Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-04-09

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

09 APRIL 1998

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] FASSINO'S CONTACTS IN CYPRUS

[03] KYRGYZSTAN WAITS FOR PREMIER YILMAZ

[04] ESCAPE ATTEMPT FROM BAYRAMPASA PRISON

[05] OECD TURKEY REPORT: ''EARLY ELECTIONS ATMOSPHERE MAY INCREASE INFLATION''

[06] CARICATURISTS TO MEET IN ANKARA - 4TH INTERNATIONAL ANKARA CARICATURE FESTIVAL TO TAKE PLACE BETWEEN MAY 8 AND 12

[07] PLUMER, TRNC'S REPRESENTATIVE TO NEW YORK SAYS: ''IF GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE MAKES SACRIFICES FROM THEIR DESIRES, A SOLUTION IS POSSIBLE IN CYPRUS''

[08] BICYCLE TOUR TO TAKE PLACE BETWEEN APRIL 20 AND 26

[09] NAVAL FORCE COMMANDERS OF THE BLACK SEA COUNTRIES CONVENE IN BULGARIA

[10] MOTORWAY SUPPORT TO GAP

[11] THERE IS NO PROBLEM IN ''BLUE STREAM'' PROJECT - ERSUMER, MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES: ''PROJECT HAS TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY''

[12] FIRST CONFESSIONS FROM SAKIK

[13] 10TH OF ANKARA FILM FESTIVAL TO BE STAGED

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

SABAH (LIBERAL)

RADIKAL (LEFT)

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT) DIALOGUE PERIOD WITH GREECE
Chief of General Staff Ismail Hakki Karadayi's visit to Greece opened a new gate in Ankara-Athens line. Karadayi said all problems between the two countries could be solved through comprehensive talks and dialogue based on mutual good will.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

FİNANSAL FORUM (ECONOMY)

[02] FASSINO'S CONTACTS IN CYPRUS

Speaking after the meeting Fassino stressed that he came to Cyprus to show he was very closely interested in Cyprus question. Noting that they were in an effort to bring a positive solution to Cyprus question, Fassino said he supported the initiatives of UN and Richard Holbrooke, the US Special Representative to Cyprus.

Fassino said they wanted to overcome dead end street which appeared after European Union (EU)'s Luxembourg Summit adding that they supported every effort to provide participation of Turkish Cypriots to the Greek Cypriot Side's delegation of EU full membership. He said they believed that these negotiations should take place with all the sides in the Island.

Fassino also said they were in an effort to improve relations between Turkey and the EU.

Meanwhile, Etkin said they told Fassino the attitude of TRNC and the stage which appeared after the decision of EU.

Etkin said they conveyed Fassino that Greek Cypriot Side's one sided illegal application to become EU full membership will not be accepted by TRNC and stressed that ''we have once more stressed that EU made a mistake and carries the responsibility of this mistake.

Etkin said they stressed that full membership talks between EU and Greek Cypriot Side will not be accepted adding that it was impossible to participate in joint delegation and that they will not let the balance between Turkey and Greece to be spoiled.

''We are determined in our attitude which we specified together with Turkey. We are persistent and resolved. We have rights and a status stemming from international agreements. This should be understood by the concerned countries.''

[03] KYRGYZSTAN WAITS FOR PREMIER YILMAZ

Prime Minister Yilmaz will hold various contacts in Bishkek and will open Ataturk monuement which was constructed in Ataturk Park.

Premiership press center statement said Yilmaz will be received by Krygz President Askar Akayev and is scheduled to meet Kuvanicbek Cumaliyev, newly appointed Prime Minister of Kyrgzystan, and to address Parliament.

[04] ESCAPE ATTEMPT FROM BAYRAMPASA PRISON

Nusretting Celik, Istanbul Republican Acting Chief Prosecutor, told A.A correspondent that Kartal and Ozpolat, under arrest in terror criminals part, broke the windows and cut the irons during weekly meeting with the relatives.

Kartal and Ozpolat passed to the part of the visitors and were caught as they were changing their clothes.

The meeting was immediately stopped and criminals were counted.

Celik said ''Thanks God, there was no escape'' adding that the meeting with relatives continued after they repaired the parts which were cut.

[05] OECD TURKEY REPORT: ''EARLY ELECTIONS ATMOSPHERE MAY INCREASE INFLATION''

The report issued with the title ''OECD Economic Outlook'' recalled that the government in Turkey which hopefully started later entered to election atmosphere adding that there was a risk that early elections may increase government expenses which may also increase inflation pressure.

The entrance part of the report said despite cronical budget deficit and high inflation, economic growth recorded an increase in Turkey in 1997.

OECD report stressed that radical reforms were required in social security system, taxation, rapid privatization and administration of public economic entrepreneurs to struggle against budget deficits and inflation.

The report said the government wanted to reduce inflation 65 percent for the year 1998 and recalled that laws in social security system and tax reform waited for the ratification of parliament.

The report which also stressed that there were signs that privatization programs which were delayed for a long time would be speeded up.

OECD report estimated that Turkey's economic growth rate would be around 5 percent in 1999.

The report also said Turkey was not su much affected by the Asian crisis.

[06] CARICATURISTS TO MEET IN ANKARA - 4TH INTERNATIONAL ANKARA CARICATURE FESTIVAL TO TAKE PLACE BETWEEN MAY 8 AND 12

Caricature Foundation told a written statement that the title of the festival which will be participated by caricaturists and scientists will be ''caricature and culture.'' Also, an international sysmposium will take place.

The festival will take place with the support of European Caricaturist Institutions Federation, European Commission Turkey Representation and Culture Ministry. Caricaturists from the Netherlands, Belgium, the US, Greece, Italy, Yugoslavia, Britain, Germany, TRNC and Turkey will participate in the festival.

Bedri Koraman will be awarded with this year's ''Honarary Reward'' and ''Caricaturist of the Year'' reward will be given to Semih Poroy.

It was also reported that activities of the International Ankara Caricature Festival could be covered by web page of Caricature Foundation.

The pages of Culture Foundation could be reached from the address:

http://www.nd-karikaturvakfi.org.tr

[07] PLUMER, TRNC'S REPRESENTATIVE TO NEW YORK SAYS: ''IF GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE MAKES SACRIFICES FROM THEIR DESIRES, A SOLUTION IS POSSIBLE IN CYPRUS''

Addressing a meeting staged by Columbia University Western European Institude in New York Plumer recalled that 50 Greek Cypriot officers were sent to Russia to be trained to use S-300 missiles which Greek Cypriot Side purchased from this country.

Plumer said Greek Cypriot Side formed a joint military unit with Greece adding that their final goal was to spread their sovereignity to the nortern part of the Island.

Pointing out that armament expenses of Greek Cypriot administration reached to two million dollars per day, Plumer said the number of Greek Cypriot guard units reached to 20,000.

Plumer said a solution could be found if Greek Cypriot side gives up the idea that they were the only administrator of the island and accepts to share the ruling with Turkish Cypriots. ''They should also accept that there were two peoples and two states in the island having equal status and give up armament race'' he added.

[08] BICYCLE TOUR TO TAKE PLACE BETWEEN APRIL 20 AND 26

The tour will start in Atakoy district in Istanbul and will end infront of Cankaya Palace in Ankara. A total of 200 sportsmen from 18 countries will participate in the tour where Turkey will be represented by three teams. The route of the sportsmen is: Istanbul-Tekirdag, Tekirdag-Gelibolu, Gelibolu-Erdek, Erdek-Bandirma, Bandirma-Mustafakemalpasa, Mustafakemalpasa- Bursa, Bursa Eskisehir, Eskisehir-Ankara.

Omer Sahin, Chairman of Bicycle and Triatlon Federation told A.A correspondent that they will brief President Suleyman Demirel about the tour. He said they attribute importance to the International Presidential Bicycle Tour on the 75th anniversary of our republic.

Sahin said another aim of the tour was to show the beauties of Turkey to foreign sportsmen.

[09] NAVAL FORCE COMMANDERS OF THE BLACK SEA COUNTRIES CONVENE IN BULGARIA

Salim Dervisoglu, Naval Forces Commander, represents Turkey during the meeting which was also attended by Naval Forces Commanders of Bulgaria, Romania, Russia, Georgia and Ukraine.

Greece, Italy and NATO representative participate in the meeting in observer status.

Miho Mihov, Chief of General Staff of Bulgaria, addressing the meeting said regional countries should be in close cooperation in military field to provide a lasting security and stability in the region.

Hristo Kontrov, Bulgarian Naval Forces Commander, said the main goal of the meeting was to reveal the views of regional countries on the issue of confidence building measures in the Black Sea and to specify a joint policy.

The meeting will end on Thursday with a press conference. The commanders take up control of ship transportation in the Black Sea and preservation of ecologic balance of the Black Sea as well as the confidence building measures in the region.

[10] MOTORWAY SUPPORT TO GAP

General Directorate of Highways said 131 km Gaziantep-Sanliurfa Motorway which is an extension of 268 km Tarsus-Adana-Gaziantep Motorway will cost 660 million dollars.

An important step will be taken to realize goals of GAP, which is one of the leading regional development projects of the world, if the Motorway takes effect.

Officials said efforts were underway to reach the motorway network extending from Tarsus to Sanliurfa to Habur in the coming period.

Officials said GAP, with this motorway, will have facilities to link with harbours, free zones, domestic and foreign markets rapidly.

They said Gaziantep-Sanliurfa Motorway will be financed with Foreign credit and will be constructed in three parts as Gaziantep-Birecik, Birecik-Suruc and Suruc-Sanliurfa adding that efforts were underway to complete the motorway in the possible soonest time.

[11] THERE IS NO PROBLEM IN ''BLUE STREAM'' PROJECT - ERSUMER, MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES: ''PROJECT HAS TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY''

Ersumer, in a statement which he made to Petro Gas, the monthly publishing organ of the state-run pipeline company (BOTAS) Foundation, said the project had a technical feasibility.

Under the agreement signed with Russian Federation, natural gas transportation which will start with 500 million cubic meters in the year 2000 will increase in the following years and reach to 16 billion cubic meters till the year 2007.

Ersumer said capacity of the existing West line will increase to 14 billion cubic meters with an addition of eight billion cubic meters. Ersumer said thus, the quantity of gas that will come from Russian reserves will reach to 30 billion cubic meters in the year 2000's.

Ersumer said the public expressed concern over the project as the length of the pipeline was 396 km long and will be constructed under 2100 meters dept under the sea. He said there was no reason to feel uneasy over this.

Ersumer said Russian company RAO Gazprom gave assurances to overcome obstacles during the construction of the line.

Stressing that the agreement signed with Russian Federation on Dec 15, 1997 was confirmed with the provisions protecting Turkey in particular, Ersumer recalled that there were included provisions that Russian Federation will make all necessary investments on the pipeline till the point where it reaches to the Black Sea Samsun province. Ersumer said Turkey's expending trillions of lira was regardless of question.

Noting that Turkey will not only link with Russia but also continue contacts with other countries who are sources of supply.

[12] FIRST CONFESSIONS FROM SAKIK

KDP officials who listened to the first statements of Sakik after he surrendered told A.A correspondent that Sakık said he could not get along well with the Chief of the separatist terrorist organization for a long time.

Sakik in his statement said chief of the separatist terrorist organization wanted to rule Northern Iraq and incited the clashes of the Kurdish groups in Northern Iraq. Sakik said ''in the clashes of Kurdish groups Apo told us to extend support to Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Jalal Talabani. When we abided by the orders, there were great loses.

Sakik blamed Apo as the main cause of the collapse of the organization.

[13] 10TH OF ANKARA FILM FESTIVAL TO BE STAGED

The 10th Ankara International Film Festival which brings Turkish and foreign films to Ankara has several changes this year. A very new part called ''Young Stars of the World Cinema'' will be staged this year.

There are also parts like ''From One Country's Cinema'' and ''Examples from World Cinema''.

There is a great interest to the Short Film Competition this year. 73 masterpieces in various branches applied to this section of the festival.

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