Anadolu Agency: News in English, 97-12-31

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

31 DEC 1997

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TRNC - TRNC FOREIGN MINISTER ETKIN: ''EQUALITY PRINCIPLE VIOLATED IN ANNAN'S RECENT REPORT'' - ''EU FULL MEMBERSHIP WOULD NOT HELP THE SOLUTION OF CYPRUS QUESTION''

[03] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[04] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[05] TRNC - TRNC FOREIGN MINISTRY: - ''SUSPENSION OF BILARETAL CONTACTS IS AN INTERNAL AFFAIR OF TRNC''

[06] TURKEY-TOURISM - TURSAB CHAIRMAN CAMAS: ''WE HAVE NEARLY ACHIEVED OUR TOURISM TARGET FOR THE YEAR 2000 BY THE END OF THIS YEAR BY HOSTING TEN MILLION TOURISTS AND BY PROVIDING 7.5 BILLION DOLLARS OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE INCOME''

[07] TURQUIE-ECONOMIE: - PROCHAINE VISITE A ANKARA DU FMI ET DE LA BANQUE MONDIALE POUR UN PROGRAMME DE STABILITE.

[08] TURKEY-ITALY - TURKISH AND ITALIAN DELEGATIONS MEET IN FOREIGN MINISTRY TO DISCUSS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

[09] TURKEY-NORTHERN IRAQ - NORTHERN IRAQ AND ANKARA PROCESS - FOREIGN MINISTRY ''A PUK DELEGATION DUE TO ANKARA WITHIN JANUARY''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

MİLLİYET (LIBERAL)

GREEN LIGHT TO NATURAL GAS
Turkmenistan-Iran natural gas line opened on Tuesday with ceremonies. The line will extend from Iran to Turkey and to Europe from here.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

CUMHURİYET (LEFT)

FACIST ATTACT TO DORMITORY
Extreme nationalists raided Altunizade dormitory belonging to male students. Six students were wounded in the incident.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT) ''GOD SAVED''
Bomb implanted in a suburban train in Bakirkoy district exploded. Six of the 40 in the wagoon were wounded.

RADİKAL (LEFT) PLEASE EXCUSE US TURKEY
Policy-mafia-tribe relations revealed after Susurluk incident could not be solved throughout 1997. No improvement could be recorded in human rights. People entered to a bad situation due to inflation.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

ERKAYA, YILMAZ'S CHIEF ADVISOR
Former Naval Forces Commander Gen. Guven Erkaya became Prime Minister Yilmaz's Chief Advisor.

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

FİNANSAL FORUM (ECONOMY)

[02] TRNC - TRNC FOREIGN MINISTER ETKIN: ''EQUALITY PRINCIPLE VIOLATED IN ANNAN'S RECENT REPORT'' - ''EU FULL MEMBERSHIP WOULD NOT HELP THE SOLUTION OF CYPRUS QUESTION''

Etkin sent a letter to the UN Secretary General Annan, including the views of TRNC about the report dated Dec 5.

Etkin said the expresssions like ''Cyprus Republic Government'' ''National guard'', ''Cyprus Republic'', ''Air space of Cyprus'', ''region under the control of government'' which were included in the report, did not reflect legal and political facts in Cyprus.

Etkin said ''on the contrary to the claims in the report, legal reasons of the existance of Turkish Peace Forces in Cyprus were based on 1960 Guarantee Agreements'' and added that the contrary could not be claimed.

TRNC Foreign and Defense Minister said full membership to European Union (EU) would not facilitate finding a comprehensive solution to Cyprus question, adding that the expression in the report on this direction dramatically contradicted with the 1992 UN Set of Ideas.

He said Turkish Cypriot Side was against full membership of EU legally and morally before the Turkish-Greek balance on Cyprus is provided.

Critizing that Annan's report briefed in detail military modernization activities in Northern Cyprus, Etkin said intense armament and increase of Greek military power was not mentioned in the report.

Etkin also reacted that S-300 missiles which Greek Cypriot side purchased from Russia was mentioned as ''air defense system'' and said ''we think that saying that these dangerous weapons are for defense aims is not a duty of Peace Forces in Cyprus and that it contradicted with the two recent decisions of the UN Security Council which described them as weapons having developed technology.''

[03] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

FOREIGN TRADE ATTACK FROM CEM
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem has begun initiatives to prove his claim that foreign policy should be supported by a strong economy. With that in mind, he has requested that Turkish Trade Centers should be opened major trade areas around the world. Within this framework feasibility studies have been completed on the opening of Turkish Trade Centers in New York, Moscow, Frankfurt and Shanghai. It is aimed to increase exports in these centres and to improve local relations with Turkish businessmen operating in those cities.

Sending circulars to Turkish ambassadors abroad, Ismail Cem has asked them to prepare feasibility reports on how to increase trade and economic relations between Turkey and the country to which they have been appointed. He also wants them to improve contacts with Turkish businessmen and give details about their trade opportunities to Ankara. /Hurriyet/

TURKEY, TURCO-GREEK EXPERTS COMMİTTEE NO LONGER TIED TO EU
The Turkish members of the Turco-Greek Experts Committee have sent a note to the Greek side saying that the meetings of the committee can no longer be held within the framework of the European Union's (EU) sphere of operations. The note stated that the reason for this was the Turkish government's decision to halt any discussion of Turco-Greek relations with the EU, made in the wake of the Unions exclusion of Turkey from the list of full membership candidates - a move in which Greece was a major collaborator.

From now on the process of dialogue will be continued on the basis of meetings between the two countries' ambassadors, according to the note, signed by experts Sukru Elekdag and Fuat Bilge. /Milliyet/

KARADAYI'S NEW YEAR MESSAGE
Chief of Turkish General Staff Gen.Ismail Hakki Karadayi said in his new year message yesterday that the Turkish Armed Forces would continue to guarantee the country's security and to abide by Ataturk's principles. He added that the Turkish Armed Forces were against any threat, including terrorism, which aimed to divide the country. /Milliyet-Sabah/

[04] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

BOMB AT TRAIN STATION: SIX INJURED
Yesterday night a bomb exploded at Bakirkoy Yenimahalle suburban railway station injuring six people. Istanbul Governor Kutlu Aktas and Security Chief Hasan Ozdemir went to the station and noted that investigation into the incident was continuing. /Sabah/

AIR GAMES AWARD
Chairman of the Turkish Aviation League, Atilla Tacoy, has been rewarded with an award as "Founder of the World Air Games" attended by more than 3, 000 sportsmen from 60 countries. Chairman of the International Aviation Federation, Eilif Ness, noted that during the 90th General Council of the Federation held in Rio De Janerio, Brazil, all the delegates applauded most enthusiastically when Turkey, which organized the First World Air Games, was given a special mention. Ness said that the World Air Games had needed massive organization following the Summer and Winter Olympics. /Sabah/

NEW YEAR MESSAGE FROM PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ
Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said that Turkey might undergo a difficult period in 1998 yet this year would bring important developments for our future. "Our ideal that Turkey is a strong and independent country in the region will be realized" said Yilmaz and added "Turkey proved itself a democratic country before the 21st century." In addition, Yilmaz in his new year message declared that while 1997 was being left behind with both its sorrows and delights, 1998 would be the source of all our hopes.

Husamettin Cindoruk, Chairman of Democratic the Turkey Party sent out a new year message in which he expressed his expectations for 1998. In his message he declared that "In 1997 we experienced a lot of important happenings. I hope for our country that 1998 will be a more peaceful year than 1997". /Milliyet/

The Turkish Press Review will not be published until 5 January, 1998.Happy New Year!

[05] TRNC - TRNC FOREIGN MINISTRY: - ''SUSPENSION OF BILARETAL CONTACTS IS AN INTERNAL AFFAIR OF TRNC''

A statement by the ministry said that the need for evaluating the mutual contacts between the two peoples has arisen after the decision of the European Union (EU) ignoring the existance and status of Cyprus Turkish People and TRNC. It is said that foreign sources interfered in the contacts between the two communities to their own benefits, and thus, those contacts had to be suspended in order to make an evaluation.

The statement said that the interpretation of a foreign ambassador on the contacts between the two communities as ''requirement of democracy'' was found surprising. It is also said that it was not acceptable for TRNC government that came into power through democratic means that foreign ambassadors would decide on its activities.

''The precautions taken and that will be taken as a response to the erroneous approach of Greek Cypriots and their supporters who called themselves as (the legitimate government), and Cypriot Turks as (the minority) and TRNC citizens as (the citizens of Cyprus Republic), are only TRNC's concern. Such approaches that are against law prevented the solution of Cyprus problem since 34 years. The ones who are giving democracy lessons to us have great responsibility in that. Pluralistic democracy in TRNC is our proud. And it is our natural right to expect that our internal affairs are not interfered,'' it is said.

US Ambassador to Lefkosa Kenneth Brill had criticized the related decision of TRNC and had said that bilateral contacts between the two peoples are a requirement of democracy. He also had said that he hoped TRNC to change its decisions as soon as possible.

[06] TURKEY-TOURISM - TURSAB CHAIRMAN CAMAS: ''WE HAVE NEARLY ACHIEVED OUR TOURISM TARGET FOR THE YEAR 2000 BY THE END OF THIS YEAR BY HOSTING TEN MILLION TOURISTS AND BY PROVIDING 7.5 BILLION DOLLARS OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE INCOME''

Camas told A.A correspondent that Turkey's tourism target for 1998 was to provide eight billion dollars of foreign exchange income by hosting 12 million tourists, adding that their new targets were 15 billion dollars of foreign exchange income and 25 million tourists for the year 2000.

Meanwhile, the number of tourists from German and Oman were higher than other foreign tourists visited Turkey this year, according to TURSAB statistics.

The number of tourists visiting Turkey from Germany this year rose by 9,9 percent; from Britain rose by 21 percent; from Italy by 28 percent; from Spain and Austria by 31 percent; from Belgium by 37 percent; from France by 32 percent; from Ireland by 41 percent; from Albania by 53 percent; from Bulgaria by 54 percent; from Czech Republic by 49 percent; from Romania by 78 percent and from Venezuella increased by 56 percent compared to numbers last year.

The number of tourists visiting Turkey from Finland this year reduced by 12 percent; from Commenwealth of Independent States (CIS) decreased by 4 percent; from Algeria by 7 percent; from Sudan by 13 percent; from Qatar by 10 percent; from Iran by 11 percent; from India by 17 percent and from Pakistan reducer by 34 percent compared to numbers last year.

The number and nationalities of tourists, who visited Turkey between January-November 1997, are as follows:

NATIONALITY NUMBER OF TOURISTS
Germany 2,258,936

Austria 299,964

Belgium 151,453

Denmark 148,990

Finland 107,116

France 320,589

Netherlands 255,534

Britain 904,692

Ireland 33,372

Spain 59,280

Sweden 196,607

Switzerland 85,264

Italy 197,109

Iceland 4,297

Luxembourg 1,791

Norway 111,474

Portugal 10,658

Greece 157,410

US 350,478
Australia 51,113

Japan 75,570

Canada 44,923

New Zealand 11,166

Albania 29,958

Bulgaria 195,346

Czech Republic 59,663

Hungary 21,444

Poland 48,335

Romania 316,677

CIS 1,422,811
Yugoslavia 138,981

Other European countries 78,920

TOTAL AFRICA 117,210
TOTAL ASIA 932,776
TOTAL AMERICA 56,626
OCEANIA 530
WITHOUT NATIONALITY 14,928

[07] TURQUIE-ECONOMIE: - PROCHAINE VISITE A ANKARA DU FMI ET DE LA BANQUE MONDIALE POUR UN PROGRAMME DE STABILITE.

On ne sait pas si les deux delegations arriveront en meme temps, selon la meme source qui ajoute que les entretiens seront centres sur l'elaboration d'un programme de stabilite economique destine a baisser le taux eleve de l'inflation en Turquie qui galope vers les 3 chiffres.

Lors de recents entretiens, le FMI avait demande a la Turquie de mettre en application un programme de stabilite economique d'un 1 an alors que le gouvernement de M. Mesut Yılmaz avait elabore un programme de 3 ans, prevoyant la diminution du taux de l'inflation jusqu'a 3 pc. en l'an 2000.

La Turquie cherche a obtenir un soutien et un pret pour remettre sur les rails son economie, affectee par un taux d'inflation de plus de 90 pc..

[08] TURKEY-ITALY - TURKISH AND ITALIAN DELEGATIONS MEET IN FOREIGN MINISTRY TO DISCUSS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

The delegations met within the framework of an agreement foreseeing cooperation in struggle against terrorism, organized crimes and drug trafficking, signed in 1986. The delegations seek for a solution to the recent crisis about illegal immigrants.

It was also reported ''work group'' will officially take effect after the meetings of the delegations. Forming a work group had been decided earlier but could not be established so far. Studies of the group will be forwarded to put an end to the crisis.

Foreign Ministry officials said with the crisis, which erupted at the weekend, there was an organized crime mainly based on separatist terrorist PKK organization.

The same officials recalled that similar comments appeared in Italian media after the crisis and identified the problem as ''organized population transfer.''

Foreign Ministry officials stressed that Italian Interior Minister Giorgio Napolitano's words which said ''we have decided to defend rights of Kurdish people in international platforms'' would not be so easy as it seemed. They said Italy should talk to Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and the UN first of all.

Officials stated that lack of authority which erupted in Northern Iraq after Gulf Crisis facilitated the nesting of terrorists to the region, adding that Italy should persuade Iraqi Leader Saddam Hussein to abide by the UN resolutions firstly and later launch initiatives to New York to lift UN embargo imposed on Baghdad administration.

Italian Interior Minister Giorgio Napolitano told a statement on Tuesday that demands of the illegal immigrants were examined one by one and that sheltering right will be given to Kurdish origin people who applied not for economic reasons but for political reasons.

Napolitano also claimed that Kurdish people were subjected to oppression in Northern Iraq and in Turkey.

[09] TURKEY-NORTHERN IRAQ - NORTHERN IRAQ AND ANKARA PROCESS - FOREIGN MINISTRY ''A PUK DELEGATION DUE TO ANKARA WITHIN JANUARY''

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Necati Utkan told a weekly news briefing that a high ranking PUK delegation will visit Ankara in January.

Utkan said ''I believe that Ankara process will continue depending on the peaceful approach that will be revealed by the delegation.''

Utkan said Turkey always supported the continuation of confidence building measures and the ceasefire that was reached in Northern Iraq within the framework of Ankara process, adding that ''we have never favored halting of this process.''

Utkan said a KDP delegation came to Ankara last week following their visit to Moscow. He said the delegation briefed Turkish Foreign Ministry about the Moscow talks ''we expect Ankara process to continue depending on the attitude that will be shown by the sides.''

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