Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-02-15

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

15 FEB 1998

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TURKEY-CHINA - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM ARRIVES IN BEIJING

[03] TURKEY-TAJIKISTAN - TAJIK PARLIAMENT SPEAKER RECEBOV ARRIVES IN ISTANBUL

[04] TURKEY-IRAN - FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY HAKTANIR CONVEYS MESSAGE OF PRESIDENT DEMIREL TO IRANIAN PRESIDENT KHATEMI

[05] TURKEY-AZERBAIJAN - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKEY AND AZERBAIJAN ARE RESOLVED TO DEVELOP WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF DEMOCRACY AND FREE MARKET ECONOMY'' - AZERI PRESIDENT ALIYEV LEAVES TURKEY

[06] TURKEY-IRAQ-UN - PRESIDENT DEMIREL HAS A PHONE CALL WITH EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT MUBARAK - PRESIDENT DEMIREL TO MEET LEADERS OF SEVERAL GULF COUNTRIES IN THE COMING DAYS

[07] TURKEY-IRAQ - IRAQI DEPUTY HEAD OF STATE RAMAZAN ADDRESSES TO A.A: ''TURKEY SHOULD NOT BASE ITS RELATIONS WITH IRAQ ON SHORT TERM CONCERNS''

[08] TURKEY-CHINA - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM IN BEIJING - CEM: ''CHINA IS AMONG THE COUNTRIES WHICH HAS SUPPORTED TURKEY'S INITIATIVE REGARDING IRAQI CRISIS''

[09] TURKEY-THIRD SATELLITE - TRANSPORTATION MINISTER MENZIR LEAVES FOR MONACO TO SIGN AGREEMENT ON THIRD SATELLITE

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) HITMEN CAPTURED
Police have captured a team of hitmen who were thought to have been planning the killing of Cavit Caglar, an independent deputy, on the orders of Alaattin Cakıcı, who is a gang boss.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

SABAH (LIBERAL)

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

RADIKAL (LEFT)

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

FİNANSAL FORUM (ECONOMY)

[02] TURKEY-CHINA - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM ARRIVES IN BEIJING

Ismail Cem will participate in the dinner hosted by Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Tian Zengpei the same day.

Foreign Mnister Cem will meet Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichan and Foreign Trade and Economy Minister Wu Yi on Monday.

Cem is also expected to be received by Chinese Head of State Can Zemin.

After wrapping up contacts in China, Foreign Minister Cem will proceed to Vietnam on Feb 20.

[03] TURKEY-TAJIKISTAN - TAJIK PARLIAMENT SPEAKER RECEBOV ARRIVES IN ISTANBUL

After meeting Hikmet Cetin in Dolmabahce Palace on Monday, Tajik Parliament Speaker Recebov will proceed to Ankara.

Safarali Recebov will leave Turkey on February 19.

[04] TURKEY-IRAN - FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY HAKTANIR CONVEYS MESSAGE OF PRESIDENT DEMIREL TO IRANIAN PRESIDENT KHATEMI

Haktanır, who arrived in Tehran on Friday, met Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Muhsin Eminzade and later was received by Iranian President Khatemi.

Addressing a statement to A.A correspondent after the meeting, Korkmaz Haktanır said that he conveyed the written message of President Demirel to Khatemi and explained the attitute of Turkey concerning the Iraqi crisis.

Noting that Khatemi was pleased by Demirel's message, Haktanır pointed out that he wishes to meet President Demirel again, adding that the two presidents will meet each other during Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and D-8 countries meeting.

''We decided to be in close consultation with each other due to Iraqi crisis,'' said Haktanır, noting that Iraqi side welcomed the view of Turkey which proposed that ''if the crisis is overcomed, the two countries as being neighbouring states of Iraq, can cooperate in several issues,'' Haktanır added.

Haktanır stressed that the two countries attribute great importance to territorial integrity of Iraq and they are concerned about the crisis, adding that Turkey and Iran think that peaceful efforts should continue to find a solution to the crisis and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan should visit Iraq to this end.

Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Haktanır pointed out that he informed Iranian officials about the visit of Foreign Minister Ismail Cem to Bagdad.

Responding to a question about Northern Iraq, Haktanır stressed that the two countries should not believe in every news about this region, unless its accuracy is confirmed.

Pointing out that the two countries are worried about the fact that a crisis in Iraq can result in a migration, Haktanır said that Turkey does not aim to set up a security zone in Northern Iraq, yet it will try to provide humanitarian aid in case of a migration.

Undersecretary Haktanır stated that bilateral relations were also taken up during the meetings, the two sides decided to activate joint security commissions and these commissions and Joint Economic Commission will convene in March.

Later the same day, Haktanır met Iranian Foreign Minister Kemal Harrazi and they took up bilateral relations and the US-Iraqi crisis.

Foreign Mniistry Undersecretary Haktanır will return to Turkey on Sunday.

[05] TURKEY-AZERBAIJAN - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKEY AND AZERBAIJAN ARE RESOLVED TO DEVELOP WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF DEMOCRACY AND FREE MARKET ECONOMY'' - AZERI PRESIDENT ALIYEV LEAVES TURKEY

Addressing a joint press briefing with Azeri President Aliyev before his departure, President Suleyman Demirel said that Turkey and Azerbaijan are resolved to develop within the framework of democracy and free market economy and work together for the common prosperity of their people.

President Demirel stressed that such kind of high ranking visits further improve friendship and solidarity between the two countries and also contribute to consolidation of peace, stability and prosperity of the region.

Noting that important steps have been taken to set up a clean society in Turkey, President Demirel pointed out that international cooperation is necessary to correct several mistakes and find out the truth to this end.

President Demirel stated that they evaluated the recent developments in the region with the Guest President Aliyev, adding that ''we reciprocally confirmed our determination to broaden our cooperation in every field, particularly in security regarding the success of development efforts and protection of peace and stability in Caucasus. In this framework, I would like to stress this point that Georgia is an indispensable strategical partner for both Turkey and Azerbaijan. We attribute vital importance to peace, stability and prosperity of this country. We are resolved to continue to extend our support to Georgia and Georgian Head of State Mr Eduard Schevardnadze.''

President Demirel said that they expect the solution of Nagorno-Karabakh problem within the framework of Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Lisbon Summit Statement and the report submitted by MINSK Group during OSCE Copengahen Foreign Ministers meeting, adding that he appointed Ali Hikmet Alp as a special representative to bring a new dimension to the solution of this problem.

''I would like to say something to Armenian administration in this respect: Caucasus needs peace, stability and development. It is not possible to accept a solution other than the principle of protection of Azeri territorial integrity. Armenian administration should refrain from taking any step that could escalate the tension,'' said Demirel.

President Demirel pointed out that Baku-Ceyhan oil and natural gas pipelines carry a strategical importance in respect of transportation of Central Asian and Caucasusian natural resources to world markets.

Speaking on the Iraqi crisis, President Demirel underlined the fact that the two countries believe that Iraq should fully abide with UN Security Council Resolutions and this crisis should be solved by diplomatic ways.

Azeri President Haydar Aliyev said in his part that he shares the statements of President Demirel, adding that ''we do not have any divergence of opinion regarding the issues explained by President Demirel.''

Alivey stressed that they aim to protect the''ceasefire regime'' between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which is in force for three years, till the two countries sign a peace agreement.

Azeri President Aliyev reiterated that Azerbaijan will continue to extend support in order to put Baku-Ceyhan Pipeline into force.

[06] TURKEY-IRAQ-UN - PRESIDENT DEMIREL HAS A PHONE CALL WITH EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT MUBARAK - PRESIDENT DEMIREL TO MEET LEADERS OF SEVERAL GULF COUNTRIES IN THE COMING DAYS

President Demirel, who called Jordanian King Hussein Bin Tallal on Saturday, will continue to hold consultations with leaders of several Gulf countries.

Presidency Press Center said that President Demirel explained the views of Turkey regarding the peaceful solution of tension in Iraq without resorting to any military measures.

The statement said that: ''President Demirel attributed importance to the necessity of Iraq to abide by UN Security Council Resolutions and stressed that all the concerned sides should fulfil their responsibilities in order to ensure peace and stability of the region. In this framework, President Demirel expressed his pleasure over the consultation carried out with Egypt.''

The statement went on saying that President Mubarak shared the views of President Demirel and appreciated the initiatives of Turkey regarding the solution of Iraqi crisis.

[07] TURKEY-IRAQ - IRAQI DEPUTY HEAD OF STATE RAMAZAN ADDRESSES TO A.A: ''TURKEY SHOULD NOT BASE ITS RELATIONS WITH IRAQ ON SHORT TERM CONCERNS''

Addressing a statement to A.A correspondent, Ramazan stated that Turkish- Iraqi relations should come to the level which was before 1990s, adding that ''we wish normal and good relations with Turkey. Turkey needs economic and political security and stability. We do not want Turkey to suffer in the future due to instability in the region.''

Noting that Turkey should not be attracted by ''US policies,'' Ramazan claimed that if Turkey implements US policies and extends support to them, it can not set up a mutual agreement base with Iraq.

Ramazan stressed that opening of the eight presidential sites to UN Special Committee (UNSCOM) control is out of question, adding that they can ''only be visited, not controlled.''

Responding to the question of A.A correspondent about this issue, Ramazan stated that ''we do not have any secret weapons in these sites. US claims that we hide weapons of mass destruction there, this is not true. I would like to underline the fact that these sites were constructed for administrative purposes, rather than military ones. We took the first step regarding the visit of representatives sent by UN Security Council permanent members to these sites. Negotiations are underway and views of Russia and Arab Union are also taken regarding this issue. Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan works to set up a regular procedure to this end.''

[08] TURKEY-CHINA - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM IN BEIJING - CEM: ''CHINA IS AMONG THE COUNTRIES WHICH HAS SUPPORTED TURKEY'S INITIATIVE REGARDING IRAQI CRISIS''

Foreign Minister Cem, who started his contacts by meeting Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Tian Zengpei in an unofficial dinner the same day, told journalists that his visit to China is important in respect of not only politics, but also economics, adding that he will search for ways to improve the economic relations between the two countries and also take up the Iraqi issue during his stay in China.

Foreign Minister Cem said that China, as a permanent member of UN Security Council, is an important and effective country in political issues like the the solution of Iraqi crisis and Middle East peace.

''China was among the countries which has supported the initiative of Turkey regarding the solution of Iraqi crisis. Havign good relations between the two countries will strengthen the importance of both countries in the international platform,'' said Cem.

Noting that this visit to China was planned five monhts ago, Cem said that ''I attribute great importance to foreign economic relations of Turkey and my visit to China is very important in this respect.''

Cem pointed out that Turkey's export to China is 100,000 million dollars and import from China is 500,000 million dollars due to 1991 figures, adding that ''our economic relations with such a country, which has 350,000 billion dollars of foreign trade in 1997, are not sufficient.''

Foreign Minister Cem stressed that a trade center will be set up in Shangai, recalling that he will also be received by Chinese Head of State Can Zemin and convey President Demirel's good will message to Zemin.

[09] TURKEY-THIRD SATELLITE - TRANSPORTATION MINISTER MENZIR LEAVES FOR MONACO TO SIGN AGREEMENT ON THIRD SATELLITE

Addressing a statement before leaving for Monaco to sign an agreement on Turksat-3 Satellite there, Menzir stated that the marketting of the satellite which will cost 260 million dollars, will be realized by a foreign firm namely Eurasiasat, therefore Turkey will not pay for that.

Menzir stressed that the marketting chance of the sattelite is 70-80 percent and after that Turkey will think of ordering the fourth satellite this year.

Transportation Minister Necdet Menzir and accompanying delegation including five parliamentarians will return to Turkey on February 17.

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