Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-02-28

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

28 FEB 1998

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-HIJACK - TURKISH PLANE HIJACKER FACES 10-15 YEARS IN JAIL

[02] TURKEY-ATTACK - ATTACK IN KUCUKKOY MILITARY POST - INTERIOR MINISTER BASESGIOGLU: ''THE OUTLAWED DHKP/C ORGANIZATION TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ATTACK''

[03] CYPRUS-EU - HANNAY'S PRESS CONFERENCE - ''I HAVE COME TO TAKE THE VIEWS OF TWO COMMUNITIES''

[04] TURKEY-BOTAS - BOTAS GENERAL DIRECTOR ARSEVEN: ''TURKEY'S ALL PROVINCES TO BE EQUIPPED WITH NATURAL GAS PIPELINE TILL THE YEAR 2010''

[05] TURKEY-POLITICS - WARRANT OF ARREST TO CELIK AND YILMAZ

[06] TURKEY-GERMANY - DEPUTY CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF BIR CONCLUDES CONTACTS IN GERMANY

[07] TURKEY-US - US-TURKEY TRADE RELATIONS - US MINISTER OF COMMERCE DALEY EXPRESSES PLEASURE OVER IMPROVEMENT OF TRADE WITH TURKEY

[08] CYPRUS-UN - CORDOVEZ DUE IN CYPRUS IN MARCH

[09] TURKEY-US - ATC MEETINGS END - US FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE SHULTZ SAYS THEY SHOULD SUPPORT TURKEY WHEN NECESSARY

[10] TURKEY-POLITICS - LEADERS' SUMMIT TO TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY

[11] TURKEY-TRNC - DEPUTY PREMIER ECEVIT RECEIVES TRNC JOURNALISTS

[12] TURKEY-EGYPT-FAIR - ''INTERNATIONAL CAIRO TRADE FAIR'' - 28 TURKISH COMPANIES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FAIR

[13] TURKEY-OIL PIPELINE - FIVE-WAY MEETING FOR BAKU-CEYHAN OIL PIPELINE - FOREIGN MINISTERS OF TURKEY, AZERBAIJAN, KAZAKHSTAN, GEORGIA AND TURKMENISTAN TO CONVENE IN ISTANBUL ON SUNDAY FOR BAKU-CEYHAN OIL PIPELINE

[14] CYPRUS-BRITAIN - DENKTAS REJECTS COOK'S INVITATION - DENKTAS PROTESTS HANNAY: ''IT WILL BE TO WASTE TIME TO NEGOTIATE EU MEMBERSHIP BEFORE THE MISTAKE IS ADJUSTED''

[01] TURKEY-HIJACK - TURKISH PLANE HIJACKER FACES 10-15 YEARS IN JAIL

Dag, 31, threatening to ignite a toy bear he claimed was loaded with explosives, hijacked the jet with 62 passengers and five crew on board, shortly after takeoff Tuesday from the southern city of Adana. The toy contained no explosives.

Five hours later, three passengers overpowered him during a refueling stop in the southeastern Diyarbakir city. No one was hurt.

He was sent to a prison in the city after appearing before the court.

Prosecutor Ibrahim Aktas said the case had been transferred to the criminal court from a state security court because there was no evidence of links between Dag and any organisation.

"It was assessed that his crime was purely that of hijacking a plane, covered by article 384 of the Turkish penal code," Aktas told reporters.

Dag had demanded to be flown to the Iranian capital, Tehran.

[02] TURKEY-ATTACK - ATTACK IN KUCUKKOY MILITARY POST - INTERIOR MINISTER BASESGIOGLU: ''THE OUTLAWED DHKP/C ORGANIZATION TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ATTACK''

Basesgioglu and Chief of Security Department Necati Bilican responded to the questions of reporters.

Basesgioglu said the outlawed DHKP-C took responsibility for the attack and Bilican said it was specified that the bomb used in the attack was hand made.

Three terrorists Friday opened gunfire and tossed hand grenades at the Kucukkoy Gendarmerie military post in Istanbul Province, wounding 26 military personnel.

The incident happened at 8:00 a.m. (6:00 GMT) when three armed terrorists opened gunfire on a gendarmerie soldier patrolling in front of the military post. When the soldier countered the gunfire, the terrorists tossed two hand grenades at the military post and fled. The devices exploded, wounding 26 military personnel.

The wounded were immediately hospitalized.

[03] CYPRUS-EU - HANNAY'S PRESS CONFERENCE - ''I HAVE COME TO TAKE THE VIEWS OF TWO COMMUNITIES''

Speaking during a news conference which he staged after his contacts in Greek Cypriot Side Hannay said there were two communities in Cyprus and that he came to Cyprus to take the views of these two communities.

Hannay said they were aware that they could not achieve something without cooperating with Turkish Cypriots adding that ''I would like to meet Turkish community leader Rauf Denktas.''

Hannay said British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook invited Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas to the meeting.

Noting that they favoured full membership of Cyprus to EU after the solution of Cyprus question, Hannay said yet this was not a condition for them and that a decision would be given within one or two years.

Hannay said full membership negotiations with the Greek Cypriot Administration will be started on March 31 even if Turkish Cypriot side does not participate in.

He said the negotiations and efforts to find a solution to Cyprus question were two parallel processes.

Responding to the questions Hannay said they would present proposals to Turkey to improve customs union to satify this country.

Denktas on Friday refused to meet Hannay.

[04] TURKEY-BOTAS - BOTAS GENERAL DIRECTOR ARSEVEN: ''TURKEY'S ALL PROVINCES TO BE EQUIPPED WITH NATURAL GAS PIPELINE TILL THE YEAR 2010''

Arseven, who came to Canakkale to hold observations, staged a news conference and said BOTAS was at the same level with the world's most developed companies due to technical team and equipment.

Arseven said they carried out feasibility studies to bring natural gas, which prevents air pollution to a great extend, to the whole country.

''Turkey's annual natural gas consuming is 9.7 billion cubic meters. BOTAS continiously makes investments and covers recent technological developments. Our aim is to bring natural gas pipeline to all provinces of Turkey till the year 2010'' Arseven said.

Responding to a question Arseven said Kirkuk-Yumurtalik pipeline was not badly affected by the recent Iraqi crisis and added that Kirkuk-Yumurtalik pipeline works with full capacity according to the permission and limits given by the UN. Oil is pumped in return for two billion dollars.

[05] TURKEY-POLITICS - WARRANT OF ARREST TO CELIK AND YILMAZ

Ankara Security Department Anti-Terrorism Department sent an order to border gates to take Ibrahim Halil Celik into custody in his return to country.

Officials said it was revealed that Celik was in Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile Ankara Republican Chief Prosecutorship issued another warrant of arrest for Sevki Yilmaz on charges of insulting public institutions and the memory of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Founder of Modern Turkish Republic.

[06] TURKEY-GERMANY - DEPUTY CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF BIR CONCLUDES CONTACTS IN GERMANY

Turkey's strategic position in the Caucasia, Balkans and Near East, Southeast problem, Cyprus question and relations with Greece were taken up during Bir-Schaefer meeting.

Bir and Schaefer said they reached to a consensus of opinion that improvement of traditional Turkish-German relations would create new facilities adding that more than two million Turkish citizens living in Germany were important for bilateral relations.

During the meeting Bir and Schaefer stressed that Turkish state's struggle against the separatist terrorist organization PKK was not forwarded to ''Kurds'' and pointed out the importance of economic and social development in Southeastern Anatolia.

Bir expressed concern over isolation of Turkey, which is surrounded with troubled regions, from new security architecture of Europe and mentioning about the role of Turkey after cold war period Bir said ''Turkey, who wants increasing of security in its region, is not only a model country for Caucasian and Central Asian countries but at the same time willing to be a bridge between Asia and Europe. Turkey needs the support of its friends in the West in order to assume this role.''

Schaefer speaking after the meeting said ''Turkey belongs to Europe. Choice for Europe should be kept open for Turkey.''

German Minister said they were aware of strategic and political importance of Turkey and stressed that ''we can not exclude Turkey as it is at the position of an important bridge.'' Schaefer also said they would extend support to Turkish government in its relations with Greece.

Bir later left for Belgium.

[07] TURKEY-US - US-TURKEY TRADE RELATIONS - US MINISTER OF COMMERCE DALEY EXPRESSES PLEASURE OVER IMPROVEMENT OF TRADE WITH TURKEY

Addressing American-Turkish Council (ATC) meetings Daley identified Turkey as a ''dynamic'' country adding that high-ranking contacts and the agreements signed between the two countries were the concrete indications of improving relations.

Stressing that his 3-day visit to Turkey paid in January was a satisfactory one, Daley said ''the US entrepreneur regards Turkish market as one of the best of the future.''

Daley pointed out that there were great opportunities for Turkish and the US companies to make joint investments.

Meanwhile, Cumhur Ersumer, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources said such meetings were very important to improve and diversify relations.

Ersumer said Turkey and the US have joint values like democracy and free market economy adding that Turkey's importance increased after Cold War period.

An agreement to benefit from the U.S. Eximbank credits for the construction of hydro-electric power plants was signed in Washington on Friday between Turkey and the U.S.

[08] CYPRUS-UN - CORDOVEZ DUE IN CYPRUS IN MARCH

Sources close to UN said Cordovez's visit will start between March 16 and 18 and that the Special Representative is expected to depart the Island on March 20.

Speaking to A.A correspondent UN sources said Secretary General was in contact with the sides to specify the date of the visit.

The visit aims at taking pulse of the sides about the future of negotiations between the leaders of the two communities.

TRNC President Denktas earlier said decision of European Union (EU) to start full membership negotiations with the Greek Cypriot Side changed parameters and that future talks should not take place between the communities but between the states.

Security Council extends support to initiatives of the UN Secretary General aiming to find a lasting solution to Cyprus question.

[09] TURKEY-US - ATC MEETINGS END - US FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE SHULTZ SAYS THEY SHOULD SUPPORT TURKEY WHEN NECESSARY

One of the former Secretary of State of the US, George Shultz, addressing the closing session said ''Turkey always supported us when necessary and now we should be with them when it needs us.''

Pointing out that Turkey was surrounded with countries like Syria, Iran, Iraq and Greece, Shultz said Turkey protected itself well in the region. He said Turkey had to be hard and wise and did so. ''Turkey is a democratic Islam country'' he added.

Laly Weymouth, one of the authors of Washington Post newspaper and Newsweek magazine, said there could not be any country having more geostrategic importance than Turkey.

Weymouth also identified the decision of European Union (EU) taken during Luxembourg Summit as ''unbelievable and dissapointing.''

Also, Air Forces Commander General Ilhan Kilic was awarded with ''Defense Reward.'' This is the first time that a Turkish Military official gets this reward.

[10] TURKEY-POLITICS - LEADERS' SUMMIT TO TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY

Tax law, Social Security Law, relations with International Monetary Fund (IMF), True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller's proposal for election, Political Parties law and Election Law are expected to be taken up during a meeting of Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister Bulent Ecevit and DTP leader Husamettin Cindoruk.

The three leaders will stage a joint news conference following the meeting.

[11] TURKEY-TRNC - DEPUTY PREMIER ECEVIT RECEIVES TRNC JOURNALISTS

Addressing a meeting with TRNC Journalists currently in Ankara with the organization of Cyprus Turkish Development Platform Ecevit said ''Under no condition, Turkey will think of withdrawing its soldiers from Cyprus. This is Turkey's own security question.''

Ecevit said due to the developments in weapon technology, Turkey's internal regions, as well as the Mediterranean shores, would be under the threat of missile if Cyprus is occupied by an enemy country and added that ''especially with the implementation of Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline project, Northern Cyprus' strategic importance will be further improved. Someone who looks at the map will immediately realize this.''

Responding to a question about the deployment of S-300 missiles to the Island Ecevit said ''we warned Russia, Europe and the US to this end. The more Greek Cypriot side increases its military measures the more Turkish side will increase it.''

Responding to another question Ecevit said Turkey did not have the right to give concession on TRNC issue. Ecevit pointed out that there was no change in Turkey's policy regarding Cyprus.

Mentioning about the opening of Maras, Ecevit said ''Maras was an important trump card for us. Yet, we should think again as parameters changed.''

Ecevit also called on entrepreneurs to invest in Cyprus as with an investment mobilization so that Northern Cyprus may reach to an economic level that may compete with Southern Cyprus.

[12] TURKEY-EGYPT-FAIR - ''INTERNATIONAL CAIRO TRADE FAIR'' - 28 TURKISH COMPANIES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FAIR

600 square meters field was allocated to Turkish companies at the fair which will take place in Egyptian Capital Cairo between March 11-20, 1998.

The fair is an important activity for the opening of small and medium scale entrepreneurs to foreign markets.

The 28 Turkish companies are acting in the fields of machine, construction, food, chemistry and metal.

More than a thousand companies from 34 countries participated in the fair last year.

[13] TURKEY-OIL PIPELINE - FIVE-WAY MEETING FOR BAKU-CEYHAN OIL PIPELINE - FOREIGN MINISTERS OF TURKEY, AZERBAIJAN, KAZAKHSTAN, GEORGIA AND TURKMENISTAN TO CONVENE IN ISTANBUL ON SUNDAY FOR BAKU-CEYHAN OIL PIPELINE

Foreign Ministers of Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia and Turkmenistan will convene in Ciragan Palace on Sunday.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem is expected to address the opening of the meeting and other heads of delegations will speak later.

Turkish state run pipeline company (BOTAS) officials will also brief about feasibility studies of Baku-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline during the meeting.

A Joint Communique is expected to be signed and a press conference will be staged following the closing session on Monday.

This five-way meeting, which will be attended by countries who are producters in Caspian region and who are situated on transit passage, has three main important points for Turkey.

Foreign Ministry officials said the primary goal of the meeting was to brief other four countries about the feasibility studies of Baku-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline.

Another aim of the meeting was to inform the attending countries about the dangers which the Straits had to face. The third point is to provide harmonization of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan as overcoming of problems between these two countries is important for Turkey.

[14] CYPRUS-BRITAIN - DENKTAS REJECTS COOK'S INVITATION - DENKTAS PROTESTS HANNAY: ''IT WILL BE TO WASTE TIME TO NEGOTIATE EU MEMBERSHIP BEFORE THE MISTAKE IS ADJUSTED''

Recalling that Cook will meet Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides on March 12 during a meeting of the countries which will enter to European Union (EU), Denktas said ''I will not go to Britain before this mistake is corrected.''

Speaking to press Denktas evaluated the news conference of EU Term President Britain's Special Envoy to Cyprus Sir David Hannay. Denktas protested the statements of Hannay to find a formula to provide the participation of Turkish community to EU talks.

Recalling that during the talks that had taken place in Troutbeck (New York) and Glion (Ceneva), Greek Cypriot Side rejected everything that will provide Turkish-Greek balance and that Greek Cypriot side sealed these with the EU decisions, Denktas said there was nothing left to negotiate on.

Denktas said it would not be appropriate and it would be waste of time to talk on EU issue before the mistake were adjusted adding that it was Turkish Cypriots' right not to talk on the issue unless the fact is accepted.

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