Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-05-23

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

23 MAY 1998

CONTENTS

[01] GEN. KILIC, COMMANDER OF THE AIR FORCES, IN ROME - KILIC JOINS IN THE EUROPEAN AIR FORCES COMMANDERS CONFERENCE

[02] GENERAL MEETING OF THE NORTHERN ATLANTIC ASSEMBLY - TURKISH GROUP LEAVES FOR SPAIN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETING

[03] TRANSPORTATION MINISTER MENZIR DUE IN COPENHAGEN

[04] GENERAL KARADAYI RETURNS TO TURKEY - GENERAL STAFF: ''THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING SIGNED BETWEEN TURKEY AND RUSSIA WILL IMPROVE THE MILITARY RELATIONS BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES''

[05] AMBASSADORS OF THE TURKISH REPUBLICS IN KAYSERI

[06] TURKISH-ISRAELI MILITARY DIALOGUE MEETING

[07] NATIONAL EDUCATION MINISTER ULUGBAY'S CONTACTS IN THE TRNC - ULUGBAY: ''THE TRNC WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE USE OF FACILITIES OF THE EDUCATION OF TURKEY''

[08] PROSECUTIONSHIP ARRESTS 54 OF 70 HEZBOLLAH TERRORISTS WHO WERE TAKEN UNDER CUSTODY IN MUS

[09] TURKISH-UKRAINIAN BUSINESS COUNCIL MEETING

[10] BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS TO CONTINUE TO BE EFFECTİVE AT WEEKEND

[11] AMBASSADOR PICKERING FROM THE US STATE DEPARTMENT: - ''THE EU SHOULD CAREFULLY TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE TURKEY'S POSITION IN EUROPE'' - ''WE WILL CONTINUE OUR EFFORTS FOR CYPRUS''

[12] WELFARE PARTY'S APPLICATION TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - KAZAN APPLIES COMMISSION FOR PRIORITY

[13] ARMENIA OPPOSES TURKEY'S BECOMING HOST COUNTRY OF THE 1999 OSCE SUMMIT

[14] TURKEY AND TRNC SIGN ''COOPERATION PROTOCOL ON EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY''

[15] A.A TEAM REACHES TO 11 US TOURISTS AFTER WALKING FOR SIX HOURS

[16] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN CRIMEA - DEMIREL: ''TURKEY WILL DO HER UTMOST TO HELP CRIMEAN TATARS''

[17] TURKEY IN BRIEF - MAY 23, 1998

[18] PRESIDENT DEMIREL ADDRESSES CRIMEAN BUSINESSMEN

[19] ECEVIT MEETS EMERGENCY RULE REGION'S GOVERNORS

[20] SECURITY FORCES KILL 12 TERRORISTS IN CATAK

[01] GEN. KILIC, COMMANDER OF THE AIR FORCES, IN ROME - KILIC JOINS IN THE EUROPEAN AIR FORCES COMMANDERS CONFERENCE

Air forces commanders from 17 European countries including 12 member states to the NATO, joined in the conference which has been organized in Rome for the first time since it was set up in 1994. Mutual problems of the air forces were taken up at the conference and the issues such as plane crashes, crisis management, the EURAC's expansion were also negotiated during the meetings.

The EURAC meeting will end with the celebration of ''Flank Day'' which will be held at the Pratica di Mare Military Airport in Rome in May 24.

The EURAC meeting is expected to held in Turkey next year.

[02] GENERAL MEETING OF THE NORTHERN ATLANTIC ASSEMBLY - TURKISH GROUP LEAVES FOR SPAIN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETING

Adressing the journalists at the Ataturk Airport before his departure, Kose said that the general meeting studies will be held by five committees. He added that the issues of ''Stability in Southeastern Europe'', ''Organized Crimes'' and ''Media in the Balkans'' will be discussed by Civil Affairs Committee, and the issues of ''New NATO'' and ''Bosnia'' will be negotiated in Defence and Security Committee. Kose noted that the Economic Committee will take up the cost of the NATO's expansion, and Science and Technology Committee will discuss the issue of ''Transfer of the Conventional Weapons''. He told the reporters that the issues such as ''West and Iraq'', ''Kosovo'' and ''Future of the NATO's expansion'' will be negotiated by Political Committee.

[03] TRANSPORTATION MINISTER MENZIR DUE IN COPENHAGEN

Menzir said in his written statement that the ETMC is one of the important political cooperation platforms. He added, ''ministers and representatives from 36 European countries will come together at the conference which will be held in May 26-27. The issues of reconstruction of the railways, using the modern technologies in transportation sector will be discussed during the conference''.

Sureyya Yucel Ozden, the Undersecretary of Transportation Ministry, will accompany Menzir during his visit to Denmark. They will return to Turkey in May 28.

[04] GENERAL KARADAYI RETURNS TO TURKEY - GENERAL STAFF: ''THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING SIGNED BETWEEN TURKEY AND RUSSIA WILL IMPROVE THE MILITARY RELATIONS BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES''

The General Staff reminded in its written statement that General Karadayi held bilateral talks with Andrey Kokoshin Anafasievich, the Russian Secretary General of Security Council, his Russian counterpart Vasilievich and the other senior military officials during his visit to Russia. In the statement it was pointed out that the meetings focused on the development of the military cooperation between Turkey and Russian and on the issues concerning the regional security.

It was noted in the statement, ''A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Turkey and Russia during General Karadayi's visit. The memorandum of understanding will help to improve military relations between the two countries. We believe that these mutual visits will also contribute to provide peace and stability in the region.''

The General Staff also stated that General Karadayi invited his Russian counterpart Vasilievich to Turkey.

[05] AMBASSADORS OF THE TURKISH REPUBLICS IN KAYSERI

Nazif Borman, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ambassador to Turkey, Nevruzoglu Aliyev, the Azeri Ambassador to Turkey, Tolomuch Okoev, the Kyrgyz Ambassador to Turkey, Nurmuhammed Hanomov, the Turkmen Ambassador to Turkey, Umrali R. Hudayberdiev, the Uzbek Ambassador to Turkey, Amancov Jankaliev, the Undersecretary of the Kazakh Embassy in Turkey, Mustaya Ziyai, the Representative of the Iraqi Turkmen front, and Isik Ahmet, wife of Sadik Ahmet, will plant saplings in the Turkish World Forest today.

[06] TURKISH-ISRAELI MILITARY DIALOGUE MEETING

General Staff General Secretariat statement said fourth of the meetings which was planned earlier will take place in Tel Aviv.

Military training and defense industry cooperation between the two countries will be taken up in the meeting. Cevik Bir, Deputy Chief of General Staff, will head the Turkish military delegation during the meetings.

[07] NATIONAL EDUCATION MINISTER ULUGBAY'S CONTACTS IN THE TRNC - ULUGBAY: ''THE TRNC WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE USE OF FACILITIES OF THE EDUCATION OF TURKEY''

Ulugbay who came to the TRNC to sign an educational cooperation protocol with the TRNC, met with Hakki Atun, the Speaker of the TRNC Republican Parliament, Dervis Eroglu, the TRNC Prime Minister, and Gunay Caymaz, the TRNC Minister of National Education, Culture, Youth and Sports. He pointed out that Turkey is proud of the developments of universities in the TRNC.

Dervis Eroglu, the TRNC Prime Minister, thanked Turkey's support and interest in the TRNC.

Gunay Caymaz, the TRNC Minister of National Education and Culture, said that they will do their utmost to improve education applying the principles and reforms of Ataturk, the Founder of the Turkish Republic, in the TRNC.

[08] PROSECUTIONSHIP ARRESTS 54 OF 70 HEZBOLLAH TERRORISTS WHO WERE TAKEN UNDER CUSTODY IN MUS

Officials from Mus Governorship told the A.A correspondent that 54 terrorists were arrested and 15 others were released by the prosecutionship after their interrogation.

The arrested terrorists will be judged later.

Security forces continue their operation against illegal Hezbollah Organization.

[09] TURKISH-UKRAINIAN BUSINESS COUNCIL MEETING

Addressing Turkish-Ukrainian Busines Council meeting Demirel said Turkey was determined to improve relations with Ukraine within a new partnership and solidarity understanding.

Demirel said improvement of economic and trade relations between Turkey and Ukraine will activate economic potential in the Black Sea and Caspian basins and will speed up integration process of the regions with the world.

Demirel said governments of both countries attributed importance to the overcoming of problems which the businessmen met and to the evaluation of existing economic potentials.

Noting that Ukraine was one of the leading trade partners of Turkey, Demirel said interest of Turkish business world to Ukraine improved and expressed pleasure over the expanding bilateral trade relations.

Demirel said the most important target of the two countries in the coming period was the signature of a free trade agreement and recalled that Turkey signed free trade agreements with most of the central and eastern European countries.

Demirel said economic and trade relations between Turkey and Ukraine was a model for the Republics in Central Asia and the Caucasus.

President Demirel said the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) was very important for a cooperation base to improve economic relations between the two countries.

Demirel said another field of cooperation between the two countries was tourism adding that Turkey has one of the most important tourism industries of the world with its one million bed capacity, eight million tourists and 10 billion dollar tourism income.

Meanwhile, Leonid Kuchma, Ukrainian President called on Turkish businessmen to invest in his country and mentioned about the cooperatin potential between the two countries.

[10] BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS TO CONTINUE TO BE EFFECTİVE AT WEEKEND

Governorship said in its written statement that the Prime Ministry Crisis Desk which was set up for the flood disaster in Western Black Sea Region made meteorological assesments for the weekend.

According to the statement heavy rain fall will be effective in all parts of Turkey except Southern Aegean region, Western Black Sea region and Southern Central Asia region at weekend.

In the statement it was reported that rain fall is expected in Western Marmara region, Eastern Black Sea region and Northwestern Agean region on Monday.

[11] AMBASSADOR PICKERING FROM THE US STATE DEPARTMENT: - ''THE EU SHOULD CAREFULLY TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE TURKEY'S POSITION IN EUROPE'' - ''WE WILL CONTINUE OUR EFFORTS FOR CYPRUS''

Pickering noted in its statement to the ''Europe'' magazine, ''we are not a member state to the EU, but we continue to defend the view as we believe it is true.

Underlining the ''long-term'' importance of the relations between Turkey and the EU, Pickering said that these relations have productive influences on the regional issues such as Agean and Cyprus problems.

Thomas Pickering pointed out that the failure of Richard Holbrooke, the US special Representative for Cyprus, during his last visit to the island, created ''disappointment'', adding, ''this disappointment will not make us deter from our efforts''. Stating that the US will continue her efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Cyprus problem, Pickering told the Europe magazine that Turkey put forward two conditions for the negotiations and Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), said that Turkey insists on these conditions during the meetings held with Holbrooke. He reminded that these conditions are the Greek Cypriot side to be draw back full membership application to the EU and recognition of the TRNC at the international platform.

Pickering added that these conditions form obstacles on their efforts to find peaceful solution to the Cyprus problem therefore they are opposed the conditions.

Pickering also said that they believe their partners in the EU share the same ideas with them on the Cyprus issue.

[12] WELFARE PARTY'S APPLICATION TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - KAZAN APPLIES COMMISSION FOR PRIORITY

Addressing the journalists after the meeting, Kazan said, ''they started a judicial struggle with the application'', adding that they do not want to make the case a political show.

The application claimed that the closure of the Welfare Party and political ban on several of its political administrators is contrary to Articles 6,7, 9,10,11,14 and 18 of the European Human Rights Association.

The Articles in question include issues related to the rights of thought, freedom of expression and organization.

The Human Rights Commission will make a research and will decide whether or not to take up the application. If the commission decides to investigate the application, then it will decide whether or not it was a violation of human rights.

[13] ARMENIA OPPOSES TURKEY'S BECOMING HOST COUNTRY OF THE 1999 OSCE SUMMIT

Sermet Atacanli, Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman responding to a question to this end recalled that during the summit which took place in 1996 in Lisbon with the participation of heads of governments and states of the OSCE member countries, it was decided that the coming summit would take place in Istanbul.

Atacanli said the member countries, during OSCE Ministers Council held in Coppenhagen in 1997, could not reach to a consensus of opinion for the timing of the scheduled summit. Atacanli said last March the member countries decided to stage the summit in Summer-Autumn months in 1999.

Atacanli said there was a consensus of opinion between all the attending countries to this end and that most of the attending countries said they would partipate in the decisions that will be formed to this end. Atacanli recalled that there was no candidate than Istanbul.

Atacanli said ''yet, at this point, it was learnt that Armenia, claiming the situation of Turkish-Armenian relations that there was no diplomatic relations and that Turkey imposed embargo on Armenia for five years, informed term President Poland that it would not accept the arrangement of summit in Istanbul.''

Noting that it was not necessary to reiterate how unjust and baseless these allegations of Armenia, Atacanli said the reason of the existing situation of Turkish-Armenian relations was clear and that Armenia was responsible for this.

Atacanli said ''we say that Turkey is ready to improve bilateral relations if Armenia starts to respect OSCE principles and decisions and to international law.''

Atacanli said Armenia's opposition to Turkey's proposal to host the summit, is a misuse of the principle of OSCE to take the decisions unanimously and that it was a bad example for the future of OSCE. ''All these elements were brought to the attention of OSCE Term President and the participant countries'' he added.

Atacanli said the summit should take place in 1999 in any case for the credibility of esteem of the OSCE adding that ''we believe that holding the summit in Vienna, which is the activity center of OSCE, will overcome the misuse of principle of unanimity. Also, it is natural that new administration of Armenia should bear the outcomes of its hostile attitude.''

[14] TURKEY AND TRNC SIGN ''COOPERATION PROTOCOL ON EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY''

The protocol was signed by Hikmet Ulugbay, the National Education Minister, and Gunay Caymaz, the TRNC National Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister.

Addressing the meeting, Ulugbay said that the protocol will contribute to the educational cooperation between Turkey and the TRNC.

Gunay Caymaz, the TRNC Minister of National Education, said that new opportunities will be provided for the education of Turkish Cypriot students.

The protocol foresees teacher exchange for the primary schools, high schools and technical-professional schools. The schools in the TRNC will be taken to the scope of the Keeping up the Era in Education 2000 Project.

[15] A.A TEAM REACHES TO 11 US TOURISTS AFTER WALKING FOR SIX HOURS

A.A reporters took off with tractor to reach the area where the transportation was not possible because of the flood and landslide caused by the heavy rain. The team could only reach the tourists after six hours walk after leaving the tractor.

The US families said they came to Yedigoller five days ago and could not return due to the flood. The tourists only ate fish and bread during that time.

The names of the US tourists are as follows:

Dean, Cindy, Zachary, Heidi ve Holly Lindgren ile Richard Johns, Suzanne, Christen, Ester, Daniel and David Johns.

[16] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN CRIMEA - DEMIREL: ''TURKEY WILL DO HER UTMOST TO HELP CRIMEAN TATARS''

Addressing a press conference with Ivan Grach, the Speaker of the Crimean Parliament, Demirel underlined the good relations between Turkey and Ukraine and noted that political will and good intensions of both countries allow more cooperation in many fields. Demirel told the reporters that they discussed the economic relations between Crimea and Turkey during the meetings and pointed out that Turkey encourages the Turkish businessmen to contribute Crimea to solve her economic and social problems. He thanked Ukraine and Crimea for their support to the Crimean Tatars who were forced to leave their homes.

Responding the questions of the journalists, Demirel said that the 140 of 1000 residences which Turkey promised to construct for the Crimean Tatars, were concluded and the construction of the others are underway.

Ivan Grach, the Speaker of the Crimean Parliament, told the reporters that they were pleased to host Demirel in Crimea, and pointed out that the Crimean Autonomous Republic is an indispensible part of Ukraine.

Grach said that they wish to take part in the inter-states relations between Turkey and Ukraine.

[17] TURKEY IN BRIEF - MAY 23, 1998

Responding the questions of the A.A correspondent, Cagan said that he will hold talks with the German officials on the issues such as unemployment and education problems of Turkish people living in Germany, revival of the inter-minestries Turkish-German Joint Working Group and the Turkey-Germany Social Security Contract during his visit to Germany.

Cagan will meet with Norbert Blum, the German Minister of Labour and Social Order, and representatives of the Turkish society in Germany. He will return to Turkey in May 28.

ISTANBUL - Istemihan Talay, the Culture Minister, went on Saturday to Algeria as the official guest of Algerian Communcation and Culture Minister.

Addressing the journalists at the Ataturk Airport before his departure, Talay said that a Turkish Culture Minister will visit Algeria since 1984. He noted that his visit aims to improve relations between Turkey and Algeria.

Izmir State Classical Turkish Music Choir will give a concert in Algeria.

Talay will returned to Turkey in May 27.

ANKARA - The ''Sub-Industry Fair'' which is organized with the aim of providing more cooperation between main industry and pro industry, will be opened in Ostim in May 26, it was reported on Saturday.

More than 100 companies will join the fair organized with the supports of the Ostim Administration, The Administration for the Development and Support of Small and Medium Scaled Industries (KOSGEB), Ankara Industry Chamber (ASO), and Turkey Chambers and Stock Exchanges Union (TOBB).

The fair will be open until May 31.

ISTANBUL - Security forces captured 4 people and seized 14 gram heroin during the operations held in Avcilar ve Bakirkoy in Istanbul, on Saturday.

Officials told the A.A correspondent that the captured 4 people were determined as drug sellers and users.

The investigation regarded the incident is underway.

ANKARA - The Organization Committee f the First Black Sea Olympic Games will be determined in meeting which will be held in Ankara, in June 10 under the chairmanship of Yucel Seckiner, the State Minister Responsible for Youth and Sports, it was reported on Saturday.

The association chairmans of the 14 sports branches which will take part at the Olympic Games, the representative of the Turkey National Olympiad Committee and the secretary general of the Black Sea Olympic Games will join the meeting.

During the Black Sea Olympic Games in Trabzon, competitions on the branches of athletics, wrestling, dumbbell, archiery, handball, swimming, volleyball, succer, boxing, basketball, taekwon-do, judo and gymnastic will be held.

LONDON - ''Turkish Stars'', the Stunt Flying Team of Turkish Air Forces, will represent Turkey at the ''International Air Fete-98'', biggest air show of the world, on Saturday.

Stunt flying teams from 40 countries will join the show which will last for two days.

The Turkish Star Team was selected ''most exciting team'' at the same show last year.

ALMATY - International conference named ''Turkish Civilization, its Past, Present and Future'' which began May 21 in Almaty, ended on Saturday.

Decisions such as joint researches in the areas where Turkish societies live, setting up a tourism center for Turkish states, improving human rights and democracy with negotiating the other countries, were taken on during the conference.

More than 200 scientist from the US, Germany, China, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Russia and Turkey joined the conference.

At the conference participaters decided to hold nex meeting in Kyrgyzstan.

IZNIK - A delegation including foreign writers and journalists who joined the promotion tour which aims to put Turkey among the countries taking part in the celebration programme of 2000th anniversary of Jesus Christ' birth, visited Iznik county of Bursa province on Saturday.

The delegation visited the Green Mosque which is famous with its encaustic tiles, and soup-kitchen for the poor building which was built by Ist Murat for the remembrance of Nilufer Hatun.

Victor Gaetan, the American writer of National Catolic Register Newspaper, said that he was very impressed with the Iznik encaustic tiles and he will work for the promotion of Turkey when he returned the US.

[18] PRESIDENT DEMIREL ADDRESSES CRIMEAN BUSINESSMEN

Addressing Turkish and Crimean businessmen within the framework of his visit to Ukraine's Crimea Autonomous Republic, Demirel said Turkey's relations with Crimean Tatars was an emotional bridge between Turkey and Ukraine.

Demirel said ''I know that Turkish businessmen and constructors were willing and determined to initiate a more fruitful cooperation in Crimea.'' Demirel also said that Turkey would be in an effort to expend support and faciliate the works of Crimea.

Demirel said ''we should not miss historical opportunities to go towards joint welfare'' expressing belief that willingness to work together will reach an outcome.

Demirel also participated in a luncheon hosted by Ivan Grach, Crimean Parliament Speaker and said he came here to contribute to the enlivening of relations betwen Turkey and Crimea.

Demirel said Turkey would strongly support every kind of cooperation proposals that will come from Crimea.

[19] ECEVIT MEETS EMERGENCY RULE REGION'S GOVERNORS

Addressing a meeting with the governors of the Emergency Rule Region in southeastern Diyarbakir province, Ecevit said he would discuss the decisions with the governors which the government took in relation with the region and to discuss the problems which appeared in implementation of these decisions.

Ecevit said effectiveness of separatist terrorism decreased in the region and that it could be eradicated fully if its foreign sources are cut. Ecevit said the government's duty was to bring concrete solutions to the problems of the people in the region related with economy and society.

Responding to a question about the military operations forwarded to Northern Iraq Ecevit said these operations take place when necessary. Ecevit said separatist terrorist PKK intensified in the region by making use of the lack of authority in Northern Iraq and infiltrated to Turkey from there. He said ''as the lack of authority gives damage to Turkey, cross border operation of Turkish Armed Forces is natural and required.''

[20] SECURITY FORCES KILL 12 TERRORISTS IN CATAK

Acting on a tip off, security forces launched an operation in Oguldam village between Catak and Gurpinar counties. They called the terrorısts composed of 30 people to surrender, but terrorists opened fire against the security forces. 12 terrorist killed at the clashes which lasted for four hours.

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