Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-03-29

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

29 MARCH 1998

CONTENTS

[01] DEMONSTRATION IN FRONT OF TURKISH EMBASSY IN ROME

[02] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ MEETS BAYKAL, LEADER OF REPUBLICAN PEOPLES PARTY (CHP) - YILMAZ: ''IT WILL BE POSSIBLE FOR US TO SUPRISE TEACHERS BEFORE THE RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY'' - ''WE HAVE REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH BAYKAL TO PLAN THE FUTURE PERIOD''

[03] TUNCELI-ELAZIG MOTORWAY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC DUE TO LANDSLIDE

[04] ''HUMAN RIGHTS CONFERENCE''

[05] KANDEMIR, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO THE US: ''WE HAVE TO STRUGGLE WITH ANTI-TURKISH LOBBIES IN AN ORGANIZED AND RESOLVED MANNER''

[06] ARSON ATTACK AGAINST TURKISH MILITARY ATTACHE'S CAR IN ATHENS

[07] STATE MINISTER SAYGIN: ''WE WILL PLEASE OUR PEOPLE CONCERNING INFLATION SOON''

[01] DEMONSTRATION IN FRONT OF TURKISH EMBASSY IN ROME

The demonstration was organized by Senza Confine, an Italian association, Italian Communist Party (PDC), several associations and supporters of the separatist terrorist organization, PKK. Paolo Cento, a deputy from Italian Greens Party and Giovanni Russo Spena, a member of Italian Communist Party of Re-Birth also participated in the demonstration.

The demonstrators distributed declarations including slogans calling for the release of the Italian citizen and supporting the separatist terrorist organization.

Dino Frisullo, who was one of the Italians taken under custody in Diyarbakır, was arrested by the court, while two other Italians were released.

[02] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ MEETS BAYKAL, LEADER OF REPUBLICAN PEOPLES PARTY (CHP) - YILMAZ: ''IT WILL BE POSSIBLE FOR US TO SUPRISE TEACHERS BEFORE THE RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY'' - ''WE HAVE REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH BAYKAL TO PLAN THE FUTURE PERIOD''

Addressing a press briefing after the meeting, Prime Minister Yılmaz said that they held the most positive meeting with Baykal till today.

''I have clearly understood the views of Baykal concerning the elections, I will discuss his proposals with my partners,'' Yılmaz said.

Responding to a question, Yılmaz added ''Mr. Baykal did not propose a date for the elections, he only proposed determination of a date together. I promised him to make cooperation concerning the changes that will be made in the Law on Elections and determination of a date.''

Prime Minister Yılmaz stressed that it will be possible to surprise teachers by increasing their wages by 18 percent before the religious holiday.

Noting that they reached an agreement with Baykal regarding the discussion of Tax Law and the Law on Wholesale Food Market in the parliament after the holiday, Yılmaz added that ''we have submitted our drafts to the parliament concerning the struggle with fundamentalism, now I can see that CHP shares our views regarding the discussion and implementation of these draft laws.''

Pointing out that no body can expect the government to have the same views with CHP concerning every issue, Yılmaz said ''we have reached an agreement with CHP regarding the adoption of laws by the parliament and the planning of the future period together. This is the most important result of our meeting.''

Addressing another press briefing, Deniz Baykal said in his part that the government will withdraw the Draft Law on Public Servants' Labour Unions, which is at the agenda of the parliament.

Noting that the meeting was very beneficial, Baykal said that ''we attribute great importance to decrease the inflation, to adopt reforms which will solve the basic problems of the country and we wish to extend support and contribute to the solution of these problems.''

Deniz Baykal said that he will meet Prime Minister Yılmaz again after the religious holiday.

[03] TUNCELI-ELAZIG MOTORWAY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC DUE TO LANDSLIDE

Two of the police officers were wounded seriously during the accident which took place at 05.00 (GMT 03.00) in Tunceli-Elazıg motorway and the wounded police officers were taken under medical treatment in Elazıg State Hospital.

Officials said that efforts are underway to open the motorway for traffic again.

[04] ''HUMAN RIGHTS CONFERENCE''

The emergency regional governor, 80 governors and police chiefs of provinces will participate in the conference, which will start on Monday, last for two days and be held in Ankara Police Academy.

President Suleyman Demirel, Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz, State Minister Hikmet Sami Turk and Minister of Interior Murat Basesgioglu will address the opening of the conference.

[05] KANDEMIR, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO THE US: ''WE HAVE TO STRUGGLE WITH ANTI-TURKISH LOBBIES IN AN ORGANIZED AND RESOLVED MANNER''

Nuzhet Kandemir, who will return to Turkey next month, stated that these lobbies have advantages in the US in respect of number, finance and organization, yet ''positive steps'' have been taken in the struggle against them in spite of many difficulties.

Noting that setting up Turkish studies in six of the most distinguished universities aims to explain the truth and realities about Turkey against counter-propaganda and lies, Kandemir added that Anti-Turkish lobbies launch great efforts to misinform American public opinion about Turkey.

Attributing importance to Turkish-American institutions in the US, Kandemir pointed out that Greek Cypriot-Greek, Armenian and other lobbies work in the US Congress for ''Great Armenia and Greek'' matters.

Calling Turkish people to explain to the US that Turkey is a secular, pluralist and democratic country, Kandemir added that the US should pursue a consistent policy towards Turkey, which is not linked to party politics.

[06] ARSON ATTACK AGAINST TURKISH MILITARY ATTACHE'S CAR IN ATHENS

The car was torched near Arabacıbası's home in the Paleo Faliro suburb south of the city center, it was not known who carried out the attack and fortunately no body died or was injured.

A team from the fire department extinguished the fire, but the car was completely damaged.

Sources at the Turkish embassy said they had earlier asked the Greek government to supply Turkish diplomats with Greek license plates to help avoid such attacks.

Meanwhile, a leftist group known as the ''conscientious arsonists'' claimed responsibility for the attack with a phone call to ''Sky'' radio station.

The Greek police said that they wait for the report of the fire department before issuing a statement concerning the incident.

[07] STATE MINISTER SAYGIN: ''WE WILL PLEASE OUR PEOPLE CONCERNING INFLATION SOON''

Noting that her ministry attributes importance to the struggle with drugs, Saygın pointed out that they work on a draft law in order to prevent the violence against women in the family.

Pointing out that the most important reform of the government is eight years compulsory education, Saygın added that courses which are held for women who do not know how to read and write by voluntary institutions will also continue in the future.

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