Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-01-16

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

16 JAN 1998

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TURKEY-EUROPEAN COUNCIL - COE DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL KRUGER TO VISIT ANKARA BETWEEN FEBRUARY 18-20

[03] TURKEY-MINE - COAL MINE COLLAPSES IN SOUTHEASTERN SIRNAK PROVINCE - ONE MINE WORKER TRAPPED BENEATH DEBRIS

[04] TURKEY-GERMANY - REACTIONS TO GERMAN CHIEF PROSECUTOR - TURKEY'S AMBASSADOR TO BONN VURAL: ''TERRORIST IS A TERRORIST EVERYWHERE''

[05] US-TRNC - US DELEGATION'S VISIT TO TRNC - CONGRESS MEMBER PORTER: ''WE AIM AT RAPPROACHMENT OF THE TWO COMMUNITIES''

[06] TURKEY IN BRIEF - JANUARY 16, 1998

[07] TURKEY-US-ENERGY - TURKISH SUZER HOLDING INC. AND AMERICAN PASIFICORP TO SIGN ENERGY INVESTMENT AND COOPERATION AGREEMENT

[08] TURKEY-GERMANY - KARLSRUHE CONSUL GENERAL OCAK SPEAKS TO CHIEF PROSECUTOR NEHM - NEHM: ''MY WORDS HAVE BEEN MISUNDERSTOOD''

[09] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[10] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[11] TURKEY-TOURISM - TOURISM MINISTER GURDAL: - ''OUR TARGET FOR 1998 IS TO HOST 12 MILLION TOURISTS AND TO PROVIDE 10 BILLION DOLLARS OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE INCOME''

[12] TURKEY-UKRAINE - TURKISH FISHING BOAT SINKS IN THE BLACK SEA - FISHERMEN SAY THE BOAT SANK DUE TO FIRE OPENED BY UKRANIAN COASTGUARD VESSELS

[13] US-EU - US CALL TO EU: ''A TURKEY INTEGRATED WITH EUROPE, IS A STEP TAKEN TOWARDS STABILITY IN A VERY DANGEROUS REGION''

[14] TURKEY-NARCOTICS - NARCOTICS OFFICIALS SEIZE 44.5 KG OF HEROIN IN EASTERN VAN PROVINCE - THREE PEOPLE TAKEN UNDER CUSTODY IN CONNECTION WITH THE INCIDENT

[15] US-CYPRUS - RECENT REPORT OF CLINTON ON CYPRUS: ''WE HAVE EXTENDED INTENSE EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN TURKISH-EU RELATIONS'' - ''NIKIFOROS MANEUVER WAS THE END OF MORATORIUM''

[16] TURKEY-GREECE - ANKARA REFUSES ALLEGATIONS THAT NECESSARY MEASURES ARE NOT TAKEN AGAINST ATTACKS TO GREEK REPRESENTATIONS

[17] TURKEY-PARTY (1) - CLOSURE CASE AGAINT RP - COURT CONVENES TO TAKE A DECISION

[18] TURKEY-NARCOTICS - NARCOTIC OFFICIALS SEIZE 400 KG OF HASHISH AND 67.03 KG OF HEROIN WORTH OF NEARLY ONE TRILLION LIRA IN FIVE DIFFERENT OPERATIONS IN ISTANBUL - 24 PEOPLE TAKEN UNDER CUSTODY - 45.7 KG OF HAUL BELONGS TO SEPARATIST TERRORIST PKK ORGANIZATION

[19] TURKEY-PARTY (2) - CONSTITUTIONAL COURT DECIDES TO CLOSE WELFARE PARTY (RP)

[20] TURKEY-EU - TURKEY-EU JPC CO-PRESIDENT BULENT AKARCALI: - ''WE ARE IN A TURNING POINT AFTER THE DECISIONS TAKEN IN LUXEMBOURG SUMMIT'' - IKV CHAIRMAN ERIS: - ''EVEN ONE PART OF TURKISH SOCIETY CANNOT ACCEPT EU'S ATTITUDE''

[21] TURKEY-POLITICS-JUSTICE - SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS CONVICTION OF SWINDLERS IN ''SECRET FUND'' CASE

[22] TURKEY-PARTY (3) - CONSTITUTIONAL COURT CLOSES WELFARE PARTY (RP)

[23] TURKEY-TRNC - TRNC PRIME MINISTER DERVIS EROGLU: ''GREEK-CYPRIOT SIDE AND GREECE ARE AIMING TO OPEN BAF MILITARY BASE AND KEEP SECRET THE ARMAMENT WITH THEIR RECENT PROVOCATIVE INITIATIVES''

[24] TURKEY-UKRAINE - TURKEY PROTESTS UKRAINE

[25] TURKEY-PARTY (4) - CLOSURE OF WELFARE PARTY (RP) - ERBAKAN: ''ISSUING OF SUCH A DECISION IS A GRAVE LEGAL INCIDENT''

[26] TURKEY IN BRIEF - JAN 16, 1998

[27] TURKEY-GREECE - TURKEY CONDEMNS GREECE: - ''RECENT CASE OPENED AGAINST XANTHI MUFTI CONTRADICTS WITH FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE AND RELIGION''

[28] TURKEY-PARTY (5) - CLOSURE OF WELFARE PARTY - RP LEADER ERBAKAN: ''MY ONLY REQUEST FROM OUR SOCIETY IS THAT NOBODY SHOULD FEEL SORRY ABOUT THE DECISION''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HÜRRİYET (LIBERAL)

MİLLİYET (LIBERAL)

SABAH (LIBERAL)

CUMHURİYET (LEFT)

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT) PRIME MINISTER BULENT ECEVIT RESOLVED ABOUT SUSURLUK ISSUE
Gang shame to be cleaned. Yilmaz said this was the first time a Prime Minister struggles against gangs, adding that ''nothing will remain secret.''

RADİKAL (LEFT) RP READY FOR CLOSURE
Welfare Party (RP) leader Necmettin Erbakan began preparations to bid farewell to the party when Constitutional Court came to a point for decision. It is reported that RP leader accepted closure before the decision.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

FİNANSAL FORUM (ECONOMY)

[02] TURKEY-EUROPEAN COUNCIL - COE DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL KRUGER TO VISIT ANKARA BETWEEN FEBRUARY 18-20

Kruger will be received by Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Parliament Speaker Hikmet Cetin and State Ministers Sukru Sina Gurel and Hikmet Sami Turk.

The issues of ''democratization in Turkey'', ''reforms in human rights field'' and ''Turkey-COE relations'' will be taken up during Kruger's contacts in Ankara.

COE, which was set up in 1949, launches efforts in development of democratization and controls human rights violations in COE member countries with its subcommittees European Human Rights Commission, Committee for Prevention of Torture and European Human Rights Court.

[03] TURKEY-MINE - COAL MINE COLLAPSES IN SOUTHEASTERN SIRNAK PROVINCE - ONE MINE WORKER TRAPPED BENEATH DEBRIS

Rescue teams are trying to save mine worker Kamil Uymaz trapped beneath the debris following a collapse in the coal mine 8 kilometres far from Sirnak province center.

[04] TURKEY-GERMANY - REACTIONS TO GERMAN CHIEF PROSECUTOR - TURKEY'S AMBASSADOR TO BONN VURAL: ''TERRORIST IS A TERRORIST EVERYWHERE''

Vural said resemblance of Abdullah Ocalan, chief of the separatist terrorist organization, to Arafat was the biggest insult that will be made to brave Palestinian people and to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

''Wrong resemblances will cause wrong outcomes,'' said Vural, adding that ''terrorist identity of somebody would not be lifted when he says 'I gave it up,' once he is involved in terrorist activities.''

Vural said that person firstly, has to explain to the justice what he has done, adding that statements of Chief Prosecutor is an extension of the agreements and bargaining reached between separatist terrorist PKK and German authorities since 1996 or before that.

Vural said ''PKK said they would not launch terrorist activities in Germany and German authorities said if you abide by your commitment, we will not regard you as terrorist organization. It is obvious that this is a kind of bargaining.''

Stressing that terrorism was a fact, Vural said terrorism and law, terrorism and democracy, terrorism and human rights were contrary concepts. He also said any concession that will be given to terrorism will be a concession given from democracy and human rights.

Vural stated that international cooperation was required to struggle against terrorism, adding that ''you will weaken democracy and principles of law if you assume such an attitude. You will lose the ability to struggle against international terrorism.''

When asked about Turkey's attitude against the attitude Germany carried out towards the separatist terrorist organization, Vural said ''we ignore the attitude of Germany. It does not interest us. Nobody will be effected with the statement of the Chief Prosecutor that PKK was not a terrorist organization. I will not be suprised if they say Germany lifted its ban on the terrorist organization.''

[05] US-TRNC - US DELEGATION'S VISIT TO TRNC - CONGRESS MEMBER PORTER: ''WE AIM AT RAPPROACHMENT OF THE TWO COMMUNITIES''

Porter, after meeting TRNC President Rauf Denktas, said both of these communities should leave everything in the past and should look at future.

Porter said, ''a united Cyprus would be good for everybody living in the island,'' adding that his country gave priority to this issue.

Evaluating his meeting with TRNC President Denktas Porter said ''Denktas has given us many reasons why he did not meet Greek Cypriot leader. This is not something for us giving hope. We tried to say him that a united Cyprus would be good for everybody living in the island.''

[06] TURKEY IN BRIEF - JANUARY 16, 1998

German Embassy in Ankara said that officials from Turkish Atomic Energy Institution (TAEK), Foreign Ministry, Energy and Natural Resources Ministry participated in the two-day meetings, adding that German Foreign Ministry, Economy and Environment Ministry, Reactor Security Board and German Embassy officials attended the meetings.

TAEK and German Reactor Security Board signed cooperation agreement following the initialling of agreement document.

GAZIANTEP - The grain-cereals exportation from Southeastern Anatolia region in 1997 increased 90,3 percent to 278.7 million dollar from 146.4 million dollar in 1996, it was reported on Friday.

Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union Chairman Sahin Batalli told A.A correspondent that exportation had reached to its highest level since 1986.

Batalli said that the union exported USD 8.8 million of red lentil, USD 7.6 million of chick-pea, USD 15.8 million of navy beans, USD 126.2 million of flour, USD 5.5 million of macaroni, USD 46.4 million of margarine and vegetable oil, USD 28.8 million of sugar, USD 33 million of chocalate, candied fruits, biscuit and pastry and USD 6.6 million of various products to Iran, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Germany, Kazakhstan, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, France, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Romania, Egypt, Russia, Belgium and Sri Lanka in 1997.

[07] TURKEY-US-ENERGY - TURKISH SUZER HOLDING INC. AND AMERICAN PASIFICORP TO SIGN ENERGY INVESTMENT AND COOPERATION AGREEMENT

Suzer Holding and PasifiCorp said in a written statement that they will realize energy production projects in Turkey and will cooperate regarding energy investments in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

The statement said that Energy and Natural Resources Minister Cumhur Ersumer, Industry and Trade Minister Yalim Erez and US Secretary of Commerce William Daley will participate in the signing ceremony to be held on January 18.

[08] TURKEY-GERMANY - KARLSRUHE CONSUL GENERAL OCAK SPEAKS TO CHIEF PROSECUTOR NEHM - NEHM: ''MY WORDS HAVE BEEN MISUNDERSTOOD''

Ocak, with the order of Foreign Ministry and Turkey's Embassy in Bonn met Nehm in Karlsruhe and gave a statement of the Turkish Embassy. Ocak said Nehm's statements created astonishment in Ankara, Bonn and among Turkish community living in Germany and a statement was expected from him.

Ocak said during the meeting Chief Prosecutor Nehm said terrorism and terrorism crimes are included in 129-a Article of the German Criminal Code and that terrorism crimes are listed as murders and arson attacks in this Article.

Nehm said ''what I said is that the crimes which we determined as committed on behalf of the PKK between Aug 1996 and Jan 1998 are not included in terrorism crimes under 129-a Article. For example there is illegal money collection. There is recruiting people for the PKK but there is not arson attacks or murder. No such crime took place in this period. If I sent those people to court within the framework of 129-a Article they would be released because they did not commit those crimes. So, we judge those people with other Articles not the 129-a identifying terrorism. As a result of this, as of the crimes committed on behalf of the PKK between Aug 1996 and Jan 1998, I said we can classify PKK as a crime organization not a terrorist organization for this period.''

Nehm noted that anybody who committed a terrorist crime on behalf of PKK before 1996 which will be included in 129-a will be judged according to 129a as in the case of Kani Yılmaz.

[09] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

TURKEY SHOULD ATTEND THE EUROPEAN CONFERENCE
French Minister responsible for European Affairs, Pierre Moscovici said in his speech at the French Parliamant that Turkey should attend the European Conference in March without any preconditions. He added, "Turkey is important both for its regional location and for being an ally." Moscovici stressed that Turkey's membership should be evaluated in line with the same criteria applied to other candidate countries. /Sabah and all papers/

TURKISH BOAT FIRED ON
A Turkish boat, Tamer Kaptan, was fired on yesterday evening by coast guards because of fishing in the economic region outside the territorial waters off Ukranie in the Black Sea. It is reported that the boat sank and that two seamen are still missing. According to information from Ukranian officials, the Turkish Ambassador in Kiev, Alp Karaosmanoglu, said that the incident was "regrettable". /Milliyet/

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES INCREASE BY USD 684 MILLION
Central Bank foreign exchange reserves increased by USD 684 million during the first week of this year. Foreign exchange reserves, which totalled USD 18.610 billion on January 2, 1998, increased by USD 684 million and reached USD 19.294 billion. Meanwhile, according to data dated December 26, 1997, Turkey's international reserves amounted to USD 29.857 billion. /Milliyet/

TL 2.5 TRILLIONS WORTH OF HEROIN SEIZED
Istanbul Narcotic Directorate officials seized 45 kg of heroin worth TL 2.5 trillion. Police followed a TIR truck driven by Ion Stoishin and Ilie Priescu entering Turkey from Iran which later stopped and searched. Officials reported later that 45 kg of heroin had been found and seized. The drivers are being questioned. /Milliyet/

PDK GENERAL SECRETARY ARRESTED IN ANKARA
General Secretary of the illegal Northern Kurdistan Movement Party (PDK/BAKUR) Hamdi Turanli has been arrested in Ankara. Turanli was first interrogated at the Department for the Struggle Against Terrorism and then taken to the Ankara Office of the Chief Prosecutor where he was arrested. /Milliyet/

US STATEMENT REGARDING FIR
After the US administration stated that it did not recognize Athens' claims to 10 miles of airspace, Lee McLenny from the US Department of State, said: "The Flight Information Region (FIR) is determined to stick to the rules of international civil aviation. The borders of national airspace has nothing to do with the FIR". /Milliyet/

CORVETTE FROM ISRAEL
According to the AFP news agency, Turkish military officials will begin initiatives to purchase corvettes, which are produced with the latest state- of-the-art technology, from Israel. It is reported that if an agreement is reached, Saar-5 class corvettes will also be produced in Turkey. /Milliyet/

(CONTINUES)

[10] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

EUROPE BLAMES TURKEY FOR REFUGEE CRISIS
In a recommendatory decision regarding the flow of Asian and Far East refugees through Turkey to Europe, the European Parliament said that the refugees could be stopped only when a political solution brought an end to clashes in Northern Iraq and instability in southeastern Turkey. The European Parliament urged the EU to begin international initiatives for finding a political solution to the growing refugee problem. /Hurriyet/

TOM MILLER IN ANKARA
US Special Cyprus Envoy Richard Holbrooke's assistant Tom Miller arrives today in Ankara to hold official contacts. Observers say that the visit aimed at discussing integration moves by Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). /Cumhuriyet/

MIGRATION COMMISSION COMPLETES REPORT
A Parliamentary Investigation Commission established to look into migration from eastern and southeastern Anatolia and to determine necessary measures has completed its report. The report will be presented tomorrow to Parliamentary Speaker Hikmet Cetin. In the report it states that one reason for the forcible evacuation of villages in eastern and southeastern Anatolia is public security. Another reason for forced migration is the conflict between the security forces and the separatist organization and the social, economic, cultural and psychological disorders that are resulting from this conflict. /All papers/

KINKEL: MEETING WITH OCALAN DEPENDS ON PKK
German Foreign Affairs Minister Klaus Kinkel declared yesterday that Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the PKK terrorist organization, could not be accepted by Germany. "If the PKK announces that it will not continue with acts of terrorism and prove the genuineness of their announcement, Germany could consider meeting their leader, "Apo", in order to discuss the Kurdish problem," said Kinkel. /Hurriyet/

UK APPLIES VISA REGIME AGAINST TRNC
As from today, England will apply visa restrictions on Turkish Cypriots who want to enter England. The British Government has so far only applied visa restrictions to gipsies living in Cyprus. The British Interior Ministry has announced that this decision had been taken because of the demands of the number of Turkish Cypriots demanding refugee status in the UK. /Hurriyet/

[11] TURKEY-TOURISM - TOURISM MINISTER GURDAL: - ''OUR TARGET FOR 1998 IS TO HOST 12 MILLION TOURISTS AND TO PROVIDE 10 BILLION DOLLARS OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE INCOME''

Gurdal told A.A correspondent that their studies regarding the varying of demand and tourism branches will continue in 1998 and they speeded up their promotion studies.

Pointing out that they will attach importance to Belief Tourism and Silk Road projects in 1998, Gurdal said, Silk Road, which connects Adriatic to Pasific will be revived with further arrangements.

Noting that they will install holiday-towns and hotels and holiday-cities, Gurdal said, ''we will give start to the construction of at least one holiday-city with 50 thousand bed capacity in 1998. We are now preparing the infrastructure studies of this huge project.''

Stating that their target was to increase the bed capacity over one million in early 2000's, Gurdal said that they allocated special funds for the reconstructrion of hotels in Istanbul.

Meanwhile, the number of tourists visiting Turkey reached to ten million in 1997 while the tourism income rose 30 percent to 5.7 billion dollar in first nine months of last year.

[12] TURKEY-UKRAINE - TURKISH FISHING BOAT SINKS IN THE BLACK SEA - FISHERMEN SAY THE BOAT SANK DUE TO FIRE OPENED BY UKRANIAN COASTGUARD VESSELS

Fishermen in the boat sent a wireless message and saying that Ukrainian coastguard vessels opened gunfire to Turkish boats.

Turkey's Ambassador to Ukraine Alp Karaosmanoglu told A.A correspondent that Ukrainian officials told them that seven fishermen were rescued by coastguard boats and two of them were missing.

Karaosmanoglu said the boat sank in the evening. ''It is not yet clear where and how the incident happened. Our initatives are underway to the Ukranian authorities. It was reported that the incident happened off the Romanian-Ukranian border. It is a regrettable incident.''

Karaosmanoglu said ''although the boat was fishing in Ukraine's economic region, opening fire on the boat that may endanger a human life was an unacceptable development'' and stressed that ''opening of fire in the Black sea on the fishing boats will not lead to positive developments. Fishing boats may enter the economic region without being aware. Turkish fishermen informed us about the fire yet the Ukrainian officials had not yet confirmed it.

Karaosmanoglu launched initiatives to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry regarding the incident. Turkish Ambassador went to Ukrainian Foreign Ministry and lodged a written note of protest saying that ''it is an unacceptable incident concerning the outcomes whatever the reason is.'' The note said Turkey kept the compensation right due to loss of life and property.

According to the information given by Ukranian Foreign Ministry officials to Turkish side, seven people who were rescued were taken to the Ukrainian coastguard vessel which was involved in the incident.

Ukranian Border Security Forces Press Center statement claimed that opening fire was regardless of question. It said three Ukrainian coastguard vessels specified that 17 Turkish fishing boats were hunting in Ukraine's economic regions, adding that ''Ukranian forces, using all rights given by national and international law, tried to stop the boats. Yet, Turkish boats reacted to the calls from the vessels and made dangerous maneuvers. One of the Ukranian vessels approached to Tamer Kaptan fishing boat 2.5 hours later. Turkish fishing boat hit to Ukrainian ship. Seven people were rescued. Turkish Captain said two people were left in the boat.''

It said with the order of Ukranian forces, calls for help was made to other fishing boats to rescue the other two yet Turkish boats left the area quickly, adding that Turkish captain signed a report accepting the accusations attributed to him.

The statement failed to disclose whether rescue efforts for the other two continued or not. Meanwhile, Turkish initiative to this end stressed that search for the two missing persons should continue.

[13] US-EU - US CALL TO EU: ''A TURKEY INTEGRATED WITH EUROPE, IS A STEP TAKEN TOWARDS STABILITY IN A VERY DANGEROUS REGION''

US President Bill Clinton's National Security Advisor James Steinberg addressed a meeting staged when EU Term-President Britain's Foreign Minister Robin Cook was in Washington.

Stating that expansion of Europe was an internal matter of EU, Stainberg said that they expect Europe to extend its hands to Turkey and determine a functioning strategy before full membership.

Steinberg stressed that they were of the same opinion that there should be improvements in Turkey regarding human rights and that Ankara should be evaluated under equal criteria with the other potential candidates. He also said that the aim was to guarantee Turkey's anchoring in Europe, adding that Turkey's integrated with Europe, is a step taken towards stability in a very dangerous region.

Meanwhile, US State Secretary Madeleine Albright, after meeting Robin Cook, said Turkey and EU relations were among the issues they had discussed.

US supports Turkey's full membership to European Union. The US officials voice this view often.

Washington, prior to the EU Luxembourg Summit, extended intense efforts to give full membership perspective to Turkey.

[14] TURKEY-NARCOTICS - NARCOTICS OFFICIALS SEIZE 44.5 KG OF HEROIN IN EASTERN VAN PROVINCE - THREE PEOPLE TAKEN UNDER CUSTODY IN CONNECTION WITH THE INCIDENT

Acting on a tip-off, narcotic officials stopped and searched a coach which belongs to Van Travel Agency on its way to Istanbul from Van.

Officials found 44.5 kg of pure heroin in hidden departments of of the coach. Officials said the haul's market price was nearly 450 billion lira.

The drivers Kemal Tam, Hamdullah Azdir and steward Nihat Tam were taken under custody in connection with the incident.

[15] US-CYPRUS - RECENT REPORT OF CLINTON ON CYPRUS: ''WE HAVE EXTENDED INTENSE EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN TURKISH-EU RELATIONS'' - ''NIKIFOROS MANEUVER WAS THE END OF MORATORIUM''

Clinton sent his last report on Cyprus issue covering Oct-Nov period to the US Congress.

Clinton said in the recent two months period, US officials held several contacts to find a solution to Cyprus question and strengthen Turkish-EU relations. Clinton said high-ranking US officials many times met their European counterparts to rapproach Turkish-EU relations and tried to encourage them.

US President said with the flight of Greek warplanes on Cyprus during Nikiforos maneuver, the ongoing moratorium effective since May 9 was ended.

US also called on Greece and Turkey to return to moratorium which foresee no military flights over Cyprus.

[16] TURKEY-GREECE - ANKARA REFUSES ALLEGATIONS THAT NECESSARY MEASURES ARE NOT TAKEN AGAINST ATTACKS TO GREEK REPRESENTATIONS

Foreign Ministry statement reiterated the regret felt over the fire, robbery and the killing of the caretaker of the Ayazma Orthodox Chapel in Eminonu district in Istanbul on Jan 12.

The statement recalled that it was earlier stressed that tolarating and accepting the incidents were impossible. Responding to the allegations that necessary measures were not taken against the attacks, the ministry statement said:

''We reject groundless and ugly statements of Greek Foreign Ministry statement dated Jan 14, 1998 claiming that assailants of the attacks could not be captured so far and necessary measures could not be taken.''

'' Security Forces fulfil their obligations to this end,'' the statement added.

[17] TURKEY-PARTY (1) - CLOSURE CASE AGAINT RP - COURT CONVENES TO TAKE A DECISION

Constitutional Court Acting Chairman Guven Dincer after the morning session said they would convene in the afternoon and vote to reach an outcome on the case.

[18] TURKEY-NARCOTICS - NARCOTIC OFFICIALS SEIZE 400 KG OF HASHISH AND 67.03 KG OF HEROIN WORTH OF NEARLY ONE TRILLION LIRA IN FIVE DIFFERENT OPERATIONS IN ISTANBUL - 24 PEOPLE TAKEN UNDER CUSTODY - 45.7 KG OF HAUL BELONGS TO SEPARATIST TERRORIST PKK ORGANIZATION

Officials took under custody 24 people and confiscated nine automobiles, one lorry, one truck, three pistols and 19 thousand German marks provided from drug smuggling.

Officials said, ''we are resolved to continue our struggle against drugs trafficking.''

In the first operation, officials seized separatist terrorist PKK organization's 45.7 kg of haul and arrested Nuri Korkut (48), Hamza Kameri (28), Cengiz Korkut (39), Perisan Kameri (38) and two Romanians Ilie Priescu (38) and Jon Sotichin (37).

Officials confiscated three automobiles used for the transportation of that haul.

In another operation, narcotics officials seized 400 kg of Afghan origin hashish in hidden departments of a lorry. Officials arrested Mehmet Zor (37), Sahin Zor (34), Mehmet Korkmaz (37), Mehmet Cosar (36) and Ahmet Toprak (31) in connection with the incident and confiscated one unlicenced pistol, one lorry and one automobile.

Officials captured and took under custody Muhammet Kurtulus (38), Azbi Abdiji (44), Asan Abdiji (34), Fettah Kaya (44), Ruhan Kaya (34), Aydin Oren (29), Abdulmecit Bartin (34) and Ferhat Bartin (19) in an operation in Merter district in Istanbul on grounds of selling drugs. Officials seized 3.3 kg of chemicals and raw materials used to make heroin, four automobiles and 19 thousand German marks provided from drug trafficking in the same operation. Officials seized 18 kg of chemicals used to make heroin in another operation in Kadikoy and Silivri districts in Istanbul. Tahsin Karakus (37) and Seref Ozcan (54) were arrested and one unauthorized pistol, one truck and one automobile were confiscated.

In another operation in Beyoglu and Fatih districts in Istanbul, 28 grams of heroin and one pistol was seized and Nurettin Yildiz (38), Cemal Kiyici (38) and Selim Tezgel (43) were arrested related with the haul.

[19] TURKEY-PARTY (2) - CONSTITUTIONAL COURT DECIDES TO CLOSE WELFARE PARTY (RP)

[20] TURKEY-EU - TURKEY-EU JPC CO-PRESIDENT BULENT AKARCALI: - ''WE ARE IN A TURNING POINT AFTER THE DECISIONS TAKEN IN LUXEMBOURG SUMMIT'' - IKV CHAIRMAN ERIS: - ''EVEN ONE PART OF TURKISH SOCIETY CANNOT ACCEPT EU'S ATTITUDE''

The second meeting of Turkey-EU National Consultative Council, which was set up through the initiatives of Economic Development Association (IKV) and Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA)-EU JPC, was held in Istanbul Swissotel.

Addressing the opening speech of the meeting, Akarcali said that the decisions taken in Luxembourg Summit were represented as a new European strategy against Turkey.

IKV Chairman Meral Gezgin Eris also said that EU did not include Turkey in its expansion process. ''Even one part of Turkish society cannot accept EU's attitude,'' Gezgin said.

[21] TURKEY-POLITICS-JUSTICE - SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS CONVICTION OF SWINDLERS IN ''SECRET FUND'' CASE

The ruling on an appeal by the defendants raised the possibility of a fresh probe into the role played by True Path Party (DYP) leader Ciller in the payments affair.

Ciller previously denied in a written statement to an Ankara court that she had ever had contact with the men who swindled tens of thousands of dollars.

Self-confessed conman Selcuk Parsadan and two others were sentenced last July to more than six years in jail for illegally obtaining 5.5 billion lira from the Prime Ministry.

[22] TURKEY-PARTY (3) - CONSTITUTIONAL COURT CLOSES WELFARE PARTY (RP)

Constitutional Court Chairman Ahmet Necdet Sezer disclosed the decision following the resolution session.

Sezer said members Hasim Kilic and Sacit Adali casted against votes.

Sezer said they unanimously decided to strip off parliamentary memberships of Konya Deputy Necmettin Erbakan, Kocaeli Deputy Sevket Kazan, Ankara Deputy Ahmet Tekdal, Rize Deputy Sevki Yilmaz, Ankara Deputy Hasan Huseyin Ceylan and Sanliurfa Deputy Halil Ibrahim Celik after the resolution is issued in the Official Gazette.

Constitutional Court Chairman Sezer said they also unanimously decided that these deputies and Kayseri Mayor Sukru Karatepe could not be a founding member, administrator or controller of any party for five years.

Sezer also said they decided that all assets of Welfare Party would be transferred to Treasury and to continue a decision which puts precautionary measures to the 1.236 trillion lira aid to RP.

Sezer said closure case for Welfare Party opened with the indictment of High Court of Appeal Chief Prosecutor's Office dated June 21,1997.

He said, ''political parties are indispensable aspects of democratic political life under the Constitution. Yet, this does not mean that no limitation was brought to these parties.''

Sezer said Article 68 of the Consitution foresees that activities, status and programs of political parties could not contradict with independence of a state, inseparable integrity, human rights, equality and principles of law of state, sovereignity of nation and principles of democratic and secular Republic. They also cannot defend classification and dictatorship and could not promote committing crime.

Article 69 of the Constitution says those parties would be closed if the contradiction of status, programs and activities of the political parties to these rules are determined.

Sezer said, ''as it is mentioned in Article 2 of the Constitution, Turkish Republic is a democratic, secular and social state of law faithful to Ataturk nationalism. Secularism, which is a guarantee of freedom of conscience and religion, is one of the basic principles of Turkish Republic. Contradiction to this principle is a cause for closure in Constitution and Political Parties Law.''

''The court decided to close the Welfare Party because of evidence confirming its actions against the principles of the secular republic,'' Sezer said.

[23] TURKEY-TRNC - TRNC PRIME MINISTER DERVIS EROGLU: ''GREEK-CYPRIOT SIDE AND GREECE ARE AIMING TO OPEN BAF MILITARY BASE AND KEEP SECRET THE ARMAMENT WITH THEIR RECENT PROVOCATIVE INITIATIVES''

Eroglu said, ''we understand that Greece and Greek-Cypriot side gave start to their operation to convince the world when we put together Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos's and Greek-Cypriot Side's provocative statements.''

TRNC Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu said that the main reason for Greece's and Greek-Cypriot side's concerns regarding the Functional and Structural Cooperation Protocol signed between Turkey and TRNC and other bilateral steps is that they understand that Turkish Cypriots are not alone.

Pointing out that European Union (EU) violated the basic rights of Turkish Cypriots, who had equal political rights in the island, by preparing itself to approve of Greek-Cypriot side's full-membership, Eroglu said that EU was trying to eliminate Turkish-Greek balance in Cyprus.

[24] TURKEY-UKRAINE - TURKEY PROTESTS UKRAINE

Foreign Ministry said that it launched initiatives to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry through Turkish Embassy in Kiev regarding the incident, adding that Turkish Ambassador went to Ukrainian Foreign Ministry and lodged a written note of protest saying that ''it is an unacceptable incident concerning the outcomes whatever the reason is.'' The note said Turkey kept the compensation rights due to loss of life and property.

The note said it was necessary to conclude negotiations regarding coastguarding agreement with Ukraine to prevent the reoccurance of such incidents, adding that Turkey's expectations concerning the negotiations to be held in Kiev between February 3-5 were conveyed to Ukrainian authorities.

[25] TURKEY-PARTY (4) - CLOSURE OF WELFARE PARTY (RP) - ERBAKAN: ''ISSUING OF SUCH A DECISION IS A GRAVE LEGAL INCIDENT''

Addressing a news conference in the Parliament, Erbakan said closure case of RP will be brought to Europan Human Rights Court, adding that the decision will be criticized there and would be decided that the resolution was not in conformity with human rights.

Erbakan called on RP supporters not to be affected by the decision and defended that this was a simple incident within the flow of this history. Erbakan said, ''our society will further grow up with this incident and our case will be strengthened.''

[26] TURKEY IN BRIEF - JAN 16, 1998

The regulation and related 6 curriculars that were issued in today's official gazzette, entered into force.

In the regulation and curriculars, there are new arrangements for the standards and conditions for the products that will be exported or imported.

Some definitions are simplified and made clear by these changes.

The one-year time limitation of Commercial Quality Control Efficiency Document related to the products that are subject to compulsory standart control in exportation, that was being given to manufacturers-exporters who reached to a certain quality level and that aims increasing the quality by promoting auto-control of exporters, was lifted. Thus, exporters were provided with facility in renewing their documents.

ANKARA - Turkey gave USD 1.678 billion foreign capital permissions in 1997, while this figure was USD 22.204 billion in last 10 years, it was reported on Friday.

A statement by Treasury Undersecretariat said that 469.5 million US dollars of the investment permissions given in 1997 was for new investments, 245.8 million US dollars for enlargement investments, 531.6 million US dollars for capital increase and the rest for portfolio investments.

Among 1.340 foreign capital permits given last year, European Union (EU) countries are first with 657 permits, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries and Islamic countries follow the EU.

ANTALYA - There will be a tourism boom in Turkey in 1998, according to a poll among tour operators in Germany, held by Turkey Investigations Center in Germany, it was reported on Friday.

The poll said that the increase in 1997 seems also to be continuing in 1998 and the increase rate will be over 10 percent. Turkey has the maximum increase rate among other tourism countries, regarding the reservations made until mid-January by Turkish and German operators.

ANKARA - World Bank donated 5.1 million US dollars for the project for ''Protection of Genetic Diversity at their Sites,'' it was reported on Friday.

A statement by the World Bank said that the project supported by World Bank is being carried in Kazdagi, Ceylanpinar and Bolkan Mountains selected regions, jointly by Agriculture and Rural Affairs Ministry, Forestry Ministry and Environment Ministry.

The donation was provided by ''Global Environment Fund,'' it is said.

[27] TURKEY-GREECE - TURKEY CONDEMNS GREECE: - ''RECENT CASE OPENED AGAINST XANTHI MUFTI CONTRADICTS WITH FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE AND RELIGION''

Foreign Ministry said in a written statement that the number of cases opened against Aga reached to nine and total improsenment punishment rose to 80 months together with the latest case.

The statement said Greece was trying to oppress Aga by launching juridical harrasment although Aga fulfilled his duties according to international agreements.

The statement said that Turkey condemns Greece for its attitude against Western Thrace Turkish minority's Xanthi Mufti. Turkey wants European Union member country Greece to show respect to its international obligations, the statement added.

[28] TURKEY-PARTY (5) - CLOSURE OF WELFARE PARTY - RP LEADER ERBAKAN: ''MY ONLY REQUEST FROM OUR SOCIETY IS THAT NOBODY SHOULD FEEL SORRY ABOUT THE DECISION''

Addressing a news conference in Parliament, Erbakan voiced his views about his meetings with Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller and the decision of the Constitutional Court regarding the closure case.

Evaluating the decision of the Court, Erbakan said ''before all, Constitutional Court is the highest court of Turkey. All institutions should abide by its decisions. Even if they are grave mistakes.. Resolutions of law should be abided by in this state of law.''

Erbakan said, ''my only request from our society is that nobody should feel sorry for such a decision. Let us obey by the tranquility more than any time. There may be provocators in an effort to create uneasiness making use of such incidents. This is a very simple incident within the flow of history, a simple point.''

He said the decision would take effect legally at the time when it is published in the Official Gazette.

Erbakan said Turkish nation would evaluate such decisions very well, they are sensitive towards injustice. They would always oppose to unjust acts, he said, ''everytime, our society has grown up more after such incidents. The decision is not important regarding its effectiveness and outcomes. Belief and desires of people can not be prevented as they will reach their goals.''

Erbakan later briefed about his meetings with Yilmaz and Ciller, adding that efforts should be extended and all political parties should work all together to maintain human rights and freedom as it happened in all contemporary countries.

Erbakan said Parliament is the place of solution for all problems. ''Now we need unity more than any time,'' he said.

RP leader said he was pleased to see that he shared the same views with Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz in this respect. Raising democracy and human rights are our prior goals, he said.

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