Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-05-24

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

24 MAY 1998

CONTENTS

[01] MILITARY MIDIBUS COLLIDES WITH RAPID DEPLOYMENT FORCE VEHICLE - SIX SOLDIERS DIE, 23 PEOPLE INJURED

[02] LANDSLIDE IN BOLU - FIVE GIRLS TRAPPED BENEATH THE DEBRIS IN BURNUK VILLAGE - DEAD BODIES OF TWO GIRLS RECOVERED, ONE GIRL RESCUED

[03] THE AMERICAN TOURISTS ARE RESCUED IN YEDIGOLLER AREA

[04] 25 HOUSES AND OFFICES ARE FLOODED IN KAYSERI

[05] KIZILIRMAK OVERFLOWS - SOWN FIELDS IN SEVERAL COUNTIES OF CORUM FLOODED

[06] 11 TERRORISTS KILLED IN EASTERN AND SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY

[07] A SUITCASE LOOKING AS HAVING A BOMB INSIDE WAS LEFT IN FRONT OF THE TURKISH CONSULATE GENERAL IN BERLIN, GERMANY

[08] FLOOD DISASTER IN COUNTRY - 12 PEOPLE DIE, 13 PEOPLE LOST - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''ESTIMATED DAMAGE IS 180-200 TRILLION LIRAS''

[09] PRIVATIZATION OF SEAPORTS - OIB TO RE-OPEN TENDER FOR PRIVATIZATION OF ANTALYA AND TRABZON SEAPORTS ON MONDAY - JUNE 15: DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING BIDS

[10] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RETURNS FROM UKRAINE - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''FURTHER STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO KEEP THE EXISTING COOPERATION ATMOSPHERE ALIVE BETWEEN TURKEY AND UKRAINE''

[11] FISCHER, THE AUSTRIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER: ''WE WISH TURKEY TO JOIN EU''

[12] CONFERENCE ON ''REFLECTION OF ABKHAZIA ISSUE ON INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS'' - PARLIAMENTARIANS DISCUSS GEORGIA-ABKHAZIA ISSUE

[13] PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ:''13 PEOPLE DIED SO FAR DUE TO FLOOD DISASTER AND EIGHT PEOPLE ARE LOST''

[14] CHAIRMEN OF PROVINCIAL DIRECTORATES OF TOURISM CONVENE - UYGUN, UNDERSECRETARY OF MINISTRY OF TOURISM: - ''WE EXPECT 12 MILLION TOURISTS TO VISIT TURKEY AND 10 BILLION US DOLLARS OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE INCOME IN 1998''

[15] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ:''ATTACK AGAINST BIRDAL IS A GANG ACTION LIKE THE ONES SEEN IN THE PAST''

[16] YENER DINCMEN, UNDERSECRETARY OF TREASURY: ''THERE WILL NOT BE ANY DELAY IN THE PAYMENTS OF INCENTIVE LOANS''

[17] POLICE HELICOPTER CRASHES IN MARMARIS - TWO POLICEMEN RESCUED

[18] ENERGY CONFERENCE TO START ON MONDAY - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ TO MEET HIS ROMANIAN COUNTERPART IN ISTANBUL

[19] THOMAS MILLER TO VISIT CYPRUS ON MONDAY

[20] ECEVIT, THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND STATE MINISTER: ''THERE IS DIFFICULTY IN DIRECTING INVESTMENTS TO PLACES WHICH NEED THEM MOST IN SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA''

[01] MILITARY MIDIBUS COLLIDES WITH RAPID DEPLOYMENT FORCE VEHICLE - SIX SOLDIERS DIE, 23 PEOPLE INJURED

The military midibus carrying soldiers to their military unit in Bitlis and the Rapid Deployment Force vehicle collided head-on when the midibus overtook a vehicle falsely.

Mehmet Aslan, Faruk Ilac, Nihat Durmaz, Riza Peynir, A. Bekir Diksi and Menuk Ozrek, the soldiers, died in the incident.

The injured people including ten soldiers, 12 policemen and the driver of the midibus were taken at the Elazig State Hospital and the Firat University Hospital for medical treatment.

[02] LANDSLIDE IN BOLU - FIVE GIRLS TRAPPED BENEATH THE DEBRIS IN BURNUK VILLAGE - DEAD BODIES OF TWO GIRLS RECOVERED, ONE GIRL RESCUED

After the rescue efforts of the gendarme and the residents, the dead bodies of two girls, Fatma Gurkan and Filiz Gokmen, were recovered and Ayse Gurkan was rescued and taken at the Bolu Social Security Authority (SSK) Hospital for medical treatment.

Other two girls were saved without injury.

[03] THE AMERICAN TOURISTS ARE RESCUED IN YEDIGOLLER AREA

The American families who came to the region last week to spend their holiday, were rescued by the gendarme and forestry teams and they said that they would come to the region for holiday again.

[04] 25 HOUSES AND OFFICES ARE FLOODED IN KAYSERI

The ground floors of 25 houses and offices in Yenisehir, Hurriyet, Bozantı and Gazi Osman Pasa districts of Kayseri were flooded due to the torrential rains.

Mahmut Gencoglu, the director of fire brigade said that efforts are underway to pour out the water from the buildings and approximately 200 million liras were lost by the torrential rains.

[05] KIZILIRMAK OVERFLOWS - SOWN FIELDS IN SEVERAL COUNTIES OF CORUM FLOODED

The planted fields in Toyhane and Asagi Emirhalil villages in Bayat county; Karakisik, Ucdam, Sagpazar, Yarimca, Ambarci, Kumceltek, Eski Celtek villages in Ugurludag county and Tozluburun, Esencay, Salur and Eskikoy villages in Corum province were flooded when the Kizilirmak River overflowed its banks due to torrential rains since the early hours.

There were no reported casualties.

[06] 11 TERRORISTS KILLED IN EASTERN AND SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY

Emergency Regional Governor's office said that security forces killed seven terrorists in Bukec region of Catak county of Van province, two terrorists in Gulecler village of Siirt province and two terrorists in Tavuk mountain region of Tunceli province.

Meanwhile, one terrorist who escaped from the separatist terrorist organization, surrendered to the security forces in Uludere county of Sırnak province.

Operations are underway in the region.

[07] A SUITCASE LOOKING AS HAVING A BOMB INSIDE WAS LEFT IN FRONT OF THE TURKISH CONSULATE GENERAL IN BERLIN, GERMANY

The German policemen guarding the Consulate General building found the suitcase and called the bomb-experts when they became suspicious about the suitcase.

The bomb-experts evacuated the surrounding buildings and closed the boulevard to traffic and then destroyed the suitcase.

Thomas Kusch, an official from the German police, said that the Turkish Consulate General building is protected very carefully due to political developments in Turkey, adding that it was realized in the inspection made after the destruction that the suitcase did not have a bomb inside.

[08] FLOOD DISASTER IN COUNTRY - 12 PEOPLE DIE, 13 PEOPLE LOST - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''ESTIMATED DAMAGE IS 180-200 TRILLION LIRAS''

According to the most recent information given to the Prime Ministry Crisis Center established within the Secretariat General of the National Security Council, a total of 12 people died in the flood disaster which affected Hatay, Bartin, Bolu, Sakarya and Kayseri provinces.

A total of 13 people were reported missing in Zonguldak and Hatay provinces while 514 people, who were stuck in their houses, were rescued.

Electricity still cannot be given to 44 villages and four settlements in Zonguldak; 50 villages and one settlement in Karabuk; 108 villages and four settlements in Bartin and 38 villages in Bolu.

The motorways between Mengen-Pazarkoy, Pinarbasi-Ulus, Pinarbasi-Senpazar, Devrek-Eregli, Devrek-Mengen-Eregli, Bartin-Safranbolu, Kozcagiz-Kumluca, Bartin-Bogaz, Karabuk-Ovacik, Ayrim-Yagmurdere, Karabuk-Eskipazar, Mengen- Gokcesu, Yigilca-Alapli, Ayrim-Eskipazar-Mengen were closed to traffic due to the destruction of flood disaster.

Meanwhile, President Suleyman Demirel visited the settlements affected by the flood in Western Black Sea region.

''The destroyed houses, motorways and bridges will be reconstructed. The muds will be cleaned and then the life will be normal again. The government will help the victims of the flood. The estimated damage in the whole country is between 180 and 200 trillion Turkish Liras,'' President Demirel said.

[09] PRIVATIZATION OF SEAPORTS - OIB TO RE-OPEN TENDER FOR PRIVATIZATION OF ANTALYA AND TRABZON SEAPORTS ON MONDAY - JUNE 15: DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING BIDS

The tender will be realized by sealed letter-bids, negotiations and bargaining. The adjudication term for submitting bids will end on June 15, 1998.

The companies to bid for the seaports should deposite a 50 billion of temporary guarantee for each harbour in order to participate in the tender. The Tender Conditions Document and Introduction Document are available at the OIB for 20 million Turkish Liras (TL).

[10] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RETURNS FROM UKRAINE - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''FURTHER STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO KEEP THE EXISTING COOPERATION ATMOSPHERE ALIVE BETWEEN TURKEY AND UKRAINE''

Addressing a press briefing at Esenboga Airport, President Demirel said that further steps have been taken to keep the existing cooperation atmosphere alive between Turkey and Ukraine during his visit.

Noting that the all the aspects of bilateral relations were taken up in detail during his stay in Ukraine, President Demirel stated that ''we gave priority to the improvement of cooperation particularly within the basis of Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC). We signed agreements which will strengthen our relations in the field of defense industry, health, education, environment and consulate.''

Pointing out that they reached a concensus of opinion to start the necessary preparations to sign a free trade agreement, to sign an agreement on cooperation in security and to implement Ceyhan-Samsun Oil Pipeline Project with Ukraine.

President Demirel said that the two countries decided to take measures to double the reciprocal trade volume soon and to make cooperation in the fields of tourism, transportation and energy. Demirel added that all Ukrainian leaders wish to see Turkish businessmen and contractors to have more business in Ukraine.

Noting that he also visited Crimean Autonomous region and met Crimean Tatars, President Demirel stressed that Turkey appreciates the efforts of Ukraine which tries to solve the problems of Crimean Tatars, who return to their countries. Demirel said that Turkey will continue to support these efforts of Ukraine in the future.

[11] FISCHER, THE AUSTRIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER: ''WE WISH TURKEY TO JOIN EU''

Fischer, who is currently in Turkey as an official guest of Hikmet Cetin, the Parliament Speaker visited north western province of Canakkale and Trojan.

Responding to questions of journalists, Fischer said that ''the Austrian parliament discusses very often the entrance of Turkey to EU. We wish Turkey to join European democracy. However this can not be realized only by our wish. This is a process. Next year, this issue will be discussed again. We do not have any negative opinion concerning the entrance of Turkey to EU.''

[12] CONFERENCE ON ''REFLECTION OF ABKHAZIA ISSUE ON INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS'' - PARLIAMENTARIANS DISCUSS GEORGIA-ABKHAZIA ISSUE

The Caucasus Association organized a conference on ''Abkhazia Issue in the United Nations (UN), the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe''.

Addressing the conference, Muhittin Unal, the Chairman of the Caucasus Association said that the Abkhazian issue was not exactly and objectively reflected in the international organizations.

Pointing out that the will of the Abkhazian people is to live together in an independent and federate state, Unal said that it is not true to describe the people living on the same territories for two thousand years as ''separatists''.

Abdullah Gul, a Deputy from the Virtue Party (FP) and member of the Council of Europe, said that the approach of the west to the issue is biased, stressing that Turkey should play a considerable role in the solution of the issue.

Mehmet Golhan, the Deputy Leader of the True Path Party (DYP), said that wherever its location, using power would not bring peace, adding that the concerned sides should approach to the issue with common sense.

Arif Sezer, Adana Deputy from the Democratic Leftist Party (DSP), said that the stability in the region cannot be provided only by the effective role of Turkey.

Yahya Simsek, a member of OSCE and Deputy from the Republican People's Party (CHP), said that setting up a public opinion objectively is beneficial, adding that any upsetting incident in Caucasus would also affect Turkey because the Caucasus and also the Balkans are the regions which with Turkey is in close relation.

[13] PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ:''13 PEOPLE DIED SO FAR DUE TO FLOOD DISASTER AND EIGHT PEOPLE ARE LOST''

Addressing a press briefing held for the flood disaster, Prime Minister Yılmaz said that there is a difficulty in providing electricity to the region.

''So far 104 village roads are closed, while 13 others have been opened. Red Crescent sent 1235 tents, 13,825 blankets, 32,352 food stuff, 34,350 bread, 117 packages of medicine, 230 kg soap, three water tanks and three mobile kitchens to the region,'' said Yılmaz, adding that efforts are underway to normalize the life in the region.

Prime Minister Yılmaz stressed that the Council of Ministers will take the necessary measures to meet the needs and the damages in the region.

Stressing that farmers will suffer by the flood disaster, Prime Minister Yılmaz said ''Supreme Coordination Council on Natural Disaster will convene on Wednesday under the leadership of Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister. The debts of the farmers who are negatively effected by the flood disaster will be taken up during this meeting. The government is resolved to benefit from all the opportunities of the state in order to overcome the difficulties of our citizens and compensate their losses.''

[14] CHAIRMEN OF PROVINCIAL DIRECTORATES OF TOURISM CONVENE - UYGUN, UNDERSECRETARY OF MINISTRY OF TOURISM: - ''WE EXPECT 12 MILLION TOURISTS TO VISIT TURKEY AND 10 BILLION US DOLLARS OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE INCOME IN 1998''

Addressing a meeting held at the Zeki Balci TUREM Hotel in Antalya with the participation of the Chairmen of the Provincial Directorates of Tourism, Undersecretary Uygun said that their targets for 1997 were achieved and that the tourism income reached 8.2 billion US dollars.

Pointing out that Turkey was one of the countries that obtained high-level of tourism yields in 1997 among the 20 countries in Europe according to the 1997-report of the World Tourism Organization, Uygun said that Turkey had increased to the nineth place in the list of the report.

''The share of tourism in the exports of Turkey was 26 percent last year. Turkey started tourism late but she has showed an important development in short time,'' Uygun added.

''We are giving service for tourism with 2,251 facilities having 347,104 beds. These numbers will increase to 3,607 facilities having 567,447 beds when the investments will be concluded,'' Uygun said.

[15] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ:''ATTACK AGAINST BIRDAL IS A GANG ACTION LIKE THE ONES SEEN IN THE PAST''

Responding to questions of journalists, Prime Minister Yılmaz stated that ''the attact against Birdal is not the first gang action. The distinction of this attack from other incidents is the fact that its assailants have been captured. This should be accepted by the public opinion.''

''Our government will continue to do its utmost to find out the realities concerning the Susurluk scandal. No body should be suspicious about that. No one in Turkey wishes the clarification of Susurluk scandal and other similar events more than I do. I would like to call everybody here again to give us any kind of information or document related with these events, if they have,'' said Yılmaz.

''The killers and those who help them concerning the attack against Birdal are all known. However the connections of this attack have not been found out yet. Interrogations started this morning. I hope this will bring light to the other events,'' added Yılmaz.

[16] YENER DINCMEN, UNDERSECRETARY OF TREASURY: ''THERE WILL NOT BE ANY DELAY IN THE PAYMENTS OF INCENTIVE LOANS''

Responding to the questions of the A.A correspondent, Undersecretary Yener Dincmen recalled that there were postponements in the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMSE) incentive loans during the previous periods, but efforts to solve this problem continue and the investors will not have any troubles concerning this issue.

Dincmen said that he came to Diyarbakir province upon an invitation from the Association of the Southeastern Industrialists and Businessmen to hold a meeting with investors and listen to their problems.

''I came here to see the investments in their places and to specify the methods to improve industrialization in the region. I listened to them and they explained their problems. The investors have some troubles in several issues. We will prepare a report to this end and then we will present it to the concerned organizations,'' Undersecretary Dincmen added.

[17] POLICE HELICOPTER CRASHES IN MARMARIS - TWO POLICEMEN RESCUED

The helicopter patrolling over the Turunc region crashed into the forested land due to a technical failure.

Serdar Ozdemir (32), the pilot of the helicopter, and Suat Tandirci (40), the technician policeman, were rescued without injury from the totally destroyed helicopter.

The Marmaris Prosecution gave the start for investigation.

[18] ENERGY CONFERENCE TO START ON MONDAY - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ TO MEET HIS ROMANIAN COUNTERPART IN ISTANBUL

Foreign Economic Relations Council (DEIK) said that Vasile, the Romanian Prime Minister, who will come to Istanbul to participate in the Energy Conference, will also attend the lunchon which will be hosted by Prime Minister Yılmaz and the Turkish-Romanian Business Council in Cıragan Palace.

Ukranian and Romanian Prime Ministers, Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister, high ranking officials from other countries and businessmen will participate in the Energy Conference, which will end on May 27.

The Caspian Sea has trillion dollars of oil and natural gas resources, while the Black Sea carries significance as a corridor in marketting of Caspian energy resources.

Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Daniel Yergin, the Chairman of Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA) are among the ones who will address the Conference.

[19] THOMAS MILLER TO VISIT CYPRUS ON MONDAY

Miller, who will meet Rauf Denktas, the President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader, is expected to particularly take up the issue of S-300 missiles.

Miller is also expected to take initiatives in order to postpone or cancel the deployment of S-300 missiles on the island.

[20] ECEVIT, THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND STATE MINISTER: ''THERE IS DIFFICULTY IN DIRECTING INVESTMENTS TO PLACES WHICH NEED THEM MOST IN SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA''

Addressing a statement to journalists in the bus on the way from Diyarbakır to Mardin, Bulent Ecevit stated that the electricity curtailments and low voltage create problems for investments in the region and the governors told him that the state should support animal husbandry.

Noting that there is an increase in the school numbers in the region, Ecevit pointed out that there is still lack of teachers. Stressing that border trade is useful, but sometimes there is injustice, Ecevit said that getting profits by trade without paying taxes should be prevented.

Responding to questions of journalists, Ecevit said the government has started to implement ''one table'' policy to help enterpreneurs while getting credits.

Noting that the government lifted the emergency rule only in three provinces, ''as cross-borders operations continue, the emergency rule will continue for another period of time. I hope the number of provinces, where there are emergency rule, will decrease,'' Ecevit added.

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