Anadolu Agency: News in English, 97-12-13

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

13 DEC 1997

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TURKEY-EU - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''JUNCKER'S STATEMENT CANNOT BE ACCEPTED''

[03] TURKEY-US - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''US SPOKESMAN'S STATEMENT ON TURKISH MILITARY FLIGHTS ON AGEGEAN DOES NOT REFLECT THE REAL SITUATION'' - ''GREECE'S ATTITUDE IS AGAINST INTERNATIONAL RULES''

[04] TURKEY IN BRIEF - DECEMBER 13, 1997

[05] TURKEY-TURKISH REPUBLICS - ''TURKISH REPUBLICS BUSINESSMEN CONGRESS'' STARTS - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKEY SUPPORTS TURKISH REPUBLICS IN THEIR STRUGGLE IN EVERY FIELD''

[06] TURKEY-EU SUMMIT - SUPPORTERS OF TURKEY IN THE EU SATISFIED: ''ANKARA GETS ALL IT CAN HAVE'' - CONDITIONS PERCEIVED DIFFERENTLY

[07] TURKEY-EU SUMMIT - EU COMMISSION PLEASED: ''THIS IS A VICTORY OF ANKARA GOVERNMENT''

[08] TURKEY-EU SUMMIT - COUNCIL REACHES COMPROMISE, IT'S TURKEY'S TURN... - CYPRUS SECTION CHANGED

[09] TURKEY-EU - DEPUTY PM AND DEFENCE MINISTER SEZGIN: ''THE RESULT OF EU SUMMIT SHOWS THAT THE EU AND TURKEY MEET UNDER A JOINT TARGET'' - ''EXCLUSION OF TURKEY FROM THE EU HARMS EUROPE MORE THAN TURKEY''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HÜRRİYET (LIBERAL)

MİLLİYET (LIBERAL)

SABAH (LIBERAL)

HERE IS NEW WELFARE PARTY
If the Welfare Party is closed; the name, chairman and parliamentary group of the new party is determined. The name will be ''Again Great Turkey'', and the Chairman will be Ismail Alptekin.

CUMHURİYET (LEFT)

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

RADİKAL (LEFT)

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

FİNANSAL FORUM (ECONOMY)

[02] TURKEY-EU - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''JUNCKER'S STATEMENT CANNOT BE ACCEPTED''

A statement from the foreign ministry pointed out that Juncker had said that ''he urged Turkey to give up threats to use military force against Cyprus in case full membership talks start between the Greek Cypriot side and the EU during his meeting with Prime Minister Yılmaz on December 10.'' The statement emphasized that such a statement has not been made during the Yılmaz-Juncker meeting.

The statement said:

''Juncker's statement which is against the truth has caused astonishment and concern. In response, he has been told that Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) follow a policy based on their Joint Statement dated Jan 20, 1997, and giving concession in Cyprus is out of question.

Turkey extends efforts to find a peaceful solution to Cyprus problem. And European Union is expected to take a constructive and realistic attitute, and contribute to the efforts to find a solution, and avoid acts which can harm these efforts.''

Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Necati Utkan said that Juncker's humiliating and unfounded style against Turkey is regretful.

Utkan said Turkey has always taken into account just criticism concerning human rights issue, and extends sincere efforts to prevent discrepancies in this issue.

Stating that Juncker's words are unacceptable, Utkan said ''if human rights issue is forwarded as a disguise to keep Turkey out of EU, this situation will be evaluated separately.''

[03] TURKEY-US - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''US SPOKESMAN'S STATEMENT ON TURKISH MILITARY FLIGHTS ON AGEGEAN DOES NOT REFLECT THE REAL SITUATION'' - ''GREECE'S ATTITUDE IS AGAINST INTERNATIONAL RULES''

A statement from the foreign ministry emphasized that Turkish war planes which were on regular flights were seriously harrassed by 10 Greek war planes. ''That's why, US state department spokesman's statement on Turkish war planes does not reflect the real situation,'' the statement said, pointing out that Turkey's views and how the incident took place were conveyed to US Embassy in Ankara.

Stating that Turkey thinks that the harrassment of Greek war planes stems from a Greek understanding to see the FIR line on the Aegean as its sovereignity area, the statement said, ''this attitude of Greece is fully against internation rules.''

[04] TURKEY IN BRIEF - DECEMBER 13, 1997

Stating that Derince and Iskenderun ports will be enlarged by new projects, Menzir said that the container capacities of these ports will be increased from 200 million tonnes/year to 400 tonnes/year. He added that Corlu, Izmit Cengiz Topel Airports and Nevsehir Airport that will serve to Capadocia region will get into service and GAP (Southeastern Anatolia Project) International Airport project will be put out to tender with an estimated cost of 6 trillion liras.

ANKARA - Germany extended 80 million marks financial aid to Turkey, including 35 million mark donation. In addition, a donation up to 19 million marks is also provided within the framework of Technical Cooperation.

A statement by Treasury Undersecreteriat said that a protocol is signed after ''1997 Financial and Technical Cooperation'' talks between Turkey and Germany in Bonn on Friday.

These credits will mostly be used in the financing of infrastructure, environmental protection and education projects.

IZMIR - American captain Michael Victor Churchward (44) who had a warrant of arrest from Athens for burglary, and wanted by Interpol is extradited to Greece.

A statement by Interpol Izmir Branch said that Churchward who was arrested in Izmir was taken to Greece by two Greek Interpol officials.

ADDIS ABABA - State Minister Mehmet Batalli said on Friday that Turkey wanted to improve its relations with Ethiopia, especially on commercial and investment areas.

Batalli met a committee headed by Ethiopian Industry and Commerce Minister Kassahun Ayel. Stating that export to Ethiopia does not reflect Turkey's real economical potential, Batalli said that import from that country was limited to row materials. He added that both countries should increase the volume of trade and joint investments.

[05] TURKEY-TURKISH REPUBLICS - ''TURKISH REPUBLICS BUSINESSMEN CONGRESS'' STARTS - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKEY SUPPORTS TURKISH REPUBLICS IN THEIR STRUGGLE IN EVERY FIELD''

In his message to Turkish Republics Businessmen Congress which started in Istanbul, Demirel said that Turkish businessmen rushed to Turkish Republics and extended efforts for their development, after these republics gained their sovereignities.

Emphasizing that stability, which is as important as freedom in the mobilization of political and economical possibilities and capabilities, can only be possible by the establishment of powerful economies that are firm against international competition, Demirel said: ''Regional multinational investment projects and cooperation, and mutual and multinational commercial relations will be the foundamental dynamic of the development of Turkish Republics.''

[06] TURKEY-EU SUMMIT - SUPPORTERS OF TURKEY IN THE EU SATISFIED: ''ANKARA GETS ALL IT CAN HAVE'' - CONDITIONS PERCEIVED DIFFERENTLY

According to information given by French delegation, compromise cannot be reached in articles from 4 to 9 due to Greek objections. These sections of the draft includes the establisment and procedures of ''Europe Conference.'' Some sources say Greek objections were put aside, and a compromise has been reached. Greek sources also signal that they removed their reservations, stating that ''they will not object in case Turkey accepts recent document.'' Disagrements on Cyprus still seem to continue in the summit.

The document which will be issued under the title of Council Decision or Term Chairman Statement is said to refer Turkey as a ''candidate state to EU.'' The document also says that Europe Conference has been formed and twelve candidate states are invited to this conference, and a ''full membership strategy'' has been determined for Turkey.

Some sources say this document puts ''wide horizons'' in front of Turkey, and provides widest scale of gains Ankara can have from the EU at this stage, but others say the document includes ''statements Ankara cannot accept.''

Stating that formation of European Conference has been decided, the document briefly says:

''The countries who are members of the Conference, must comply with the principles of peace, security, good neighbourhood, respect to each others' sovereignities, complying with the international rules, and solving their disputes through peaceful means, without using force and threats, especially in the Hague. The countries which accept to respect these rules, are invited to Conference. EU's invitation is forwarded to Cyprus, EU candidate Middle and East European states, and Turkey.''

The document also says a political consultation platform will be formed in European Conference.

In the section titled ''EU strategy for Turkey'' refers Turkey as a ''candidate'' state, and says that EU Council confirms Turkey's eligibility for full membership, stating that Turkey will be evaluated under the same criteria with the other candidates. Because political and economic conditions do not permit starting of full membership talks, EU Council attributes importance to determine a strategy which will bring Turkey closer to the EU, and prepare it for full membership, the document says. The strategy is defined as follows:

-To increase the fruitfulness of Ankara Agreement,

-To deepen the Customs Union

-Financial cooperation,

-Conformity of regulations and acquirements.

The document briefly says: ''EU Council calls attention to these points in establishing strong ties with Turkey: The continuation of political and economic reforms which this country has started, conformity with the human rights principles in the EU within this context, respect and protection of minorities, establishing stable and satisfying relations between Turkey and Greece, finding solutions to disputes through legal ways, for example in the Hague, and support to efforts under the auspices of the UN to find a political solution in Cyprus.''

Some observers criticize EU for bringing the ''minority rights'' issue to the agenda, but others say the minorities Turkey has formally accepted are mentioned in the international agreements, and Turkey has already met these conditions, and there is nothing to feel offended. The condition of the Hague, the Court of Justice, is mentioned in general terms in the document, the observers say, pointing out that Turkey does not object to bring their problems with Greece to the Hague.

[07] TURKEY-EU SUMMIT - EU COMMISSION PLEASED: ''THIS IS A VICTORY OF ANKARA GOVERNMENT''

The spokesmen of Commission Chairman Jacques Santer and Commissioner responsible from foreign relations asked Turkish reporters to approach the issue ''very sensitively'' and avoid wrong comments. ''This text is a big victory for Ankara government. Please be very careful when you are writing on the developments and statements,'' they said.

EU Commission officials defended that Turkey's all expectations will be answered positively, its candidacy will be confirmed, and a promise for its candidacy will be given for the first time in case that the draft will not change in the summit, and European Conference will be set up, and Turkey's full membership strategy has been approved.

[08] TURKEY-EU SUMMIT - COUNCIL REACHES COMPROMISE, IT'S TURKEY'S TURN... - CYPRUS SECTION CHANGED

The spokesman said that the decision will be officially accepted this evening, and ''will be conveyed to Ankara as a proposal by the term chairman, and then they will wait for an answer from Turkey.''

Meanwhile, the section concerning Cyprus has been changed in the document. The expression saying ''full membership of Cyprus to EU, should be in the interest of both communities, and provide peace and compromise. Full membership talks will positively contribute to efforts for a political solution to Cyprus problem to create a bicommunal, bizonal federation under the auspices of the UN'' did not change.

But another expression which is binding for Greek Cypriot side, saying ''within this context, EU Council notes the will of Cyprus government (Greek Cypriot side) to include representatives of Turkish Cypriot community to the delegation attending EU full membership talks,'' has been changed as follows:

''Within this context, EU Council desires that the will of Cyprus government (Greek Cypriot side) to include representatives of Turkish Cypriot community to the delegation attending EU full membership talks to yield result. EU Term Chairman and Commission will start contacts to provide this decision to yield a result.''

These expressions are thought to bring the EU, not only Greek Cypriot side, to include Turkish side in the full membership talks under responsibility.

[09] TURKEY-EU - DEPUTY PM AND DEFENCE MINISTER SEZGIN: ''THE RESULT OF EU SUMMIT SHOWS THAT THE EU AND TURKEY MEET UNDER A JOINT TARGET'' - ''EXCLUSION OF TURKEY FROM THE EU HARMS EUROPE MORE THAN TURKEY''

Sezgin said in a written statement that Turkey has been devoted to a civilization project independently from the EU. Stating that this project is based on values such as democracy, superiority of law, respect to human rights, and free market economy, Sezgin said this project has been carried out for a hundred years, and will continue to be carried out.

Pointing out that Turkey has been one of the most important items of the EU summit agenda, Sezgin said:

''We do not want to believe that there is a bad intention to exclude Turkey. Thinking that our friends in the EU who are busy with Turkey so much have hostile feelings against Turkey brings us to wrong conclusions. This is not the end of the world for us. Also, the exclusion of Turkey from the European Union harms Europe more than Turkey. Everybody should know this very well.

Turkey is a big state. Turkey is a world state. It will continue its development also without the existance of European Union. Turkey has realized many developments in this respect.''

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