey is in favor of continuation of expansion process. During my visits to Baltic countries in June 1997 including Lithuania, I openly put forward that any country can't be prohibited from joining a security mechanism due to historical and geographical reasons and we will continue this approach with determination at the NATO Summit to take place in April in Washington D.C.''

President Demirel said that the visit of Adamkus is important also for the development of economic and commercial copperation between Turkey and Lithuania.

Stressing that he wishes that the existing positive and constructive political atmosphere will rapidly reflect in economic and comercial relations, Demirel said that the trade agreement between the two countries which entered into effect last year, will play an important role in improving commercial relations.

President Demirel said that he attaches importance also to the development of interparliamentary relations.

''The improving cooperation and friendly relations between our two countries will contribute to the establishment of a new region of peace and prosperity reaching the Black sea and Mediterranean sea from the Baltic Sea. Turkey is determined to work together with Lithuania in accordance with the joint target for creating a prosperous, democratic and united Europe,'' Demirel said.

Lithuanian President Adamkus said, ''on behalf of the Lithuanian nation, I want to thank to Turkey and the Turkish nation for their consistent policy, which doesn't affirm the occupation of Lithuania, by supporting us.''

Adamkus recalled that Turkey is the first country which recognized the independence of Lithuania and opened an Embassy in the capital Vilnius.

[04] DENKTAS, PRESIDENT OF TRNC: ''THERE IS A TURKISH REPUBLIC ON CYPRUS AND SHE WILL CONTINUE TO EXIST''

The Orkun Magazine rewarded Rauf Denktas with the ''Golden Gray Wolf'' award for his determinative and combative attitude in the Turkish Cypriots' case.

Addressing the ceremony, Denktas said that they carried out a insistent struggle to defend the rights of the Turkish Cypriots.

Noting that the world has been showing an attitude pretending not to see the Cyprus issue since the Turkish Armed Forces' Cyprus Peace Operation, Denktas said that they were forced to make an agreement with the Greek- Cypriots which rejects to give the rights of the Turkish Cypriots.

Denktas said that the Greek-Cypriots insist on not accepting the fact that there are two states on Cyprus and they continue to see themselves as the single legal government of Cyprus.

Recalling that there are few things left to discuss with the Greek-Cypriots after the apprehension of chief terrorist Abdullah Ocalan with Greek- Cypriot passport, Denktas said, ''the diplomats, who come Cyprus to provide an agreement on the island, are asking us to lift the obstacles. This obstacle is our rejecting to call the Greek-Cypriots as the legal Cypriot government. They say that otherwise, the Greek-Cypriots may enter the European Union (EU). Every step taken by the Greek-Cypriots towards the EU will oblige us to take more serious, close steps towards Turkey.''

Stressing that they express the Cyprus issue easily and directly and without keeping secret, Denktas said, ''now we are protecting our rights. We say that ''let's recognize the TRNC and her existence and thus let's sit at the negotiation table. It is your preference to accept or not. They are trying to annex Cyprus to Greece. They failed, they will never achieve it.''

[05] TURKMEN NATURAL GAS PROJECT - AKTAS, MINISTER OF ENERGY: ''WE ARE FOCUSING ON A FLEXIBLE PRICE SYSTEM AT THE TALKS FORESEEING PURCHASE OF NATURAL GAS FROM TURKMENISTAN'' - ''WE WANT TO SIGN NATURAL GAS TRADE AGREEMENT TILL MAY''

Responding to the questions of A.A correspondent about the project foreseeing the bringing of the Turkmen natural gas into Europe via Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey passing under the Caspian Sea, Ziya Aktas recalled that the Pipeline Oil Transportation Corp (BOTAS) and the Turkmenistan natural gas company signed the natural gas trade pre-agreement in March in Ashkabad, adding that the sides continue their talks on the issue of price.

Aktas said they are discussing a variable trade agreement which changes according to prices in international natural gas market aiming at preventing Turkey and Turkmenistan to give a loss due to prices in international natural gas market.

Minister Aktas added that they want to sign the natural gas trade agreement with Turkmenistan till the end of May 1999 within the framework of the project foreseeing the purchase of Turkmen natural gas.

The agreement, which foresees the purchase of natural gas from Turkmenistan and its bringing into Turkey with pipelines, was initialed on 11 October 1998 in Ashkabat by the Turkish and Turkmen Foreign Ministers.

The agreement concerning the project, which is one of the prior projects of the U.S. together with Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline which will flow Caspian oil into western markets, was signed on 29 October 1998 in Ankara by President Suleyman Demirel and Turkmen President Saparmurad Turkmenbasi.

[06] OZKOK, DEPUTY CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF, IN TRNC - ''WE NEVER THINK OF A CLASH HERE'' - ''TURKISH ARMED FORCES AND CYPRUS TURKISH PEACE FORCES HAVE THE DETERMINATION AND CAPABILITY TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS'' - DENKTAS: ''WITH THEIR LAST BETRAYAL, THEY DESTROYED EVEN THE STATE-TO-STATE BASIS''

General Ozkok was received the same day by Rauf Denktas, the President of the TRNC.

Noting that his visit to the TRNC indicates the support of Turkey and the Turkish Armed Forces to the TRNC, General Ozkok said, ''we never think of a clash here. We altogether make efforts to enable the TRNC to be self- sufficient but it is seen that the Greek-Greek Cypriot cooperation is determined not to leave the TRNC in peace. Their activities are clear and fearless. The latest terrorism event is the most important evidence for this cooperation. It is impossible to understand the aim of this attitude of Greece, who claimed that she is the inheritor of the ancient Greek civilization. We hope they will take lesson from their own mistakes and apologize to Turkey and the world.''

''Whatever the Greek and Greek-Cypriot cooperation does, the Turkish Armed Forces and the Cyprus Turkish Peace Forces Commandership have the determination and capability to meet the requirements,'' General Ozkok added.

TRNC President Rauf Denktas said General Ozkok gave such a message which will please and honor the Turkish Cypriots and enable them to live in peace.

Noting that they relieved following the ''inter state talks'' policy supported by Turkey, Denktas said he, as a negotiator, carries out his duty in peace. ''The real thing is to hold inter state talks. With their last betrayal, the Greek-Cypriots destroyed even this basis,'' Denktas stressed.

Emphasizing that nobody believes that the Greek-Cypriot side, which have hostile feelings against the Turks, can want to reach a consensus with the TRNC, Denktas said, ''the foreign diplomats, who see us, have already agreed that. They can say that the activities of Greek-Cypriots are madness. I hope that they will express these feelings to the Greek- Cypriots.''

Pointing out that friendship is the basic principle for the two communities' living in peace and cooperation, Denktas stressed that the Greek-Cypriots should give up their enmity.

[07] REGIONAL MEETING OF TURSAB - TAN, MINISTER OF TOURISM: ''TURKEY MANAGED TO RECORD GROWTH IN TOURISM IN THE ATMOSPHERE OF TERRORISM SHE HAS SUFFERED FOR YEARS'' - ''THE REAL SIDE TO BE CONDEMNED IN THIS GAME IS THE EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS NOT THE EUROPEAN MASS MEDIA''

Addressing the ''1999 Enlargened Regional Executive Committees' Meeting'' held in Kutahya by the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TURSAB), Tourism Minister Tan said that some deliberate news were published in the world press during a period while there were full-reservations, and that terrorism's aim of spreading fear of death was being staged by the mass media which publishes and broadcasts biased news.

Recalling that Turkey hosts ten million tourists every year, Tan said that the tourists, who visit the safe country Turkey, will return back to their countries safe.

Stressing that the target of the biased news is not the Turkish tourism but the Republic of Turkey, Tan said, ''the real side to be condemned in this game is the European governments not the European mass media. Because, these governments are supporting terrorism by allowing the terrorist organization to set up television channels and news agencies and give terrorist activity orders via these organizations.''

Tan said that the Dutch travel agencies are determined to send tourists to Turkey and Russia announced that the threats of the terrorist organization will be of no use.

[08] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''I AM ANNOUNCING TO THE WESTERN COUNTRIES: DO NOT CAST SHADOW OVER OUR RELATIONS WITH GREECE''

Addressing to citizens in an open air meeting in Corlu province, Ecevit said his party will be the first party of Turkey on April 18, adding that Turkey had come face to face with the most serious crisis of the Republican history in Refahyol period.

Mentioning about the reforms provided by education and tax reforms, Ecevit said they will solve higher eduation problem in the coming five years if the administration of the country is given to them.

Ecevit explained the measures they have taken to put an end to the poverty in eastern and southeastern regions, which terrorism exploited with the support it provided from abroad.

Ecevit said ''this organization is not the friend of our Kurdish brothers but their enemies. This organization want to prevent every kind of investment which will bring welfare to the region.''

Pointing out that they were resolved to put an end to the poverty in Eastern and Southeastern provinces and devastate feudal order there, Ecevit said ''I have not captured Abdullah Ocalan in Kenya. It was Turkish state which captured him. Yet, he was captured because there was harmony within the state.''

Ecevit said the whole world was made to accept that PKK was a fierce terrorist organization, adding that meanwhile, Greece's real face was clarified. Ecevit said all the world saw that every kind of support were expended by Greece to the terrorists of this organization.

Ecevit said ''now that all the world know that Greece was a so-called ally and that she supported the terrorists against Turkey. I wish Greece will save itself from this shame soon.''

Ecevit said this situation did not stem from Greek people but because of some politicians and pointed out that Greece dared to challenge Turkey whenever western country expend support to it.

[09] TURKEY-GREECE

Responding to a question about the statements of Greek Prime Minister Simitis who made an interview with Eleftherotipia newspaper on March 18, Atacanli said it was seen that Simitis continued his efforts to hide Greece- terrorism connection and the support of his government to the terrorist PKK organization.

Stressing that these efforts were in vain and that the support expended by Simitis government to the PKK terrorist was proved by official documents and concrete evidences, Atacanli noted that supporting of such a terrorist organization targetting Turkey's territorial integrity and people, can not be excused in any way.

Atacanli said Simitis was trying to weaken Turkey's rightful and legal reaction with allegations which are far from persuasiveness instead of weighing up its conscience.

Atacanli pointed out that Greece should wash its hands which were involved in terrorism and should expend efforts to be a esteemed neighbour and stressed that or else it will continue to find a very determined Turkey in front of them.

[10] TURKISH-EU RELATIONS - FOGG, EUROPEAN COMMISSION TURKEY REPRESENTATIVE: - ''THE EU IS DEFINITELY NOT A CHRISTIAN CLUB, ITS DOORS ARE OPEN FOR TURKEY'' - ''I THINK CUSTOMS UNION IS WORKING AND FUNCTIONING VERY WELL''

Staging a press conference after meeting with Muammer Guler, the Governor of southeastern Gaziantep province, Fogg said that the process regarding the preparation of Turkey for the EU membership continues.

Noting that Turkey tries to increase her exports to the EU countries during that process, Fogg said, ''Turkey together with other candidate countries benefit from some of our programmes and studies.''

Fogg said that they planned to develop vocational training in Turkey and carry out new studies on women health.

When recalled that EU member Greece's support to the terrorist PKK organization was revealed after the apprehension of its chief Abdullah Ocalan and asked about the evaluation of the European Commission about the issue, Fogg said that EU, as an organization, has a very limited authorization in the issue of prevention of crimes and does not have any authorization for struggle against terrorism.

Stressing that there are very different opinions about the capture of Ocalan, Fogg said, ''I don't know anything about the role of Greece in the issue but I am trying to follow the developments carefully. My impression is that the Greek Premier will take up some illegal activities staged by his own government and also by his own people. He is trying to take some measures.''

''It is my personal view that the solution of disputes when there are deep tensions between countries and especially neihboring countries is not condemnation but dialogue,'' Fogg said.

Responding to another question, Fogg said that Turkey and other eleven candidate countries are moving ahead with different speeds concerning the issue of fulfiling the criteria necessary for the acceptance of their membership applications.

''However, this is not a race. The countries should move with a speed they can put up with during the advance in economic, social and cultural transformations. This necessitates huge investments. The slowly moving countries may have lost their hopes. The important thing is the improvement of candidate countries. There is confidence when there is progress. The candidate countries, which recorded progress, will be supported to fulfil adaptation and criteria necessary for EU membership. Good will and dialogue are verly important for EU membership,'' Fogg said.

[11] DENKTAS, PRESIDENT OF TRNC, RECEIVES FOREIGN MINISTRY DELEGATION

Denktas received the Foreign Ministry delegation which is currently holding contacts in the TRNC. Addressing the meeting. Denktas said that it will be more beneficial when young diplomats come to the island to defend their case.

Briefing the diplomats on the background of the Cyprus issue, Denktas said, ''Turkey is the owner of Cyprus. We are here to keep alive and protect the seal of the owner. The Cyprus issue was put on the basis of state-to-state. Now I feel relieved. We can look calmly and safely to the future.''

Noting that the armament on the Greek-Cypriot side is madness, Denktas said that solving the Cyprus issue with arms is unreasonable and that the Greek- Cypriots attempted this in the past for a few times but failed to own Cyprus and will never achieve this desire.

Stressing that Turkey is the most powerful regional country having the most powerful army, Denktas said, ''Turkey openly and honestly announced to the world that she will never leave Cyprus in accordance with her interests, historical rightfulness and geopolitics. They have to understand and realize these facts.''

Pointing out that he supposed the Greek-Cypriots will play a game relying on the European Union (EU), Denktas said, ''the EU accepts only the Greek- Cypriots if it wants to have borders with Turkey and brings the Turkish- Greek dispute into the border of the EU. We don't know whether or not the EU will make such a madness. It shouldn't. We recieve news that it won't make.''

Recalling that they proposed confederation to hold inter state talks but the Greek-Cypriots refused it, Denktas said the Greek-Cypriot administration destroyed even this opportunity and opportunity for bilateral talks after the apprehension of chief terrorist Abdullah Ocalan.

A.A

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