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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-01-20Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>20 JAN 1998CONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the leading stories in Turkey's press on Jan 20, 1998. Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. You will find better detailed summaries of major news reports in a few hours.HÜRRİYET (LIBERAL)ORDER TO DEEPEN INVESTIGATIONIn the Susurluk Summit which took place between Yilmaz, Ecevit and Cindoruk, they decided to deepen investigation in the direction of Kutlu Savas's report. MİLLİYET (LIBERAL)DYP ALSO CAN BE CLOSEDHigh Court of Appeal Chief Prosecutor Vural Savas began to investigate DYP leader Ciller and her party after Welfare Party (RP). ERBAKAN'S PERSISTENCY ON DOCUMENT SABAH (LIBERAL)WHAT IS ERBAKAN AFTER?RP leader Necmettin Erbakan who toured political party leaders since Friday has three main goals: 1- Constitutional change which will provide him and five others to enter to elections as Independents. 2- A change in Political Party law that will prevent the party's closure which will replace Welfare Party (RP). 3- To postpone issuing of Constitutional Court's reasoned verdict as much as possible. CUMHURİYET (LEFT)ERBAKAN COULD NOT PROVE IT...RP leader Necmettin Erbakan who visited Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Bulent Ecevit and Democrat Turkey Party (DTP) leader Husamettin Cindoruk did not give the letter of Deputy Chief of General Staff Gen. Bir to them. TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)EIGHT SEPARATE INVESTIGATIONSPrime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said he would lauch a wide-scaled investigation to illimunate Susurluk case. RADİKAL (LEFT)US-IRAN DIALOGUE SHOULD ENCOURAGE TURKEYTurkey should be encouraged from the Washington-Tehran dialogue because this is a formula that will open ways to Turkey in long term. ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)SUSURLUK IS THE TUMOUR OF STATEPrime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said several incidents and relations related with the Susurluk case that were reflected to public were correct. YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)A NEW WELFARE NEXT WEEKWelfare Party (RP) will start initiatives to establish a new party. Bulent Arinc said ''our movement will continue and Chief Prosecutor Vural Savas will see this.'' SUSURLUK REPORT IN DEMIREL TODAY FİNANSAL FORUM (ECONOMY)IMF FINDS BUDGET PROGRAM POSITIVEAn International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation, headed by Turkish Desk Chairman Martin Hardy, started contacts in Turkey. Hardy found the government's target that will control inflation with the budget as positive. [02] TURKEY-COE - STATE MINISTER GUREL RECEIVES COE DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL KRUGERANKARA, Jan 20 (A.A) - State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel on Monday received Council of Europe (COE) Deputy Secretary General Hans Christian Kruger who came to Ankara to hold several contacts.Speaking after the meeting State Minister Gurel said he was pleased over the visit of Kruger, adding that they had taken up cooperation issues between COE and Turkey. Gurel said their meeting was very beneficial. Responding to a question, Gurel recalled that COE and European Union (EU) were separate organizations and that such visits are not related with the EU. Gurel said the visit of Kruger showed the importance and effectiveness of relations between COE and Turkey. Kruger in his part said they had taken up several issues including existing problems, friendship relations and human rights issues with Gurel. [03] TURKEY-US - US MINISTER OF COMMERCE DALEY IN ANKARA - FM CEM: ''FOREIGN MINISTRY CARRIES OUT STUDIES ON THE ECONOMIC DIMENSION OF TURKISH FOREIGN POLICY''ANKARA, Jan 20 (A.A) - A US delegation, headed by Minister of Commerce William Daley, visited Foreign Minister Ismail Cem within the framework of their contacts in Ankara on Monday.Speaking before the interdelegational talks, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said Foreign Ministry carried out studies on the economic dimension of Turkish foreign policy. Cem said as an outcome of steps taken to this end, economic developments could be recorded in the Caucasus, Central Asia and in the Balkans. Daley in his part said they had supported Turkey's targets, adding that ''US-Turkish economic relations will continue in cooperation.'' Daley also visited State Minister Gunes Taner on Monday evening before interdelegational talks. Responding to the questions of reporters, Taner said Turkey would take important steps in 2000s and would be a leader to countries situated in its region. Taner said the view that Turkey would be leader country was also approved by the guest Minister Daley and stressed that the US companies were interested in the tenders opened to meet Turkey's growing energy needs. Taner also stressed that the US was aware of Turkey's role in meeting energy needs in global level. [04] TURKEY-INTERNAL - COUNCIL OF MINISTERS CONVENES - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''SUSURLUK REPORT REVEALS THE CORRECTNESS OF SEVERAL ILLEGAL INCIDENTS AND RELATIONS REFLECTED TO PUBLIC AFTER THE ACCIDENT''ANKARA, Jan 20 (A.A) - Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said on Monday that the investigation report of Susurluk case, prepared by Premiership Inspection Committee Chairman Kutlu Savas revealed the correctness of several illegal incidents and relations reflected to public after the incident. Yilmaz said especially relations between drug smugglers, casino-owners and state officials formed the most striking part of the report and stressed that wide ranged investigations will be launched on the issue in the coming days.Yilmaz, speaking before a meeting of Council of Ministers, said they had evaluated the report of Premiership Inspection Committee which is known as Susurluk report by public with the leaders of coalition partners. Yilmaz said, ''Unfortunately, the report confirms the correctness of several illegal incidents and relations reflected to public after Susurluk case. It is clear that there are serious problems in assignments given to state officials. Thus, there is a need to open and investigation related with the incidents revealed by the report. Necessary orders will be given and investigations will be started on the issue soon.'' Yilmaz said ''in the direction of proposals given in the Inspection Committee's report, we will have several new administrative formations and take steps to take measures within the framework of institutions.'' Responding to a question, Yilmaz said implementation of Constitutional Court's decision to close Welfare Party (RP)was given to Council of Ministers and that a decision will be taken in this respect. Yilmaz said they will give authority to Finance Ministry to carry out necessary procedure on the issue. Yilmaz said, ''this is an order of Constitution. The procedure will be initiated as soon as closure decision is issued in the Official Gazette.'' Yilmaz said Welfare Party (RP) leader Necmettin Erbakan during a meeting last week mentioned about a circular sent by General Staff. ''With the investigations I made in Prime Ministry and General Staff it was revealed that there was not such a circular. Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit during a meeting with Erbakan wanted him to give a copy of the document but Erbakan refrained from doing this so, there is nothing we can do to this end,'' Yılmaz added. [05] TURKEY IN BRIEF - JANUARY 20, 1998ANKARA - Chief of General Staff Gen. Ismail Hakki Karadayi on Monday received the US Land Forces Commander Gen. Dennis Reimer who is currently in Turkey as the official guest of Land Forces Commander Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu.Karadayi speaking during the meeting, said there was freedom of press in Turkey and that this was an indication of democracy. Karadayi said, ''there are several news reports appearing in Europe against Turkey. They will not be able to understand the facts if they do not come to Turkey.'' ATHENS - Ankara State Theatre will stage two plays in Athens between January 21-25 upon an invitation from Greek National Theatre, it was reported on Monday. Greek National Theatre General Director Nikos Kurkulos and Ankara State Theatre General Director Bozkurt Kuruc hold a joint press briefing. Kurkulos said that he believed Ankara State Theatre will face the same attention that Turkish people had showed to Greek Theatre group during its visit to Turkey. Kuruc said that Turkish State theatres had staged their first play in 1961 in Greece. BURSA - Turkish Anatolian Textile, Ready-Wear and Industrialists Foreign Trade Company's (ATGS) textile products exportation was 12.5 million dollars in 1997, it was reported on Monday. ATGS General Director Bulent Sunay said that their target for 1998 was 120 million dollars. ANKARA - Bosnia-Herzegovina's Council of Ministers Co-Presidents Haris Sladzic and Boro Bosic and Deputy Co-President Neven Tomic will come to Turkey on Tuesday to pay a three-day official visit upon an invitation from Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, it was reported on Monday. Foreign Ministry said that the issues of ''recent developments regarding peace process in Bosnia-Herzegovina'', ''bilateral relations'' and ''regional developments'' will be taken up during Bosnia-Herzegovina's parliamentarians' contacts in Turkey. It said that two countries will sign ''Agreement on Mutual Prevention and Encouragement of Investments'' and ''International Transportation Agreement'' during the contacts. IZMIR - Mc Donald's restaurant chain will use Turkish pickles in its restaurants in Russia, it is reported on Tuesday. Mc Donalds purchases pickles from Turkish Fersan company. Fersan Executive Board Chairman Arcan Celengil told A.A correspondent that they will start to export pickles to Russia after France, Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Ireland and Denmark. [06] TURKEY-US - US REPRESENTATIVES ASSEMBLY HELSINKI GROUP MEMBERS VISIT ZANA - PORTER: 'WE HAVE SEEN THAT IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS RECORDED IN CIVILIAN SOCIETY IN TURKEY''ANKARA, Jan 20 (A.A) - US Representatives Assembly Helsinki Group members Monday visited Leyla Zana, former deputy of Democracy Party (DEP) which had been closed by High Court of Appeal.Representatives Assembly member John Porter, reponding to the questions of reporters during the visit, said health and mental condition of Zana was perfect. Responding to a question, how Zana reacted to the amnesty issue, Porter said ''Zana said this is a political movement and a vain initiative failing to cover other parliamentarian in prisons.'' When asked about his impressions after Ankara visit, Porter said that he saw important improvements in Turkish society. He said they saw that civilian society and human rights organizations, which were previously not given permission, were active now. Porter said they were friends of Turkey and that they wanted to see that given promises would be fulfilled within six months. He also said they want to see Turkey in European Union (EU) and the Cyprus question to be solved. [07] TURKEY-INTERNAL - COUNCIL OF MINISTERS' MEETING - STATE MINISTER YUCELEN: - ''THE NAME OF ETIBANK MINING DEPARTMENT WILL BE CHANGED AS ETI MINE HOLDING'' - AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS MINISTER TASAR: ''HIGHER INSPECTION COUNCIL AND TAX DRAFT LAWS WERE OPENED TO SIGNATURE''ANKARA, Jan 20 (A.A) - State Minister Rustu Kazim Yucelen on Monday said that the name of Turkish Etibank Mining Department will be changed as ''Eti Mine Holding''.Responding to the questions of reporters regarding the privatization of Etibank after the meeting of Council of Ministers, Yucelen said that they foresaw a structural change in Etibank which was one of the Public Economic Enterprises (KIT), adding that they had presented necessary documents and information to Council of Ministers. Yucelen said the draft law regarding the issue will be opened to signature of Council of Ministers on January 21. Yucelen stated that they had decided the profitting projection of Etibank Mining Department as 27 trillion liras in July 1997 and it had increased to 45 trillion liras on December 31, 1997, adding that the main reason for realizing a structural change in Etibank was to increase profitting. Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Mustafa Tasar after the meeting said that the Higher Inspection Council (YDK) and Tax Draft Laws were opened to signature in the meeting. Higher Inspection Council Draft Law foresees a change in the establishment of YDK. [08] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)These are brief summaries of some of the leading stories in Turkey's press on January 20, 1998. Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.(Derived from Newsspot of Turkish Directorate of General Press and Information) PARLIAMENT SPEAKER CETIN TO CROATIA Bosnia-Herzegovina. /Cumhuriyet/ DEFENSE MINISTER SEZGIN FLIES TO SPAIN On Tuesday, Sezgin will meet with the Spanish foreign minister and visit an aircraft factory where CASA planes are being produced. Turkey and Spain signed an agreement in 1992 to jointly produce 52 medium-range CASA CN-235 aircaft for the Turkish Air Force. /All papers/ DALEY IN ANKARA Turkish and American delegations signed two agreements on that American Trade Development Agency will ensure $345,000 for the feasibility studies of the rail road system in Antalya and American Exim Bank will guarantee $17.7 million in credit for the Ankara and Ankara-Gerede belt construction. William Daley met yesterday with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and State Minister Gunes Taner. /Milliyet-Sabah/ KINKEL CALLS FOR COOPERATION RUSSIA GUARANTEES NATURAL GAS TRANSPORTATION Spokesman of the Gasprom, Russian natural gas producer, said that although they did not expect that Bulgaria would decrease the natural gas transportation to Ankara because of the disagreement between Russia and Bulgaria, they were ready to take necessary measures. /Milliyet/ (CONTINUES) [09] TURKEY-US - US REPRESENTATIVES ASSEMBLY MEMBERS DEPART TURKEY - MEMBERS: ''DEVELOPMENTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS ARE ENCOURAGING, WE GO MORE HOPEFUL THAN WE COME''ANKARA, Jan 20 (A.A) - US Representatives Assembly Helsinki Group members who came to Turkey to cover developments in human rights field departed Ankara on Monday.Addressing a news conference in Ankara's Esenboga Airport, delegation members said they were impressed by the developments on human rights issue in Turkey. The members said they were hopeful about the human rights program of the goverment led by Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz. Head of the delegation John Porter said the aim of their visit was to closely cover the developments in human rights field in Turkey, adding that ''I have visited Turkey five times so far. Important developments were recorded in human rights field since my last visit.'' Porter said effectiveness of civilian society organizations were important in the developments in question, adding that Turkish people should effect the government in the improvement of human rights. Porter appreciated Yilmaz's efforts and stressed that this will be a corner point for Turkey if the applications, promised within the framework of the program, are implemented. Other members of the delegation said they were hopeful about the developments of Turkey in human rights field and stressed the importance of Turkey for the US. [10] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)These are brief summaries of some of the leading stories in Turkey's press on January 20, 1998. Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.(Derived from Newsspot of Turkish Directorate of General Press and Information) PORTER PRAISES TURKEY'S HUMAN RIGHTS DEVELOPMENTS TURKISH DRUG TRAFFICKERS ARRESTED IN LONDON POLICE IN SOUTHEAST STRIKE A BLOW AGAINST DRUG TRADE The fight against the drug trade in the Southeast is being carried out alongside the struggle against the PKK terrorist organization. Officials say the PKK is responsible for the most of the drug trade. The commercial value of the narcotics seized is reported to be TL 2.5 trillion in Turkey and TL 8 trillion in foreign markets. /All papers/ ANKARA SLAMS GREECE'S DECISION "Greece is the only country in the world that has based citizenship on ethnic background. We expect that Greece will amend its legislation and introduce new rules with no discrimination based on ethnic origin" Utkan said. /All papers/ IMF BEGINS TALKS WITH TURKEY meeting with Treasury Undersecretary Yener Dincmen. Dincmen told reporters that the two sides would set the agenda and the schedule for the two weeks of talks. He also pointed out that representatives of the World Bank were also on hand for the discussions. "We will hold joint negotiations. We are supposed to discuss the 1997 and 1998 budgets, financial measures, the balance of payments, structural reforms involving tax reform, financial markets reform and agriculture reform. These issues will be discussed with the IMF and World Bank delegations" Dincmen said. "The Turkish government announced its budget targets for 1998. It intends to lower inflation. I am positive that the upcoming meetings will play a key role in this program" Hardy said. /All papers/ (CONTINUES) [11] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (3)These are brief summaries of some of the leading stories in Turkey's press on January 20, 1998. Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.(Derived from Newsspot of Turkish Directorate of General Press and Information) KRUGER IN ANKARA COUNCIL OF MINISTERS PASSES TAX DRAFT LAW BOSNIAN OFFICIALS IN ANKARA SUSURLUK REPORT ANKARA STATE THEATRE GOES TO ATHENS [12] TURKEY-INTERNAL - FINANCE MINISTER TEMIZEL: ''TAX DRAFT LAW WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE PARLIAMENT THIS WEEK''ANKARA, Jan 20 (A.A) - Finance Minister Zekeriya Temizel said on Monday that Tax Draft Law will be presented to the parliament during this week.Temizel after the meeting of Council of Ministers said that they approved the draft which foresees a change in Tax Law and it will be presented to the parliament. Pointing out that Turkey required a powerful tax reform, Temizel said that they will bring the necessary regulation to the parliament. Stating that they had two important aims for preparing the draft law, Temizel said, ''our first aim was to register the unregistered economy and the other one was to enlarge the tax-base. The system enables us to realize those aims.'' Responding to the question of reporters regarding the reduction in income and corporate tax, Temizel said, ''we determine the change in the tax- tariff when the law enters into force.'' [13] TURKEY-SPAIN - DEFENSE MINISTER SEZGIN MEETS SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTERMADRID, Jan 20 (A.A) - Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ismet Sezgin arrived in Madrid late on Monday as the official guest of his Spanish counterpart Eduardo Serra and met Spanish Foreign Minister Abel Matutes the same day.Speaking to reporters after the meeting Sezgin said he told about Turkey's problems with European Union (EU) in particular, adding that ''I told him that EU made a mistake to Turkey in Luxembourg, and I stressed that Turkey believed that EU would correct its mistake and that failing to become a member of EU was not the end of the world.'' Sezgin said Matutes also called on Turkey not to cut relations with the EU, adding that Matutes said ''Turkey should be represented in European platform and all international institutions not only in NATO. This new situation in the EU is a waiting period. I advise you not to cut ties with the EU. Turkey should also participate in London conference.'' Sezgin who also met Spanish Defense Minister Eduardo Serra said ''a Europe which excludes full participation will have an inefficient security and defense structure.'' Sezgin said Spain's strategic importance for the NATO gradually grew and he appreciated the good will and constructive attitude of Spain on the formation of European security and defense identity and NATO's adaptation. Sezgin said Turkey, from the very beginning, supported the establishment of a NATO Headquarter in Spain and stressed that Turkey adopted the role of Spain to set up friendly relations in the Mediterranean based on reciprocal understanding. [14] TURKEY-US - THY, AMERICAN EXIMBANK AND BOEING TO SIGN ''AGREEMENT FOR THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT'' REGARDING SALE OF BOEING 737-800 PLANES TO THY ON JANUARY 21ISTANBUL, Jan 20 (A.A) - The Agreement for the Financial Support'' regarding the sale of Boeing 737-800 type planes to Turkish Airlines (THY) will be signed on January 21, it is reported on Tuesday.THY said in a written statement that the signing ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. in the VIP Hall of General Directorate of THY in Istanbul. The statement said that THY Executive Board Chairman Cem Kozlu and THY General Director Yusuf Bolayirli, American Eximbank Executive Board Vice Chairman Jackie Clegg and Aldo Basile on behalf of Boeing company will sign the agreement. [15] TURKEY-EU - FOREIGN MINISTRY BRIEFS EU ABOUT CLOSURE OF RPBRUSSELS, Jan 20 (A.A) - Foreign Ministry on Monday briefed European Parliament, European Union (EU) Term Presidency and EU Commission about the Constitutional Court's decision to close Welfare Party (RP).Foreign Ministry conveyed the translation of the important parts of the resolution text to the related formations. Meanwhile, EU Commissioner for Foreign Affairs Hans van den Broek made a written statement with the mediation of Commission Spokesmanship and voiced his views regarding closure of RP. Broek said they have learned about the decision of the Constitutional Court and that this decision was in harmony with the Turkish constitution. [16] TURKEY-NARCOTICS - 5.6 KG HEROIN AND ONE KG HASHISH SEIZED IN ISTANBUL - FOUR PEOPLE CAPTURED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INCIDENTISTANBUL, Jan 20 (A.A) - Narcotics officials Tuesday seized 5.6 kg heroin and one kg hashish having a market value of 11 billion lira in an operation. Four people, two of them Iranian citizens, were captured in connection with the incident.Istanbul Narcotics Department statement said an operation was launched to a building in Aksaray district on Jan 16 with the joint efforts of police and gendarme teams. Iranian citizens Masallah Esmaili Karakovand (37) and Maghsut Yamini (35) and two Turkish citizens were captured during the operation. Operations underway without intervals to capture drug smugglers. [17] TURKEY-TUNISIA - CULTURE MINISTER TALAY: ''ISTANBUL STATE MODERN FOLK MUSIC GROUP WILL REPRESENT TURKEY IN INTERNATIONAL MEDINA FESTIVAL''ANKARA, Jan 20 (A.A) - Culture Minister Istemihan Talay said on Tuesday that Istanbul State Modern Folk Music Group will represent Turkey in the International Medina Festival.Talay said that the festival took place in Tunisia every year during holy Ramadan month and it will be held between January 20-27 this year. Several musical, theatrical and operatic activities are performed during the festival. [18] TURKEY-CROATIA - PARLIAMENT SPEAKER CETIN LEAVES FOR CROATIAANKARA, Jan 20 (A.A) - Parliament Speaker Hikmet Cetin left for Croatia on Tuesday for an official visit.Addressing a news conference in Ankara's Esenboga Airport Cetin recalled that several efforts were launched to provide peace and stability in the region since Croatia and Bosnia gained their independence, adding that he would be received by Croatian President during the visit and meet Prime Minister, Foreign Minister to discuss regional and international problems as well as interparliamentarian relations. Cetin also expressed belief that his visit to Bosnia would be very beneficial and stressed that ''we have extended efforts to make Bosnia- Herzegovina a multi-religion, multi-national and multi-cultural sovereign and independent state. Today's efforts aim at providing military stability and tranquility and to make necessary studies to this end to make Bosnia take its justified place in international family.'' [19] TURKEY-COE - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM AND STATE MINISTER TURK RECEIVE COE DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL KRUGERANKARA, Jan 20 (A.A) - Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and State Minister Hikmet Sami Turk Responsible from Human Rights received on Tuesday Council of Europe (COE) Deputy Secretary General Hans Christian Kruger and an accompanying delegation.Addressing a statement after meeting State Minister Turk, Kruger recalled the cases brought against Turkey in European Court of Human Rights, adding that ''we are ready to help Turkey to decrease the number of these cases pending before the Court and improve human rights in Turkey.'' Describing the meeting with with State Minister Turk as a meeting ''between friends,'' Kruger said that the role of Turkey in Council of Europe (COE) was also taken up during the meeting. State Minister Turk in his part said that Turkey recognizes the competence of European Commission of Human Rights and European Court of Human Rights, besides Turkey has approved the Protocol No 11 which unites the competences of European Court and European Commission of Human Rights. Hikmet Sami Turk stressed that he explained the recent developments regarding human rights in Turkey and the views of the government concerning this field. Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Hans Christian Kruger and the accompanying delegation will leave Ankara the same evening after wrapping up their official contacts. [20] TURKEY-ILLEGAL MIGRATION - 129 IRAQIS DETAINED IN EDIRNEEDIRNE, Jan 20 (A.A) - Security Forces captured 129 Iraqis who tried to pass the border illegally, it is reported on Tuesday.Security Forces captured these people, who would pass Meric river and enter Greece, in Ipsala and Pasakoy border regions of Edirne. Officials stated that controls continue, adding that ''sometimes several people reach borders by using village paths. Our main aim is to capture these people on motorways before they reach borders.'' [21] TURKEY-INTERNAL - HIGHER INSPECTION COUNCIL AND TAX DRAFT LAWS OPENED FOR SIGNATURE IN THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS - DRAFT TAX LAW TO BE SUBMITTED TO PARLIAMENT THIS WEEKANKARA, Jan 20 (A.A) - The Council of Ministers adopted a Draft Law on the Higher Inspection Council, opened it for signature on Tuesday and decided to submit the Draft Tax Law to the Parliament this week.Addressing a press briefing regarding the decisions made by the Council of Ministers on Monday, State Minister and Government Spokesman Sukru Sina Gurel said that the draft tax law includes two drafts, the first one foresees giving a tax number to everyone and the other one incorporates the regulations which aim to widen the tax base and to take unregistered economy under control. Responding to a question, State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel pointed out that the Council of Ministers prepared a regulation concerning the closure of the Welfare Party (RP) on Monday and ordered the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Interior to adopt the necessary measures about this. The Ministry of Finance will start the necessary proceedings to determine the property of the Welfare Party after the decision of the Constitutional Court is published in the Official Gazette. The Ministry of the Interior, on the other hand, will take measures to obtain security regarding this issue starting from today. The Council of Ministers also took up the Draft Penal Code and Justice Minister Oltan Sungurlu informed the ministers about the draft. The Council decided to discuss the draft law as a whole next week. [22] TURKEY-ISRAEL - ISRAELI PARLIAMENT SPEAKER'S STATEMENT TO A.A: ''THERE IS REAL DEMOCRACY IN TURKEY''JERUSALEM, Jan 20 (A.A) - The Israeli Speaker of the Parliament (Knesset) Dan Tikhon said on Tuesday that ''There is real democracy in Turkey.''Addressing a statement to the A.A correspondent, Dan Tikhon stated that his evaluation about Turkey after the closure of the Welfare Party (RP) by the Constitutional Court was misunderstood. ''I know the history of modern Turkey, Ataturk and Inonu and I am one of the biggest supporters of modern Turkey. In my opinion the democracy in Turkey is a real one although the former prime minister is not on the political scene,'' said Tikhon. Regarding the closure of Welfare, the Israeli Speaker of the Parliament Dan Tikhon had said on Monday, ''There were two democracies in the Middle East, but now there is only one and this is Israel.'' Later, Tikhon said that he was sorry about his statement and he did not want to attack Turkey. The Israeli Foreign Ministry conveyed its sorrow over this development to Barlas Ozener, the Turkish Ambassador to Israel. Meanwhile, the Israeli Speaker of the Parliament will visit Turkey in February in return for the visit to Israel of the former Speaker of the Turkish Parliament, Mustafa Kalemli. [23] TURKEY-INTERNAL - CHP DEPUTY SAGLAR OPENS FOR SIGNATURE A PARLIAMENTARY INVESTIGATION CONCERNING THE DYP LEADER CILLERANKARA, Jan 20 (A.A) - The Republican Peoples' Party (CHP) deputy Fikri Saglar prepared a motion that requests the commencement of a parliamentary investigation about the leader of the True Path Party (DYP) Tansu Ciller, it was reported on Tuesday.Saglar opened his motion for signature in the Parliament and recalled that the verdict of the court became final regarding the incident which is known as the ''secret fund scandal''. Saglar said that the decision of the Ankara Penal Court noted that Ciller ''used the secret fund by exceeding its purposes and areas.'' The motion stressed that the former prime minister Tansu Ciller acted against her mission, acted contrary to the article of the secret fund which says that it can not be used for personal expenditures and for election, propaganda and administrative needs of the political parties. Therefore it has placed a burden on the Treasury for political and personal interests. The signature of 55 deputies is necessary for submission of the motion to the Parliament. [24] TURKEY-ACCIDENT - THREE VILLAGE GUARDS AND FIVE SOLDIERS INJURED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTKARS, Jan 20 (A.A) - Three village guards and five Turkish soldiers were injured when a military vehicle slipped off the road near Cayirarasi village in Kagizman township of eastern Kars Province, it was reported on Tuesday.The Turkish soldiers Imam Yildirim, Cengiz Kaba, Nasuh Yildiz, Hikmet Aldiz and Ali Bati and village guards Abdullah Yildirim, Kaplan Yildirim and Vahdet Aras were injured in the accident. The soldiers and village guards were taken for medical treatment at the Sarikamis State Hospital. [25] TURKEY IN BRIEF (2) - JANUARY 20, 1998ANKARA - The Turkish Middle East Technical University (ODTU) Urban and Regional Planning Department Professor and the Sun Group Chairman Assoc. Prof. Cetin Goksu said on Monday that the ''sun'' was an important alternative for nuclear energy.Goksu told the A.A correspondent that Anatolia has the necessary solar- energy potential. KOCAELI - Kocaeli Province in the Marmara region will be the pilot region of the European Union's (EU) ''Life Project'' which will be implemented in Turkey by the EU to prevent air pollution, it was reported on Tuesday. Hamdi Dogan, the Secretary General of the Kocaeli Chamber of Industry told the A.A correspondent that the French ''Ademe'' company will be responsible for the project's studies. Dogan said that the estimated cost price of the project was 600 thousand European Currency Units (ECU), adding that 50 percent of that cost will be met by the EU, 10 percent by Ademe and the rest will be met by the consortium. The consortium is composed of the Provincial Directorate of the Environment, the Izmit Municipality, the Kocaeli University, the Kocaeli Chamber of Industry and the Gebze High Technology Institute. LEFKOSA - The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Ombudsman Nail Atalay left for Ankara on Turkey upon an invitation from the Human Rights Coordination Supreme Council to participate in the studies for the establishment of an ''Ombudsman Department'' in Turkey. Atalay will meet with the State Minister Prof. Dr. Hikmet Sami Turk responsible for human rights and the officials of the Ministry of Justice. The Swedish and Irish representatives and Atalay will give a conference at Bilkent University in Ankara on January 22 regarding the issue. LONDON - The Turkish Ministry of Tourism's Consulate in London on Tuesday said that the number of British tourists who visited Turkey last year increased by 20,69 percent and rose to 915,337. The Consulate said that the number of Irish tourists who visited Turkey last year increased by 41,45 percent and reached 34,557. [26] TURKEY-TENDER - CELLULAR TELEPHONE NETWORK SYSTEM TENDER CONCLUDEDANKARA, Jan 20 (A.A) - The Turkish Telekom concluded its cellular telephone network system tender, it was reported on Tuesday. Alcatel Teletas, Netas and Simko companies won the bidding. Alcatel Teletas won 50 percent, Netas 30 percent and Simko won 20 percent of the tender.The investment cost of the system is 100 million dollars and its subscription capacity is 200 thousand dollars. The system will provide service in the rural areas where the installation and the operation of the networks are high-priced due to geographical and/or weather conditions. [27] TURKEY-US - PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES US SECRETARY OF COMMERCE DALEY AND DELEGATION OF AMERICAN BUSINESSMEN - PRESIDENT DEMIREL REQUESTS AMERICAN BUSINESSMEN TO ENGAGE IN BUSINESS IN TURKEYANKARA, Jan 20 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel requested American businessmen to trust Turkey, ''You should come here and engage in business with us,'' he said on Tuesday.President Demirel received on the same day separately the US Secretary of Commerce William Daley and the American businessmen. In his speech at the meeting with the American businessmen, President Demirel stated that Turkey is a democratic and secular country and it has developed in the fields of tourism and industry. ''Our businessmen are experienced and they meet the demands of the market economy. They do not work only in Turkey, but also in Central Asia, the Balkans, Russia and Europe. Turkish businessmen have agreements in Russia worth 10 billion dollars and in Central Asia worth six billion dollars. We hope everything will be alright, that the Middle East peace process will be concluded successfully and the problems in the Caucasus will end. The Central Asian and Caucasian natural gas and oil should be transported to Turkey, so that the latter can be an energy terminal. We hope we can start to construct the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline in 1998,'' said Demirel. ''We invite you to be partners in the development of Turkey. You should come to Turkey and invest here,'' said Demirel, adding that the US and Turkey should have a larger trade volume. [28] TURKEY-INTERNAL - ANAP AND RP DEPUTIES MEET - TWO PARTIES' LEADING MEMBERS ISSUE A JOINT COMMUNIQUE AFTER THE MEETINGANKARA, Jan 20 (A.A) - The first meeting of the leading members of the Motherland Party (ANAP), biggest party in coalition government, and the Welfare Party (RP), which was closed by the Constitutional Court, was held on Tuesday within the framework of a joint study carried out by two parties' leading members.ANAP Acting Parliamentary Group Deputy Chairmen Ulku Guney, Ugur Aksoz and Metin Oney and RP Deputy Chairman Sevket Kazan, RP Secretary General Oguzhan Asilturk, RP Acting Group Chairman Salih Kapusuz and RP Kahramanmaras Deputy Mustafa Kamalak attended to the meeting. ANAP and RP leading members issued a joint communique after the meeting. The communique said that the RP will contribute to parliamentary studies regarding ''democratization of Turkey'', ''supremacy of law'' and ''human rights'' issues, emphasizing that two parties' target was to bring Turkey to the most modernized and democratic level as soon as possible. ANAP Acting Parliamentary Group Deputy Chairman Ulku Guney said that they took up the preliminary talks of the legal regulations to be realized in human rights and democratization issues. Guney said that their joint study will continue on January 23. [29] TURKEY-GERMANY - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM TO VISIT GERMANYBONN, Jan 20 (A.A) - Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will visit Germany to participate in a meeting with consul-generals that will be held in Turkish Embassy in Bonn between January 26-27, it is reported on Tuesday.Turkish Embassy in Bonn said in a written statement that Foreign Minister Cem will hold a meeting with consul generals who work in Germany and Western European countries in order to discuss the developments regarding the protection of Turkish citizens' rights living in Western Europe. [30] TURKEY-US - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ RECEIVES US SECRETARY OF COMMERCE DALEY - DALEY: ''THOSE COUNTRIES WHICH DO NOT CONTRIBUTE TO REGIONAL STABILITY, SHOULD NOT BENEFIT FROM OIL PIPELINE''ANKARA, Jan 20 (A.A) - US Secretary of Commerce William Daley said on Tuesday that those countries which do not contribute to regional stability should not benefit from oil pipeline.Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz received US Secretary of Commerce William Daley the same day. Addressing a press briefing after the reception, Daley stated that the aim of their visit is to strengthen the economic relations between Turkey and US. Responding to a question regarding isolation of Iran from the pipeline that will be used to transport Caspian oil to the west, Daley pointed out that ''we think only those countries which can take important steps in respect of democratization and economy can benefit from this pipeline. In this respect, Iran should not be rewarded.'' ''We wish to cooperate with various countries so that they can find additional energy sources,'' said Daley, adding that ''we will continue to work together and make cooperation with Turkey.'' US Secretary of Commerce and the accompanying delegation will proceed to Istanbul the same evening. Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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