Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-05-30

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

30 MAY 1998

CONTENTS

[01] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM MEETS ALBRIGHT, US SECRETARY OF STATE

[02] HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE GENOCIDE ALLEGATIONS - OTTOMAN ARCHIVES PROVE ARMENIA'S GENOCIDE ON TURKISH, JEWISH AND KURDISH PEOPLE - BRITISH STATE ARCHIVE DISPROOVES THE ARMENIA'S ALLEGATIONS

[03] DRAFT RESOLUTION ON SO-CALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIA - TURKEY GETTING PREPARED TO TAKE COUNTER MEASURES AGAINST FRANCE

[04] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT LEAVES FOR CHINA - ECEVIT: ''WE HAVE TO SCRUTINIZE THE ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH CHINA''

[05] PARLIAMENTARY FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMISSION DUE TO POLAND

[06] DRAFT RESOLUTION ON SO-CALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ SAYS THIS DECISION WILL BE CORRECTED IN COMING STAGES

[07] TUGIK DELEGATION IN THE TRNC - TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS MEETS WITH BUSINESSMEN

[08] DRAFT RESOLUTION ON SO-CALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS - GUREL, MINISTER OF STATE, WARNS THAT THIS DRAFT RESOLUTION WILL BE REFLECTED IN TURKISH-EU RELATIONS

[09] HIKMET CETIN, PARLIAMENT SPEAKER IN ROME - CETIN TO ATTEND PARLIAMENT SPEAKERS CONFERENCE OF MEDITTERANEAN COUNTRIES

[10] INDICTMENT OF SAKIK, SEPARATIST TERRORIST CONCLUDED - PROSECUTORSHIP ASKS DEATH PENALTY FOR SAKIK BROTHERS

[11] ''STRATEGY FOR DEVELOPING RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND THE EU'' DOCUMENT PRESENTED TO PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ

[12] SECURITY OF THE STRAITS - PROTEST OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS UNION FOR THE SECURITY OF STRAITS

[13] IMMUNITY FILES OF CILLER AND AGAR - COMMISSION TO CONVENE ON TUESDAY TO TAKE UP FILES RELATED WITH THE LIFTING OF THE IMMUNITIES OF CILLER AND AGAR

[14] ''PROTECTION, MAINTENANCE AND PROMOTION OF THE CULTURAL HERITAGES IN GAP REGION'' SYMPOSIUM

[15] 18TH INTERNATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL - NEARLY 1000 SPORTSMEN TO JOIN FESTIVAL IN JUNE 25-28

[16] 10 TERRORISTS KILLED IN OPERATION

[17] LANDSLIDE IN IMAMOGLU - SEVEN CHILDREN DIE, FIVE OTHERS INJURED

[18] TRNC HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION REQUESTS RIGHT TO SPEAK FROM THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

[01] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM MEETS ALBRIGHT, US SECRETARY OF STATE

Turkish-US relations, restructuring and strategy of NATO and issues concerning the two sides were taken up during the meeting which Cem identified as ''constructive.''

Cem recalled that in a proposal made to Greece it was stressed that Madrid Statement could be turned into a more strong legal text.

Cem said the US extended full support to Turkey in relations with the European Union (EU).

[02] HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE GENOCIDE ALLEGATIONS - OTTOMAN ARCHIVES PROVE ARMENIA'S GENOCIDE ON TURKISH, JEWISH AND KURDISH PEOPLE - BRITISH STATE ARCHIVE DISPROOVES THE ARMENIA'S ALLEGATIONS

The Directorate General of the Prime Ministry State Archives collected the documents related with the Armeania's cruelties on Turkish people, in a book of four volumes named ''According to the Archive Documents Armenia's Cruelties in the Caucasus and Anotolia''.

256 documents concerning the massacres of babies, women and the old peoples and tortures applied to the Turkish people by Armenians in Erzurum, Kars, Van, Bitlis and Mus provinces, take place in the first volume of the book which includes the period 1906-1918. The book also gives place to the photographs of the original documents, transcriptions and English explanations.

Ali Naci Tuncer, the Undersecretary of the Prime Ministry of the period, says in the introduction of the book that this work is important to make the communities who were impressed with the Armenia's propogandas, conscious about the facts. Tuncer points out that these documents display Armenia's genocide on Turkish people, not the Turkey's genocide on Armenian people.

According to the documents, revolutionary Armenian groups started to become organized in the east by 1870s. Documents show that these Armenian groups worked for destroying Turkish population in Anatolia and the Caucasus. Documents describe the cruelties of the Armenian gangs as genocide on Turkish people during the 1900s. Documents says that a person named Andonian was forced to publish a book by Armenians in Paris in 1920. A so- called in code telegraph of Talat Pasha, the Interior Minister of that time, to the Governor of Halep was published in book. Armenians claimed that the telegraph ordered the destruction of the Armanians. Turkish nations could not respond these baseless claim because of the First World War. The work which was published in 1983, proves that this so-called telegraph never existed and the date, number and signature on it were false.

Documents in the British State Archive also disprove the Armenia's so- called genocide allegations. These documents says that more than 30 thousant muslum people were massacred by Armenians in Kars and Ardahan regions. According to thpe document Armenian gang also massacred Jewish and Kurdish people.

The report which was written by Ali Vasif, the Commander of Genderma Troop in Van, says, ''Genderma Resid determined that a child was roasted on skewers by Armenians just like a lamb in Cariksiz village''. Another document says, ''we found four corpses whose hands were inserted in their stomaches and their bladders put in their mouth in Ahurik and Avzerik villages''. The same document adds, ''the six month old daughter of the woman named Zeliha was roasted in oven and Zeliha was forced to eat her own daughter. As she refused to obey their orders her right leg was also roasted on the same oven in Astuci village''.

Documents display that Armenians together with Russians massacred people who were living in the some villages of Erzurum, Van, Bitlis and Mus provinces, raped all girls in Salimli village, burnt the children, sliced women and cut the noses and ears of childrens.

[03] DRAFT RESOLUTION ON SO-CALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIA - TURKEY GETTING PREPARED TO TAKE COUNTER MEASURES AGAINST FRANCE

Necati Utkan, Foreign Ministry Spokesman told A.A correspondent that Turkey would lodge a note of protest to France because of this decision which is of the kind that may escalate terrorism.

Diplomatic sources said this attitude of French Parliament was a grave mistake.

Recent situation of Turkish-French relations and measures to protect Turkish representatives more effectively will be taken up during the Coordination meeting held in Foreign Ministry.

[04] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT LEAVES FOR CHINA - ECEVIT: ''WE HAVE TO SCRUTINIZE THE ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH CHINA''

Addressing the journalists at the Ataturk Airport before he left for China as the official guest of the Chinese Government, Ecevit noted that the Government works on opening not only to Europe, but to the Far East and the US. Pointing out that the China formed a giant economy recently, Ecevit stressed that the China will become more powerful on economy at the 21st century.

Noting that the trade defecit between Turkey and China developes in favour of Turkey, Ecevit stressed that Turkey has to scrutinize her economic relations with China.

Ecevit told the reporters that the member states of the European Union approach Turkey negatively, adding, ''either European countries are not aware of of the importance of Turkey's geopolitic position or they behave timidly on accepting Turkey whose importance increases continously, as the full member of the Union''.

Pointing out that Turkey has a great economic potential, Ecevit said that the sudden expansion of the Turkish industry leading by private sectors, created worry in the European countries. He added, ''Turkey is an European country whether the EU accept or not. But at the same time Turkey is also an Asian country. Turkey has activities in Eastern Mediterranian, the Caucasus, the Middle East and in the Balkans. Turkey is a key figure in the process of becoming Eurasian. Regarding these facts I can say that the EU cannot damage Turkey with externalizing her''.

[05] PARLIAMENTARY FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMISSION DUE TO POLAND

The delegation headed by Murat Karayalcin, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Commission of Parliament, will meet the Speaker of the Polish Parliament, The Polish Foreign Minister, the Polish Defence Minister and the senior Polish officials during the five day visit.

Members of the delegation will return to Turkey in June 4.

[06] DRAFT RESOLUTION ON SO-CALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ SAYS THIS DECISION WILL BE CORRECTED IN COMING STAGES

Responding to the questions of reporters if military tenders could be annuled, Yilmaz said ''we have earlier warned France that this will effect our relations negatively. We will cover the completition of its legislation process.''

Yilmaz said French government said it did not extend support to this draft resolution and that it was only the initiatives of the deputies. The government said it did not have the power to prevent this. ''Yet, we hope that a more wise decision will be taken aftewards'' he added.

Yilmaz said history will not be written with the decisions of parliament, only the historians write the history and pointed out that Turkey expected France to avoid such a grave mistake.

[07] TUGIK DELEGATION IN THE TRNC - TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS MEETS WITH BUSINESSMEN

Rauf Denktas, the President of the TRNC gave a reception in honour of 46 members of the delegation.

Addressing the reception, Denktas called on businessmen to make investments in the TRNC, and added that the TRNC needs Turkey's support to reach the same economic level with the Greek Cypriot side.

Melih Mekik, the Chairman of the TUGIK said that there is no investment mobilization in the TRNC despite all initiatives, adding, ''it is time to take action''.

Noting, ''we will try to persuade Turkish businessmen to make investments in the TRNC'', Mekik promised Denktas to make economic contributions to the TRNC.

[08] DRAFT RESOLUTION ON SO-CALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS - GUREL, MINISTER OF STATE, WARNS THAT THIS DRAFT RESOLUTION WILL BE REFLECTED IN TURKISH-EU RELATIONS

Speaking to A.A correspondent Gurel said terrorist organizations which act with enmity feelings against Turkey and which implement inhumane methods against Turkey, were encouraged by such political decisions.

Gurel said the ones who take such decisions will carry the responsibility of their decisions in the future adding that ''they will also be responsible from the effects of these resolutions on bilateral relations.''

Gurel said this may be put forward as another obstacle to the artificial political obstacles which lie in front of Turkish-EU relations.

Gurel recalled that several proposals were made to make these allegations as a pre-condition to improve Turkish-EU relations.

Gurel stressed that recognition of this draf resolution in French Senate will inevitably effect Turkish-French relations.

[09] HIKMET CETIN, PARLIAMENT SPEAKER IN ROME - CETIN TO ATTEND PARLIAMENT SPEAKERS CONFERENCE OF MEDITTERANEAN COUNTRIES

Emphasizing that the expansion of the European Union and the NATO towards east and north spoiled the interior balances in Europe, Cetin said, ''Regarding this development, Mediterranean countries work to set up a joint ground in order to cooperate and to unite the different cultures''. He added that the conference will also focus on the problems of immigrants and terrorism.

Cetin said that he will hold bilateral talks especially with the French Chairman of Senate during the conference and try to explain Turkey's discomfort with the draft law concerning the recognition of the so-called genocide on Armenians which was adopted by the French Parliament yesterday.

Noting that Turkey's relations with the member states of the European Union, developed negatively after the Luxembourg Summit, Cetin added, ''We had good relations with Britain, France and Italy among the EU countries, but the latest developments in France escalated tension in the relations between the two countries.''

Cetin also stressed that he doesn't believe that Italy will sell Aspide-300 missiles to the Greek Cypriot side.

Hikmet Cetin is scheduled to meet with Abdulkadir Bensalih, the Algerian Parliament Speaker, during the conference.

A luncheon will be given in honour of Cetin today in the Turkish Embassy in Italy.

[10] INDICTMENT OF SAKIK, SEPARATIST TERRORIST CONCLUDED - PROSECUTORSHIP ASKS DEATH PENALTY FOR SAKIK BROTHERS

The indictment, prepared by State Security Court (DGM) said they "carried out activities aimed at dividing a part of the territory from the state's rule." It said the penalty asked for this crime under Turkish Penal Code Article 125 was the death penalty.

The indictment included in details the targets of the separatist terrorist organization, its links with the European countries and its incomes.

The indictment said terrorists of the separatist terrorist organization held activities within the country till Sept 12, 1980 coup and later received military and political training in Palestinian camps.

The indictment said Abdullah Ocalan, so-called leader of the separatist terrorist organization, went to Syrian capital Damascus in the organization and armament stage and that they settled in houses allocated by Syrian administrators.

It said separatist terrorist organization held its fourth congress on December 1990 and decided to start riots to establish an independent Kurdistan in the southeast till the year 2000, adding that this target failed due to the determined attitudes of the security forces. The indictment pointed out that separatist terrorist organization made use of the lack of authority in Northern Iraq which was caused by Gulf crisis and Gulf War happened in Aug 1990 and Jan 1991.

The indictment said the organization declared unilateral ''ceasefire'' in 1992 and involved in efforts to gain power.

''...security forces continued its operations ignoring the so-called ceasefire of the separatist terrorist organization. The terrorist organization which made use of this killed 33 soldiers, three teachers and two civilians on main Elazig-Bingol highway on May 24, 1993 and put an end to the so-called ceasefire. Separatist terrorist organization recieved heavy blows from the security forces in operations launched in Northern Iraq and within country afterwards,'' the indictment said.

The indictment also gave in details the financial sources of the separatist terrorist organization which was requried for the activities carried out in Northern Iraq, Europea and several other countries.

The indictment also included the countries who expend support to the separatist terrorist organization, adding that countries like Syria and Greece, gave RPG-7 rockets and rocket lauchers and authomatic weapons to the organization. It said Greece gave stinger anti-aircraft missiles and that Iran gave katyusha rockets.

The indictment said it relations of the separatist terrorist organization with several foreign countries were revealed concretely and openly with the confessions of the terrorists who surrendered to security forces and Sakik brothers who were captured in Northern Iraq.

Relations of the separatist terrorist organization with foreign countries were given as follows:

Syria: It tolarates residence of Ocalan in Damascus in a house which was allocated to him. It is a country which established military-political training camps of the separatist terrorist organization and directed the separatist terrorist organization towards its own interests and expended moral and financial support.

Iran: There are cells and officies of the separatist terrorist organization in Tehran, Maku and Urumieh cities of Iran. Iran's intelligence officials and military authorities expend every kind of facilities and support to the separatist terrorists. Terrorists pass to Iranian side and provide their security on Turkish Armed Forces' operations launched in Northern Iraq.

Greece: It is a country which embraced separatist terrorist organization on the direction of its enmity policy towards Turkey. Terrorists who go to Greece through illegal ways are accepted as political refugees and receive training on the explosive devices and sabotage. It was also revealed through the statements of Sakik brothers that Greece gave stinger missiles to the separatist terrorist organization to be used against Turkish planes and helicopters in Northern Iraq. Representation of the separatist terrorist organization opened in Athens recently, was a concrete evidence that Greek policy towards this end continues.

Russian Federation: Important developments were recorded in relations of the separatist terrorist organization with Russia between 1994 and 1998. It is a fact that Russian Parliamentary delegation which went to Damascus in September and October of 1997 met the so-called leader of the separatist terrorist organization.

Terrorist organization has offices and cells in Moscow where they organize illegal activities. Recently, separatist organization purchased a village near Moscow. It is obvious that the organization will establish a camp here to give military and political training to the terrorists.

Germany: This country, within the framework of its interests, remained silent towards the activities of the separatist terrorist organization till 1993. When separatist terrorist organization began to be a danger for the public order and security of Germany, the issue of banning the organization came to the agenda. Than, Germany was threatened by the terrorist organization.

Libya: There are cells and offices of the separatist terrorist organization in this country. Money which was collected illegally by the workers are given to the separatist organization. The organization welcomed the statements of Kaddafi related with Kurds and the separatist terrorist organization.

Iraq: Relations between this country and the separatist terrorist organization developed. Wounded terrorists of the separatist organization receive treatement in hospitals and Kurdish origin Iraqis participate in the PKK.

The indictment said PKK was getting organized in the Netherlands, Belgium and Romania adding that separatist activities were also intensified in Azerbaijan.

Sakik was responsible for 191 separatist activities including the killings of 113 citizens, 125 soldiers.

The indictment said Arif Sakik, brother of Semdin Sakik, participated in the separatist terrorist organization in 1990 after the advise of Semdin Sakik. Arif Sakik is responsible for the attack staged on Van Golu Train going from Tatvan to Ankara and which resulted in the death of one person and wounded nine others.

[11] ''STRATEGY FOR DEVELOPING RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND THE EU'' DOCUMENT PRESENTED TO PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ

Responding to the questions of the A.A correspondent, Gurel said that the strategy document will find its political identity at a meeting which will be organized next weekend with the participation of Yilmaz and Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister.

Pointing out that document will put forward the Turkey's approach to the European Union after it finds the political identity, Gurel noted that he does not need to go Brussels to present the document to the EU, it could be presented in another ways.

The development of the relations between Turkey and the EU in the process which began with the distortion of the relations after the Luxembourg Summit and continued with the Turkey's refusal to participate in the Turkey- EU Partnership Council meeting, was taken up in the document.

The most important Article of the document is about to establish an ''Information Mechanism'' to give Turkey a right to speak on the situations in which the EU takes decisions interesting Turkey directly. The issues of the Customs Union, free circulation were also took place in the document.

[12] SECURITY OF THE STRAITS - PROTEST OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS UNION FOR THE SECURITY OF STRAITS

Imren Aykut, Minister of Environment, who participated in the meeting to get information about the protest from the non-governmental organizations, said she would participate in the protest as an environmentalist.

Stressing that secure passage from the straits was an issue of Istanbul people and Turkey, Aykut said ''there is a serious danger for all of us. We should unite against this. I fully support this activity.''

Aykut said being an environmentalist, she could not accept the passage of 300-meters tankers from the straits adding that ''I can not sleep when I think that a tanker enters into Dolmabahce Palace. We will do our best to prevent this. Pollution of seas and endangering lives of 10 million people together with priceless historical masterpieces can not be thought of.''

Briefing about the protest, representatives of the non-governmental organizations said their aim was to stress the ecologic importance of the straits, to clarify that straits were not filthy places and that the risk of accident was high. They also wanted to stress the importance of measures that should be taken to provide secure passage from the straits.

[13] IMMUNITY FILES OF CILLER AND AGAR - COMMISSION TO CONVENE ON TUESDAY TO TAKE UP FILES RELATED WITH THE LIFTING OF THE IMMUNITIES OF CILLER AND AGAR

Preparation Commission, formed under the leadership of Ali Sahin, Republican Peoples' Party (CHP) Kahramanmaras Deputy, will take up these two files on Tuesday.

Preparation Commission, after taking up files of cases opened against Tansu Ciller on grounds that she insulted the moral identity of the government and on Mehmet Agar on grounds that he gave false weapon license to Abdullah Catli, will submit it to the Constitutional-Justice Joint Commission.

[14] ''PROTECTION, MAINTENANCE AND PROMOTION OF THE CULTURAL HERITAGES IN GAP REGION'' SYMPOSIUM

The symposium that is prepared with the cooperation of the GAP Regional Development Administration, the Culture Ministry and United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization(UNESCO), will last for 3 days.

The symposium will focus on the protection, the maintenance and the promotion of the cultural heritages in the GAP region, supplying financıal sources in order to revive the regional tourism and protection the site fields in the field.

A culture tour will also be organized in Ataturk Dam, Nemrut, Mardin, Hasankeyf, Kahta, and Karakus Tumulus in June 4-5.

Meanwhile Vakifbank prepares to provide 10 billion US Dollars for the finance of the investments projects in the region.

[15] 18TH INTERNATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL - NEARLY 1000 SPORTSMEN TO JOIN FESTIVAL IN JUNE 25-28

The festival is the second biggest sports organization after the Mediteranean Olympic Games.

Nearly 1000 sportsmen from the universities in Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, Russia, Switzerland, Germany, Lebanon, Romania, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Finland, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Bulgaria.

Along with the competitions, animation shows and entertainments will be organized during the festival.

[16] 10 TERRORISTS KILLED IN OPERATION

Officials from the Emergency Rule Region's Governor's Office told the A.A correspondent that three security forces were killed during the clashes.

Eight terrorist were also rendered ineffective at the operations yesterday.

[17] LANDSLIDE IN IMAMOGLU - SEVEN CHILDREN DIE, FIVE OTHERS INJURED

The incident happened when the children of the workers who came to the region from Sanliurfa province, remained under the 15 tonnes of soil heaped on them when they were playing in the sand quarry.

The children who were saved from the heap of soil were immediately hospitalized.

[18] TRNC HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION REQUESTS RIGHT TO SPEAK FROM THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

It was underlined in the letter that the real victims of the human rights violations on the island are the Turkish Cypriots.

The TRNC Human Rights Association pointed out that the embargo of the Greek Cypriot Administration is the concrete sign showing the human rights violations on the Turkish Cypriots.

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