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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-08-16Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>AA Daily16 August 1999 MondayCONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on August 16, 1999. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL) EIGHT DOCTORS WHO DISGRACE TURKEY ERBAKAN:NO OBSTACLE FOR MY CANDIDACY SOCIAL SECURITY ARTICLE MILLIYET (LIBERAL)IT DOES NOT SUITPresident Suleyman Demirel's having his photo taken with people who are known as dishonest people surprised everybody. Citizens, politicians and jurists criticized President Demirel's photo taken together with Caglar, who was accused of cheating banks. ASSASSINATION PREVENTED SLOGAN OF 436 TRILLION LIRAS SABAH (LIBERAL)LEADERS ON DUTYLeaders of the coalition parties follow the discussions on Social Security Reform in the parliament one after another. Yesterday, Premier Ecevit was on duty and he followed the discussions in the parliament. Today it is Devlet Bahceli's turn. CLINTON TO VISIT EPHESUS CUMHURIYET (LEFT)RICHARDSON, U.S. SECRETARY OF ENERGY, DUE IN TURKEYBill Richardson, the U.S. Secretary of Energy, will pay an official visit to Turkey. Contacts of Richardson in Turkey will focus on the latest developments about the Baku-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline Project and the Turkmenistan-Turkey Natural Gas Pipeline Project. Richardson is expected to express the support that the U.S. extends in the projects. THREE-DAY CULTURAL FESTIVAL RADIKAL (LEFT)HARSH REACTION FROM GENERAL STAFFThe General Staff harshly condemned some recent news reports including humiliating and deliberate comments about the commanders who will retire on August 30, 1999. The General Staff underlined, ''Those who consider the Turkish Armed Forces as the biggest obstacle in front of the establishment of a state based on religious principles, and who launch initatives to damage the esteemed and reliable image of the Turkish Armed Forces by showing as if it was an enemy of the religion, are the traitors and enemies.'' AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR'S PRODUCTION IN TURKEY FAREWELL, CAN YUCEL Hundreds of mourners paid a tearful tribute to Yucel, 73, with applauses, carnations and sunflowers during his funeral. T�RK�YE (RIGHT)513.8 KG HEROIN CONFISCATEDGendarmerie units confiscated a total of 513.8 kg heroin in a truck which entered into Turkey from Iran. Gendarmerie units determined that drugs will be smuggled with a truck, which came from Iran and entered Turkey on August 9 from the Gurbulak Border Gate. Ibrahim Halil Karayilan, the driver of the truck, who was detained by the officials, confessed that he had agreed with two Iranians namely Hassan and Gulah to bring the heroin into Turkey from Marat, Iran, in return for 100 thousand German Marks. 8 TERRORISTS KILLED ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)U.S. PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON TO VISIT EPHESUSThe U.S. President Bill Clinton who will pay a visit to Turkey to attend the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) meeting which will be held in Istanbul in November 1999, will also visit the Ephesus Ruins and the House of Virgin Mary in Selcuk county of Izmir province. PASSENGER TRAIN DERAILS [02] BAHCELI, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: ''NEW PARLIAMENT AND GOVERNMENT FACE THE MOST TRAGIC AND CHAOTIC TABLE OF THE LAST 20 YEARS''AKSARAY, August 16 (A.A) - Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and Deputy Prime Minister said on Sunday that the new government and the new parliament face the most tragic and most chaotic table of the last 20 years.Addressing to people in Aksaray province, Bahceli stated that Turkey tries to solve its basic problems for 1,5 centuries, adding 1990s, in which the most important changes of the 20th century took place, have been a period in which serious decisions couldn't be taken in respect of Turkey. Noting that the most urgent problem of Turkey is the stagnation in the economy, Bahceli said that the government has to change the economic stagnation process and speed up investments. ''There is no other way to prevent unemployment and increase tax incomes and exports. Those who carry out economic activities have to trust their future and the flow of capital has to be speeded up. The recent economic measures taken and the Constitutional change which was adopted regarding privatization and arbitration is directed to this end,'' said Bahceli. Stressing that they regard the draft law on social security as a part of the reconstruction process, Bahceli said that the social security system, which does not satisfy anybody and which does not carry even its burden today, must be reformed. ''It is not possible today to prevent those reforms which couldn't be undertaken for years,'' said Bahceli, adding the age limit of 58-60 is a problem which concerns those who will start working from now on. [03] RICHARDSON, U.S. SECRETARY OF ENERGY, DUE IN TURKEY TODAYANKARA, August 16 (A.A) - Bill Richardson, the U.S. Secretary of Energy, will pay an official visit to Turkey on Monday within scope of his tour covering Turkey, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.Contacts of Richardson in Turkey will focus on the latest developments about the Baku-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline Project and the Turkmenistan-Turkey Natural Gas Pipeline Project. Richardson is expected to express the support that the U.S. extends to the projects. Richardson will come together with Azeri President Haydar Aliev in Baku on August 17, and with Turkmen President Saparmurad Turkmenbasi in Ashkhabad on August 18. He is also expected to launch initiatives to overcome the deadlocks in the projects. Bill Richardson will be received by President Suleyman Demirel. He is scheduled to come together with Cumhur Ersumer, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Natural Sources, in Istanbul on Tuesday. [04] MARTYRS OF TASKENT MASSACRE COMMEMORATED - TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''TRNC STATE IS CANONICALLY LAWFUL FOR US''LEFKOSA, August 16 (A.A) - Turkish Cypriot martyrs who were killed by Greek Cypriots 25 years ago in Taskent, on Cyprus were commemorated on Sunday.Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said in the message he sent to the ceremony that ''the TRNC state is canonically lawful for Turkish Cypriots.'' Calling those who want to make an agreement to solve the Cyprus question to see and understand the fact of two states on the island, Rauf Denktas stated that the world has to review the realities of Cyprus on August 15, which is the anniversary of one of the most shameful tragedies of the world. Noting that Turkish Cypriots resisted and survived against the threat of annihilation, President Denktas pointed out that ''we once again declare to the whole world that the stage we have on Cyprus today is the reality of two states. No Byzantium game will be sufficient to hide the realities of today.'' Addressing the ceremony, Ertugrul Hasipoglu, the TRNC Parliament Speaker said in his part that no body has the power to remove the state and republic of TRNC. Meanwhile the 25th independence anniversary of Lefke will be celebrated on Monday. [05] PASSENGER TRAIN DERAILS NEAR SELCUK - TCDD OFFICIALS: - ''SABOTAGE CAUSED INCIDENT''IZMIR, August 16 (A.A) - Investigation regarded with the passenger train bound for Izmir from Denizli which derailed yesterday near Selcuk county of western Izmir province, continues, it was reported on Sunday.Responding to questions of A.A correspondent, Yusuf Ziya Karacaev, Governor of Selcuk County, said that it is not clear yet whether or not a sabotage caused the incident. Meanwhile, officials at the Provincial Directorate General of Railways (TCDD) noted that having regard to the place where the accident took place, the incident was caused for 99 percent by a deliberate act of sabotage. A total of 20 people were slightly injured in the accident. [06] PROFILE OF EXPORTS FROM GAP REGION - IN FIRST SEVEN MONTHS, 51.3 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS AND FRESH FRUITS EXPORTEDGAZIANTEP, August 16 (A.A) - The exports of industrial products and fresh fruits from the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region in January-July period of 1999, increased 74.3 percent to 51 million 397 thousand U.S. dollars, it was reported on Monday.In the same period last year, the region exported 29 million 473 thousand U.S. dollars of industrial products and fresh fruits. Officials at the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union told the A.A correspondent that in the first seven months of the year, they exported 11 million 935 thousand U.S. dollars of fresh fruits; 12 million 228 thousand U.S. dollars of chemical materials; 4 million 506 thousand U.S. dollars of electronics; 11 million 8 thousand U.S. dollars of ready-made clothes; 973 thousand U.S dollars of fruit and vegetable products; 4 million 907 thousand U.S dollars of cement; and 5 million 840 thousand U.S dollars of various products. The majority of the goods were exported to the U.S. and the Middle East. [07] PUK DENIES CLAIMS SAYING THAT IT HAS CONNECTIONS WITH ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT AGAINST OKYAY, CHIEF JUDGEWASHINGTON D.C., August 16 (A.A) - The Patriotic Union for Kurdistan (PUK) denied on Monday the news claiming that the person from Northern Iraq who entered Turkey to stage an assassination against Turgut Okyay, the chief judge of the court which tried Abdullah Ocalan, is a member of PUK.PUK's Representation in Washington D.C. said that the person who was captured before staging an assassination against Turgut Okyay, does not have any connections with the PUK. ''The claims published by certain press organs saying that PUK was preparing to stage an assassination are totally unreal. These claims are part of the slander campaign carried out to disturb the relations between PUK and Turkey. We don't interfere with the internal affairs of neighbouring countries and we are not involved in such activities,'' PUK noted. The PUK statement pointed out that Turkish officials didn't hold any contacts with PUK considering the mentioned claims. Fetran Muhammed from As Sulaymaniyah in Northern Iraq, was captured in Yuksekova county of Hakkari province last week. Several press organs claimed that the PUK could be behind the attempt. [08] ''ANATOLIA: ORIGIN OF EUROPEAN MUSIC WITH SEVEN NOTES'' - PROF. DR. GUVEN BAKIR: - ''ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS IN CLAZOMENAE REVEALED THAT ANATOLIA WAS ORIGIN OF EUROPEAN MUSIC WITH SEVEN NOTES''IZMIR, August 16 (A.A) - Prof. Dr. Guven Bakir from the Ege University Department of Classical Archaeology said on Monday that they found evidences proving that Western Anatolia was the origin of European Music with seven notes, during archaeological excavations in Clazomenae near Urla county of Izmir province.Bakir said, ''Prof. Dr. Ekrem Akurgal, one of the leading names in Turkish archaeology, had discovered reliefs of seven-string lyre, which is considered as the basic of European music with seven notes, in excavations in Bayrakli and Candarli. Prof. Dr. Akurgal had claimed that the oldest samples of this musical instrument were being used in Anatolia. We have also found pictures of lyre in Clazomenae excavations. Such a discovery consolidated Prof. Dr Akurgal's thesis claiming that Western Anatolia was the origin of European music.'' Stressing that Anatolia is a geography where the west and the east join with each other, Prof. Dr Bakir added, ''Anatolia had the same characteristics some 2,500 years ago. As a result of it, principles of scientific thought were born, and the foundations of the western civilization were laid.'' Recalling that many ancient philosophers and scientists had lived in Western Anatolia, Prof. Dr. Guven Bakir named some of them as Thales of Miletus, one of the Seven Wise Men of ancient Greek Philosophy who had introduced geometry into Greece, Heraclitus of Ephesos who was considered as the founder of dialectic thought, and Anaxagoras of Clazomenae who was celebrated for his discovery of the true cause of eclipse. [09] ADMIRAL MATIAS, COMMANDER OF PORTUGUESE NAVAL FORCES, IN TURKEYANKARA, August 16 (A.A) - Admiral Nuno Goncalo Vieira Matias, the Commander of Portuguese Naval Forces who is currently in Turkey for an official visit, came together with Admiral Salim Dervisoglu, the Commander of Naval Forces, on Monday.Addressing the meeting, Admiral Dervisoglu said that a Portuguese Naval Forces Commander visits Turkey for the first time in history of Republic of Turkey. Recalling that Portugal is an ally of Turkey within structure of the NATO, Admiral Dervisoglu underlined that there are good relations between the two countries, and that they aim at further improving the relations. Admiral Matias also expressed satisfaction over the relations between Turkey and Portugal. Admiral Matias is scheduled to meet with Admiral Bulent Alpkaya, the Commander of Fleet. He is expected to proceed to Istanbul on August 18 to visit the historical places. He will leave for Portugal the same day. [10] THY FLIGHTS TO BARCELONA START - BOLAYIRLI, THY DIRECTOR GENERAL: ''MARKET OF ISTANBUL-BARCELONA ROUTE IS A GOOD ONE DUE TO ITS HISTORICAL AND TOURISTIC FEATURES''ISTANBUL, August 16 - Turkish Airlines (THY) started its flights between Istanbul and Barcelona, Spain on Monday.Addresing the ceremony held upon the occasion, Yusuf Bolay�rl�, the Director General of Turkish Airlines (THY) said that Istanbul-Barcelona route is the 73rd flight point of THY in its foreign routes. ''The market of Istanbul-Barcelona route is a good one due to its historical and touristic features,'' said Bolay�rl�, adding the flights between Istanbul and Barcelona will take place on Mondays, Wednedsdays and Saturdays and the time of departure will be 10.25 from Istanbul and 14.45 from Barcelona. THY officials said that the return tickets of Istanbul-Barcelona route will be 299 U.S. dollars and one-way ticket will be 335 U.S. dollars between 16 August and 16 September for promotion of the route. [11] REFERENCE INTEREST TENDER FROM TRESURYANKARA, August 16 (A.A) - The periodic interest rate became 18.89 percent at the three-month term bond tender, which was arranged by the Tresury on Monday to constitute a reference for the coupon payment of the three-year debenture bond tender on Tuesday.The total bid for the three-month papers had been 675 trillion 862 billion 66 million Turkish Liras (TL) while the Treasury sold 285 trillion 333 billion 90 million TL nominal-valued bonds. The net sale in the tender was 240 trillion TL. The annual simple interest rate became 75.56 percent, the annual composite interest rate became 99.79 percent while the minimum simple interest rate was 74.50 percent and the maximum simple interest rate was 76 percent. The minimum composite interest rate became 98.02 percent and the maximum composite interest rate became 100.53 percent. [12] ENERGY MINISTER ERSUMER:''A BIG PORTION OF ENERGY PROJECTS ARE CURRENTLY WAITING FOR FINANCE''ANKARA, August 16 (A.A) - Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Deputy Prime Minister said on Monday that a big portion of energy projects were currently waiting for finance.The Minister stated that he was hoping to have a more comfortable dialogue with finance circles and receive financial support which they promised as a result of the constitutional change on international arbitration. ''I am hoping that Turkey will have a law on feasibility of arbitration in October, '' Sumer noted. Responding to a question on nuclear central tender, Ersumer said he already sent a note on the developments in this field to Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers. Ersumer said he thought the bidding companies will not extend their options which will end on October 15. ''We have to decide on this matter as soon as possible. As an Energy Minister, I think Turkey must make a preference quickly because this is a project that will last for years,'' the minister said and added that if Turkey does not reach a decision until October 15, the bidding companies might think that ''Turkey does not want nuclear energy''. Speaking about the visit of the U.S. Energy and Natural Resources Minister, Bill Richardson, Ersumer said he would meet Richardson on Tuesday to discuss cooperation with the U.S. in energy field and projects about transportation of Caspian natural gas and oil to Turkey and Mediterranean. ''Richardson will visit Turkish Republics following Turkey. Therefore, it is quite important for us to discuss certain matters on which we work together before his visit to those countries,'' he said. When asked if the war between Russia and Dagestan increases the chances of Baku-Ceyhan pipeline, Sumer stated that Turkey was a peace loving country and wanted peace all around the world. ''A secure environment is one of the desired qualifications of countries which the pipeline will pass. The investors do not feel secure in regions where a war is going on,'' he pointed out. The Energy Minister also said a delegation would soon go to the U.S. to promote Botas which will be in charge of the pipeline's construction, tell them about its previous accomplishments, experiences, and financing opportunities. The delegation will talk with U.S. finance circles and ask for their support. [13] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT ATTENDS CEREMONIES TO COMMEMORATE HACI BEKTAS-I VELI - ECEVIT: ''THE ALAWITE-BEKTASI TRADITION WHICH STEMS FROM HACI BEKTAS- I VELI'S THOUGHTS AND HUMANIST PHILOSOPHY, IS A VERY IMPORTANT DIMENSION FOR NOT ONLY THE TURKISH POPULAR CULTURE BUT ALSO THE TURKISH APPROACH OF ISLAM''HACIBEKTAS, August 16 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Monday that the Alawite-Bektasi tradition which stems from Haci Bektas-i Veli's thoughts and humanist philosophy, is a very important dimension for not only the Turkish popular culture but also the Turkish approach of Islam.Prime Minister Ecevit stressed that the Alawite-Bektasi tradition and culture do not approach God with fear but with love. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and his wife Rahsan Ecevit attended the 36th National and 10th International Ceremonies to Commemorate Haci Bektas-i Veli, a great Turkish philosopher, in Hacibektas county. ''We never bargained with anybody for the destiny of the public and we will never do it. Reaching a consensus is a requirement of democracy. The 57th Government is the government which was formed to rapidly develop Turkey in the secular and democratic Republic. We never submit to any attitude and demand that may lead to exploitation of Turkey,'' he said. Ecevit said that holding ceremonies to commemorate Haci Bektas-i Veli in the place where he lived is not the means to keep the memory of that great philosopher fresh in the hearts of people. Noting that the ceremonies are also the means to strengthen the national culture, national identity, and national unity, Ecevit said, ''because Haci Bektas-i Veli was one of the people who made the greatest contribution to this culture, identity, and unity.'' Pointing out that tolerance opens the way for freedom, Ecevit said, ''besides, these ceremonies are the means to give messages of love, friendship, and peace to all humankind. The Alawite-Bektasi tradition which stems from Haci Bektas-i Veli's thoughts and humanist philosophy, is a very important dimension for not only the Turkish popular culture but also the Turkish approach of Islam. The Alawite-Bektasi tradition and culture do not approach God with fear but approach with love, and the love of God is reflected in people and this changes into love of human. Tolerance comes out of love of human. Tolerance opens the way for freedom, democracy, and peace. Thus, all humankind is in need of the peaceful message of the Alawite-Bektasi tradition and the humanist philosophy of Haci Bektas-i Veli.'' ''The Alawite-Bektasi tradition is an important dimension of the Turkish popular culture and the Turkish approach of Islam. Islam and Turks have spreaded to Anatolia from the Central Asia, to the Balkans from Anatolia and to the Eastern and Central Europe with the contribution of this tradition and culture. As long as democracy is established in this broad geography, the Alawite-Bektasi will revive in our region. There are signals, '' he said. ''The Alawite-Bektasi culture and the its tolerant approach for Islam are the guarantors of secularism and democracy, and secularism is the guarantor of Alawite-Bektasi culture,'' Ecevit stated. Ecevit said the center formed at Gazi University had a rich archieve and increasingly publishing scientific books and organizing meetings. The center also started a very important project called ''Sources of Turkish Humanism from Hoca Ahmet Yesevi to Hacibektas-i Veli, from the 13th century to our day''. The government will meet all the costs of this large project, Ecevit noted. The government, although meets all the costs of this project, does not interfere with its activities, Ecevit noted and said it was important that the research center at Gazi University can operate without any political influence. Hoca Ahmet Yesevi and Haci Bektas-i Veli, two great leaders of Turkish Islamic approach, are the support of harmony between Sunnis and Alawite- Bektasis. ''I am wishing that the whole world takes the humanist and peaceful philosophy of Haci Bektas-i Veli as an example. Some people might regard Alawite-Bektasi thinking as breaking away from Islam, but nobody has the right to do this. An Alawite-Bektasi is as Muslim as Caliph Ali. Our citizens who adopt Alawite-Bektasi thinking are as Muslim as Hoca Ahmet Yesevi, Haci Bektas-i Veli, Yunus Emre, and Pirsultan Abdal. However, there can be differences in interpretation and practice of Islam. In all Muslim countries, there are different practices of Islam. But this does not prevent gathering under one religion,'' Ecevit explained. [14] EXCAVATIONS COMPLETED IN HASANKEYF - AN INN AND A SCHOOL UNEARTHED DURING EXCAVATIONSHASANKEYF, August 16 (A.A) - Excavations in Batman's historical county Hasankeyf were completed for this year, it was reported on Monday.Prof. Olus Arik, lecturer at Ankara University's Archeology Department told the A.A correspondent that an inn, a school, and several stone and ceramic pieces was unearthed during the excavations which started in July and lasted for 40 days. ''We had planned to spend 200 billion Turkish liras for this year's excavations. However, only 20 billion Turkish liras were allocated so we could finish only one tenth of our work. If we continue at the same pace, it would take 50-60 years to save Hasankeyf. We must use more money, more personnel, and more equipment to save this place,'' Arik stated and said excavations will continue also next year if the government allocates funds for this project. [15] TURK, MINISTER OF JUSTICE: ''CANDIDACY OF ERBAKAN CAN COME INTO AGENDA IN CASE OF AN EARLY ELECTION'' - ''THIS DEPENDS ON THE WILL OF THE PARLIAMENT. HIS CANDIDACY IS OUT OF QUESTION AS LONG AS THIS WAY IS NOT OPENED''TRABZON, August 16 (A.A) - Hikmet Sami Turk, the Minister of Justice, said on Monday that the persons who were banned from politics can be independent candidates in accordance with the latest revisions in the Law on Political Parties, but this would be possible if some resignations from the current parliament are made and those resignations are accepted by the parliament.Addressing a local television channel, the Akca TV in Trabzon, Hikmet Sami Turk said the amendment brought the result that the banned politicians including the former deputies of closed Welfare Party might be re-elected as independent deputies. ''Candidacy of these people can come into the agenda in case of an early election. However, there are still three political parties that are working in harmony at the parliament. In accordance with the Constitution, the interim elections can be held minimum 30 months and maximum 48 months after the last general elections. The Parliament will decide on the date of the elections. Resignations are not made automatically. In accordance with the 1982 Constitution and the amendments in 1995, resignations have to be accepted by the Parliament. I don't deem likely the resignations. Even if there would be resignations, the acceptance of those is dependent on the will of the parliamentary majority. The candidacy of Necmettin Erbakan is dependent on the will of the parliament. There may not be such a parliamentary will. Even if the Virtue Party votes in favor, other parties may not give the same votes. His candidacy is out of question as long as this way is not opened,'' he said. Concerning torture, Turk said, ''we do not achieve anything by torture, but instead we violate the Constitution, and we make inhuman treatment. And we bring ourselves into a difficult situation in front of the whole world.'' ''The security forces should not concern about the amnesty law at all. They have to train themselves and know the interrogation methods very well. Turkey should give an end to this torture issue any more,'' he added. [16] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''THOSE WHO TRY TO POLARIZE TURKISH PEOPLE ARE ON THE WRONG WAY, DO NOT LISTEN TO THEM''HACIBEKTAS, August 16 (A.A) - ''Those who try to polarize this country's people are on the wrong way. Do not listen to them!'' said President Demirel at 36th National, 10th International Haci Bektas-i Veli commomeration ceremony on Monday.1999 Friendship and Peace Award was given to Prof. Irene Melikoff. Melikoff said she was asked to give a speech on Haci Bektas-i Veli from the view point of a foreigner, but it was difficult for her to view Haci Bektas-i Veli like a foreigner after studying his philosophy for 30 years. She stated that since she started her science life, she worked to make the science circles to accept Alawite Bektasi thinking. ''Haci Bektas Square today once again witnessed a state of law and democracy. This state belongs to all of us regardless of your sex, origin, age, and beliefs. This is a state of law and we owe our comfort to it. This is also a Constitution state and it has rules which bind all citizens. This is a democratic and secular country,'' Demirel said. Stating that Turkey which was founded by Ataturk when Ottoman Empire was in a state of collapse, is now a modern state and it offers equal rights and opportunities to its 65 million citizens, he noted. ''And this also brings equal burden for citizens,'' he continued and said all citizens must work to preserve Turkey's integrity. Demirel recalled Haci Bektas-i Veli's humanist philosophy and said he was not only one of the greatest figures of Turkey, but the whole world. ''We, the people of this country, have been here for a thousand years. We have racial and religious differences coming from the history. But we are all this country's people and we will live in peace. Alawites and Sunnis will accept each other. If there are those who have different beliefs, our state will embrace them too,'' he said. [17] 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF GAZIMAGUSA'S INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATED IN TRNCLEFKOSA, August 16 (A.A) - The 25th anniversary of Gazimagusa's independence was celebrated in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Monday.Ertugrul Hasipoglu, the Parliament Speaker; Mehmet Bayram, the Minister of Economy and Finance; Osman Pamukoglu, the Commander of 28th Division; Huseyin Eraslan, Gazimagusa Police Chief, representatives of political parties, schools, associations, and people attended the ceremony. The Peace Operation formed the base of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Hasipoglu pointed out and said independence was in the character of every Turkish person. Hasipoglu stated that no war will break out in the Island as long as the Turkish army is in TRNC. ''If Greek Cypriots are wise, they would accept this as it is,'' he said. Recalling the G-8's proposal for a meeting, the TRNC Parliament Speaker said the G-8 countries wanted to see the Greek Cypriot side as a 'state' and Turks as a 'community' and stated this was not acceptable. Hasipoglu stressed that the meetings can only be conducted from 'state to state'. Meanwhile, 25th anniversary of Lefke's independence started to be celebrated. The ceremonies will be held at Lefke Ataturk Square on Monday night. [18] NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER CAKMAKOGLU: ''IF REPENTANCE LAW WILL MAKE US STRONGER IN OUR STRUGGLE AGAINST TERRORISM, THEN WE WOULD SUPPORT IT''KAYSERI, August 16 (A.A) - ''If the repentance law will make us stronger in our struggle against terrorism, then we would support it,'' said Sabahattin Cakmakoglu, the Minister of National Defense said on Monday. He also said there was no such concept as ''amnesty'' in the Constitution but only ''a reduction of punishment''.''It is not possible for those who committed a crime against the state to benefit from the Repentance Law. The prisoners in jail started to expect something since these discussions began. It needs to be clarified,'' he stated. ''We would say 'yes' to it if the Repentance Law would make us stronger in our struggle against terrorism. It is important that our people must support this law. We will first see if it is supported by the public and then say 'yes' to it. Those who are running the PKK terrorism and the executives will not be covered by this law regardless of their crimes. Only those who became PKK members but did not commit a murder will benefit from it,'' he explained. Nationalist Movement Party's (MHP) opinion of the head of the terrorist organization did not change, Cakmakoglu emphasized. ''Ocalan who caused the deaths of 30,000 people is now giving orders to the organization to leave Turkey and lay down arms. Should I respect the words of this murderer or the decision of Turkish justice. We would not consider what others or Europe think about this,'' he went on. [19] TRNC PRESIDENT RAUF DENKTAS: ''DIALOGUE WITH GREEK CYPRIOTS IS POSSIBLE ONLY IF THEY DO NOT CLAIM THAT THEY ARE THE SOLE GOVERNMENT OF CYPRUS''LEFKOSA, August 16 (A.A) - Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Monday that a dialogue with Greek Cypriots was possible only if they did not claim that they are the sole government of Cyprus.Greek Cypriots failed to reach anywhere by lying for 36 years and they will not in the future, Denktas noted and said their armament showed that they intend to ''continue their murder''. Denktas told reporters that the propaganda demonstrations in Derinya and on the borders were held to divert attention from the violence, inhumane behaviours and mass graves. Those who committed murders are now trying to deceive the world by disguising like innocent people and deceiving the world for 36 years, Denktas said and added that it is very unfair of Clerides to take part in such activities. The TRNC President continued by addressing to Clerides: ''If you want to compromise, know and accept that between 1963 and 1974, you committed murders, your target was enosis and you still continue your attacks under a false Cyprus Republic. Ask EU to suspend your unilateral application and discuss the presence of two states and two regions. We can not sit at the table with the Greek side who continues its international attacks by using its false title,'' Denktas said. Denktas asked Clerides to tell what he told him in Glion and to Richard Holbrooke to the whole world. Clerides earlier had told Denktas that he knew he did not represent Turks, but said he cannot deny when the whole world called it the Cyprus Government. [20] U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY: ''TURKEY CONSTITUTES A NATURAL 'ENERGY BRIDGE' BETWEEN OIL PRODUCER COUNTRIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND CASPIAN REGION AND THE OIL CONSUMER COUNTRIES IN EUROPE'' - ''LAW ON INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION MAY DRAW BILLIONS DOLLARS OF ENERGY INVESTMENT INTO TURKEY''ANKARA/WASHINGTON D.C., August 16 (A.A) - The U.S. Department of Energy said Turkey is a natural ''energy bridge'' between the oil producer countries in the Middle East and Caspian basin and the oil consumer countries in Europe, it was reported on Monday.According to a report of the U.S. Department of Energy, the Ceyhan Seaport, at which the Iraqi oil is still being exported, has a special importance regarding the its potential for being the export center of the Caspian basin oil. Noting that energy has a big role in the Turkish economy, the report stressed that the law on international arbitration may open the way for billions U.S. dollars of energy investment that is important to meet the increasing energy demand in Turkey. Pointing out that Turkey's energy demand has increased as a result of her young and rapidly increasing population, her powerful economic development and rapid urbanization, the report said thus Turkey became one of the rapidly developing energy markets in the world in nearly last two decades. Emphasizing that Turkey has focused on natural gas in recent years as natural gas is a clean source of energy, the report said that within this framework, Turkey realized variety in the imports of natural gas from the Middle east to Central Asia in spite of a single source regarding security. [21] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES BILL RICHARDSON, THE U.S. SECRETARY OF ENERGYISTANBUL, August 16 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel, who carries out his contacts in Istanbul, received Bill Richardson, the U.S. Secretary of Energy, in his house in Levent district on Monday.Speaking to journalists following the 50-minute meeting, Richardson said he held a very positive and friendly meeting with Demirel, adding that he brought a message from the U.S. President Bill Clinton to Demirel. Pointing out that they recorded very positive developments with President Suleyman Demirel on Baku-Ceyhan Project, Richardson said they agreed that scheduled meeting of Turkish Work Group with the international organizations and the U.S. institutions next week in Washington D.C. will be an important step. Richardson said they believed that oil producers who are in eastern part of the Caspian would play an important role in realization of Baku-Ceyhan Pipeline, adding that they shared the views of Turkey on the issue of Baku- Supsa Early Production Pipeline. Noting that there was no change in policy of the U.S. on the issue despite the news reports which appeared in media, Richardson stressed that loyality and committments of the U.S. to both of the projects continued. Richardon said they discussed together with President Suleyman Demirel the Natural Gas Pipeline Project from Turkmenistan to Turkey, and noted that they have once again saw that this was the first priority of Turkey. Pointing out that Turkey was a very important and strategic partner of the U.S., Richardson said he will meet with Cumhur Ersumer, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Natural Sources on Tuesday. Marc Parris, the U.S. Ambassador to Ankara, was also in attendance at the meeting. [22] 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF BOTAS - ERSUMER, MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES: ''BOTAS IS WILLING TO BRING 50 BILLION CUBIC METERS NATURAL GAS TO TURKEY PER YEAR''ANKARA, August 16 (A.A) - Cumhur Ersumer, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, said on Monday that state-run pipeline company BOTAS was willing to bring down 100 million tonnes of oil to the Mediterranean annually and bring 50 billion cubic meters natural gas.Addressing a ceremony staged on the 25th anniversary of the foundation of BOTAS, Ersumer praised the successes of BOTAS and noted that step taken by BOTAS in 25 years should be an example to all public institutions. Ersumer said BOTAS used its strong dynamic speed in international platforms to meet the needs of the country and for the realization of projects at the tables, adding that ''BOTAS will form an important element for the creation of a strong sector which has strong competitive power in international markets.'' Meanwhile Gokhan Yardim, General Director of BOTAS, briefed about the studies of BOTAS. Yardim said BOTAS was founded to carry Iraqi oil to the Mediterranean in the year 1974 and later assigned to transport natural gas. Yardim said ''BOTAS has 300-km natural gas pipeline. There is 2.300 km
natural gas pipeline which is still under construction. We will have 5,000
km pipeline after the completion of all natural gas pipelines in the year
2002.'' [23] DEMIREL: ''I AM PLEASED OVER THE CONTINUATION OF RELATIONS WITH THE U.S. RELATED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF BAKU-CEYHAN OIL PIPELINE''ISTANBUL, August 16 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Monday that he was pleased over the continuation of the relations between Turkey and the U.S. related with the construction of Baku-Ceyhan Pipeline.Responding to the questions of reporters after his meeting with Bill Richardson, the U.S. Secretary of Energy, Demirel said ''Mr. Richardson brought kind regards of the U.S. President Bill Clinton. He said their support to the Baku-Ceyhan Pipeline and Turkmen Gas projects continued. I am pleased over the continuation of relations with the U.S. related with the Baku-Ceyhan Pipeline.'' Pointing out that all procedures of the projects were concluded, Demirel said ''now talks are underway related with the finance. The project costs 2.5 billion U.S. dollars. This is a big and important project for Turkey.'' A.A Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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