Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-06-27

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

27 JUNE 1998

CONTENTS

[01] SOUTHEASTERN REPORT ADOPTED IN COE - ATACANLI, FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER IF THIS REPORT HAD NEVER BEEN WRITTEN''

[02] PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ IN ADZHARISTAN - JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE OF YILMAZ, PRESIDENT ABASHIDZE OF ADZHARISTAN AND LEKISVILI, GEORGIAN STATE MINISTER - YILMAZ: ''OUR POLICY IS TO PROTECT TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AND WELFARE OF GEORGIA'' - ABASHIDZE: ''JOINT INVESTMENTS AND MUTUAL VISITS WITH TURKEY ARE VERY SIGNIFICANT FOR US'' - LEKISVILI: ''WE GIVE GREAT IMPORTANCE TO JOINT PROJECTS WITH TURKEY''

[03] PRESIDENT DEMIREL EVALUATES HIS VISIT TO MOLVODA - DEMIREL ''GAGAVUZ AUTHONOMOUS ADMINISTRATION IS A SUCCESS GAINED THROUGH PEACE AND TURKEY HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THIS''

[04] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF TRNC RETURNS TO ISLAND - RAUF DENKTAS: ''STEFANOPULOS SHOULD GIVE MESSAGE TO GREEK CYPRIOTS THAT THEY ARE NOT THE GOVERNMENT OF TURKISH CYPRIOTS AND CANNOT BE''

[05] KARA, MINISTER OF STATE: ''ANY VESSEL THAT WILL GIVE DAMAGE TO TURKEY'S PEACE AND SECURITY, CAN NOT PASS FROM THE STRAITS EASILY''

[06] LOCAL ELECTIONS TO TAKE PLACE IN TRNC ON SUNDAY

[07] TURKEY-IMF RELATION - TECHNICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE IMF - STATE MINISTER TANER: - ''I WILL NOT LEAVE WASHINGTON D.C. UNLESS I SIGN THE AGREEMENT''

[08] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RETURNS TO TURKEY - DEMIREL: ''VISIT TO MOLDOVA ADDS MOMENTUM TO FRIENDSHIP AND COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES''

[09] PREPARATION FROM ERBAKAN FOR DEFENSE IN THE CASE IN HUMAN RIGHTS COURT - ERBAKAN MEETS HINCKER, FAMOUS FRENCH JURIST

[10] KONYA MAY BE A SECOND ''EPHESOS'' - ARCHAELOGISTS TO EXCAVATE IN THE REGION WHERE ST. PAUL, ONE OF THE APOSTLES OF JESUS CHRIST, LIVED FOR A WHILE TO SPREAD CHRISTIANITY

[11] EU-TURKISH TRADE RELATIONS - EU CALLS ON TURKEY TO CONSULTATION ON JUNE 30 DUE TO THE BAN PUT ON ANIMAL AND MEAT IMPORTATION

[01] SOUTHEASTERN REPORT ADOPTED IN COE - ATACANLI, FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER IF THIS REPORT HAD NEVER BEEN WRITTEN''

Speaking to A.A correspondent Atacanli recalled that the report was adopted after several changes and noted that efforts of Turkish parliamentarians and several other foreign parliamentarians were effective in this change. ''This means that several other parliamentarians realized the meaninglessness and false claims of the report'' he added.

Pointing out that there were still several aspects which made Turkey uneasy, Atacanli said ''It would have been better if this report had never been written and for it not to have reached this stage.''

Atacanli said the report in question was taken into observation by Ankara with its existing situation and that steps that will be taken from now on are searched for addıng that ''this report is far from the truth, full of lies and false claims.''

Deputy Spokesman said the allegations of Swiss Parliamentarian Ruth Mangold that Turkish government did not allow her to see the region, was not true.

The Council of Europe Parliamentarian Assembly (COEPA) adopted on Thursday the Southeastern Report, which caused Turkey's harsh reaction after voting on it in the General Assembly session.

The report on the ''Humanitarian Situation of Refugees and People in Southeastern Anatolia and Northern Iraq that were Forced to Leave Their Homes'' and a recommendatory decision and a directive, was moderated a great deal in favor of Turkey. A total of 52 written and 12 spoken proposals were submitted during the voting and discussion which lasted for four hours.

The report and directive together with a recommendatory decision were adopted with the support of the Christian Democrat, Liberal and several Social Group parliamentarians after moderating the expressions in favor of Turkey.

The efforts of the Turkish Parliamentarians in the groups played an important role in the moderation of the report.

Ruth Gaby Vermot-Mangol, the rapporteur Swiss Socialist Parliamentarian, harshly reacted to the changes in the report. She also seriously criticized the giving the change proposal of two political groups without consulting her. ''The COEPA shouldn't allow games to be played behind my back.''

The directive, which especially caused a reaction from Turkey, said ''staging an international Kurdish conference with the participation of all the concerned parties'' was rejected with the change proposals.

Instead of this, the idea to ''stage a Parliamentarian hearing within the COEPA, with the participation of all the concerned parties'' was adopted.

The directive which was adopted also said ''the COEPA gives directives to the Committee to observe the situation of the Kurdish minority in Turkey, which follows up whether or not the member countries fulfilled their committements''.

In the final part of the report there were recommendations to Turkey and member countries related with the issue apart from the two directives.

The expression which said, ''Turkey should put an end to using armed force against the civilian Kurdish people'' was rejected with a change proposal.

The report which was adopted said that the COEPA condemns activities of village fires in Southeastern Anatolia and forcing the people to leave their homes and requested the village guard system to be removed.

The report asked Turkey to adjust the economic instability in Southeastern Anatolia.

The report also requested Turkey to sign the European Agreement related to the minority languages rights and also wanted infrastructure, hospital and school construction activities to be accelerated and also wanted Turkey to give compensation to people who were forced to leave their homes.

The first draft of the report had said ''the COEPA condemns the violent activities of the PKK'' that was changed with a proposal and said ''the COEPA condemns the terrorist activities of the PKK.''

The expression related to the call for a ceasefire was also rejected with the changes.

The report requested Turkey to give permission for the comings and goings of humanitarian aid organizations to the region and also asked Turkey to put an end to the operations launched in Northern Iraq.

[02] PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ IN ADZHARISTAN - JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE OF YILMAZ, PRESIDENT ABASHIDZE OF ADZHARISTAN AND LEKISVILI, GEORGIAN STATE MINISTER - YILMAZ: ''OUR POLICY IS TO PROTECT TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AND WELFARE OF GEORGIA'' - ABASHIDZE: ''JOINT INVESTMENTS AND MUTUAL VISITS WITH TURKEY ARE VERY SIGNIFICANT FOR US'' - LEKISVILI: ''WE GIVE GREAT IMPORTANCE TO JOINT PROJECTS WITH TURKEY''

President Aslan Abashidze of Adzharistan welcomed Yilmaz at the Adzharistan side of the Sarp border gate.

Addressing the joint press conference with President Abashidze and Niko Lekisvili, the Georgian State Minister, Yilmaz noted that Georgia is very significant for Turkey, and added, ''our policy is to protect territorial integrity and welfare of Georgia''.

Pointing out that providing economic and political stability in Georgia, and protecting her independence and sovereignty are also important for the regional peace, Yilmaz said, ''We believe that the Abkhazia problem will reach a peaceful solution in the framework of territorial integrity and political union of Georgia. Welfare and peace of Georgia are the security elements for Turkey. Therefore we aim to further improve our relation with Georgia''.

Describing the projects of the Turkish investors in the region as extremely important and successful, Mesut Yilmaz added, ''I hope that Turkish investments in Georgia will be increased in near future and our commercial and economic relation will reach its real potential''.

Mentioning the Akhazia problem, Yilmaz stressed that Turkey is ready to provide humanitarian aid''.

Responding to a question regarded with the problems in the Caucasus region, Yilmaz said, ''Caucasus will be one of the most significant regions at the 21st century. Disagreements and clashes occuring in the region are concerned with the importance of the region. We believe that all disagreements will be solved''.

President Aslan Abashidze of Adzharistan stressed that the cooperations, joint investments and mutual visits with Turkey have great importance for them.

Niko Lekisvili, the Georgian State Minister, told the reporters that the relations between Turkey and Georgia improve rapidly. He added, ''Georgia will do her utmost to maintain joint projects with Turkey''.

Yilmaz made observations in a ferryboat port-side construction belonged to a Turkish firm, in Batumi Port. He also visited Mehmet Abashidze's Monument who was one of the first leaders of the Muslum society in Batumi and the grandfather of President Aslan Abashidze. Eyup Asik, the State Minister and Cumhur Ersumer, Energy and Natural Resources Minister accompanied Yilmaz during his visit to Adzharistan.

[03] PRESIDENT DEMIREL EVALUATES HIS VISIT TO MOLVODA - DEMIREL ''GAGAVUZ AUTHONOMOUS ADMINISTRATION IS A SUCCESS GAINED THROUGH PEACE AND TURKEY HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THIS''

Recalling that Moldova was Baserabya Region of the Ottoman Empire, Demirel said Moldova was a member of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC).

Demirel said the project which Turkey wanted to realize is Gagavuz Place was a very good one adding that everybody would thank to Turkey when this project is concluded. He said ''we will get water from Tuna river and water their territory. This means we will leave an eternal masterpiece.''

Demirel also stressed that there was no political problem between Turkey and Moldova.

Speaking to reporters Demirel made statements about Istanbul and Thracean region adding that Corlu and Tekirdag would be free zones of the Balkans.

''We will open Tekirdag harbour and Corlu Airport on July 4, and Corlu and Tekirdag would be free zones of the Balkans. Kars-Tbilisi Railway project has been put into tender. If Kars-Caucasus way is opened, Central Asia would be linked to Caspian Sea, Caspian Sea to the Black Sea and Black Sea to Adriatic. These are not imaginations.''

[04] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF TRNC RETURNS TO ISLAND - RAUF DENKTAS: ''STEFANOPULOS SHOULD GIVE MESSAGE TO GREEK CYPRIOTS THAT THEY ARE NOT THE GOVERNMENT OF TURKISH CYPRIOTS AND CANNOT BE''

Addressing the journalists at the airport, Denktas noted, ''if the Greek Cypriots brought President Kostis Stefanopulos of Greece to the island in order to own Cyprus, it can be described as a great mistake. There are two owners on the island''.

Denktas stressed that the Greek Cypriot side is an enemy for the time being, but they want the Greek Cypriot side to be a friendly neighbour in coming days. He added, ''Greek Cypriots can host any people they want, we don't oppose this. But as one of the sovereign states on the island we can host anybody that we want to. So they shouldn't be opposed it too''.

Rauf Denktas expressed his astonisment concerning the mayor of the Greek Cypriot side of Lefkosa who gave a broken key to Stefanopulos and said that the broken side of the key is the symbol of the Lefkosa's part under the occupation. He stressed ''the municipalities have been divided as Turkish Cypriot side and the Greek Cypriot side since 1958. This event continued at the agreement in 1960. The municipality at the Northern Cyprus is as legal as the one at the Southern Cyprus''.

Pointing out that the Turkish Army that was described as the occupation army, also saved the lives of the Greek Cypriots, Denktas called the Greek Cypriots to leave these nonsense attitudes and set up good relations between the two states.

Noting that Greek President is aware of the facts, Denktas added ''he should give the message to the Greek Cypriots that you aren't the government of the Turkish Cypriots and cannot be, in order to provide peace on the island''.

[05] KARA, MINISTER OF STATE: ''ANY VESSEL THAT WILL GIVE DAMAGE TO TURKEY'S PEACE AND SECURITY, CAN NOT PASS FROM THE STRAITS EASILY''

Kara opened ''Coastal Security and Ship Rescue Administration Urgent Intervention Station'' to service which was established in Akbas region in Canakkale Straits. Kara said straits, with its narrowness and length, is an important transition way.

Recalling that the straits became under Turkey's control after Montreux Agreement and that the importance of Istanbul and Canakkale Straits increased everyday, Kara said ''nearly 45,000-50,000 ships are passing from the two Straits. Straits should be regions where security of life and property and environment are provided. Turkey has not considered passages from the straits economically and politically. Turkish straits are one of the most important discussion topics of the world. Importance of Turkish Straits will increase further in the coming years.''

Kara said Turkey regards security of life, property and environment in the straits as the most important issue. ''Because we know that there is three thousand years history around the straits and nearly 10 million people live here. We are not a country to give our history and those people as victims to an oil tanker. Turkey will take every kind of measure to provide straits into international transition. Yet, neighboring countries and the ones who make use of the straits should know that Straits are opened to transition but the absolute ruler of the Straits is Turkey.''

Noting that neighboring countries should attribute importance to the sensitivity of Turkey on the issue of Straits, Kara said the Straits belong to Turkey yet the maritime did not recognize borders.

[06] LOCAL ELECTIONS TO TAKE PLACE IN TRNC ON SUNDAY

118,833 recorded voters will use their votes at a total of 471 ballot boxes and elect 1219 local administrators out of 3438 candidates.

Voting will start at 08:00 a.m. and end at 18:00.

[07] TURKEY-IMF RELATION - TECHNICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE IMF - STATE MINISTER TANER: - ''I WILL NOT LEAVE WASHINGTON D.C. UNLESS I SIGN THE AGREEMENT''

Addressing the journalists, Taner stated that we won't leave the US unless he sing the agreement. He noted that he held talks with Michel Camdussus, the Chairman of the IMF, and Stanley Fisher, the Deputy Chairman of the IMF again.

Taner added, ''We haven't signed the the agreement yet, but the policy document was concluded and presented to the IMF officials.

Bilateral negotiations are nearly ended except of some points. I believe that these points will be concluded today''.

Guner Taner pointed out, ''We reached agreement with the IMF on the staff monitoring programme. Camdessus confirmed that they are ready for the agreement. There are, of course, some differences of opinion''. Taner gave no information about the differences.

Pointing out that the differences are not the social insurance system or the tax or the economic figures, Taner added, ''I can say that these are regarded with the technical points. Therefore I don't want to explain them now''.

Taner noted, ''I told Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz that the mutual persuasion process continues, but we agreed in principle''. He added that the agreement is extremely extensive and includes the targets of next 18 months and a great deal of technical details.

[08] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RETURNS TO TURKEY - DEMIREL: ''VISIT TO MOLDOVA ADDS MOMENTUM TO FRIENDSHIP AND COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES''

Demirel concluded his visit to Moldova where he went as the official guest of Moldovan President Petru Lucinschi.

Speaking to reporters about the visit Demirel said they welcomed the signature of an agreement signed between the two countries to prevent double taxation that will contribute to the development of economic relations.

Demirel also said he was very pleased to visit Gagavuz Place during his contacts in Moldova and pointed out that potable water project for three cities in Gagavuz place will be implemented by using 15 million dollar Eximbank credit expended by Turkey.

Demirel also said this project will contribute to the welfare of Gagavuz people which Turkey regarded as a bridge with Moldova.

Noting that Turkey's contributions to Moldova will continue in technical, education and culture fields, Demirel said he was very pleased over the warm welcome he received there.

[09] PREPARATION FROM ERBAKAN FOR DEFENSE IN THE CASE IN HUMAN RIGHTS COURT - ERBAKAN MEETS HINCKER, FAMOUS FRENCH JURIST

Preparations of the defense that will be made during the case were taken up during the meeting.

Sevket Kazan, former Minister of Justice, had officially applied to European Human Rights Commission for the Welfare Party (RP), which was earlier closed by the Constitutional Court. Kazan gave the application of complaint which is against Turkey.

The application claimed that closure of the Welfare Party and policy ban on its several political administrators contradicted with the Articles 6,7,9, 10,11,14 and 18 of the European Human Rights Charter related with the freedom of expression and organization.

Erbakan earlier defended that the Court will take the closure case as the ''case of century.''

Erbakan is expected to proceed to Frankfurt from Strasbourg after meeting Hincker to participate in a symposium titled ''human rights'' which will take place in Bonn on Sunday and Monday.

[10] KONYA MAY BE A SECOND ''EPHESOS'' - ARCHAELOGISTS TO EXCAVATE IN THE REGION WHERE ST. PAUL, ONE OF THE APOSTLES OF JESUS CHRIST, LIVED FOR A WHILE TO SPREAD CHRISTIANITY

Namik Gunel, the Governor of Konya, said that the region is very important for the Christians, and added that millions of tourists will visit Gokyurt within the framework of the religious tourism.

Noting that officials from the Governorship, the Directorate of Culture, Tourism and Environment, and experts from the Selcuk University will form a committee in order to hold a scientific search in the region, Gunel pointed out that there are many shelters, churches, houses, chapels and graveyards made by the soft lava rocks just like the early Byzantium settlings in Cappadocıa and Ihlara, in Glistra.

Stressing that the excavations can bring a second Ephesos to light, Gunel added, ''Name of Glistra is mentioned in the Bible. It should be promoted to the world by 2000s. Christians often come to Glistra for their pilgrimage and the historical King Road passes by the region''.

[11] EU-TURKISH TRADE RELATIONS - EU CALLS ON TURKEY TO CONSULTATION ON JUNE 30 DUE TO THE BAN PUT ON ANIMAL AND MEAT IMPORTATION

EU which had sent delegations to Turkey to remove the ban, could not get a positive response, so called on Turkey to consultations on June 30 that will take place in Brussels.

The US, due to the same ban, applied to World Trade Organization and complained about Turkey verbally at the begining of June.

Despite the call from EU for consultation, there is no change in the views of Ministry of Agriculture and Village Affairs. Turkey has a tendency not to participate in the consultation.

Officials said if there is no change in Turkey's attitude, EU would decide not to make Turkey use additional quotas on water melon, nuts and tomato paste which start in July.

In case these quotas are suspended, 28 million dollar nut, 3.4 million dollar water melon and 12.7 million dollar tomato paste would be negatively effected.

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