Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-12-09

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

09 DEC 1998

CONTENTS

[01] MILD EARTHQUAKE SHAKES KUSADASI COUNTY OF IZMIR PROVINCE AND SURROUNDINGS

[02] THE US REITERATES: - ''OCALAN SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE''

[03] TORRENTIAL RAINS CAUSE FLOOD IN ORTACA COUNTY OF MUGLA PROVINCE - MANY HOUSES AND BUSINESS PLACES INUNDATED

[04] VEDRINE, THE FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER: ''WAY TO VIENNA IS OPEN FOR TURKEY''

[05] LAWYERS OF CAKICI APPLY TO THE FRENCH SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS

[06] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER CETIN LEAVES FOR RUSSIA

[07] RANTZAU, THE SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF GERMANY TO CYPRUS: - ''S-300 MISSILES CAN CAUSE HOT CLASHES BETWEEN TURKEY AND GREECE''

[08] TURKISH-EU RELATIONS - CHANGE OF EXPRESSIONS IN THE DRAFT RESOLUTION OF EU COUNCIL OF MINISTERS CONCERNING TURKEY CAUSE VARIOUS INTERPRETATIONS

[09] SCHUSSEL, THE FM OF AUSTRIA: ''IF TURKEY ABOLISHES DEATH PENALTY, THE ISSUE OF OCALAN, THE TERRORIST CHIEF WILL BECOME SIMPLE''

[10] TURKEY BECOMES ''HIGH MIDDLE INCOME'' COUNTRY

[11] EFFORTS TO SET UP A GOVERNMENT IN TRNC - EROGLU, THE TRNC PRIME MINISTER SUBMITS HIS RESIGNATION TO TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS

[12] DOMESTIC BORROWING IN 1999

[13] TURKEY REJECTS THE INVITATION OF EU

[14] PROFILE OF EXPORTS IN FIRST 11 MONTHS

[15] TURKEY REJECTS THE INVITATION OF EU - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''INTERIM FORMULAS CAN NOT BE ACCEPTED''

[16] SYMPOSIUM ON ''TURKISH-EU RELATIONS'' IN BRUSSELS

[17] TURKISH-SYRIAN AGREEMENT - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''THE AGREEMENT SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED BETTER''

[18] FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''THERE IS NO SIGN REGARDING THAT OCALAN WILL BE JUDGED IN AN INTERNATIONAL COURT''

[19] AZERI-TURKISH MEETING ON THE MAIN OIL PIPELINE STARTS

[20] ''TURKISH EXPORT STRATEGY'' - EGE, FOREIGN TRADE UNDERSECRATARY: ''TURKEY DOES NOT FACE A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN BALANCE OF PAYMENTS AND FOREIGN TRADE DEFICIT DESPITE THE ECONOMIC CRISIS''

[01] MILD EARTHQUAKE SHAKES KUSADASI COUNTY OF IZMIR PROVINCE AND SURROUNDINGS

Officials at the Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory Earthquake Research Institute told the A.A correspondent that the epicenter of the earthquake was the sea near Kusadasi County.

No casualties or financial damages were reported at the earthquake.

[02] THE US REITERATES: - ''OCALAN SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE''

Addressing to the journalists, James Foley, the Acting Spokesman of the US State Department, stressed that Turkey, Italy and Germany maintain contacts in order to find a formula to try Ocalan.

The US Administration emphasizes that Ocalan who has committed most of his crimes in Turkey and against the Turkish people, should be extradited to Turkey.

The US which describes the PKK as a ''bloody-handed and cruel terrorist organization'', objects to grant Ocalan with political asylum.

The US Administration has conveyed her opinion over the issue to the high- level officials of the concerned countries. A US delegation which was in Europe to convey the opinion of the US, has just returned to Washington D.C.

The delegation formed by the representatives of the units of the state department, security and intelligence, has presented the file on ''Abdullah Ocalan and terrorist actions of the PKK'' to the Italian Government.

The US delegation also held talks both in Germany and Turkey.

[03] TORRENTIAL RAINS CAUSE FLOOD IN ORTACA COUNTY OF MUGLA PROVINCE - MANY HOUSES AND BUSINESS PLACES INUNDATED

The heavy-rain affected Cayli and Dikmenkavak Districts in the county and surrounding Akınci, Guzelyurt, Fevziye and Mergenli Villages, inundating many houses and business places.

Most of the cultivated fields and a stone quarry were also inundated.

Responding to the questions of the A.A correspondent, Fazli Akgun, the Acting Governor of Mugla, said that the municipality units continue their pumping activities.

Meanwhile torrential rains also caused the front cofferdam of the construction of the Dalaman Akkopru Dam and the hydroelectric power plant in Ortaca County, to collapse.

[04] VEDRINE, THE FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER: ''WAY TO VIENNA IS OPEN FOR TURKEY''

Addressing a statement to a Greek private television channel, Vedrine pointed out that initiatives and negotiations are underway to invite Turkey to the EU Summit as a candidate that will be held in Vienna.

Verdine, the French Foreign Minister stated that Leonel Jospin, the French Prime Minister requested the EU Term Presidency to invite Turkey to the Vienna Summit as a candidate, adding that ''the doors are not close.''

[05] LAWYERS OF CAKICI APPLY TO THE FRENCH SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS

The French court of Aux-En-Provence said in the court hearing on Thursday that Cakıcı can be extradited to Turkey if the latter assures gurantees promising that Cakıcı will not be sentenced to death penalty in Turkey.

Cakıcı is in prison in France now for committing the crime of entering France with fake passport. Alaattin Cakıcı, the notorious mafia boss had earlier sought for political asylum from France.

[06] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER CETIN LEAVES FOR RUSSIA

Prior to his departure from the Esenboga Airport in Ankara, Cetin said that the current issues in the whole region and especially in the Black Sea will be discussed at the meetings, adding that several initiatives were launched to further improve the economic, commercial and cultural relations among the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) countries.

Pointing out that he will take over the ''BSECPA Term Presidency'' from Gennady Seleznev, the Speaker of the State Duma, the lower chamber of the Russian Parliament, Cetin said, ''I hope I will find the opportunity to hold bilateral contacts with the speakers of several countries.''

Cetin, who will address the BSECPA General Assembly on Thursday, will return to Turkey on 11 December.

[07] RANTZAU, THE SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF GERMANY TO CYPRUS: - ''S-300 MISSILES CAN CAUSE HOT CLASHES BETWEEN TURKEY AND GREECE''

Addressing to the journalist in the Greek Cypriot side, Rantzau noted that he does not believe in the fact that Russian made missiles will strengthen the security of the Greek Cypriot side.

Mentioning the proposal of Greece and the Greek Cypriot side envisaging purifying the island from troops, Rantzau stressed that the international community will not leave alone Cyprus which is purified from troops, in case of a possible attack.

Rantzau emphasized that Germany does not believe in the fact that the Greek Cypriot side is under military threat of Turkey.

Pointing out that none of the defense systems can protect the Greek Cypriot side against a military movement because of the geostrategical position of the Greek Cypriot side, Rantzau reiterated that the best solution is the political reconciliation between the two sides on the island.

[08] TURKISH-EU RELATIONS - CHANGE OF EXPRESSIONS IN THE DRAFT RESOLUTION OF EU COUNCIL OF MINISTERS CONCERNING TURKEY CAUSE VARIOUS INTERPRETATIONS

The final document which could not be made official and which remained as a ''draft'' due to long debates by the foreign ministers of the EU member states about Turkey, stresses the ''importance attributed to the relations with Turkey'' and ''the importance of European Strategy for Turkey.'' The draft pointed out that Turkey should also attribute importance to efforts aiming at democratization and abiding with Copenhagen criteria.

The paragraph in the draft concerning the invitation of Turkey to the Vienna Summit has been suspended due to the opposition of Greece, but Wofgang Schussel, the Austrian Foreign Minister said that contacts are underway concerning this issue.

The EU sources in Brussels point out to the existence of people who defend the view that Turkey has to be invited to the Vienna Summit, adding that ''bargaining continues about the issue.''

Experts stress that the invitation of Turkey to the Vienna Summit by ''this or that formula'' will bring prestige to Austria, adding that positive signals will probably be given to Turkey during the Vienna Summit.

[09] SCHUSSEL, THE FM OF AUSTRIA: ''IF TURKEY ABOLISHES DEATH PENALTY, THE ISSUE OF OCALAN, THE TERRORIST CHIEF WILL BECOME SIMPLE''

Addressing a press briefing after meeting with Javier Solona, the NATO Secretary General in Brussels, Schussel pointed out that ''The EU Council approved the recent reports of the EU Commission about the candidate countries, among these reports, there was a report on Turkey.''

Noting that they launch efforts to take a step forward, Schussel said that there is not any discrimination about Turkey and Austria has been the friend and partner of Turkey for hundreds of years, adding ''our contacts are fine.''

''We tried to bring attractive proposals to Turkey, this was not easy, but we think that we have done something positive,'' he added.

''Turkey has the chance of being full member of EU, everything depends on political will,'' he noted.

Responding to a question on terrorism, Schussel said that ''EU condemns terrorism, PKK is a terrorist organization and it extends support to trial of Ocalan at an international court.'' Schussel pointed out that the word ''international'' creates confusion and this issue can not be solved within few days.

[10] TURKEY BECOMES ''HIGH MIDDLE INCOME'' COUNTRY

The World Bank included Turkey into the category of ''high middle income countries'' in its world income chart given in its latest report namely ''Knowledge for Development''. Turkey, which has always been shown at the category of low medium income countries, deserved this rank with 3,130 US dollars per capita national income in 1997.

In the classification, which was confirmed last year by taking the figures in 1995 as a basis, Turkey was included in the category of low medium income countries with a 2,780 US dollars per capita national income.

[11] EFFORTS TO SET UP A GOVERNMENT IN TRNC - EROGLU, THE TRNC PRIME MINISTER SUBMITS HIS RESIGNATION TO TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS

Accepting the resignation, TRNC President Denktas stated that the existing government should stay in power till the new government is established in TRNC.

Denktas who started to meet with the leaders of the political parties that have the right to be represented in the TRNC parliament, met firstly with Dervis Eroglu, the leader of the National Union Party (UBP), which won the highest number of votes in the elections.

Noting that UBP had a great success in the elections and it is a rooted party, Denktas pointed out that ''I am pleased about the fact that the national matter which UBP pursues is welcomed by the majority of our people. This has given a very important message to the world. I told foreign diplomats who visited me yesterday that they should take this elections into consideration. Thus the strong connection between Turkey and the TRNC and its confirmation by TRNC people is a historical event.''

Stressing that Turkish Cypriots respect democracy, Denktas said that the election campaign was carried out in a dignified manner and everybody accepted the result of the elections.

TRNC President Denktas stated that he will assign Eroglu to form the new government.

[12] DOMESTIC BORROWING IN 1999

The domestic borrowing requirement can reach 18-20 quadrillion TL if the terms are shortened and the foreign borrowing facilities become insufficient and unsuitable.

Meanwhile, the total domestic borrowing stock is expected to reach 12 quadrillion TL at the end of 1998.

The programme for treasury auctions which will be arranged over intensively discount bills will continue while bond issue on coupon payments in every three month will start in 1999.

In the new system, the bonds on three-month coupon (interest) payment will have two-year term.

[13] TURKEY REJECTS THE INVITATION OF EU

Responding to questions in a press briefing the same day, Sermet Atacanlı, the Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman said that Austria, the EU Term President conveyed an invitation to Turkey.

Atacanlı said ''we won't participate in the European Conference because we think the character and frame of this invitation is not appropriate.''

[14] PROFILE OF EXPORTS IN FIRST 11 MONTHS

The exports from the electric-electronics sector increased 17.7 percent and it was followed by the motor vehicles and by-industry with 13.6 percent and by the textiles and raw material with 9 percent increase. The increase in the exports from the ready-to-wear sector was 6.1 percent in the January- November 1998 period.

The Exporters' Unions data shows that the biggest decrease in exports occured at the live stock and aquaculture sectors with 21.8 percent and it was followed by olive ano olive oil exports which decreased by 16.4 percent.

[15] TURKEY REJECTS THE INVITATION OF EU - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''INTERIM FORMULAS CAN NOT BE ACCEPTED''

Addressing a weekly news conference Atacanli said they may think of the issue if an invitation comes in which Turkey is equally treated with the other countries and recalled that Turkey has two expectations from the EU. Atacanli said these are ''acceptance and confirmation of Turkey's candidacy by the EU, and Turkey's receiving equal treatment with the other candidate countries, as a natural outcome of this confirmation.''

Stressing that EU failed to take a concrete step so far, Atacanli said formulas, apart from these expectations, are far away from satisfying Turkey.

When recalled the news reports that Turkey was not invited to Vienna Summit on grounds that there is a ''government crisis'' in Turkey, Atacanli said ''the true nature and acceptability of the invitation is important for us before the government crisis in Turkey.''

Meanwhile, it was reported that European Conference invitation was on Premiership level.

Atacanli said the report which was adopted following general meeting of European General Affairs Commission between Dec 6 and 7 in Brussels, they made attributions to Turkey adding that the elements mentioned in the report failed to meet the expectations of Turkey.

Noting that the report in question was foreseen to be submitted to Vienna Summit, Atacanli said ''we hope that the report will be improved till the summit, or Turkey will not make a change in its attitude which it disclosed following Luxembourg Summit.''

[16] SYMPOSIUM ON ''TURKISH-EU RELATIONS'' IN BRUSSELS

Elmar Brok, a member of the European Parlament Foreign Affairs Commission, Eric Van Der Linden, European Commission Turkish Desk Director, Bulent Akarcali, Co-chairman of the Turkish-EU Joint Parliament Commission, Nihat Akyol, Turkey's Permanent Representative to the EU. Onur Oymen, Turkey's Permanent Representative to NATO, representatives of the European Parliament, many experts and scientists will attend the symposium which will start with the speeches of Faruk Sen, TAM Chairman, and Gunther Rinsche, Konrad Adenauer Foundation Chairman and European Parliament Deputy.

Making a statement on the symposium, Sen, TAM Director, said that efforts should be expended in order to prevent the adversely effects of the daily events in Turkey's relations with the EU.

[17] TURKISH-SYRIAN AGREEMENT - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''THE AGREEMENT SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED BETTER''

Addressing his weekly press conference, Sermet Atacanli, the Deputy Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, responded the questions about the Adana Agreement's implementation process.

Recalling President Suleyman Demirel's statements during his Egyptian counterpart Hosni Mubarak's visit to Turkey which said that ''the agreement should be implemented better'', Atacanli said that the talks with the Syrian officials continue to this end.

Stating that specific progress was recorded following the Adana Agreement, Atacanli stressed that the agreement was a very important document.

Responding to a question at the joint press conference he had held with Egyptian President Mubarak, President Demirel said that they want to remove the the problems left from the events in the past and they want a new period to start between Turkey and Syria.

[18] FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''THERE IS NO SIGN REGARDING THAT OCALAN WILL BE JUDGED IN AN INTERNATIONAL COURT''

Addressing a weekly new conference, Atacanli reponded to questions related with the judgement process of the chief of terrorist organization and added that an international court will not be accepted.

Atacanli reiterated that initiatives to this end were ''unfounded and uncessary'' and pointed out that ''there is not a sign and legal base for such a judgement.''

[19] AZERI-TURKISH MEETING ON THE MAIN OIL PIPELINE STARTS

The AIOC, international consortium operation company, officials stated that the details of the intergovernmental agreement concerning the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline would be held in these meetings.

Stating thet Turkey fully guaranteed that the Caspian oil would be exported safely, the Azeri government officials noted that they agreed upon all of the articles concerning this issue.

The officials pointed out that the only Article on which they did not come to an agreement yet was the issue of transit tariff.

The Azer-Press News Agency reported that Baku requested the price of carrying the oil through Turkey not to exceed 14 US dollars per ton.

[20] ''TURKISH EXPORT STRATEGY'' - EGE, FOREIGN TRADE UNDERSECRATARY: ''TURKEY DOES NOT FACE A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN BALANCE OF PAYMENTS AND FOREIGN TRADE DEFICIT DESPITE THE ECONOMIC CRISIS''

Speaking in the meeting concerning ''Turkish Export Strategy and Practices'' held by the Adana Chamber of Industry, Ege stressed that the world faced an economic crisis and that Turkey was adversely affected by the events faced in Russia after the crisis. Ege said, ''Russian economy has an important role in the pace of Turkish economy.''

Pointing out that Turkey did not face a serious problem in balance of payments and foreign trade deficit despite the world crisis, Ege said, ''the balance of payments is in a position of having a surplus of current transactions after many years.''

Ege said, ''there are some hopeful advances in 1999. Japan, whose economy was the heart of the Far East economy and the second biggest economy of the world, has applied two economic implementation programs. There are also important advances in South Korean economy. We are expecting advances in Russian and Latin American economies. There are not advances in Indonesian and Malaysian economies. The result of this is the political instability in these countries.''

Noting that the fact that the European Union (EU) countries would start to use a single currency and that this constituted great importance for Turkey, which made most of its exports to these countries, Ege said, ''the purchasing power of Europe will be seen as the single currency ''Euro'' is issued. We should benefit from this.''

Stating that it was necessary to separate the foreign trade policies of the countries from the macro economic policies and that it was also necessary not to divert from practices excluding the revisions, Ege said, ''otherwise, the instabilities will prevent the foresight of the people.''

Expressing that a devaluation in Turkey was not a matter of course, Ege said, ''devaluation will have effects for a short time. However, the damages of it can not be underestimated. A devaluation will lay the ground for another one.''

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