Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-02-21

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

21 FEB 1998

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TURKEY-BRITAIN - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ RECEIVES BRITISH SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO CYPRUS HANNAY

[03] TURKEY-IRAQ - ANKARA CALLS ON BAGHDAD TO ACCEPT UN SECRETARY GENERAL ANNAN'S PROPOSALS

[04] TURKEY-GEORGIA - TURKEY CONDEMNS ABDUCTING OF UN OFFICIALS IN GEORGIA

[05] TURKEY-VIETNAM - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM IN VIETNAM - CEM MEETS VIETNAM'S VICE PREMIER AND FM CAM

[06] TURKEY-FRANCE - PRESIDENT DEMIREL STAGES A NEWS CONFERENCE - DEMIREL GIVES FOUR IMPORTANT MESSSAGES TO EUROPE

[07] TURKEY-US - US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE SHATTUCK: ''I AM IN TURKEY TO ENCOURAGE TURKISH OFFICIALS ON HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE''

[08] TURKEY-RUSSIA - MINISTER OF ENERGY ERSUMER RETURNS FROM MOSCOW

[09] TURKEY-US - US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE SHATTUCK VISITS ZANA IN PRISON

[10] TURKEY-VIETNAM - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM CONCLUDES CONTACTS IN VIETNAM

[11] IRAQ-UN - FIRST ROUND OF ANNAN-AZIZ MEETING CONCLUDED

[12] TURKEY-OSCE - PARLIAMENTARY OSCE COMMISSION CHAIRMAN ENEREM: ''INTENSE TALK TOURS TO TAKE PLACE UNTILL COPENHAGEN MEETING''

[13] TURKEY-RUSSIA - TURKISH-RUSSIAN STRATEGIC SECURITY TALKS TAKE PLACE IN MOSCOW

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

SABAH (LIBERAL) ''I HAVE NOT DIED YET''
Refah summit harsly reacted to Istanbul Mayor Recep Tayyip Erdogan who said he might be a candidate for the party's leadership.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT) ''I HAVE WARNED SADDAM''
President Suleyman Demirel evaluated the French Press domestic and foreign policy. Demirel said he earlier warned Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein on a possible new war in the Gulf with the message that ''storm is coming.''

RADIKAL (LEFT) ''KURDISH STATE'' WARNING FROM PRESIDENT DEMIREL TO THE
WORLD

President Demirel warns during his visit to France against the creation of a Kurdish state in the middle East.

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)
LAST CHANCE FOR SADDAM
If Saddam would not accept the plan which UN Secretary General Kofi Annan presents, the bombs will come.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT) ANKARA ON ALERT
Turkish government takes emergency measures against a possible US-Iraq war.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] TURKEY-BRITAIN - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ RECEIVES BRITISH SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO CYPRUS HANNAY

Responding to the questions of reporters after 1.5 hour meeting Hannay said ''I am afraid I can not give the details of the meeting.''

When asked if Iraq-UN crisis was on the meeting agenda, Hannay said they had taken up Turkish-Britian relations, Turkish-European Union (EU) relations and diplomacy issues regarding the world.

Hannay said he would go to Cyprus next week and when asked who he would meet there he said ''this depends on the attitude of people.''

[03] TURKEY-IRAQ - ANKARA CALLS ON BAGHDAD TO ACCEPT UN SECRETARY GENERAL ANNAN'S PROPOSALS

Foreign Ministry statement said Iraqi Embassy Charge d'Affairs was summoned to the ministry and Turkey's views to this end was conveyed to him.

The statement said Iraqi Charge d'Affairs was told that acceptance of the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's proposals was very important. The statement also said very dangerous developments may take place if Annan's initiation fails to reach an outcome.

The statement said during the meeting Turkey reiterated the importance it attributed to the contacts of Annan in Baghdad.

[04] TURKEY-GEORGIA - TURKEY CONDEMNS ABDUCTING OF UN OFFICIALS IN GEORGIA

Foreign Ministry statement said initiatives of the UN to provide peace and tranquility should result in an outcome without giving damage to the hostages.

The statement said Turkey attributed a vital importance to the peace, stability and welfare in Georgia adding that ''We know that such activities aiming to give damage to peace and stability of Georgia will fail. Peace and stability should be preserved for the sucess of development efforts in Caucasia.''

[05] TURKEY-VIETNAM - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM IN VIETNAM - CEM MEETS VIETNAM'S VICE PREMIER AND FM CAM

Speaking during the meeting Cem said he attributed a special importance to this visit adding that ''you have a very important place in the minds and hearts of our people. There is a distace between the two countries yet, we covered what you experienced for peace and sovereignity very closely and we appreciated you.''

Cem stressed that Turkey was willing to strenghten relations with Vietnam in economic and technical fields.

Meanwhile, Vietnam's Vice Premier Cam identified Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's visit to this country as a very important incident adding that Turkey was a developed country uniting Asia and Europe.

A protocol to put Economy, Trade and Science Agreement into function was signed after the meeting. The agreement was signed between the two countries last August. The protocol foresees speeding up of Prevention of Double Taxation Agreement, establishing relations between the two countries' chambers and improvement of technical cooperation.

Cem also met Vietnam's Planning and Investment Minister Tran Xuan Gia and Trade Minister Truong Dinh Tuyen.

Addressing a dinner given in his honor Cem said he believed that relations between the two countries will contribute to the improvement of regional peace and relations in the region.

Cem is scheduled to meet Vietnam's Prime Minister Phan Van Khai on Saturday and will depart this country after staging a news conference.

Cem said his visit to Vietnam was realized within the framework of a policy of his ministry launched for political expansion.

He said this visit could never be interpreted as an alternative policy which is established against European Union (EU).

Cem said he regarded Vietnam as a country which may contribute to Turkish economy adding that ''we are in an effort to set up a political infrastructure that will open Turkey's horizons.''

[06] TURKEY-FRANCE - PRESIDENT DEMIREL STAGES A NEWS CONFERENCE - DEMIREL GIVES FOUR IMPORTANT MESSSAGES TO EUROPE

Demirel staged a news conference for Turkish and foreign journalists after concluding his official contacts in Paris.

Speaking about his contacts in Paris Demirel said bilateral issues, Turkish- European issue and regional problems were taken up in details.

Demirel said French President Jacques Chirac expressed understanding to Turkey's reaction to EU resolutions taken in Luxembourg Summit and stressed that there could not be a Europe without turkey. Demirel said Chirac told him that French support extended to Turkey would continue.

Noting that during a summit which will take place in Britain's Cardiff city the mistake made to Turkey should be corrected and that discrimination should be lifted adding that he has called for support of France on the issue from Chirac and French Premier Lionel Jospin.

Recalling that the main aim of his visit to France was to add momentum to the relations, Demirel mentioned about the importance of ''Turkish-France 2000 Action Plan'' signed between the two countries.

Critizing European Union (EU)'s decision to start full membership negotiations with Greek Cypriot Side, Demirel said ''EU has many problems and by inviting Greek Cypriot Side to full membership negotiations it has added 23-year of Cyprus question to those problems.''

Demirel recalled that there was an Independent State in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and stressed that ''northern part of the island is neither a minority nor a community. It is a state. Its political equality should be recognized.''

Recalling that Turkey fulfilled its responsibilities stemming from customs union, Demirel said EU failed to fulfill its obligations towards Turkey and called on French support to this end.

Mentioning about the developments in the Caucasus, Demirel expressed concern that tension in the region may lead to a clash again.

Demirel noted that Copenhagen decisions should be abided by regarding Azeri- Armenian crisis and called on France, the Co-Chairman of Minsk Group, to extend necessary effort to provide stability to this end.

Demirel also said he regarded UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's visit to Iraq as the last chance to find a peaceful solution to the question.

Demirel said he favored solution of Turkish-Greek problems to be solved through dialogue and peaceful means.

Noting that Israeli-Palestinian issue was also on the agenda, Demirel said he conveyed the concern felt about the clashes which may erupt if the middle east peace process fails. He said peace process was a golden opportunity for Israel and Palestine.

Responding to a Greek reporters question why Turkey did not bring the Aegean issue to the International Court of Justice in the Hague, Demirel said Turkey favored all problems to be taken up in the Court adding that Turkey wanted peace and stability in the region. Demirel said Turkey hoped that the core of the Madrid Statement would be improved.

Responding to an Arab reporters question about Turkish-Israeli agreement Demirel said Turkish-Israel Agreement did not have any objectives forwareded to an Arab country and stresed that Turkey was resolved to protect national interests.

Demirel later left for Turkey.

[07] TURKEY-US - US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE SHATTUCK: ''I AM IN TURKEY TO ENCOURAGE TURKISH OFFICIALS ON HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE''

Addressing a news conference in US Embassy in Ankara Shattuck evaluated his visit to Turkey and said social and political solution methods were required for the local communities in the Southeast region of Turkey to express their languages and cultures easily.

Noting that Turkey's territorial integrity was one of the US's basic policies Shattuck said his country wanted to see Turkey reaching full democracy. He said Turkey was in a corner point due to human rights.

Stressing the importance of political parties to strengthen democracy, Shattuck said ''more opportunity should be given to people to provide their participation to political life.''

Shattuck said he was in Turkey to encourage Turkish officials in human rights field.

Meanwhile, State Minister Hikmet Sami Turkey, responsible for Human Rights, received Shattuck.

Speaking after the meeting Turk said they discussed daily problems on human rights issue in Turkey.

Shattuck in his part said he came to Turkey to know Turkish people and government more closely adding that the US appreciated the developments recorded by Turkey to this end.

Responding to a question Shattuck said he prepared a report with his expressions on the issue.

[08] TURKEY-RUSSIA - MINISTER OF ENERGY ERSUMER RETURNS FROM MOSCOW

Addresing a news conference Ersumer said his contacts in Moscow were very fruitful. Ersumer said signature of a cooperation agreement related with the starting of the construction of ''Blue Current'' natural gas pipeline in Russia (that will start in Russia and will reach to Turkey through the basement of the Black Sea) as the ''most important issue of the era.'' He said BOTAS, Turusgaz and Gazexport signed contracts regarding the additional annual eight billion cubic meters natural gas that will be transported to Turkey frome the western line.

Ersumer said improvement of energy cooperation was taken up during his meeting with Fradkov adding that they had also reached to a consensus of opinion that necessary initiatives should be launched to convene Turkish- Russian Business Council soon.

Noting that the talks took place in a positive atmosphere Ersumer said Russian officials told them that they were not opposed to Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline yet stressed the dangers of oil transportation with tankers from the Bosphorus and the Dardanells Straits which are full of historical and natural riches.

Ersumer also expressed belief that relations between the two countries in economic and political fields would gain speed.

Meanwhile, it was also reported that Ersumer is scheduled to leave for the US on Monday to meet US Minister of Energy and Commerce and various oil and energy companies.

Ersumer said he would have the chance to convey his contacts in Russia during his meetings in the US and added that ''we will discuss the situation of Turkish energy sector in the US.''

Ersumer said one of the main points of his visit to US was to make a presentation on the feasibility reported related with Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline.

[09] TURKEY-US - US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE SHATTUCK VISITS ZANA IN PRISON

Responding to questions of reporters after the visit Shattuck said he talked about the cases of the former DEP deputies. The cases of them still continue in European Human Rights Court.

Shattuck said Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz earlier gave him assurances that Turkey would abide by the decision of Human Rights Court adding that ''this is a very important assurance.''

The US official said according to the information of the International Association to Protect Journalists, there were nearly 35 journalists in prisons in Turkey charged of crime of thought.

Shattuck expressed hope that these cases would result in positive outcomes and pointed out that thus Turkey would add a positive point to its human rights improvements.

Responding to a question of the reporters about the conditions in the prisons Shattuck said former DEP deputies did not complain about the conditions. Shattuck said he did not convey a special message to Leyla Zana but just briefed her about the case in European Human Rights Court.

Shattuck said he did not give a promise to Zana yet told her that freedom of expression was very important for the US.

The US official later visited Police Academy and a briefing was given to him there related with the police organization and the academy.

[10] TURKEY-VIETNAM - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM CONCLUDES CONTACTS IN VIETNAM

FM Cem staged a news conference briefing about his contacts in Vietnam.

Responding to the question of a reporter Cem said they had submitted proposals which were prepared very carefully ''we have briefed EU parliamentarians, Council of Europe Parliamentarians, the US officials and all concerned sides related with Turkish-Greek issue. We have received positive responses from all of them. All those sides said they supported Turkey's initiative.''

Cem said no word could be heard from Greece where Turkey expected the answer. Noting that different voices were coming from Greek public Cem said ''some said these proposals should be taken into consideration and some thought Greece was trapped.''

He said Turkey expected a response from Greece which will contribute to the peace.

Cem said there was an ''unjust view'' towards Turkey in its relations with Greece adding that facts were revealed with the recent proposal which Turkey presented to Greece.

Foreign Minister Cem later left for Turkey. Cem is expected to be in Turkey on Sunday.

[11] IRAQ-UN - FIRST ROUND OF ANNAN-AZIZ MEETING CONCLUDED

No concrete outcome could be reached from the talks carried out to find a peaceful solution to the crisis between Iraq and the UN.

Annan and Aziz are expected to convene again at 18:00 p.m. (1500 GMT) for second round of talks.

[12] TURKEY-OSCE - PARLIAMENTARY OSCE COMMISSION CHAIRMAN ENEREM: ''INTENSE TALK TOURS TO TAKE PLACE UNTILL COPENHAGEN MEETING''

Speaking to A.A correspondent after OSCE Parliamentarians Assembly (OSCEPA) which took place in Vienna, Enerem said they are scheduled to go to Sofia on Feb 23 as the official guest of Bulgarian OSCEPA members and afterwards to Moldova and Ukraine to observe elections. Enerem said they would later visit Latvia, Romania, Spain, Germany and probably the US.

Recalling that several negative recommendatory decisions were taken about Turkey earlier during OSCEPA meetings, Enerem said their aim was to represent Turkey in every platform and to intervene to negative aspects stemming from misinformations.

[13] TURKEY-RUSSIA - TURKISH-RUSSIAN STRATEGIC SECURITY TALKS TAKE PLACE IN MOSCOW

Foreign Ministry International Security Affairs General Director Omur Orhun and General Staff Representative Gen. Vural Avar were in the delegation who met Russian delegation headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Georgi Memedov.

The visit was planned earlier within the framework of regular consultation talks between the two countries. The delegations reviews security issues within the framework of CFE and OSCE.

The sides also exchanged views on Iraq issue as well as Balkans and the situation in the Balkans and eastern Mediterranean.

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