Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-12-11

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

11 DEC 1998

CONTENTS

[01] MILLER, THE SPECIAL COORDINATOR OF THE US STATE DEPARTMENT: - ''MY TARGET IS TO PROVIDE RECONCILIATION ON THE S-300 MISSILES''

[02] THE TRIAL OF THE CHIEF OF THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION IS ON THE AGENDA OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE - ITALY REQUESTS THE TRIAL OF THE CHIEF TERRORIST IN A THIRD COUNTRY

[03] FOLEY, ACTING SPOKESMAN OF THE US STATE DEPARTMENT: - ''WE REVIEW VARIOUS ALTERNATIVES TO BRING OCALAN TO JUSTICE''

[04] ANNAN, UN GENERAL SECRETARY, BLAMES GREEK CYPRIOT DEFENCE FORCE - ANNAN EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER THE POSITION ON CYPRUS

[05] THE EFFCTS OF THE GLOBAL CRISIS ON TURKEY - ERIS, IKV CHAIRPERSON: ''THERE ARE PROBLEMS IN BOTH THE FINANCIAL SECTOR AND THE REAL ECONOMIC SECTOR OF TURKEY''

[06] GERMAN DELEGATION DUE IN TURKEY TO MAKE OBSERVATIONS IN THE GAP

[07] TURKISH-GERMAN FINANCIAL COOPERATION - FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL COOPERATION PROTOCOL SIGNED

[08] GAP PROJECT TO BE INTRODUCED TO THE RUSSIAN - THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FORTHCOMING NEWSPAPERS OF RUSSIA TO CARRY INVESTIGATIONS AND TO HOLD CONTACTS IN GAP

[09] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TERRORISM, WHICH IS THE MOST GRAVE VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, CAN NOT BE EXCUSED WITH ANY REASON''

[10] BANDINI, ITALIAN AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY: - ''ANKARA SHOULD GIVE GREEN LIGHT TO SOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE'' - A HIGH-LEVEL OFFICIAL FROM THE FM: - ''WE ARE SO CLOSE TO SOLUTION OF PROBLEM''

[11] TURKISH-GEORGIAN SOCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT SIGNED

[12] THE CONTACTS OF THE TURKISH DELEGATION IN SOFIA

[13] TURKISH-EU RELATIONS - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''TURKEY IS NOT HOPEFUL OVER VIENNA SUMMIT OF THE EU WHICH COULD NOT OVERCOME GREEK OBSTACLE''

[14] BUSINESSMEN FROM TURKEY, TURKISH CYPRIOT SIDE, GREECE AND GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE TO COME TOGETHER IN ISTANBUL

[15] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''THERE IS 30-DAY PERIOD FOR THE FORMATION OF GOVERNMENT''

[16] 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF TURKISH-GERMAN ECONOMIC COOPERATION - DUCKLAU, DIRECTOR OF GERMAN ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY: - ''NEW GERMAN GOVERNMENT ATTRIBUTES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO RELATIONS WITH TURKEY'' - ''TURKEY HAS A ENERGETIC PRIVATE SECTOR''

[01] MILLER, THE SPECIAL COORDINATOR OF THE US STATE DEPARTMENT: - ''MY TARGET IS TO PROVIDE RECONCILIATION ON THE S-300 MISSILES''

Miller who arrived in Cyprus overnight for an one day visit, is scheduled meet with Ann Hercus, the Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations (UN) Secretary General to Cyprus, later today.

Thomas Miller stressed that a reconciliation on the missiles will create solution opportunities to the Cyprus question.

Miller will proceed to Athens on Saturday.

He is also scheduled to visit Istanbul to participate at the meeting of the Greek and Turkish businessmen in Istanbul.

[02] THE TRIAL OF THE CHIEF OF THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION IS ON THE AGENDA OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE - ITALY REQUESTS THE TRIAL OF THE CHIEF TERRORIST IN A THIRD COUNTRY

Antonio Puruni, Italy's Ambasssador to the European Council, put the 1972 COE convention concerning the transfer of the trial of Ocalan to a third country on the agenda of the meeting and requested the support of the COE for the draft resolution concerning this.

Puruni also said that Italy did not sign this convention and that to this end his government would send Ocalan in case one of the Euroean countries requested his extradition.

Puruni in his draft resolution also demanded that the ''European Criminal Disputes Committee'' should immediately come together to discuss this issue and that it should submit a report after it investigated the conventions under the Council.

It is reported that Germany supported Italy's proposal in the meeting.

On the other hand, Turkey strongly rejected the extradition of Ocalan to another European country.

Alev Kilic, Turkey's Ambassador to the European Council, recalled the COE convention of 1977 concerning the struggle against terrorism and stressed that Ocalan should be extradited to Turkey.

Stating that the stance of Italy on not being positive in extraditing Ocalan to Turkey due to the death penalty did not comply with the principles of the COE, Kilic recalled that Turkey had not implemented death penalty since 1984 and added that most of the European countries which took this fact into consideration extradited many criminals to Turkey.

The European Council Delegations Committee will meet again on December 16 in Strasbourg to discuss Italy's proposal of trying the chief terrorist in a third country.

[03] FOLEY, ACTING SPOKESMAN OF THE US STATE DEPARTMENT: - ''WE REVIEW VARIOUS ALTERNATIVES TO BRING OCALAN TO JUSTICE''

Responding to a question on whether Ocalan will be sent to Iran or not, Foley stressed that he had no information on the issue.

The US Administration describes the PKK as a ''bloody-handed and brutal terrorist organization'', and added that Ocalan should be extradited Turkey, because he has committed most of his crimes in Turkey and against the Turkish people.

Mentioning the Cyprus question, Foley emphasized that deployment of Russian made S-300 missiles will be ''a mistake'', and added that they hopes the Greek Cypriot side will find a correct way of treatment concerning the missiles.

The US President Bill Clinton had previously warned the Greek Cypriot side to cancel the deployment of the missiles at the Southern Cyprus.

[04] ANNAN, UN GENERAL SECRETARY, BLAMES GREEK CYPRIOT DEFENCE FORCE - ANNAN EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER THE POSITION ON CYPRUS

Annan emphasized that the Greek Cypriots continued their efforts despite the warnings and threats of the UNFICYP, the peace force.

Annan stated in his report concerning the position on Cyprus and submitted to the Security Council Directorate that the delivery of S-300 missiles to the Greek Cypriot side was postponed till the end of this year.

Annan also noted that the defence force constructed some shields and other military shelters in the southeastern part of Lefkosa and near the impartial zone and the ceasefire line to protect the region from the tanks.

Annan also added in his report that these constructions aimed at changing the military status-quo on the Island and that the Greek Cypriot fishing boats and the touristics vessels violated the naval security line and that the Turkish Cypriot side had to defend itself from these violations.

Stressing that UNFICYP, the peace force, was doing its best to protect the ceasefire, Annan said that he hoped that the Turkish Cypriots would reconsider their stances on the relations between the Turks and the Greek Cypriots living on the Island.

Pointing out that the continuation of the mandate of UNFICYP on the Island was important for the ensuring of the ceasefire, Annan advised that the mandate of this peace force should be extended to June 30, 1999.

The Security Council would start to discuss Cyprus issue not later than the following week and that the draft resolution foreseeing the extension the post of the peace force would be adopted before the end of this year, it is reported on Thursday.

Kofi Annan will submit his report concerning the mission of good will on Cyprus to the Security Council in the following days.

[05] THE EFFCTS OF THE GLOBAL CRISIS ON TURKEY - ERIS, IKV CHAIRPERSON: ''THERE ARE PROBLEMS IN BOTH THE FINANCIAL SECTOR AND THE REAL ECONOMIC SECTOR OF TURKEY''

The speakers who attended the panel discussion concerning ''The Effects of the Global Crisis on Turkey and on Cukurova'' held by the Adana Trade Stock Market (ATB) said that stagnation and narrowing in economy but that it should not be considered as a crisis.

Stating that the stagnation and narrowing was based on some domestic and foreign dynamics and that the crisis in the Far East and the collapse of the Russian economy had significant effects on the foreign trade, Eris said that these countries became the competitors of Turkey in the countries Turkey sell her products and in the domestic market.

Stressing that the crisis in Far East and the collapse of the Russian economy affected the financial markets and the monetary funds such as the insurance companies and banks withdrew their money in Turkey, Eris said, ''this was first felt in the stock market. A great deal of money was withdrawn from Turkey. The monetary funds became very careful. They tried not to exceed the limits. The financial market narrowed and high interest occured.''

Eris added, ''Turkey is a country from which the foreign money is immediately withdrawn in a sensitive situation. However, the foreign investment in Turkey is very low in accordance with the dimensions of Turkish economy. To this end, it is appropriate to estimate this situation as narrowing.''

Emphasizing that the domestic dynamics affected the narrowing, Eris drew the attention to the fact that the investments to one part of the country more than the others due to the wrong policies led to the narrowing of the demand.

Eris stressed that the banks ensured money to the private and the public sectors with an interest of 150 percent and this led to the economic narrowing.

[06] GERMAN DELEGATION DUE IN TURKEY TO MAKE OBSERVATIONS IN THE GAP

Members of the German delegation will visit Sahabettin Harput, the Governor of Sanliurfa.

The delegation will make observations at the Ataturk Dam near Bozova County of Sanliurfa Province in 13 December, and then proceed to Adiyaman Province.

German delegation is expected to leave Turkey for Germany in 14 December.

[07] TURKISH-GERMAN FINANCIAL COOPERATION - FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL COOPERATION PROTOCOL SIGNED

Aydın Karaoz, General Director of the Undersecretariat of Treasury Foreign Economic Relations, on behalf of Turkey and Dr. Ducklau, General Director of German Economic Cooperation and Development Ministry, on behalf of Germany signed the protocol.

The Undersecretariat of Treasury issued a statement and stressed that independent government credit about 90 million Deutch marks with appropriate conditions was ensured within the framework of the financial cooperation with Germany and that this credit would be used in the infrastructural and environment projects.

It is also reported that the credit would be with a maturity of 30 years, ten of which would be without pay and that it would be with a two percent interest per annum based on the German mark.

The Undersecretariat also stressed that Germany granted 16 million German marks to Turkey and that this fund would be used in the preparation of educational and infrastructural projects and in the training of the personnel in these fields.

[08] GAP PROJECT TO BE INTRODUCED TO THE RUSSIAN - THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FORTHCOMING NEWSPAPERS OF RUSSIA TO CARRY INVESTIGATIONS AND TO HOLD CONTACTS IN GAP

The representatives of the forthcoming newspapers of Russia will come to Turkey's southeastern province Sanlıurfa to carry investigations and to hold contacts on this project.

A.A correspondent quoted GAP Region Development Administration Directorate as stating that the delegation formed by Zadi Fis, a Turkolog from the Moskovski Novosti newspaper, Aleksander Vasiski, a journalist from Izvestia newspaper, and Yakov Marsak, a journalist from Novoya newspaper, will come to Sanlıurfa on December 14 after holding contacts with Kaya Yasınok, GAP Administration Deputy Director General, in Ankara.

The officials stressed that the Russian journalists would carry investigations in the fields of Harran which were being irrigated and in Ataturk Dam and added that the GAP project would be introduced to the Russian people by the news published in the mentioned newspapers.

[09] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TERRORISM, WHICH IS THE MOST GRAVE VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, CAN NOT BE EXCUSED WITH ANY REASON''

In a message which he issued due to the World Human Rights Day, Demirel said ''required measures should be taken in human rights law against the statements which promote terrorism and spread hatred feelings.''

Demirel said Turkey was one of the founder members of United Nations (UN), and also one of the countries who first adopted Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adding that ''I would like to say that we are still faithful to the basic principles included in this historical document with the same belief and sensation after 50 years.''

Demirel said there was a global agreement on the issue of universality of the rights at this point where humanity reached ''these rights were included in Universal Declaration of Human Rights dated 1948.''

Demirel said ''we celebrated 75th anniversary of Turkish Republic this year'' adding that Turkish Republic is a constitutional democracy based on respect on human rights.

President Demirel said another vital issue which we should focus on today is the increase of international cooperation against terrorism which threaten right to live, which is one of the basic rights of humanbeings.

[10] BANDINI, ITALIAN AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY: - ''ANKARA SHOULD GIVE GREEN LIGHT TO SOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE'' - A HIGH-LEVEL OFFICIAL FROM THE FM: - ''WE ARE SO CLOSE TO SOLUTION OF PROBLEM''

Responding to questions of the A.A correspondent, Bandini noted that the contacts between Italy, Germany, Turkey and Russia continue. He stressed that issue was taken up at the COE meeting in Strasbourg and will be reviewed once again on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, a high-level official from the Foreign Ministry expressed concern over the efforts aiming at politicizing the issue of Ocalan in Europe.

Reminding that Turkey continues contacts with Italy, the official stressed, ''we are so close to solution of the problem, but conditions change continously. It is impossible, therefore, to determine which alternative will be valid right now.''

[11] TURKISH-GEORGIAN SOCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT SIGNED

Sagar said in the ceremony that the citizens of the parties would have equal security rights and that in case one person moves to one of the countries, his salary would continue to be paid in that country and the insured people of one of the countries would receive the same funds in case of a temporary incapability of work.

Sagar stated that the funds of vocational diseases and accidents that the people were taking from one of the countries would continue to receive it in the other country and could receive health controls.

Iasvili said that the social security affairs of two countries could be solved easily by this agreement.

Pointing out that Turkey and Georgia had good neighbourly relations, Iasvili said, ''we expect every kind of aid from Turkey which can solve our problems. We trust Turkey. We take Turkish studies into consideration and try to apply them in Georgia. We can more easily deal with the problems by this agreement''

[12] THE CONTACTS OF THE TURKISH DELEGATION IN SOFIA

The delegation of Turkey presided by Murat karayalcin, the Head of the Foreign Affairs Commission of Turkish Parliament (TBMM), met with Stoyanov this morning.

Making a statement after the meeting in which the relations between the two countries and the regional problems were discussed, Stoyanov said, ''the success or the failure of one country in the region depends on the common stance of all of the Balkan countries.''

Stressing that the Balkans was a whole, Stoyanov noted that the Balkans should refrain from the image of ''disputed region.''

Pointing out that the relations between the two countries were ideal, Karayalcin said, ''we solved our problems by taking friendship into consideration from history rather than hostility.''

The Turkish delegation later attended the meeting held in Bulgarian parliament on the 50th anniversary of the adoptation of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

[13] TURKISH-EU RELATIONS - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''TURKEY IS NOT HOPEFUL OVER VIENNA SUMMIT OF THE EU WHICH COULD NOT OVERCOME GREEK OBSTACLE''

The official said EU will prefer to mention about Turkey among the candidate countries in a veiled way in Vienna summit adding that this trick was far away from satisfying Turkey.

The same official pointed out that relations stemming from customs union will continue despite the bottleneck of political relations between Turkey and the EU adding that ''neither Turkey nor EU will give up customs union.''

Meanwhile, Hans Joachim Vergau, Germany's Ambassador to Ankara, said relations between Turkey and EU were blocked and expressed sorrow over this situation.

Vergau, Ambassador of Germany, which will take over EU term presidency from Austria following EU summit in Vienna, responding to the questions of A.A correspondent said ''Of course, future of relations is hopeful. Turkey is a European country and will take its place in the future. The issue of Abdullah Ocalan should be solved now.''

Vergau said Turkey should record improvements on issues like the Southeast problem and human rights which were put forward by the EU to take its place in the EU.

[14] BUSINESSMEN FROM TURKEY, TURKISH CYPRIOT SIDE, GREECE AND GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE TO COME TOGETHER IN ISTANBUL

Thomas Miller, the Special Coordinator of the US State Department for Cyprus , Kenneth Brill, the US Ambassador to Cyprus, and Jan Egeland, the former Undersecretary of Norwagian Foreign Ministry will also be in attendance at the thee day meetings.

Issues such as culture, telecommunication, trade and environment will be discussed by the businessmen.

Meanwhile, responding to the questions of the A.A corespondent, Vedat Celik who heads the Turkish Cypriot delegation, said that it is necessary to recognize political equality of the Turkish Cypriots to achieve a conclusion in such a meeting.

Vedat Celik, Engin Ari, Kutlay Erk, Gunay Cerkez, Peyman Erginel, Ilkay M. Genc, Peker Turgud, Hasan Cemil, Fikri Toros, Mehmet Kucuk and Mustafa Rasid take place in the Turkish Cypriot delegation while

Konstantinos Lordos heads the Greek Cypriot delegation.

[15] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''THERE IS 30-DAY PERIOD FOR THE FORMATION OF GOVERNMENT''

Responding to the questions of journalists Demirel said ''what is sought for is the vote of confidence'' adding that there is only government problem in Turkey not the crisis.

Demirel said studies were underway to form a new government and pointed out that there is still a 30-day period for the formation of the government, there is no reason for crisis.

Demirel said ''duty of the existing government continues till a new one is established. The Constitution says it.''

[16] 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF TURKISH-GERMAN ECONOMIC COOPERATION - DUCKLAU, DIRECTOR OF GERMAN ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY: - ''NEW GERMAN GOVERNMENT ATTRIBUTES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO RELATIONS WITH TURKEY'' - ''TURKEY HAS A ENERGETIC PRIVATE SECTOR''

Addressing a press conference which he staged for the 40th anniversary of the Turkish-German economic and financial cooperation, Ducklau stressed that the German Government foresees more economic and financial aid to Turkey within the framework of the improvement of the relations between the two countries.

Stressing the importance of the recent positive developments in Turkey's economy, Dr. Ducklau described Turkish private sector as very energetic.

Germany has provided financial aid of 8 billion German Mark so far for the projects such as electricity production, transportation, railway and water purification within the framework of economic cooperation between the two countries.

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