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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-12-01Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>01 DEC 1998CONTENTS
[01] REACTIONS TO ITALY - REPRESENTATIVES OF BALIKESIR MARTRYS' RELATIVES ASSOCIATION MEET WITH BANDINI, ITALIAN AMBASSADOR TO TURKEYANKARA, Dec 1 (A.A) - The representatives of the Association of Balikesir Martrys' Relatives met on Monday with Massimiliano Bandini, Italian Ambassador to Turkey and requested the extradition of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK from Italy.The representatives who told Bandini about the ideas of the families whose relatives were killed by the separatist terrorist organization on Ocalan's extradition, also left a black wreath in front of Italian Embassy in Ankara. Stating that he had observed that Bandini was very sensible on the issue throughout the meeting, Soner Alkalp, Association Chairman, said that Bandini told them that Italian government would also be sensible on Ocalan issue. Noting that Bandini said that Massimo D'Alema, Italian Prime Minister; Lamberto Dini, Italian Foreign Minister and the leftist parties assumed Ocalan a terrorist, Alkalp stressed that they gave an Italian text concerning their thoughts on the matter including the names of 197 martrys from Balikesir to be submitted to Italian President. Akkalp also added that Bandini considered Ocalan as a terrorist and believed that he should be tried for his crimes. Meanwhile, the other members of the association shouted slogans which were against the separatist terrorist organization PKK and the stance of Italy on the matter. [02] TURKISH DEPUTIES MEET WITH ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARYROME, Dec 1 (A.A) - The stance of Italian government on the issue of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization started to draw the attention of Italian public opinion and media, it is reported on Monday.Irfan Koksalan, Ankara Deputy from The Motherland Party (ANAP) and Zeki Ertugay, Erzurum Deputy from The True Path Party (DYP) who came to Rome on Saturday to attend an international meeting; held contacts for the extradition of the chief of the separatist terrorist organization. Koksalan and Ertugay, who attended the conference on ''Struggle Against Famine'' held by the contributions of both Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and Interparliamentary Union (IPU) met with Umberto Vattani, Italian Foreign Ministry Undersecratary. In a statement to the journalists held on Monday, Koksalan said that they talked with Vattani about the terrorist Ocalan for two hours on Sunday and that Vattani pointed out that terrorist Ocalan should be tried about his crimes, otherwise that would constitute ''a black spot'' in Italian history. Stating that Turkey did not forget the memory of Aldo Moro, Koksalan said, ''we observed that Italy was under great pressure. Italian people and the media are against the stance of the government.'' Koksalan also added that he put this matter on the agenda in his speech within the framework of FAO-IPU meeting and that he reminded the representatives that Turkey had to spend 100 billion dollars to struggle against terrorism while Turkey only could spend 32 billion dolars on ''Southeastern Anatolian Project'' (GAP). Meanwhile, it is observed that there are still firm and strict security measures around the house situated in Infernetto where terrorist Ocalan is believed to stay. The fact that the police do not let the journalists take photographs draws the attention. [03] COEPA CONDEMNS THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONSTRASBOURG, Dec 1 (A.A) - The Political Commission of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (COEPA) said on Monday that it strongly condemns the terroristic activities of the separatist terrorist organization PKK.The recent developments between Turkey and Italy were also taken up during the Political Commission meetings of COEPA that were held in Budapest the same day. A declaration was issued at the end of the meeting noting that Turkey and Italy, which are members of the COE should solve the problem between them through dialogue. The statement reiterated its support for the adoption of the draft law which foresees abolishment of death penalty as soon as possible which is at the agenda of the Turkish parliament. Candido Cunha, the Director of the COE Department of Law from Portugal said earlier the same day that ''if the COE will set up a special court to try Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK, then a common political decision has to be taken in a meeting in which 40 member states participate.'' Diplomatic sources point out that the principle of unanimity is needed for such a decision, stressing that such kind of a decision can not be taken without the approval of Turkey. [04] ICG MEMBERS ADDRESS TO A.A: - ''OCALAN IS A TERRORIST AND HE SHOULD BE TRIED''ANKARA, Dec 1 (A.A) - Morton Abramowitz, the former US Ambassador to Ankara, said Turkey should work on the extradition of chief terrorist Abdullah Ocalan, who was arrested in Rome, adding, ''I don't believe on an international court. This will last long.''The members of the International Crisis Group (ICG), which has the independent sources prepare reports aming at foundation of peace in the regions facing crisis and presents those reports to the effective decision mechanisms of international politics, evaluated important foreign policy issues in Turkey and in the world. Morton Abramowitz, the former US Deputy Secretary of State and former US Ambassador to Ankara; Alain Destexhe, the President of ICG and a Belgian Senator; Eduard Van Thijn, former Interior Minister of the Netherlands; and Thorvald Stoltenberg, former Foreign Minister of Norway; are the members of ICG delegation which will introduce the activities of ICG during meetings in Ankara and Istanbul. Responding to a question about the extradition of Ocalan, the terrorist chief, the ICG member Abramowitz said, ''this issue doesn't concern the ICG. This issue is not a crisis having a great danger and comprising a large area. However, if you are asking my personal view, Ocalan is a terrorist, he has staged a number terrorist activities and he should be tried.'' ''I know it is very difficult but Turkey should work on extradition of Ocalan. She should make efforts for the extradition appropriate to Turkey's needs, political system and constitutional requirements. This can't be possible but I also don't believe on an international court. Because it will last long. Besides, the fight against PKK should be concluded from now on. This is a necessity on which lots of Turks and Western people agree,'' he added. ''I am not representing the US government here. However, in accordance with the traditional policy of the US government, the US is not seeking for a Kurdish state in Northern Iraq. The US has never entered into such a tendency. The basic concern lies on ceasing the Saddam Hussein administration. The US has never supported the division of Iraq,'' Abramowitz stated. Eduard Van Thijn, the former Interior Minister of the Netherlands, evaluated the relations between Turkey and the European Union (EU). Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Eduard Van Thijn said that he didn't think Turkey was excluded due to cultural and religious reasons. ''Turkey is a part of the EU. The problems stem from Turkey's economic figures and human rights. They are not cultural and religious,'' Thijn said. [05] FOGG, EUROPEAN COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE TO TURKEY: ''I DO NOT BELIEVE THEY WILL CARRY OCALAN ISSUE TO EU''ANKARA, Dec 1 (A.A) - Karen Fogg, European Union (EU) Commission representative to Turkey, talked on Monday about the trial of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization, in an international court.Speaking in a reception held in Romanian Embassy in Ankara, Fogg said, ''European Union (EU) consists of 15 countries. Each of the countries can act seperately. It is too early to comment on the issue within the framework of EU.'' Responding to a question of the journalists on how Italy and Germany would carry Ocalan issue to EU, Fogg said, ''I do not believe they will carry this issue to EU. Also I am not the right person to respond this question.'' Stating that he did not believe that the foreign ministers of EU countries would bring this issue to European Parliament (EP), Fogg stressed that EP did not work in that way. [06] NSC CONVENES AND ISSUES A DECLARATION: - ''THE IMPORTANT FOREIGN POLICY DEVELOPMENTS HAVE BEEN REVISED AND THE DEVELOPMENTS FOLLOWING THE CAPTURE OF THE TERRORIST CHIEF IN ITALY HAVE BEEN EVALUATED''ANKARA, Dec 1 (A.A) - National Security Council (NSC) convened on Monday under the leadership of President Suleyman Demirel to revise the important foreign policy developments and the developments following the capture of the chief of the separatist terrorist organization in Italy.A declaration was issued the same day by the NSC concerning the meeting, noting that ''it has been decided that the struggle that is going on against the illegal activities of the fundamentalist, separatist- destructive and organized crime gangs aiming at overthrowing the integrity, constitutional regime, political, economic and social stability, should continue in an institutional structure and by a coordinated and effective participation of the state institutions. Moreover a consensus of opinion has been reached concerning the adoption of the draft laws which were submitted to the parliament will ease this struggle in a considerable extent.'' The statement went on saying that: ''-the general security and public order in the country and internal and foreign developments which affect them have been revised during the NSC meeting today and in this framework NSC generally evaluated the fundamentalist activities which are against the regime and the struggle that is carried out against destructive-separatist terrorism and organized crime groups, -NSC focused on the existing situation in prisons and the measures that will be taken at these places, -the development level of the investments in provinces of emergency state region have been examined. -Information has been given to NSC about several radio and television channels which have fundamentalist, destructive and separatist broadcasts and NSC decided that it is necessary to regulate the existing legal, administrative and economic meaures in a way to prevent such broadcasts.'' [07] MEETING OF ICG - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKEY IS A UNIQUE MODEL OF SUCCESS IN A PROBLEMATIC REGION''ANKARA, Dec 1 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Monday that Turkey is a unique example in a problematic region.President Demirel couldn't attend the meeting of the International Crisis Group (ICG) at the Sheraton Hotel in Ankara as the meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) continued for a long time. Demirel sent a message to the ICG meeting saying that Turkey has proved successfully the reconciliation of democracy, secularism and Islam and she has gained the deserved place among the democracies' community of the universal civilization. Pointing out that Turkey has always participated in the initiatives for the solutions of all of the disagreements emerged in the region following the cold war, Demirel stressed that being the intersection point of three continents is the most important avantage of Turkey. Noting that Turkey, which is a NATO ally, is the founder member of most of the organizatons in Europe and she is the associate member of the European Union (EU) and West European Union (WEU), Demirel said Turkey, the only secular country among the Islamic countries, also plays an active role at the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). ''Turkey has a strategical partnership with the US. This partnership includes all of the vital issues in our region and in Europe. We have historical relations with Russia, the country Turkey considers as an important partner for the future of Eurasia,'' Demirel stated. Demirel emphasized that in the EU Commission's candidate countries report, which was published by the World Bank, Turkey was defined as one of the 17 biggest economies of the world with her nearly 380 billion US dollars Gross National Product (GNP) and 6,712 US dollars per capita income. ''Turkey is the biggest economy in Eastern Europe, Balkans, Black Sea, Caspian basin and the Middle East. Turkey is the sixth biggest trade partner of the EU. Our economy has successfully adjusted itself to the strict conditions of the Customs Union,'' Demirel said. Stressing that terrorism is the most dangerous problem among the international issues, Demirel said, ''the targets of terrorism are the human rights, destruction of basic freedoms and democracy, destabilization of governments, which are formed legally, and destruction of the principles of pluralist civil society. Terrorism is a crime committed against humanity'' [08] ICG MEETING - GUREL, MINISTER OF STATE: ''TURKEY WILL CONTINUE HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION''ANKARA, Dec 1 (A.A) - Sukru Sina Gurel, Minister of State, said on Monday that Turkey had always contributed to the international cooperation with its historical past and geographical situation and that her contributions would continue.Recalling that Turkey was in a problematic geographic region in his speech in the presentation meeting of Turkey held by the International Crisis Group (ICG), Gurel stated that Turkey was a country where all the cultures lived in harmony regardless of the different nations and religions. Emphasizing that while Turkey put forth a position of harmony, the neighbouring countries showed the worst examples of racism, Gurel said, ''people adopted the principle of citizenship in Turkey when the nation state based on Ataturk's reforms and principles was being shaped. This concept constitutes the highest level reached on universal basis when compared to the Western European countries.'' Gurel also stressed that Turkey was performing efforts for international cooperation despite the troublesome region in which it was situated. Ersin Arioglu, a member of the executive committee of ICG, pointed out that Turkey was the fastest growing European country in 15 years when the objective analysis of her economy was taken into consideration. Recalling that the Customs Union accord signed between Turkey and the EU was successfully in effect, Arioglu noted that in order to protect her freedom and cultural wealth, Turkey joined the countries which were ready for international cooperation. Meanwhile, in a message he sent to the meeting concerning his excuse about not being able to attend the meeting, Mesut Yilmaz, Turkish Prime Minister, expressed that ''the institution will be successful in its activities of establishing stable democracy in the world.'' [09] OIL PRODUCTION IN ADIYAMAN - TURKISH PETROLEUM INC. PRODUCES 10.2 MILLION BARRELS OF OIL IN 10 MONTHSGAZIANTEP, Dec 1 (A.A) - Turkish Petroleum Inc. (TPAO) has produced 10 million barrels of crude oil in the first 10 months in southeastern province of Adiyaman, where the biggest petroleum reserves of Turkey are situated, it is reported on Tuesday.A.A correspondent stated that TPAO obtained approximately 26.000 barrels of high gravity-oil from the 160 wells in a day, which accounted for the 57 percent of Turkey's total production. TPAO, which aims at increasing the amount of production by the methods of completely drilling oil, carries oil searches in Gaziantep and Hatay and test productions in Kilis and Sanliurfa. [10] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ ADDRESSES TO NATION: - ''THE BEST WAY TO CURE DEFICIENCES AND PROBLEMS THAT CAN COME OUT IN DEMOCRACIES IS AGAIN DEMOCRACY''ANKARA, Dec 1 (A.A) - Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz said on Monday that the best way to cure problems and deficiences that can come out in democracies is again democracy, adding that ''just like there is no point in finding coming one government to power by democratic methods strange, its resignation by democratic ways is not also strange.''Addressing to nation at state-run television channel TRT and private television channels, Prime Minister Yılmaz stated that he wishes to explain the things undertaken by the government in 17 months. ''When we came to power, the separatist terrorism was still very effective in villages and cities. The claims of the relation between mafia and gangs and corruption at administrative levels were heard everywhere,'' said Yılmaz, adding that an over all struggle had to be carried out against these troubles. Noting that the impediment that stands in front of the prosperity of Turkey is separatist terrorism, gang terrorism and fundamentalist terrorism, Premier Yılmaz pointed out that ''everybody knows today that the separatist terrorism lost its power and our southeastern Turkey is even safer than our big cities. The chief of the separatist terrorist organization, which killed 27,630 people including 5302 women, children and babies, has been expelled from his headquarters in Syria. The Russian federation could not dare to take him under his wings.'' [11] ITALIAN ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE DOES NOT APPEAL THE DECISION OF OBLIGATORY RESIDENCE OF THE CHIEF OF THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONROME, Dec 1 (A.A) - Rome Attorney General Office stated on Monday that it would not apply to a higher court for the appeal of the decision of the Italy Court of Appeal about the obligatory residence of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK, in Italy.Giovanni Malerba, the Italian Attorney General, noted that although he did not find the reasons of the decision of obligatory settlement of Ocalan in Rome ''convincing'', there were not adequate legal reasons to apply to the Court of Appeal. Malerba also said that the best measure to be taken against the probabality of Ocalan's running away was to keep him in house arrest. Meanwhile, Augusto Sinagra, Turkey's lawyer in Italian offices, emphasized that Ocalan should be tried in Italy in case he was not extradited to Turkey. Stating that Turkey trusted Italian judges, Sinagra stressed that the ones accused of terrorism should either be extradited or tried in the country which rejected the extradition under the provisions of European Convention signed by European countries including Turkey and Italy. Sinagra also pointed out that the extradition dossier prepared by Turkish government would be submitted to the related Italian offices on Wednesday and that Italy should not ask for the help of other countries on this issue. [12] WHITEHOUSE: ''ARREST OF OCALAN WAS AN IMPORTANT STEP TAKEN IN STRUGGLE AGAINST INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM''WASHINGTON, D.C, Dec 1 (A.A) - Whitehouse recalled on Tuesday that the arrest of Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of separatist terrorist PKK organization, was an important step taken in struggle against international terrorism.The US administration continues its initiatives for the extradition of chief terrorist to Turkey, his trial and ''not granting a political asylum to him''. Speaking to reporters, Joe Lockhart, the Spokesman of Whitehouse, said, ''I have earlier conveyed our opinin about the issue. We believe the arrest of Ocalan was an important step taken in the struggle against international terrorism.'' Several sources said the US administration continues to launch initiatives for the extradition of Ocalan to Turkey and his trial. The US officials are discussing the issue with their counterparts, conveying their attitudes in favor of the extradition of Ocalan to Turkey. A US official said, ''we will continue our efforts for Turkey until the end.'' The US State Department sent information notes to the US Embassies in several countries explaining clearly the opinion and approach of the US concerning this issue. The arrest of the chief terrorist on 12 November in Italy pleased the US government and it announced that the person in qeustion should be extradited to Turkey. The US government spokesmen stated that the US government opposes to granting political asylum to the terrorist chief. These views were conveyed to the Italian and German governments through Madeleine Albright, the US Secretary of State, and Strobe Talbott, the Undersecretary of the US State Department. The US, which also sent to Italy a dossier on ''PKK Terrorism'' prepared by the security and intelligence departments, defined the PKK as the ''bloodiest and cruel international terrorist organization''. [13] ''RESPECT FOR ATATURK'' EXHIBITION DRAWS THE ATTENTION OF MANY PEOPLE IN USNEW YORK, Dec 1 (A.A) - The ''Respect For Ataturk'' exhibition in the ''Gallery X'' in Harlem district of New York drew the attention of Turkish and foreign art lovers living in America, it is reported on Tuesday.Speaking to A.A correspondent, Gulsun Erbil, director of the gallery, said, ''in this era in which we celebrated the 75th anniversary of Turkish Republic, the young Turkish artists have worked with great enthusiasm and carried the traditional values of Turkish arts, religious arts, popular arts to our time.'' Many Turkish artists joined this exhibition held in New York. [14] FOREIGN BORROWING - TREASURY INCREASES ITS BOND ISSUE IN EUROMARK MARKETANKARA, Dec 1 (A.A) - The Treasury Undersecretariat increased by 200 million German Marks its bond issue in Euromark market, it was reported on Tuesday.The Treasury Undersecretariat issued a written statement saying that it had launched on 10 November 1998 a sale of 600 million German Marks of Eurobond issue in the Euromark market with a coupon of 9.5 percent over three-tear term. After receiving an additional offer of 200 milion German marks for that bond issue, it said the size of the issue was raised 200 million to 800 million German marks. The additional offer will enter into account on 4 December 1998. Meanwhile, the last additional issue increased the total foreign borrowing in international market this year to 2.4 billion US dollars. [15] PRIME MINISTER ADDRESSES TO NATION: - ''ALL THE MAIN GANGS HAVE BEEN OVERTHROWN'' - ''THE AMOUNT OF HEROIN SEIZED IN TURKEY WITHIN A YEAR EQUALS TO 60 PERCENT OF THE AMOUNT THAT IS SEIZED IN EUROPE''ANKARA, Dec 1 (A.A) - Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz said on Monday that ''all the main gangs have been overthrown and the amount of heroin seized in Turkey within a year equals to 60 percent of the amount that is seized in Europe.Addressing to nation at state-run television channel TRT and private television channels, Preimer Yılmaz said that more than 2000 cases of murders have been started to be solved one by one. A heavy blow was struck on drug smuggling which is the biggest income source of both separatist terrorism and gangs. Noting that the heroin amount that is seized in Turkey equals to 40 percent of the amount that is seized in the world and to 60 percent of the amount that is seized in Europe, Premier Yılmaz stated that corruption, terrorism and drug are the most important troubles of one country. Yılmaz stressed that the inflation rate which was 100 percent last year will decrease to 50 percent at the end of this year and if this struggle continues, the inflation rate will decrease to 30 percent at the end of next year. Stressing that the gangs wished the government to be overthrown, Yılmaz said that ''they worked too much to this end, even a mafia leader said that this government has to be overthrown. They would of course wish the collapse of a prime minister and his government who started a war against themselves. The fundamentalist terrorists, who were arrested on the very act while preparing themselves for a suicide attack on Anıtkabir, the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the founder of modern and secular Turkish Republic, desired the government to be overthrown, because the government started a war against fundamentalist terrorism. Pointing out that the employees were made to get one quadrillion liras of more money by the Tax Reform, Premier Yılmaz said that ''the money which was taken from the mafia has been transferred to employees.'' Stressing that Baku-Ceyhan pipeline has to be realized, Premier Yılmaz recalled that agreements were concluded to transport the Caspian oil and the rich natural gas of the Central Asia to Europe via Turkey. [16] TURKEY-STOCK EXCHANGE - IMKB FIRST SESSION - NATIONAL-100 INDEX REDUCES TO 2,506.71 WITH A DECREASE OF 70.83 POINTSISTANBUL, Dec 1 (A.A) - The Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) National-100 Index in the first session decreased 70.83 points to 2,506.71 and shares lost 2.75 percent in value compared with prices at the close of Monday's second session, it was reported on Tuesday.At the close of the first session, the financial index decreased 90.37 points to 3,150.91, the industrial index reduced 47.53 points to 1,857.33 and the services index dropped 82.27 points to 3,501.29. The financial shares lost 2.79 percent in value, the industrial shares lost 2.79 percent in value and the services shares lost 2.30 percent in value compared with Monday's second session close. A total of 47 of the 278 shares gained in value, 201 shares lost in value while the prices of 30 shares didn't change. The trading volume in the morning session was 20.7 trillion Turkish Liras. [17] RUMELIA TURKISH ASSOCIATIONS FEDERATION FOUNDED - THREE ASSOCIATIONS WITH 25.000 MEMBERS JOINED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THIS FEDERATIONISTANBUL, Dec 1 (A.A) - Three associations namely Western Rumelia Turkish Solidarity Association, Bosnia-Flag Culture and Aiding Association and Help to Immigrants Association, with 25.000 members joined under the auspices of ''Rumelia Turkish Associations Federation, it is reported on Tuesday.Taner Mustafaoglu, Federation Chairman, said in the press conference held in The Macka Hotel that the Turks of Rumelia origin took a giant step forward in the efforts to unify their forces. Stressing that the goal of their federation was to provide an intercommunal conciliation situation in the Balkans by organizing the kinsmen living in Rumelia under the light of the integrity of Turkey and Ataturk's reforms, Mustafaoglu noted that the federation would contribute to the efforts of settling the relations between the countries peacefully. Stating that the federation consisted of 25.000 members, Mustafaoglu said, ''The Rumelian immigrants will work for establishing unity and solidarity in Rumelia by joining under the auspices of this federation.'' [18] PREMIER YILMAZ ADDRESSES HIS PARTY GROUP MEETINGANKARA, Dec 1 (A.A) - Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said on Tuesday that ''if the criticial period which the government is in requires the establishment of a government in which we are included, the Motherland Party (ANAP) will not refrain from assuming a duty.''Addressing ANAP party group meeting Yilmaz said uncompromising attitudes will give damage to Turkey adding that they will be ready to evaluate every proposal sincerely, constructively and in a compromising attitude. Yilmaz said the country did not have patience for uncertainty, instability and waiting, adding that Turkey also did not have patience for small accounts. Prime Minister Yilmaz pointed out that being constructive will suit his party, adding that ''facilitating will suit ANAP, not creating difficulty.'' Yilmaz said elections which will take place on April 18 will change political scene in Turkey very much and provide political stability. [19] TREASURY SELLS RECORD 1,096.8 TRILLION TURKISH LIRAS 308-DAY BONDSANKARA, Dec 1 (A.A) - The Treasury sold 1 quadrillion 96 trillion 766 billion Turkish Liras (TL) nominal-valued 308-day (ten-month) bonds on Tuesday's tender.The total bids was 1 quadrillion 781 trillion TL in nominal. The net sale in the tender reached 506 trillion 392 billion 697 million TL. The Treasury separately sold 38.2 trillion TL worth 308-day bonds to public institutions over the interest created at the tender. The annual simple interest became 137.78 percent while the annual composite interest became 149.26 percent. The minimum simple interest was 126.64 percent while the maximum simple interest was 138.63 percent. The minimum composite interest was determined to be 136.49 percent while the maximum composite interest became 150.23 percent. The value date of the bonds is 2 December 1998 and the maturity is 6 October 1999. Meanwhile the maximum yield was 148.90 percent in the previous tender at which the Treasury had sold 605.61 trillion TL nominal-valued 245-day bonds on 17 November. The previous record sale was 750.3 trillion TL nominal-valued nine-month bonds sold in a tender on 18 May, while the previous highest bid was 1, 257.5 trillion TL in a tender on 3 November for six-month bonds. Meanwhile, the Treasury will realize a total of 624 trillion 895.5 billion TL domestic borrowing repayment on 2 December. [20] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''ATTITUDE OF ITALIAN AND GERMAN GOVERNMENTS IS A SHAME ON BEHALF OF LAW AND EUROPE''ANKARA, Dec 1 (A.A) - Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz on Tuesday identified the joint attitude of German and Italian governments, following a meeting of German Chancellor and Italian Prime Minister, as ''shame'' on behalf of law and Europe.Addressing the Motherland Party (ANAP) party group meeting, Yilmaz pointed out that the idea of international court is a ''freak proposal which does not have a place in any international agreement'' and implementation of this is impossible because the person in question is a Turkish citizen and the victims of his murders and crimes is our people. Yilmaz said what Italy should do under the international agreements is to extradite him. Pointing out that another issue which should be attached importance is that struggle against separatist terrorism should not be weakened, Yilmaz said ''our struggle against separatist terrorism reached to a very important stage.'' ''If it says it does not recognise our domestic law and does not hand him over, it should put him on trial under its own legal system so as not to leave his crimes unpunished,'' Yilmaz said. Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz also called on the people to refrain from acts which will be for the benefit of Turkey's enemies. [21] COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN TURKEY AND ITALY ON STRUGGLE AGAINST TERRORISM APPROVED BY COUNCIL OF MINISTERSANKARA, Dec 1 (A.A) - The Council of Ministers approved on Tuesday the ''Cooperation Agreement On Struggle Against Terrorism, Organized Crimes, Laundering of Illegal Profits, Drug and Psychotherapeutic Substances Trafficking and Human Smuggling'', which was signed between Turkey and Italy on 22 September 1998.The scope of the agreement and the cooperation fields mentioned in the Article 1 are as follows: -Terrorism, -Illegal planting, production, trading, transportation and usage of drugs, psychotherapeutic substances and the chemical substances used in the production of such drugs, -Incomes gained from crimes and financial or commercial enterprises crimes including laundering of black money, -Every kind of smuggling of arms, munitions, nuclear, radioactive and other dangerous devices, every kind of stolen transportation vehicles, artifacts, and other customs violations, -Human smuggling, -Preparation of illegal passport, visa and other official documents... The agreement foresees the establishment of a bilateral committee for providing cooperation in struggle against those crimes upon the common decision of Turkey and Italy. The struggle against terrorism is included in Article Six in detail, targeting cooperation in the fields below: -the parties of the agreement will take effective measures to prevent preparation and realization of terrorist activities against the security of the other side in their countries, -the parties of the agreement will exchange information and data about terrorist activities and the technics in connection with those incidents upon a reguest of the other side, -exchange of information if there is a connection between the terrorist organizations and the organized criminal groups which committed crimes mentioned in Article 1, -mutual evaluation of new terrorist threats, -realization of periodic exchange of technological information and experience about the security of sea, air and rail transportation in order to increase security standards at airports, seaports and railway stations and adjust them according to terrorist threat... The agreement, which will be valid for one year, will enter into effect with the second note through which Turkey and Italy will officially convey each other their fulfilment of necessary international procedures. Foreign Ministry said Italy hasn't still informed Turkey of her ratification for the agreement. [22] DINI, ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, CALLS FOREIGN MINISTER ISMAIL CEM ON THE PHONEPARIS, Dec 1 (A.A) - Lamberto Dini, Italian Foreign Minister, on Tuesday called Foreign Minister Ismail Cem on the phone and expressed willingness to have a talk with his Turkish counterpart to overcome the diplomatic crisis which erupted between Ankara and Rome.Dini told Cem that he will not be able to participate in Organization For Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) meeting that will take place in Oslo, yet he added he would like to have a meeting with Cem in the coming days. Cem in his part voiced Turkey's reactions to the proposals of Italian Prime Minister and German Chancellor to judge Abdullah Ocalan, chief of separatist terrorist organization, in a court in Europe and stressed that the issue should not be taken out of law. [23] MILITARY COOPERATION WITH SENEGALANKARA, Dec 1 (A.A) - Turkey and Senegal signed on Tuesday two agreements namely ''Military Training Technical and Scientific Cooperation '' and ''Military Training Cooperation''.General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, the Chief of General Staff, and Cheikh Hamidou Kane, the Minister of Armed Forces of Senegal, signed the agreements with a ceremony at the General Staff Headquarters in Ankara. Addressing the signing ceremony, General Kivrikoglu said the two agreements will contribute to peace in the region and development of relations between Turkey and Senegal. General Kivrikoglu stated that those two agreements, which will constitute the legal basis for cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries in the fields of military training, technology and science, will be followed by further agreements and protocols. Senegalese Armed Forces Minister Cheikh Hamidou Kane said those agreements had great importance as they constituted the first step for the military relations between Turkey and Senegal, adding, ''thus our relations will be strengthened. I want to thank the Republic of Turkey and the Chief of General Staff.'' Meanwhile, Turkey and Senegal also signed a protocol for the training of Senegalese Gendarmerie personnel. Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |