Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-04-05

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

05 APRIL 1998

CONTENTS

[01] QUAKE SHAKES DINAR TOWNSHIP OF AFYON PROVINCE

[02] FM: ''TURKISH NATIONAL LAWS AND CONSULAR RULES NECESSITATE REJECTION OF ITALIAN PARLIAMENTS' DEMAND TO VISIT FRISULLO, WHO WAS ARRESTED DURING NEWROZ CELEBRATIONS''

[03] FM CONDEMNS DESTRUCTION OF GREEK GRAVEYARD IN ISTANBUL

[04] TASAR, AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS MINISTER LEAVES FOR THE US

[05] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''I MET HOLBROOKE ON SATURDAY, HIS DEALING WITH THE CYPRUS QUESTION HAS COMPLETELY CHANGED ALL THE PARAMETERS''

[06] HOLBROOKE ADDRESSES TO PRESS: ''I HAVE NOT BROUGHT ANY PEACE PLAN TO CYPRUS''

[07] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''EU SABOTAGED THE STEPS TAKEN WITHIN 30 YEARS AIMING SOLUTION OF CYPRUS QUESTION''

[08] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: ''IT IS DIFFICULT TO REACH SUCCESS IN CYPRUS WITHOUT PAYING THE PRICE''

[09] TURKISH-CHINESE JEC MEETING TO BE HELD IN BEIJING BETWEEN APRIL 21-23

[10] TERRORISTS AND SECURITY FORCES CLASH IN GEVAS TOWNSHIP OF VAN - ONE SOLDIER DIES, FOUR OTHERS INJURED

[11] VURAL OGER, PRESIDENT OF OGER-TUR EXECUTIVE BOARD: ''OUR AIM IS TO BRING ONE MILLION GERMAN TOURISTS TO TURKEY THIS YEAR''

[12] OZSOY, THE TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO IRAN PRESENTS HIS LETTER OF CREDENTIALS

[13] CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF KARADAYI LEAVES FOR GREECE TO PARTICIPATE IN WEU MEETING

[01] QUAKE SHAKES DINAR TOWNSHIP OF AFYON PROVINCE

The epicenter of the quake was Dinar, where windows were shattered and cracks emerged in several buildings after the tremor. On Saturday evening, panicked residents ran from their houses and waited in the streets. Some took to their cars and left the area.

Meanwhile, 30 people who were psychologically effected by the quake, applied to Dinar State Hospital.

Ahmet Ozyurt, the Afyon Governor said that the quake did not kill anybody and did not cause serious damage, hoping that this quake is the last one.

A major quake killed 90 people and injured many others in October 1, 1995 in Dinar.

[02] FM: ''TURKISH NATIONAL LAWS AND CONSULAR RULES NECESSITATE REJECTION OF ITALIAN PARLIAMENTS' DEMAND TO VISIT FRISULLO, WHO WAS ARRESTED DURING NEWROZ CELEBRATIONS''

A Foreign Ministry official confirmed that Italian Embassy in Ankara conveyed a note the same day to the Foreign Ministry, which expresses its ''sorrow'' over the rejection of the visit of Italian parliamentarians.

Recalling that Frisullo was arrested because of violating Turkish laws, the official pointed out that courts are independent in Turkey and one should wait for the verdict of the court. Noting that an arrested Italian citizen can only be visited by his/her close relatives and officials from the Italian Consulate in Turkey, the official stressed that the protest of the Italian officials is not based on a just reason.

The same day, Umberto Vattani, the Italian Foreign Ministry Secretary General summoned Ahmet Gurkan, the Turkish Charge D'Affaires in Rome to the Italian Ministry to receive a formal note including the protest of the Italian government.

The note said that the rejection of the delegation visit surprised the Italian government and also caused sorrow.

[03] FM CONDEMNS DESTRUCTION OF GREEK GRAVEYARD IN ISTANBUL

Foreign Ministry said in a written statement that ''we condemn such kind of acts in all countries which are contrary to our values, those who are responsible for the act will be brought before the court and efforts will be launched to prevent the repetition of such events.''

[04] TASAR, AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS MINISTER LEAVES FOR THE US

Addressing a statement at Ataturk Airport before his departure, Tasar said that they launch efforts to make native and foreign businessmen to invest in Turkish agriculture sector.

Noting that he will make examinations in animal husbandry farms and exchange market on agricultural products in the US, Tasar added that he will also hold bilateral contacts with the US Agricultural Minister and several senators.

''I will meet representatives of various economic institutions and businessmen to finance our regional projects in the field of agriculture and animal husbandry,'' Tasar said.

Responding to a question, Tasar stressed that concrete steps will be taken after the Bayram holiday concerning establishment of exchange market of agricultural products and implementation of agricultural insurance for those who are working in this sector in Turkey.

Mustafa Tasar will return to Turkey on April 18.

[05] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''I MET HOLBROOKE ON SATURDAY, HIS DEALING WITH THE CYPRUS QUESTION HAS COMPLETELY CHANGED ALL THE PARAMETERS''

Addressing a statement to journalists, Denktas stated that ''Holbrooke is a strong diplomat, he is both a friend of Turks and also Greeks. He tries to help us.''

Noting that he explained Cyprus issue to Holbrooke and contacts will continue, Denktas pointed out that ''we had earlied said that if European Union (EU) abolished all the parameters concerning the the Cyprus question, intercommunal talks would end in Cyprus and negotiations would continue between two states or two governments.''

Pointing out that EU has not taken into consideration the statements of TRNC and Turkey, Rauf Denktas added that the Treaties of 1960 should be implemented in Cyprus.

''The Greek Cypriot side applied to EU for full membership to upset the balance between Turkey and Greece in Cyprus in favour of the latter. TRNC is a state and the Turkish people living in the island are not minority. I have explained all of these to Holbrooke, he tries to find a midway. Holbrooke will probably come again. We invited him. We want him to come so that we can express our views more concretely to him,'' Denktas said.

[06] HOLBROOKE ADDRESSES TO PRESS: ''I HAVE NOT BROUGHT ANY PEACE PLAN TO CYPRUS''

Addressing a press briefing, Holbrooke, who wrapped up his contacts in Cyprus, said that all issues related with the Cyprus question were taken up during his contacts, adding that the news published in newspapers are all speculation.

''I have no specific announcements to make regarding agreements between the two sides. That would not have been possible in a trip this short,'' said Holbrooke, adding that the US favours a bi-zonal and bi-communal federation in Cyprus.

Pointing out that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan extends support to himself, Holbrooke said that he will come to the island again at the beginning of May.

Holbrooke stressed that the position of Rauf Denktas is known, ''Denktas is a formidable and tenacious defender of his people and he represents Turkish Cypriots as President of TRNC. I respect him a lot and he had not changed his position,'' he said.

Richard Holbrooke will leave the island for Washington on Sunday.

[07] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''EU SABOTAGED THE STEPS TAKEN WITHIN 30 YEARS AIMING SOLUTION OF CYPRUS QUESTION''

Responding to questions of journalists, Yılmaz said that he got information from the concerned officials about the Baku-Ceyhan, Black Sea and Turkmen pipelines on Friday.

Noting that he made a phone call with Haydar Aliyev, the Azeri President on Saturday, Prime Minister Yılmaz stated that Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, will visit Azerbaijan on April 13 explain the results of the feasibility reports regarding the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline.

Stressing that Baku-Ceyhan pipeline is the most convenient line except the passage from the Straits, Yılmaz added that Aliyev also wishes speeding up the efforts.

Responding to questions about the Cyprus Summit that was held in Presidential Palace the same day, Yılmaz said that they evaluated the contacts of US and UN representatives concerning the Cyprus question.

Noting that Turkey accuses EU of the Cyprus question Yılmaz pointed out that ''nothing, which we do not like, can happen in Cyprus.''

[08] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: ''IT IS DIFFICULT TO REACH SUCCESS IN CYPRUS WITHOUT PAYING THE PRICE''

Responding to questions of journalists, Foreign Minister Cem stated that Turkey needs the independence and activity of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

''We will not give Cyprus, that is located in Eastern Mediterranean, which will be the most strategic regions of 2000s, to Greece. Our government is resolved to protect the economic wellbeing and political security of both Turkey and TRNC in 2000s,'' Cem said.

''Our policy in Cyprus is correct and we will continue on this way,'' he added.

[09] TURKISH-CHINESE JEC MEETING TO BE HELD IN BEIJING BETWEEN APRIL 21-23

The Turkish side will be headed by State Minister Isın Celebi during the JEC meetings, which will take up reciprocal improvement opportunities of commerce and investment.

Isın Celebi will meet Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Li Lanqin, Chinese Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, Chinese Minister of Construction and Minister of Transportation during his stay in China.

Celebi will also address a seminar titled ''Investment and Cooperation Possibilities,'' that will be separately held in Beijing and Shangai.

Meanwhile, Zhao Yanjıu, the Chinese Economy and Commerce Attache told A.A correspondent that the 600 million dollars of trade volume between Turkey and China does not reflect the existing potential.

Noting that the trade volume of China was 325 billion dollars and Turkey's was 70 billion dollars last year, Yanjıu stated that the trade volume between the two countries should increase by making cooperation.

Pointing out that the commercial relations between Turkey and China will enter into a new period till the end of the century, Yanjıu stressed that ''businessmen of the two countries should not miss this opportunity.''

''Chinese market is very strong and big. Western countries invest in China and earn a lot of money. Turkish businessmen can also do that,'' he added.

[10] TERRORISTS AND SECURITY FORCES CLASH IN GEVAS TOWNSHIP OF VAN - ONE SOLDIER DIES, FOUR OTHERS INJURED

Security Forces met a group of separatist terorists on Saturday evening near Toreli village, called the terrorists to surrender, but the terrorists opened fire.

The injured soldiers were taken under medical treatment in Van Military Hospital.

Operations are underway in the region.

[11] VURAL OGER, PRESIDENT OF OGER-TUR EXECUTIVE BOARD: ''OUR AIM IS TO BRING ONE MILLION GERMAN TOURISTS TO TURKEY THIS YEAR''

Responding to A.A correspondent, Oger stated that Turkey had a very successful tourism season in 1997 and only 2,3 million German tourists visited Turkey. Oger stressed that this number means an increase of 12 percent when compared to 1996.

Noting that they launch great efforts for presentation of Turkey abroad, Vural Oger said that Oger-Tur Travel Agency was chosen as the third travel agency among 300 firms in German tourism market.

[12] OZSOY, THE TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO IRAN PRESENTS HIS LETTER OF CREDENTIALS

Noting that Turkey and Iran have historical bounds, Khatemi said that ''we are good neighbours and we have to develop our relations.''

Sencer Ozsoy said in his part that he will launch efforts to further improve the bilateral relations during his term in office.

[13] CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF KARADAYI LEAVES FOR GREECE TO PARTICIPATE IN WEU MEETING

General Secretariat of General Staff said that chiefs of general staff from 18 countries will take up the issues of establishment of military committee of WEU, strengthening of cooperation with NATO, crisis administration and operations during the meeting which will be held between April 6-7 in Athens.

''WEU, which has a separate legal status than NATO and European Union (EU), has been enlivened since 1992 to strengthen NATO's influence in Europe and to form the defense structure of EU.

Term Presidency in WEU changes every six months and chiefs of general staff meeting is held in the country which is the term president. In this framework, 1998 Spring meeting will be held between April 6-7 in Athens, the capital of Greece, which is the term president during the first half of 1998,'' the statement noted.

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