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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-12-25Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>25 DEC 1998CONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on Dec 25, 1998. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)HERE IS THE PEACE OF APOAs Abdullah Ocalan, leader of the separatist terrorist PKK organization, makes statements of peace in Italy, a female terrorist of the organization detonated a bomb which she wrapped up around her body and killed an 13-year old innocent child and wounded 24 other people in eastern Van province. 30 DAYS ARE ENOUGH FOR ME MILLIYET (LIBERAL)HORROR IN VANThe female terrorist detonated the bomb she was carrying on herself at about 07:30 local time in front of a military midibus, which was carrying military personnel, killing herself and Osman Akbas, a student who was passing by, and injuring 3 second-lieutenants, 4 non-commissioned officers, 5 expert sergeants, 2 privates, 4 civilian-military personnel, one teacher and four students. THERE ARE LOTS OF EXPECTATIONS FROM EREZ SABAH (LIBERAL)LAST FLUTTERSSeparatist terrorist PKK organization which remained chiefless and which lost military power applies to crazy methods. Recent live bomb exploded in eastern Van province. The target of the live bomb was the military service vehicle that was in front of the officer's club. NINE TARGETS OF EREZ CUMHURIYET (LEFT)RUSSIA: ''THERE IS NO PLACE FOR APO IN OUR COUNTRY''The news reports claiming that Abdullah Ocalan, leader of the separatist terrorist PKK organization had gone to Russia were not proved to be right. Aleksander Lebedev, Russia's Ambassador to Ankara has come to Foreign Ministry at the beginning of the week and gave assurances that there was no place for Apo in Russia. FP DISCUSSION IN CENTRAL LEFT RADIKAL (LEFT)EREZ LIKE THE PRIME MINISTERYalim Erez, Minister of Trade and Industry, who was assigned to form the new government, promised to prepare a large performance program. He also promised to continue efforts on social security reform, moderation in tax in advance, independence of judgement and struggle against the mafia. Erez started his studies first by meeting with Hikmet Cetin, Parliament Speaker. IT IS NOT CLEAR HOW MANY PEOPLE KILLED YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)GREAT SUPPORT TO EREZBusiness world wants Yalim Erez, Prime Minister-Designate, to form a stable government which will be able to take measure against the crisis. A wise solution is expected, not political dispute. Reform laws which are waiting on the agenda of the Parliament are expected to be solved in a comrpomise government which Erez will form. LIVE BOMB HOROR TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)COMPLAINT FROM DYP TO ATATURKDeputies of the True Path Party (DYP) who critized President Suleyman Demirel who has given the task of forming government to Yalim Erez, Minister of Trade and Industry, revealed their reactions with a visit they paid to Anitkabir, Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkish Republic. DYP Deputies laid a wreath to Anitkabir. Tansu Ciller, leader of DYP, gave signals of moderation and said they may have a courtesy meeting with Erez. HIGH COURT OF APPEAL ANNULS SIVAS DECISION ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)''I WILL SEEK FOR COMPROMISE''Yalim Erez, Prime Minister-Designate, visited Hikmet Cetin, Parliament Speaker on Thursday and told him that Turkey was face to face with very important problems adding that several laws should be issued from the Parliament to solve these problems. Erez said ''I will look for a great compromise in the Parliament. I will listen to the views of al parties and non-governmental organizations in preparation of the laws. SOFTENING IN THE LEFT [02] LANDSLIDE ON MAIN ANTALYA-ISPARTA HIGHWAY - ROAD IS CLOSED TO TRAFFIC DUE TO LAND SLIDE AND FALLEN ROCKSANTALYA, Dec 25 (A.A) - Landslide in Derebogazi region of the main Antalya- Isparta highway closed the traffic, it was reported on Thursday.Heavy rain and snowfall caused landslide and the rocks to fall. Efforts of the landways teams to clean up the road continue to provide flow of traffic again. [03] DUNA, RETIRED AMBASSADOR: ''TURKEY IS AN IMPORTANT FOREIGN TRADE PARTNER OF THE EU''TARSUS, Dec 25 (A.A) - Cem Duna, retired Ambassador, said on Thursday that Turkey was having a unification process with the European Union (EU) which it integrated in foreign trade. Duna said Turkey was an important foreign trade partner of the EU, adding that Turkey successfully concluded three years following Customs Union (CU) Agreement and passed over a test.Addresing a conference staged by Cag University, Duna disclosed his views about EU and EURO, which is the only money unit that will be implemented within EU as of Jan 1, 1999. Duna pointed out that Turkey formed all legal infrastructure to enter in the EU, adding that companies performed their powers and readiness to enter competition against the EU. Duna said, ''we should enlarge our power while entering to CU and we should become the part of a greater economy.'' [04] ''IRAN EXPORTS AND IMPORTS'' MAGAZINE, PUBLISHED IN ENGLISH, ALLOCATES ITS RECENT EDITION TO TURKEYANKARA, Dec 25 (A.A) - ''Iran Exports and Imports'' magazine published in Iran in English, allocated its recent edition to Turkey and described Turkey in 27 pages.The magazine mentioned about Turkey saying ''land of hard-working people'' and talked about many issues extending from history to administration, from language to tourism and economic development. Noting that Turkish territories have a deep culture, the magazine said Anatolia still has traces from Hitite, Greek, Rome, Seljuk and Ottoman periods. The magazine which also mentioned about the stages of War of Independence, said declaration of the Republic was a start for Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who founded modern Turkey, adding that Ataturk worked hard throughout his life to create Turkey. The magazine said Turkey has 62 million people population, adding that 60 percent of this population was youth. The article in the magazine also pointed out the natural beauties and tourism potential and Turkey would be the choice of the ones who prefer history, culture and nature. The magazine also mentioned about the development of Turkish tourism, bed capacity and the number of tourists hosted. Tourism ministry said more than 300,000 tourists from Iran visit Turkey every year and that they show interest to Istanbul, thermal tourism centers and Sanliurfa prove where Prophet Ibrahim was born. [05] 20.8 TRILLION LIRA AID TO POLITICAL PARTIESANKARA, Dec 25 (A.A) - Treasury will give approximately 20.8 trillion lira aid to political parties in 1999, which is the election year, it was reported on Friday.The credits of the political parties for the new year and principles regarding the aid of the Treasury were determined with a Transistory Budget. Thus, the aid that will be given to a deputy will be 12.9 billion lira. True Path Party (DYP) will get the biggest share from the Treasury aid as results of 1995 general elections and the number of deputies were taken as a base in distribution of the Treasury. A total of 5.2 trillion lira will be given to this party till Jan 10. The Motherland Party (ANAP) will get 5.1 trillion lira Treasury aid where as Democratic Left Party (DSP) will get 2.9 trillion lira state aid. Republican Peoples' Party (CHP) will get 2.1 trillion lira. Virtue Party (FP) which was founded after Welfare Party (RP) was closed will take place after these four parties. If RP was not closed the treasury aid it would have taken would be 6.1 trillion lira. Yet, FP, under the related Article of the Political Parties Law, will get 1.7 trillion lira. Similarly, Democrat Turkey Party (DTP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) will get approximately 1.7 trillion lira aid. Great Unity Party (BBP) will get 400 billion lira from the state. [06] TORRENTIAL RAINS IN SOUTHERN MERSIN PROVINCEMERSIN, Dec 25 (A.A) - Hundereds of houses and business places were inundated due to torrential rains which started in southern Mersin province on Thursday evening and which continued for five hours without intervals.Meteorology officials said this was the heaviest torrential rains of the recent 30 years, adding that 110 kg rain fall to one square meter. Officials of Mersin municipality and Security Department rescued the people who were stranded as their whose houses were inundated. Kuris, Mersin Mayor, said there was a natural disaster in Mersin due to torrential rains and expressed pleasure that there was no reported casualities. Meanwhile, a crisis desk was formed in Icel Governorship and they began to determine the damages. [07] TURKISH-CHINESE RELATIONS WHILE ENTERING TO 1999ANKARA, Dec 25 (A.A) - Positive relations between Turkey and China, which were also recorded in the year 1998, were foreseen to continue increasingly. These two countries are envisaged to have cooperation in the field of energy field in next year.Yao Kuangyi, China's Ambassador to Ankara, told A.A correspondent that relations between the two countries improved without problem in the year 1998, adding that ''according to Chinese calender, 1998 was the year of tiger, which means the year of mobilization. 1999 year would be the rabbit year, which means the year of speed. We want Turkish-Chinese relations to improve rapidly in the new year.'' The Chinese Ambassador briefed their expectations for the relations of the two countries for the next year as politically, commerciallyş and culturally. He said high level bilateral relations were foreseen in the political field in 1999 and noted that efforts are underway for the visit of Chinese Leader Jiang Zemin to Turkey. Yao said bilateral visits will take place in the new year, adding that they planned to increase Turkish-Chinese trade volume. Yao listed the cooperation fields between the two countries as railway construction, agriculture machines and construction. Responding to a question about Abdullah Ocalan, chief of the separatist terrorist organization, Yao stressed that his country opposed to every kind of terrorist activities. When recalled that Italy was looking for a third country to send Ocalan, the Ambassador said it was impossible for him to go to China and underlined that China favored international cooperation in struggle against terrorism. He said, ''we respect Turkey's efforts to preserve its own sovereignity and territorial integrity.'' [08] AKYOL, TURKEY'S AMBASSADOR TO EU EVALUATES 1998BRUSSELS, Dec 25 (A.A) - Nihat Akyol, Turkey's Permanent Ambassador to European Union (EU) said on Friday that EU officials understood very well the messages of Ankara related with the chief of the separatist terrorist organization, adding that ''our interlocutors know that any wrong step that will be taken by the EU will cause irrepairable effects in our relations.''Evaluating Turkish-EU relations in the year 1998, Akyol said these relations based on a very sensitive structure and an unstable balace and mentioned about the reasons of the detoriation of relations in the recent years. ''The leading reason is that candidacy status was not given to Turkey during Luxembourg summit last year, this is a deep wound given to relations. No Turkish government could be expected to adopt such a discrimination,'' Akyol said. He said the second reason stems from the failure of the EU to fulfil its commitments on the issue of financial cooperation of the agreement towards Turkey within the framework of Customs Union. Akyol said the third reason was that EU started full membership negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side despite all the bans brought by the founding agreements which Turkey also signed. Approach of the Union, which is contradicting with the international law as well as the partnership law by bowing the desires of Greece, effects our relations negatively. Akyol pointed out that the fourth reason was that some of our partners in the EU, acted wrongly, ordinarily, contradicted to law and damaged the most important principles like national security and territorial integrity regarding the file of a terrrorist. Akyol noted that very serious efforts were expended in the year 1998 to overcome all these problems and described the Vienna Summit as an opportunity that was lost. [09] TURKEY OPPOSES TO THE DEPLOYMENT OF S-300 MISSILES IN CRETEANKARA, Dec 25 (A.A) - Turkey said on Friday that deployment or storing S- 300 missiles, which Greek Cypriot side ordered from Russia, in Crete island of Greece may cause serious objections in Turkish-Greek relations which are already tense.A high ranking official from Foreign Ministry, responding to A.A correspondent's questions to this end, said ''Greek Cypriot national council has not disclosed this officially. Yet, it is clear that such a decision is taken. We do not accept deployment or postponement of the delivery of these missiles. Crete is the territory of Greece and it may cause very serious outcomes.'' Greek Cypriot national council following a meeting on Thursday said they decided to deploy S-300 missiles to Crete. Glafcos Clerides, leader of Greek Cypriot side, is expected to disclose the decision officially after meeting with Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis. Meanwhile, it was reported that diplomatic circles evaluate decision of the UN to demilitarize the Island as that more intense pressures will be put on Turkey to this end. Turkey earlier reacted to the decision of the UN Security Council to demilitarize the island. [10] OYMEN, TURKEY'S PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO NATO EVALUATES 1998BRUSSELS, Dec 25 (A.A) - Onur Oymen, Turkey's Permanent Representative to NATO, evaluating the year 1998 said the Alliance left behind an active, productive and an important year for Turkey.Oymen pointed out that 1998 was a very interesting year for NATO, adding that NATO played a primary role in preventing the crisis in Kosovo. He said ''due to the effective deterrent force of the NATO, a human tragedy is prevented in Kosovo to a large extend,'' adding that Turkey played a very effective role to this end. Oymen said developments recorded in NATO and Russia relations were important for the two sides and that relations could be maintained in the most serious periods. Oymen also said opening of a Partnership for Peace Education Center in Ankara was a very important development. Oymen pointed out that within the context of a project which started with the initiave of Turkey, Southeastern Europe Peace Power was established and that new initiatives started related with this. Mentioning about Turkish-Greek relations Oymen said ''continious and regular contacts were held between Turkey and Greece on the issue of confidence building measures in the Aegean. Also, efforts are underway to further improve the agreement reached between Yilmaz and Papulias in May 1988. We have solved the bottlenecks in infrastructure projects which are important for Turkey.'' Oymen noted that developments were recorded especially on the issues of mass destruction weapons and terrorism in the year 1998, which Turkey attributed importance. He said, ''the issue of terrorism was mainly mentioned in the meetings which are on ministrial level. The view that NATO should play a more effective role in this field was adopted. Important developments will be recorded to this end in the future. We hope that the issue will enter to new strategic concept of NATO. This issue will also be one of the important fields of activity of NATO.'' Oymen said efforts continue in Bosnia, adding that existence of Turkish Unit there continue effectively. He said Turkey also participated in the recue forces deployed in Macedonia and that activities continue in Albania. Mentioning about the importance of Europe's Defense and Security Identity, Oymen said a European Defense and Security Identity could not be thought of without NATO and Turkey, and added that Turkey demanded participation of Bulgaria and Romania to the expansion process of the Alliance as attendance of these two countries will increase peace and stability in the Balkans. Oymen noted that decreasing tension and making the relations positive between Turkey and Greece was one of Turkey's primary goals and the expectation of NATO. [11] ''EUROPE IN PKK TRAP'' - ACTIVIES OF PKK IN EUROPE AND CONCERNS ABOUT THEM MENTIONED IN ''TELE MOUSTIQUE'' MAGAZINE PUBLISHED IN BELGIUMANKARA/BRUSSELS, Dec 25 (A.A) - ''Tele Moustique'' magazine, published in Belgium issued an article with the title ''Europe in Trap of PKK'', and told about activities of the separatist terrorist PKK organization and the concerns felt about them.The 50th edition of the magazine titled Dec 1-8, 1998 published the article with the signature of Claude Moniquet and Frederic Moser and said it was determined that the money separatist terrorist organization provided with black mail and drug trafficking was included in MED TV's chain of money. The article said children were imposed to brain-wash and that their brains were conditioned in several camps in Belgium, adding that in the last stage of the training, those children were sent to ''another country'' to be used in suicide attacks in Turkey. The article said the young people were taught everything they should learn about the usage of explosive devices and the weapons in a secret camp in Greece. It expressed the concern felt over the deployment of organizations supporting separatist terrorist organization in Belgium following capture of Abdullah Ocalan, chief of the separatist terrorit organization. The article said, ''Italy's reluctance to extradite Ocalan to Turkey created reactions in Brussels. Ocalan's arrest in Rome may cause re- installation of Kurdish action in Belgium. This is not something Brussels wait with great interest.'' ''What should be done against Ocalan?'' asked the magazine, and quoted Erik Derijke, Belgian Foreign Minister as saying, ''I prefer him to stay in Italy. We have enough problem with the PKK and MED TV.'' It is a fact that Brussels, apart from France and Germany who banned activities of the separatist terrorist organization on their territories in 1993, prefered to respect principles of freedom of speech and organization. This choice was not only philosophical but also tactical. This activity which was very hard to influence should have prevented the PKK from going underground, the article said. Nowadays, following the ban of Paris and Bonn, Brussels in a way became the center for PKK, the article added, stating that a series of associations around separatist terrorist PKK slid their siege around Belgium. The article pointed out that MED TV provided most of its financing from drug trafficking and black money, adding that ''it was not a coincidence that MED TV entered to the hot line of justice. Luxembourg authorities determined millions of Belgian franks in an account in the chain.'' The article said training camps of PKK were found out to be in Limbourg and Zudendaal which trained childen after being abducted in Germany. In the last stage of the training those young people are exposed to military training to be used in suicide attacks in Turkey, it said. The article in Tele Moustique said Greece had also expended support to ASALA, the Armenian terror organization which had activities against Turkey earlier. ''This is a fact that everything which troubles Turkey is pleasing for Greece,'' the article said, emphasizing that Greece carries out a policy of ''enemy of my enemy is my friend.'' The article said activities of the PKK camps in Belgium contradict with the laws. [12] TURKEY-STOCK EXCHANGE - IMKB FIRST SESSION - NATIONAL-100 INDEX RISES TO 2,508.87 WITH AN INCREASE OF 16.32 POINTSISTANBUL, Dec 25 (A.A) - The Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) National-100 Index in the first session increased 16.32 points to 2,508.87 and shares gained 0.65 percent in value compared with prices at the close of Thursday's second session, it was reported on Friday.At the close of the first session, the financial index increased 16.27 points to 3,170.46, the industrial index rose 16.16 points to 1,871.27 and the services index climbed 40.64 points to 3,529.99. The financial shares gained 0.52 percent in value, the industrial shares gained 0.82 percent in value and the services shares gained 1.16 percent in value compared with Wednesday's second session close. A total of 143 of the 279 shares gained in value, 63 shares lost in value while the prices of 73 shares didn't change. The trading volume in the morning session was 20.7 trillion Turkish Liras. [13] EREZ TO MEET WITH KUTAN, LEADER OF FP, AND YILMAZ, LEADER OF ANAP, ON MONDAYANKARA, Dec 25 (A.A)- Yalim Erez, the Industry and Trade Minister and the Independent Deputy from Mugla who was asked to form the new government, will begin his meetings with party leaders on Monday, it was reported on Friday.Erez will first meet with Recai Kutan, the Leader of Virtue Party at 10:00 a.m. on Monday. He will hold talks with Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, the Leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP), at 13:00 p.m. at the same day. Meanwhile Tansu Ciller, the Leader of the True Path Party (DYP) has not yet responded Erez's request for talks. Erez plans to come together with Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP), and Deniz Baykal, the Leader of the Republican Peoples Party (CHP), on Tuesday. Yalim Erez is expected to conclude his first round talks on Wednesday. [14] HISTORICAL WORKS SMUGGLINGANTALYA, Dec 25 (A.A)- Security forces captured on Friday a total of four persons who were trying to sale 63 historical warks in Elmali County of Antalya Province.Officials told the A.A correspondent that there are votive stels, bronze arrow ends, bronze wall fixtures, bronze oil-lamps, coins and a copper coffeepot among the historical works belonging to the Roman Empire, Hellenistic and Byzantium periods. The works were sent to the Antalya Museum while four smugglers were taken into custody. A full investigation regarded with the incident is underway. [15] BAD WEATHER PARALYZES DAILY LIFE IN SEVERAL REGIONS OF TURKEYANKARA, Dec 25 (A.A) - Bad weather paralyzed daily life and traffic in several regions of Turkey, it was reported on Friday.Several highways and a total of 113 village road in Edirne, Kirklareli, Konya and Kutahya Provinces were closed to the traffic following the heavy snowfall. Primary and secondary schools were temporarily closed in the provinces affected by the bad weather conditions. [16] A TOTAL OF 11 IRANIANS CAPTURED IN EDIRNE PROVINCEEDIRNE, Dec 25 (A.A) - Gendarmes captured on Friday a total of 11 Iranian people in Balabancik Village in Ipsala County of Edirne Province, who were trying to proceed Greece illegally.Iranians were taken into custody for violating the Turkish borders and the passport law. Officials said that the Iranians will be deported once the legal proceedings are completed. [17] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF TRNC CALLS CLERIDES, LEADER OF GREEK CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION, TO TELL THE TRUTHS TO THE GREEK CYPRIOTSLEFKOSA, Dec 25 (A.A) - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) called on Friday Glafcos Clerides, the leader of the Greek Cypriot side administration, to tell the truths to the Greek Cypriots.Addressing the meeting with the directors of the Bayrak Radio and Television Broadcasting Organization (BRTK) which celebrates 35th anniversary of its foundation, Denktas stressed that two separate states are necessary for security on the island. Pointing out that Greek Cypriots will fail in despite of the European Union (EU) and the Greek lobby, Denktas urged the Greek Cypriot side administration to change their policy. Denktas emphasized, ''you cannot reach anywhere by adding new desicions to the wrong and unfair resolution adopted by the United Nations in 1964.'' Stressing that deployment of the Russian made S-300 missiles at the Southern Cyprus will not be beneficial for no one, Denktas noted that the TRNC is ready to help the Greek Cypriot side to overcome the missile problem. Pointing out that the property exchange is required, Denktas reminded that Turkish Cypriots have been making investments at Northern Cyprus for 25 years and do not think to migrate once again. [18] ''LIVE BOMBS'' OF SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION - PKK TRAINS FEMALE TERRORISTS IN LAVRION CAMP IN GREECECANAKKALE, Dec 25 (A.A) - The separatist terrorist organization PKK trains the female terrorists in Lavrion Camp in Greece to use them as ''live bombs'', it was reported on Friday.Following the suicide bombing staged by a female terrorist in front of a military midibus in eastern Van province which killed one student and injured 22 persons, the intelligence units have been alerted for other female terrorists. Officials told the A.A correspondent that separatist terrorist organization which has begun to collapse after Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the organization, has been captured in Italy, prefers the female terrorists for such bloody actions because most of the male terrorists have a tendency to flee from the organization. Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |