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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-03-22Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>22 MARCH 1998CONTENTS
[01] NEWROZ CELEBRATIONSANKARA, March 22 (A.A) - Newroz, which is considered as the time which brings spring to the country, was celebrated on Saturday by holding various activities all over Turkey.Ismet Sezgin, the Deputy Prime Minister and National Defense Minister participated in the Newroz celebrations held in Sırnak province and its Cizre township, while State Ministers Eyub Asık and Metin Gurdere attended the Fourt International Newroz Festival in Igdır and Istemihan Halay, the Minister of Culture participated in Newroz Celebrations held in Diyarbakır province by the Governor. Addressing the ceromony held in Cizre town of Sırnak province, Ismet Sezgin said that sad events took place in Cizre in 1992 due to the pressure of the separatist terrorist organization. ''These events are over due to the efforts of the security forces and by common sense of the people. In the past, citizens could not open their markets, now they are secure and in peace. When we speak to them, they say that they are pleased with the atmosphere. We are solving the economic problems of our citizens and there is no problem of security,'' he said. Meanwhile, police took 18 people into custody during the celebrations held in Batıkent district of Diyarbakır province. A group carrying so-called banners of the separatist terrorist organization attempted to hold a illegal demonstration. Police dispersed the group, but a riot started between them and 21 people including 13 policemen were slightly wounded. A similar incident took place in Van province and a group of illegal demonstrators threw stones to the police who tried to disperse them. During the incident, 18 people, including three policemen, were slightly wounded. Newroz was celebrated in peace in other provinces. [02] SEVEN TERRORISTS KILLED IN SIRNAK PROVINCEDIYARBAKIR, March 22 (A.A) - Security Forces killed seven terrorists during an operation staged in Southeastern province of Sırnak, it is reported on Sunday.Emergency Regional Governor's Office said that the seven terrorists were killed during a clash which started in Delikavak region of Sırnak province. Operations are underway in the region. [03] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS TO MEET UN SECRETARY GENERAL ANNAN ON MARCH 27 - DENKTAS: ''IF UN DOES NOT TAKE US INTO CONSIDERATION, WE WILL IMPOSE RESTRICTIONS ON UN SOLDIERS''LEFKOSA, March 22 (A.A) - Rauf Denktas, the President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will meet UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on March 27 in Geneva, it is reported on Sunday.TRNC Presidential Office said that this meeting has been confirmed during the meeting held between Denktas and Diego Cordovez, the UN Secretary General's Special Consultant for Cyprus. TRNC President Denktas will be accompanied by Taner Etkin, the TRNC Foreign and Defense Minister and Necati Munir Ertegun, his consultant. Responding to questions of journalists after meeting Diego Cordovez on Saturday for the third time, TRNC President Denktas said that he will take up the position of UN Peace Force soldiers in Cyprus with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, adding that ''if UN does not take us into consideration, then there will be need to impose restrictions on UN soldiers.'' ''We do not recognize the UN Security Council Resolutions which consider the Greek Cypriot side as the 'Cypriot government.' The government of Cypriot Republic was established in 1960, but it was overthrown in 1963. The UN soldiers are accredited to the 'Cypriot government' and they get their wages from the Greek Cypriot side. UN soldiers are guests in TRNC and there are several restrictions in their acts,'' Denktas said. TRNC President Denktas pointed out that TRNC Parliament decided to hold negotiations with the other side only upon the principle of ''two states.'' Denktas added that ''Mr Cordovez will convey our explainations and the information he received from the Greek Cypriot side to UN Secretary General.'' [04] CORDOVEZ, UN SECRETARY GENERAL'S SPECIAL CONSULTANT FOR CYPRUS: ''I COULD NOT REACH MY TARGET DURING MY VISIT TO CYPRUS''LEFKOSA, March 22 (A.A) - Diego Cordovez, the UN Secretary General's Special Consultant for Cyprus said on Sunday that he could not reach his target during his visit to Cyprus, yet he expects overcoming the differences of views between the two sides which will start the negotiations again.Addressing a statement to Turkish journalists, Cordovez, who wrapped up his contacts in the island, said that his visit was beneficial in respect of learning the views of the two sides in a clear way. Cordovez stressed that the UN Security Council will decide on the proposal of TRNC President Rauf Denktas, who says that the basis of negotiations between the two sides in the island should be changed. Noting that it is very difficult for the UN Security Council to change its Resolution dated 1964 which recognizes the Greek Cypriot side as the ''legitimate government of Cyprus,'' Cordovez added that UN Secretary General Annan will discuss the issue with Rauf Denktas in Geneva and bring the proposal before the UN Security Council. Diego Cordovez stressed that the intervention of European Union (EU) with the Cyprus question has brought new dimensions and factors to the conflict, adding that these factors have made the mission of UN more difficult. ''I respect the views of Denktas concerning the participation of a joint delegation in the negotiations with EU. Denktas says that this is not fair. I will also convey this issue before the UN Security Council,'' he said. [05] ISRAELI INDUSTRY MINISTER TO ARRIVE IN TURKEY ON MONDAYANKARA, March 22 (A.A) - An Israeli delegation headed by Nartan Sharansky, the Israeli Minister of Industry will arrive in Turkey on Monday, it is reported on Sunday.Undersecretary for Foreign Trade said in a written statement that Sharansky will participate in the opening meeting of Turkish-Israeli Business Council that will be held in Istanbul on Monday together with State Minister Isın Celebi and proceed to Ankara on Tuesday to hold official contacts. Israeli Minister of Industry Sharansky will meet State Ministers Isın Celebi and Salih Yıldırım, Minister of Industry and Trade Yalım Erez, Transportation Minister Necdet Menzir and Minister of Health Halil Ibrahim Ozsoy. The guest minister will also attend the opening meeting of Joint Committee established within the framework of Turkish-Israeli Free Trade Agreement. Noting that the two countries have signed agreements during the last two years which contributed to improvement of commercial and economic relations between them, the statement stressed that the trade volume between Turkey and Israel in 1997 reached 621 million dollars by an increase of 39 percent compared to the one in 1996. [06] EIGHT TERRORISTS KILLED IN OSMANIYE PROVINCEOSMANIYE, March 22 (A.A) - Umit Karahan, the Governor of southern province of Osmaniye, said on Sunday that the operations staged against the separatist terrorist organization in Olukbası Plateau continue.Karahan stated that the security forces saw a group of terrorists in Olukbası Plateau, which is at the border of Osmaniye-Hatay provinces and eight terrorists were killed during the clash. Noting that two soldiers died and another one was injured, Karahan added that the security forces will also capture the other seven terrorists in the plateau. [07] MINISTER OF INTERIOR BASESGIOGLU: ''SEMDIN SAKIK SURRENDERED TO BARZANI FORCES BY HIMSELF''ANKARA, March 22 (A.A) - Murat Basesgioglu, the Minister of Interior said on Saturday that Semdin Sakık, one of the most important members of the separatist terrorist organization, surrendered to Barzani forces by himself, adding that contacts will be held concerning the return of Sakık to Turkey within the principles of friendship and good will.Responding to questions of journalists, Basesgioglu stated that ''his surrender has been confirmed by various sources,'' and the implementation of rules of international law is out of question due to the counterparts. ''The surrender of Sakık, which is an important terrorist, is an indication of how much the PKK has weakened. The separatist terrorist organization will continue to dissolve due to the successful operations of the Turkish Armed Forces,'' Basesgioglu said. Responding to a question about the reason of his surrender, Basesgioglu stressed that ''a conflict had arisen between the terrorist organization and himself, the organization wanted to capture him and he preffered to surrender to KDP forces to protect his life.'' Asked whether Turkish officials met with Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Basesgioglu stated that a direct meeting was hot held, ''however, several units of the state continue to meet with KDP officials through various channels.'' Semdin Sakık, who was afraid of being killed by the organization, escaped from the camp near Diana and surrendered to KDP officials in Erbil, Northern Iraq. [08] STATE MINISTER SAYGIN IN GERMANY - SAYGIN: ''NUMBER OF TURKISH CHILDREN WHO USE DRUGS IS INCREASING IN GERMANY''KOLN, March 22 (A.A) - Isılay Saygın, who is Responsible from Family Issues, said on Sunday that ''the number of Turkish children who use drugs in Germany is increasing.''Addressing a panel in Koln, Isılay Saygın said that the children of Turkish families living in Germany also face with the risk of drug just like in Turkey and called the parents to spend more time with their children and be more interested in their problems. Noting that a serious struggle is carried out in Turkey against drugs, Saygın also attributed great importance to family, concerning its role of keeping Turkish culture alive in Germany. Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |