Anadolu Agency: News in English, 97-12-14

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

14 DEC 1997

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TURKEY-EU SUMMIT - EU SUMMIT TO BE EVALUATED IN COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING

[03] TURKEY-EU SUMMIT - LUXEMBOURG TO CONVEY SUMMIT DECISIONS TO TURKEY

[04] TURKEY-EU SUMMIT - BRITISH PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: ''WE SEE OUR FUTURE WITH TURKEY''

[05] TURKEY-EU SUMMIT - EU COMMISSION CHAIRMAN SANTER: ''WE PROPOSE A CONSTRUCTIVE AND SERIOUS PLAN FOR TURKEY''

[06] TURKEY-EU SUMMIT - EU DOCUMENT OF ENLARGEMENT PROCESS FORMALIZED - EUROPEAN CONFERENCE TO CONVENE IN MARCH 1998

[07] TRNC-EU SUMMIT - TRNC COUNCIL OF MINISTERS DECISION: - ''DECISION OF EU REGARDING GREEK CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION IS NOT BINDING FOR TURKISH CYPRIOT SIDE'' - ''NEGOTIATIONS IN CYPRUS WILL ONLY BE HELD BETWEEN TWO STATES FROM NOW ON''

[08] TURKEY-EU-BRITAIN - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ RECEIVES BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY LOGAN

[09] TURKEY-EU (1) - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''OUR GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO HOLD ITS EXISTING RELATIONS WITH EU, YET IMPROVEMENT OF RELATIONS DEPENDS ON FULFILMENT OF EU'S RESPONSIBILITES''

[10] TURKEY-EU-CYPRUS - FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT: ''DECISIONS TAKEN IN EU SUMMIT REGARDING CYPRUS CAN ONLY BE USEFUL FOR A UNILATERAL AIM'' - ''EU DECISION VIOLATES 1959-60 TREATIES'' - ''TURKEY DOES NOT ACCEPT THIS DECISION AND THINKS THAT THIS CAN NOT BE IMPLEMENTED''

[11] TURKEY-EU (2) - PM YILMAZ: ''POLITICAL CONDITIONS WITH BAD INTENTIONS IMPOSSIBLE TO BE ACCEPTED FOR TURKEY IS DICTATED'' - ''WE REFUSE DICTATING OF POLITICAL CONDITIONS'' - ''AS LONG AS THIS APPROACH DOES NOT CHANGE, OUR RELATIONS CANNOT BE EXPECTED TO IMPROVE IN A POSITIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOG'' - ''IN THIS CONTEXT, IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE TO CREATE A DIALOG ATMOSPHERE WHICH ALSO INCLUDES POLITICAL ISSUES WHICH DO NOT INTEREST BOTH SIDES DIRECTLY'' - ''OUR GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE EXISTING PARTNERSHIP RELATIONS WITH THE EU. BUT THIS DEPENDS ON FULFILMENT OF EU'S RESPONSIBILITIES'' - ''OUR GOVERNMENT WILL NOT DISCUSS EITHER CYPRUS OR RELATIONS WITH GREECE WITH THE EU ANY MORE''

[12] TURKEY-EU(3) - PM YILMAZ: ''INVITATION TO EUROPEAN CONFERENCE CARRIES NO IMPORTANCE FOR US'' - ''EU CARRIES RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL NEGATIVE DEVELOPMENTS ON THE CYPRUS ISSUE''

[13] TURKEY-EU - DEPUTY PM ECEVIT: ''THEY BOTH EXCLUDE TURKEY AND ALSO PUT FORWARD CONDITIONS'' - ''HOW CAN THEY THINK THAT THIS IS ACCEPTABLE?''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HÜRRİYET (LIBERAL)

EU WANTS THESE FROM TURKEY
EU wants Turkey to implement human rights, set up good relations with its neighbours, accept to apply to the International Court of Justice in the Hague regarding problems in Aegean, complete political reforms, respect minority rights, set up stable relations with Greece, support UN proposals for the solution of Cyprus question, not to oppose the Greek Cypriot side's membership to EU and realize economic reforms.

MİLLİYET (LIBERAL)

SABAH (LIBERAL)

CUMHURİYET (LEFT)

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION SHELVED AGAIN
Turkey, which could not receive ''full membership perspective'' from European Union (EU), withdrawed its ''democratization packet'' which was including the most concrete regulations regarding freedom of expression. The packet was foreseeing to lift several articles from Turkish Penal Code, Anti-Terrorism Act and Constitution which were impeding full exercise of freedom of expression.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

NEW PERIOD WITH RUSSIA
Russian Prime Minister Victor Cernomyrdn will arrive in Turkey today to pay a three-day visit to Turkey. Turkey and Russia are expected to sign seven agreements during Cernomyrdn's stay in Turkey.

RADİKAL (LEFT)

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

ZAMAN (RELIGIOUS)

[02] TURKEY-EU SUMMIT - EU SUMMIT TO BE EVALUATED IN COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING

Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz, Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister Bulent Ecevit, State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem took up the decisions which were taken during the EU Summit the same day.

Addressing a short statement after the meeting, Bulent Ecevit said that ''EU Summit will be evaluated by Council of Ministers which will convene at 12.30 tomorrow and a statement will be issued by the government.''

[03] TURKEY-EU SUMMIT - LUXEMBOURG TO CONVEY SUMMIT DECISIONS TO TURKEY

Poos stated that the invitations to European Conference will be made by Britain which will be the new term president on January 1, 1998.

Luxembourg sources give the message that ''Ankara should not issue statements without thinking too much and wait for the letter that will come from Luxembourg.''

Addressing a press briefing after the summit, Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean Claude Juncker said that ''EU door has been opened to Turkey and if we did not consider Turkey as a candidate state, we would not offer the same criteria which were offered to other candidates.''

''We are not a Christian club, yet a club which has demands from member countries. Turkey can be a full member and wish to see it to reach common criteria. We present European strategy to Turkey and wait for an answer. The proposal of EU should not be evaluated before examined carefully by Turkey. EU needs Turkey and the latter needs EU, too'' said Juncker.

Responding to a question, Juncker stressed that his statements were written wrongly in a Luxembourg newspaper, adding that ''I did not use the words as they were published in the newspaper, I am really sorry about that.''

Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jacques Poos, who also participated in the press briefing, said that ''We give a strong message to Turkey. Turkey is a candidate to EU and it can be a full member. We propose a special strategy to Turkey. We hope Turkey will carefully examine our proposal and accept it.''

Noting that EU did not put a pre-condition to Turkey regarding its participation in European Conference, Poos said that EU wants all participants to share common values.

[04] TURKEY-EU SUMMIT - BRITISH PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: ''WE SEE OUR FUTURE WITH TURKEY''

Addressing a statement while the EU Summit was continuing in Luxembourg, British Prime Minister Blair stated that EU made a good plan concerning its expansion and this plan includes 10 Central and Eastern European countries, Cyprus and Turkey in it.

Noting that Turkey can not be isolated from EU, Tony Blair stressed that all EU countries accept that Turkey is a big state. Blair pointed out that EU regards its future with Turkey, adding that comments which claim that Europe has distanced itself from Turkey are not true.

[05] TURKEY-EU SUMMIT - EU COMMISSION CHAIRMAN SANTER: ''WE PROPOSE A CONSTRUCTIVE AND SERIOUS PLAN FOR TURKEY''

Addressing a statement at the end of Luxembourg Summit, Santer stated that ''EU has opened full membership perspective to Turkey. We expect Turkey to respond seriously and in a constructive manner.''

Noting that reconciliation between Turkey and EU will make the latest tension issue disappear in Europe, Santer said that ''Everything will be perfect then.''

Meanwhile, EU Commissioner Hans van den Broek who is responsible from foreign affairs said that ''EU did its best for Turkey. EU mentioned Turkey's candidate status and pre-accession strategy for the first time.''

''Approach of Turkey and its taking of necassary measures are the things which are important now,'' Broek said.

[06] TURKEY-EU SUMMIT - EU DOCUMENT OF ENLARGEMENT PROCESS FORMALIZED - EUROPEAN CONFERENCE TO CONVENE IN MARCH 1998

The document said in the first part that ''EU Council took necassary decisions to start enlargement process. The aim of the coming years will be preparation of EU candidate states to EU.''

The document says that EU decided to set up a European Conference and ''members of the Conference must share a common commitment to peace, security and good neighbourliness, respect for each other's sovereignty, the principles upon which the European Union is founded, the integrity and inviolability of external borders and the principles of international law and a commitment to the settlement of territorial disputes by peaceful means, in particular through the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice in the Hague.''

''The states which accept these criteria and subscribe to the above principles will be invited to the Conference. Initially the EU offer will be addressed to Cyprus, the applicant States of Central and Eastern Europe and Turkey,'' added the document.

The part titled ''Full Membership Process'' took up the candidate status of 10 Central and Eastern European countries and the Greek Cypriot side.

The document noted that enlargement process will start by a foreign ministers meeting that will be held between these countries and 15 EU countries on March 30, 1998.

The document said ''The Accession of Cyprus should benefit all communities and help to bring about civil peace and reconciliation. The accession negotiations will contribute positively to the search for a political solution to the Cyprus problem through talks under the aegis of the United Nations which must continue with a view to creating a bi-community, bi- zonal federation. In this context, EU Council requests that the willingness of the Government of Cyprus to include representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community in the acession negotiating delegation be acted upon.''

The part of the document concerning Turkey was titled under the name of ''Turkey Part of the Process of Enlargement.''

This part confirmed Turkey's elligibility for accession to EU and went on saying that ''While the political and economic conditions allowing accession negotiations to be envisaged are not satisfied, EU considers that it is nevertheless important for a strategy to be drawn up to prepare Turkey for accession by bringing it closer to EU in every field.''

The document noted that this strategy should consist in ''development of the possibilites afforded by Ankara Agreement, intensification of the Customs Union, implementation of financial cooperation, approximation of laws and adoption of the Union acquis.''

Noting that this strategy will be overviewed by the Association Council, the document stressed that:

''EU Council recalls that strengthening Turkey's links with the European Union also depends on that country's pursuit of the political and economic reforms on which it has embarked, including the alignment of human rights standarts and practices on those in force in EU, respect for and protection of minorities, the establishment of satisfactory and stable relations with Greece, the settlement of disputes in particular by legal process including the International Court of Justice and support for negotiations under the aegis of the UN on a political settlement in Cyprus on the basis of the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.''

[07] TRNC-EU SUMMIT - TRNC COUNCIL OF MINISTERS DECISION: - ''DECISION OF EU REGARDING GREEK CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION IS NOT BINDING FOR TURKISH CYPRIOT SIDE'' - ''NEGOTIATIONS IN CYPRUS WILL ONLY BE HELD BETWEEN TWO STATES FROM NOW ON''

TRNC Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu explained the decisions which were taken during TRNC Council of Ministers meeting headed by President Rauf Denktas on Saturday night.

Noting that EU ignored legal, political and de facto realities in Cyprus, Eroglu added that EU took a biased decision. TRNC Council of Ministers stressed that EU destroyed UN negotiation process and its parameters by taking this decision and EU will be held responsible for that.

Council of Ministers said that ''Contacts can only be held between two states in the island from now on. TRNC will act together with Turkey within the framework of Common Declaration dated January 20, 1997 and take necessary steps.''

Noting that TRNC has always opposed to unilateral and illegal application of Greek Cypriot side to EU, Dervis Eroglu pointed out that ''There is an application which is undemocratic and which violates 1960 Agreements and principles of UN negotiation process. Such kind of steps and decisions will not be binding for TRNC politically and legally and TRNC will not participate in such a process.''

Pointing out that EU membership of Greek Cypriot side can only be resulted after a final solution is realized in the island and only after it is accepted by separate referendums that will be held by two sovereign and equal communities, Eroglu stated that Turkish Cypriot side thinks that such an application to EU, where Turkey is not a member, but only Greece is; means upsetting of Turkish-Greek balance in the island and accepting indirect integration of the island with Greece or establishment of a Greek Cypriot Republic in Cyprus.

TRNC Prime Minister Eroglu added that the decision of the Council of Ministers was published in Official Gazette and declared to the whole world.

[08] TURKEY-EU-BRITAIN - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ RECEIVES BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY LOGAN

Addressing a written statement after the meeting, British Ambassador David Logan claimed that the expansion process offered the same criteria to Turkey which were offered to other candidate states concerning membership to EU.

Recalling that Turkey is described as a ''candidate country,'' and Turkey has been invited to European Conference that will be held in Britain in March, Logan pointed out that political and economic responsibilities of both EU countries and also candidate countries will be taken up during this Conference.

Logan stressed that the result of the EU Summit was advantageous for Turkey, adding that Britain launched efforts to achieve this result.

[09] TURKEY-EU (1) - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''OUR GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO HOLD ITS EXISTING RELATIONS WITH EU, YET IMPROVEMENT OF RELATIONS DEPENDS ON FULFILMENT OF EU'S RESPONSIBILITES''

Addressing a statement after the Council of Minister meeting, Prime Minister Yılmaz stated that ''Our government will continue its existing associated relations with EU. Turkey will improve itself in many fields and continue on its way with a resolved manner and in self-confidence within the framework of Ataturk's principles. Turkey is still willing to integrate with EU despite the attitute displayed in Luxembourg Summit. However EU should give up its wrong and harmful attitute.''

(CONTINUES)

[10] TURKEY-EU-CYPRUS - FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT: ''DECISIONS TAKEN IN EU SUMMIT REGARDING CYPRUS CAN ONLY BE USEFUL FOR A UNILATERAL AIM'' - ''EU DECISION VIOLATES 1959-60 TREATIES'' - ''TURKEY DOES NOT ACCEPT THIS DECISION AND THINKS THAT THIS CAN NOT BE IMPLEMENTED''

Foreign Ministry said in a written statement that Turkey extends support to efforts of United Nations (UN) Secretary General who aims to find a just and lasting solution to Cyprus question within the framework of his good willing mission.

The statement went on saying that:

''Efforts to find a solution in Cyprus have been curtailed due to rejection of UN Series of Ideas by Greek Cypriot side in 1992. UN Series of Ideas foresaw negotiation of EU membership by two sides and its approval by holding referendums in the two communities after a comprehensive solution is found in Cyprus. However EU's decision to start full membership negotiations with Greek Cypriot side has damaged negotiation process between the two communities in Cyprus. As a result, the Greek Cypriot side does not have an aim except joining EU without reaching a reconciliation with Turkish Cypriot side and integrating with Greece in an indirect way.''

The statement also stressed that EU ignored the fact that there are two politically equal sides in Cyprus.

''EU did not only destroy the parameters of a possible federal state in the island, but also curtailed the solution process in Cyprus through intercommunal contacts. This is a serious responsibility,'' the statement noted.

Foreign Ministry statement stressed that the decision taken by EU concerning Cyprus issue also violates 1959-60 Treaties of Zurich and London, because these treaties foresee that ''Cyprus can not join international institutions and alliances if both Turkey and Greece are not members of them,'' recalling that 1960 Guarantee Agreement says that ''Cyprus can not enter political and economic union fully or partially with any state.''

The statement pointed out that 1959-60 Treaties were signed between Turkey, Greece, Britain, Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot sides and these agreements set up a balance between the two communities in the island and also between Turkey and Greece.

Foreign Ministry noted that ''1960 Treaties confirmed political and legal equality of the two sides in the island and made Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities the two founders of 1960 Republic. After the partnership state was overthrown by the Greek Cypriot side in 1963, there has not been only one state, government or parliament in Cyprus, which can represent the whole island. Today there are two separate sovereign people, two democratic systems, two separate legal systems and two separate states in Cyprus.''

Noting that illegal claims of the Greek Cypriot side constitute the reason of not finding a solution in Cyprus for 34 years, Foreign Ministry stated that ''It is not possible and legitimate for one side in Cyprus to act in a way which will cause international legal and political results.''

Foreign Ministry added that Turkey does not accept the decision which was taken by EU concerning Cyprus and thinks that it can not be implemented.

The statement stressed that EU should respect international agreements as they are foreseen by international law.

Noting that EU does not have the right to violate these agreements, to take unilateral decisions and create international responsibilities, the statement went on saying that:

''Turkey thinks that the latest decision taken in Luxembourg Summit is against international law and basic principles of EU.''

Pointing out that the final declaration of the Summit says that ''membership of Greek Cypriot side to EU will be to the benefit of all communities in the island, the statement said that ''We can not accept such an attitute which ignores the existance of two equal communities in Cyprus and which tries to abolish the equality principle in the island.''

The statement added that Turkey supports the issues which were explained by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Council of Ministers regarding the results of Luxembourg Summit.

The statemnt also mentioned the Joint Declaration which was signed between President Suleyman Demirel and TRNC President Rauf Denktas in 1997:

''This Joint Declaration explains the attitute that will be taken if EU decides to start full membership negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side. Turkey will continue to protect its rights and interests in Cyprus stemming from international agreements as a guarantor state and to fulfil its responsibilities towards the Turkish Cypriot people.''

[11] TURKEY-EU (2) - PM YILMAZ: ''POLITICAL CONDITIONS WITH BAD INTENTIONS IMPOSSIBLE TO BE ACCEPTED FOR TURKEY IS DICTATED'' - ''WE REFUSE DICTATING OF POLITICAL CONDITIONS'' - ''AS LONG AS THIS APPROACH DOES NOT CHANGE, OUR RELATIONS CANNOT BE EXPECTED TO IMPROVE IN A POSITIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOG'' - ''IN THIS CONTEXT, IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE TO CREATE A DIALOG ATMOSPHERE WHICH ALSO INCLUDES POLITICAL ISSUES WHICH DO NOT INTEREST BOTH SIDES DIRECTLY'' - ''OUR GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE EXISTING PARTNERSHIP RELATIONS WITH THE EU. BUT THIS DEPENDS ON FULFILMENT OF EU'S RESPONSIBILITIES'' - ''OUR GOVERNMENT WILL NOT DISCUSS EITHER CYPRUS OR RELATIONS WITH GREECE WITH THE EU ANY MORE''

Yılmaz told reporters that Turkey regards EU membership as a right stemming from 1963 Ankara Agreement, and conveyed its expectations in a constructive, logical, and realist manner before the EU Summit.

Yılmaz said the following:

''In the declaration of Luxembourg Summit, some positive elements are included such as giving a place in EU enlargement process, improving a Europe strategy directed to include Turkey in the EU, and its eligibility for candidacy.

Yet, the text is unacceptable for Turkey because:

-Turkey is not evaluated under the same framework with the same good-willed approach and objective criteria with the other candidate states.

-Many of the elements offered to Turkey as new and positive elements are infact the responsibilities of the EU which it has undertaken in the past against Turkey and have not fulfilled so far.

-Prejudged and exaggarated evaluations exist concerning Turkey's domestic structure and foreign policy including Cyprus. These evaluations totaly disregard positive steps taken by our government.

-With this wrong approach, unacceptable political conditions are dictated.''

Stating that EU Term Chairman's words has made more clear the intentions behind this approach, Yılmaz said:

''As long as this approach and mentality does not change, our relations cannot be expected to improve in a constructive and multifaceted dialog. In this context, it will not be possible to create a dialog atmosphere which also includes political issues which do not interest both sides directly. As always, we refuse dictating of political conditions in our relations.

EU's attitude is far beyond to create a strong base which we can trust. Turkey's future and relations with the EU cannot be constructed on such an ill-defined base.''

Yılmaz said, under the light of all these issues, the government will continue its partnership relations with the EU, but the improvement of these relations depends the fulfilment of EU's responsibilities.

Yılmaz said the following:

''Our government will continue its existing partnership relations with the EU. Turkey will improve itself in many fields and continue on its way with a resolved manner and in self-confidence within the framework of Ataturk's principles. Turkey is still willing to integrate with EU despite the attitute displayed in Luxembourg Summit. However EU should give up its wrong and harmful attitute.

A European Union which Turkey does not have a place will only be a European Union defining and limiting itself on discrimination and intolerance.''

Concerning Cyprus, Yılmaz said, ''our government will not discuss either Cyprus or relations with Greece with the EU anymore.''

Emphasizing that Turkey considered itself bound with the Joint Declaration signed between President Süleyman Demirel, and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas on January 20, 1997, which was later approved by the parliament, Yılmaz said:

''The two most important articles of this joint declaration is the deepening of economic relations between Turkey and TRNC within the framework of protocol signed by Prime Ministers on January 3, 1997, strengthening of TRNC economy with concrete economic projects, and to enlarge the continuous political consultation mechanism which was set up with a declaration issued on December 28, 1995 by Turkish and TRNC Presidents in a way to include also the defence issues, and to strengthen existing solidarity between the two sides.

Our government has decided to put into force the issues mentioned in this declaration following EU's decision to start full membership talks with Greek Cypriot side as if they are representing whole Cyprus in a manner which violates international agreements. In case full membership talks with Greek Cypriot side start in April, Turkey will speed up this process accordingly.''

(CONTINUES)

[12] TURKEY-EU(3) - PM YILMAZ: ''INVITATION TO EUROPEAN CONFERENCE CARRIES NO IMPORTANCE FOR US'' - ''EU CARRIES RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL NEGATIVE DEVELOPMENTS ON THE CYPRUS ISSUE''

''This invitation does not have any importance for us and we will not accept any conditions.''

Responding to a question about integration with TRNC, Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz said that ''Our statement regarding Cyprus is very clear. EU, which decided to start full membership negotiations with Greek Cypriot side, carries the responsibility for all negative developments on the Cyprus issue from now on.''

''Turkey has always been faithful to its agreements. Turkey signed an Association Agreement with EU in 1963. The stages which were foreseen by this agreement have been completed. Turkey has fulfilled its responsibilities concerning this issue. Two years ago, EU and Turkey signed a customs union deal. This deal was foreseen by the partnership relations between Turkey and EU. Article 28 of Association Agreement says that full membership of Turkey will be evaluated by the EU in the stage of Customs Union. Turkey applied for full membership in 1987 apart from this process. Turkey aims a full membership negotiation, which does not have pre- conditions. Turkey knows the criteria which are put forward by the EU for full membership and also acknowledges that it needs time to fully realize them. However Turkish Republic can not accept a decision which offends our country and which discriminates us,'' Yılmaz said.

Responding to another question, Prime Minister Yılmaz added that ''Turkey will not have any political dialogue with EU, but continue to hold bilateral relations with EU countries in every field and at every level. We wish to say now that Turkey will not make concessions regarding Cyprus issue and Turkish-Greek conflicts in order to be a full member, rather it will pursue its national policy.''

Responding to a question if Turkey will withdraw its application for full membership, Yılmaz said Turkey has clearly explained its attitude.

Yılmaz said: ''Turkey has applied for full membership with the expectation that it will be evaluated under the same criteria, and with the same framework with the other European countries. Turkey is aware of the fact that there are some developments it has to realize. In our contacts with our counterparts representing EU, these views have clearly been explained.

The discrepancies of Turkey in this issue mainly stem from the difficult situation Turkey is in. In any country of Europe, there is not a separatist terrorism issue as wide as in Turkey. But Turkey, as it takes the separatist terrorism under control, is also determined to realize improvements which have been retarded because of this situation, in the shortest period of time. In our governments' program, Turkey's determination has clearly been stated. Forwarding these precautions, which are totally our job, and targeted and started to be implemented by our government, as a precondition for EU full membership is only an excuse.''

Concerning ''minority'' concept included in the declaration of Luxembourg Summit, Yılmaz said, ''the only minority for Turkey is the minorities Turkey recognized officially in the Lozan Treaty. If there are people intending to comment this differently, they should be brave enough to explain it.''

Stating that British, and German Prime Ministers have sent messages with their Ambassadors in Turkey, and the US has sent a message to Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Yılmaz said, ''the US has conveyed that it shared Turkey's disappointment with the EU's decision.''

Responding to a question if EU decision affects NATO's enlargement, Yılmaz said, ''our government has previously announced that it does not link EU's enlargement with NATO's enlargement. But the final decision belongs to Turkish parliament.

[13] TURKEY-EU - DEPUTY PM ECEVIT: ''THEY BOTH EXCLUDE TURKEY AND ALSO PUT FORWARD CONDITIONS'' - ''HOW CAN THEY THINK THAT THIS IS ACCEPTABLE?''

Ecevit told reporters following a cabinet meeting on EU Luxembourg Summit decisions that the EU will not be taken as an interlocutor from now on Cyprus, Aegean, and domestic problems.

Ecevit said, ''they both exclude Turkey, and put preconditions. I do not understand how they can think that this is acceptable?

Responding to a question if Turkey may attend the European Conference at ministerial level, State Minister Sükrü Sina Gürel also said, ''no, we do not attend the conference as Turkey.''

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