|
|
|
Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-11-07
[01] AA Daily
07 November 1999 Sunday
[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN
[03] These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in
Turkey's press on November 7, 1999. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify
these stories and does not vouch for their occuracy.
[04] HURRIYET (LIBERAL) - ---------------- LUJKOV: ''MY DREAM IS COMING
TRUE BY THE HELP OF TURKS'' Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Moscow Mayor
Yuri Lujkov laid the foundation of the Turkish Trade Center which will be
constructed by Turkey Chambers and Commodity Exchanges Union (TOBB) and
Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM). Lujkov said his dream is coming through
by the help of Turks and said they expected bigger trade centers from
Turkish businessmen in the future. The project will be completed in 2001.
The Turkish Trade Center will have four floors of parking lot, four floors
for the shopping area, and another four floors for offices and showrooms.
[05] EU SUPPORT FROM YOUNG EUROPEAN BUSINESSMEN Prior to Helsinki Summit,
young European businessmen came to Istanbul and expressed support for
Turkey's EU membership. Marco Perzzini, the Secretary General of Young
Enterpreneurs Society (YES) for Europe said they would intensify their
lobbying activities in the countries they have organizations for Turkey's
EU candidacy. The main reason for their visit is to see the quake struck
regions and announce what kinds of support they could offer to these areas.
YES for Europe will build a vocational school in the disaster area.
[06] MILLIYET (LIBERAL) - ----------------- OSCE STORM The first stage of
the summit of the century, OSCE will start tomorrow. Around 5,000 people
and 170 non-governmental organization will come to Istanbul from 54
countries to attend the summit. Turkey will open 'racism' to discussion in
the first meeting. Presidents of 54 countries including Clinton, Blair,
Schroder and Chirac will be in Istanbul between 17 and 19 November. The
summit has outmost importance for Turkey prior to UE Helsinki Summit. Baku-
Ceyhan pipeline agreement is also expected to be signed during the OSCE
summit.
[07] RACISM FILE FROM TURKEY AT OSCE The warm-up rounds tours of OSCE
summit is starting tomorrow. The Turkish delegation will open racism to
discussion on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Delegations of member
countries will join the meeting. Turkey will supervise the discussions
between 11 and 16 November. The summit will start on November 18 and end on
19 November.
[08] SABAH (LIBERAL) - --------------- IMF INSISTS ON TAX The Finance
Ministry promised the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to make ten
different tax revisions. The increase in Value Added Tax, special
consumption tax and quake tax are among these commitments. Besides, the IMF
wants to be determinant concerning determination of minimum wage with the
aim of preparing a comprehensive Stand-By programme. It is estimated that
the increase in minimum wage will be 25 percent.
[09] SPECIAL DUBLEX CELL FOR EVCIL Erol Evcil who hurt many people with his
confessions was put in the most safe prison. Evcil who gave information
about not only murder of businessman Nesim Malki but also several dark
relations, was put into the Kartal Maximum-Security Special Prison. Evcil
is staying alone in a dublex ward which is actually for six prisoners. This
ward has a separate bathroom and garden. Besides there is always a guard in
front of the ward.
[10] CUMHURIYET (LEFT) - ---------------- ASSASINATION COVERED OVER WITH
FOG A progress couldn't be recorded in the investigation although 17 days
passed since the assasination of Ahmet Taner Kislali, journalist-author and
former Culture Minister. Several scenarios were put forward after the
murder of Kislali but the assailant or assailants couldn't be identified.
The tip-offs are investigated fastidiously while the likenesses became
clear when the witnesses reached an agreement on them. The five separate
working groups oriented their attention toward the foreigners entering or
exiting Turkey. Detention of three Iranians escalated the tension in
relations with Tehran. The evidences which bring forward the possibility of
illegal Islamic Great Eastern Raiders'-Front (IBDA-C), and some suspects
were determined.In accordance with the information given by the witnesses,
investigations were launched into some smoke-coloured cars' owners.
[11] TERRORISM'S ASSASINATION PROTOCOL It was revealed that the illegal
IBDA-C which is claimed to stage the car bomb attack on Kislali, made an
''armed attacks protocol'' with other terrorist organizations. IBDA-C which
prepared lists of those who will be killed, declared 1999 as the
destruction year of Turkey.
[12] RADIKAL (LEFT) - ------------- ANOTHER SCANDAL They increased the
immunity of civil servants and named it ''revolution''. The draft law on
the trial of civil servants which was introduced as ''revolution'' by
Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk, removes the Council of State but leaves
the decision of the trial of accused to the hands of his/her chief. If the
draft law on Trial of Civil Servants is legalized, the immunity shiled of
public servants will be strenghtened and became arbitrary. The draft law
which removes the Council of State and shortens the procedure, leaves the
permit for trial to the hands of ''chiefs''.
[13] TURKIYE (RIGHT) - --------------- ECEVIT RETURNS BROKEN HEARTED
Russia's caprices overshadowed Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's visit to
Moscow. The energy war and Russian President Boris Yeltsin's position
surprised the Premier. The cooperation in combat terrorism and foundation
of the Turkish Trade Center pleased Ecevit while the developments about the
Blue Stream and the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline projects created troubles.
[14] DEMIREL: ''ARMENIANS HAVE TO WITHDRAW FROM KARABAKH'' President
Suleyman Demirel said that the settlement of peace in Caucasia depends on
settlement of international legality. ''Armenia, which continues to occupy
Azerbaijani territories, has to abide by the international laws,'' he
stressed.
[15] ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE) - ------------------ THEIR PATIENCE EXHAUSTED The
wounds which couldn't be healed in the region for 2.5 months, exasperated
the quake survivors. The officials were warned for the last time in the
''quake demonstration'' that was held in Adapazari byalmost 40 non-
governmental organizations. The quake survivors called the government to
fulfil its duties and responsibilities. The quake survivors continue to
react against the withdrawal of non-governmental organizations which have
been giving financial and moral support to them since the quake. The
representatives of non-governmental organizations who wanted their screams
heard since August 17, said, ''they did not hear us, and they still insist
on not paying attention.''
[16] RED CRESCENT ADMINISTRATION RESIGNS Following the resignations of
former Chairman Kemal Demir of the aid organization Kizilay (Red Crescent),
the 28-member Red Crescent Board headed by Yuksel Bozer resigned yesterday.
The Red Crescent Extraordinary Congress will take place on November 21,
1999. The government was planning to hand over the Red Crescent to the
Adminitration of Mosques.
[17] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT RETURNS TO TURKEY
[18] ANKARA, Nov 7 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, his wife Rahsan
Ecevit and the accompanying ministers returned to Turkey on Saturday after
wrapping up their visit to Moscow. Speaking to reporters at the Esenboga
Airport in Ankara, Ecevit said Turkey and Russia have consensus of opinion
and will concerning the realization of the ''Blue Stream Project''. Ecevit
said they exchanged opinion about several issues conserning the stability
in the region and Europe. Ecevit srtessed that the sincere cooperation
betwen Turkey and Russia is important for not only the region but also the
peace in the world. Noting that there is cooperation between Turkey and
Russia in every field in spite of competition, Ecevit said they sought the
ways to develop the commercial and economic relations which are going to
recess. Pointing out that he found the opportunity to express his opinions
abot Chechenya issue to Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Ecevit said
protection of of the civilians against the clashes should absolutely be
provided. Ecevit also expressed his pleasure over the acceptance of the aid
organization Kizilay's (Red Crescent) aid offer. Recalling that a joint
declaration for cooperation in combat terrorism was accepted during his
visit to Moscow, Ecevit said he requested the Speaker of the State Duma to
be more sensitive towards the cooperation in combat terrorism. The Prime
Minister stressed that the law on prevention of double taxation was still
not approved by the State Duma although it was approved by Turkey. Noting
that he also met with the Turkish businessmen, Ecevit said, ''I once again
felt proud of the successes of our businessmen in Russia. The success of
our businessmen is the success of Turkey. The government will continue to
assist our businessmen in every field.'' When asked why the ministers from
the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) were not invited to the luncheon at
the Turkish Embassy in Moscow, Ecevit said, ''the Ambassador did not host a
luncheon. We visited the Embassy for a few hours to discuss a technical
issue.'' When asked whether he would meet with political party leaders to
discuss the amnesty law, Ecevit said he did not prepare a programme for
Sunday. When asked why he couldn't meet with Russian President Boris
Yeltsin, Ecevit said he can't comment on that subject.
[19] DEMIREL ADDRESSES EISENHOWER EXCHANGE SCHOLARSHIP MEETING - ''TURKEY
PROVED THAT SHE IS A RELIABLE ALLY AS SHE SUCCESSFULLY PERFORMED HER DUTY
TO PROTECT THE SOUTHERN WING OF THE NATO DURING THE COLD WAR''
[20] ISTANBUL, Nov 7 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Saturday
that Turkey proved that she was a reliable ally by successfully performing
her duty to protect the southern wing of the NATO during the Cold War.
Demirel who spoke at Eisenhower Exchange Scholarship International
Consultation Committee Meeting in Istanbul said Istanbul was the financial
and trade center of Eurasia, and it reflected Turkey's all elements with
its historical heritage, magnificence and dynamism. Demirel said the
Eisenhower programme acted as a bridge of solidarity and friendship betwen
different nations and managed to survive despite the changing conditions.
''I am proud to say that I am one of the lucky people who benefited from
Eisenhower Exchange Programme,'' he noted. Demirel described Dwight D.
Eisenhower as an extraordinary statesman and leader and said everybody owed
much him for his contributions to democratic societies. ''Turkey and the
United States played an important role in the victory of freedom against
totalitarism, and they can be proud for that,'' Demirel said. ''Turkey is
located on the intersection point of the three most chaotic regions of the
world which are the Balkans, the Caucasia and the Middle East. Despite all
the conflicts that affect the region, Turkey acted like a fortress in the
protection of common values. She had active contributions to the resolution
of these conflicts in her region through peacefull ways. Turkey acted
together with the U.S. in many of these efforts,'' Demirel said. ''We are
planning to strengthen our strategic partnership with the U.S. Turkey and
the U.S. had even more common interests and action areas after the Cold
War. We will continue to work with the U.S. for peace, prosperity and
stability in a wide geography including Central Asia, Caucasia, West Europe,
the Balkans, the Middle East, Caspian and Mediterranean basins. We have
growing cooperation with the U.S. against terrorism which recognizes no
boundries and constitutes a threat to international peace. Mr. President
Clinton's visit to our country will form an important turning point for the
further improvement of Turkey-U.S. cooperation,'' Demirel went on to say.
Turkey, since the declaration of the Republic in 1923, recorded important
progress in every field, Demirel continued. ''Turkey today is a successful
secular democracy although she is located on a chaotic region. She is the
16th biggest economy of the world and has a 80 billion U.S. dollar trade
volume,'' he explained. ''Turkey turned into a industrialized urban
society. Her dynamic population and close ties with both Europe and Aisa
not only made her an excellent market but also a center of communication,
energy and transportation network that unites Asia and Europe. She has also
become the trade and finance center of Eurasia. Today, with her 400 billion
U.S. dollar Gross National Product, she is the biggest economy in Eastern
Europe, the Balkans, the Caspian, Blacksea basin and the Middle East. She
is also the 16th biggest economy of the world. Turkey has been recently
invited to be a member of the 'Developing-20' group. This group, besides D-
7 countries, covers 11 emerging economies and Bretton Wood institutions.
Turkey is the 6th biggest trade partner of the European Union. With her 3.5
years of Customs Union experience, she showed that she can adjust to the
competition in the EU. Turkey's trade volume reached 75 billion U.S.
dollars. Seventy percent of this amount was realized by European countries.
Currently the Turkish industry is exporting to 135 countries in the world,
'' Demirel explained. ''The main concept that lies under the Blacksea
Economic Coopeation is the free travelling of goods, capital, services,
people and ideas. Another free trade area is forming with the help of free
trade agreements Turkey signed with many countries in the East, Central and
Southeast Europe and Mediterranean. This wide region will offer bright
opportunities in the next century and bring prosperity,'' he stated.
''Turkey is a multi-party democracy in a region which have very few
democracies. We are fulfilling this democratic principles in a very chaotic
region disturbed by political conflicts,'' he noted. ''Turkey managed to
establish a stable European democracy after facing many challenges for 75
years. Our 76 year-old democracy is an evidence that we can unite Islam,
democracy and secularism,'' he said. Demirel concluded his words by saying
that they are going through a period in which peace, stability, cooperation
and tolerance must be encouraged. ''To turn these into a reality requires
wisdom, vision, determination and courage,'' Demirel added.
[21] U.S.: ''BAKU-CEYHAN IS SEEN ON THE HORIZON''
[22] WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov 7 (A.A) - Mike Hammer, the U.S. National
Security Council Spokesman said on Saturday that the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline
project was getting closer to realization. Hammer who is also Clinton's
advisor on security issues noted that the agreement on Baku-Ceyhan could be
signed during the OSCE meeting. ''But we have more to accomplish to reach a
positive result,'' he said. Hammer said Turkish, Azerbaijani and Georgian
authorities were working to prepare the legal and political infrastructure
of Baku-Ceyhan. ''We are hoping that necessary things are completed and the
agreement is signed during the summit. The leaders of the three countries
have very positive attitudes for the signing of the agreement. In any case,
it could be said that Baku-Ceyhan is seen on the horizon,'' Hammer added.
Hammer also stressed that the U.S. did not want to confront Russia over
Baku-Ceyhan and proved this attitude by supporting another pipeline that
will pass from Russia. The U.S. Speaker also noted that the U.S. supported
cooperation of western firms with all the region's countries except Iran.
Hammer said the U.S.'s position towards Iran did not change. The
realization of Baku-Ceyhan would guarantee the prosperity and security of
the new independent states in the Caspian region and would also serve the
commercial interests of the U.S, Hammer added.
[23] U.S. CONSULATE IN ADANA PROMOTES GAP REGION ON WEBPAGE
[24] GAZIANTEP, Nov 7 (A.A) - Mark R. Parris, the U.S. Ambassador to Ankara
said that Turkey had become the ''most exciting country'' with regards of
the employment opportunities in offers in the last decade on the website
prepared by the U.S. Consulate in Adana. Parris drew attention to the
rapidly growing Turkish economy and said Turkey had a dynamic private
sector and export structure. Parris also said that the U.S. had ongoing
activities to increase its trade volume with Turkey and this interest was
even more obvious in Turkey's southeastern provinces covered by the
Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP). There are big opportunities for U.S.
business circles in many fields including agriculture, food, textile,
energy and mining. The powerful private sector institutions will play an
important role to develop business and friendly relations between the two
countries, he noted. The U.S. Council in Adana Stuart E. Jones who also has
a message on the website explained that the U.S. first formed a unit in
Iskenderun in 1958, then the Adana Consulate was opened in 1961 which later
became an active part of the U.S. mission. Serious changes are taking place
in the region which largely depends on agriculture and stock breeding,
Jones said and also stressed that his country wanted to develop cooperation
with Turks who live in the GAP region. Jones said they would promote U.S.
goods and services in the region and they opened a website on the internet
for this purpose. They also prepared brochures about GAP and presented them
to all business circles in the U.S. ''GAP creates many opportunities
especially in agriculture, textile, energy, good, mining and transportation
for U.S. businessmen. I hope that Americans will have better chances of
including GAP in their marketing plans as they know more about GAP. GAP is
offering opportunities to strengthen trade and friendly relations with
Turkey, especially with Southeastern region. I am extremely excited about
these opportunities,'' Jones wrote. The website, www.usconadana.org.tr, has
information about the first 100 firms which have high trade volumes in GAP
region. It also offers detailed information about GAP, the economic
structure of the region, professional instituions and institutions that
U.S. investors can contact.
[25] TRNC PARLIAMENT SPEAKER: ''THE FLAG WILL NEVER BE DIPPED AND THESE
TROOPS WILL NEVER LEAVE THE ISLAND''
[26] LEFKOSA, Nov 7 (A.A) - Ertugrul Hasipoglu, the Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Parliament Speaker, said on Sunday, ''this flag will
never be dipped and these soldiers will never leave the island. Everyone
better know this. Otherwise, there will be a great bloodshed. And the side
to suffer most from it will be the Greek-Cypriots.'' Addressing the
''Rotary Vision 2000 Information Seminar'' organized in the TRNC, Hasipoglu
said, ''if you are clever enough, you accept two separate states. There
can't be any other solution,'' addressing the Greek-Cypriot side. Noting
that the world discusses the Cyprus question from time to time, Hasipoglu
said a period in which the Cyprus question has warmed has started recently.
Hasipoglu said there has never been a concept of nation on Cyprus and two
communities whose religions, languages and origins are different are living
on the island. Hasipoglu said their aim is to live in the territories where
they were born and grew, and this is the most important right of humanity.
''However, the world pretends not to see this and considers the Turkish
Cypriots as a minority. The world does not recognize the TRNC and defends
that the rights of minority will be sufficient for us,'' he said. Stressing
that the Cyprus Peace Operation in 1974 brought the right of living to the
Turkish Cypriots and the prosperity to Greek-Cypriots, Hasipoglu said, ''if
the Peace Operation had not been launched, the Turkish Cypriots could face
a more serious situation than the one in Crete.''
[27] GERMAN INTERIOR MINISTER OTTO SCHILLY:''GERMANY HAS NO INTENTIONS TO
DICTATE ANYTHING TO TURKEY''
[28] BERLIN, Nov 7 (A.A) - German Interior Minister Otto Schilly, regarding
his visit to Turkey which will start on Monday, said on Saturday that
Germany had no intentions to dictate anything to Turkey. Schilly said,
during his visit, he would come together with President Suleyman Demirel,
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Deputy Prime Ministers and Interior Minister
Saadettin Tantan and discuss issues that concern his ministry. Human rights
and joint struggle against organized crimes are expected to be widely
discussed during Schilly's visit. He said human rights was an important
issue for Turkey's EU candidacy. ''I believe that two ally countries must
openly discuss every issue. If they do this, problems will be resolved
sooner,''Schilly said and also stressed that Germany has no intentions to
dictate anything to Turkey.
[29] TUSIAD DELEGATION TO START ITS CONTACTS IN NETHERLANDS ON MONDAY
[30] AMSTERDAM, Nov 7 (A.A) - A delegation including the executive board
members of the Association of the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen
(TUSIAD) will hold contacts on Monday in the Netherlands before the Europan
Union's (EY) Helsinki Summit in December. The delegation is touring the EU
countries to convey the Turkish business world's opinions about the
relations between Turkey and the EU. The TUSIAD delegation will firstly
visit Annemarie Joritsma, the Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister of
the Netherlands. Later, the delegation will attend the meeting of the
Turkish-Dutch Business Council in Rotterdam. The Turkish businessmen will
meet with their Dutch counterparts on Tuesday.
[31] GROSSMAN:''U.S. SUPPORTS BIZONAL AND BICOMMUNAL FEDERATION IN CYPRUS''
[32] ATHENS, Nov 7 (A.A) - Marc Grossmann, U.S. Assistant Secretary of
State for relations with the European Union (EU) said on Sunday that his
country supported a resolution based on bizonal and bicommunal federation
in Cyprus. Grossmann told To Vima newspaper published in Athens that they
were working to start negotiations without any preconditions between the
two sides and added that Cyprus issue would be discussed when President
Clinton visits Athens and Ankara. Grossmann who spoke about recovering
Turkish-Greek relations said the recent developments were very pleasing for
the U.S. Grossmann noted that the news item which appeared in the
Washington Post a while ago about Greek cooperation with the 'November 17
terrorist organization' did not reflect the official opinion of the U.S.
Nicholas Burns, the U.S. Ambassador in Athens, on the other hand said the
U.S. was uncomfortable about the fact that nobody was caught related to the
terrorist organization in Greece.
A.A
|
