Anadolu Agency: News in English, 97-12-30

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

30 DEC 1997

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[03] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[04] TURKEY-POLITICS - 55TH GOVERNMENT TO GIVE PRIORITY TO TAX REFORM, SOCIAL SECURITY, LOCAL ADMINISTRATIONS AND JUSTICE REFORMS IN 1998

[05] TURKEY IN BRIEF - DECEMBER 30, 1997

[06] TURKEY-SOUTHEAST '97 - CONSIDERABLE STEPS TAKEN FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SOUTHEAST REGION IN 1997 - EMERGENCY RULE LIFTED IN TWO PROVINCES - 6,886 TERRORISTS RENDERED INEFFECTIVE

[07] TURKEY-MINE - COAL MINE COLLAPSES IN SOMA - ONE MINE WORKER DIES

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HÜRRİYET (LIBERAL)

MİLLİYET (LIBERAL)

SABAH (LIBERAL)

CUMHURİYET (LEFT)

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

RADİKAL (LEFT)

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

FİNANSAL FORUM (ECONOMY)

[02] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

(Derived from Newsspot of Turkish Directorate of General Press and Information)

TURKEY, TURKMENISTAN TRY TO PERSUADE US OVER GAS ROUTE
Following a series of prime ministerial contacts with top Russian, American, Turkmen and Azerbaijani officials over Caspian oil and natural gas resources, Ankara is preparing for intensive talks about energy in the first six months of the coming year. One of the main topics of these talks will be to persuade the US to establish a route to carry Turkmen natural gas via Iran. After his meetings with the heads of the Russian Federation and the US, Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz paid a significant visit to two key Central Asian states, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan. During his visit to Turkmenistan, a trilateral deal was signed between the energy ministers of Iran, Turkey and Turkmenistan, to let the Shell company conduct feasibility studies for the natural gas routes. /Cumhuriyet/

IPUK IS READY TO MEET
Officials from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) have stated that they are ready to meet with Turkish officials in Ankara. According to the Iranian Official News Agency (IRNA), the PUK radio said in a news report yesterday that an IPUK delegation would go to Ankara on the second week of January to hold meetings. The report noted that these meetings would be held also with the participation of US officials. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKEY REASSERTS TURCO-ISRAELI-US EXERCISES AS HUMANITARIAN Turkey reiterated yesterday that the planned Turco-Israeli-US joint naval exercises have thoroughly humanitarian aims and do not target any particular country. Referring to some countries' and particularly Iran's harsh attitude towards the planned exercises, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Necati Utkan stressed that the reactions were unfounded since the manoeuvres were completely humanitarian. ''The exercises will include only emergency search and rescue procedures. They do not target any third country'' Utkan said at a press conference. The twice-postponed naval manoeuvres are to be held on January 5-9 in the eastern Mediterranean off the Israeli coast. /Sabah/

OZDEN COMPLETES HIS TERM AS CONSTITUTIONAL COURT
On the occasion of the retirement of Yekta Gungor Ozden, chief justice of the Constitutional Court, a ceremony was held at the court building. After his biography was read to the guests, Guven Dincer, deputy head of the Constitutional Court, said that Ozden, who was elected as a member of the Court in 1979, was going to retire on December 31 because he had reached the mandatory retirement age. ''In a speech during the ceremony, Ozden stated that he had tried to follow the path of Ataturk all his life, saying: ''It's an honour to follow the route of Ataturk and his friends, who saved this country.'' Indicating how hard it was to make this final speech, Ozden said he would continue to serve his country even after his retirement. /Hurriyet/

NEW RULES FOR CYPRUS SOLUTION
Ankara has reaffirmed that new rules apply in the Cyprus conflict after the Luxembourg summit, now that ''there is a drastic change in the situation due to the EU's actions which are based on the Greek position.'' Foreign Ministry Spokesman Necati Utkan told reporters during a weekly press conference that both the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Turkey have issued statements regarding their political and legal opposition to the Luxembourg decisions. ''We have also announced what counteraction we shall have to take,'' Utkan said, repeating that a solution would have to be found on the basis that there are two states on the island -the TRNC and the Greek Cypriot side. Utkan added: ''We shall consult and coordinate our position with the TRNC to see if these two states can resolve three major issues to reach a stage where they can, in the first instance, peacefully coexist.'' The spokesman listed these three major issues as: -The settlement of reciprocal property claims; -Agreement on mutually satisfactory security arrangements; -Drawing the final boundary line and agreeing on the territorial arrangement. /All papers/

(CONTINUES)

[03] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

(Derived from Newsspot of Turkish Directorate of General Press and Information)

TURKEY WILL DISCUSS ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION WITH ITALY
Turkey said yesterday it would begin discussions with Italian officials following the weekend gounding of a Turkish-registered ship carrying 825 illegal immigrants, mostly Kurds, off the coast of Italy. ''Obviously there will be new contacts, even starting from today'' Foreign Ministry Spokesman Necati Utkan told reporters. When asked about the Kurdish issue, Utkan said in this case the problem does not only belong to Turkey. Turkey, with its land border with Greece and long Mediterranean coastline, has become a springboard for immigrants from Asia and the Middle East seeking entrance to the wealthier nations of the EU. /All papers/

ANKARA DENIES THAT TURKEY SENT LETTER TO TONY BLAIR
Ankara denied that Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz sent a letter to his British counterpart Tony Blair asking for British support for Turkey's EU bid. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Necati Utkan told reporters in the weekly press conference, Utkan said no such letter was sent or telephone conversation was made with EU leaders after the summit and added the last letter written by Yilmaz was sent before the summit. /All papers/

FAMOUS MATHEMATICIAN CAHIT ARF LAID TO REST
The discoverer of the ''Hasse-Arf Theorem'', the famous mathematician Ordinarius Prof.Dr.Cahit Arf who passed away after a heart attack has been buried in Istanbul, following a ceremony at Istanbul University. The Hasse- Arf Theorem showed that synthetic geometric problems could be solved with the help of a ruler and compass. /All papers/

FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''N. IRAQ OPERATION ENDS''
Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Necati Utkan said in a press conference yesterday that operations against seperatists tried to be camped by Turkey- Iraq border ended. Utkan added, ''As a result of authority vacuum in the region, seperatist PKK terorist organization has activities in northern Iraq and that Turkey has held operations whenever it is necessary.'' The spokesman stressed that operations did not violate the territorial integrity of northern Iraq. /Sabah/

KINKEL'S SUPPORT FOR TURKEY
German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel said that Germany wanted Turkey to be a part of Europe. Kinkel denied the claims regarding an ''inter- institutional document'' had been published which reported that Turkey's European Union membership would not be possible in near or close future. In his statement Kinkel added that it was not true that Germany never wanted Turkey to be excluded from Europe; instead, he continued, they would like to help Turkey solve its problems. /Milliyet-Sabah/

TURKISH EXERCISES CAUSE ANXIETY IN GREECE
Greek daily newspapers reported yesterday that Ankara would started a wide scope naval and aerial military exercises in the Aegean between 2-25 January, claiming that with these exercises sovereignity rights of Greece would be violated. Decribing the exercises as ''extraordinarily wide scope and unusually long'', the dailies noted that Turkey had informed Athens on 18 December about the exercises. They also added that the news caused anxiety in Greece. Meanwhile Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Yorgo Papandreu said in his statement to Greek daily newspaper, Eksusia that if Turkey invaded the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the way towards Europe would totally be closed for Turkey. He added that with the decision taken at the end of the Luxembourg summit, Europe determined the framework of its relations with Turkey. /Milliyet/

SPHINX HEAD STOLEN FROM EPHESUS RETURNS HOME
A ''Sphinx'' head stolen in 1964 from the Austrian Archaeological Institute in Ephesus, which has been carrying out excavations for over one century, has been brought to Turkey. Turkish Culture Minister Istemihan Talay will hold a press conference today and will promote to the press a Roman marble copy of the Sphinx sculpture made of bronze during the classical period. /Cumhuriyet/

[04] TURKEY-POLITICS - 55TH GOVERNMENT TO GIVE PRIORITY TO TAX REFORM, SOCIAL SECURITY, LOCAL ADMINISTRATIONS AND JUSTICE REFORMS IN 1998

''Tax Reform Draft Law'' will be submitted to the parliament in January, 1998. Besides, government will present ''Social Security Reform'' of which preparations were concluded, to the parliament.

The draft law regarding the ''Prevention of Family'' will be discussed in the parliament in early January, 1998.

Parliament General Assembly will also discuss the draft law which will bring equal punishment to both adultering man and woman in early January.

The draft law regarding the punishment of some offenders is the other topic in the parliament's agenda.

Constitutional Commission is now discussing the ''Political Ethic Draft Law Proposal''. The parliament is expected to give priority to also that proposal if the commission approves it.

[05] TURKEY IN BRIEF - DECEMBER 30, 1997

Tourism Ministry said in a written statement that the agreement, which was signed by Tourism Minister Ibrahim Gurdal and Turkmen Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Boris Sihmuradov, was based upon the organization of mutual symposiums, congresses and exhibitions and the assistance in touristic formalities to increase touristic visits between two countries.

Two countries will exchange information in tourism regulation, statistics and other tourism issues in accordance with the agreement.

ANKARA - Turkey and Turkish Aviation League General Director Atilla Tacoy were entitled with ''World Air Games Founder Great Award'' on grounds of their success in organizing the ''First World Air Games'' in which over than 3000 sportsmen from 60 countries participated, it was reported on Tuesday.

Federation of International Aviation (FAI) Chairman Eilif Ness said that all members of the federation greeted Turkey with standing ovation in the federation's 90th General Assembly held in Rio De Jenerio city of Brazil.

Ness said, ''we decided to entitle Turkey and General Director Tacoy with World Air Games Great Award.''

[06] TURKEY-SOUTHEAST '97 - CONSIDERABLE STEPS TAKEN FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SOUTHEAST REGION IN 1997 - EMERGENCY RULE LIFTED IN TWO PROVINCES - 6,886 TERRORISTS RENDERED INEFFECTIVE

Turkish Dogu Holding realized considerable investments in the region while Turkish Kombassan company and Italian and British companies purchased plots to realize investments in the region in 1997.

Several operations were staged against separatist terrorist PKK organization in the region and in Northern Iraq last year within the framework of struggle against terrorism.

A total of 5,974 separatist terrorists were killed, 539 terrorists were captured and 373 of them surrendered to security forces in 1997. Separatist terrorists killed 142 civilians last year while 548 security officials were killed in 1521 clashes. Security forces took under custody 5,103 people during their searches and 863 of them were arrested on grounds of giving financial support to separatist terrorist PKK organization.

Security forces seized 3,256 long-range guns and one million bullets during the operations.

Some of the important developments in the region in 1997 are as follows:

Jan. 15 : Police closed fundamentalist sect Aczmendi's convents in Elazig province.

Jan. 16 : Parliament decided to close Turkish-United States Joint Defense Base Pirinclik in Diyarbakir province.

March 11: Diyarbakir State Security Court began to hear ''Yuksekova Gang'' trial.

March 12: The shopping mall named ''Migros Diyarbakir'' opened.

March 13: Toprak Holding gave start to construction process of its marble factory in Lice township of Diyarbakir province.

March 18: Mayor of Yuksekova township of Hakkari province Ali Ihsan Zeydan was arrested with charges of having illegal connections with Yuksekova gang.

April 5 : ''Issizler (The Unemployed People's) Holding'' was set up to reduce unemployment and to open new business branches. April 29: Famous British firm Rolls Royce decided to invest in Mardin province to produce energy.

May 2 : Turkish Dogu Holding decided to invest in Eastern and Southeastern parts of Turkey to reduce unemployment in the regions. May 7 : Separatist terrorists sabotaged Turkish Botas's oil pipeline in Mardin province. Estimated cost of damage was 800 billion lira. (One dollar: 205,000 Turkish Liras)

May 29 : Turkey and the UN organized ''Prevention of Poverty Summit'' in Diyarbakir province.

June 9 : Turkey did not collect the interest debts of people who had used electricity illegally in the region.

June 11 : Emergency Rule completed its tenth year.

August 2: A hand-grenade accidentally exploded during a wedding ceremony in Cizre township of Sirnak province, killing six people and injuring 21 others.

Sept. 16: Council of Ministers hold a meeting in Siirt province. Oct. 5 : Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) cotton was collected for the first time with a cotton-collector machine.

Oct. 25 : President Suleyman Demirel and Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz participated in the foundation ceremonies of 22 factories and in the opening ceremonies of two factories in Diyarbakir Organized Industry Zone. Demirel and Yilmaz later attended to opening ceremony of Turkish Toprak Holding's marble factory in Lice township of Diyarbakir province.

Nov. 1 : Emergency Rule was lifted in Batman and Bingol provinces.

Nov. 1 : Turkish Kombassan company purchased lands to built five factories in Diyarbakir Organized Industry Zone.

Nov. 13 : Transportation of fuel from Habur Border Gate stopped due to crisis between the UN and Iraq.

Nov. 25 : Japanese businesmen visited GAP region to observe investments in the region.

Nov. 29 : Turkish Dedeman Hotel Chain and Dogu Holding decided to construct a 4-star hotel in Diyarbakir province. The hotel will be in service in March 1998.

Dec. 3 : Turkish Toprak Holding decided to set up a new gravy and macaroni factory in Lice township of Diyarbakir province.

Dec. 7 : Diyarbakir Municipality decided to set up Second Organizad Industry Zone and Free zones in Diyarbakir province.

Dec. 17 : Elazig Province Criminal Court No:1 sentenced Aczmendi sect leader Muslum Gunduz with six-month imprisonment on grouds of raping a girl.

[07] TURKEY-MINE - COAL MINE COLLAPSES IN SOMA - ONE MINE WORKER DIES

The central ornament of the mine's ceiling collapsed on early Tuesday, killing mine worker Mehmet Ali Satmak (35).

Soma Public Prosecutor's Office opened an investigation regarding the incident.

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