Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-11-26

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

26 NOV 1998

CONTENTS

[01] TEMIZEL, THE MINISTER OF FINANCE TO ACT AS STATE MINISTER

[02] UNKNOWN ASSAILANTS SET FIRE A HOUSE BELONGING TO A TURKISH FAMILY IN HAMBURG

[03] ISRAELI COMMANDER VISITS SEZGIN, MINISTER OF DEFENSE - SEZGIN: ''COMPLETION OF THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IS THE GOAL OF BOTH COUNTRIES''

[04] PRESIDENT DEMIREL MEETS WITH KUTAN, THE LEADER OF THE VIRTUE PARTY (FP) - KUTAN: ''MR PRESIDENT SAID THAT HE WILL GIVE A DECISION CONCERNING THE FORMATION OF THE GOVERNMENT AFTER MEETING WITH OTHER PARTY LEADERS''

[05] TUYGAN, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO ATHENS, IN WESTERN THRACE

[06] YUCEL SECKINER, MINISTER OF STATE, INVITED MELANDRI, HIS ITALIAN COUNTERPART TO GS-JUVENTUS MATCH

[07] ITALIAN MINISTRY OF INTERIOR MENTIONS ABOUT TURKEY'S WARRANT OF ARREST FOR THE FIRST TIME - BERLUSCONI, THE LEADER OF THE FORZA ITALIA LEADER: ''YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY DEPORT OCALAN, THE TERRORIST CHEIF, SO THAT WE CAN FINISH THIS PROBLEM WITH FRIENDLY TURKEY''

[08] GEREMEK, FM OF POLAND, CALLS ARMENIA NOT TO OPPOSE TO TURKEY'S HOSTING OSCE SUMMIT

[09] ITALIANS EVALUATE THE BOYCOTT - 150 ITALIAN FIRMS CONVENE AT ITALIAN FOREIGN TRADE INSTITUTE

[10] DUTY-FREE EXPORTS TO THE US

[11] NATO MILITARY COMMITTEE MEETINGS - TURKISH-GREEK COMPROMISE IN COMMAND STRUCTURE OF NATO

[12] EUROPEAN TV CHANNELS TO BID FOR BROADCASTING OF DIVISION ONE SOCCER MATCHES

[13] REACTIONS TO ITALY'S STANCE IN OCALAN DISPUTE - THE FAMILIES WHOSE RELATIVES WERE KILLED BY THE TERORIST SEPERATIST ORGANIZATION (PKK) FILE A LAW SUIT AGAINST D'ALEMA AND OCALAN - THE FAMILIES WANT SYMBOLIC ''1 LIRA'' COMPENSATION - THE MUNICIPALITY OF SILIFKE NOT TO ATTEND CONGRESS OF MEDITERRANEAN CITY MUNICIPALITIES UNION IN ROME

[14] MUBARAK, THE EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT DUE IN TURKEY BETWEEN DECEMBER 4-5

[15] FORMER STATE MINISTER TANER: - ''TURKISH ECONOMY IS SOUND''

[16] TURKISH-BULGARIAN ECONOMY COUNCIL MEETING

[17] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES OF CENTRAL BANK REDUCE TO 20.7 BILLION US DOLLARS

[18] ECEVIT, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: ''LET US SEE IF THE ONES WHO TOPPLED THIS GOVERNMENT HAVE FORESIGHTS OR NOT. IF THEY DO NOT HAVE A MODEL, THAN IT WILL BE OUR TURN''

[01] TEMIZEL, THE MINISTER OF FINANCE TO ACT AS STATE MINISTER

Presidential Press Centre said that President Suleyman Demirel adopted the official certificate which foresees Zekeriya Temizel, the Minister of Finance to act as the State Minister till a new appointment is issued for the ministry.

Taner, State Minister responsible from economy, was stripped off his post following the no-confidence vote in the parliament.

[02] UNKNOWN ASSAILANTS SET FIRE A HOUSE BELONGING TO A TURKISH FAMILY IN HAMBURG

There were no casualties as the residents of the house, Mehmet Ali Gunay (56), his wife Nedret Gunay (52), and their son Ahmet Timucin Gunay (19), were not at home during the incident.

Police said unidentified person or persons threw flemmable chemicals into the Gunay family's house on the Aldenrathsweg Street in Barmbek-Nord district in Hamburg, and the arsonist or arsonists fled away when the fire started.

Mehmet Ali Gunay, a retires worker, said, ''I grew up in this house and we are the only Turkish family living in this apartment. I don't believe there is an animosity against foreigners on our street.''

[03] ISRAELI COMMANDER VISITS SEZGIN, MINISTER OF DEFENSE - SEZGIN: ''COMPLETION OF THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IS THE GOAL OF BOTH COUNTRIES''

Major General Moshe Ivry Sukenik, Israeli Commander of Land Forces visited Sezgin. Prior to the meeting, Sezgin told reporters that Israel and Turkey were the two democratic and secular countries, which expend efforts for the peace in the region.

Emphasizing that Turkey was in good neigbourly relations with Israel since it was established and that their relation was based on peace, security, and stability, Sezgin added, ''it is the goal and ideal of the two countries to fulfil the Middle East peace process, and to establish peace, security and tranquality in the region. The efforts of Israel in the realization of peace process can never be underestimated. I hope peace process in the region will soon be fulfilled and the Middle East will be eliminated from the crisis.''

Pointing out to the educational, and technical cooperation and defence industry agreements signed between Israel and Turkey in 1996, Sezgin also stressed that these agreements were completely based on humanitarian purposes and were not aiming at any nation, but aiming at the stability and security of the Middle East.

Sukenik, who visits Turkey as the guest of General Ates, Commander of Air Forces, will proceed to Istanbul, and then leave Turkey on November 27.

[04] PRESIDENT DEMIREL MEETS WITH KUTAN, THE LEADER OF THE VIRTUE PARTY (FP) - KUTAN: ''MR PRESIDENT SAID THAT HE WILL GIVE A DECISION CONCERNING THE FORMATION OF THE GOVERNMENT AFTER MEETING WITH OTHER PARTY LEADERS''

Adressing a statement to journalists after the meeting, Kutan stated ''Mr. President said that he will give a decision concerning the formation of the government after meeting with other party leaders.''

Recalling that Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz submitted his resignation to President Demirel, Kutan pointed out that he met with President Demirel as being the leader of the party which has the greatest number of seats in the parliament.

''President Demirel will ask for views of party leaders concerning the establishment of the government. Later he will charge a person with formation of the government. President Demirel asked for my views and I told him that my party should be supported by the parliament and secondly the government has to be set up immediately. If President Demirel charges us with the establishment of the government, my party will launch efforts to do this task in the best way. I told President Demirel that the elections should not be later than April 18. At the moment, we can't be in a position to make the task of President Demirel more difficult,'' Kutan added.

Meanwhile, President Suleyman Demirel will meet Tansu Ciller, the leader of the True Path Party (DYP) and Bulent Ecevit, the leader of the Democratic Leftist Party (DSP) on Thursday and he will meet with the leaders of Republican Peoples Party (CHP), Democratic Leftist Party (DTP), Great Union Party (BBP), National Movement Party (MHP), Democratic Party (DP), Changing Turkey Party (DEPAR) on Friday.

[05] TUYGAN, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO ATHENS, IN WESTERN THRACE

Speaking to Turkish and Greek reporters, Ambassador Tuygan said that the Turkish-Greek relations have its own agenda and this agenda is full enough, Tuygan said, ''I wish the agenda should stay this way, and no more burden would be added.''

Responding to the Greek reporters' questions about the separatist terrorist PKK organization and Italy, Tuygan said the sensitivities of Turkey should be well-comprehended and interpreted positively.

''Think that a separatist terrorists organization killed thousands of people in your country. I can say on behalf of you that you wouldn't be happy with that,'' he stated.

Stressing that his statements to reporters during his visit to Western Thrace were distorted by the Greek press and it published wrong and intentional statements with reference to himself although he didn't made such statements, Ambassador Tuygan said, ''give up asking questions for which you give the answers. Go and see Turkey. Observe the opinions and sensations of Turkish people and their approach to their neighbor Greece and reflect them truely to the Greek people. I think the Turkish-Greek relations will further develop if the Greek press makes this.''

[06] YUCEL SECKINER, MINISTER OF STATE, INVITED MELANDRI, HIS ITALIAN COUNTERPART TO GS-JUVENTUS MATCH

Stating that Italy and Turkey were two countries whose histories were full of peace accords and which played important roles in the fortification of sports in the Mediterranean basin, Seckiner, said in his invitation letter that ''Italian and Turkish clubs have always had friendly and gentle atmosphere of competition in every field for many years. In my opinion, the match held under the European Champions League between Juventus FC team of Torino and Galatasaray team of Istanbul will work to improve the friendly atmosphere in sports between Italy and Turkey.''

Seckiner added, ''being two sportsmen, we cannot let the policy of two states to affect and spoil the atmosphere of the match. On behalf of the government of my country, I can guarantee that the match will completely be secure on the determined date in Ali Sami Yen Stadium. I would be very pleased to have you as my honour guest in Istanbul and to watch the match together. Let us applaud the winner and loser of the match together. The opinion of Turkish people about this match and the Juventus team is not beyond the limits of gentlemanship and it will never be.''

[07] ITALIAN MINISTRY OF INTERIOR MENTIONS ABOUT TURKEY'S WARRANT OF ARREST FOR THE FIRST TIME - BERLUSCONI, THE LEADER OF THE FORZA ITALIA LEADER: ''YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY DEPORT OCALAN, THE TERRORIST CHEIF, SO THAT WE CAN FINISH THIS PROBLEM WITH FRIENDLY TURKEY''

This statement noted that Turkey submitted the warrant of arrest of Abdullah Ocalan, the terrorist chief through Interpol to the Italian officials and the warrant of arrest was dated June 22, 1996. The Italian Ministry of Interior stressed that the warrant arrest of Turkey was also implemented in the arrest of Abdullah Ocalan, the terrorist chief in Fiumicino Airport of Rome on November 12.

Meanwhile the Italian Commission of Ministry of Interior has not still started to examine the political asylum request of Abdullah Ocalan, the terrorist chief.

Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian Forza Italia, the leader of the main opposition party in Italy told a press briefing that the terrorist chief has to be sent back to the country where he is coming from and the problem with friendly Turkey should finish.

Berlusconi also requested the deportation of Ocalan from Italy as persona- non-grata as soon as possible.

[08] GEREMEK, FM OF POLAND, CALLS ARMENIA NOT TO OPPOSE TO TURKEY'S HOSTING OSCE SUMMIT

Addressing a press conference in Yerevan, Geremek said the organization of the first summit in Istanbul will become definite if an OSCE member country won't decline to the decision until the Thursday evening.

''I hope Armenia also won't oppose to the organization in Istanbul. Robert Kocharyan, the President of Armenia, promised to inform us of their absolute attitude about the issue until Thursday evening,'' he stated.

Armenia earlier made statements objecting the organization of the summit in Istanbul.

A very important statement, which will cover the new security structure in Europe and in the world, will be issued at the summit, which will have an historical importance.

[09] ITALIANS EVALUATE THE BOYCOTT - 150 ITALIAN FIRMS CONVENE AT ITALIAN FOREIGN TRADE INSTITUTE

Addressing a press briefing after the meeting, Fassino said that they have formed a working group in centre of Italian Foreign Trade Institute in Rome and inform the Italian Foreign Trade Institute about the losses of all the Italian firms, which suffer from the economic boycott of Turkey.

Giving a message to Turkey that the recent political crisis should be separated from economic relations, the Italian Foreign Trade Minister stated that Italy's friendship towards Turkey has not changed, noting that the so-called ''Kurdish problem'' is an internal issue of Turkey and it has to be solved by dialogue.

Fassino pointed out that Italy's exports to Turkey is seven trillion Italian liras, but this boycott will not only affect the Italian firms, but also the Turkish firms which work by ''joint-ventures.''

Noting that majority of the Turkish people show their feelings to Italy by boycotting Italian products, Fassino said that ''yet, the barring of Italian television channels by the Turkish government is unacceptable.''

[10] DUTY-FREE EXPORTS TO THE US

Adressing a seminar on ''Opportunities of Duty-Free and Non-Quota Exports to the US via Israel'', Guvendiren said that the trade volume between Turkey and Israel recorded a great progress in 1998.

Pointing out that Turkey and Israel firstly think of a tax-free and non- quato exports to the US via Israel, Guvendiren said that they will also find the opportunity to bring goods to the Gulf countries more economically and sell them in those countries on more lower prices.

Gabriella Cohen, the Director of Foreign Trade of Israel, stressed that the policy of of Israel was to expand the international trade as far as possible and to enter into other markets.

Pointing out that the Gross National Product of Israel was 100 billion US dollars, Cohen said they realized 22 billion US dollars in exports and 30 billion US dollars in imports in 1997.

Reyhan Atmaca, the Deputy Undersecretary of Foreign Trade, recalled that the imports were restricted due to the global crisis.

Pointing out that both sides adopted the Free Trade Agreement between Turkey and Israel, Atmaca said that they targetted a market into which all of the industrial goods will be exported in the year 2010.

Reyhan Atmaca added that the duties of every king of goods except textiles and ready-to-wear products will be nullified on 1 January 1999.

[11] NATO MILITARY COMMITTEE MEETINGS - TURKISH-GREEK COMPROMISE IN COMMAND STRUCTURE OF NATO

Addressing a press briefing after the end of the two-day meetings of the NATO Military Committee, which is the supreme military decision-body of the Alliance, German General Naumann stated that a compromise has been reached which ends all reservations and conflicts concerning Southeastern Region Commandership about the new strategy and structure of the NATO Alliance.

General Naumann said that preparations concerning the details of the basic compromise that was reached between Turkish and Greek Chiefs of General Staff are underway. ''A long time and patience was needed to reach this point,'' added Naumann.

The new command structure foresees establishment of two separate region comanderships namely (SHAPE) in North European and Southern European Headwquarters.

There will be two commanderships which will be composed of air and sea units in Southern Region Commandership moreover there will be multinational Sub-Region Commandership in Izmir province of Turkey, Larissa city of Greece, Verona region of Italy and Madrid region of Spain.

Experts note that the efforts concerning the new command structure of NATO carry great importance for Turkey. Besides Greece which does not permit the entrance of Turkish soldiers to her territory even within the framework of NATO, will administer the commandership together with Turkish officers in Larissa.

The new commanderships will have a flexible structure and they will not function as national headquarters.

A report about the compromise reached will be submitted to the NATO Council of Defense Ministers that will be held in December.

[12] EUROPEAN TV CHANNELS TO BID FOR BROADCASTING OF DIVISION ONE SOCCER MATCHES

The tender was planned to be held in March 1999.

Haluk Ulusoy, the President of the Football Federation, said that the competition among the companies in the broadcasting market was gaining an interesting dimension.

Pointing out that they started to receive offer from Europe after Turkish tv channels, Haluk Ulusoy said, ''the area of broadcasting tender has been enlarged. It won't be an easy tender. Two tv channels in Europe want to bid for the tender while the Turkish tv channels were united. Those European tv channels are very powerful and they will insist. They have been requesting an appointment from the federation for nearly five months. We informed them that we will give the response when necessary. I believe the tender in March 1999 will be in favor of the Turkish football and soccer teams.''

Responding to a question, Ulusoy declined to announce names of the European tv channels.

[13] REACTIONS TO ITALY'S STANCE IN OCALAN DISPUTE - THE FAMILIES WHOSE RELATIVES WERE KILLED BY THE TERORIST SEPERATIST ORGANIZATION (PKK) FILE A LAW SUIT AGAINST D'ALEMA AND OCALAN - THE FAMILIES WANT SYMBOLIC ''1 LIRA'' COMPENSATION - THE MUNICIPALITY OF SILIFKE NOT TO ATTEND CONGRESS OF MEDITERRANEAN CITY MUNICIPALITIES UNION IN ROME

Speaking to A.A correspondent, Ibrahim Engin, the lawyer of the families who suffered from PKK terrorism, said that he accepted the families' request for bringing the mentioned persons to court for the defence of their rights.

He added,''we filed a law suit against Abdullah Ocalan, the head of PKK, and D'Alema, Italian Prime Minister, asking for 1 lira compensation. The families wanted to give a message to Europe and Italy by this case.''

Meanwhile, the Municipality of Silifke decided not to attend the Congress of Mediterranean City Municipalities Union (MEDCITIES) of which it is a member, stating that it was dangerous to attend the congress due to the stance of Italian government concerning the extradition of Ocalan and for security reasons.

Sadık Avcı, Silifke Mayor, sent a letter to Mayor of Rome which will be read out in the general assembly of MEDCITIES on December 3-5.

Emphasizing that he is always ready to have an important and active role in the union and contribute to the studies of MEDCITIES of which he is the honoury president, Avcı said, ''Italian government provides shelter to a terrorist responsible from the death of 30,000 citizens, most of whom were babies, women and children in Turkey. This terrorist is still living in Rome. Moreover, the members of this terrorist organization, are freely walking in the streets of Rome and continue to perform their activities.

We believe that Rome is not a secure place and the Italian government which is hosting the terrorists can no way guarantee the security during the meeting. Thus, it is impossible for us, the Municipality of Silifke, to attend the meeting in Rome.''

Avcı also sent a copy of his letter to the center of MEDCITIES in France.

[14] MUBARAK, THE EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT DUE IN TURKEY BETWEEN DECEMBER 4-5

Diplomatic sources said that regional and bilateral relations and the Middle Eastern Peace Process will be taken up during Mubarak's contacts in Ankara. Turkish officials are also expected to discuss the recent developments after the crisis that erupted in October between Turkey and Syria, which used to permit the separatist terrorist organization PKK to take shelter in her territories.

Mubarak had contacts in Ankara and Damascus to overcome the tension between Turkey and Syria and the tension had been diffused by the agreement signed between Turkey and Syria in southern province of Adana.

[15] FORMER STATE MINISTER TANER: - ''TURKISH ECONOMY IS SOUND''

As he handed over his cabinet post to Zekeriya Temizel, the Minister of Finance, Taner said that a government crisis affected Turkey politically and the markets can be also affected due to the free market economy.

Pointing out that Turkey was one the countries which were less affected by the Asian and Russian crises, Taner said, ''I am handing over my post to the Minister of Finance. Today, I asked the Council of Ministers to ratify the temporary budget. There is the possibility for the opposition parties' adopting a populist attitude when the 1999 year budget is started to be discussed at the Parliament. The Banks Law should enter into effect and it should be discussed by the cabinet. I have conveyed my opinions regarding the issue.''

Taner said that the Republican People's Party (CHP) didn't abide by the protocol and withdrew its support by putting forward a trivial reason.

Taner said that following the recent developments, his visit to the US where he was to meet with the officials from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and international banks was cancelled.

Recalling that the inflation target of the 55th government was 50 percent, Taner said that he believe the inflation will be at about 50 percent.

Noting that the government will continue its anti-inflation programme and the declining trend in the inflation will continue also in November, Taner stressed that the press should ask the next governments how they can find the sources to achieve the targets.

[16] TURKISH-BULGARIAN ECONOMY COUNCIL MEETING

The ''Turkish-Bulgarian First Economy Council Meeting'', which was organized by the Associaton of Turkish-Bulgarian Businessmen, Economic Research Foundation and the Bulgarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, started the same day in Sofia.

Prime Minister Yilmaz sent a message to the meeting thanking the businessmen who contributed to the development of economic and commercial relations between Turkey and Bulgaria.

Tahsin Burcuoglu, Turkey's Ambassador to Sofia, read the message of Yilmaz which said Turkey and Bulgaria regareded themselves as good neighbors, friends and business partner. Yilmaz noted in the message that requirements of these positive relations were fulfilled.

In the message, Yilmaz said trade volume between Turkey and Bulgaria reached to 550 million US dollars, adding that Turkey became Bulgaria's 5th biggest trade partner in the year 1997.

Recalling that free trade agreement which was signed between the two countries will take effect as of Jan 1, 1999, Yilmaz said this agreement will open new horizons to trade and economic relations.

Ivan Kostov, Bulgarian Prime Minister, in his message said Turkish- Bulgarian relations reached to a point that they may be example to other countries.

Noting that Turkey was among the best 10 foreign investor countries in Bulgaria, Kostov said he believed that Turkish investors in Bulgaria will increase.

[17] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES OF CENTRAL BANK REDUCE TO 20.7 BILLION US DOLLARS

The Central Bank data shows that the foreign exchange reserves, which dropped by 148 million US dollars between 13-20 November, decreased to 20 billion 79 million US dollars as of 20 November.

The Central Bank's foreign exchange reserves were 20 billion 227 million US dollars on 13 November.

Meanwhile, according to the 6 November-based statistics, Turkey's total international gross reserves decreased 61 million US dollars to 33 billion 139 million US dollars between 6 and 13 November.

The international gross reserves of Turkey were 33 billion 200 million US dollars on 30 October.

As of 6 November, Turkey's international reserves were composed of 1 billion 125 million US dollars in gold reserves; 21 billion 393 million US dollars in the Central Bank's foreign exchange reserves; and 10 billion 621 million US dollars in the commercial banks' foreign exchange reserves.

[18] ECEVIT, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: ''LET US SEE IF THE ONES WHO TOPPLED THIS GOVERNMENT HAVE FORESIGHTS OR NOT. IF THEY DO NOT HAVE A MODEL, THAN IT WILL BE OUR TURN''

Responding to the questions of reporters about the agenda that people were talking about a government model under his premiership at the backstage, Ecevit said Council of Ministers will convene at 17:00 in the evening and take up details related with putting an end to the assignment of this government.

Ecevit also said he has an appointment with President Suleyman Demirel at 19:50 and that he did not want to say anything before these meetings.

Ecevit said investigation council in the Parliament was degenerated for political aims. A politician, who can use the number of parliamenterians to his or her benefit, can get rid of the inspection even if he/she was guilty. On the contrary another person who is not guilty, may face the threat of Supreme Court. ''From now on, if there are corruption allegations against high level politicians, deputies, ministers and prime ministers, we want them to be handed over to justice. To this end, we want Article 83 of the Constitution, which prevents all these, to be changed absolutely and rapidly.''

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