Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-10-06

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

06 OCT 1998

CONTENTS

[01] DR. YILDIRIM AKTUNA, DEPUTY FROM DEMOCRAT TURKEY PARTY (DTP), APPOINTED TO STATE MINISTRY

[02] TURKISH-SYRIAN TENSION - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ TO INFORM THE PARLIAMENT ABOUT THE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS CONCERNING SYRIA ON WEDNESDAY

[03] THE US ADMINISTRATION: - ''WE REQUESTED SYRIA CLEARLY TO STOP SUPPORTING SEPARATIST TERRORIST PKK ORGANIZATION'' - ''WASHINGTON SUPPORTS MEDIATION INITIATIVE OF PRESIDENT MUBARAK OF EGYPT'' - ''SEVERAL LEADERS OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION LIVE IN SYRIA''

[04] ATTACK ON ''HAPPYLINER'' TRAVEL AGENCY THAT WORKS WITH OGER TOUR, IN GERMANY

[05] TURKISH-SYRIAN TENSION - CETIN, THE PARLIAMENT SPEAKER: ''I SUPPOSE THAT THE ISSUE WILL BE BROUGHT TO THE PARLIAMENT ON WEDNESDAY''

[06] TURKISH-SYRIAN TENSION - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''SYRIA RECEIVES PKK TERRORISM AND ALSO OTHER TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS WITH OPEN ARMS''

[07] TURKISH-SYRIAN TENSION - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''OUR AIM ISN'T TO FIGHT WITH SYRIA, IT IS RATHER TO EXPLAIN TO SYRIA THAT WE ARE ON THE BRINK OF LOSING OUR PATIENCE''

[08] TURKISH-TURKMEN NATURAL GAS PIPELINE PROTOCOL - ERSUMER, ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTER: - ''AGREEMENT FORESEEING TRANSPORTATION OF TURKMEN NATURAL GAS TO TURKEY, WILL BE INITIALED ON 20 OCTOBER''

[09] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[10] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[11] PANEL DISCUSSION ON ''HISTORY, TODAY AND TOMORROW OF FOREIGN TRADE'' - OKAN OGUZ, THE CHAIRMAN OF TURKISH UNION OF EXPORTERS: ''THE MECHANISMS OF CUSTOMS UNION WHICH OPERATE AGAINST TURKEY SHOULD BE RENEGOTIATED''

[12] HERITAGE FOUNDATION: ''S-300 MISSILES ARE THREAT FOR TURKEY'' - ''THE US SHOULD PREVENT THE SITUATION ON CYPRUS FROM GETTING OUT OF CONTROL''

[13] TURKEY IN BRIEF - OCTOBER 6, 1998

[14] TURKISH-SYRIAN TENSION - SYRIAN EMBASSY IN TURKEY: ''WE ARE READY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS DIPLOMATICALLY AND IN A MANNER TO STRENGTHEN ARAB- TURKISH RELATIONS''

[15] ANAP PARTY GROUP MEETING - YILMAZ, PRIME MINISTER: ''WE ARE WARNING SYRIA FOR THE LAST TIME''

[16] ECONA EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING - GULER, A.A GENERAL DIRECTOR: ''JOURNALISTS SHOULD EXPEND EFFORTS FOR THE REALIZATION OF PEACE''

[17] ANN HERCUS, DEPUTY REPRESENTATIVE TO CYPRUS OF THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL: ''CONSULTATIONS ARE VERY POSITIVE AND PRODUCTIVE''

[01] DR. YILDIRIM AKTUNA, DEPUTY FROM DEMOCRAT TURKEY PARTY (DTP), APPOINTED TO STATE MINISTRY

Aktuna who was born in Istanbul in 1930, graduated from the Ankara University Medical Faculty. He served as the Head Doctor of thr Bakirkoy Mental Hospital, the Mayor of the Bakirkoy District of Istanbul Province, and the Minister of Health and Minister of State at the Parliament.

[02] TURKISH-SYRIAN TENSION - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ TO INFORM THE PARLIAMENT ABOUT THE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS CONCERNING SYRIA ON WEDNESDAY

Mehmut Gozlukaya, Saffet Arıkan Beduk and Turhan Guven from the True Path Party (DYP) visited Ulku Guney, the Deputy Chairman of the Motherland Party (ANAP) Group the same day and stressed that the Parliament needs information about the recent developments in foreign politics, particularly the tense relations between Turkey and Syria and requested the government to inform the Parliament about these issues.

Ulku Guney told the deputies that Prime Minister Yılmaz will inform the parliamentarians about these issues on 7 October.

[03] THE US ADMINISTRATION: - ''WE REQUESTED SYRIA CLEARLY TO STOP SUPPORTING SEPARATIST TERRORIST PKK ORGANIZATION'' - ''WASHINGTON SUPPORTS MEDIATION INITIATIVE OF PRESIDENT MUBARAK OF EGYPT'' - ''SEVERAL LEADERS OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION LIVE IN SYRIA''

The officials in Washington, D.C., also stated that it supports the mediation initiative of President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt in order to help in overcoming the crisis between Turkey and Syria.

Responding to the questions concerning the issue, James Foley, the Spokesman of the US Department of State, stressed ''we call both sides for a political and diplomatic solution.''

Pointing out that there is no connection between the Middle East Peace Process and the US' attitude towards Syria supporting terrorism, Foley noted, ''the US's opinion concerning the separatist terrorist PKK organization and the countries supporting the PKK is well known. We have declared the PKK as a terrorist organization. We have requested Syria to stop supporting the PKK for a long time. Our policy towards Syria is not affected by the developments in the Middle East Peace Process.

Noting that both Turkey and Syria have used ''harsh'' statements about each other, Foley stressed that President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt tries to ease the tension, and added that the US Administration supports his initiatives.

Reminding that Syria is on the list of ''countries supporting terrorism'', Foley emphasized that several leaders of the separatist terrorist PKK organization live in Syria.

Foley also stressed that Turkey has the right for launching operations in the Northern Iraq against the separatist terrorist organization, adding, ''to defend herself against terrorism is the right of Turkey.''

[04] ATTACK ON ''HAPPYLINER'' TRAVEL AGENCY THAT WORKS WITH OGER TOUR, IN GERMANY

Financial damage was reported at the incident.

The Hamburg Police Department has begun to investigate the political dimensions of the event.

[05] TURKISH-SYRIAN TENSION - CETIN, THE PARLIAMENT SPEAKER: ''I SUPPOSE THAT THE ISSUE WILL BE BROUGHT TO THE PARLIAMENT ON WEDNESDAY''

When asked whether or not the government will inform the Parliament about the Turkish-Syrian tension, Cetin recalled that Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptian President will arrive in Ankara on Tuesday to hold contacts about the same issue. ''After the contacts on Tuesday, I suppose the government will give information as the Parliament needs to be informed.''

[06] TURKISH-SYRIAN TENSION - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''SYRIA RECEIVES PKK TERRORISM AND ALSO OTHER TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS WITH OPEN ARMS''

Yılmaz said that the chief of the separatist terrorist organization has to be extradited to Turkey so that he can be tried.

Responding to questions at a private television channel about the Turkish- Syrian relations, Yılmaz stated that Syria has permitted the chief of the separatist terrorist organization to take shelter in her territories since 1980. ''Syria also functions as a corridor for people who enter into Turkey from other countries or from her territories,'' said Yılmaz, adding that the support of Syria to the PKK terrorist organization has increased during recent years.

''In 1987, Turkey and Syria signed a Cooperation Protocol on Security during the visit of the ex-President Ozal to Syria. Unfortunately, Syria didn't fulfill her promises foreseen in the protocol and she continued to give support to the PKK terrorist activities which target Turkey. We have always warned Syrian officials that they support the PKK terrorism, they don't abide with protocol provisions and don't fulfill the commitments stemming from the protocol. In 1993, President Suleyman Demirel visited Syria and their support to the PKK terrorist organization was shown to the Syrian officials with evidence. In spite of all these initiatives, Syria has always denied the realities,'' said Yılmaz.

Noting that Syria has told the Turkish officials that the separatist terrorist organization PKK doesn't take shelter in Syria, Yılmaz said that Turkey gave a note to Syria in 1996. ''We officially requested the Syrian officials to extradite the chief of the separatist terrorist organization to us, but we couldn't get a positive response to our initiative. Semdin Sakık and Mahir Demire, who are important names of the PKK and who were captured a short time ago told the Turkish security officials before the Turkish judiciary organs that Syria supports PKK terrorism. We want Syria to stop supporting the PKK, but we don't count on promises, we want the Syrian officials to extradite the chief of the terrorist organization to us, '' said Yılmaz.

''In fact Syria is in a war with us for the last 15 years, but this war hasn't been declared. We have found out that there are 20 different headquarters of the chief of the PKK in various cities of Syria. It means that Syria, which openly extends support to separatist terrorism, is in war against Turkey and we have the right to self defense under the Article 51 of the UN Charter and we haven't used this right until today,'' Prime Minister said.

Pointing out that the hostile activities of Syria towards Turkey isn't only limited with her support to the separatist terrorist organization PKK, Yılmaz said that Al Muhabarat, the Syrian Intelligence Service had extended support to the Asala, an Armenian terrorist organization in the past.

''Syria also extends support to other terrorist groups in Turkey, moreover Syria has claims over our territories,'' said Yılmaz.

Responding to a question about the possibility of an operation, Prime Minister Yılmaz said ''this operation will be carried out when the preparations are completed. I can't give a definite time, because the General Staff is busy with it. For a long time we haven't launched a military exercise at the border with Syria. I suppose that it is the right time to carry out such an exercise.''

[07] TURKISH-SYRIAN TENSION - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''OUR AIM ISN'T TO FIGHT WITH SYRIA, IT IS RATHER TO EXPLAIN TO SYRIA THAT WE ARE ON THE BRINK OF LOSING OUR PATIENCE''

Responding to questions concerning the Turkish-Syrian tension at a private television channel, Yılmaz said ''we don't want to fight with anyone, we only want Syria to give up supporting terrorism. All the protocols signed between the two countries and all the international agreements give this right to us. Today, Turkey unilaterally protects the border between Turkey and Syria. Syria neither has the power to resist us nor to get what it wants from us. We want to solve this issue by respecting international law and the agreements.

[08] TURKISH-TURKMEN NATURAL GAS PIPELINE PROTOCOL - ERSUMER, ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTER: - ''AGREEMENT FORESEEING TRANSPORTATION OF TURKMEN NATURAL GAS TO TURKEY, WILL BE INITIALED ON 20 OCTOBER''

Addressing the signing ceremony, Ersumer said, ''the agreement, foreseeing the transportation of the Turkmen natural gas to Turkey which will be prepared by the Turkish and Turkmen working groups, will be initialed at the ministerial-level in the Turkmen capital of Ashkhabad on 20 October.''

Pointing out that they held positive talks with the Turkmen delegation on the issue of natural gas, Ersumer described the protocol signed between the two countries as a concrete step.

Responding to a question on whether or not the pipeline that will transport the Turkmen natural gas to Turkey via the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan and Georgia, will be an alternative to the Iran pipeline, Ersumer stressed, ''there is a memorandum of understanding signed by the presidents of Turkey, Iran and Turkmenistan. In accordance with this memorandum of understanding, the natural gas will be brought to Turkey via Iran. The Shell Company has been carrying on the feasibility studies on this route.''

Ersumer reminded that the foreign companies show great interest in the construction of the pipeline that will transport the Turkmen natural gas to Turkey.

Mentioning the Baku-Ceyhan Pipeline project, Ersumer added, ''the working groups carry on their activities. We have come to the point of initialing the agreements. The last meeting will be held in mid- October.''

[09] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

(Derived from the Newsspot of the Turkish General Directorate of Press and Information.)

TURKEY: ''PEACE NOT WAR''
Despite the continuing tension between Turkey and Syria that is verging on the edge of confrontation, General Ilhan Kilic said yesterday that although a diplomatic solution to the deepening crisis hadn't been found, war wasn't an alternative. He stressed that the situation shouldn't be exaggerated and that the best strategies for dealing with the situation were already in place. Nevertheless the whole region is seething with reaction to the heated threats being exchanged between Turkey and Syria over the way Syria has supported and sheltered the PKK terrorists who for decades have worked against the regime in Turkey. Although most of the gulf Arab states are showing more support for Damascus, and Iraq has called on Turkey to withdraw military units from Northern Iraq, Turkey is standing firm and demanding that Syria agree to the proposals to destroy the PKK terror organization for good. Today, the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will have talks with President Suleyman Demirel, and the Syrian situation will most certainly head the list of topics under discussion, despite the fact that the Foreign Ministry denies that Mubarak is in Turkey as some kind of mediator. President Demirel is expected to convey to the Syrians via Mubarak that Syria must solve the PKK problem because the terrorist organization is the cause of increasing enmity between the two countries. Demirel will again stress that if the Syrian President Hafez al-Assad continues to give support to the PKK, then the consequences will be severe. With foreign magazines like the ''US News and World Report'' also reporting that Syria has been training PKK units to strike targets in Turkey, the issue has become even more crucial for Turkey's interests and must be solved. Turkey's calls to the PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan to surrender have long gone unheeded, but with the pressures building up on every side, the next few days might see a solution. /All papers/

PKK TRAINED IN DAMASCUS
According to the ''US News and World Report'' magazine issued on 20 April 1998, the Syrian President Hafez al-Assad had decided to blow up the Birecik Dam, one of the most important dams included in Turkey's giant GAP project and that the Syrian soldiers trained the PKK militants to carry out the plan. According to the report, Hafez al-Assad, who thinks that Turkey will dry up the water resources of the Euphrates River because of the dams and electric power plants being constructed in the southeastern Anatolia region of Turkey, wanted to take revenge against Turkey by blowing up the dam. /Sabah/

US WARNS SYRIA
James Foley, the Spokesman of the US Secretary of State, said that the US wants a diplomatic solution to the Turkey-Syria crisis. Foley said, ''the PKK is a terrorist organization. It is known that Syria has been supporting this terrorist organization. We call on Syria to cut this support. It is also known that the PKK leaders are sheltered in Syria. Turkey has the right to carry out operations in Northern Iraq.'' /Sabah/

TURKEY'S DIPLOMATIC ATTACK
Turkey is starting a diplomatic attack to deal with the Syrian crisis through the offices of the UN Security Council, the European Union, the European Council, NATO and the Organization for Islamic Conference. Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, will send messages to the member countries of the organizations mentioned above explaining the strong position of Turkey in relation to the increasing tension between Turkey and Syria. Representatives of the Foreign Ministry abroad will hold contacts with officials of the countries where they are assigned to explian Turkey's attitude and very justifiable reasons regarding the Syrian crisis. /Sabah/

STATE MINISTER ATTENDS ECONOMIC MEETING
Gunes Taner, the Minister of State Responsible for Economic Affairs, has gone to Washington, D.C., to attend the annual joint meeting of the IMF and the World Bank. In a meeting with the Turkish press Taner stated that the target for 1998 inflation was still reachable, but there could be a slight deviation from the 1999 inflation target. Taner said that despite all the problems, the ministry hadn't prepared a supplemental budget. Nevertheless, the government was insistent on the target set for holding down inflation. He added, ''due to the global economic crisis we may have to reset the target for 1999 at slightly over 20 percent.'' In answer to a question on the global crisis and Turkey, Taner replied, ''at the moment nothing is clear. At first the bleeding has to be stopped with aid during and after the elections in Brazil. Secondly, the Asian countries have to be supported. The third step to be taken on the matter will be to strengthen the markets affected by the crisis with the support of the IMF and the World Bank.'' On President Clinton's proposal to aid countries not only directly affected by the crisis, but also those likely to be affected later by the crisis, Taner said, ''Turkey is not in a crisis, nor is she a candidate for a crisis. However we have some worries due to uneasiness in the markets.'' /Hurriyet/

[10] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

(Derived from the Newsspot of the Turkish General Directorate of Press and Information.)

DEMIREL, ''DON'T LEAVE RUSSIA''
President Suleyman Demirel yesterday stated that the US and Europe would certainly find a way out of the economic crisis rocking the whole world, and added that the Turkish exporters shouldn't lose the markets they have gained. Demirel, speaking at the opening of the First Foreign Trade Week said, ''Globalization is an ocean where big fish eat little fish. Don't be a little fish.'' /Hurriyet/

YILMAZ OPENS INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION MEETING
A free market economy cannot exist in a country where competition is banned or limited, Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz declared yesterday in Istanbul. Yilmaz, speaking at the opening of an international symposium on competition, said that Turkey has supported free market economic policies since 1983, leading to growth in the nation's trade with 135 countries. Yilmaz noted that research and development was vital for the future growth of Turkey. Representatives from 16 European and Asian countries and several international organizations are participating at the two-day conference in Istanbul organized by the Turkish Competition Board. /Hurriyet/

EU DISCUSSES CYPRUS ISSUE
In an European Union (EU) foreign ministers summit meeting held in Luxembourg, the Greek and French foreign ministers clashed over the decades- old Cyprus issue. During the meeting, in which the EU ''expansion process'' was high on the agenda, Hubert Vedrine, the French Foreign Minister, opposed the unilateral inclusion of the Southern Cypriot Administration in the ''negotiation process'' talks to be held on 10 November, suggesting that political problems and geographic separation on the island would cause serious problems. Theodoros Pangalos, the Greek Foreign Minister, said that discussion of the candidacy of a country which is recognized by every country except Turkey, was futile. The reactions of Germany and the Netherlands over the issue were similar to that of France, though theirs were more moderate. /Milliyet/

''DEFENCE'' ADVANCES ARGUMENT IN FAVOUR OF TURKEY
In its October issue, ''Defence'' magazine proposes that nearly 150 islands in the Aegean Sea belong to Turkey. An article entitled ''Turkish Islands Hidden in Aegean'', argues that those islands are an inheritance from the Ottoman Empire and that Greece lays claim to islands to which she has no right under any agreement. /Milliyet/

AKTUNA APPOINTED AS STATE MINISTER
Yildirim Aktuna, the Istanbul deputy from the Democrat Turkey Party (DTP), has been appointed to the ministry of state post which was vacated with the resignation of Refaiddin Sahin. The appointment was confirmed in the Official gazette yesterday. /All papers/

GERMAN COMMANDER IN ANKARA
Atilla Ates, the Land Forces Commander, on Monday received his German counterpart, Lt. General Helmut Willmann. The visiting commander was greeted by Ates at the Land Forces headquarters in Ankara. A meeting between the commanders was closed to the press. General Willmann will leave Turkey on 8 October.

TURKEY JOINS FIGHT AGAINST LAND MINES
Turkey has committed her support to a project signed by nine European countries that forseeses the eradication of land mines buried in the ground by utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned land vehicles. In accordance with the project, Turkey will, with other countries, produce the technology that will be used in detecting land mines from the air with infrared cameras and destroying them with unmanned vehicles. The project, in which Turkey has an 8 percent participation share, will cost an estimated 34 million ECU.

[11] PANEL DISCUSSION ON ''HISTORY, TODAY AND TOMORROW OF FOREIGN TRADE'' - OKAN OGUZ, THE CHAIRMAN OF TURKISH UNION OF EXPORTERS: ''THE MECHANISMS OF CUSTOMS UNION WHICH OPERATE AGAINST TURKEY SHOULD BE RENEGOTIATED''

Addressing the panel discussion on ''History, Today and Tomorrow of Foreign Trade,'' Okan Oguz said that exports have entered into a process of decline and particularly after the second half of this year, they started to give warning signals.

''For the first time in July, Turkey had imports of 50 billion US dollars, while she had exports of 26 billion US dollars, therefore Turkey had a foreign trade deficit of 23 billion US dollars. Turkey can't continue like this anymore,'' Oguz said.

Noting that technological investments are needed to provide competition in exports and to realize sustainable exports, Oguz pointed out that firstly stability in the macroeconomy has to be established.

Stressing that a foreign trade policy has to be formed in the medium and long-terms, Oguz said that if this isn't the case, exports won't increase to the desired level.

Mentioning the effect of the Customs Union on the foreign trade deficit, Oguz said that several points of the customs agreement signed with the European Union (EU) work against Turkey, as some points in the agreement hadn't been well negotiated.

[12] HERITAGE FOUNDATION: ''S-300 MISSILES ARE THREAT FOR TURKEY'' - ''THE US SHOULD PREVENT THE SITUATION ON CYPRUS FROM GETTING OUT OF CONTROL''

The report of the Heritage Foundation prepared by James Anderson and James Philips, pointed out that the missiles have escalated tension between Turkey and Greece, ally countries in the NATO, and put the integrity of the southern wing of the NATO in danger.

The report stressed that the US should prevent the situation on the island from getting out of control by starting new initiatives. It emphasized that the US should scrutinize the issue for her national security interests in the region and try to overcome the crisis. The report also requested her not to allow Russia to damage the NATO's integrity and not to allow Cyprus to become an ''espionage island''.

Emphasizing the ''positive'' political role of Turkey in the region and the importance of the geostrategical situation of Turkey, Anderson and Philips proposed the following to the US Administration: 1- to persuade the Greek Cypriot side to cancel the purchase of the missiles or postpone the delivery of them or get a guarantee from the Greek Cypriot side on not deploying the missiles on the island, 2- to put pressure on Russia to cancel the sales of the S-300 missiles. The issue of the missiles creates doubt on Russia's contribution to the security of Europe,

3- to encourage the European Union (EU) for the full membership of Turkey in the Union,

4- to put pressure on the EU to freeze the membership negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side until the S-300 missiles crisis is solved,

5- to propose to all the related sides on the new confidence building measures aimed at easing the tension on the island,

6- to show the US determination concerning the issue. The US should warn the related sides that she can negatively affect tourism by issuing ''travel warnings'' for Cyprus and for even Greece and Turkey.

[13] TURKEY IN BRIEF - OCTOBER 6, 1998

The Presidential Press Center noted that President Demirel talked with Crown Prince Hasan who called Demirel.

No statement has been given about the details of conversation.

ANKARA - Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz received on Monday Yolli Gurban Muradov, the Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State Responsible for Energy who is currently in Turkey for an official visit.

No statement has been given about the agenda of the meeting.

DIYARBAKIR - The Gendarme teams seized on Monday 42 kg of hashish during operations they launched in Cevriksu Village in Silvan County of Diyarbakir Province.

Adil G. and his brother Cemal G. were taken into custody.

The investigation concerning the drugs is underway.

[14] TURKISH-SYRIAN TENSION - SYRIAN EMBASSY IN TURKEY: ''WE ARE READY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS DIPLOMATICALLY AND IN A MANNER TO STRENGTHEN ARAB- TURKISH RELATIONS''

The Syrian Embassy claimed, ''it is regretful that the escalation of tension with Turkey coincides with the establishment of a military pact with Israel as it is confirmed by the Israeli Prime Minister and which is rejected by the regional peoples.''

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, had described the military training exercise between Turkey and Israel as a ''military axis,'' and the Arab world had reacted to that.

The Syrian Embassy went on alleging ''if the Turkish officials base the cooperation with Israel on the principle of establishing relations with other countries, then this military cooperation made with a state which invaded Arab territories and sacred places of Islam and Christianity, has the character of supporting the invasion by Israel. Therefore, it is considered as an attack on the sovereignty of the Arabic and Islamic countries.''

The Syrian Embassy claimed that Turkey doesn't take into consideration the invitation to restart the activities of the joint commissions which function to negotiate bilateral security issues, adding ''Turkey continued to boycott these commissions and their activities.''

At the beginning of this year, the Syrians proposed the regathering of the Turkish-Syrian-Iraqi Joint Committee, which could not convene for six years; but the Foreign Ministry had said that ''firstly Syria has to take a positive step in issues which constitute a problem between the two countries. Officials of the Foreign Ministry note that Turkey gives 900 cubic meters of water per second during the last three years in spite of the support extended by Syria to the separatist terrorist organization.

The Syrian Embassy claimed that the Turkish officials try to create a surprising tension in the Turkish-Syrian relations, adding ''the claims saying that Syria blocks diplomatic efforts aren't true and Syria attributes great importance to her neighbourhood relations with Turkey.''

The Syrian Embassy added that Syria is ready to solve the problems between the two countries diplomatically and in a manner which will strengthen Turkish-Arab relations.

The Syrian Embassy alleged ''as it is stated by some Turkish officials, an official document hasn't been given to our delegation during the visit of Adnan Omran, the Undersecretary of the Syrian Foreign Ministry, to Ankara between 2-3 July.

[15] ANAP PARTY GROUP MEETING - YILMAZ, PRIME MINISTER: ''WE ARE WARNING SYRIA FOR THE LAST TIME''

Noting that he was waiting for the response of Syria at the moment, Yilmaz said ''what we are waiting for is not only words. We also want Syria to take the required steps.''

Addressing his party group meeting Yilmaz strongly warned Syria which supports the separatist terrorist organization. Yilmaz noted that Turkey many times warned Syria within the criteria of good neighborhood and friendship. The Prime Minister said that Syria gave insincere responses.

Pointing out that the support extended by Syria to the separatist terrorist organization increased day by day, Yilmaz said ''we are waiting for Syria's response now.''

Yilmaz said that there were various circles who aimed at imposing the warning Turkey made to Syria within the framework of Turkey's enmity adding ''no one should forget that the Turkish nation doesn't have hostility against the Arab nation and Syrian citizens.''

''What we oppose are the hostile aims of the Syrian administration towards us'' Yilmaz noted adding ''the incidents experienced for the past 15 years are the witness of Turkey's rightfulness. Yilmaz said ''our warnings against Syria aren't related to Turkey's relations with Israel.''

Yilmaz said that strong support comes from the separatist activities which aimed at distorting Turkey's national unity and integrity, adding that the separatist activities aimed at enlivening the separatist organization, which was collapsed due to the operations of the security forces, in the political field.

[16] ECONA EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING - GULER, A.A GENERAL DIRECTOR: ''JOURNALISTS SHOULD EXPEND EFFORTS FOR THE REALIZATION OF PEACE''

Addressing the opening ceremony of Economic Cooperation Organization New Agencies Union (ECONA) Executive Board meeting, Guler stressed that an atmosphere of peace is very important for the activities of the journalists, adding ''it is harder to work in an atmosphere of war than to work in an atmosphere of peace, because war itself is very bad.''

Guler pointed out ''to this end all the journalists should expend efforts for the realization of peace. We should do our best in this respect.''

Noting that terrorism, as well as war, prevented freedom of the press, Guler said that terrorism made serious damages in the countries. Guler said ''the countries who suffered from terrorism know this very well. Turkey has suffered a lot from terrorism.'' Guler also said that workers of all newspapers and news agenices should work hard to put an end to terrorism.

Mehmet Guler, the General Director of the A.A, Turan Yavuz, the Acting Chairman of the A.A Executive Board, Cavid Aktar, the ECONA Term President and General Director of the Pakistani News Agency (APP), Murad Arenov, the General Director of the Kazakhstan News Agency, Tabaldiev Kuvanicbek, the General Director of the Kyrgyz News Agency, Muhammad-Riza Sadig, the Deputy Director of the Iranian News Agency and Agagulu Nitaliyev, the Information Department Director of the Azerbaijani News Agency participated at the ECONA meeting that is hosted by the Anadolu Ajansi.

[17] ANN HERCUS, DEPUTY REPRESENTATIVE TO CYPRUS OF THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL: ''CONSULTATIONS ARE VERY POSITIVE AND PRODUCTIVE''

Hercus, who arrived in Ankara on Monday, speaking to reporters following her contacts at the Foreign Ministry said that the talks were very positive and productive.

Hercus who refrained from commenting on the confederation proposal of Rauf Denktas, the President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), said ''the views of the UN were revealed by the Secretary General and Security Council.''

Identifing herself as a ''mediator'', Hercus said ''the duty of the mediator is to help the sides to come together and provide for the views being revealed openly. Hercus said that Turkey and Greece have an important place for the solution of the Cyprus question. Hercus is expected to return to the island on Wednesday evening.

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