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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-09-08Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>08 SEPT 1998CONTENTS
[01] A SLIGHT EARTHQUAKE SHAKES IZMIRANKARA, Sept 8 (A.A) - A slight earthquake measuring 3.7 on the Richter Scale shook Izmir Province at 02:43 a.m. on Tuesday.The Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory Earthquake Research Institute officials told the A.A correspondent that the epicenter of the earthquake was Urla. No casualties or financial damages were reported at the earthquake. [02] CONTACTS IN TURKEY OF RABBANI, THE OUSTED AFGHAN PRESIDENTANKARA, Sept 8 (A.A) - Dr. Abdullah, the Spokesman and Deputy Foreign Minister of the ousted government of Afghanistan said on Monday that the issue of all the sides fighting in Afghanistan to come together in Turkey, was brought onto the agenda again during his contacts in Ankara, describing it as an opportunity for the sides.Addressing the journalists before the ousted President Burhaneddin Rabbani of Afghanistan and the accompanying delegation left Turkey, Dr. Abdullah pointed out that they have held useful talks in Ankara, and discussed the latest developments in Afghanistan which is in a ''critical situation'', and in the region. Dr. Abdullah stressed that Turkey shares the same opinion with them on that an acceptable solution for all sides can only be possible with peaceful dialogues, not with military methods. Meanwhile, the ousted President Burhaneddin Rabbani of Afghanistan left Turkey after he concluded his contacts in Ankara. Senior officials from the Foreign Ministry and the Afghan Embassy in Turkey saw Rabbani and accompanying delegation off. [03] BILATERAL CONTACTS OF PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN AZERBAIJANBAKU, Sept 8 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel came together with the presidents of several countries in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan where he will participate at the ''European-Asian Transportation Corridor'' Summit, it was reported on Tuesday.President Demirel held his first bilateral meeting with his Moldovan counterpart Petru Lucinschi and then he came together with President Eduard Shevardnadze of Georgia. Both meetings focused on the regional problems, bilateral relations, the economic crisis in Russia and its influences on the regional countries. President Petru Lucinschi of Moldova expressed satisfaction with his holiday in Turkey and thanked Demirel at the meeting. Demirel then met with President Askar Akayev of Kyrgyzstan and President Petar Stoyanov of Bulgaria. President Demirel is expected to meet with his Ukranian counterpart Leonid Kuchma later today. He will also receive the Turkish businessmen working in Azerbaijan and the delegation of Turkish students. Meanwhile the European-Asian Transportation Corridor Summit has begun with the opening speech of President Haydar Aliyev of Azerbaijan. The presidents of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Romania, Uzbekistan and the Ukraine attend the summit along with nearly 150 representatives from 32 countries and 12 international organizations. The principal agreement concerning the ''Improvement of the European, the Caucasus and Asian Transportation Corridor'' and four other agreements related with the customs and highway, railway and maritime lines transportation will be signed at the summit. [04] PRESIDENT TURKMENBASHI OF TURKMENISTAN RECEIVES IRTEMCELIK, THE DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN MINISTRY - IRTEMCELIK CONVEYS PRESIDENT DEMIREL'S MESSAGE CONCERNING AFGHANISTANASHKHABAD, Sept 8 (A.A) - Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, the Deputy Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry who is on a tour of the Turkish Republics in Central Asia in order to convey President Suleyman Demirel's message concerning Afghanistan, came on Monday to Turkmenistan.Irtemcelik who was received by President Saparmurat Turkmenbashi of Turkmenistan, has conveyed Demirel's message to him. He has also presented Demirel's invitation to Turkmenbashi inviting him to the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey. Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik has concluded his visits to the Turkish Republics in Central Asia and left Turkmenistan on Monday morning. [05] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ IN ISRAEL - YILMAZ: ''EVERYBODY KNOWS THE HOSTILE ATTITUDE OF SYRIA'' - ''WE'LL CONTINUE OUR CONSTRUCTIVE ATTITUDE CONCERNING THE MIDDLE EASTERN PEACE PROCESS''JERUSALEM, Sept 8 (A.A) - Prime Minister Mesut Yżlmaz, who is currently in Israel said on Monday that he doesn't take seriously the reaction of Syria concerning his visit to Israel, adding that everyone knows the hostile attitude of Syria.Prime Minister Yżlmaz stated that Turkey will continue her constructive attitude concerning the Middle Eastern Peace Process. Addressing the signing ceremonies held upon the signing of cooperation agreements in the fields of agriculture, sports and communications, Prime Minister Yżlmaz said that the relations between Turkey and Israel won't only be beneficial for the peoples of the two countries, but also for the people of the entire region, adding that this cooperation isn't against any regional country. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister said that he discussed the issues of improvement of the economy and trade volume between the two countries and the political stages that are needed for regional peace, with Prime Minister Mesut Yżlmaz. Noting that the two countries plan to make a common investment in the fields of energy and water, Netanyahu said that Prime Minister Yżlmaz came to Israel at a critical period. Pointing out that the negotiations with the Palestinian administration continue, Netanyahu stressed ''Israel and Turkey have multilateral relations including economic, military and diplomatic dimensions and Israel also wants to sign a peace agreement with Syria and Lebanon.'' Responding to the questions of journalists, Prime Minister Yżlmaz said ''I don't take seriously the reaction of Syria towards my visit to Israel. We want security and stability in the region and we have discussed these issues during my contacts. Turkey and Israel are the two countries which suffer the most from terrorism, so we also discussed cooperation against terrorism in our meetings.'' Responding to a question asking the reasons for the instability in the Middle East, Yżlmaz said ''the countries which pursue aggressive policies in the region cause instability. Turkey neither has missiles, nor has the intention of attacking her neighbours. Our only aim is to protect our borders and stability and we consider our cooperation with Israel within this framework.'' Netanyahu said that the cooperation between Turkey and Israel has been set up to establish stability and peace in the region, adding that it doesn't have the aim of setting up a front. Prime Minister Mesut Yżlmaz visited the Mosque in Jerusalem, (Mescid-i Aksa) where he was welcomed by Faysal Huseyin, the member of Executive Board of the Palestinian Liberation Army. The same evening, Benjamin Netanyahu hosted a dinner in honour of Prime Minister Yżlmaz. Addressing the dinner, Prime Minister Yżlmaz said ''we continue to support the peace process and our concern about the region is very important for us.'' Netanyahu said that Turkey has good relations with the Arab world, adding that ''our relations can be an example for the entire Middle East.'' Prime Minister Yżlmaz, who will be received by Ezer Weizmen, the Israeli President on Tuesday, will later proceed to Rammalah, which is a West Bank city, to meet with Yaser Arafat, the Palestinian President. [06] IRON MAIDEN SHAKES ISTANBULISTANBUL, Sept 8 (A.A) - The Iron Maiden, a leading British Heavy Metal band, gave a concert in Istanbul within the framework of the ''Yapi Kredi Art Festival'98'', on Monday.Two members of the band formed by five persons, have appeared on the stage wearing t-shirts of Turkish national soccer team which recently beat Northern Ireland 3-0 in European Championship qualifying match. More than four thousand people watched the concert. The Iron Maiden, that has taken its name from one of the most famous torture methods used by the courts of the inquisition during the Middle Ages, was established in London in 1970. The band will give its second concert on Tuesday night. [07] EUROPEAN COMMISSION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DOESN'T ACCEPT THE REQUEST ASKING THE COMMISSION TO GIVE PRIORITY TO THE APPLICATION OF THE BANNED WELFARE PARTY AGAINST TURKEYSTRASBOURG, Sept 8 (A.A) - The European Commission of Human Rights declared that it didn't accept the request of the Welfare Party, which was banned by the Constitutional Court, which asked the Commission to give priority to its application against Turkey, it was reported on Monday.Sevket Kazan, the Former Minister of Justice and a former member of the party applied to the European Commission of Human Rights on 22 May and claimed in his petition that Turkey violated Articles 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 14 and 18 of the European Convention of Human Rights by banning the Welfare Party (RP) and by putting a political ban on several administrators of the Party. Kazan and Necmettin Erbakan, the former leader of the banned Welfare Party had come to Strasbourg and asked the Commission to give priority to their application. The European Commission of Human Rights didn't accept their request. The banned Welfare Party claims that Turkey violated the rights to freedom of thought, freedom of expression and to organize their members. The European Commission will unite with the European Court of Human Rights and it will be called the European Court in November, which will later decide whether or not to examine the application of the Welfare Party. [08] THE WORLD BANK GIVES A LOAN OF 11.9 MILLION US DOLLARS TO THE VICTIMS OF FLOOD DISASTERKARABUK, Sept 8 (A.A) - Cemal Ayman, the Governor of Karabuk, said on Tuesday that the World Bank has provided a loan of 11.6 million US dollars in order to meet the damage caused by the flood waters.Ayman told the A.A correspondent that the World Bank has responded to their loan requests following the flood disaster in the Western Black Sea region on 21 May. Pointing out that the loan will be mostly used for the 245 villages affected by the flood waters, Ayman noted, ''we will solve all the problems of the villages with this loan. We will take the necessary measures for preventing Karabuk from experiencing another similar disaster.'' [09] KDP RADIO: ''PKK CONTINUES ITS ATTACKS''SEMDINLI, Sept 8 (A.A) - The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Radio said on Tuesday that the separatist terrorist PKK organization continues its attacks on the border regions of Iraq killing innocent people, in spite of the ceasefire declared by itself.The KDP radio pointed out that the separatist terrorist organization has begun to collapse, noting that a total of 55 terrorists have surrendered within the last two to three months, and 249 other were killed by the peshmergas. The radio also quoted a news issued in a Swedish newspaper claiming that the separatist terrorist PKK organization has abducted nearly three thousand children so far in order to make them members of the organization. [10] PFP OPERATIONS - THE FIRST PFP OPERATION TO START IN MACEDONIA ON 10 SEPTEMBERANKARA, Sept 8 (A.A) - The first Partnership for Peace (PFP) Operation which will be held in Macedonia in order to protect peace within the framework of PFP countries will start on 10 September 1998, it was reported on Tuesday.''Cooperative Best Effort-98,'' which is the name of the operation, is the first of the three operations that will be hosted by Turkey, Macedonia, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. The Turkish troops which will participate in the military exercise will leave Turkey for Macedonia on Wednesday with a transport airplane belonging to the Turkish Armed Forces. The Turkish union will be represented by 63 personnel including 46 parachuters and four F-16 airplanes, the troops of Georgia and Azerbaijan will also be carried to Macedonia on the same plane. Besides Turkey, 26 countries actively participate in the exercise, while two countries will be observor states. The opening ceremony of the exercise will be held on 12 September, where the Macedonian President and high ranking commanders from the NATO will be present. The ''Peaceful Bridge-98'' exercise which will be hosted by Turkey will be held between 29 September- 5 October 1998. Albania, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Ukraine and Uzbekistan will actively participate in the ''Peaceful Bridge-98'' whereas Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation will be observor states. All the troops that will participate in the exercise will be brought to Turkey by transport planes belonging to the Turkish Air Forces. The third PFP exercise called ''Centrasbat-98'' will be carried out in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan between 21-28 September. [11] TURKEY PRESS REVIEW (1)These are brief summaries of some of the leading stories in Turkey's press on 8 September 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.) THIRTY-THREE COUNTRIES SEEK TO REVIVE SILK ROAD After arriving in Baku yesterday, Demirel had bilateral talks with the Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev at the airport. Demirel and Aliyev later laid the foundation of a hotel and business centre set up with a Turkish-Azerbaijani partnership. Demirel said in his speech that Turkey always sided with Azerbaijan and the Silk Road summit demonstrated the importance of Azerbaijan in the world. Aliyev said that the Turkish businessmen were working in free market conditions in Azerbaijan and expressed his appreciation for Turkey's assistance to the Azerbaijanis, who flee from their territories because of the Armenian occupation. Later in the day, Demirel met with the presidents of Moldova, Georgia and Kyrgyzstan. On Tuesday, Demirel will meet with his Bulgarian and Ukrainian counterparts. /All papers/ YILMAZ VISITS ISRAEL Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It is reported that during the meeting Yilmaz and Netanyahu expressed their concerns about Syria, which supports terrorism. Netanyahu also stated that Iran, with its nuclear missiles, wouldn't only be a regional problem, but also a global issue in the future. Netanyahu, who held a press conference following the meetings during which cooperation agreements in agriculture and free trade were signed between Turkey and Israel, said ''in order to achieve an agreement with Palestine, we need the support of all sides including Turkey''. Yilmaz said that Turkey has some concerns about the Middle Eastern Peace Process and noted that Turkey supports the US plan for the Middle East. Yilmaz added that the agreements between Turkey and Israel don't aim at any third country. During the meeting between Yilmaz and Netanyahu, it was agreed that the water transported from Turkey to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) with huge balloons will also be brought to Israel and then to Jordan and Palestine. Today, Yilmaz is expected to visit the Palestinian territories and meet with the Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat. /All papers/ TURKISH AND EU EXPERTS TO DISCUSS AQUACULTURAL PRODUCTS BAN A total of 350 billion TL has been allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture for the setting up of laboratories capable of carrying out all quality tests required by the EU. The EU will revise its ban on 30 September. /All papers/ CEREMONY MARKS START OF 1998-1999 JUDICIAL YEAR TURK RECEIVES COUNCIL OF EUROPE REPORTERS After the meeting, Turk said that the Council of Europe has formed a mechanism to monitor the developments related to human rights and democracy in the member states. ''Within this framework, Turkey's steps are being monitored'' Turk said. ''I informed the reporters on the new developments taken in the field of human rights'' he added. /All papers/ AMERICAN HOSPITAL SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH US HOSPITALS OPTIONAL DEBENTURE BOND SALE FROM TREASURY OPERATIONS AGAINST DHKP/C ORGANIZATION TRNC ASSEMBLY SPEAKER VISITS RUSSIA [12] TURKEY PRESS REVIEW (2)These are brief summaries of some of the leading stories in Turkey's press on 8 September 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.) MEETING OF EUROPEAN AIR FORCES COMMANDERS TURCO-RUSSIAN COOPERATION FREE ZONE TRADE VOLUME TO REACH 8 BILLION US DOLLARS EUROPEAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION REJECTS PRIORITY PLEA PHARMACY CONGRESS URANIUM OPERATION RABBANI ASKS FOR SUPPORT DEMIRBANK 45 YEARS OLD [13] GUNES TANER TO EVALUATE ECONOMIC CRISIS IN RUSSIAISTANBUL, Sept 8 (A.A) - The economic crisis in Russia will be discussed at a meeting organized by the Turkish and the Commonwealth of Independent States Business Councils in Istanbul on 10 September, it was reported on Tuesday.The Foreign Economic Relations Committee stated that the meeting will focus on the influences of the deepening economic crisis in Russia and the necessary measures to be taken in response to the crisis. Gunes Taner, the Minister of State, will give information to the businessmen about the economic crisis and the measures at the meeting. Tunc Ulug, the Chairman of the Turkish and the Commonwealth of Independent States Business Councils, will preside at the meeting. Yavuz Kilic, the Turkish-Russian Business Council, and Ali Ihsan Ahiskalioglu, the Chairman of the Russian-Turkish Union of Businessmen, will be also attend the meeting. [14] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ IN PALESTINEJERUSALEM, Sept 8 (A.A) - Prime Minister Mesut Yżlmaz wrapped up his contacts in Israel and proceeded to Palestine on Tuesday.Ezer Weizman, the Israeli President received Prime Minister Yżlmaz the same day. Later Yżlmaz left Jerusalem for Ram Allah city of Palestine, where he will meet with Yaser Arafat, the Palestinian President. Prime Minister Yżlmaz, who will visit a women's organization and an orphanage in Ram Allah, will later meet with Arafat, the Palestinian President. Mesut Yżlmaz will return to Turkey the same day after concluding up his contacts in Palestine. [15] TREASURY GIVES AUTHORITY TO SALOMON SMITH BARNEY AND CHASE MANNATHAN TO EXAMINE MARKETS ABOUT FOREIGN DEBTANKARA, Sept 8 (A.A) - The Undersecretariat of the Treasury gave authority to two international finance institutions namely Salomon Smith Barney and Chase Manhattan in order to examine the markets concerning the foreign debts in Turkey, it was reported on Tuesday.The Undersecretariat of the Treasury said in a written statement that the Chase Manhattan and Salomon Smith Barney will hold a series of meetings for investors in the US and Britain on behalf of the Republic of Turkey. The Treasury which has had a foreign debt of approximately 1.9 billion US dollars since the beginning of this year, aims to have a total foreign debt of three or four billion US dollars by the end of this year. [16] TURKEY IN BRIEF - 8 SEPTEMBER 1998BURSA - Eli Shaked, the Israeli Consul General in Istanbul, said on Monday that they aim at improving commercial and tourism relations between Israel and Turkey.Shaked who came to Bursa in order to attend the panel organized at the Uludag University, visited Orhan Tasanlar, the Governor of Bursa. Addressing the meeting, Shaked pointed out that it was his first visit to Bursa and stressed that he will meet with the members of the Bursa Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday. ISTANBUL - The fire at the Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty Hospital's Emergency Service caused financial damage, it was reported on Monday. The fire which had began in the storeroom of the Emergency Service spread to the operating room and the intensive care unit. Firefighters and medical staff have evacuated four patients to the other units who were affected by the smoke. Officials told the A.A correspondents that a short-circuit is supposed to have caused the fire that was later taken under control. BRUSSELS - For the first time a Turkish sculptor takes part at the worldwide famous outdoor ''Sculptures'' exhibition in Belgium, it was reported on Tuesday. People visiting the exhibition show great interest in Dogan Cakir's two sculptures. A total of 28 sculptors including Olivier Strebelle who has made the statues for the building of the European Parliament, participate at the exhibition. Dogan Cakir who has graduated from the Istanbul Academy of Fine Arts, said that he is very proud to have been invited to such an organization. Cakir is famous for his two meters long steel statue symbolizing modernity, dynamism and velocity of the railways. The statue symbolizing the TGV rapid train between Brussels and Paris, is located at a railway station in Brussels. [17] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ IN PALESTINE - YILMAZ MEETS WITH PRESIDENT YASER ARAFATRAM ALLAH, Sept 8 (A.A) - Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz met on Tuesday with President Yaser Arafat of Palestine.Yilmaz was welcomed by Arafat with a military ceremony in Ram Allah. Saib Ebrekat, the Palestinian Minister of Internal Affairs, and Nedil Shat, the Palestinian Minister of International Cooperation Responsible for Foreign Affairs were also in attendance at the welcoming ceremony. The convoy of Prime Minister Yilmaz passed through the West Bank that causes dispute between Palestine and Israel as they proceeded from Jerusalem to Ram Allah. [18] THE SILK ROAD SUMMIT IN AZERBAIJAN - FM CEM: ''SILK ROAD WITHOUT TURKEY CAN'T BE CONSIDERED''BAKU, Sept 8 (A.A) - Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, said on Tuesday that the Silk Road without Turkey can't be considered, adding that this has once again been seen during the development of this project and at this conference.Addressing a press briefing at the Gulistan Place in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, where the European-Asian Transportation Corridor Summit meeting is being held, Cem stated that the Silk Road brings two continents together and it is an historical road which passes via Turkey. ''Turkey which didn't participate in the earlier meetings of the Silk Road project, has the status now to develop this project and to act within the intergovernmental commission, which is regarded as the basic decision- making body concerning the project. This commission is very important because the decisions will be made unanimously, meaning that Turkey is included in the commission, which will make decisions about the future of the project.'' Stressing that the planned transportation projects should be such projects which attribute importance to human life and environment, Cem said that the part of the project in Turkey has nearly been finished without receiving foreign assistance. We explain to all the concerned sides that we won't transform our straits into an oil pipeline, because we know that our nature and people are as precious as the nature and people of other countries. We don't risk our situation and don't let others do so.'' Pointing out that several activities carried out in Turkey within the framework of the importance attributed to the security of the environment have been completed, Cem said that the government made a decision on 1 September. ''The content of this decision is the fact that one country has to be a party to this convention before asking a ship or tanker which passes through its territorial waters for insurance,'' said Cem, adding ''the Silk Road summit is a good meeting for Turkey, which explains her determination to protect her nature and people to all of her counterparts.'' [19] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''GREEK-CYPRIOTS SHOULD SERIOUSLY TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION CONFEDERATION''LEFKOSA, Sept 8 (A.A) - Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), called on Tuesday the Greek-Cypriot administration to evaluate seriously the ''confederation'' proposal, stressing, ''they have to make a reasonable decision.''Addressing the ceremony held upon the commemoration of Er Allahverdi Kilic, a TRNC Security Forces soldier killed by the Greek-Cypriot soldiers two years ago while he was on duty at a sentry box in the Guvercinlik border region, the TRNC President Denktas said that the Greek-Cypriots consider attacking treacherously at the borders, which are protected by the Turkish Cypriots without thinking about their lives, as a national duty. Emphasizing that they are determined to protect the borders until the end, Denktas said, ''don't forget that the more you turn the southern part of the island into an arsenal, the more you are condemned to be overwhelmed by the 65 million of Turkey.'' Asking under which agreement and constitution the Greek-Cypriots are claiming that they are the ''Cypriot government'', President Denktas said that the Greek-Cypriots won't be embarrassed for what they did, but the people who accept them as a ''legal state'' should feel ashamed. Stressing that it is impossible for them to expect something from the people, who pretend not to see the rapid armament on the southern part of the island under an illegal title, Denktas said, ''our duty is to protect the borders. They execute treacherously the unarmed people by shooting, taking into consideration only their Turkish origin. The walls between us are increasing. The hope for uniting is running out. Thus, evaluate our proposal seriously.'' Dervis Eroglu, the Prime Minister of the TRNC, and other high-level officials attended the commemoration ceremony. [20] THE SILK ROAD SUMMIT IN AZERBAIJAN ... - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKEY'S POSITION AS A NATURAL TERMINAL BETWEEN THE CONTINENTS HAS GAINED MORE RELEVANCE''BAKU, Sept 8 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Tuesday that ''Turkey has always been a bridge linking international trade routes. Today, after the emergence of new independent states, Turkey's position as a natural terminal between the continents has gained more relevance.''Addressing the Europe-Asia International Transportation Corridor Summit meeting in English, President Demirel stated that the Baku-Ceyhan project will ensure energy security in the entire region. Noting that the straits can't carry an additional burden of large amounts of oil shipments without jeopardizing the safety of life, property, environment and navigation, President Demirel said that ''advanced communication systems are required as fundamental elements for sustainable economic growth. That is why I believe this summit marks a crucial stage in the integration of the landlocked states of the Caspian Basin and Central Asia into the international markets. Our deliberations today will contribute to the achievement of this goal.'' ''The Historic Silk Road was not only a commercial tie, but also a cultural one. Today the Silk Road is reappearing with new opportunities, potentials and promises for peace and shared prosperity among the nations that it links to one other,'' said Demirel adding that the revival of the historic silk road will accelerate the expansion of cooperation between the countries of Europe, the Black Sea, the Caucasus, the Caspian Sea, Asia and to the economic growth in the region. Pointing out that Turkey develops projects for the restoration of the Silk Road, President Demirel said ''Turkey has already taken steps for the construction of a new Eastern Black Sea Highway which will upgrade the link between the TRACECA (Transport Corridor: Europe-Caucasus-Asia) Road Corridor and the Pan-European Transport network. Furthermore implementation of projects for the Istanbul Rail Tube Tunnel and Kars-Tbilisi Railway are underway. These projects are also an integral part of the Black Sea ring corridor which has become an extension of the Pan-European Corridors since the Helsinki Conference identified the Black Sea region as a Pan-European Transport Area. Thus three seas, namely the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea will connect the peoples of the region to one another rather than divide them apart from each other.'' Noting that it is useful to have more substantial and closer cooperation between the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) and the TRACECA, President Demirel said that Turkey presented the ''Caspian-Mediterranean Pipeline'' as an efficient and environmentally safe project to export the main output of the oil and natural gas resources from the Caspian basin to international markets. ''Turkey's strong ties both with the west and the east as well as its aspiration to reconcile varying interests, is illustrated by its broad ranging participation in international and regional bodies. Accordingly, Turkey has assumed a pioneering role in promoting economic cooperation in its region. I would like to affirm Turkey's willingness to cooperate more actively within the framework of the TRACECA Programme,'' President Demirel added. [21] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ IN PALESTINE ... - THREE AGREEMENTS SIGNEDRAM ALLAH, Sept 8 (A.A) - Turkey and Palestine signed on Tuesday three agreements in Palestine, the last stop of Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz's three-day Middle Eastern visit covering Jordan, Israel and Palestine.Prime Minister Yilmaz conveyed to Yasser Arafat, the President of Palestine, the message of Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, concerning the Middle Eastern Peace Process. Following the tete-a-tete meeting between Prime Minister Yilmaz and the Palestinian President Arafat, the interdelegationary meetings were held. After the interdelegationary talks, Turkey and Palestine signed three agreements foreseeing cooperation among the Turkish and Palestinian organizations in the fields of sports, environment and standardization. It was reported that Yilmaz and Arafat discussed the problems stemming from the delay in the peace process. Arafat said that they have a loss of ten million US dollars per day due to this delay, while Prime Minister Yilmaz said that Turkey's support to Palestine will continue and she makes efforts to do her utmost for removing the problems stemming from the delay, adding, ''we will carry out what is necessary with pleasure if we can make a contribution to the peace process.'' Prime Minister Yilmaz conveyed to the Palestinian President Arafat the Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's message, saying, ''the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and I have to hold a tete-a-tete meeting to finalize the first step for the peace agreement. This necessity can only be fulfilled by Mr. Arafat and myself'', adding that Netahyahu was optimistic. Yasser Arafat said that Turkey is a country which has great importance for Israel and the Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu attaches imortance to the messages of Turkey, requesting the world to encourage Israel on the issue of the realization of the peace process. Prime Minister Yilmaz said that Turkey will do her best on this issue, but the approach of the US and the inner dynamics of Israel should be taken into consideration. The issue of financial assistance from Turkey to Palestine also came onto the agenda of the meeting between Yilmaz and Arafat. Prime Minister Yilmaz said that the activities related to the donation of a one million US dollar portion of that assistance were concluded and the money has reached the Turkish Consulate General in Palestine. Yilmaz asked Arafat to send a delegation to hold negotiations with the Eximbank for the remaining part of the 47 million US dollars. The sides also discussed the issue of cooperation in the fields of education and tourism. Turkey and Palestine may cooperate in the field of ''religious belief tourism'' planned to take place in both countries in the year 2000. [22] PRESIDENT DEMIREL HOLDS A PRESS BRIEFING IN BAKU: ''THE CONTINUATION OF THE RUSSIAN CRISIS AFFECTS THE REGIONAL COUNTRIES''BAKU, Sept 8 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Tuesday ''the continuation of the Russian crisis affects the regional countries.''Addressing a press briefing at the Gulistan Palace where the Historic Silk Road Summit meeting was held, President Demirel stated that the development and strengthening of independent states were discussed at the summit meeting. Noting that the countries in the world have to abide by the principle of ''working together and living together,'' President Demirel said that the meeting was successful and it will be beneficial for Azerbaijan and the region. President Demirel stressed that they have discussed the issue of further improving Turkish-Azerbaijani relations during his bilateral meeting with Haydar Aliyev, the Azerbaijani President. Responding to a question about the Presidential elections in Azerbaijan, Demirel said ''Azerbaijan is our friend, but we don't intervene with her internal affairs.'' ''The Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline will be realized, because the Straits can't carry the additional burden of large amounts of oil shipments,'' added President Demirel. [23] ARSLAN, GOVERNOR OF EMERGENCY RULE REGION: - ''STATE DOESN'T BARGAIN AND SIT AT THE TABLE WITH BANDITS''DIYARBAKIR, Sept 8 (A.A) - Aydin Arslan, the Governor of the Emergency Rule Region, said on Tuesday that there has been a 40 percent decrease in terrorist activities and now terrorism isn't the most important problem in the region.Pointing out that the leader of the separatist terrorist PKK organization is talking about a so-called ceasefire to gain time, to recover and to pull the separatist organization together, Arslan said that the separatist organization continues all kinds of terrorist activities and a total of 15 terrorists, who had clashed with the security forces following their so- called ceasefire announcement, were killed. Addressing a press conference he held at the Governor's Office, Arslan said that a total of 674 incidents occurred in the last year and most of those incidents were ''stepping on mines'' and ''harrassing shots''. ''During this period, 237 security forces were killed and 68 innocent people died, while a total of 1,412 terrorists were killed and 230 of them were rendered ineffective. Since the announcement of the Emergency Rule in 1987, a total of 16,843 incidents occurred. In those incidents, 4,696 Turkish soldiers were killed and 4,303 people died while 21,333 terrorists were killed and 5,408 of them were rendered ineffective,'' Arslan announced. Evaluating the so-called ceasefire announcement of the leader of the separatist terrorist PKK organization, Aydin Arslan stressed that the state never bargains or sits at the negotiation table with bandits, adding that the separatist organization continues its terrorist activities despite its so-called ceasefire announcement. [24] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ IN PALESTINE - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ REACTS STRONGLY TO SYRIA: ''IF ONE TALKS ABOUT HOSTILITY, THE REAL THING WHICH HAS TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IS THE SUPPORT EXTENDED BY SYRIA TO THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION IN TURKEY''RAM ALLAH, Sept 8 (A.A) - Prime Minister Mesut Yżlmaz reacted strongly to the criticisms of Syria about his visit to the Middle East by saying ''if one talks about hostility, the main thing which has to be taken into account is the support extended by Syria to the separatist terrorist organization.''Addressing a joint press briefing with Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian President, Prime Minister Yżlmaz said that his contacts constituted a continuation of the bilateral relations and the negotiations to overcome the curtailment of the Middle Eastern Peace Process which were discussed during Arafat's visit to Turkey. Noting that Turkey has always extended support to the Palestinian case, Yżlmaz stated ''Turkey considers the Middle Eastern Peace Process as an historical opportunity for establishment of a just and permanent peace in the region. Several steps have been taken in this process, yet more steps have to be taken. In this framework we expect Israel to accept the US plan which was also been accepted by Palestine.'' Emphasizing that the signed agreements will further improve the relations, Yżlmaz said that Turkey will expend all kinds of efforts that are expected from her concerning the development of the Palestinian State. Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian President said that the peace process has been blocked by the negative implementations brought to the agenda by Israel against the initiatives of the US, recalling that Palestine had earlier announced that she supported this initiative. Thanking Turkey for her support and constructive attitude towards the Palestinian case, Arafat said ''we are pleased about the efforts of Turkey concerning the Middle East Peace Process.'' Later Prime Minister Yżlmaz left for Turkey. Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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