Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-02-04

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

04 FEP 1998

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TURKEY-FRANCE - DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER SEZGIN IN MARSEILLE - SEZGIN VISITS EUROCOPTER FACILITIES

[03] TURKEY-FOREIGN POLITICS - PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES US AMBASSADOR PARRIS AND AZERI AMBASSADOR ALIEV

[04] TURKEY-DEFENSE - NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER SEZGIN RETURNS TO TURKEY - SEZGIN: ''WE WANT THE LONG-RANGE MISSILES AND MASS DESTRUCTION WEAPONS IN IRAQ BE REMOVED AS THEY POSE A THREAT TO TURKEY''

[05] TURKEY-IRAQ-UN - SITUATION IN INCIRLIK BASE

[06] TURKEY-IRAQ-UN - FM: ''THERE IS NO NEW ELEMENT IN TURKEY'S APPROACH TO THE CRISIS'' - ''OUR FIRST PRIORITY IS SOLUTION OF THE CRISIS WITHOUT ANY HOT CLASH''

[07] TURKEY-IRAQ-UN - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM VISITS NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER SEZGIN BEFORE LEAVING FOR IRAQ - SEZGIN: ''MR CEM WILL HOLD NECESSARY CONTACTS IN IRAQ REGARDING PROTECTION OF IRAQI TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AND THE REQUIREMENT TO ABIDE BY UN RESOLUTIONS''

[08] TURKEY-IRAQ-UN - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM LEAVES FOR BAGHDAD - CEM: ''INITIATIVE OF TURKEY IS REQUIREMENT OF TURKISH FOREIGN POLICY''

[09] TURKEY-IRAQ-UN - FM: ''EXISTANCE OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION ALSO CONCERNS US'' - ''PROBLEM IS NOT DIRECTLY BETWEEN TURKEY AND IRAQ''

[10] TURKEY-EXPORT - AUTOMOTIVE EXPORTATION REACHES 123.7 MILLION US DOLLARS WITH 31 PERCENT INCREASE IN JANUARY

[11] TURKEY-ACCIDENT - TWO SOLDIERS DIE, ONE CIVILIAN INJURED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IN TATVAN

[12] TURKEY-IRAQ-UN - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM LEAVES FOR BAGHDAD (2) - CEM: ''WE ARE WELL PREPARED FOR THE MEETINGS'' - ''TURKEY DEFENDS THE VIEW THAT UN RESOLUTIONS SHOULD BE FULLY IMPLEMENTED''

[13] TURKEY-BELGIUM - TURKISH-BELGIAN RELATIONS - ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTER ERSUMER: ''NEW CLOSE-COOPERATION FIELDS ARE FORESEEN BETWEEN OUR TWO COUNTRIES IN NEAR FUTURE''

[14] TURKEY-IRAQ - FM CEM ARRIVES IN BAGHDAD

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) SCARY FIGURE
The United States announces that Saddam has 3,000 tonnes of chemical and biological weapons which threaten Turkey.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

SABAH (LIBERAL) DECISION OF ANKARA
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem starts a visit to Iraq today to convey a message that Baghdad should eliminate its weapons of mass destruction.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

YENI YUZYIL (LIBERAL) AND IT EXCEEDS 100 PERCENT
Inflation reaches 101.6 percent annually. Government's efforts to freeze prices failed.

RADIKAL (LEFT) THREAT TO SADDAM
Prime Minister Yılmaz said Iraq will lose the right to react in case it does not take into account our warnings, and he signalled that Ankara will side with the U.S. in a possible operation.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

2. The possibility of endangering Iraq's territorial integrity.

3. The reflections of negative aspects of economy to Turkey.

4. The danger of Iraq's biologic and chemical weapons.

FINANSAL FORUM (ECONOMY)

[02] TURKEY-FRANCE - DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER SEZGIN IN MARSEILLE - SEZGIN VISITS EUROCOPTER FACILITIES

Sezgin made observations in the facilities and got information about Tiger helicopters equipped wits high-technology.

Sezgin was accompanied by National Defense Ministry Undersecretary Gen. Tuncer Kilinc and Defense Industry Undersecretary Yalcin Burcak during his visit.

Meanwhile, Sezgin met with French Dfense Ministry Department of Armament General Director Helmer before proceeding to Marseille from Paris.

Sezgin returned to Turkey the same day.

[03] TURKEY-FOREIGN POLITICS - PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES US AMBASSADOR PARRIS AND AZERI AMBASSADOR ALIEV

Presidential Press Center said that US Ambassador Parris submitted a letter of US President Bill Clinton to President Demirel which gave information regarding the recent developments about Iraq.

After meeting Azeri Ambassador Mehmet Aliev, President Demirel made a phone call with Azeri President Haydar Aliev.

[04] TURKEY-DEFENSE - NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER SEZGIN RETURNS TO TURKEY - SEZGIN: ''WE WANT THE LONG-RANGE MISSILES AND MASS DESTRUCTION WEAPONS IN IRAQ BE REMOVED AS THEY POSE A THREAT TO TURKEY''

Sezgin answered the questions of reporters aboard the plane on his way back to Turkey from France. Sezgin said that his visits to both Bosnia- Herzegovina and France contributed to ''bilateral relations'' and ''peace in the world''.

Ismet Sezgin said, ''I told Bosnia-Herzegovina's authorities that we will continue to support to all initiatives which would bring the main principle which aims one army-one state in that country.''

Sezgin said that French Defense Minister, Foreign Minister and he took up the issues of ''Turkish-French relations'', ''Iraq'' and ''Security in Europe'' during his visit to France and that they reached a consensus over those issues.

''I asked France, which supports Turkey in several issues within international platforms, to give support to Turkey also in our struggle against terrorism,'' Sezgin said.

Sezgin also emphasized that they wanted to further improve Turkish-French relations.

''The removal of weapons will provide peace and stability in the Middle East,'' Sezgin said.

Responding to a question, Sezgin said, ''we want the problem be solved by peaceful ways. We always emphasized that 'war' is the last instrument when a problem is not solved by peaceful ways.'' Responding to a question on what Turkey's attitude and policy will be if Iraq attacks Israel, Sezgin said, ''our agreement with Israel is military training agreement and it is not against any country.''

Answering another question, Sezgin said that German Prime Minister Helmut Kohl had difficulty in understanding the reasons of Turkey's cross-border operations in Northern Iraq.

''The aim of these operations is to prevent the attacks of separatist terrorist organization,'' Sezgin added.

[05] TURKEY-IRAQ-UN - SITUATION IN INCIRLIK BASE

Totally 12 fighters including F-15s and F-16s, two KC-15 tanker aircrafts took off from the base between 06.00-08.00, while 18 fighters and one tanker aircraft landed on the base between 08.50-09.35.

Later the same day, 18 fighters and six tanker aircrafts took off from the base between 09.35-11.00 and seven fighters, one tanker and two transport planes landed between 09.45-12.05.

Officials of the base said that the flights were realized for training purposes.

[06] TURKEY-IRAQ-UN - FM: ''THERE IS NO NEW ELEMENT IN TURKEY'S APPROACH TO THE CRISIS'' - ''OUR FIRST PRIORITY IS SOLUTION OF THE CRISIS WITHOUT ANY HOT CLASH''

Addressing a weekly press briefing, Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman Sermet Atacanlı said that ''I have difficulty in sharing the views that the government has changed its attitute.''

Atacanlı stressed that Turkey wishes Iraq to give up its weapons of mass destruction, adding that ''meanwhile we launch efforts to prevent the emergence of a hot clash. Our approach continues as it is.''

Responding to a question on whether Turkey's attitute became ''tougher or not,'' Atacanlı stated that the priority of Turkey is solution of Iraq-UN crisis by diplomatic ways without causing more serious problems for people in Iraq and the region.

Noting that Iraq should abide by the UN Resolutions and give up its weapons of mass destruction, Atacanlı pointed out that Turkey has held contacts with member countries of the UN Security Council and regional countries, adding that ''these contacts will continue.''

Atacanlı said that Turkey gave information to regional countries about the visit of Foreign Minister Cem to Baghdad during these contacts.

[07] TURKEY-IRAQ-UN - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM VISITS NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER SEZGIN BEFORE LEAVING FOR IRAQ - SEZGIN: ''MR CEM WILL HOLD NECESSARY CONTACTS IN IRAQ REGARDING PROTECTION OF IRAQI TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AND THE REQUIREMENT TO ABIDE BY UN RESOLUTIONS''

Addressing a statement after the meeting, Ismail Cem said that he informed Sezgin about recent developments about Iraq-UN tension.

Ismet Sezgin in his part said that Foreign Minister Cem will visit Iraq not as a mediator, but for a mission, adding that ''Mr. Cem will hold necessary contacts in Iraq regarding the protection of Iraqi territorial integrity and the requirement to abide by the UN Resolutions.

Responding to a question, Deputy Prime Minister Sezgin stated that ''during the NATO Defense Ministers meeting, we were informed that works continue concerning the production of long-range missiles, weapons of mass destruction, biological and chemical weapons not only in Iraq, but also in Syria and Iran. We see that the numbers are frightening.''

''The US does not want anything from us, it neither wanted to use Incirlik base, nor asked for our help concerning any issue,'' said Sezgin responding to another question.

[08] TURKEY-IRAQ-UN - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM LEAVES FOR BAGHDAD - CEM: ''INITIATIVE OF TURKEY IS REQUIREMENT OF TURKISH FOREIGN POLICY''

Addressing a statement before leaving for Baghdad, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said that the initiative of Turkey which aims to solve the recent crisis between Iraq and the United Nations (UN) is a requirement of Turkish foreign policy.

Cem stated that they are prepared well with officials of the government and the Foreign Ministry concerning the contacts in Iraq, adding that ''we also see children of all the region including the ones in Iraq and Turkey, the issue is not only concerned with chemical weapons.''

Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary and Spokesman Necati Utkan, Director General of the Middle East Department Aykut &Ccedil;etirge, Deputy Director General Oguz Celikkol and military officials accompany him during his visit to Baghdad.

[09] TURKEY-IRAQ-UN - FM: ''EXISTANCE OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION ALSO CONCERNS US'' - ''PROBLEM IS NOT DIRECTLY BETWEEN TURKEY AND IRAQ''

Addressing a weekly press briefing, Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman Sermet Atacanlı said that Turkey expects the solution of the tension by diplomatic means without causing any hot clash.

Stressing that Turkish officials are ready for all kinds of possibilities, Atacanlı stated that necessary measures will be taken according to all possibilities.

Noting that Iraq's weapons of mass destruction is not a direct problem between Turkey and Iraq, Atacanlı pointed out that ''the problem is between the UN and Iraq. The real source of this problem is the existance of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and these weapons should be removed within the framework of the UN Resolutions.''

Responding to a question, Sermet Atacanlı said that Incirlik is a Turkish base and the Turkish government gave permission to the US to use the base within the framework which had earlier been foreseen.

Atacanlı said that the contacts of Foreign Minister Ismail Cem in Baghdad will be carried out according to the program prepared by Iraq and Cem will convey a message of President Suleyman Demirel, which is a ''neighbourly message.''

Atacanlı pointed out that the UN and the regional countries have extended support to Turkey's initiative, because no country wishes any clash in Iraq.

[10] TURKEY-EXPORT - AUTOMOTIVE EXPORTATION REACHES 123.7 MILLION US DOLLARS WITH 31 PERCENT INCREASE IN JANUARY

Turkish Uludag Automotive Exporters' Union officials said that they exported 74.03 million US dollars of spare parts in the same period.

The exportation of automobiles increased to 9.7 million US dollars from 1.8 million US dollars and the exportation of ships and sea-vehicles inclined to 19 million US dollars from 7.4 million US dollars in the same period.

The exportation of tractors was 333 thousand US dollars; the exportation of bus, minibus and midibus was 13.3 million US dollars; the exportation of lorries was 1.4 million US dollars; the exportation of business machines was 310 thousand dollars; the exportation of aeronautic instruments was 1.3 million US dollars; the exportation of bicycles and motorcycles was 2.4 million US dollars; the exportation of agricultural machines was 213 thousand US dollars and the exportation of tanks and armed-vehicles was 1.5 million US dollars in January 1998.

[11] TURKEY-ACCIDENT - TWO SOLDIERS DIE, ONE CIVILIAN INJURED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IN TATVAN

The lorry driven by M. Sinan Koc slipped off the road and hit the sentry post near the village on its way to eastern Van province from Tatvan.

The soldiers Mehmet Cengiz and Sami Bayram died and the driver of the lorry M. Sinan Koc was injured in the accident.

M. Sinan Koc was taken for medical treatment at the Tatvan Military Hospital.

[12] TURKEY-IRAQ-UN - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM LEAVES FOR BAGHDAD (2) - CEM: ''WE ARE WELL PREPARED FOR THE MEETINGS'' - ''TURKEY DEFENDS THE VIEW THAT UN RESOLUTIONS SHOULD BE FULLY IMPLEMENTED''

Addressing a statement before leaving for Iraq at Esenboga Airport, Ismail Cem stated that they are well prepared for the meetings that will be held in Baghdad and they regard the issue from a wider perspective.

''Our proposal for finding a solution is not limited with these recent important events, it is a comprehensive one. Our initiative is a good will initiative under the auspices of the UN,'' said Cem.

Noting that Turkey aims to contribute to the solution of the crisis between Iraq and the UN, Cem said that Turkey will be in contact with other neighbours of Iraq.

''We do not say that we are more talented than French or Russian representatives,'' said Cem, adding that Turkey favours Iraq to fully implement the UN Resolutions.

Cem stressed that the aim of Turkey is to protect children from another war so that they can live in security.

''Turkey pursues such a foreign policy which reflects our identity, power, republic and history and we display our own attitute,'' said Cem.

Responding to a question asked whether he would meet Iraqi Head of State Saddam Hussein, Ismail Cem stated that ''my counterpart is Iraqi Foreign Minister.''

[13] TURKEY-BELGIUM - TURKISH-BELGIAN RELATIONS - ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTER ERSUMER: ''NEW CLOSE-COOPERATION FIELDS ARE FORESEEN BETWEEN OUR TWO COUNTRIES IN NEAR FUTURE''

Pointing out that they discussed the issue of joint-investments with third countries and that he briefed Belgian authorities on privatization studies in Turkey, Ersumer said that Belgian companies were willing to make investments in Turkey and make joint-investments with third countries within the content of Turkish-Belgian cooperation.

A new Belgian commercial mission will come to Turkey in following months for cooperation in investments with the third countries within the content of the consensus.

Ersumer also met with the representatives of Belgian giant energy companies during his visit.

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Cumhur Ersumer later left Brussel for Turkey.

[14] TURKEY-IRAQ - FM CEM ARRIVES IN BAGHDAD

Cem was welcomed by Iraqi Foreign Minister Muhammed Said Al Sahaf, and Turkish Ambassador to Iraq, Iraqi Foreign Ministry Vice Undersecretary and other Iraqi high-ranking officials at the Al Rasheed military airport.

Cem told A.A correspondent that the aim of his visit was to find a solution to the crisis. ''I hope I will find a solution,'' he said.

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem is expected to meet with Iraqi Foreign Minister Al Sahaf tonight and with Iraqi President Saddam Hussein on Thursday.

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