Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-11-13

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

13 NOV 1998

CONTENTS

[01] ATACANLI, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN OF FOREIGN MINISTRY: - ''EXPRESSIONS OF PAPANDREU REGARDED WITH CYPRUS ARE IMPROPER AND UNFAIR'' - ''GREECE WHICH SUPPORTS TERRORIST PKK AND INVITES ITS CHIEF TO COUNTRY, IS THE LAST COUNTRY TO TAKE JOINT MANNER AGAINST TURKEY''

[02] TORRENTIAL RAINS CAUSE FLOOD IN THRACE - MANY HOUSES AND BUSINESS PLACES INUNDATED

[03] PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES TURKMENISTAN FOR KYRGYZSTAN

[04] US-TURKEY-GREECE - WHITE HOUSE SAYS INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE OR A SIMILAR MECHANISM CAN BE AN APPROPRIATE WAY FOR THE SOLUTION OF CONFLICTS IN THE AEGEAN

[05] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''IF A DUTY SHOULD BE DONE IN TURKEY, IT HAS METHODS AND PRINCIPLES''

[06] BILICAN, CHIEF OF SECURITY DEPARTMENT: - ''WE HAVE REQUESTED ACTIVITIES OF THE ICCB TO BE BANNED'' - ''GERMAN INTERIOR MINISTRY AND SECURITY UNITS EVALUATE PKK AS A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION''

[07] TRIAL OF AGA, ELECTED MUFTI OF XHANTI

[08] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN KYRGYZSTAN

[09] TURKEY-STOCK EXCHANGE - IMKB FIRST SESSION - NATIONAL-100 INDEX REDUCES TO 2,054.12 WITH A DECREASE OF 48.65 POINTS

[10] SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY IN HEYBELIADA - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''GREECE DISTORTS THE ISSUE AS IF THE RIGHTS OF GREEK MINORITY IS VIOLATED''

[11] UN-IRAQI CRISIS - TURKEY FAVORS SOLUTION OF PROBLEM THROUGH DIPLOMATIC AND PEACEFUL WAYS

[12] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN KYRGYZSTAN

[13] RUSSIA INFORMS TURKEY TODAY THAT ''CHIEF OF SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION IS NOT IN RUSSIA AND WILL NEVER BE''

[01] ATACANLI, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN OF FOREIGN MINISTRY: - ''EXPRESSIONS OF PAPANDREU REGARDED WITH CYPRUS ARE IMPROPER AND UNFAIR'' - ''GREECE WHICH SUPPORTS TERRORIST PKK AND INVITES ITS CHIEF TO COUNTRY, IS THE LAST COUNTRY TO TAKE JOINT MANNER AGAINST TURKEY''

Mentioning the Papandreu's expressions in an press conference after the EU General Affairs Council, Atacanli pointed out, ''Greece has no rigt to be the protector of anyone, especially the Turkish Cypriots.''

Stressing that Greece along with the Greek Cypriots which plan to destroy Turkish Cypriots, have tried to realize this plan between 1963 and 1974, but failed because of Turkey's resistance, Atacanli noted that Turkish Cypriots today live independently and freely on their own lands, under their own flag and in the sovereignty of their own state.

Atacanli told the reporters, ''Greece violated human rights by putting pressure on the Turkish minority living in the Western Thrace for years, forcing them to migrate and depriving them of education. She performed such acts as member state to the EU and she continues to do so.''

Describing Greece as the side preventing peaceful solution on Cyprus by making the Greek Cypriots a tool of her own purposes, Atacanli said, ''Greece aims at making Turkish Cypriots minority on a Cyprus which becomes a Hellen island. Greece who is talking about high values, should abandon such a racist approach at once.''

Reminding that Papandreu who defends the joint values of the EU, has forgotten that struggle against terrorism also takes part among these values, Atacanli stressed, ''Greece which supports separatist terrorist PKK organization and invites Abdullah Ocalan, the Chief of the terrorist PKK organization, is the last country to take joint attitude against Turkey.''

Atacanli also added, ''the EU countries have begun to understand warnings of Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and this caused peevishness and worry among Greeks and the Greek Cypriots. We hope that such a development will reverse the attitude of Greeks and Greek Cypriots towards peace.''

[02] TORRENTIAL RAINS CAUSE FLOOD IN THRACE - MANY HOUSES AND BUSINESS PLACES INUNDATED

The heavy-rain also affected Uzunkopru and Meric Counties of Edirne Province. The Ergene River overflew inundating paddy-fields.

The torrential rains paralyzed the daily life and traffic in the provinces.

The Edirne and Kirklareli Municipalities units continue their pumping activities.

Meanwhile, officials from the Meteorology Regional Directorate said that the heavy-rains will continue until the weekend.

[03] PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES TURKMENISTAN FOR KYRGYZSTAN

Demirel met once again with his Turkmen counterpart Saparmurat Turkmenbasi before he left for Kyrgyzstan.

Demirel is expected to 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.

Ahat Andican, the State Minister, Cumhur Ersumer, the Energy and Natural Resources Minister, Istemihan Talay, the Culture Minister, Murat Karayalcin, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Commission of Parliament, high-level bureaucrats, scientists, businessmen, artists and journalists accompany Demirel in his tour.

[04] US-TURKEY-GREECE - WHITE HOUSE SAYS INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE OR A SIMILAR MECHANISM CAN BE AN APPROPRIATE WAY FOR THE SOLUTION OF CONFLICTS IN THE AEGEAN

John Lockhart, White House Spokesman, said International Court of Justice or a similar mechanism can be an appropriate way for the solution of conflicts in the Aegean.

Responding to a question related with the conflicts in the Aegean, Lokhart said the US expended efforts to install a peaceful atmosphere in Eastern Mediterranean and to overcome a potential of clash between Turkey and Greece.

Lockhart expressed hope that Turkey and Greece, within this framework, would form a process that will solve the questions.

Meanwhile, James Rubin, the US State Department Spokesman, responding to a question about the dismissal of the board members of the School of Theology Foundation in Heybeliada, said they saw the news reports on the issue and they they are in an effort to illuminate it.

Rubin said Mark Grossman, Assistant Secretary of State, and several other officials responsible for human rights and field of religion will meet with Spridon, Archbishop of Northern America.

Rubin said they expect Archbishop Spiridou to bring the concerns into the agenda related with the dismissal of the board members of the School of Theology Foundation in Heybeliada.

[05] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''IF A DUTY SHOULD BE DONE IN TURKEY, IT HAS METHODS AND PRINCIPLES''

Demirel, currently on an official visit to Turkmenistan, responded to the questions of Turkish journalists related with the interior political developments.

Demirel said, ''there is no reason for concern. The problem will be solved. If I am to do something, this will be done in legal bases and by implementing legal principles. There is no problem that does not have a solution. Constitutional state links everything to principle.''

When recalled the statement of Deniz Baykal, leader of Republican Peoples' Party (CHP) calling for the establishment of a ''Cankaya Government'', Demirel said ''government is the government of Turkish Republic. Whatever it is.''

Responding to an evaluation that ''Mr. Baykal said he trusted you'', Demirel said ''I am very pleased about this.''

When asked, ''will election government be formed if the government is overthrown'', Demirel said, ''there is no definition like election government. Under the Article 116 of the Constitution, if the established government cannot get a vote of confidence within 45 days, President has the right to dissolve the Parliament and go to elections. This is called as Election Government. Also, there is not a government like 'Cankaya Government'.''

When asked if he shared the views saying a government, which will be established when there is only six months for the election, may not get a vote of confidence, Demirel said ''it is not possible. The government should be based on the confidence of the Parliament. Vote of confidence is not required when it is a government of election. All the government, other than that, should get vote of confidence.''

Responding to another question, Demirel said general elections will take place on April 18 if the date is not changed.''

[06] BILICAN, CHIEF OF SECURITY DEPARTMENT: - ''WE HAVE REQUESTED ACTIVITIES OF THE ICCB TO BE BANNED'' - ''GERMAN INTERIOR MINISTRY AND SECURITY UNITS EVALUATE PKK AS A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION''

Addressing a press conference in the Turkish Embassy Residance in Bonn, Bilican described his contacts with officials of the Criminal Department in Wiesbaden and Bonn within the framework of the Security Cooperation Agreement signed between Turkey and Germany in 1992, as very positive. He added that he exchanged opinions with the German officials on the issues of refugees, illegal Extreme Leftist (Dev-Sol) organization, organized crime, terrorism, drug smuggling and Metin Kaplan, the so-called 'caliph' of the illegal Anatolian Federal Islamic State organization.

Reminding that the separatist terrorist PKK organization held activities in Germany under the title of the ERNK, the political wing of the PKK, after 1990, Bilican stressed, ''activities of PKK organization have been banned after German people were disturbed by the violent acts of the organization in 1993, but the separatist terrorist PKK organization continue its activities stealthly under the name of culture association. German security units are aware of such activities and keep them under tough control. The German Interior Ministry and the security units evaluate the PKK as a terrorist organization.''

Pointing out that the ICCB which was established by Cemalettin Kaplan in 1995 and taken over by his son Metin Kaplan after his death, aims at setting up a so-called Islamic state in Turkey, Bilican noted, ''A total of 23 members of the illegal Anatolian Federal Islamic State (AFID) organization were captured as they planned to crash an aircraft packed with explosives onto the mausoleum of Ataturk during national celebrations. We have determined that 21 of them acted in connection with the ICCB in Germany. We have conveyed evidences of this bloody plan to the officials at the BKA. It is our right to request the chief of such an organization commiting crimes against humanity, to be arrested and punished immediately. We also requested the financial source of this organization to be investigated.''

Bilican also added that German Chief Prosecutor has begun an investigation concerning the activities of Kaplan.

[07] TRIAL OF AGA, ELECTED MUFTI OF XHANTI

Foreign Ministry statement said that Greek Foreign Ministry stated that Aga, elected Mufti of Xhanti, was sentenced on grounds that he violated Greek Penal Code. The FM statement said Greece seemed to forget that its commitments stemming from the international agreements are more important than its interior legal arrangements.

Recalling that Greece gave Western Thrace Turkish Minority the right to chose its religious leader with the Athens Agreement in 1913 and later in Lausanne Agreement, the statement said ''provisions of Athens Agreement became a part of the Greek legal system with a law dated 1920. Under this law, Western Thrace Turkish minority has the right to establish its regional institutions with its own free will and assign muftis with election. Yet, the Greek administration, annuled this law and put another law into practice envisaging the Muftis coming to power through appointment. It is obvious that this change does not remove the obligations of Greece stemming from international agreements and law.''

The statement stressed Greece, who always critize Turkey about human rights issue, ignored the fact that all minorities in Turkey have the right to determine their religious leaders through free elections, adding that ''Greece, who did not neglect saying that it was a member of the European Union (EU), should start to fulfil the requirements of this membership in the field of international law.''

The statement said efforts to oppress Xhanti Mufti, contradicting with the international agreements, exposing him to legal investigations, is a problem of human rights and law before all.

Mehmet Emin Aga, Mufti elected by Turkish Minority of Xhanti city of Western Thrace, was earlier sentenced to eight months imprisonment terms by Court of Appeals in Salonica on grounds that he used the title ''Xhanti Mufti'' illegally.

Greek Foreign Ministry statement regarding the trial of Aga claimed that Athens did not have an attitude towards Western Thrace Turkish minority, contradicting with the human rights and also claimed that everybody is treated equally by the laws in Greece.

[08] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN KYRGYZSTAN

President Astar Akaev of Kyrgyzstan welcomed Demirel at the Manas Airport.

The two presidents later attended the opening ceremony of plastic bottle and lid factory established by the Turkish company Plaskap, in Bishkek Manas free region.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Erol Karabacak, the Chairman of the Executive Board of Plaskap, stressed that they have made an investment worth of 18 million US Dollars for the factory. He noted that the factory is expected to endorse 25 million US Dollars in 1999.

Describing the factory as one of the biggest factories in the Central Asia, Akaev pointed out that this factory will contribute to the further improvement of the relations between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan.

Demirel expressed gratification at starting his contacts in this country with opening an investment worth of 18 million US Dollars.

Describing the relations between the two countries as an endless friendship, Demirel stressed that Kyrgyzstan takes giant steps towards becoming a modern country, and added that Turkey will always support Kyrgyzstan.

Demirel called Turkish businessmen to maintain their investments in Kyrgyzstan, and thanked Erol Karabacak for his contribution to further improvement of the relations between the two countries.

[09] TURKEY-STOCK EXCHANGE - IMKB FIRST SESSION - NATIONAL-100 INDEX REDUCES TO 2,054.12 WITH A DECREASE OF 48.65 POINTS

At the close of the first session, the financial index decreased 69.81 points to 2,557.08, the industrial index reduced 21.99 points to 1,560.41 and the services index dropped 48.93 points to 2,935.65.

The financial shares lost 2.66 percent in value, the industrial shares lost 1.39 percent in value and the services shares lost 1.64 percent in value compared with Thursday's second session close.

A total of 41 of the 277 shares gained in value, 190 shares lost in value while the prices of 46 shares didn't change.

The trading volume in the morning session was 21.05 trillion Turkish Liras.

[10] SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY IN HEYBELIADA - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''GREECE DISTORTS THE ISSUE AS IF THE RIGHTS OF GREEK MINORITY IS VIOLATED''

A Foreign Ministry written statement clarified the facts about the dismissal of the board members of the School of Theology Foundation in Heybeliada. The statement said the administrators of Heybeliada Private Greek Cypriot High School were dismissed as they allowed the usage of the school building, belonging to the Foundation, apart from its aims and continued to do this by ignoring all the warnings.

The statement said Greece exploited this issue and wanted to conceal its violations stemming from the implementation on foundations belonging to Western Thrace Turkish minority.

[11] UN-IRAQI CRISIS - TURKEY FAVORS SOLUTION OF PROBLEM THROUGH DIPLOMATIC AND PEACEFUL WAYS

A Foreign Ministry statement said recent developments between Iraq and the UN were covered with concern, adding that the crisis can be solved through diplomatic and peaceful way if Iraq abides by the UN resolutions and have full cooperation with the UN Security Council.

Noting that this view of Turkey was conveyed to the Iraqi side, the statement said abiding by of Iraq to the call of the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will be very important in solution of the problem.

The statement said, ''Turkey thinks that the crisis would not have come to this point if Iraq cooperated with the UN Security Council until now.''

The statement said, ''Turkey, although the existing crisis still escalates, keeps its hope that the problem can be solved through peaceful ways, and calls on Iraq to have full cooperation with the UN Secretary General and the UN Special Commission.''

FM statement said Turkey's view, that Iraq's territorial integrity and political unity should be preserved, still continues.

[12] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN KYRGYZSTAN

Addressing the opening ceremony, Demirel stressed that relations between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan have improved within seven years after Kyrgyzstan reached her independence.

Describing the Manas University as a present for the friendship between the two countries, Demirel stressed that Turkey undertakes to make the Manas University one of the best universities of the world.

Demirel emphasized, ''Independent Kyrgyzstan has promoted herself to the international community since 1991. Her giant steps towards becoming a free, independent and modern country created deep gratification among Turkish people.''

Pointing out that Turkey restored the main service building of the university by spending 13 million US Dollars, and equiped the university with modern systems.

Stressing that the Manas University will become one of the most modern universities of the 21st century, Akaev thanked President Demirel for his contribution for the improvement of the relations between the two countries.

Akaev presented his Turkish counterpart Demirel with Manas Medal which is the biggest medal of Kyrgyzstan.

[13] RUSSIA INFORMS TURKEY TODAY THAT ''CHIEF OF SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION IS NOT IN RUSSIA AND WILL NEVER BE''

Reliable sources told A.A correspondent that the results of Russia's investigation, launched to determine whether chief of the separatist terrorist organization was in Russia or not, was conveyed to Ankara today.

It was not disclosed if Russia directly said ''he was in our country, we sent him'' or not, but made this initative after the departure of separatist terrorist organization from this country.

Meanwhile, Russia's official news agency Itar-Tass said the plane which chief of the separatist terrorist organization got on, left for Rome from Moscow.

It was also reported that the company of the plane carrying him was Russian Airlines ''Aeroflot.''

Russia has not given an absolute response to Turkey so far whether or not this person was in Russia after Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz had sent a letter to Russian Prime Minister Yevgeni Primakov.

Russian Foreign Ministry earlier said Primakov, upon this letter, gave directives to concerned authorities to determine if he is in Russia or not.

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