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

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

11 NOV 1998

CONTENTS

[01] A GREEK CYPRIOT OPENS FIRE TO SENTRY POST BELONGING TO TURKISH CYPRIOTS

[02] FISCHER, GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER: - ''WE WILL NOT CLOSE TURKEY'S WAY TO THE EU''

[03] FRENCH DEFENSE INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES IN ANKARA

[04] ACCIDENT IN COAL MINE - STEEL CABLE OF ELEVATOR BREAKS OFF, KILLING TWO MINERS AND INJURING TWO OTHER

[05] 10 MEMBERS OF THE SO-CALLED ''ANATOLIAN FEDERAL ISLAMIC STATE,'' A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION CAPTURED WITH TWO HAND BOMBS AND 10 WEAPONS

[06] PREMIER YILMAZ RECEIVES PUK LEADER TALABANI

[07] THE 15TH FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY OF TRNC

[08] THE US BUSINESSMEN IN TURKEY

[09] TURKISH-ITALIAN PARTNERSHIP - TUSHAV SIGNS A TRANSFER AGREEMENT FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW FIRM NAMELY ''PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES''

[10] CAPPADOCIA PREPARES TO HOST 3 MILLION TOURISTS IN 2000

[11] TURKEY IN BRIEF - 11 NOVEMBER 1998

[12] SANBERK, THE TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO BRITAIN: ''THE COMMENCEMENT OF FULL MEMBERSHIP NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE EU AND THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE IS CLEARLY CONTRARY TO THE TREATIES OF 1959 AND 1960''

[13] TURKEY AND BELARUS SIGN COOPERATION AGREEMENT IN FIELD OF DEFENSE INDUSTRY

[14] STATE MINISTER TANER TO VISIT THE US

[15] SWOBODA, RAPPORTEUR OF EP TO TURKEY: ''TIME CAME TO CALL TURKEY AS CANDIDATE''

[01] A GREEK CYPRIOT OPENS FIRE TO SENTRY POST BELONGING TO TURKISH CYPRIOTS

The TRNC Security forces and the officials at the UN Peace-keeping Forces on Cyprus have identified the Greek Cypriot as Dimitris Sotiris.

The UN officials have conveyed Sodiri's confess confirming that he shot at the sentry post twice at 18.40 p.m., to the TRNC authorities.

The TRNC authorities protested the incident which happened in a village where the peoples of the two communities live together, and requested Sotiris to be arrested immmediately.

The incident which coincided with the 60th anniversary of death of Ataturk, the Founder of the modern Republic of Turkey, created great sorrow among the Turkish Cypriots.

No casualties were reported at the incident.

[02] FISCHER, GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER: - ''WE WILL NOT CLOSE TURKEY'S WAY TO THE EU''

Addressing the general assembly of Federal Parliament, Fischer criticized former government's efforts aiming at preventing Turkey's membership to the EU.

Stressing that the EU is not the union of religious values, but union of collective interests and values, Fischer reiterated that they will not block Turkey's way to the EU.

Describing the issue of human rights as one of the most important elements of Germany's foreign policy, Fischer noted that Ankara should realize the democratic standarts.

Fischer also described efforts of government of Helmuth Kohl , the former Chancellor of Germany, towards preventing Turkey's membership as a great mistake.

[03] FRENCH DEFENSE INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES IN ANKARA

Representatives of CHEAr, the French Centre of Supreme Research of Armament are in Ankara to search for ways to make cooperation with Turkey.

Addressing a press briefing at French Embassy, Gerard La Rosa, the President of CHEAr said that they don't have only military personnel and engineers, but also civilian personnel working at CHEAr. La Rosa said that CHEAr is a governmental institution, but it works as a civilian institution.

Noting that they wish to cooperate with Turkey in the field of defense industry, La Rosa pointed out that Aselsan and Turkish Aviation Institution (TAI) work with high technology and the cooperation that will be made will bring great benefits to both sides.

CHEAr which desires to increase cooperation concerning the tanks and attack helicopters which Turkey wishes to buy, also desires to make cooperation in producing a new airplane.

After wrapping up their contacts with officials of Aselsan and TAI, the guest delegation will visit the shipyard in Golcuk.

[04] ACCIDENT IN COAL MINE - STEEL CABLE OF ELEVATOR BREAKS OFF, KILLING TWO MINERS AND INJURING TWO OTHER

Officials told the A.A correspondent that the steel cable of the elevator broke off in a new coal mine having depth of 280 meters.

Uzeyir Unal (aged 26) and Mehmet Oz (aged 24) were killed in the accident. Ali Kor and Rahim Ozer who were injured in the accident, were taken to the Soma Social Security Hospital.

Investication regarded with the accident is in underway.

[05] 10 MEMBERS OF THE SO-CALLED ''ANATOLIAN FEDERAL ISLAMIC STATE,'' A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION CAPTURED WITH TWO HAND BOMBS AND 10 WEAPONS

Two hand bombs and 10 weapons were seized in the house, and ten people were taken into custody and they were brought to Anti-Terrorism Office in Istanbul to be interrogated.

Due to the intelligence activities of the police of Erzurum and Istanbul, security forces raided a house in Erzurum and it is reported that these people acted together with other members of the terrorist organization, who had been earlier captured before committing a suicide attack to Anıtkabır, the Mausoleum of Ataturk on October 29, during the national day celebrations.

Meanwhile, a broad scale operation has started against the illegal AFID organization all over Turkey.

[06] PREMIER YILMAZ RECEIVES PUK LEADER TALABANI

Addressing a statement to press before the meeting, Yılmaz said that ''we wish to install stability in Northern Iraq. Turkey believes that the stability depends on cleansing of separatist terrorist elements there.''

Noting that Turkish officials explained the views of Turkey in their meetings with Massoud Barzani, the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Yılmaz said, ''we will try to make the Ankara Process continue. The Washington Agreement caused such an impression as if the Ankara Declaration has been ignored or had an secondary role. However, we have clarified this issue. I hope Talabani and Barzani will think within this line.''

Jalal Talabani, the PUK leader is expected to address a press briefing the same day.

[07] THE 15TH FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY OF TRNC

Secretariat General of the General Staff said that ''a 20-people delegation and commanders headed by the retired General Nurettin Ersin will participate in the celebrations that will be held in TRNC between 11-17 November, 1998 due to the 15th foundation anniversary of TRNC.''

[08] THE US BUSINESSMEN IN TURKEY

Addressing the dinner, Yildirim stated that the GAP is not a strategical project but a project of social transformation.

Mentioning the GAP's outputs in the fields of employment, energy and agriculture, Yildirim stressed that the socio-economic reasons cause the most of the problems in the region.

Responding to the journalists, Yildirim pointed out that businessmen from the several countries will also visit the GAP region in coming days.

Meanwhile Olcay Unver, Chairman of the GAP Regional Development Administration, gave a brifing promoting the GAP region, to the Amarican businessmen.

Frank Samolis, one of the high-level directors of the Patton Boggs firm, stressed that their visit to Turkey aims at promoting Turkey's economic potential to the businessmen.

Some of the businessmen will proceed to GAP region on Wednesday and another group of them will hold contacts in Istanbul and Izmir Provinces.

[09] TURKISH-ITALIAN PARTNERSHIP - TUSHAV SIGNS A TRANSFER AGREEMENT FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW FIRM NAMELY ''PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES''

Ilker Tuncay, the President of the TUSHAV Executive Board said that they signed the transfer agreement with officials of the Italian Industry Ministry on Monday night.

Tuncay told A.A correspondent that ''it is very important for Turkey to purchase such a factory in one of the EU countries which produces strategical airplanes and weapons. This will improve Turkish-Italian relations and it will also be effective concerning relations of Turkey with the EU.''

Tuncay said that TUSHAV purchased the majority of the shares of IAM Rinaldo Piaggio Factory by paying 65 billion Italian liras and with a good business plan, adding that the newly established Piaggio Aereo Industries is a private firm, but it will guide both economic and political relations.

The remaining 49 percent of the TUSHAV's shares are distributed between Buitoni, Ferrari, CSC Consultation Firm and Royal Bank of Canada.

Ilker Tuncay became the President of the Executive Board of the new firm and the planes and plane motors will also be sold to the Central Asian and Middle Eastern countries.

[10] CAPPADOCIA PREPARES TO HOST 3 MILLION TOURISTS IN 2000

Velettin Birsoz, the Provincial Director of Tourism in Nevsehir, told the A.A correspondent that more than 350 churches, monastries and chapels have been found in Cappadocia which was the center of the Christians who fled from the regional pressure during the Roman Empire period.

Birsoz added, ''we expect up to 3 million tourists in 2000 within the framework of the religious belief tourism to celebrate 2000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ. Infrastructure activies continue in the region. Our bed capacity will reach to 20 thousand in 2000. Meanwhile, Tuzkoy Airport will begin to serve in coming days. We are planning religious ceremonies in the churches carved into the stones.''

[11] TURKEY IN BRIEF - 11 NOVEMBER 1998

Bilican will hold talks with the officials of Criminal Department in Wiesbaden and Bonn within the framework of the ''Security Cooperation Agreement signed between Turkey and Germany in 1992.

ANKARA - Sophan Phetsawang, the Thai Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives, and accompanying delegation arrived in Ankara on Wednesday for an official visit.

Addressing the journalists at the Esenboga Airport, Phetsawang stressed that their visit aims at further improve relations with Turkey.

Thai delegation will leave Turkey on Friday.

ANKARA - General Ferenc Vegh, the Hungarian Chief of General Staff who is currently in Turkey for an official visit, met on Wednesday with his Turkish counterpart General Huseyin Kivrikoglu.

General Vegh expressed gratification at being in Ankara at the 60th anniversary of death of Ataturk, the Founder of Republic of Turkey.

ANKARA - Mohamad Barkad, the Minister of Trade and Industry of Jibuti, and the accompaying delegation completed official contacts in Turkey, it was reported on Wednesday.

Barkad said that their meetings in Turkey focused on existing economic and commercial relations between the two countries.

They held talks with Hasan Gemici, the State Minister, Ahmet Arif Denizolgun, the Transportation Minister and officials of the several organizations during their visit to Turkey.

Barkad and accompanying delegation are expected to Turkey later today.

[12] SANBERK, THE TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO BRITAIN: ''THE COMMENCEMENT OF FULL MEMBERSHIP NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE EU AND THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE IS CLEARLY CONTRARY TO THE TREATIES OF 1959 AND 1960''

Addressing a statement to the Turkish desk of the BBC, Sanberk underlined the fact that the negotiations which the EU started are held with the Greek Cypriot side, not with Cyprus, adding that many western jurists also consider this contrary to the agreements.

Recalling that Britain is also a guarantor state concerning the full implementation of 1959 and 1960 Treaties, Sanberk stressed that Britain, just like Greece, violates the principles of the international law.

Noting that it is wrong to expect Turkish Cypriots to participate in the negotiations as this means approval of the collapse of the TRNC, which protects them, Sanberk pointed out that the attitude of Turkey and TRNC is very clear and they only expect obedience with the international law.

Responding to a question concerning Turkish-EU relations, Sanberk pointed out that the recent report of the EU Commission considered Turkey for the first time among candidate countries to the EU although it has deficiences and material mistakes.

Pointing out that Turkey expects the EU to transform the de facto situation to legal one, Sanberk said the heads of states and governments of EU countries should officially declare Turkey as a candidate state.

Sanberk added that the Turkish economy has not been shown as an element which impedes Turkey's candidacy in the report, stressing that the Turkish economy proved that it can keep up with the economies of the EU countries.

[13] TURKEY AND BELARUS SIGN COOPERATION AGREEMENT IN FIELD OF DEFENSE INDUSTRY

Ismet Sezgin, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of National Defense, continued his official contacs in the Belarussian capital of Minsk. Sezgin met with Ivan Ivanovic, Antonovic, the Foreign Minister of Belarus.

Sezgin, who was later received by Syarhei Stpanovic Linh, the Prime Minister of Belarus, met also with Aleksandr Chumakov, the Defense Minister of Belarus.

The joint declaration, which was issued following the meeting, said that the negotiations between the delegations of the two countries were held within the atmosphere of mutual understanding and reliance. Stressing that the bilateral military contacts made a constructive contibution to the strengthening of national and international security, the joint declaration said that the cooperation between the Turkish and Belarusian Defense Ministries will be supported and improved.

The declaration stated that the sides, in the talks, put forward their determination in the implementation of military training and cooperation agreements, which were signed on 4 November 1997.

Wrapping up his contacts in Minsk, Sezgin will return to Ankara on Wednesday.

[14] STATE MINISTER TANER TO VISIT THE US

The Turkish economy bureaucrats will attend the contacts of Taner in New York and Washington D.C.

''Turkey's budget for 1999 and measures, which will be taken in 1999 to decrease the inflation'' will be reviewed during the talks, which will be the second phase of contacts which the IMF Turkey Desk Chief Martin Hardy held in October in Ankara within the framework of the Staff Monitoring Agreement between Turkey and the IMF.

The Turkish economy bureaucrats and the IMF officials are expected to discuss a stand-by agreement worth of 10-15 billion US dollars during their talks in Washington D.C.

Recalling that in general, the IMF signs a staff monitoring agreement before a stand-by agreement, high-level officials from the IMF stressed that the lack of realizing social security system and structuring the financial sector and changing the agricultural support system reduced the opportunity to sign a stand-by.

IMF officials mentioned that the loan taps can be opened even if Turkey realizes a reform only in the field of social security.

The Turkish delegation led by State Minister Gunes Taner will return to Turkey on 25 November.

[15] SWOBODA, RAPPORTEUR OF EP TO TURKEY: ''TIME CAME TO CALL TURKEY AS CANDIDATE''

Swoboda's Turkey Report will be taken up in the Parliament in December. A private statement of Swoboda, European Parliament Deputy Chairman of Socialist Group, was issued in ''Anadolu'' magazine, which especially focuses on Turkish-EU relations.

Swoboda said Turkey should not be told anymore that ''we will do this, if you do that'' adding that ''let us talk about human rights, democracy and other things, yet we should also talk on other issues and support Turkey's economy.''

Stressing that EU's calling Turkey as a candidate and submission of full membership is extremely necessary and important, Swoboda said, ''this is a promise given by the EU. We should support the ones who aim at modernizing and opening Turkey and changing political system in Turkey. We should talk openly and open the doors to full membership.''

Swoboda said EU should clearly reveal its attitude. ''May be Turkish citizens will not want full membership after 5 or 10 years and will go to a different union with the EU. This decision belongs to Turkey. We should clearly tell Turkey that it may be a full member of the EU if it fulfils Copenhagen criteria and that it will give the final decision.''

Expressing belief that European Parliament will support the proposal of the EU Commission to give financial aid to Turkey, Swoboda said Turkey is a very big country.

Pointing out that ''75th anniversary of the foundation of Turkish Republic is celebrated,'' Swoboda said, ''I have gone to Anitkabir, Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Founder of Modern Turkish Republic in Ankara. I have read books about Ataturk. His point of views should be implemented today. Ataturk is a great person who produced great ideas for Turkey. You should ask yourself, 'what would he want, what would he do and what would his approach be to the problems if he had lived today.' It is very important to implement his basic views and ideas today.''

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