Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-08-29

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

29 AUG 1998

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKISH ARMED FORCES IS THE ARMY OF PEACE AND PEOPLE''

[02] PRESIDENT NARAYANAN OF INDIA DUE IN TURKEY

[03] 30 AUGUST VICTORY FESTIVAL CELEBRATED IN MACEDONIA

[04] UN-AFGHANISTAN - VURAL: ''SITUATION IN AFGHANISTAN CREATES DEEP SORROW AMONG TURKISH PEOPLE''

[05] 40,000 CUBIC METERS WATER TO TRNC WITH BALOON - FIRST BALOON OF THE MEDITERRANEAN WATER DISTRIBUTION COMPANY DUE IN TRNC ON SUNDAY

[06] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF TRNC EVALUATES CLERIDES-SIMITIS MEETING - DENKTAS: ''THEY INSIST ON DAMAGING PEACE AND STABILITY IN THE REGION''

[07] FOREIGN MINISTRY: - ''TURKEY SUPPORTS DENKTAS'S STATEMENTS'' - ''WE WILL NOT ACCEPT S-300 MISSILES AS ELEMENT OF BARGAINING''

[08] CALL FROM BOSNIAN BUSINESSMAN TO TURKISH ENTREPRENEURS

[09] GEN. KARADAYI: ''TURKISH ARMED FORCES CONTINUE TO COVER DANGER OF FUNDAMENTALISM''

[10] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES SHRI C.H. MIRANI - DEMIREL: ''RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND INDIA WILL IMPROVE IN COMING DAYS''

[11] TWO TURKISH CITIZENS SENTENCED TO ONE MONTHS IMPRISONMENT TERMS IN GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE

[12] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF TRNC SENDS A MESSAGE OF CONGRATULATION TO PRESIDENT DEMIREL FOR 30 AUGUST VICTORY FESTIVAL

[13] HARNEY, IRISH DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: ''IRELAND DECIDES TO OPEN AN EMBASSY IN ANKARA IN THE COMING MONTHS''

[14] ECEVIT, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER IN BOSNIA ... - ECEVIT: ''EXTRADITION OF CAKICI IS NOT CERTAIN YET. I PROPOSE A TEAM FROM TURKEY TO GO TO FRANCE AND MAKE THE INTERROGATION THERE''

[15] ECEVIT, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER IN BOSNIA ... - ECEVIT SEPARATELY MEETS IZZETBEGOVICH, SLADZICH AND GANIC

[16] LOCKERBIE INCIDENT - TURKEY GIVES SUPPORT TO THE REVELATION OF LOCKERBIE INCIDENT WHICH CLAIMED 270 LIVES

[17] TURKEY BEGINS HER OPENING PROGRAMME IN LATIN AMERICA - LATIN AMERICA ACTION PROGRAMME BEGINS WITH A SERIES MEETINGS - TURKEY TRIES TO CONNECT CENTRAL ASIA AND LATIN AMERICA TO EACH OTHER

[01] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKISH ARMED FORCES IS THE ARMY OF PEACE AND PEOPLE''

Addressing a ceremony Demirel stressed that Turkish Republic, founded by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, was a contemporary, democratic and secular state.

Demirel praised Turkish Armed Forces saying that it was one of the most diciplined, well educated and well equipped armed forces of the world.

Demirel pointed out that Turkish Armed Forces played a very important role in providing peace in the region adding that Turkish Armed Forces always protected the borders and territories of people.

Noting that there were several uneasiness in the region, Demirel said people who dared to assault Turkish territory, borders, and people, always had to pay its price.

Demirel pointed out that he did not threaten anybody adding that ''a state has to preserve its borders and protect its people and regime.''

Demirel said nobody should feel doubt that Turkish state will protect the democratic and secular state founded by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

[02] PRESIDENT NARAYANAN OF INDIA DUE IN TURKEY

The Indian Embassy in Ankara stated that Narayan will begin a tour covering Turkey, Germany, Portugal and Luxembourg.

In Turkey leg of his tour, Narayanan is scheduled to meet with President Demirel. He is also expected to receive Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister, and Ismet Sezgin, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence.

[03] 30 AUGUST VICTORY FESTIVAL CELEBRATED IN MACEDONIA

General Trayche Kirstevsky, the Macedonian Chief of General Staff, and other senior officials were in attendance at the reception.

A video display reflecting the activities of Turkish Army, was shown at the reseption.

[04] UN-AFGHANISTAN - VURAL: ''SITUATION IN AFGHANISTAN CREATES DEEP SORROW AMONG TURKISH PEOPLE''

Addressing the session in the United Nations regarded with the developments in Afghanistan, Volkan Vural, the Turkey's Permanent Representative in the UN, said, ''Afghan people's difficult situation creates deep sorrow in Turkey.''

Criticising the discrimination of women, mass massacre of the prisoners of war, and forcing the people to leave their homes and migrate towards south of the country, in the regions under the control of Taleban Forces, Vural stressed that the neighbouring countries to Afghanistan feel uneasy with the drug trafficking and tension caused by the political crisis in Afghanistan.

Vural warned that the worsening situation in Afghanistan can effect the regional stability negatively.

Noting that the struggle of Taleban Movement for military superiority cannot be an alternative to a political solution, Vural pointed out, ''military victories provided by the external supports, cannot last long and solve the problems.''

Volkan Vural requested Afghan settlement units to be disarmed and the terrorist camps to be dispersed.

[05] 40,000 CUBIC METERS WATER TO TRNC WITH BALOON - FIRST BALOON OF THE MEDITERRANEAN WATER DISTRIBUTION COMPANY DUE IN TRNC ON SUNDAY

Turkish-Norwegian consortium Mediterranean Water Distribution Company will send a second baloon having 10,000 cubic meters to TRNC immediately after the first one is discharged.

Mustafa Can, TRNC Water Affairs Department Director, said a 10,000 cubic meters third balloon is expected to come to TRNC by mid-September.

Salih Zeki Karaca, Premiership Cyprus Affairs Consultant, said final goal is to transport water with a 78 km pipeline. A total of 75 million cubic meters water is targetted to be transported to TRNC by this way.

The water-supply project was inaugurated on July 25 by President Suleyman Demirel in a high-profile visit to the island. The current transfer of water will meet the potable water needs of the TRNC's two largest cities.

[06] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF TRNC EVALUATES CLERIDES-SIMITIS MEETING - DENKTAS: ''THEY INSIST ON DAMAGING PEACE AND STABILITY IN THE REGION''

Pointing out that the joint declaration can escalate the tension in the region, Denktas noted that Greeks and Greek Cypriots try to camouflage their risky attitude on Cyprus.

President Denktas stressed that they will never accept the ''fait accomplis'' as an element of bargaining or pressure, adding, ''Greeks and Greek Cypriots should put an end to their risky activities threatening the peace and stability in the region.''

Emphasizing that Greek Cypriot side and Greece try to make everyone forget the fact that they were responsible for the Cyprus question, Denktas pointed out that it is not possible to record a progress on Cyprus question by ignoring that there were two separate communities in Cyprus.

Denktas reiterated that Greeks and Greek Cypriots were responsible for the joint military doctrine, deployment of the Russian made S-300 missiles at the Southern Cyprus, establishment of the Baf Airbase, and escalating tension in the region.

Noting that TRNC make all kinds of productive efforts in order to provide a lasting and peaceful solution to the Cyprus question, Denktas added that the TRNC will maintain her cooperation with Turkey to protect peace and stability on Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean region.

[07] FOREIGN MINISTRY: - ''TURKEY SUPPORTS DENKTAS'S STATEMENTS'' - ''WE WILL NOT ACCEPT S-300 MISSILES AS ELEMENT OF BARGAINING''

The written statement of the Foreign Ministry pointed out, ''We have presented our opinions many times concerning the Greeks and Greek Cypriots' decision of deploying the Russian made S-300 missiles at the Southern Cyprus, to the international public opinion. Our views have not changed.''

Describing the S-300 missiles as a threat to Turkey and the TRNC, the statement stressed, ''we will never accept the missiles as an element of bargaining. As President Denktas emphasized before, Greece and Greek Cypriot side have created this problem, and now it is their responsibility to solve it.''

[08] CALL FROM BOSNIAN BUSINESSMAN TO TURKISH ENTREPRENEURS

Addressing the meeting Ozfatura said he was very pleased from the visit adding that their gates were always opened to Bosnian businessmen. Ozfatura said ''we are pleased to host 56 countries and 1.600 companies in Izmir.''

Ibrahim Kavic, leader of Bosnian industry and economy delegation, said their aim was promote their country and establish bilateral trade relations with Turkish businessmen.

Kavic said Turkish businessmen should not wait for large scaled investments but start with small scale investment.

[09] GEN. KARADAYI: ''TURKISH ARMED FORCES CONTINUE TO COVER DANGER OF FUNDAMENTALISM''

Gen. Kivrikoglu said Turkish Armed Forces will not tolarate the enemies of the regime to dynamite basic principles of the state by using the facilities provided by democracy. He said Turkish armed forces is resolved to make secular Turkey, which is a state of law, to live forever adding that it is the duty of everybody to be alert towards the people who want to bring sheriah order by darkening the bright horizons of our country.

Karadayi, who made a farewell statement, mentioned about the important formations of the recent years.

Mentioning about ''internal threat'', Karadayi said important steps could be recorded in struggle against terrorism. Karadayi also said separatist terrorist organization came to the stage of collapse.

Karadayi said separatist terrorist organization could only find the courage to react against the state with the support expended by neighboring countries of Turkey.

Mentioning about fundamentalism issue Karadayi said Turkish Armed Forces closely cover the danger of fundamentalism and also pointed out that even the least weakness that will be shown to the sensitivity to protect the unity and integrity of Turkey, may bring the country face to face with very serious problems.

Kivrikoglu in his part said separatist terrorist PKK organization was rendered ineffective due to the new concept brought against struggle against terrorism and with the measures that are newly taken.

Kivrikoglu pointed out that activities of the separatist terrorist organization, backed by foreign forces, increase of fundamentalism, escalation of tension and clashes in the Balkans, the Middle East and Caucasus, problems in the Aegean and Cyprus and the water problem required Turkish Armed Forces to be alert.

[10] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES SHRI C.H. MIRANI - DEMIREL: ''RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND INDIA WILL IMPROVE IN COMING DAYS''

Addressing the meeting, Demirel stressed that there is no problem in the relations between Turkey and India, and added, ''relations will become closer in coming days.''

Pointing out that the trade volume between the two countries fails reflect the real potentials of both countries, Demirel noted, ''Turkey is a bridge between Europe and Asia. Indian businessmen interest in Turkey will make us pleased. Maybe Indian and Turkish businessmen can work in the join projects in a third country. We should expend effort to increase trade volume up to one billion US Dollars.''

Demirel stressed that Turkish economy improves rapidly, and called Indian businessmen to come and hold observations in Turkey. Shri C.H. Mirani stressed that the trade volume between the two countries should be increased in near future, adding that both countries have the sufficient potential to realize this aim.

[11] TWO TURKISH CITIZENS SENTENCED TO ONE MONTHS IMPRISONMENT TERMS IN GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE

Kanioglu and Kizilkaya were captured as they were touring Pile-Larnaka main road with the car which they rented. Kanıoglu and Kızılkaya said they lost their way and went to Larnaca and that they did not have an evil intention.

[12] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF TRNC SENDS A MESSAGE OF CONGRATULATION TO PRESIDENT DEMIREL FOR 30 AUGUST VICTORY FESTIVAL

Denktas also sent messages to Hikmet Cetin, Speaker of Parliament Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, Ismet Sezgin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State, General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, the Chief of General Staff, General Atilla Ates, the Commander of the Land Forces, Admiral Salim Dervisoglu, Commander of the Naval Forces, General Ilhan Kilic, Commander of Air Forces, General Rasim Betir, the General Commander of Gendarme, Sukru Sina Gurel, the State Minister, and Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister.

30 August Victory Festival will also be celebrated in the TRNC.

Ceremonies will be organized in Lefkosa, Girne, Gazimagosa, Guzelyurt, Lefke and Yeniiskele.

The Turkish Peace Keeping Forces' Band in Cyprus will give a concert within the framework of the celebrations.

Meanwhile, it was also reported that Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will go to TRNC on a one day official visit.

Foreign Ministry statement on the issue said Cem will go there to visit Denktas.

[13] HARNEY, IRISH DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: ''IRELAND DECIDES TO OPEN AN EMBASSY IN ANKARA IN THE COMING MONTHS''

Harney, currently officialy in Turkey to participate in the opening ceremony of Izmir Fair, staged a joint news conference with State Minister Isin Celebi in Ciragan Palace in Istanbul.

Addressing the news conference Harney said trade relations between Turkey and Ireland were not in satisfactory level adding that they were willing to improve these relations.

Recalling that Eczacibasi has a ceramics factory in Ireland, Harney said she wished this to be a start for the Turkish investment that will be made in Ireland.

Stressing that relations between Turkey and Ireland were speeded up in the recent years, Harney said ''we want trade relations between the two countries to be improved'' and also pointed out that her country decided to open an Embassy in Ankara in the coming months.

Harney stated that her country supported Turkey's wish to be a full member of the European Union (EU), adding that future relations of Turkey and EU will be better. Harney also expressed sorrow that Turkey could not be included in the expansion process of the EU in the first stage.

Meanwhile Isin Celebi, Minister of State, responding to the questions of reporters said there were important wavings in the world markets adding that ''we are effected by the Asian crisis in the minumum level due to the stability program that is implemented.''

Celebi pointed out that Ireland managed to improve well due to the decisions taken in the fields of banking, tax regulations and economic relations foreseen by the free market mechanisms.

[14] ECEVIT, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER IN BOSNIA ... - ECEVIT: ''EXTRADITION OF CAKICI IS NOT CERTAIN YET. I PROPOSE A TEAM FROM TURKEY TO GO TO FRANCE AND MAKE THE INTERROGATION THERE''

Ecevit, on his way to Bosnia-Herzegovina where he will pay an official visit, responded to the questions of reporters related with gang and mafia issues.

Ecevit said everything takes place in front of everybody. Nothing remained that has not been disclosed. Ecevit said it was not certain whether France would extradite Cakici or not as he was captured due to a crime he committed there.''

Ecevit said it is hard to bring the people to Turkey who were captured abroad as there is still capital punishment in Turkey although it does not work actively.

Ecevit also pointed out that a study should be held to lift the capital punishment adding that there were problems stemming from the lack of dialogue between the units of state related with security and that important steps were taken in struggle against crimes.

When recalled the news reports that chief of the separatist terrorist organization declared ceasefire, Ecevit said ''he brings this to the agenda from time to time, yet the terrorist activities continue. Also, we can not negotiate the problems of our country with a separatist terrorist organization.''

[15] ECEVIT, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER IN BOSNIA ... - ECEVIT SEPARATELY MEETS IZZETBEGOVICH, SLADZICH AND GANIC

Speaking before his separate meetings with President Izzetbegovich, Haris Sladzic, Bosnian Council of Ministers co-Chairman, and Eyup Ganic, Chairman of the Federation, Ecevit said Ganic invited him to Bosnia two months ago during his visit to Ankara.

Ecevit said he held intense studies with all the concerned institutions to take concrete steps in economic relations between Turkey and Bosnia adding that he was pleased to be in Bosnia now after overcoming all the obstacles which lied in front of the aid and credits to Bosnia.

Ecevit said Turkey, in the first stage, will give an aid of 29.5 million US dollars, composed of credits and donations, to Bosnia.

Addressing a news conference which was held with the participation of Izzetbegovich, Ganic and Sladzich, Ecevit said an economic aid package was prepared to help Bosnia to heal the wounds of war and improve economic relations.

According to this, four million US dollars of this aid will be used for the opening of Airbosna (Bosnian Air Lines) to the world and also Turkey will donate 10 million dollars for the repairment of the buildings that were devastated. One million US dollar will be used for the repairment of Mostar bridge and 7.5 million US dollars will be spent in mending of 850 houses in Dobrinya. Bosnian Federation will use the remaining 1.5 million US dollars.

Meanwhile, it was also reported that Kardemir will renew technology of Zenica Iron and Steel factory.

Within the framework of the package, Turkish Eximbank will open five million US dollars credit for two projects.

Ecevit said Bosnian officials wanted Volkswagen cars, produced in this country, to enter to Turkey without tariffs adding that ''we will do our best to this end. We should take the views of the European Union (EU) in this respect, yet I think we will not have problems in persuading the EU.''

Ecevit noted that Turkey attributes importance to the elections which will take place in Bosnia between Sept 12 and 13 and wished that the elections will provide rapproachement of three ethnical groups.

[16] LOCKERBIE INCIDENT - TURKEY GIVES SUPPORT TO THE REVELATION OF LOCKERBIE INCIDENT WHICH CLAIMED 270 LIVES

The statement of the Foreign Ministry pointed out, ''Turkey believes that the trial of two suspects in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing, in the Hague, Netherlands, will overcome the suspicions of the sides and speed up the solution of the question, and therefore we give support to it.''

A US airliner had blew up over Lockerbie in Scotland in 1988, killing 270 people.

[17] TURKEY BEGINS HER OPENING PROGRAMME IN LATIN AMERICA - LATIN AMERICA ACTION PROGRAMME BEGINS WITH A SERIES MEETINGS - TURKEY TRIES TO CONNECT CENTRAL ASIA AND LATIN AMERICA TO EACH OTHER

The Latin America Action Programme that was foreseen within the framework of opening policy in the regions where Turkey could not improve relations because of the geographical and political distance, will begin in Ankara on 1 September and continue with a series of meetings that will last for three days.

Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, will chair the meetings. Turkish ambassadors to Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Mexico, Cuba and Chile who are also the acreditted ambassadors in 22 Latin American countries, will be in attendance at the first-day meetings. The representatives of the public sector will participate the second-day meetings, and representatives of the private sector who aim at making business in Latin America will attend the third-day meetings in order to discuss the ways of improving relations with Latin American countries.

Turkey aims at connecting Central Asia and Latin America to each other within the framework of opening policy. Several visits are being foreseen in order to put the opening policy into practice. Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz's Mexico visit in September forms one of the steps towards realizing the policy. As Cem is expected to visit Argentina in coming days, President of Argentina will come to Turkey. The first step of the mentioned policy had taken in February in a meeting between Turkish ambassadors to the Latin American countries and the representatives of the public and private business sectors.

Korkmaz Haktanir, the Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry, had paid a visit to the region in March. The series of meetings between 1 and 3 September will form the third leg of the opening policy.

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