Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-05-10

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

10 APRIL 1998

CONTENTS

[01] QUAKE SHAKES PROVINCES OF MALATYA AND ELAZIG

[02] PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR AZERBAIJAN

[03] ECO COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING ENDS

[04] PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION RETURNS TO TURKEY - DEPUTY PARLIAMENT SPEAKER KORKMAZCAN: ''PREPARATIONS COMPLETED TO ENABLE OUR CITIZENS LIVING ABROAD TO VOTE''

[05] STATE MINISTER CELEBI: ''OIC COUNTRIES WILL HAVE IMPORTANT ECONOMIC BENEFITS BY JOINING THE GLOBALIZATION PROCESS''

[06] TALAY, MINISTER OF CULTURE IN FRANCE

[07] ''DISTANT THUNDER-98'' NATO OPERATION CONTINUES

[08] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN AZERBAIJAN - DEMIREL MEETS ALIYEV, THE AZERI PRESIDENT

[09] US PRESIDENT CLINTON TO EXPLAIN TURKEY'S PLACE AND IMPORTANCE IN EUROPE

[10] SEPARATIST TERRORISTS ATTACK BY ROCKETS IN SEMDINLI COUNTY OF HAKKARI - ONE PERSON DIES

[11] YILDIRIM, THE STATE MINISTER LEAVES FOR THE US - YILDIRIM: ''GAP IS NOT ONLY ON THE AGENDA OF TURKEY, BUT ALSO ON WORLD'S AGENDA''

[12] PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES AZERBAIJAN - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''ALIYEV HAD AN IMPORTANT ROLE AND CONTRIBUTION IN DEVELOPMENT OF AZERBAIJAN''

[13] TWO TURKISH WOMEN MEMBERS OF THE DUTCH PARLIAMENT ADDRESS TO A.A

[01] QUAKE SHAKES PROVINCES OF MALATYA AND ELAZIG

Kandilli Observatory Quake Research Center said that the epicenter of the quake, measuring 4,7 on the Richter Scale, was Baskil county of Elazıg province.

The quake was also felt in eastern and southeastern provinces of Malatya, Tunceli, Kars, Diyarbakır and Bingol.

The quake caused no casualties, but it opened cracks in the walls of several buildings in Elazıg province and its Kovancılar county.

[02] PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR AZERBAIJAN

President Demirel, accompanied by Metin Gurdede and Ahat Andican, the State Ministers, will meet Haydar Aliyev, the Azeri

President and then proceed to Almaty, the capital of Kazakhstan for the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit.

Addressing a press briefing at Esenboga Airport, President Demirel said that they will revise the developments seen the fields of trade, transportation, communication and energy at the fifth ECO Summit.

''I will visit Baku to congratulate the 75th birthday of Mr Aliyev on behalf Turkish people and we will discuss the issues that concern our common interests,'' President Demirel said.

President Demirel stressed that ECO, which became a regional economic cooperation institution in 1992 with its 10 members, represents a market of 300 million people today.

Noting that ECO attributes importance to projects which will enable the Central Asian countries to reach international trade centers, President Demirel said ''Turkey will continue to support these kind of organizations which have an important place in economic integration movements in the world. On the other hand, ECO Summits give us the opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of friendly countries.''

[03] ECO COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING ENDS

ECO countries signed a Framework Agreement on Transit Transportation and a Memorandum concerning Cooperation Against Falsification at Customs during the meeting.

The ministers also discussed the Almaty Declaration that will be signed by Presidents and Head of States during the ECO Summit that will be held on May 11 in Almaty.

Meanwhile, Ahat Andican, the State Minister will meet Gohar Eyup, the Pakistani Foreign Minister and Kemal Kharrazi, the Iranian Foreign Minister in Almaty.

[04] PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION RETURNS TO TURKEY - DEPUTY PARLIAMENT SPEAKER KORKMAZCAN: ''PREPARATIONS COMPLETED TO ENABLE OUR CITIZENS LIVING ABROAD TO VOTE''

The Parliamentary delegation headed by Korkmazcan, which wrapped up its contacts in France and Germany, returned to Turkey on Saturday evening.

Addressing a statement at Ataturk Airport, Korkmazcan stated that the delegation met representatives from French and German governments and parliaments.

Noting that their aim is to enable Turkish citizens living abroad to fully have the right to elect, Korkmazcan pointed out that Turkish people will vote by letter or by proxy, at diplomatic representations or at customs gates due to the conditions of the country which Turkish citizens live.

[05] STATE MINISTER CELEBI: ''OIC COUNTRIES WILL HAVE IMPORTANT ECONOMIC BENEFITS BY JOINING THE GLOBALIZATION PROCESS''

Sending a message to the opening session of 14th Meeting of the Organization for Islamic Conference (OIC) Permanent Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation, Celebi pointed out to the difficulties in determination and implementation of common cooperation projects between 55 member countries due to the differences in their development levels.

Noting that regional trade and investments have to be encouraged to further improve trade in the world, Celebi stated that the most important duty of Permanent Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation is to lift the trade obstacles, to form the free market economy and give priority to encouragement and presentation of private sector in the region.

Soelarso S.Soebroto, the Chairman of Indenosian delegation said in his part that OIC is an important organization to overcome the problems which developing states face with. ''Establishment of Islam common market is to the benefit of all of us,'' he said.

Jahr Abu Al-Naja, the Chairman of Palestinian delegation called OIC states to open their markets to the products and goods of Palestinia.

The Permanent Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation, which aims to improve multilateral economic and commercial cooperation between OIC States, will end on May 11.

[06] TALAY, MINISTER OF CULTURE IN FRANCE

Addressing the Turkish-French Cultural night, Talay, who is currently in France to hold official contacts and examinations, said that Turkey attributes great importance to development of cultural relations between Turkey and France.

Catherine Trautmann, the French Minister of Culture said in her part that EU should fulfil its responsibilities towards Turkey, adding that ''we understand the anger of Turkish people about Luxembourg decisions.''

Talay met on Saturday Turkish citizens and listened to the problems of immigrant workers.

[07] ''DISTANT THUNDER-98'' NATO OPERATION CONTINUES

General Secretariat of Air Forces said that the press members will have an interview with the crew of the French Awacs aircraft and then watch the bombardment of American B-52 aircraft in Konya.

The statement noted that DT98 is an annual NATO operation, which aims to strengthen understanding and cooperation between armed forces of NATO countries.

Forces from France, Turkey, Britain and United States of America participate in the military manoeuvres, which will test electronics, air defense and technics of attack from air.

Meanwhile, a part of the manoeuvre is staged in Eskisehir.

[08] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN AZERBAIJAN - DEMIREL MEETS ALIYEV, THE AZERI PRESIDENT

After the meeting, they participated in the celebration held to congratulate the 75th birthday of Haydar Aliyev.

Later, President Demirel participated in the lunch hosted by Aliyev in honour of him. Both Turkish and Azeri officials attended the lunch.

[09] US PRESIDENT CLINTON TO EXPLAIN TURKEY'S PLACE AND IMPORTANCE IN EUROPE

Responding to question of A.A correspondent, James Steinberg, the Deputy Chairman of US National Security Council (NSC) said that Bill Clinton will take up Turkish-EU relations during his bilateral meetings in Europe and the US-EU Summit.

''The US President attributes importance to close relations between Turkey with EU,'' said Steinberg, adding that if Europe has more close and strong relations with Turkey, this will strengthen Europe.

Clinton, who will leave the US on Tuesday, will visit Germany first and he is expected to take up Turkish-EU relations and the issues of Aegean and Cyprus there.

The US administration had declared before the Luxembourg Summit that it wished the EU to show Turkey as a candidate state for full membership.

[10] SEPARATIST TERRORISTS ATTACK BY ROCKETS IN SEMDINLI COUNTY OF HAKKARI - ONE PERSON DIES

Separatist terrorists attempted to attack the police check point at the entrance of the Semdinli town at 22.00 on Saturday night. When security forces noticed their attempt, the terrorists started to open fire in panic against houses nearby by rockets and long-range weapons.

One person died by one bullet in his house.

Operations are underway to capture the terrorists.

Meanwhile, security forces killed two terrorists in Turhal township of Tunceli province during an operation on Saturday night.

[11] YILDIRIM, THE STATE MINISTER LEAVES FOR THE US - YILDIRIM: ''GAP IS NOT ONLY ON THE AGENDA OF TURKEY, BUT ALSO ON WORLD'S AGENDA''

Yıldırım, accompanied by a delegation including Aydın Arslan, the Emergency Regional Governor, left for the US for a 10-day visit.

Addressing a statement at Ataturk Airport, Yıldırım said that he will hold contacts concerning the GAP Project during his stay in the US.

''We all know that international finance institutions and states have refrained from contributing to GAP due to different factors, but I would like to underline the fact that this has changed for today. Besides, the world has to change its point of view towards our water policy,'' he said.

Noting that he will meet officials from World Bank, United Nations (UN) Development Institution, US government and various finance institutions concerning GAP, Yıldırım added that his visit to the US will speed up GAP.

[12] PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES AZERBAIJAN - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''ALIYEV HAD AN IMPORTANT ROLE AND CONTRIBUTION IN DEVELOPMENT OF AZERBAIJAN''

Addressing a meeting held at Azeri Presidential Palace, President Demirel stated that ''Azerbaijan, which tries to have territorial integrity within peace, prosperity and democracy, launches efforts by a chosen parliament and chosen President.''

Noting that Azerbaijan met difficulties in Nagarno Karabakh and internal politics, after she gained her independence, President Demirel stressed that Azerbaijan is a state which launches further efforts today for the regional peace.

Hayder Aliyev, the Azeri President said in his part that ''democratic and economic development path of Turkish Republic is a big sample for Azerbaijan.''

Noting that Turkey has always been besides Azerbaijan, Aliyev stated that the economic relations rapidly improve between the two countries.

''Turkey is one of the countries which leads the production and management of Azeri oil,'' said Aliyev, adding that the cooperation with Turkey is not limited to Caspian oil.

Stressing that Baku-Georgia-Ceyhan route is the most convenient, important and secure project for the exportation of Caspian oil, Aliyev pointed out that ''the decision of Azeri government and President is apparent. The main oil pipeline project has to be prepared and implemented within this year. Azeri State Oil Company and Turkish Ministry of Energy have concrete works to this end. Working groups from the two countries will come together and prepare a programme in the coming days.''

After the meeting, President Demirel proceeded to Almaty, the capital of Azerbaijan to participate in Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit, which will be held on Monday.

[13] TWO TURKISH WOMEN MEMBERS OF THE DUTCH PARLIAMENT ADDRESS TO A.A

Responding to questions of A.A correspondent, Nebahat Albayrak, a deputy from the Dutch Social Democratic Workers' Party said that European Union (EU) was not consistent in its policy towards Turkey concerning the integration of Turkey with the EU.

Fadime Orgu, another deputy from the Dutch Liberal Party said that ''we, as the party, defend the view that Turkey is a part of Europe and she has to join EU.''

The two deputies stressed that the problems of the Turkish minority living in the Netherlands have also played a significant role in making them involve with politics.

The deputies pointed out that they will engage in effective activities to solve the problems of the whole country, including the problems of the Turkish minority.

Noting that the problems of Turkish society are common, Albayrak and Orgu added that they will be in cooperation when necessary to solve the problems of Turkish people.

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