Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-04-26

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

26 APRIL 1998

CONTENTS

[01] AZERI PRESIDENT ALIEV LEAVES FOR TRABZON TO LAY FOUNDATION OF DERINER DAM

[02] EDU SUMMIT ENDS - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ HOLDS A JOINT PRESS BRIEFING WITH NIINISTO, EDU CHAIRMAN AND SCHUSSEL, THE AUSTRIAN FOREIGN MINISTER - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''WE ACCEPT THE OBJECTIVE CONDITIONS PUT FORWARD BY EU FOR CANDIDATE COUNTRIES''

[03] STATE MINISTER TURK: ''EVERYBODY SHOULD BE SENSITIVE ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS AND FULFIL HIS/HER RESPONSIBILITIES''

[04] OPERATION IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY - 31 TERRORISTS KILLED, WHILE THREE SECURITY MEMBERS DIE

[05] TRNC PRESIDENT RAUF DENKTAS: ''WE FAVOUR BALANCED RECONCILIATION''

[06] ONE PERSON CAPTURED WITH 7,5 KG OF HASHISH IN ISTANBUL, ANOTHER ONE CAPTURED WHILE TRYING TO SELL 13,5 KG OF HASHISH TO POLICE IN NEVSEHIR

[07] OECD COUNCIL MEETING TO START IN PARIS ON MONDAY

[08] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ:''SARP BORDER GATE WILL BE AN IMPORTANT GATE THAT WILL OPEN TO THE TURKISH WORLD''

[09] ''GLOBAL WALKING'' FOR CHILDREN'S RIGHTS TO START IN TURKEY ON MONDAY

[10] TURKISH-GERMAN RELATIONS - SCHAEUBLE, A GERMAN DEPUTY: ''I DID NOT SAY A WORD THAT WOULD OFFEND TURKISH PEOPLE''

[11] FOUNDATION CEREMONY FOR DERINER DAM - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''WE WILL LAUNCH GREAT EFFORTS TO CONCLUDE OUR INVESTMENT PLAN WITHOUT GIVING CONCESSIONS FROM DEMOCRACY AND LEGAL STATE''

[01] AZERI PRESIDENT ALIEV LEAVES FOR TRABZON TO LAY FOUNDATION OF DERINER DAM

Addressing a statement before leaving Baku, Aliev said that he will participate in the foundation ceremony of the dam which will be constructed near Georgian-Turkish border upon the invitation of President Suleyman Demirel, adding that this project is important for Turkey.

''Participating in such kind of ceremonies show the friendly relations between Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan,'' said Aliev.

Responding to a question, Aliev pointed out that his statement ''I took the decision concerning Baku-Ceyhan main oil pipeline'' issued due to the commencement of broadcast by a Turkish private channel (NTV) in Azerbaijan, meant that he also conveyed the opinion of consortium, because the consortium and himself share the same opinion.

The Azeri President is expected to return to Baku the same day.

[02] EDU SUMMIT ENDS - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ HOLDS A JOINT PRESS BRIEFING WITH NIINISTO, EDU CHAIRMAN AND SCHUSSEL, THE AUSTRIAN FOREIGN MINISTER - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''WE ACCEPT THE OBJECTIVE CONDITIONS PUT FORWARD BY EU FOR CANDIDATE COUNTRIES''

The 18th Party Leaders' Summit of the European Democrats' Union (EDU), which started on Friday in the Austrian city of Salzburg, ended the same day.

Addressing a joint press briefing with Prime Mnister Mesut Yılmaz and Sauli Niinisto, the newly chosen EDU Chairman and Finish Deputy Prime Minister at the end of the EDU summit, Wolfgang Schussel, the Austrian Deputy Prime Minister said that it is wrong to think that the decisions taken at Luxembourg Summit do not call for Turkey's membership.

''It is for sure that Turkey is a complementary part of Europe.

Turkey should be evaluated by the same objective criteria such as democracy, market economy and human rights which are valid for other countries,'' said Schussel, pointing out that Salzburg meeting was important to overcome the misunderstandings.

Schussel said that Turkey needs Europe, as Europe needs Turkey, adding that they will launch efforts to open a new period in Turkish-EU relations.

Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz said in his part that he appreciates the statement of Schussel who said that Turkey is an important and inseparable part of Europe.

Noting that Turkey expects EU to put this statement into reality, Yılmaz said that Turkish people feel ignored and offended by the decisions taken during the Luxembourg Summit.

Stressing that the decision of EU not to include Turkey to enlargement process was not fair and was a mistake, Yılmaz said ''this mistake should be corrected as soon as possible. I would like to confirm the national will of Turkey to join EU.''

Responding to a question, Yılmaz stressed that there is not any Kurdish problem, rather a terrorism problem in Turkey. Noting that Kurdish people live all parts of Turkey, Yılmaz stated that the terrorism can only be seen in Southeastern Turkey.

Yılmaz pointed out that Greece is an important neighbour of Turkey, adding that ''the invitation I made to Greece in 1996 was unfortunately not responded. This proposal is still valid, but we reject the connection of Turkish-EU relations with Turkish-Greek relations.''

''I believe that the German government understands the status of Turkey and will correct her strategical mistake,'' said Yılmaz, responding to a question about relations with Germany.

Asked whether or not the deployment of S-300 missiles in Greek Cypriot side is casus belli, Yılmaz said ''we have never said that. The deployment of missiles in Greek Cypriot side is not only a problem for Turkey, but also for all Europe. Turkey will take the necessary measures at the Turkish Cypriot side.''

Schussel said ''don't expect a sudden change in Turkish-EU relations in the coming week or month when Austria becomes the EU President,'' adding that Turkish-EU relations will be taken up during the EU Foreign Ministers meeting, that will be held on Monday.

Responding to a question about the concrete expectations of Turkey from Austria, Yılmaz said ''we expect EU to fulfil its obligations towards Turkey within the framework of customs union.''

Prime Minister Yılmaz returned to Turkey the same day.

[03] STATE MINISTER TURK: ''EVERYBODY SHOULD BE SENSITIVE ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS AND FULFIL HIS/HER RESPONSIBILITIES''

''We wish to realize human rights fully in Turkey and the success we will reach, will be all of our success. This aim can not be considered as the duty of only the government, in fact the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have a significant role in that. Human rights can only fully enter into force, if individuals, institutions and non-governmental organizations pay importance not only to their rights, but also to others' rights,'' Turk said.

Addressing a meeting in Osmaniye with representatives of NGOs, Turk said that ''we take modern steps concerning human rights particularly in the field of custody of accused people and improvement of life conditions in prisons.''

[04] OPERATION IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY - 31 TERRORISTS KILLED, WHILE THREE SECURITY MEMBERS DIE

Emergency Regional Governor's office said that three security members died during the operations staged against the separatist terrorist organization within the last two days.

Officials said that 26 terrorists were killed, one of them was wounded and four others were captured alive during the operations in Diyarbakır, Bingol, Mus and Bitlis provinces of Southeastern Turkey.

The security forces killed five terrorists and wounded three others in the rural area between Catak and Gevas townships of Van province, while a terrorist, who escaped from the terrorist organization, surrendered to security forces in Siirt province.

Operations are underway in the region.

[05] TRNC PRESIDENT RAUF DENKTAS: ''WE FAVOUR BALANCED RECONCILIATION''

TRNC President Denktas received Aydan Karahan, the Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary and former ambassador to TRNC the same day.

Noting that Turkey did not do the things that should have done before, due to her good will, Rauf Denktas said that Turkey expected positive results to be taken through negotiations between the two sides on the island.

Stressing that European Union (EU) has to make a new evaluation after its Luxembourg decision, Rauf Denktas said that in this regard the implementation of agreements and protocols signed with Turkey carries a great importance.

Aydan Karahan said in his part that he came to the island to put the Protocol into force, which was signed between Turkey and TRNC on January 13, 1998 and which aims to improve relations between the two foreign ministries.

Karahan pointed out that Turkey supports TRNC and will continue to do so until TRNC gains the place she deserves in the international field.

[06] ONE PERSON CAPTURED WITH 7,5 KG OF HASHISH IN ISTANBUL, ANOTHER ONE CAPTURED WHILE TRYING TO SELL 13,5 KG OF HASHISH TO POLICE IN NEVSEHIR

Istanbul police said that Enver Aslan was captured and then taken under custody in Fatih district on April 22, while he was trying to sell 7,5 kg of hashish worth of three billion liras in the street.

Meanwhile, another person, who tried to sell one kg of hashish to police officers in market place in Avanos township of Nevsehir province, was captured in the act.

Police found 12,5 kg of hashish buried in a cave near the person's house in Sofular village of Nevsehir province.

[07] OECD COUNCIL MEETING TO START IN PARIS ON MONDAY

State Minister Isın Celebi and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will represent Turkey in the meetings, Celebi will address OECD Council on April 27 and Cem will make a speech on April 28.

The Asian crisis and its effect on the OECD countries will be discussed in detail during the meetings.

Issues of European Currency Unit, Multinational Agreement of Investment (MAI), globalization, sustainable development and the draft report on liberalization of trade and investments will be taken up during the meetings.

The reports prepared on the issues of bank sector and taxation are also expected to be taken up during the OECD COuncil meetings.

[08] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ:''SARP BORDER GATE WILL BE AN IMPORTANT GATE THAT WILL OPEN TO THE TURKISH WORLD''

Addressing several foundation ceremonies in the region, Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz said that 10 dams will be constructed on Coruh River including Deriner Dam.

''Deriner Dam, which we will lay its foundation today together with President Suleyman Demirel, Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze and Azeri President Haydar Aliev, will be the fifth biggest dam of the world in respect of height. Nine other dams are also planned to be constructed on Coruh River. When these dams are completed, 10 billion kwh of energy production will be provided for Turkey. Turkey will both meet its electricity need and also sell electricity abroad. Electricity means energy, energy means industry, industry means development and development means happiness. The water of Coruh river were wasted till today, but it will flow for electricity production from now on,'' Prime Minister Yılmaz said.

[09] ''GLOBAL WALKING'' FOR CHILDREN'S RIGHTS TO START IN TURKEY ON MONDAY

''Global Walking,'' which started in India to get support of the whole world regarding the protection of children, providing free education for children and prevention of exploitation of children in respect of economy, will end in Geneva.

The ''Global Walking'' Group will arrive in Ankara on April 29, meet President Suleyman Demirel and also labour unions on May 1. The group will proceed to Istanbul, participate in various activities there and leave for Greece on May 4.

[10] TURKISH-GERMAN RELATIONS - SCHAEUBLE, A GERMAN DEPUTY: ''I DID NOT SAY A WORD THAT WOULD OFFEND TURKISH PEOPLE''

Noting that Turkey belongs to Europe, Schaeuble said ''we will continue to extend all kinds of support to those who wish to see Turkey remain as an European country.''

Stressing that Russia and a part of Turkey are in the borders of Europe, Schaeuble pointed out that in an earlier speech he said that keeping these two countries out of Europe would cause serious results. ''We should not let situations occur which would tense the relations between Turkey and Germany,'' he added.

''We accept more than two million Turkish people living in Germany as a part of German people. In this respect, I expect them to contribute to improvement of relations between the two countries,'' Schaeuble said.

[11] FOUNDATION CEREMONY FOR DERINER DAM - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''WE WILL LAUNCH GREAT EFFORTS TO CONCLUDE OUR INVESTMENT PLAN WITHOUT GIVING CONCESSIONS FROM DEMOCRACY AND LEGAL STATE''

Addressing the ceremony held upon the foundation ceremony of Derine dam and hyroelectrical station on Coruh River, Prime Minister Yılmaz stated that the government considers investments in the fields of energy, transportation and communication as pre-condition for modern society.

Yılmaz stressed that he is happy to lay the foundation of this dam together with three presidents, adding that Derince dam will be constructed within seven years.

Noting that Turkey will gain an additional electrical energy of 10 billion kwh when the hyroelectrical station is completed, Yılmaz said that ''we need reconciliation and political stability in order to continue our development plan.''

Prime Minister Yılmaz added that the governnet also launches efforts to bring prosperity and peace to the Caucasus, Prime Minister Yılmaz stated that ''I hope this region of the world will be the center of peace and prosperity in the coming years.''

Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources said in his part that ''the energy which Turkey provided in 70 years is 21,000 megawatt, whereas the energy which will be provided by completion of power stations, which we lay their foundation is nearly 10,000 megawatt.''

The dam which will be constructed by Turkish-Swiss-Russian consortium, will cost 711 million dollars.

Meanwhile, Azeri President Haydar Aliev and Georgian President Edouard Schevardnadze who are welcomed by President Suleyman Demirel in Turkey the same day, will lay the foundation of Derince Dam.

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