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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-10-23Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>23 OCT 1998CONTENTS
[01] MILD EARTHQUAKE SHAKES ZONGULDAK PROVINCE OVERNIGHTANKARA, Oct 23 (A.A) - A slight earthquake measuring 3.9 on the Richter Scale shook Zonguldak Province and the surroundings at 02:47 a.m. on Friday.The Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory Earthquake Research Institute officials said that the epicenter of the earthquake was Devrek County of Zonguldak Province. No casualties or financial damages were reported at the earthquake. [02] ALLEGATIONS CLAIMING THAT TURKISH PLANES VIOLATED ''FIR'' LINE - FOREIGN MINISTRY DENIES ALLEGATIONSANKARA, Oct 23 (A.A) - The Foreign Ministry denied on Thursday the allegations claiming that the Turkish planes had violated the ''Lefkosa Flight Information Region (FIR)''.Sermet Atacanlı, the Deputy Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, told the A.A correspondent that the mentioned allegations are not true. Yannakis Omiru, the Minister of Defence of the Greek Cypriot side administration, claimed that the Turkish planes had violated the ''Lefkosa FIR Line'' during the Niciforos maneuvers which are being held within the scope of the Greek Cypriot-Greek Joint Defence Doctrine. [03] THE UN STARTS SHUTTLE DIPLOMACY ON CYPRUSNEW YORK, Oct 23 (A.A) - The Spokesman of Kofi Annan, the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), stated on Thursday that the UN has started shuttle diplomacy on Cyprus.Responding to the questions of the A.A correspondent about the proposal of President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to sign a ''nonagression treaty'' between the two sides on the island, the Spokesman pointed out that Ann Hercus, the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General to Cyprus, held talks with Glafcos Clerides, the leader of the Greek Cypriot side administration later on Thursday and will meet with Denktas on Friday. Describing the shuttle diplomacy as a part of the UN's efforts aimed at peace on the island, the Spokesman stressed that their decisive intention is to find a lasting solution for the Cyprus question. President Rauf Denktas of the TRNC noted in New York recently, where he participated at the General Assembly meetings of the UN, that the UN abondoned the method of indirect negotiation after a common ground couldn't be found between the two sides on the island and would start shuttle diplomacy on Cyprus. [04] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on 23 October 1998. The Anadolu Agency doesn't verify these stories and doesn't vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL) FACE TO FACE MEETING AT PREMIERSHIP BUILDING NEW PROTECTOR OF PKK IS TALABANI MILLIYET (LIBERAL)PROMISE FROM THE AMBASSADOR FOR APOAlexander Alexandrovich Lebedev, Russia's Ambassador to Turkey, said ''I am waiting for information from Moscow. I won't be able to confirm at this stage if Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the separatist terrorist organization is in Russia or not. However, the Russian government won't shelter someone who is accused of being a terrorist.'' LOW PROFILE SUMMIT SABAH (LIBERAL)FIRST APO CONFESSION FROM MOSCOWAlexander Alexandrovich Lebedev, Russia's Ambassador to Turkey, said ''Apo, may have entered Russia by using a false identity card''. Lebedev, for the first time stepped back, after Turkey's resolved attitude and persistent statements that Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the separatist terrorist organization is in Russia. Lebedev said ''if we determine that he is in Russia, we will do what is necessary for his extradition.'' INVESTIGATION AGAINST ARINC CUMHURIYET (LEFT)A PERIOD OF TWO MORE WEEKS TO SYRIADuring the last meeting of the Council of Ministers on Thursday relations with Syria and the policies that will be implemented for the extradition of Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the separatist terrorist organization, were evaluated. The government gave Syria a period of two more weeks to fulfill the requirements of the agreement. DISRESPECT FROM FP TO THE FLAG RADIKAL (LEFT)NO SPECIAL PRIVILEGES TO ANYONEThe Prosecutor's Office and Security Units which carry out an investigation related with Nesim Malki, the famous businessman who was killed last year, said that no special privileges will be given to anybone. Famous names, who weren't expected to be seen at the Security Department, were taken into consideration with the ordinary persons and interrogated at the Security Deparment. ''THERE IS NO LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL'' YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)THERE WON'T BE GANGS ANYMOREPrime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said the gangs which were formed in the period of the former governments, will be erased as a whole if the laws pass from the Parliament. Yilmaz said that his government did its best to struggle against the Mafia, adding that they won't be able to be formed again if the laws are passed. TURKBANK CASE TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)PKK CAN'T RECOVER ANYMOREPointing out that the news saying that Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist PKK organization, is in Moscow has been confirmed, Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz said, ''I hope Russia will extradite this person to Turkey.'' DEMIREL WARNS GREECE: DON'T BLOCK OUR ENTRY INTO THE EU THE ELECTION DATE TO BE DETERMINED THE BIG AWARD GOES TO BEKO ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)PRESSURE PRODUCED A RESULTPrime Minister: ''Apo's departure from Syria is a success.'' Recalling that Abdullah Ocalan, known as Apo, the leader of the separatist terrorist organization, who has been in Syria since 1981, fled to Russia, Yilmaz said he hoped Russia will respond positively to Turkey's request to extradite him. ''POWER OF GREECE WON'T BE ENOUGH'' [05] THE US CONTINUES OPEN SUPPORT FOR BAKU-CEYHAN ROUTEALMATY, Oct 23 (A.A) - Richard Morningstar, the US President Bill Clinton's Special Consultant for the Caspian Region Energy Policies, who is in Kazakhstan to hold talks on the oil projects of this country which has a key role in the Caspian region, reiterated on Thursday that the US supports the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline.Addressing a press conference in Almaty, capital of Kazakhstan, Morningstar stressed that all the pipelines should be on the east-west route despite all the political difficulties. Morningstar emphasized that his country will aid the project for the Baku- Ceyhan pipeline. He also added, ''the pipeline via Iran can be realized in the future, but first Iran and the US should improve the relations and it isn't possible at the moment. Meanwhile, the latest developments in Afghanistan don't enable the pipeline project via the Indian Ocean.'' [06] HERCUS, DEPUTY SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL FOR CYPRUS: - ''FINAL DECISION ON A SOLUTION FOR CYPRUS PROBLEM WILL BE LEADERS' AND PEOPLES' ''LEFKOSA, Oct 23 (A.A) - Ann Hercus, the Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations (UN) Secretary General to Cyprus, said on Thursday,''a lasting solution for Cyprus question is dependent on an agreement between the two sides on the island and the leaders and people will make a final decision on such a solution.''The shuttle diplomacy which the UN has started between Glafcos Clerides, the leader of the Greek Cypriot side administration and Rauf Denktas, the President Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is confidential, Hercus pointed out. Stressing that the basic principles in the efforts aimed at finding a lasting solution to the Cyprus question are the resolutions of the UN, Hercus stressed, ''I believe that these resolutions are realistic and will be put into practice in the near future. My mission on the island is to establish bridges of communication and to open the ways for dialogue between the two sides.'' Ann Hercus met with Clerides on Thursday. She is scheduled to hold talks with President Denktas on Friday. [07] IMF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR KIEKENS IN ANKARAANKARA, Oct 23 (A.A) - Willy Kiekens, Executive Director of International Monetary Fund (IMF) arrived in Ankara on Thursday evening.Kiekens is scheduled to participate in the final section of the meetings of a fund delegation of the IMF, presided by Martin Hardy, the Chief of the IMF Turkey Desk, currently in Turkey since 13 October to hold talks with the high ranking bureaucrats of the economy. Willy Kiekens will participate in a round table meeting which will be staged for the closing session of the conference staged by the Undersecretariat of the Treasury on ''Inflation in Turkey.'' The fund delegation, currently holding contacts in Ankara within the framework of the Staff Monitoring Agreement, signed with the IMF, is expected to depart Ankara on 26 October. [08] ANNUAL ARMAMENT REPORT OF THE IISS: - ''PROCESS CONTINUES CONCERNING THE TRANSPORT OF S-300 MISSILES TO THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE IN NOVEMBER'' - ''GREEK CYPRIOTS AIM AT USING THE MISSILES AS AN ELEMENT OF BARGAINING''LONDON, Oct 23 (A.A) - The annual report of the International Institute of Strategical Searches (IISS) concerned with the global and regional power balances and the dispersion of armaments, pointed out, ''the process continues concerning the transport of the Russian made S-300 missiles to the Greek Cypriot side in November, despite the decision for postponement.''The deadlock in the peace talks aimed at providing a lasting peace on Cyprus, escalates the military tension in the region, the report noted. The report described the training given to the members of the Greek Cypriot Army in Russia, as an evidence that the purchase process of the S-300 missiles continues. Reminding that the missiles have 150 km ranges and can reach Turkey, reports said that the Greek Cypriot side will be able to follow the maneuvers of the Turkish Air Forces following the deployment of the missile- watch systems and the other elements. Noting that it isn't clear yet whether or not the missiles will be deployed at Southern Cyprus, the report stressed that the Greek Cypriot side aims at using the issue as an element of bargaining in order to prevent the flights of the Turkish Air Forces over the island. The report attracted attention to the Greek Cypriot side's high defence budget. It pointed out that the defence budget of the Greek Cypriot side has reached 507 million US dollars. [09] ''MARTYR FIRST LIEUTENANT EFKAN CENGIZ'' OPERATION IN SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA REGION - A TOTAL OF 69 SEPARATIST TERRORISTS KILLED - FOUR PEOPLE ABDUCTED BY TERRORISTS RESCUED - TEN SECURITY OFFICIALS DIE DURING THE CLASHESDIYARBAKIR, Oct 23 (A.A) - A total of 69 separatist terrorists were killed during the ''Martyr First Lieutenant Efkan Cengiz'' operation launched by the security officials in the region between the south of Catak County of Van Province and north of Beytussebap County of Sirnak Province, it was reported on Friday.Officials from the Governorship of the State of Emergency Region told the A.A correspondent that 10 security officials died during clashes with the separatist terrorists. Meanwhile, four people abducted by terrorists in the Bolukyazi region of Bitlis Province, were rescued by the security officials. Operations against the separatist terrorist organization are underway in the Southeastern Anatolia Region. [10] TURKEY-STOCK EXCHANGE - IMKB FIRST SESSION - NATIONAL-100 INDEX REDUCES TO 2,207.68 WITH A DECREASE OF 2.53 POINTSISTANBUL, Oct 23 (A.A) - The Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) National-100 Index in the first session decreased 2.53 points to 2,207.68 and shares lost 0.11 percent in value compared with prices at the close of Thursday's second session, it was reported on Friday.At the close of the first session, the financial index increased 8.61 points to 2,691.57 and the industrial index rose 1.03 points to 1,753.43 while the services index decreased 41.89 points to 3,168.01. The financial shares gained 0.32 percent in value and the industrial shares gained 0.06 percent in value while the services shares lost 1.30 percent in value compared with Wednesday's second session close. A total of 92 of the 277 shares gained in value, 89 shares lost in value while the prices of 96 shares didn't change. The trading volume in the morning session was 20.1 trillion Turkish Liras. [11] STATE MINISTER SUKRU SINA GUREL IN BULGARIA: - ''THE EUROPEAN UNION COULDN'T FULFILL SEVERAL MAIN OBLIGATIONS FOR TURKEY''ISTANBUL, Oct 23 (A.A) - Sukru Sina Gurel, the Minister of State, who is currently in Bulgaria in order to participate at the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Foreign Ministers' meeting, said on Thursday that the European Union (EU) couldn't fulfill several main obligations within the framework of the ''Financial Cooperation''. Giving information to the journalists about the developments between the EU and Turkey, Gurel expressed Turkey's gratification at the EU's efforts aimed at overcoming the problems within its own structure in order to fulfill its financial obligations.Gurel stressed that a productive and lasting cooperation between Turkey and the EU can only be possible after the strengthening of the financial cooperation. He added that the next step will be the acceptance of Turkey's membership in the Union. [12] RATIFICATION OF THE PARLIAMENT FOR THE EXPANSION OF NATOANKARA, Oct 23 (A.A) - The protocols, that were adopted by the Parliament regarding the expansion of the NATO, will be given to the US, which is a ''depository country'' after being confirmed by President Suleyman Demirel and after being published in the official Gazette.The Parliament on Thursday adopted the draft resolutions related with the confirmation of the protocols about participation of the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland in the NATO. The Foreign Ministry statement said that confirmation of the protocols were concluded by the Parliaments of the 15 ally countries. [13] FOREIGN MINISTER ISMAIL CEM: - ''OUR RELATIONS WITH THE EU IMPROVE'' - ''TURKEY AIMS AT BECOMING THE CENTER OF THE EURASIA IN 21ST CENTURY''ANKARA, Oct 23 (A.A) - Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, said on Friday that Turkey's relations with the European Union improve rapidly.Addressing the seminar on ''International Labor Union Movement and Cooperation Between Regional Trade Unions in the Process of Becoming Global'' organized within the framework of the 23th anniversary of the establishment of the Hak-Is Labor Union, Cem stressed that the EU is a target for Turkey, but not a obsession. Cem pointed out, ''our decisive target is to become the center of Eurasia in the 21st century.'' He also emphasized that Turkey has to be both European and Asian. [14] DEVELOPMENT REPORT OF THE WORLD BANKANKARA, Oct 23 (A.A) - Yener Dincmen, the Undersecretary of the Treasury, said on Friday that Turkey worked very hard and with care to become an information society, adding that Turkey's adoption of this reflected her determination to become a strong world country.Addressing a seminar staged after Joseph Stiglitz, the World Bank Vice President disclosed the World Bank's World Development Report for 1998-1999, Dincmen said that social cooperation is required to use information for development. Dincmen said that the foundations of the basic education program were laid to this end. Preparation of the third communications satellite is underway. Noting that the required measures should be taken for the information age societies, Dincmen said that the World Bank, within this framework, is one of the best institutions which knows development projects. Dincmen said that for many years the World Bank contributed to the economic and social development of Turkey, adding that the 600 million US dollars aid which it gave for compulsory education is an example of this. Dincmen pointed out that Turkey should take steps towards the 21st century by producing information technology, adding that it would be better to use this for the improvement of life standards. [15] A TOTAL OF 87 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAPTURED IN EDIRNE PROVINCEEDIRNE, Oct 23 (A.A) - The security forces captured on Friday a total of 87 immigrants in Edirne Province, who aimed at proceeding to Greece illegally.Security forces captured 34 Iraqis, 19 Sudanese, 14 Pakistanis, 6 Bangladeshis, 5 Afghans, 4 Romanians, 4 Gambians and one Liberian in the military prohibited regions near the Begendik District of Ipsala County and the Subasi District and Kadıdondurma Village of Meric County of Edirne Province. Immigrants were later taken into custody for violating the Turkish borders and the passport law. Officials said that the illegal immigrants will be deported once the legal proceedings are completed. [16] NEW TERMINAL BUILDING OF VAN AIRPORT OPENED TO SERVICEVAN, Oct 23 (A.A) - Arif Ahmet Denizolgun, the Minister of Transportation and Communications, opened the newly constructed terminal building of the Van Airport to service on Friday as the existing airport couldn't meet the growing passenger traffic.Addressing the ceremony staged for the opening of the Airport, Denizolgun said that new investments planned in the air transportation sector as well as the modernization investments began to result in positive outcomes. Denizolgun said that the new terminal buildings will be opened at the Gaziantep, Erzurum and Denizli-Cardak Airports, and the Tekirdag-Corlu Airport has been opened to service in the past months. The Zonguldak- Caycuma Airport will be put into service which couldn't be opened due to the flood. He said that the construction of the Kocaeli-Cengiz Topel Airport and the GAP International Airport are still underway. Responding to a question about the death of 10 security forces who died during operations launched against the separatist terrorists in the region, Denizolgun said ''the 55th government carries out its determination to struggle against the terrorists.'' The written statement of the General Directorate of the State Airports Management (DHMI) earlier said that the passenger potential of the Southeastern Region and eastern Van region is gradually increasing and that the existing installations are inadequate to meet the needs. The newly constructed Van Airport Terminal has a 1.2 million passenger capacity and was established on a closed area of 6,000 square meters. [17] LEADER OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION IN MOSCOW - LETTER FROM PREMIER YILMAZ TO PRIMAKOVMOSCOW, Oct 23 (A.A) - It was reported on Friday that Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz had sent a letter on 21 October to Yevgeni Primakov, the Russian Prime Minister, related to the presence of Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the separatist terrorist organization in Russia. Primakov ordered the concerned state institutions to investigate the issue urgently.Vladimir Rahmanin, the Spokesman of the Russian Foreign Ministry staged a news conference on Friday and said ''Primakov, as soon as he got the letter, ordered the concerned state institutions to investigate the issue. Turkey will be briefied immediately after information is received.'' Responding to a question about the presence of Ocalan in Moscow, Rahmanin said ''he is either here or not.'' He said that Russia attributes a great importance to the relations with Turkey, the issue of the separatist terrorist PKK organization or the situation of Abdullah Ocalan can't spoil the strong relations between the two countries. Rahmanin, speaking about the contacts of Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, the Deputy Undesecretary of the Foreign Ministry in Moscow, said ''the contacts of Irtemcelik with Viktor Pasuvalyuk, the Deputy Russian Foreign Minister started on Thursday and continue today. Talks continue positively. We hope to get positive results.'' Responding to a question about the agreement reached between Turkey and Syria, Rahmanin said, ''the problems should be solved through negotiations in this atmosphere.'' [18] TRANSPORTATION MINISTER DENIZOLGUN SIGNS THE TENDER FOR RAILWAY PROJECTVAN, Oct 23 (A.A) - Arif Ahmet Denizolgun, the Minister of Transportation and Communications, signed on Friday the tender for the railway project that will decrease the journey between Antalya and Alanya to one hour.Addressing the signing ceremony, Denizolgun described the project of the 121 km railway as the second largest tender after the Istanbul Straits Tube Tunnel tender. The project will cost 1.1 billion US dollars. Denizolgun stressed that the tender will be put into effect in two weeks. [19] YIGITGUDEN, UNDERSECRETARY OF MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES: - ''WORKS ON OFFERS CONCERNING BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE CONTINUE''BAKU, Oct 23 (A.A) - Yurdakul Yigitguden, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, who is currently in Baku, Azerbaijan, in order to hold contacts, met on Friday with Abid Sherifov, the Acting Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan.Responding to the questions of the A.A correspondent following the meeting, Yigitguden stressed, ''works continue on the offers that have been given concerning the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline.'' Yigitguden pointed out that President Haydar Aliyev's visit to Turkey on 29 October was brought onto the agenda of the meeting. Stressing that offers given by Turkey and Azerbaijan for the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline have been discussed between the sides, Yigitguden said that the sides will reach a consensus within one or two days. Mentioning the allegations claiming that the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline route has been suspended for a while, Yigitguden noted that such news can emerge frequently until a decision will be made on the issue. Yigitguden is expected to return to Ankara on Saturday. [20] TURKEY IN BRIEF - 23 OCTOBER 1998ANKARA - Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz received on Thursday Mark Parris, the US Ambassador to Turkey.Addressing the journalists after the meeting, Yilmaz said that they have discussed the issue of the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline. BEIJING - The Hurriyet Newspaper's International Caricature Exhibition organized by the Aydin Dogan Foundation, and Mehmet Hengirmen's photograph exhibition named ''Turkey: Golden Country'' were opened in Beijing, the capital of China, it was reported on Thursday. A total of 150 caricatures have been displayed in the exhibition organized within the framework of the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey. Addressing the opening ceremony of the exhibitions, Unal Unsal, the Turkish Ambassador to China, stressed that for the first time since 1972, when diplomatic relations were established between China and Turkey, an exhibition has been opened. LEFKOSA - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will go to Turkey on 28 October in order to participate at the ceremonies for the 75th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey, it was reported on Friday. Denktas is expected to return the TRNC on 30 October. Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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