Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-12-05

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

05 DEC 1998

CONTENTS

[01] FOREIGN MINISTRY HARSLY CONDEMNS TURKEY REPORT OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

[02] PRESIDENT DEMIREL EVALUATES DECISION OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

[03] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RETURNS TO TURKEY

[04] GENERAL STAFF GENERAL SECRETARIAT: ''SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION AIMS AT MAKING USE OF HIGH VALUES, WHICH WESTERN WORLD ARE SENSITIVE ON, IN ITS FAVOUR''

[05] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''ANAP HAS CONFIDENCE ON ECEVIT AND GIVES FULL SUPPORT TO GOVERNMENT FORMULA BROUGHT BY ECEVIT''

[06] ECEVIT, DSP LEADER: ''THE MOST VALID, HEALTHY AND REALISTIC ALTERNATIVE WILL BE THE GOVERNMENT FORMULA THAT WILL BE FORMED BY ANAP, DYP AND DSP''

[07] FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''GREECE, BY EXPLOITING HER FIR RESPONSIBILITY, TRIES TO SHOW IT AS HER RIGHT OF SOVEREIGNTY''

[08] PRESS CONFERENCE OF STATE MINISTER CELEBI

[09] ELECTIONS TO TAKE PLACE IN TRNC ON SUNDAY - 352 NOMINEES TO COMPETE TO ENTER 50-CHAIR PARLIAMENT

[01] FOREIGN MINISTRY HARSLY CONDEMNS TURKEY REPORT OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Necati Utkan, Foreign Ministry Spokesman, said European Parliament is well- known for having adopted prejudiced positions towards Turkey and for its failure to free itself from acting as the mouthpiece for elements hostile to Turkey.

Utkan said ''It is observed that the European Parliament has once again failed to make the commonsensical change in its position that would contribute to the development of Turkey-EU relations which should have the same value for both parties, and that it has instead persisted in pursuing a line which is far from being constructive and realistic.''

Utkan pointed out that ''In the report adopted yesterday, the European Parliament has gone beyond its previous extreme positions and slanders and has become an instrument for unacceptable interference in Turkey's political and social systems and foreign policy. He said ''in an attempt to totally disregard Turkey's efforts to end terrorism which has caused unforgettable suffering in the last fourteen years, the report calls for the convering of an ''International conference'' which is an idea conceived by the European Parliament itself.''

Utkan said ''this twisted approach is equivalent to approving terrorism in an inconsiderate and senseless way, despite the fact that thousands of our citizens have been slaughtered. On behalf first of the families of the victims of terrorism and of all our Nation, we condemn and reject this approach in the strongest possible way. In this respect, we would like to remind those who attempt to protect terrorist that they will carry a heavy burden of responsibility.''

Utkan said ''taking this opportunity, we believe that it is useful to underline that the erroneous judgements on the issue of Cyprus are totally invalid and that it should be known that until a solution is being found through free negotiations between the two peoples and two states, the membership of Cyprus to the EU is not possible both from the perspective of international law and that of legitimacy.''

He said ''furthermore, it would be wrong and meaningless even to imagine that in exchange for membership Turkey will accept anything else than general criteria and take steps which would damage its national heritage and interests. Most of the matters which are mentioned in the report are vital priorities of Turkey and can undoubtedly not constitute the price of membership.

He said ''for the sake of the future health of Turkey-EU relations, the EU member states and their public opinions must distance themselves from such an irresponsible approach.''

[02] PRESIDENT DEMIREL EVALUATES DECISION OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Responding to the questions of reporters on the plane as he was returning to Ankara after concluding his contacts in Romania, Demirel said European Parliament had taken similar decisions on Sept 17, 1992, on July 15, 1993 and recently took this third decision.

When asked if this decision will effect Turkish-EU relations, Demirel said any decision or intervention forwarded to Turkey's international affairs, its sovereignity and inseparable integrity can not be accepted. Demirel said ''If they say they will accept membership of Turkey to the European Union (EU) by discussing the separation of Turkey and putting Turkey at the negotiation table, than the EU can be theirs.''

Demirel also said his visit to Romania was a ''beneficial one'' and mentioned about positive relations between Turkey and Romania.

[03] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RETURNS TO TURKEY

Speaking to reporters at the Esenboga Airport, President Demirel said since 1994, he had paid his six visit to Romania including the Summit of Black Sea economic Cooperation (BSEC).

Pointing out that the Turkish-Romanian relations were rapidly improving, Demirel said he observed the joint determination for further development of relations during his meetings with his Romanian counterpart Emil Constantinescu, Senate Chairman Petre Roman, Parliament Speaker Ion Diaconescu and Prime Minister Radu Vasile.

''From this perspective, I re-emphasized Turkey's powerful support to Romania's initiatives for her full-memberships to Europe-Atlantic organizations especially the NATO. My interlocuters and I discussed the measures to expand the economic and commercial relations between Turkey and Romania, Turkey's biggest trade partner in Southeastern Europe. I was pleased to see that we have the consensus of increasing the bilateral trade volume to one billion US dollars as son as possible,'' President Demirel stated.

''Besides, we reviewed the ways to increase our cooperation in military and defense industry. Also, I opened a factory, which is the greatest Turkish investment in Romania,'' Demirel mentioned.

President Demirel said he conveyed to his interlocutors Turkey's expectations for an effective struggle against terrorism, organized crimes, arms smuggling and drug trafficking in accordance with the importance attached by the two countries.

Demirel said they decided to intensify the cooperation in that issue within the framework of the tripartite agreement which was signed in southern Antalya province in April 1998 with the participation of Bulgaria.

[04] GENERAL STAFF GENERAL SECRETARIAT: ''SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION AIMS AT MAKING USE OF HIGH VALUES, WHICH WESTERN WORLD ARE SENSITIVE ON, IN ITS FAVOUR''

General Staff prepared a document to brief foreign public on the issue of separatist terrorist PKK organization.

The document issued by General Staff Secretariat stressed that PKK was a 'terrorist and organized crime organization' aiming to establish an independent-united state, basing on Marxist-Leninist aspects, in a region covering southeast provinces of Turkey.

Briefing about the structure and activities of the terrorist organization, the document said ''PKK wants to realize its ideology, by taking ''the right to live'' from people. This individual model of the PKK dragged itself from destructive-separatist activity organization to terrorist organization and from there to violance. This is the real face of PKK. Abdullah Ocalan, chief of the separatist terrorist organization, is responsible for this violence.

The document said Turkish Republic is the only democratic, secular and social legal state and the element of stability in its region among the 52 moslem countries.

The document said ''despite all these, separatist terrorist PKK claims to establish a Kurdish state in the region with its Marxist-Leninist structure. As Eastern European countries expend efforts towards democratization following the disperse of Warsaw Pact, establishment of such a Kurdish state will for a turning against democracy. Terrorism directed to Turkey by terrorist organization should be evaluated within this framework.''

The document stressed that it was impossible for Turkey to allow such a formation adding that separatist terrorist organization was to use values, which all humanity and especially Western world is sensitive on, in favour of itself.

''High values like peace, democracy and human rights are used for their interests by making use of foreign support'' the document said adding that ''separatist terrorist organization want to be seen as the side supporting peace but the unjustly treated one.'' The document said this separatist terrorist organization mislead the western public by saying ''PKK calls for peace after 14 years of struggle which it carried out against Turkey.''

The document said Turkey is determined to continue its struggle against terrorism without giving concessions from its structure and its democratic and secular structure and social legal state respecting human rights.

The document pointed out that other countries of the world should show same determination to struggle against terrorism adding that ''Turkey expects support of other countries to this end as PKK became the problem of all world countries, not only Turkey. Terrorism, which targeted human rights, should be ended without considering its aim and its place. Countries which support terrorism will suffer from terrorism sooner or later.''

The document said all ranks and duties of state are open to everybody in Turkey without discriminating origin adding that everybody can get duties in every rank of the state.

The document in the conclusion part said international community, especially Italy, at the stage, is under legal, political and moral obligation not to support terrorism.

''Turkey is the target of an indirect attack network, and has the right to take every kind of measures to defend its integrity, national unity and political independence'' the document said adding that international cooperation and judicial solidarity is required in struggle against terrorism. Turkey expects extradition of chief of separatist terrorist organization in this legal framework. Any other possible act and granting him political asylum will be an open violation of international law and requirements of NATO alliance.

It said ''Turkey believes that law and democracy will come out victorious in struggle against terrorism.''

[05] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''ANAP HAS CONFIDENCE ON ECEVIT AND GIVES FULL SUPPORT TO GOVERNMENT FORMULA BROUGHT BY ECEVIT''

Addressing a news conference following their 40-minute meeting in the Parliament, Yilmaz said 55th Government was a successful one having harmony in itself adding that the government was collapsed unjustly and without preparation.

Noting that the parties who collapsed 55th government failed to form a new government although they have majority in number in the Parliament, Yilmaz said ''I see a conflict in attitudes of three parties who collapsed the government with censure motion. The only formula they put forward was a broad base government formula.''

Yilmaz said the government formula, proposed by Bulent Ecevit regarding (DSP-ANAP-DYP) was known in public adding that ''this press conference will be the announcement of the issue which is known by everybody. ANAP has confidence on Ecevit and expend full support to his formula.''

Pointing out that the government which will be established will be in power for nearly four months, Yilmaz said it was impossible for this government to have radical performances like the 55th Government.

Yilmaz said they did not approach the issue as political competition but want all the parties to in in similar constructive and compromising attitude and pointed out that ANAP was ready to expend every kind of contribution.

Noting that they agreed together with Ecevit, DSP leader, to implement two tour election system in Municipal Elections, Yilmaz said they will prepare a draft resolution and submit it to the Parliament.

Yilmaz said Ecevit wanted to meet him again after meeting with Tansu Ciller, leader of True Path Party (DYP) on Monday adding that ''I have told him that I am ready to make every contribution to faciliate his studies.''

Prime Minister Yilmaz said his party expended support to all models aiming to form government by basing on the assumption that elections will certainly take place on April 18,1999 adding that ''we will not expend support to a proposal that will be prolonged after April 18.''

Responding to a question if he will be included in a government which Ecevit will form, Yilmaz said ''as no agreement could be reached on the government model, we have not talked on its roof.''

Yilmaz said whatever the situation of the government will be, there are internal and external problems that should be solved.

When recalled that 1999 budget draft resolution can not be issued from the Parliament if a government can not be formed till Dec 15, Yilmaz said ''any postponement in government formation will cause us to pass the first month of 1999 with a transistory budget. Yet this postponement will not make a negative effect in economic program of the government because required measures are taken.''

[06] ECEVIT, DSP LEADER: ''THE MOST VALID, HEALTHY AND REALISTIC ALTERNATIVE WILL BE THE GOVERNMENT FORMULA THAT WILL BE FORMED BY ANAP, DYP AND DSP''

Addressing a news conference which he staged following his meeting with Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, Ecevit said ''I don't want to talk, even think, about the possibility of a government formula before learning the views of Tansu Ciller, leader of DYP.''

Nothing that although it was a minority government, the 55th government worked in full harmony, Ecevit thanked to the leaders and ministers of the two parties which form 55th coalition government. Ecevit said Turkey had serious regime and government crisis before the 55th government was formed adding that this government helped the country get rid of this crisis within the principles of democratic law.

Ecevit pointed out that 55th government struggled hard against gangs, mafia and people who gained profit from the tenders and added that ''I would like to say that collapsing this government was unjust to this end.'' Ecevit also expressed belief that public conscience will make the most healthy evaluation.

Ecevit said ''55th was toppled unjustly, without preparation and untimely, now we are searching for a new government. Public expends support to a government model which I proposed that will be formed by ANAP, DYP, DSP.''

Ecevit said Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, who also acts as the leader of ANAP, gave him unconditional support in this proposal adding that he did not want to think about another government formula.

Ecevit said various news reports appeared in media on the issue ''yet'' he added Ciller's views were important for him in fact. Ecevit said he will convey his views to Prime Minister Yilmaz after meeting with the DYP leader and that he will evaluate the rest of the calendar after this.

[07] FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''GREECE, BY EXPLOITING HER FIR RESPONSIBILITY, TRIES TO SHOW IT AS HER RIGHT OF SOVEREIGNTY''

The Foreign Ministry issued a written statement responding to the statements of Cohacopulos to the Greek ANA news agency.''If the statements of Cohacopulos aimed at distorting the S-300 issue, it will be sufficient to recall that the only valid altarnative for the S-300 missiles is the annulment of the offer for the missiles in question, '' the statement said.

The statement stressed that ''on the other hand, the FIR responsibility is a technical responsibility related with the air traffic services given to countries in international airspaces with the regional agreements. Within this framework, the frontiers of FIR line, establishment of air corridors and Terminal Management Areas (TMA) including all of the changes in connection with these, the arrangements concerning international airspaces should be realized with the agreements among the countries in the region and with the ratification of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO),''
The Foreign Ministry said that Greece was trying to show that duty as her sovereignty right by exploiting the technical FIR line responsibility and this was contrary to international laws.

''Greece, which enters into the international airspace in the Aegean, asks flight plans from our military planes, changes our manoeuvres NOTAMs and raises several difficulties and puts several obstacles in front of the national and NATO air manoeuvres in the Aegean, has now started to make threats, which totally violate international laws, by claiming that she will start to equip the Athens FIR with missiles. The statements of Cohacopulos have revealed the intention of Greece, which has been trying to wear away the status of the Eastern Aegean islands since 1960,'' Foreign Ministry emphasized in its statement.

''The provocative and threatening statement of Cohacopulos is contrary to the Madrid Agreement, which was confirmed between Turkey and Greece at the highest level,'' the statement mentioned.

Foreign Ministry stressed that Greece can't gain anything with those threats adding that Turkey will take necessary measures to protect her vital and legal interests in the Aegean Sea.

[08] PRESS CONFERENCE OF STATE MINISTER CELEBI

Addressing a press conference, Isin Celebi said that they provided a real budget discipline, adding, ''we achieved the target for surplus excluding interest. Thus the concept of discipline in expenditure has been put into first plan.''

Pointing out that the priorities for the investment projects were specified, Celebi said that they allocated sources to 125 projects.

''According to the OECD estimations, Turkey's growth rate in export market decreased to 5.2 percent in 1998 from 8.9 percent in 1997. As a result of the global crisis, the exports to Asian countries dropped by 48.4 percent and the exports to Russia reduced by 26.5 percent in the first nine months of the year,'' Celebi stated.

Noting that the exports increase in nominal-valued was six percent in the first nine months of 1998 excluding Asian region and Russia, Celebi said, ''under those conditions, we signed free trade agreements with twelve countries. The exports to the US, European Union (EU) and Israel have increased and Turkey has entered into new markets.''

Noting that the reserves of the Central Bank was now at about 20 billion US dollars, Celebi said, ''the capital of Eximbank increased to 75 trillion Turrish Liras (TL) while it was 10 trillion TL in July 1997. Besides, this bank's capital will be raised to 200 trillion TL in early 1999.'' .

Celibe said that the stability in the macroeconomic balances bhould continue and they should intensify the implementations enabling the foreign source inflow.

''The anti-inflationist policies should continue to be pursued in 1999 in order to cut the inflation below 50 percent. A special importance should be attached to the continuity of economy policies, confidence and stability atmosphere and the activities of markets. Within this framework, the healthy and good relations with international financial organizations should continue. The concordance and understanding between the financial sector and the real sector should be provided within today's market conditions,'' he stressed.

[09] ELECTIONS TO TAKE PLACE IN TRNC ON SUNDAY - 352 NOMINEES TO COMPETE TO ENTER 50-CHAIR PARLIAMENT

A total of 120.758 voters will cast votes in 501 ballot boxes and elect new members out of 352 candidates.

15 Deputies from Lefkosa, 13 from Gazimagosa, nine from Girne, seven from Guzelyurt and six from Yeni Iskele will be elected.

Public surveys revealed that no party is capable of coming to ruling by itself, yet Dervis Eroglu, Prime Minister and leader of National Unity Party (UBP) claimed that they will come to ruling as one party.

Meanwhile, Rauf Denktas, President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) called on people to cast votes to prevent unexpected results from the elections.

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