Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-04-13

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

13 APRIL 1998

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] THE GAP INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WILL BE COMPLETED WITHIN 32 MONTHS

[03] MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES: - ''THE COUNCIL OF STATE ANNULLED THE PERMISSION TO EXTRACT GOLD WITH CYANIDE IN BERGAMA''

[04] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

[05] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

[06] THE AGRICULTURAL UNIONS DUE TO BE SET UP

[07] DIYARBAKIR NEVRUZ CASE - PROSECUTION ASKS FOR FIVE YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT FOR FIVE PEOPLE INCLUDING ONE ITALIAN

[08] TURKEY IN BRIEF, APRIL 13, 1998

[09] CHIEF OF SECURITY BILICAN: ''WE WILL NOT PERMIT THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION TO DAMAGE TURKEY AND TURKISH TOURISM IN THE MEDITERRANEAN''

[10] ERSUMER, MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES RECEIVES THE US DELEGATION

[11] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM TO LEAVE FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA ON TUESDAY

[12] CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF GEN. KARADAYI IN BAKU

[13] COHEN, THE US SECRETARY OF DEFENSE TO ARRIVE IN TURKEY ON THURSDAY

[14] TURKISH-UZBEK JOINT DECLARATION PUBLISHED: ''THE TWO COUNTRIES HAVE CONFIRMED THAT THEY WILL LAUNCH EFFORTS TO SET UP A CONSTRUCTIVE, COMPLEMENTARY PARTNERSHIP AND TO IMPROVE RELATIONS WITHIN THE PRINCIPLES OF THE AGREEMENTS SIGNED''

[15] BRITISH PARIAMENTARIANS IN TRNC - TRNC FM ETKIN: ''THE EU SHOULD REVIEW ITS POLICY BY TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE REALITIES ON CYPRUS''

[16] RETURN TO VILLAGES ACCELERATES - KOKSAL, THE GOVERNOR OF BITLIS: ''THE VILLAGERS RETURNED TO 24 VILLAGES AND 15 SETTLEMENT AREAS SO FAR''

[17] TURKEY IN BRIEF (2)- APRIL 13, 1998

[18] 150 MILLION DOLLARS OF LOAN TO DEMIRBANK

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) YOU ARE FREE AFTER JUNE
Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz told Hurriyet his response to Deniz Baykal, the leader of Republican Peoples' Party (CHP): ''Give us support until June, after that you can behave as you like.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

SABAH (LIBERAL)

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

RADIKAL (LEFT)

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

FINANSAL FORUM (ECONOMY)

[02] THE GAP INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WILL BE COMPLETED WITHIN 32 MONTHS

The foundation-laying ceremony of the airport will be held in the first week of May with the participation of President Suleyman Demirel, Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and Necdet Menzir, the Minister of Transportation.

Sahabettin Harput, the Governor of Sanlıurfa, told the A.A correspondent that the products of the GAP region will be transported by the giant cargo planes all over the world, after the airport is completed.

[03] MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES: - ''THE COUNCIL OF STATE ANNULLED THE PERMISSION TO EXTRACT GOLD WITH CYANIDE IN BERGAMA''

Responding to the questions of the A.A correspondent about the issue, Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources said that ''the permission that had earlier been given to Eurogold to extract gold with cyanide in Bergama was annulled. Annulment of the permission proves that the license won't be used. We will notify Eurogold after we receive the court decision. If Eurogold works, then we will punish them.''

''Eurogold can't work in these conditions. The Ministry of the Environment can ask Eurogold for new conditions, it can say that 'if you meet these conditions, then you can work, because it is not dangerous for the environment.' Eurogold can work only on this condition,'' he said.

-HISTORY OF THE CASE-
The Council of State ratified on April 3 the decision of the Izmir Administrative Court which annulled the implementation of the Ministry of the Environment to extract gold with cyanide in Bergama.

The inhabitants of Ovacik Village at Bergama County in Izmir Province on the Aegean had filed a suit to annul the implementation of the Ministry of the Environment which allowed the Eurogold Mining Inc. to make gold mining operations.

The Council of State decision, taken unanimously, said that Article 17 of the Constitution emphasized, ''Everyone has the right to live, to preserve his material and spiritual wealth and the right to live in a healthy and balanced environment.'' The decision stressed the dangers of extracting gold for the environment and health.

[04] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

(Derived from the Newsspot of the Turkish General Directorate of Press and Information.)

YILMAZ IN UZBEKISTAN
Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz embarked upon a four-day trip to Central Asia including Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan yesterday. Five ministers, six deputies, 58 businessmen and many bureaucrats are accompanying Yilmaz. Yilmaz will meet wıth the Uzbek President Islam Kerimov this morning and participate in the signing ceremonies of some agreements including cooperation in the areas of culture and customs. Yilmaz will proceed on to Kyrgyzstan tomorrow. /Hurriyet-Sabah/

INTENSIVE TURKISH DIPLOMATIC TRAFFIC
Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister will go to Bosnia-Herzegovina on 14 April to discuss the Kosovo issue with President Alia Izzetbegovic and the other recent developments in the region. During his three day visit, Cem will also visit the Turkish military unit station in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

On 16 April, the Bulgarian and Romanian Presidents will come to Antalya as the guests of their Turkish counterpart. It is expected that the Kosovo issue will be the top topic on the agenda of the "summit".

Meanwhile, William Cohen, the U.S. Secretary of Defense will come to Ankara on 17 April. Cohen will meet with his Turkish counterpart Ismet Sezgin and Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister. Cohen will negotiate with the Turkish officials on Turkish-American military cooperation, the Cyprus issue and developments in the Middle East.

It has also been announced that Ismail Cem will go to Paris between 27-28 April to attend the upcoming OECD meetings there. /Milliyet/

WATER FROM TURKEY FOR TRNC
Suleyman Demirel, the Turkish President and Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will attend a ceremony on 23 April marking the first water supplies from Turkey to the TRNC. During the first year of the project, three million tons of water are planned to be transported to the TRNC. Sukru Sina Gurel, the Turkish Minister of State has noted that the project will cost nearly $300 million.

Meanwhile, according to The Guradian newspaper, Turkey has the most important water resources in the region and due to the increasing water shortage in the East Mediterranean, Turkey plans to sell water to Italy, Greece, Jordan, Israel, Libya and Malta. /Sabah/

NEW DRAFT LAWS TO BE DISCUSSED DURING PLENARY SESSIONS
This week will be a busy one for parliamentary deputies after a nine-day holiday. During plenary sessions, proposals for the removal of the parliamentary immunity of six deputies, tax reforms and a ''package for the struggle against fundamentalism'' will be taken up. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and , Deniz Baykal, the leader of the Republican Peoples' Party (CHP) will meet and discuss the Assembly agenda on Thursday. The package for the struggle against fundamentalism will be initially discussed by the Turkish Parliament's General Council within the framework of a consensus to be reached between Yilmaz and Baykal. /Milliyet-Sabah/

STRANGE ALLIANCE IN BRUSSELS
The third anniversary of the so-called Kurdish Parliament-in-exile was celebrated in Brussels with the participation of the PKK members, members of the outlawed Democratic Party (DEP), and Belgian, Russian and Greek parliamentarians. Panayotis Sgouridis, the first Deputy Speaker of the Greek Parliament, also gave a speech at the meeting calling on world public opinion to pay the same attention to the Kurdish issue in Turkey such as it does to the Kosovo issue. /Milliyet/

(To be continued)

[05] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

(Derived from the Newsspot of the Turkish General Directorate of Press and Information.)

CLASHES BETWEEN PKK AND SECURITY FORCES
Security forces have initiated operations in Antalya to find and arrest a team of PKK terrorists planning attacks in southern tourism centers. Seven terrorists were killed in clashes with the security forces on Friday. The operations are being backed with Skorsky helicopters. /Hurriyet/

2.4 MILLION CARS PRODUCED IN 15 YEARS
The Turkish automotive sector has produced more than 2.4 million cars during the last 15 years. According to the State Planning Organization figures, the number of cars produced domestically increased from one in 1960 to 242 thousand in 1997. This year the target is to manufacture 250 thousand cars in Turkey. /Hurriyet/

TURKEY TO ADVANCE IN TOURISM
The tourism sector, among the leading sectors bringing in huge foreign exchange revenues, is expected to grow even more with ''faith tourism'' in the 2000s. Recalling the recent statement made by Pope John, ''I would like 10 million Christians to go on pilgrimages to Turkey every year'', Ibrahim Gurdal, the Minister of Tourism said that they attached great importance to the Faith Congress scheduled to take place in Kusadasi between 4-7 May. /Cumhuriyet/

'TURKEY IS A HEAVEN'
One of the leading US television channels, ABC, praised Turkey in one of its recent travel programmes. A summary of the programme is on the ABC Internet site. The Internet address is: www.abcnews.com. /Sabah/

REPORT ON A BLACK SEA RAILWAY SYSTEM
The Black Sea Transport and Environment Volunteers' Group published a report recently stating that if expressways were built taking the simultaneous construction of railways into mind, then the overall cost would drop incredibly low, and with this addition, Turkey could be connected to all the new Central Asian markets. /Cumhuriyet/

US CYPRUS COORDINATOR TRIES TO EASE CYPRUS TENSIONS
In a statement to the Greek weekly magazine "To Vima", Thomas Miller, the US Special Coordinator to Cyprus suggested that Turkey had no intention of attacking the Southern Cyprus administration should Russian made S-300 missiles be deployed there, and added that Turkey had changed last year's hard-line policy. He also noted the US concerns over the Greek Cypriot arms build-up on Cyprus. /Cumhuriyet/

[06] THE AGRICULTURAL UNIONS DUE TO BE SET UP

The draft law is also important for providing compatibility with the norms of the European Union. The aims of the agricultural unions are stated as follows, ''to develop vegetable and animal products, to lead the farmers in technical and economic fields, to provide the farmers with manure, seed and insecticides for the agricultural struggle against pests, to give education and publication services to the members and to cooperate with the national or international organizations whenever it is necessary.''

If the draft becomes a law, then an agricultural unions council will also be set up to form an agricultural policy. It was reported that the agricultural unions are not the alternatives of the cooperatives.

[07] DIYARBAKIR NEVRUZ CASE - PROSECUTION ASKS FOR FIVE YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT FOR FIVE PEOPLE INCLUDING ONE ITALIAN

The indictment prepared by the Prosecution noted that the five people including Frisullo Damiano Giovanni, an Italian, ''held a demonstration in favour of the separatist terrorist organization, which aims to divide a part of Turkey's territory and establish an independent Kurdish state there, '' during the Nevruz celebrations.

''The suspects who invited people to resist in spite of the warnings of the security forces, prepared the basis of the clash that erupted between the security forces and people,'' the indictment added.

The prosecution asks for the imprisonment of the five suspects under Article 312/2 of the Turkish Penal Code.

The session of the case will be heard in the coming days.

[08] TURKEY IN BRIEF, APRIL 13, 1998

The ILO will take up issues of creating employment in small and medium- scale enterprises and the prevention of child labour.

Nami Cagan, the Minister of Labour and Social Security, the Confederation of Turkish Employers Unions (TISK) and the Federation of Turkish Trade Unions (Turk-Is) will participate in the ILO Conference.

Turkey has ratified 38 ILO Conventions since 1932, when she became a member of the ILO.

BAYBURT - Tourism facilities are being constructed on Kop Mountain in Bayburt Province, it was reported on Monday. Kop Mountain is one of the areas which is called ''the tourism center of the Eastern Black Sea Region'' by the Ministry of Tourism.

Ali Haydar Oner, the Governor of Bayburt, said that the construction of the facilities will be completed by the end of this year. He said that the Kop Mountain provides many sports opportunities and there are two ski slopes on the Mountain.

ISTANBUL - The 11th International Agriculture Fair will be held in the southeastern province of Sanlıurfa between April 17-21, it was reported on Monday.

At the fair, many products ranging from agricultural devices and machines, tractors to seeds, young plants, agricultural insecticides and fertilizers will be displayed.

The fair, which will also include animal products, aims to display the recent developments in the agricultural sector to farmers of the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region and neighbouring countries.

Various institutions will also hold panels and seminars during the fair.

ISTANBUL - The ''Tourism Forum 98'' organized by the Turkish Union of Hotel- Keepers (TUROB) will begin in Istanbul on Tuesday.

Ali Gureli, the Chairman of the Hotel-Keepers Union, said that the forum will focus on the issue of ''the hotel accommodations in the local, regional and global stabilities''.

President Suleyman Demirel will also participate at the forum.

ISTANBUL - The foundation of the Free Zone of Thrace, which will provide employment for approximately 25,000 people, will be laid in the coming months, it was reported on Monday.

Kemal Sahin, the Chairman of the Executive Board of Sahinler Holding, said that the Free Zone will bring prosperity to the local people.

A total of 50 percent of the Free Zone will be used by firms involved in the fields of textiles and ready-to-wear clothing.

The region will be a center of techno-city and fashion when it is completed and high-technology sectors such as electronics, computers, automotive by- product industry and food will sell their products there.

The Free Zone which is expected to attract one billion US dollars in investments, is also expected to export approximately one billion US dollars of products when it is completed.

ANKARA - General Ismail Hakki Karadayi, the Chief of General Staff, has gone to Azerbaijan, the first step of his visit to Azerbaijan and Georgia, on Monday.

General Karadayi will proceed to Georgia after he has completed his meetings in Azerbaijan.

[09] CHIEF OF SECURITY BILICAN: ''WE WILL NOT PERMIT THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION TO DAMAGE TURKEY AND TURKISH TOURISM IN THE MEDITERRANEAN''

Responding to the questions of journalists regarding the operations staged against the separatist terrorist organization near Antalya, Bilican stated that the terrorist organization wants to sabotage Turkish tourism in the Mediterranean, adding, '' the security forces have been following terrorists in the region and 10 terrorists were killed in an operation two days ago.''

When asked whether ''the terrorist organization constitutes a serious threat in the region,'' Bilican pointed out, ''it can't be a threat. They can only cause sensational events. The other terrorists in the Mediterranean region will also be captured.''

Bilican added that approximately 20 PKK members are believed to be in the region.

[10] ERSUMER, MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES RECEIVES THE US DELEGATION

A briefing was held for the delegation concerning the energy needs of Turkey in the future.

Addressing a joint press briefing with Livingston, Yigitguden stated that the two sides exchanged views at the meeting concerning the energy cooperation between Turkey and the US.

Livingston, the head of the US Delegation, said that ''the opening of the Central Asian energy for use with the mediation of Turkey is very important. Turkey won't only meet her people's energy needs, but will also help to meet the energy need of everyone who wishes to live together in peace. In this respect, the Turkish people have a key role.''

Responding to the questions of journalists after the briefing, Yurdakul Yıgıtguden said that the deadline concerning the transfer of operation rights of the power stations of Hamitabat and Ambarlı will be declared soon.

Yıgıtguden stressed that the visit of Ersumer to Azerbaijan has been postponed until April 20 due to heavy schedule of both sides. Ersumer will return to Turkey on April 22.

The US delegation was later received by President Suleyman Demirel.

[11] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM TO LEAVE FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA ON TUESDAY

Sermet Atacanli, the Deputy Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, said in his weekly press briefing that Bosnia-Herzegovina is one of the regions with which Turkey has special ties, adding that Cem's visit to Bosnia- Herzegovina would be the first official visit at the Foreign Ministry level for the last three years.

Atacanli said that Ismail Cem would meet with President Alia Izzetbegovic and visit the Turkish military unit in Zenica.

During Ismail Cem's visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina, the bilateral relations with Bosnia-Herzegovina and the implementation process of the Dayton Peace Agreement would be discussed from all aspects and also the sides would exchange views about the Kosovo issue, the cooperation for the establishment of the Balkan Peace Force and important regional and international issues.

After concluding his contacts in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ismail Cem will participate in the ''Second Turkish, Romanian and Bulgarian Presidents' Summit'' in Antalya. The first summit was held in Varna between April 16-17, 1997.

Atacanli said that the summit would be a step for the continuation of the cooperation process among the Balkan countries.

[12] CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF GEN. KARADAYI IN BAKU

Gen. Karadayi said at the Bine Airport that such visits between the two countries have become a tradition.

When asked whether or not the election of Robert Kocharyan as the Armenian President would cause concern among the Turkish Armed Forces regarding the restart of a war between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Ismail Hakki Karadayi said that the issue was being evaluated by the political branches.

Responding to another question, Karadayi said that they were supporting the Baku-Ceyhan project for the export of Caspian oil, adding that this route is appropriate for the interests of the countries in the region.

Karadayi emphasized that the route is under the NATO-member Turkey's security umbrella and this is of great importance.

General Karadayi will meet with Sefer Abiyev, the Azerbaijani Minister of Defense and make observations at several units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces the same day.

Karadayi will be received by President Haydar Aliyev on Wednesday and will leave Baku the same day.

[13] COHEN, THE US SECRETARY OF DEFENSE TO ARRIVE IN TURKEY ON THURSDAY

Sermet Atacanlı, the Deputy Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry told a weekly press briefing that the bilateral defense relations will be evaluated in all aspects during the visit of Cohen to Turkey.

Noting that there is a very close cooperation between Turkey and the US, particularly in the field of defense, Atacanlı stated that there is no specific message that will be given to the US during the visit.

Responding to a question about the claims saying that there are 15 American atom bombs at the Incirlik Base, Atacanlı said that he is not in a position to give specific information concerning such a military issue, as this is up to the Turkish government.''

''I can neither accept nor deny that kind of a deployment at the Incirlik Base. I am not in a position to make a comment on operational issues,'' he added.

[14] TURKISH-UZBEK JOINT DECLARATION PUBLISHED: ''THE TWO COUNTRIES HAVE CONFIRMED THAT THEY WILL LAUNCH EFFORTS TO SET UP A CONSTRUCTIVE, COMPLEMENTARY PARTNERSHIP AND TO IMPROVE RELATIONS WITHIN THE PRINCIPLES OF THE AGREEMENTS SIGNED''

The declaration noted that the two countries have confirmed that they will launch efforts to set up a constructive, complementary partnership between them and to improve relations within the principles of the agreements signed.

The declaration stated that the two sides exchanged views concerning bilateral relations, regional and international issues that concern the two countries.

Pointing out that the Eternal Friendship and Cooperation Agreement that had earlier been signed between the two countries has an historical importance, the declaration added, ''the two sides said that they are ready to diversify relations in different fields and to develop the legal basis of the relations between the Turkish Republic and the Uzbek Republic.''

''The two sides have confirmed that they will attribute importance to the economic field and realization of various bilateral and multilateral transportation projects between Central Asia and Europe. In this regard, the Joint Economic Commission meetings and political consultations between the foreign ministers will be held on a regular basis,'' the declaration added.

The declaration also stressed that the two countries share similar points of view concerning many international problems, adding that ''Turkey and Uzbekistan said that they will launch efforts to consolidate stability and establish security in their region by holding regular consulations within the framework of the UN, the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and the NATO Partnership for Peace (PFP) programme. The two countries have also expressed their concern about the armed conflict and tension in Afghanistan and said that they support the UN activities in this country.''

''The two sides have condemned terrorism, which is a basic violation of human rights and all kinds of violent actions,'' the declaration added.

[15] BRITISH PARIAMENTARIANS IN TRNC - TRNC FM ETKIN: ''THE EU SHOULD REVIEW ITS POLICY BY TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE REALITIES ON CYPRUS''

Stressing that there are two different communities, two different democracies and two different states on Cyprus, Etkin said that the EU had demolished with its last decision the equality between the TRNC and the Greek-Cypriot side and the Turkish-Greek balance.

Pointing out that the EU had destroyed the basis for negotiation on the island, Etkin said that this basis should be based upon the ''two-state principle''.

Emphasizing that the visit of the British parliamentarians was the first visit to the TRNC from that country after the general elections in Britain, Taner Etkin said, ''there are two equal sides on the island. It is always important to listen to these two equal sides and obtain information from the authorities and this is the approach that we have been expecting ever since the beginning.''

[16] RETURN TO VILLAGES ACCELERATES - KOKSAL, THE GOVERNOR OF BITLIS: ''THE VILLAGERS RETURNED TO 24 VILLAGES AND 15 SETTLEMENT AREAS SO FAR''

Koksal stated that the return to the secure and newly established settlement areas accelerated due to the coming of Spring this year.

The return shows the power of the state and the severe blows on the terrorist organization play a significant role in that, Koksal added.

[17] TURKEY IN BRIEF (2)- APRIL 13, 1998

Prof. Halil Sariaslan, the Consultant of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), told the A.A correspondent that the World Bank would let the Urfa (wool), Adana (wool), Izmir (wool), Thracian region (grains), Konya (grains), Polatlı (grains) and Eskisehir (grains) agricultural products exchanges use low interest loans for their development.

ISTANBUL - The Turkish EGS Holding will set up a joint venture with foreign capital, it was reported on Monday.

Levent Hekimoglu, the Deputy Chairman of the EGS Executive Board and responsible for commercial relations and investments of the EGS, said in a written statement that the EGS, which signed a letter of protocol with the American security development and operation company Trammell Crow International (TCI), would sell a part of the EGS Securities to the TCI.

The ''EGS-TCI'' administration company, which will be set up by the EGS and the TCI with a share of 50 percent each, will start operations at the end of June 1998.

KOCAELI - A total of 9.2 million US dollars of forign exchange income was provided from the loading and unloading at the Derince Seaport last year, it was reported on Monday.

It was reported that a total of 496 thousand tonnes of goods including mostly magnesium silicate, chrome, profile pipes, barley and containers were exported from the Derince Seaport last year.

A total of 1,356 thousand tonnes of goods including pipes, logs, firewood, cast iron, pulp, wheat, marble, coal, etc. were imported and entered Turkey from the same port last year.

The foreign exchange income provided from the loading and unloading at the Derince Seaport increased 30 percent to 9.2 million US dollars last year compared with the statistics for 1996.

The targeted income for this year is 12 million US dollars.

[18] 150 MILLION DOLLARS OF LOAN TO DEMIRBANK

Demirbank said that after a loan of 70 million US dollars in March, it reached a total of 220 milion US dollars of loan with the last 150 million US dollars of credit.

The loan agreement, which came on the market as USCP (US Commercial Paper), was signed in London on April 8, 1998.

Meanwhile, the loan agreement was signed as 150 milion US dollars after the intense demand from the banks although the amount of the loan come on the market was 100 milion US dollars.

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