Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-11-06

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

06 NOV 1998

CONTENTS

[01] THE US ADMINISTRATION CALLS RUSSIA TO TAKE NECESSARY STEPS AGAINST TERRORIST OCALAN

[02] PRESIDENT DEMIREL DUE TO TURMENISTAN AND KYRGYZSTAN

[03] ATTACK WITH MOLOTOV COCKTAIL ON A CAFE IN SAMSUN PROVINCE - ONE OF THE ATTACKERS KILLED DURING CLASHES

[04] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ AND HIS BULGARIAN COUNTERPART KOSTOV SIGN AN ENERGY AGREEMENT

[05] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''BULGARIAN TURKS, WHO WERE AN ISSUE OF CONFLICT IN THE PAST, ARE A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES NOW''

[06] THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM (WEF) TO CONVENE IN TURKEY TO DISCUSS ISSUE OF ''DETERMINING PRIORITIES FOR GLOBAL COMPETITON''

[07] PENTAGON: - ''WEAPON SALES TO TURKEY AND GREECE ARE THE RESULT OF A PROCESS WHERE SEVERAL ELEMENTS WERE EVALUATED'' - ''COHEN WILL BE IN TURKEY ON FRIDAY''

[08] BUDGET TALKS - 1999 BUDGET OF INTERIOR MINISTRY ADOPTED IN PARLIAMENTARY PLANNING AND BUDGET COMMISSION

[09] TUNUSIAN DEFENCE MINISTER BEN YAHYA CONVEYS TUNUSIAN PRESIDENT BEN ALI'S MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT DEMIREL

[10] AZERBAIJAN REACTS RUSSIAN STATE DUMA'S DECISION ABOUT THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - GULUZADE, PRESIDENTIAL COUNSELLOR OF FOREIGN POLICY: - ''THIS DECISION IS CONTRARY TO POLITICAL AND DIPLOMATIC NORMS''

[11] NO PERMISSION FROM WASHINGTON TO IRANIAN OIL - US GOVERNMENT OPPOSES TO FORMULAS THAT WILL WEAKEN BAKU-CEYHAN

[12] COHEN, US SECRETARY OF DEFENSE IN ANKARA

[13] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''I CALL ON TURKISH BUSINESSMEN TO PARTICIPATE IN PRIVATIZATION AND CONSTRUCTION TENDERS IN BULGARIA''

[14] AYDAYEV, RUSSIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER, IN ANKARA: - ''TERRORISM AND FUNDAMENTALISM ARE THE BIGGEST DANGERS OF THE 21ST CENTURY''

[15] ZULCH, CHAIRMAN OF ASSOCIATION FOR PROTECTION OF PEOPLES UNDER THREAT: - ''PKK HAS ABDUCTED NEARLY 3 THOUSAND CHILDREN SO FAR FROM TURKEY AND EUROPE'' - ''WE HAVE DETERMINED THAT OCALAN RAPES YOUNG KURDISH GIRLS IN HIS HEADQUARTER''

[16] HARSH REACTION FROM TURKEY TO EUROPEAN COMMISSION REPORT - FM: ''CYPRUS SECTION OF THE REPORT IS FULL OF CONCRETE MISTAKES AND BASELESS ALLEGATIONS''

[17] CONTACTS OF AVDAYEV, RUSSIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER, IN ANKARA: - ''WE WANT TO FURTHER IMPROVE GOOD PARTNERSHIP RELATIONS WITH TURKEY''

[01] THE US ADMINISTRATION CALLS RUSSIA TO TAKE NECESSARY STEPS AGAINST TERRORIST OCALAN

Washington also underlined, ''countries should not shelter the terrorists.''

Addressing the journalists, James Rubin, the Spokesman of the US State Department, stressed that they cannot confirm whether Ocalan is in Russia or not. He noted that they have requested Russia a short while ago to extradite or deport Ocalan ''immediately'' if he is in Russia.

Responding to a question on ''Should Ocalan go back to Syria?'', Rubin reiterated, ''countries should not shelter terrorist.''

The US Administration has officialy declared the PKK as a ''brutal and bloody-handed terrorist organization.'' The US State Department shows Syria, Iraq and Iran as the countries supporting separatist terrorist PKK organization in its reports.

[02] PRESIDENT DEMIREL DUE TO TURMENISTAN AND KYRGYZSTAN

The Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that Demirel's visits aim at further improve and strengten the relations with these countries.

Meanwhile, Demirel will attend the opening ceremony of the Ataturk Park, and the Turkmenistan National Museum which was constructed by a Turkish firm, in Ashkabat, capital of Turkmenistan, the first leg of his tour.

Demirel will then proceed to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, and attend the opening ceremony of the main service building of the Turk-Kyrgyz Manas University which was established by the joints efforts of Turkey and Kyrgyzstan, in Bishkek.

[03] ATTACK WITH MOLOTOV COCKTAIL ON A CAFE IN SAMSUN PROVINCE - ONE OF THE ATTACKERS KILLED DURING CLASHES

One of the attackers were killed during the clashes with the security forces following the attack, and one security official was injured slightly.

Officials told the A.A correspondent that the other three attackers have fled from the region after they opened fire to air. Eyewitnesses pointed out that the attackers were wearing black masks.

Security forces seized a pistol, several documents in Arabic, and a false identity card which they found on the attacker.

It is not clear yet whether the attackers were separatist terrorists or not.

Operations are underway in the region to capture the attackers.

[04] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ AND HIS BULGARIAN COUNTERPART KOSTOV SIGN AN ENERGY AGREEMENT

Several businessmen along with the members of the Bulgarian delegation were also in attendance at the signing ceremony.

Meanwhile Isin Celebi, the State Minister, and Ivan Shirashki, the Bulgarian Chairman of the Energy Commission, have signed a protocol on the field of energy.

[05] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''BULGARIAN TURKS, WHO WERE AN ISSUE OF CONFLICT IN THE PAST, ARE A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES NOW''

Addressing a dinner hosted by Foreign Economic Relations Council in honor of Ivan Kostov, Bulgarian Prime Minister, Yilmaz recalled that Bulgarian Turks who immigrated to Turkey after 1980 had been an issue of conflict between the two countries and stressed that the government headed by Kostov considered the issue from a humanist point of view.

Yilmaz pointed out that with an agreement signed between the two countries, Bulgarian Turks who immigrated to Turkey, may be able to get their pensions which they deserved in Bulgaria.

Prime Minister Yilmaz also said required facilities will be expended to re- unite the families who had to separate after immigrating to Turkey.

Recalling that he opened a branch of Ziraat Bank in Bulgaria during his last visit to this country, Yilmaz said another Turkish bank also got permission to open branch in Bulgaria, adding that solid relations are formed between these two countries in the field of banking.

Yilmaz noted that steps should be taken in economy and culture field to consolidate positive relations between Turkey and Bulgaria.

Pointing out the importance of improving economic cooperation between the two countries, Yilmaz said Free Trade Agreement was signed a while ago and that this agreement will take effect on Jan 1, 1999.

Recalling that trade volume between Turkey and Bulgaria was 584 million US dollars last year, Yilmaz said Turkey was the 5th trade partner of Bulgaria. Yilmaz said with the implementation of Free Trade Agreement trade between the two countries will further increase.

Yilmaz said construction services are the second leg of improvement of economic relations, adding that with a protocol and agreement signed in Istanbul on Thursday, Turkey will get four billion kilowatt hour energy in every year till the year 2008.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Ivan Kostov said administrations of the two countries worked hard for cooperation after 1997 and recorded important successes.

Kostov said trade volume between the two countries will increase to two billion dollars if a similar trade agreement which Bulgaria signed with Germany, is signed with Turkey and called on Turkish businessmen to make use of the agreements that were signed.

[06] THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM (WEF) TO CONVENE IN TURKEY TO DISCUSS ISSUE OF ''DETERMINING PRIORITIES FOR GLOBAL COMPETITON''

The issues of ''Determining Priorities for Global Competition'' and ''Global Developing Companies'' will be taken up at the meetings.

Many domestic and foreign guests will join the meetings.

[07] PENTAGON: - ''WEAPON SALES TO TURKEY AND GREECE ARE THE RESULT OF A PROCESS WHERE SEVERAL ELEMENTS WERE EVALUATED'' - ''COHEN WILL BE IN TURKEY ON FRIDAY''

Responding to a question claiming that the several organizations criticize the US which maintains the weapon sales to Turkey and Greece as the tension continue in the region, Captain Michael Doubleday, the Acting Spokesman of the Pentagon, said, ''it is a long process.''

Reminding that weapon sales and transfers are being scrutinized not only by the Pentagon, but by several units of the US Government, Captain Doubleday stressed, ''coordination is necessary to take such decisions.''

Pointing out that the situation of a country aiming at purchasing weapon, is being evaluated before weapons sales, Captain Doubleday noted that different elements such as regional stability, legacy of the weapon, and its effects to the security and industry of the US are indispensable in taking decisions.

Meanwhile Captain Doubleday told the reporters that William Cohen, the US Defence Secretary who is on a tour comprising the Middle-east countries to hold talks on the issue of re-escalating tension between Iraq and the United Nation (UN), will be in Turkey on Friday.

Cohen proceeded to Jordan after he visited Qatar, Oman, United Arab Emirates and Egypt. He is scheduled to visit France after he concludes his contacts in Turkey.

[08] BUDGET TALKS - 1999 BUDGET OF INTERIOR MINISTRY ADOPTED IN PARLIAMENTARY PLANNING AND BUDGET COMMISSION

1999 financial year budgets of the Interior Ministry, Security Department, Gendarme General Commandership and Coastal Security Commandership are adopted in Parliamentary Planning and Budget Commission.

Responding to the questions and criticism during budget talks, Aktas said he did not mention about the issue of gangs as it is on the judgment.

Briefing about the struggle against separatist terrorist organization, Aktas said ''security forces control the situation in eastern and southeastern region.''

Responding to a question about the evacuated villages, Aktas said the ones who immigrated to big cities didn't have the intention to return to their villages, adding that a commission, headed by Hikmet Sami Turkey, Minister of State, carries out a study to give compensation, if necessary, to the ones whose villages were evacuated.

[09] TUNUSIAN DEFENCE MINISTER BEN YAHYA CONVEYS TUNUSIAN PRESIDENT BEN ALI'S MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT DEMIREL

The Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that Ben Yahya held talks with his Turkish counterpart Ismet Sezgin, and Sukru Sina Gurel, the State Minister and Acting Foreign Minister, during his visit to Turkey.

Statement pointed out, ''the sides have reached a concensus of opinion on improving Turkey's relations with Arabic countries, and further deepening the existing cooperation between Turkey and Tunusia.''

[10] AZERBAIJAN REACTS RUSSIAN STATE DUMA'S DECISION ABOUT THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - GULUZADE, PRESIDENTIAL COUNSELLOR OF FOREIGN POLICY: - ''THIS DECISION IS CONTRARY TO POLITICAL AND DIPLOMATIC NORMS''

Responding to the questions of the A.A correspondent, Guluzade stressed that Russia has no right to shelter chief of a separatist terrorist organization.

Reminding that Russia has good relations with Turkey, Guluzade pointed out that the Duma's decision is also against the Russia's interests.

Meanwhile Ebulfez Elcibey, the Leader of Azerbaijan People's Front Party and former President of Azerbaijan, emphasized that Russia shows whole world by defending the chief of the separatist terrorist organization that she has created the terrorism in Turkey and the Azerbaijan-Armenia question by means of the Russian Intelligence Service (KGB).

Elcibey pointed out that if President Boris Yeltsin of Russia approves the mentioned decision, the Azeri opposition parties will react him seriously.

Following the demand of Abdullah Ocalan seeking political asylum from Russia, State Duma has adopted a decision to appeal to Russian Head of State Boris Yeltsin. The appeal included anti-Turkish statements and praised the chief of the separatist terrorist organization.

[11] NO PERMISSION FROM WASHINGTON TO IRANIAN OIL - US GOVERNMENT OPPOSES TO FORMULAS THAT WILL WEAKEN BAKU-CEYHAN

The US government often reiterates the requirement that Azeri and Central Asian oil should be transported to the West through Baku-Ceyhan route.

It was reported that related unit of the US Treasury Secretariat turned back an application of Optimarket Company, based in Texas, to get permission to ''barter'' Iranian oil and Kazakh oil.

There is also an application of Mobil Oil Company to barter three barrels of Turkmen oil with Iranian oil. The decision given for Optimarket company is ''bad news'' for Mobil.

Richard Morningstar, Special Consultant of the US President for Caspian Basin Energy Policies, told a statement which he issued earlier that he did not believe that applications of the US companies for oil barter will be approved of.

Morningstar had pointed out that they would not take steps that will attract the attentions to somewhere else than Baku-Ceyhan saying that ''if the companies begin to believe that large quantities of barters could be realized, this will be a serious blow on the pipelines.''

The US administration also opposes to the realization of the construction of the pipelines that will pass from Iran.

[12] COHEN, US SECRETARY OF DEFENSE IN ANKARA

Cohen is accompanied by Gen. Anthony Zinni, Gulf Forces Commander.

An official from the US Embassy said Cohen arrived in Ankara from Amman and that he will probably leave for France.

Meanwhile, it was reported that Wesley Clark, European NATO Forces Commander, who arrived in Ankara from Germany, will accompany Cohen during his contacts.

Cohen is scheduled to be received by President Suleyman Demirel and will meet with Ismet Sezgin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu, Chief of General Staff.

[13] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''I CALL ON TURKISH BUSINESSMEN TO PARTICIPATE IN PRIVATIZATION AND CONSTRUCTION TENDERS IN BULGARIA''

Addressing an awarding ceremony staged by Bursa Chambers of Industry and Trade Yilmaz mentioned about the relations between the two countries.

Yilmaz reiterated that with the establishment of 55th government in Turkey and coming of Ivan Kostov government to the ruling in Bulgaria, a new period began.

Noting that Free Trade Agreement was signed to increase trade with Bulgaria, and that it will take effect as of the new year, Yilmaz said existing 550 million US dollars foreign trade volume was below the potential.

Mentioning about the privatization efforts in Bulgaria, Yilmaz said all public installations in this country put out for sale adding that every kind of facilities were provided to foreign capital. Yilmaz said, ''I am calling on Turkish businessmen to participate in privatization and construction tenders in Bulgaria. I am ready to extend every kind of incentives to this end. Number of Turkish entrepreneurs in Bulgaria reached to 1600. Yet, their total investments are only around 70 million US dollars. There are very important industry institutions in Bulgaria. Showing interest to these investments will be for the benefit of Turkey and Bulgaria.''

Meanwhile, Yilmaz while addressing the kindsmen, said fate of relations between Turkey and Bulgaria changed in the past 16 years.

Yilmaz said, ''There will be no conflict between Bulgarian Turks, Bulgaria and Turkey from now on,'' adding that ''there will be a bridge of friendship between us.''

Yilmaz said he has ''good news'' for the future, adding that people, who immigrated to Turkey from Bulgaria in the past, and who had the right to get pension, will be able to get these services with the Social Security Agreement that will be signed in March.

Kostov, Bulgarian Prime Minister, in his part said ''we are in an effort to change Bulgaria into a country that is tender to its citizens than a country which is an enemy for the past nine years.

Kostov said they wanted to include Bulgarian Turks to the administration and called on them to have confidence on state institutions, Parliament and President in Bulgaria.

Noting that state policy of ten years ago did not come from the heart and brain of the Bulgarians, Kostov declared those people who carried out this policy as ''National Criminals.''

[14] AYDAYEV, RUSSIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER, IN ANKARA: - ''TERRORISM AND FUNDAMENTALISM ARE THE BIGGEST DANGERS OF THE 21ST CENTURY''

Describing terrorism and fundamentalism as the biggest dangers of the 21st century, Aydayev noted that Russia wants to cooperate with Turkey and whole Europe against these dangers.

Responding to the questions of the journalists, Aydayev pointed out that he will exchange opinions with senior Turkish officials on the future of Europe, and take up the new formulas for the stability and security in Europe, during his visit to Turkey.

Mentioning the similarities in the policies of Turkey and Russia concerning future of Europe, Avdayev noted that Russia's consultation with Turkey on the issue, will continue.

Responding to the questions on whether the issue of extradition of Abdullah Ocalan, chief of separatist terrorist PKK organization, was discussed at his meetings or not, Avdayev said, ''we did not take up this issue, but the relations between Turkey and Russia were, of course, brought onto the agenda of the meeting.''

Stressing that Russia attributes great importance to Turkey as a ''big neighbouring country and political partner'', Avdayev told the reporters that they are aware of Turkey's same feelings towards Russia.

[15] ZULCH, CHAIRMAN OF ASSOCIATION FOR PROTECTION OF PEOPLES UNDER THREAT: - ''PKK HAS ABDUCTED NEARLY 3 THOUSAND CHILDREN SO FAR FROM TURKEY AND EUROPE'' - ''WE HAVE DETERMINED THAT OCALAN RAPES YOUNG KURDISH GIRLS IN HIS HEADQUARTER''

Zulch sent an ''open letter'' to the ''Medico International'' and the ''Apell von Hannover'' which are known as the supporter of the separatist terrorist organization, saying, ''a total of 7 children aged between 14 and 17 from Alkis, Uca, Ekinci and Alatas families, have been abducted in Celle near Hannover. We know that your are close to the PKK. I, therefore, request your help to find out these children. Families of the children fear for the destiny of their children.''

Zulch stressed that nearly 3 thousand children have been abducted so far by the separatist terrorist PKK organization, from Turkey and Europe.

Noting that the families of the children are ready to confirm such allegations, Zulch pointed out that the separatist terrorist organization also continues to collect money illegally.

Zulch also stressed that Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of separatist terrorist PKK organization, not only killed innocent persons, but at the same time he claimed the lives of more than 70 separatist terrorist organization members in Europe. He added, ''we have determined that Ocalan rapes young Kurdish girls, most of whom were brought from Germany, in his headquarters.''

Meanwhile security forces in Celle has begun investigating the fate of 7 abducted children.

[16] HARSH REACTION FROM TURKEY TO EUROPEAN COMMISSION REPORT - FM: ''CYPRUS SECTION OF THE REPORT IS FULL OF CONCRETE MISTAKES AND BASELESS ALLEGATIONS''

Foreign Ministry statement said ''on the contrary to the allegations in the report, Turkey did not invade Cyprus in 1974, but only intervened as a guarantor country, a title given by 1960 Guarantee Agreement, to prevent the Turkish Cypriot people from being massacred as an outcome of Greek military coup aiming to annex Cyprus and protected Turkish Cypriot people from a similar tragedy experienced in Bosnia and Kosovo.''

The statement stressed that Turkey is not only the guarantor of Turkish Cypriot people - as was wrongly stated in the report - but has all the rights of a guarantor country on whole Cyprus together with Greece and Britain under 1960 Guarantee Agreement which is still in effect.

The statement pointed out that there was not a Security Council resolution accusing Turkey of being an occupier, as was claimed in the report, adding that Security Council always accepted that Cyprus question started in 1963, and expended efforts to help the two equal communities in Cyprus to find a lasting solution.

The statement said, ''European Union (EU) preferred to adopt a Cyprus policy which Greece imposed on with blackmail, and ignored Turkey's warnings that carrying further the illegal application of the Greek Cypriot side before a solution is found to Cyprus problem and a balance is provided between Turkey and Greece, will abolish parameters of a negotiation, and will further deepen division in the island, and thus it became responsible for the tension and deadlock in Cyprus today by starting the negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side.''

The statement said the evaluations which took place in the Commission report revealed its tendency to carry out Cyprus policy that was proved to be wrong with the developments of the past one year.

Foreign Ministry statement said, ''starting of EU's full membership negotiations with the Southern Greek Cypriot side contradicts with international law, to the facts in the Island and the efforts to find a peaceful solution to the question. The EU has to realize that further developing full membership application of the Greek Cypriot side does not help the solution efforts but makes the deadlock permanent, and it has to give up this wrong policy.''

[17] CONTACTS OF AVDAYEV, RUSSIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER, IN ANKARA: - ''WE WANT TO FURTHER IMPROVE GOOD PARTNERSHIP RELATIONS WITH TURKEY''

Addressing the luncheon, Avdayev stressed that Russia wants to further improve good partnership relations with Turkey.

Responding to the question about the extradition of Abdullah Ocalan, chief of separatist terrorist PKK organization, Avdayev noted, ''we, as the high- level diplomats and Russian administration, aim at further improving the partnership relations with Turkey. I believe in that such issues should be solved within this framework.''

Describing his contacts in Turkey as ''extremely positive'', Andayev expressed satisfaction with his consultations with senior Turkish officials. Andayev also added, ''our Turkish interlocutors acts professionally and skilfully.''

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