Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-11-07

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

07 NOV 1998

CONTENTS

[01] FOREIGN MINISTRY EXPRESSES SORROW OVER THE INCIDENTS IN TAJIKISTAN

[02] FOREIGN MINISTRY EXPRESSES SORROW OVER THE BOMB ATTACK IN JERUSALEM

[03] APPEAL OF OCALAN TO SEEK FOR POLITICAL ASYLUM FROM RUSSIA - AN UNDERSTANDING FORMED BETWEEN TURKEY AND RUSSIA TO SOLVE THE QUESTION

[04] ATHENS SAYS IT DOES NOT HAVE THE INTENTION TO INVITE CHIEF OF THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION TO GREECE

[05] PRESIDENT DEMIREL AND PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ EXPRESS CONDOLENCES TO PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF TRNC - DENKTAS' PROGRAMME IN ISTANBUL CANCELED

[06] CONTACTS OF FOREIGN MINISTER CEM IN BRAZIL

[07] NEW REGULATION FOR STRAITS TAKES EFFECT AFTER BEING PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL GAZZETTE - KARA, MINISTER OF STATE: ''WE WILL NEVER ALLOW STRAITS TO BE OIL ROAD''

[08] TURKISH-GERMAN COOPERATION COUNCIL MEETINGS END

[09] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF THE TRNC: - ''CONFEDERATION WILL EASE WORRIES ABOUT FUTURE OF THE ISLAND'' - ''TURKISH ARMY HAS BROUGHT PEACE TO CYPRUS'' - PLUMER, TRNC REPRESENTATIVE TO NEW YORK: - ''GREEK CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL HAS NO RIGHT TO JUDGE THE LEGACY OF INDEPENDENT TRNC''

[10] REPRESENTATIVES OF 29 AMERICAN FIRMS DUE IN TURKEY NEXT WEEK

[11] PRESS CONFERENCE OF BARZANI, KDP LEADER - BARZANI: ''OUR COOPERATION WITH TURKEY WILL CONTINUE''

[12] THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM (WEF) TO CONVENE IN TURKEY TO DISCUSS ISSUE OF ''DETERMINING PRIORITIES FOR GLOBAL COMPETITON'' - PRESIDENT DEMIREL AND PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ TO ATTEND THE MEETING

[13] ''OTTOMAN COLLECTION'' OF THE DIAMOND JEWELLERY

[01] FOREIGN MINISTRY EXPRESSES SORROW OVER THE INCIDENTS IN TAJIKISTAN

Foreign Ministry statement said ''Turkey feels deep concern that Tajikistan, who managed to start a compromise process after a long civil war, will lose its stability again with such kind of riots.''

The statement said Turkey wishes such incidents to be calmed down soon and expresses hope that peace process would not be halted.

[02] FOREIGN MINISTRY EXPRESSES SORROW OVER THE BOMB ATTACK IN JERUSALEM

The Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that those who do not want peace and stability in the region, are the responsibles of such an attack when the Middle-east peace process, which was in deadlock for a long time, has begun to progress with the peace deal reached between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and President Yasser Arafat of Palestine in Maryland, the US, nine days ago.

Statement stressed that Turkey believes that those who apply to terrorism and violence, will not be able to reach their malicious aims.

Two car bombers killed themselves and wounded 21 other people when their vehicles exploded at an entrance to Jerusalem's crowded main street Mahane Yenuda market. Fifteen people were killed in the same place in July 1997 by two suicide bombers.

[03] APPEAL OF OCALAN TO SEEK FOR POLITICAL ASYLUM FROM RUSSIA - AN UNDERSTANDING FORMED BETWEEN TURKEY AND RUSSIA TO SOLVE THE QUESTION

Foreign Ministry officials said Aleksander Avdayev, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, currently in Ankara to hold contacts, met Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary. Officials said an understanding was formed that, this problem will be solved soon.

Irtemcelik pointed out that the guarantee of the solution was the commitment of Yevgeni Primakov, Russian Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, Sergey Stepasin, Russian Interior Minister reiterated on Friday that they will not grant political asylum to Abdullah Ocalan, chief of the separatist terrorist organization.

Officials of Turkish and Russian Interior Ministries convened during meeting of Council of Europe Interior Ministers in Strasbourg.

Turkish side expressed the sensitivity Turkey felt over the issue. Stepasin in his part stressed that decision of Duma was not executive and that it did not interest the government and that this appeal will not be accepted.

Stepasin pointed out that ''government of country can not support a terrorist group inside or outside.''

[04] ATHENS SAYS IT DOES NOT HAVE THE INTENTION TO INVITE CHIEF OF THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION TO GREECE

Speaking to A.A correspondent Reppas defended that this issue was not a matter of the government.

A total of 109 members of Greek Parliament issued an open letter to public on Friday and disclosed that they invite chief of the separatist terrorist organization to Greece.

Members of Greek Parliament, with the signatures of 110 deputies, had made a similar invitation last year.

Meanwhile Katimerini newspaper of Greece said this initiative of 109 Deputies contradicts with the national interests of Greece.

The newspaper recalled that Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis told Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, during Balkan Summit which took place in southern Antalya province at the begining of October, that terrorists of the separatist organization were not sheltered in his country.

[05] PRESIDENT DEMIREL AND PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ EXPRESS CONDOLENCES TO PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF TRNC - DENKTAS' PROGRAMME IN ISTANBUL CANCELED

Meanwhile President Denktas' two day visit to Istanbul was canceled after his brother's decease.

President Denktas would attend the ''Republic Ball'' organized by Istanbul- Cyprus Culture Association, in Istanbul.

[06] CONTACTS OF FOREIGN MINISTER CEM IN BRAZIL

The Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that Cem gave detailed information to the members of the FIRJAN concerning opening policy of Turkey into Latin American countries and about Turkey's economy.

Cem also discussed the necessary measures to be taken in order to further improve economic relations between Turkey and Brazil.

Members of the FURJAN stressed that they aim at improving bilateral relations with Turkey, and added that they want to set up contacts with the Turkey Industrialists and Businessmen Assosciation (TUSIAD) and the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkeys (TOBB).

Ismail Cem pointed out that he will convey their wish to the mentioned organizations and he will pioneer such contacts.

Cem proceeded to Sao Paulo, the most important center of Brazil's economy, after he concluded his contacts in Rio de Jeneria.

He visited Geraldo Filho, the Governor of Sao Paulo Province, and stressed that Turkey aims at improving the relations with Brazil.

[07] NEW REGULATION FOR STRAITS TAKES EFFECT AFTER BEING PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL GAZZETTE - KARA, MINISTER OF STATE: ''WE WILL NEVER ALLOW STRAITS TO BE OIL ROAD''

Addressing a news conference he staged for the new Straits Regulations, Kara said ''every ship, passing through the straits, is risky for security of life and property of people and for the security of environment.'' Kara said ''Turkey takes measures for these risks.''

Recalling that studies were underway to prepare a draft law, basing on struggle against fire and envioronmental pollution, in case of accidents in the Straits, Kara said ''efforts are underway to conclude studies for the arrangements to prevent environmental pollution and to side with the international environment agreements.''

Kara also said they were about to implement Ship Traffic Administration System (VTS), which was equipped with developed technologic facilities, in order to control traffic in the straits region and to take measures.

Kara said Turkey has to take every kind of measures that should be taken forwarded to the security of life, property and environment adding that all neighboring countries, having coasts to the Black Sea should own the security of the Turkish straits.

Pointing out that traffic volume in the straits reached to very dangerous dimensions, Kara said ''starting of passage of natural gas ships from the straits, brought the possibility of a great devastation in the region.''

Kara stressed that free passage, included in Montreux Agreement, did not mean that the ships will pass from the straits as they wish adding that ''We bring a new traffic order by using the authority given by the Monxtreux Agreement and our sovereignity rights.''

Mentioning about the transportation of Caspian oil, Kara said passage from the straits and Caspian oil are different things. He said marketting of Caspian oil was a trade activity adding that ''our concerns are related with trade activity. The ones who market Caspian oil to the world should think of an alternative and they should not hope that this oil will be transported from the straits.''

Kara said Turkey's views on the issue were very clear, Turkey showed a perfect alternative: Baku-Ceyhan. No technical arrangements exist to provide the passage of ships loaded with oil from the straits. Capacity of straits is not convenient for it.

Kara pointed out that Turkey, while implementing its sovereignity rights on the straits, showed the utmost attention not to prevent trade activities of other countries ''trade and passage of oil loaded ships from the straits are different. We will not allow the straits to be turned into oil road.''

The new regulation which coordinates sea traffic and passage in the Straits, took effect on Friday after it was published in the official gazzette.

The most important change in the regulation is the using of the expression of ''Turkish Straits'' which clearly defines the sovereignty rights of Turkey to prevent any discussion about the legal regime concerning passage from the Straits.

Another change is that non-stop passage expression is used instead of ''transit passage''.

The ships which will use the Turkish Straits while carrying harmful substances are brought some obligations. Such ships should inform the officials 72 hours prior to their passage.

In the new regulation, making use of pilot ships is ''advised'' as in the previous regulation.

The dimensions of ships are rearranged, and the periods of reports are re- categorized in accordance with these dimensions. The ship's contact regions and periods of contacts with their firms are rearranged not to create any danger after the criteria concerning the field of view is re-determined.

Taking into consideration the Montreux Treaty and international sea law, the provisions concerning military ships and support ships, and state ships which are not used for commercial purposes are included in the context of the regulation.

[08] TURKISH-GERMAN COOPERATION COUNCIL MEETINGS END

Addressing a news conference staged after the signature of a Joint Protocol, regarding the results of the 5th Term Meetings of Turkish-German Cooperation Council, Haktanir congratulated the government which came to ruling in general elections held on 27 September, 1998.

Haktanir noted that Foreign Minister Ismail Cem invited his German counterpart Joschka Fischer to Turkey to further improve Turkish-German relations adding that Turkish citizens living in Germany formed a ''friendship bridge'' and contributed a lot to the German economy.

Haktanir said Turkey welcomed the reform which the new government wanted to realize in Citizenship Law of Germany adding that ''I hope the agreement reached between SPD and Greens will be legalized, so that Turkish people living in this country will be integrated with the society.''

Haktanir said Turkish-German Cooperation Council, composed of the branches of trade, energy and tourism, not only helped the institutionalizing of the economic relations but also served to the Turkish-German friendship.

Pointing out that trade volume between Turkey and Germany was 24 billion Mark and that Turkey made 20 percent of its whole trade volume with Germany and that amount of the investments German businessmen made in Turkey reached to 281 million Mark, Haktanir said ''we should carry out studies within the framework of cooperation council to increase trade volume.''

The protocol, which was signed after the meetings, said customs union which Turkey is a member of, prepared a positive base for its economic relations with the EU.

The protocol said ''Turkey's full membership of the EU, will contribute the development of its economic relations with Germany.''

Meanwhile, Hans-Friedrich von Ploetz, German Foreign Ministry Undersecretary pointed out that trade relations between the two countries increased 20 percent last year adding that Turkey and Germany were the two important trade partners.

Pointing out that message of Gerhard Schorder, German Chancellor, sent to Turkey for the 75th anniversary of the foundation of Turkish Republic clearly revealed the approach of German government to bilateral relations, von Ploetz said ''we aim at improving relations basing on solidarity and friendship.''

Joschka Fischer, new German Foreign Minister, said ''Turkey's statement which said it wants to enliven relations with the EU'' was a very important message.

Fischer said they were ready to do their best to overcome the misunderstandings of the past adding that ''Turkey's full membership to EU will take time. we are ready to expend any initiative to give support.''

[09] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF THE TRNC: - ''CONFEDERATION WILL EASE WORRIES ABOUT FUTURE OF THE ISLAND'' - ''TURKISH ARMY HAS BROUGHT PEACE TO CYPRUS'' - PLUMER, TRNC REPRESENTATIVE TO NEW YORK: - ''GREEK CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL HAS NO RIGHT TO JUDGE THE LEGACY OF INDEPENDENT TRNC''

Reply-letters of Denktas and Aytug Plumer, the Representative of the TRNC in New York, to the speeches of Clerides and Greek Cypriot representative, were issued as UN documents.

Denktas stressed in his letter, ''Clerides has forgotten the sufferings of Turkish Cypriots between 1963 and 1974, and the agreement envisaging the exchange of population signed between the two sides in Vienna in 1975. Moreover Clerides has denied the exchange of property which is the basic principle of the UN Secretary General's Series of Ideas. His expressions such as ''Cyprus question cannot be solved by depending on the 1969 Agreements'' are the signs of presence of his thoughts in the Acritas Plan.''

Denktas reminded, ''Clerides confessed to me and Richard Hobrooke, Special Representative of the US President Bill Clinton to Cyprus, 'I know that I do not represent Turkish Cypriots.' He also confessed that he said 'yes' to all proposals which the Turkish Cypriot side refused, in order to show the Turkish Cypriot side as uncompromising.''

Emphasizing that the European Union's decisions regarded with the Greek Cypriot side abolished compromising parameters, Denktas noted,

''elements such as the S-300 missiles, giving Greece sea-base, and initiatives towards full membership to the EU, have abolished the compromising parametres.''

Reminding the words of Archbishop Macarios as ''there is no people as Cypriot. We are all Hellen'', Denktas pointed out that Clerides aims at making the island a second republic of hellen.

Stressing that Clerides has no need to tell Turkish Cypriots what is good or what is bad, Denktas said that Turkish Army has brought peace to Cyprus. He added, ''If the Greek Cypriot side Administration wants a joint future with the Turkish Cypriots, it should admit the facts on Cyprus.''

Meanwhile Aytug Plumer noted in his message that the Greek Cypriots who describe the legal intervention of Turkey to the island as ''occupation'', are the real occupiers.

Plumer emphasized that the Greek Cypriot side Administration has no right to judge the legacy of the independent TRNC state which has been established by the free will of the Turkish Cypriots.

Stressing that it is a contradiction that the Greek Cypriot side tries to bring the Russian made S-300 missiles to the island as they put forward the disarmament proposals or give a base to Greece, Plumer described the efforts of Greek Cypriot side and Greece aiming at escalating tension on the island in Nikiforos-Toksotis'98 manouvres, as an ironic incident.

Plumer also added, ''If the Greek Cypriot side really aims at easing the tension on the island, it should accept the package of measures prepared by the UN.''

[10] REPRESENTATIVES OF 29 AMERICAN FIRMS DUE IN TURKEY NEXT WEEK

Patton Boggs Law Firm that defends Turkey's rights in the US, said that the US delegation will hold talks with Turkish Government officials and representatives of the Turkey's private sector.

Greg Laughlin, the Spokesman of the Patton Boggs and former member of the US Congress, stressed that Turkey presents great opportunities to the international companies.

Laughlin pointed out that they will encourage the companies to make investments in Turkey in the fields of energy, textile, tourism, and banking.

Turkey visit of the US firms was organized upon the advice and initiatives of Baki Ilkin, the Turkish Ambassador to the US.

Describing Turkey as a close ally of the US, Patton Boggs noted that the recent economic reforms realized by the Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz's Government, made Turkey more attractive for the international companies.

[11] PRESS CONFERENCE OF BARZANI, KDP LEADER - BARZANI: ''OUR COOPERATION WITH TURKEY WILL CONTINUE''

Barzani who met with Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, Bulent Ecevit, Deputy Prime Minister and officials of Foreign Ministry, staged a news conference in Ankara Sheraton Hotel.

Pointing out that during the contacts he stressed the importance they attached to the relations with Turkey and that the talks were very positive, Barzani said ''Relations with Turkey will help peace and stability in the region.''

Barzani noted that the agreement he signed with Jalal Talabani, leader of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), in Washington put an end to the conflict between the two Kurdish groups.

Barzani said Turkey had concerns that it was not invited to the talks in Washington and over the establishment of the federation which envisaged in the agreement adding that ''The agreement first of all aims at compromise of the two Kurdish groups.''

''Federation is the wish of our people'' said Barzani adding that this wish could only be realized with an elected Parliament in Iraq. Barzani also said Turkey's role in peace process could not be ignored.

Barzani also defended that Washington Agreement was a continuation of Ankara Peace Agreement.

Pointing out that the attitude against the separatist terrorist PKK organization was clear in Washington Agreement, Barzani said Talabani, also gave a signature to end terrorism of PKK.

Barzani said ''PKK insists on staying in the region, kills our women and children. Our cooperation with Turkey will continue as long as this situation continues.''

Speaking about infiltrations of the separtist terrorist organization to Turkey, Barzani said they have a 20-km border with Syria adding that ''If they will enter from other areas, this is not under our responsibility.''

Barzani pointed out that any crisis that will happen in Iraq will certainly damage them. Barzani expresed concern over the crisis which erupted again between Iraq and the UN Security Council and said ''we call for a peaceful solution, not a military confrontation.'' Barzani said their dialogue with the Baghdad administration continued and that his was not something secret.

Barzani said Talabani, PUK leader, is scheduled to come to Ankara on Saturday evening adding that he planned to hold a meeting with Talabani on Sunday.

Responding to a question about the Turkomans whose houses and business places in the region were devasted, Barzani said ''we are doing our best and taking required measures. We invite the press to come and see the facts.''

[12] THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM (WEF) TO CONVENE IN TURKEY TO DISCUSS ISSUE OF ''DETERMINING PRIORITIES FOR GLOBAL COMPETITON'' - PRESIDENT DEMIREL AND PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ TO ATTEND THE MEETING

President Suleyman Demirel and Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz are expected to attend the meeting where the issues of ''Determining Priorities for Global Competition'', ''Global Developing Companies'', ''Economic Reform Programmes'' and ''New Leadership in Turkey'' will be taken up.

Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State, Gunes Taner, the State Minister, Recai Kutan, the Leader of the Virtue Party (FP), Husamettin Cindoruk, the Leader of the Democratic Turkey Party (DTP), Gazi Ercel, the President of the Central Bank,

Ugur Bayar, the Chairman of the Privatization Administration, Vladimir Kossov, the Russian Deputy Economy Minister, and Muharrem Kayhan, the Chairman of the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TUSIAD) will also be in attendance at the meeting along with many domestic and foreign guests.

[13] ''OTTOMAN COLLECTION'' OF THE DIAMOND JEWELLERY

The Ottoman Collection composes with 70 piece of jewels designed by Naci Senocakli.

A golden necklace named ''Ottoman Sultan'' worth of 100 thousand US Dollars which is ornamented with a big diamond of 6.28 carat, attracks attantions of the visitors.

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