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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-07-03Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>03 JULY 1998CONTENTS
[01] NATIONAL EDUCATION MINISTER ULUGBAY RETURNS TO TURKEYISTANBUL, July 3 (A.A) - Hikmet Ulugbay, the Minister of National Education, who paid a visit to Albania as the official guest of Ethem Ruka, the Albanian Minister of Education and Science, concluded his contacts in this country and returned to Turkey on Thursday.Addressing the journalists at the Ataturk Airport, Ulugbay pointed out that there is a productive cooperation potential between Turkey and Albania. Noting that Turkey's schoolarships to Albania have been increased with an agreement reached between the two countries, Ulugbay added that they also decided to provide a two-month intensive education programme in Turkey for 13 students who study Turcology at the Tirane University. Ulugbay reminded that he held contacts during his visit with the senior Albanian officials on cooperation between the universities of both countries. Hikmet Ulugbay also added that he visited Zall-Herr Ataturk Junior High School, and stressed that Turkey will send the needed educational materials in order to provide a modern education at the school. [02] GENERAL KARADAYI RETURNS FROM FINLAND - GENERAL STAFF: - ''FINLAND SHARES SAME IDEAS WITH TURKEY ON BILATERAL RELATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL ISSUES''ANKARA, July 3 (A.A) - General Ismail Hakki Karadayi, the Chief of General Staff, who paid a three day official visit to Finland as the guest of his Finnish counterpart General Gustav Hagglund, concluded his contacts in this country and returned to Turkey on Thursday.The General Secretariat of the General Staff pointed out in its written statement that General Karadayi held talks with President Martti Ahtisaari of Finland, Gustav Hagglund, the Finnish Chief of General Staff, and senior military officials during his visit to Finland. The statement noted that the meetings focused on further strengthening the military cooperation between Turkey and Finland and on several security issues including the joint struggle against terrorism. It added, ''Finland shares the same ideas and feelings with Turkey on the bilateral relations between the two countries and on the international issues. The Turkish- Finnish relations that were set up by the Friendship Agreement signed on 9 December 1924, have continued positively so far. The Turkish Armed Forces believes that such mutual visits will contribute to further development of relations between Turkey and Finland and to provide peace and stability both in the region and in the world. Meanwhile, General Karadayi's visit to Finland can be described as a ground for the cooperative relations in the future''. General Karadayi visited several troops deployed on the border region with Russia, the Commandership of the F-18 Squadron in Satakunta, some institutes and headquarters in Finland and made observations during his visit. [03] ANKARA REPUBLIC CHIEF PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE PREPARES A SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS TO LIFT THE IMMUNITY OF KALEMLI, FORMER PARLIAMENT SPEAKER, ON GROUNDS THAT HE ABUSED HIS DUTY DURING THE RENOVATION OF PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL HALLANKARA, July 3 (A.A) - The Ankara Republic Chief Prosecutor's Office prepared a summary of proceedings to lift the immunity of Mustafa Kalemli, the Motherland Party (ANAP) Kutahya Deputy, and former Speaker of the Parliament, on grounds that he misused his duty during the renewal of the Parliamentary General Hall and also filed a suit against 13 defendants calling for 1-3 years of imprisonment.The Chief Prosecutor's Office decided to sent investigation documents against Necdet Basa, the former Secretary General of the Parliament, Fahri Koprulu, the Deputy Secretary General, Mehmet Misirli, the Chairman of the Technical Department, Ahmet Korkmaz, the Director of Construction, and against Yasar Gok and Ibrahim Uzunoglu, controllers of the Supreme Council of Public Accounts, to open investigations against them them as they are still civil servants. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice sent the summary of the proceedings prepared by the Ankara Republic Chief Prosecutor's Office to the Prime Ministry. Oltan Sungurlu, the Minister of Justice, signed the summary of the proceedings after going through it. If the immunity of Kalemli is lifted, then he could be tried under Article 240 of the Turkish Criminal Code requesting imprisonment terms varying between one to three years on grounds that he abused his duty. Speaking after the decision of the Ankara Republic Chief Prosecutor's Office, Kalemli said that he himself requested Oltan Sungurlu, the Minister of Justice, to send the summary of proceedings related to the lifting of his immunity to Prime Ministry urgently. [04] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF THE TRNC RECEIVES CORDOVEZ - DENKTAS: '' I EXPRESSED OUR ATTITUDES AND ASSESSMENT CONCERNING RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY UN SECURITY COUNCIL'' - DENKTAS AND CORDOVEZ TO MEET FOR THE SECOND TIME ON FRIDAYLEFKOSA, July 3 (A.A) - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) received on Thursday Diego Cordovez, the UN Secretary General's Special Consultant to Cyprus.Addressing the journalists after the meeting, Denktas noted that he will meet with Cordovez for the second time on Friday. Denktas pointed out that he expressed the attitude of the Turkish Cypriot side, and its assessment concerning the resolutions adopted by the United Nations Security Council. He quoted Cordovez's words to maintain contacts. Reminding that the issue of the conditions stipulated by the TRNC were discussed at the meeting, President Denktas of the TRNC stressed, ''if they don't accept our conditions about the two states on the island, then we don't accept negotiating with the Greek Cypriot Administration as they are called the Government of Cyprus. Noting that the UN officials come to the island in order to find a provisional course and expect the Turkish Cypriot side to be more flexible, Denktas emphasized that they have been flexible for 24 years, but we have gotten nowhere. Diego Cordovez, who also met with Glafcos Clerides, the Leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration, didn't respond to the questions of the journalists concerning his meetings with both leaders, but he pointed out that he will hold a press conference on Saturday. [05] TURKEY PRESS REVIEW (1)These are brief summaries of some of the leading stories in Turkey's press on 3 July 1998. The Anadolu Agency doesn't verify these stories and doesn't vouch for their accuracy.(Derived from the Newsspot of the Turkish General Directorate of Press and Information.) PUBLIC WORKS AND HOUSING MINISTER PROMISES SUPPORT FOR QUAKE VICTIMS YILMAZ AND DEMIREL GO TO CYPRUS AMERICAN JOURNALIST REQUESTS CLINTON TO INTERVENE ON CYPRUS ISSUE RUSSIAN WEEKLY CLAIMS GREEK-TURKISH CLASH LIKELY SOON FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES UP On the other hand, Turkey repaid 5,601 billion US dollars in foreign debts during the first six months of this year. According to the Central Bank data, the Treasury repaid 4,298 billion US dollars, while the Central Bank repaid 156.4 million US dollars and the Turkish Defense Fund repaid 135.8 million US dollars of the foreign debt. /Milliyet/ GREEKS AND ARMENIANS THREATEN BANDERAS [06] TURKEY PRESS REVIEW (2)These are brief summaries of some of the leading stories in Turkey's press on 3 July 1998. The Anadolu Agency doesn't verify these stories and doesn't vouch for their accuracy.(Derived from the Newsspot of the Turkish General Directorate of Press and Information.) PRESIDENT OF WEU ASSEMBLY VISITS TURKEY Although Turkey is a full member of the NATO, it is excluded from the decision-making process within the WEU. Cetin insisted that the decisions taken in Maastricht about this issue should be reconsidered. He said, ''Some see the WEU as a branch of the NATO, but a NATO member, Turkey, isn't accepted as a full member in this organization, which is unacceptable''. /All papers/ SYRIA: ''PKK IS A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION'' Korkmaz Haktanir, the Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry, r evaluated the 10-day visit of the Syrian delegation by saying that the Syrian side was making great efforts to improve relations between the two countries. He added that during the meetings the Syrian side had accepted for the first time that the PKK is a terrorist organization and stressed that Syria didn't support the organization. They also expressed their worries about the water problem between Turkey and Syria, said Haktanir. Syria's accepting for the first time that the PKK was indeed a terrorist and separatist organization could be a turning point in Turkey-Syria relations, noted diplomatic observers. /Cumhuriyet/Sabah/ ''S-300 MISSILES AREN'T POLITICAL BUT ECONOMIC'' ''TRNC SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED'' Rauf Denktas said after the first meeting with Cordovez that the TRNC must be recognized if international talks are to continue. /Cumhuriyet/ TANER CALLS ON FOREIGN BANKS ECZACIBASI TO BUILD TILE PRODUCTION PLANT IN IRELAND [07] TOPCU PUBLIC WORKS AND HOUSING MINISTER, RECEIVES PAKISTANI DELEGATION - TOPCU: ''TURKISH CONTRACTORS HAVE UNDERTAKEN BUSINESS OF MORE THAN 1.2 BILLION US DOLLARS IN PAKISTAN''ANKARA, July 3 (A.A) - Yasar Topcu, the Minister of Public Works and Housing, received on Thursday Shahbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Punjab Province in Pakistan, and Ishab Dar, the Pakistani Minister of Trade, who are in Turkey for an official visit.Addressing the meeting, Sharif expressed satisfaction with their visit to Turkey. Ishab Dar stressed that they want to profit by Turkey's experiences for the construction of a port and dams in Pakistan, adding, ''we have a dam project of 7 billion US dollars that is planned to be realized on the basis of the build-operate or build-operate-transfer method. Meanwhile, there is also a very significant port construction to be concluded''. He added that Turkish contractors contribute to the work force potential of Pakistan. Stressing that Pakistan and Turkey are friendly countries, Yasar Topcu pointed out that the Turkish contractors have undertaken business of more that 1.2 billion US dollars in Pakistan and will be pleased to increase this number in the coming days. The Pakistani delegation was also received by Yalim Erez, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, no statement was made concerning the agenda of the meeting. [08] SHARIF, PRIME MINISTER OF PUNJAB PROVINCE OF PAKISTAN, AND SEVER, CHAIRMAN OF TURKISH INTERNATIONAL CONTRACTORS UNION, SIGN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING - SHARIF INVITES TURKISH BUSINESSMEN TO PAKISTANANKARA, July 3 (A.A) - The memorandum of understanding that will provide for Turkish firms making investments in Pakistan, was signed on Thursday by Shahbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Punjab Province of Pakistan, and Kadir Sever, the Chairman of the ''Turkish International Contractors Union''.Addressing the signing ceremony, Sharif described Pakistan and Turkey as friendly countries and pointed out that the cooperative relations between the two countries should be further developed. He requested a delegation to be formed and sent to Pakistan in order to make observations in Pakistan. Kadir Sever stressed that 63 Turkish firms are closely interested in the investment opportunities in Pakistan, noting that with the memorandum of understanding, the Turkish construction firms will undertake 95 percent of the infrastructure investments in Pakistan. According to the memorandum of understanding, cooperation coordination between Turkey and Pakistan will be realized by the Secretariat of the International Contractors' Union. Sever told the A.A correspondent that they can make investments of 2-3 billion US dollars within the framework of the memorandum of understanding. [09] PREMIER YILMAZ DUE IN MACEDONIA ON 6 JULYANKARA, July 6 (A.A) - Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz will go to Macedonia on 6 July as the official guest of Branko Crvenkovski, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia, it was reported on Friday.Cavit Kavak and Rustu Kazim Yucelen, the Ministers of State, and Nami Cagan, Minister of Labour and Social Security will accompany Yilmaz during his two day official visit. The Foreign Ministry written statement said this will be the first official visit to Macedonia at the Prime Ministerial level. The statement stressed that Turkey extends support to Macedonia's integration with the international community, adding that Turkey also attributes importance to the development of relations with Macedonia. The statement said that this visit, which will take place at a time when the Kosovo question has reached serious dimensions, gained more importance. Yilmaz and the other ministers will hold bilateral relations and take up political, economic and trade relations as well as regional questions. The Social Security Agreement will be signed between the two countries during the visit and Turkey's Honorary Chief Consulate will be opened in Bitola (Monastir), the place where Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Republic of Turkey Republic, graduated from Military School. [10] REPERCUSSIONS OF MONITORING AGREEMENT BETWEEN TURKEY AND IMF - SALOMON SMITH BARNEY: - ''IT IS A RELATIVELY STRONG AGREEMENT THAT ASSAULTS POLITICAL TABOOS''LONDON/ANKARA, July 3 (A.A) - Salomon Smith Barney, a leading international counseling organization, described the staff monitoring programme between Turkey and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as a relatively strong agreement that assaults the political taboos.Responding to the questions of the A.A correspondent, Barney said that the agreement includes positive surprises on the social security reform, financial measures, reducing the open positions of the banks and struggling against inflation. Barney pointed out that the projections of the agreement concerning inflation can be the desired targets rather than the realizable targets and added, ''this can be explained as the Turkish officials willingness to reduce the liquidity again in case inflation is accelerated''. It was noted that the determination on the implementation process is extremely significant for the success of the agreement. [11] EIGHT STUDENTS CONVICTED OF PROTESTING TUITION FEES RELEASED BY CRIMINAL COURTANKARA, July 3 (A.A) - The Ankara Criminal Court on Friday released eight students who opened banners at the Parliamentary General Committee Hall to protest the price increase made in university tuition fees.The students were earlier sentenced to imprisonment terms varying from one to three years on grounds that they opposed the Meeting and Demonstration Marches Law, yet this sentence was annuled by the High Court of Appeals. Saban Kirci, the Judge, recalled the decision of the High Court of Appeals dated 27 March 1998 and decided to abide by the resolution of the Appeals Court. Kazim Genc, one of the lawyers of the defendants recalled that a 300 percent price increase was made in the university tuition fees in 1995 and the students had gone to the Parliament to protest this. Genc said it was impossible to give imprisonment terms to the students under international law and requested the release of the students. The Prosecutor of the case, Palaz also requested the release of the students saying that a crime wasn't committed. [12] WORLD TOUR ON TIP-TOES - STATE OPERA AND BALLET TO PERFORM IN 6 COUNTRIESANKARA, July 3 (A.A) - The State Opera and Ballet (DOB) that concluded its Germany tour successfully will organize a world tour including Japan, France and Philippines in coming days, it was reported on Friday.The DOB performed for more than 5 thousand viewers in Cologne, Mainz, Munster, Essen, Dusseldorf and Ulm in 13 days. The DOB will greet the German viewers with its Modern Dance Group this time. The Group will take part in the Dance for Indulgence Festival in Bonn and Bielefeld. It will perform the ''Hars'', ''Rondo a la Turca'' and ''Post'' in Bonn on 10 July, and in Bielefeld on 12 July. The Modern Dance Group will also peform in Lyon,France with its famous play ''Post'' between 23 and 24 September. The main theme of the Lyon Dance Biennial, one of the largest modern dance festivals in the world, is determined to be ''Mediterranean''. Meanwhile the group has been invited to a dance festival in the Philippines. The ''Dance with the Symphonies'' , the most ostentatious production of the State Opera and Ballet, will go to Croatia to join the Dubrovnic Summer Festival. Group will perform the ''Bolero'' of Ravel and the ''7th Symphony'' of Beethoven at the festival. The members of the group are also invited to the Asian Dance Festival. Hasan Hussein Akbulut, the General Director of the State Opera and Ballet, said that the tour which includes five countries in two continents will be very positive for promoting the Turkish culture and art to the world. [13] HUSEYNI, PALESTINIAN MINISTER IN ANKARAANKARA, July 3 (A.A) - Faysal Huseyni, the Minister of the Palestinian National Administration Responsible for Jerusalem Affairs, told President Suleyman Demirel that he brought the message of Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian leader, ''Turkey is expected to use her positive relations carried out with Israel for the Middle East Peace Process.''Huseyni came to Turkey as the official guest of Sukru Sina Gurel, the Minister of State. Speaking to the press after his meeting with Huseyni, Gurel said they discussed taking more concrete steps to further develop relations between Turkey and Palestine. Recalling that Turkey attributed a great importance to the success of the Middle East, Gurel said ''this successful outcome could only be realized by preserving and strengthening the legal rights of the Palestinian people.'' When asked if the 50 million US dollar aid promised by Turkey to be given to Palestine was brought onto the agenda, Gurel said ''the issue is already on the agenda. This is something which Turkey should do.'' Huseyni said that he brought a message from Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian leader, to President Suleyman Demirel. Arafat is expected to come to Turkey by the end of July. When asked about the context of the message, Huseyni said the message mentioned the development of Turkish-Palestinian relations, the Middle East Peace Process and the new Jerusalem plan of Israel. The message urged Turkey to assume a ''goodwill'' mission to re-start the Peace process constructively and pointed out that they wanted Turkey to use her positive relations with Israel for the success of the peace process. Huseyni blamed Israel for the bottleneck in the process, adding that Israel rejected the rights of the Palestinians. Meanwhile, Gurel said that Turkey would do her best to protect the cultural structures in Jerusalem and to re-construct them, adding that a comprehensive study would be initiated within this context. [14] GREEK PRESS PRAISES TURKISH TOURISMANKARA, July 3 (A.A) - The Greek Press praised the Turkish tourism, it was reported on Friday. The Gnomi Newspaper wrote that the Turkish tourism sector provides inexpensive and good quality services. It pointed out that tourism, which provides a 16.5 percent increase in revenues, is a significant foreign exchange source in Turkey.The statement of the Tourism Ministry noted that the US, Spanish, French, Belgian, German, Swedish, British and Greek newspapers and magazines promoted Turkey and emphasized the success of Turkish tourism under the headlines of ''the Charm of the City that has a History of Thousands of Years'', ''Istanbul and Beyond: to Pass from the City of the Sultans'', ''Istanbul: the City of One Thousand and One Nights''. The Spanish Turismo Rula and French Vogue magazines gave place to Konya, the city of Mevlana, a great Turkish thinker. The French Le Soir and German Kolner Stadt Anzeiger newspapers promoted Cappadocia and recommended to their readers to visit Cappadocia. [15] ASHKHABAD MOSQUE READY FOR PRAYERANKARA, July 3 (A.A) - Ashkhabad Mosque, constructed in the Turkmen capital of Ashkhabad by the Religious Affairs Chairmanship and with the contributions of citizens, is waiting for President Suleyman Demirel to be opened to prayer.Ashkhabad Mosque, which was started to be constructed in 1993, was concluded within five years and cost nearly 17 million US dollars. The mosque is also the largest place of prayer in Turkmenistan. The mosque, which was constructed on an area of 27,000 square meters, has a closed area of 8,384 square meters. Nearly 3.5 million hours manpower was spent for the construction and 302 trucks of materials were used. [16] TURKEY'S GIANT INVESTMENT PROJECTS - AYDOGDU, EBSO EXECUTIVE BOARD CHAIRMAN: ''TWO OF THREE GIANT INVESTMENT PROJECTS TO BE REALIZED IN AEGEAN IZMIR PROVINCE''IZMIR, July 3 (A.A) - Kani Aydogdu, Exective Board Chairman of Aegean Region Chambers of Industry (EBSO) said on Friday that two of the three giant investment projects, for which the incentive certificates were obtained in 1997, would be realized in the Aegean Izmir Province.Briefing about the investments Aydogdu said that Sanko, which will realize Turkey's largest industrial investment with 87.7 trillion Turkish Liras, will employ 355 people at the new installation. Aydogdu said that thousands of persons will have the opportunity of finding employment when these investments are concluded. ''The second and third largest investments in Turkey will be realized. Nearly 300 people will be employed with the new investment that will be made in the iron-steel sector worth 44.5 trillion Turkish Liras'' he said, adding ''the fourth largest investment will be made by SASA, in southern Adana Province in the chemical sector with 35 trillion Turkish Liras.'' Aydogdu said that 1,070 people will be employed with the investment of Vestel in refrigirator production that will be established with 28 trillion Turkish Liras in Manisa. [17] HERCUS, UN SECRETARY GENERAL'S DEPUTY REPRESENTATIVE TO CYPRUS COMES TO THE ISLANDLEFKOSA, July 3 (A.A) - Ann Hercus, who was appointed as the United Nations Secretary General's Deputy Representative to Cyprus, came on Friday to the island.Hercus will meet tomorrow with Diego Cordovez, the UN Secretary General's Special Consultant to Cyprus who is holding contacts on the island. Ann Hercus will start her mission on the island on Monday and hold a press conference the same day. Kofi Annan, the Secretary General of the United Nations, had asked for the approvals of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and the Greek Cypriot Administration before he appointed Hercus to the mission. Gustave Feissel has been executing the deputy representation of the UN Secretary General on Cyprus for five years. He left the island last night after he retired from the mission. Addressing a press statement before his departure, Feissel pointed out that the best solution for the Cyprus question is ''a federation with two regions and two communities''. Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |