Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-12-28

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

28 DEC 1998

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] EREZ STARTS MEETING WITH PARTY LEADERS ON MONDAY

[03] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''18 APRIL IS NOT AN ELECTION DATE, BUT ONE OF REFERENDUM''

[04] ENVIRONMENTALISTS DRESSED IN SANTA CLAUS SUITS HOLD A DEMONSTRATION IN ISTANBUL STRAIT

[05] OZALP, THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF KARDEMIR: ''WE'VE REALIZED A PRODUCTION OF 850,000 TONNES OF IRON''

[06] EFFORTS TO FORM GOVERNMENT - EREZ MEETS WITH KUTAN

[07] THE CRISIS THAT IS GOING ON WITHIN THE GROUPS OF THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION REACHES ITS PEAK

[08] AJAY CHHIBBER, THE WORLD BANK'S DIRECTOR OF TURKEY: ''TURKEY PURSUED A SUCCESSFUL MACRO ECONOMIC POLICY, BUT THIS IS NOT ENOUGH, THE QUALITY OF THE INSTUTUTIONS ARE ALSO IMPORTANT''

[09] EREZ MEETS WITH KUTAN - EREZ: ''I'VE PROPOSED A BROAD-BASED GOVERNMENT TO KUTAN, THE LEADER OF FP''

[10] AL HIJAZI, THE NEW IRAQI AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY ARRIVES IN TURKEY

[11] TURKEY-STOCK EXCHANGE - IMKB FIRST SESSION - NATIONAL-100 INDEX RISES TO 2,645.10 WITH AN INCREASE OF 37.27 POINTS

[12] EREZ MEETS WITH KUTAN - KUTAN, LEADER OF FP: ''WE WILL MAKE EVALUATION AFTER THE SECOND-ROUND TALKS OF MR. EREZ''

[13] EREZ MEETS WITH YILMAZ - YALIM EREZ: ''MY CONFIDENCE AND HOPE FOR FORMING THE NEW GOVERNMENT IS INCREASING AFTER EACH TALK''

[14] EREZ MEETS WITH YILMAZ - YILMAZ, LEADER OF ANAP: - ''WE SUPPORT MR. EREZ FROM THE HEART''

[15] ROME COURT OF APPEAL REJECTS TURKEY'S REQUEST FOR POLICE SURVEILLANCE

[16] EREZ MEETS WITH ECEVIT - ECEVIT, LEADER OF DSP: ''WE ARE READY TO GIVE EVERY ASSISTANCE''

[17] EREZ-ECEVIT MEETING - YALIM EREZ: ''I AM VERY HOPEFUL ABOUT THE MEETING''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) WEEK OF DREAMS
We have entered a week which builds great hopes for everybody, at least 382 people will be billionaire in the new year by the lotteries.

EREZ TO MEET WITH PARTY LEADERS
Yalım Erez, who was assigned by President Suleyman Demirel to form the government, will start meeting with party leaders today starting from Recai Kutan, the leader of the Virtue Party (RP). Yalım Erez will meet with Kutan at 10.00 local time and then he will come together with Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz and Bulent Ecevit, the leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP).

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

DEMIREL IS ANGRY
President Suleyman Demirel is getting angry at Tansu Ciller, the leader of the True Path Party (DYP). ''There is no need to get angry with my assignment of Yalım Erez,'' said President Demirel hinting Tansu Ciller. The paper says the assignment of Yalım Erez, who had earlier resigned from the True Path Party (DYP) will put Ciller in a difficult position. Ciller and her party had criticized the assignment of Erez by President Demirel to form the government and visited Ataturk's Mausoleum to complain about Demirel.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

ENVIRONMENT-FIGHTER SANTA CLAUS
Environmentalists dressed in Santa Claus suits took hundreds of fishing boats out in Istanbul Strait on Sunday to protest increasing oil-tanker traffic through the narrow waterway. Environmentalists who convened at Ortakoy quay put out to sea with 15 fishing boats which carried banners saying ''Istanbul cannot be sacrificed to sea accidents,'' ''Turkish Straits should be a way of friendship and peace for the humanity'' and ''It's no longer ships, but the sea, that is crying SOS.''

RADIKAL (LEFT)

THEY CAN'T GO ABROAD
Canan Yaka, a famous designer and Sema Cıngıllıoglu, a business woman who were taken into custody concerning the investigation carried out about Alaattin Cakıcı, the notorious mafia boss who was arrested in Nice city of France, were later released. However they are prohibited from going abroad. Yaka said that she was interrogated due to the relation of his daughter with Cakıcı.

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

[02] EREZ STARTS MEETING WITH PARTY LEADERS ON MONDAY

Erez will come together with Recai Kutan, the leader of the Virtue Party (RP) at 10.00 local time on Monday.

Later Erez will meet with Mesut Yılmaz, the Prime Minister and the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP) at 13.00 local time and with Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister and the leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) at 15.00 local time the same day.

Yalım Erez will visit Deniz Baykal, the leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP) at 12.00 local time on Tuesday. Erez has not received a response to the appointment he requested from Tansu Ciller, the leader of the True Path Party (DYP).

On 30 December 1998, Erez will come together with Muhsin Yazıcıoglu, the leader of the Great Union Party (BBP) at 10.00 local time, then he will meet with Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the National Movement Party (MHP) at 12.30, with Korkut Ozal, the leader of the Democrat Party (DP) at 14.30 and lastly with Gokhan Capoglu, the leader of the Changing Party (DEPAR) at 15.30.

[03] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''18 APRIL IS NOT AN ELECTION DATE, BUT ONE OF REFERENDUM''

A ceremony was held the same day for Necdet Menzir, the former minister of transportation and a deputy of Istanbul from the True Path Party (DYP) who resigned from his party and joined ANAP.

Addressing the ceremony, Mesut Yılmaz said that there are many opportunities and possibilities waiting for Turkey, adding Turkey needs ''stability'' to benefit from these opportunities.

''Turkey is at new crossroads and she has to make her definite choice while entering the 21st century,'' said Yılmaz, pointing out that ''many things will change by the elections that will be held on April 18. This election is not merely an election, but a referendum date and I believe it will open the way for Turkey.''

[04] ENVIRONMENTALISTS DRESSED IN SANTA CLAUS SUITS HOLD A DEMONSTRATION IN ISTANBUL STRAIT

Environmentalists who convened at Ortakoy quay put out to sea with 15 fishing boats which carried banners saying ''Istanbul cannot be sacrificed to sea accidents,'' ''Turkish Straits should be a way of friendship and peace for the humanity'' and ''It's no longer ships, but the sea, that is crying SOS.''

Zafer Murat Cetintas, the Chairman of Nature Fighters' Group of Environment said that Istanbul Straits should be closed to all dangerous transitions, particularly those of oil-tankers.

''Those countries which signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 has to pay attention to the possible dangers that can take place at Istanbul Straits,'' he added.

[05] OZALP, THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF KARDEMIR: ''WE'VE REALIZED A PRODUCTION OF 850,000 TONNES OF IRON''

Ozalp told A.A correspondent that they have realized a production of 849, 000 tonnes in 1997, but this year they have increased production by 6000 workers and reached 850,000 tonnes.

Noting that their target is to produce 900,000 tonnes in 1999, Ozalp stated that ''we could only produce 278,000 tonnes of pig iron, we also produced forge pig and girder iron. We will not dismiss any workers due to the economic crisis that is seen in the field of iron and steel industry in the world.''

Recalling that they have started to make an investment worth of 130 million dollars to KARDEMIR by April 3 this year, Ozalp pointed out that the new steel factory will start to function in the new year and the old one will stop producing.

Esat Ozalp stated that the factory will start to produce qualified iron and aim at producing girder iron.

[06] EFFORTS TO FORM GOVERNMENT - EREZ MEETS WITH KUTAN

Abdullah Gul, Abdulkadir Aksu and Cemil Cicek, the deputy leaders of the Virtue Party (FP), Lutfu Esengun and Abdullatif Sener, the FP Group Deputy Chairmen also attend the meeting between Erez and Kutan.

[07] THE CRISIS THAT IS GOING ON WITHIN THE GROUPS OF THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION REACHES ITS PEAK

While supporters of the separatist terrorist organization PKK continue to react to the statements of Abdullah Ocalan, the terrorist chief who insulted the leading names of the terrorist organization, the factionalism between those coming from ''Urfa'' province and from ''Maras'' province reached its peak.

The ''Maras'' group attempted to establish an aid association in Manheim city of Germany in order to get an income from the revenues earned illegally from drug smuggling and donations. However the other group reacted harshly to this and threatened them.

Abdullah Ocalan, the terrorist chief had told the illegal MED-TV that ''I can quit the PKK, if this is the situation, you should stand on your own feet.'' After this message, the struggle within the terrorist organization for leadership has transformed into a struggle to control the income that is earned illegally from drug smuggling.

Those who support the ''Maras'' group say that the other group namely ''Urfa group'' has always been protected within the terrorist organization, noting that no body from Urfa group died or was injured till today.

Experts say that the ''regionalism movement'' and the struggle within the separatist terrorist organization PKK to control the illegal sources can transform into arguments and breaks-away from the terrorist organization in the coming days, adding other groups can also join this struggle.

[08] AJAY CHHIBBER, THE WORLD BANK'S DIRECTOR OF TURKEY: ''TURKEY PURSUED A SUCCESSFUL MACRO ECONOMIC POLICY, BUT THIS IS NOT ENOUGH, THE QUALITY OF THE INSTUTUTIONS ARE ALSO IMPORTANT''

Chhibber prepared a report namely ''Developing Markets-Is Turkey Different?'' and said in the report that Turkey has to set up qualified institutions in order to solve her basic problems.

Noting that Turkey has effected from the global economic crisis leastly by the successful macro economic policies she pursued, Chhibber said that Turkey has turned many international estimations upside down by her success, adding that her foreign exchange policy which did not permit devaluation, played a significant role in that.

The foreign exchange policy pursued by Turkey protected her foreign trade balance in times of crisis Chhibber said, adding Turkey has also controlled the inflation rate.

''Between 1987-1994 Turkey's economy grew, however as the inflation rate could not be controlled, the gap among different income groups in respect of distribution of income increased. If this was not the case, Turkish economy could have grown more. Structural reforms can only overcome Turkey's economic problems of inflation and public defecit. Tax reform was realized, but its effects won't be seen before 2000,'' said Chhibber.

Noting that privatization can only be succesful with the full working of all institutions, Chhibber pointed out that ''there are cases pending before the courts which are filed against privatization in Turkey, this has to be prevented.''

[09] EREZ MEETS WITH KUTAN - EREZ: ''I'VE PROPOSED A BROAD-BASED GOVERNMENT TO KUTAN, THE LEADER OF FP''

Following the meeting, Erez said that ''I have proposed a broad-based government formula which includes all the parties. I also requested support for the adoption of several draft laws on budget and on other issues.''

Noting that Turkey can form more than one government which can get vote of confidence, Erez stated that he is searching for the most broad-based one.

''I am searching for compromise, I don't search for a coalition government. I believe that I will form the government, and every day my hope to set up a government further increases,'' he added.

Addressing a press briefing after his meeting with Kutan, Erez stated that ''Turkey has to form her government as soon as possible and continue on her way in a stable manner.''

''A government can be formed by the participation of at least three parties or more than three parties. I favour the formation of a broad-based one, this issue is not one that can be solved only by me, because I am not backed by a political party, as I am independent,'' said Erez.

Pointing out that the problems in Turkey can't only be solved merely by the government, Kutan stressed that if government works in harmony with the parliament, problems will be solved.

''The thing that came out at the end of my meeting is that I am in consensus of opinion with FP concerning the good administration of Turkey, the solution of Turkish people's problems, the meeting of their expectations and increasing the respect of the parliament,'' said Erez.

[10] AL HIJAZI, THE NEW IRAQI AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY ARRIVES IN TURKEY

A high ranking official from the Iraqi Embassy in Ankara told A.A correspondent that the date when President Demirel will receieve the new Iraqi Ambassador to Turkey has not been determined, yet.

Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister said at the end of this September that Turkey re-evaluated her relations with the Iraqi administration and the two countries decided reciprocally to upgrade their representations.

This statement had been evaluated as a reaction to the Washington Agreement by which the US urged the Northern Iraqi Kurdish rival groups to reach a compromise.

The Iraqi administration requested acceptance for the Iraqi Embassy in Ankara on September 23 to which Iraq could not appoint an ambassador for a period of time.

[11] TURKEY-STOCK EXCHANGE - IMKB FIRST SESSION - NATIONAL-100 INDEX RISES TO 2,645.10 WITH AN INCREASE OF 37.27 POINTS

At the close of the first session, the financial index increased 52.74 points to 3,334.90 and the industrial index rose 39.08 points to 1,960.93 while the services index dropped 22.81 points to 3,727.58.

The financial shares gained 1.61 percent in value and the industrial shares gained 2.03 percent in value while the services shares lost 0.61 percent in value compared with Friday's second session close.

A total of 181 of the 279 shares gained in value, 42 shares lost in value while the prices of 56 shares didn't change.

The trading volume in the morning session was 38.3 trillion Turkish Liras.

[12] EREZ MEETS WITH KUTAN - KUTAN, LEADER OF FP: ''WE WILL MAKE EVALUATION AFTER THE SECOND-ROUND TALKS OF MR. EREZ''

''Mr. Erez repeatedly emphasized that the government he will form will bring Turkey into the general elections on 18 April,'' Kutan said.

Addressing a press conference at the Parliament, Kutan said, ''Mr. Erez told me that he was at the same distance to each political party and he didn't have an earlier government model. Of course, it is impossible for him to put forward an earlier government model at this moment. He will talk with other leaders and form a government model.''

''Mr. Erez told me that he was trying to form a broad-based government also including the FP, and as a result he was trying to provide a great compromise. And we share this opinion. There is a serious need for a compromise in Turkey. Mr. Erez informed us on his basic principles for forming the new government. It was a visit aiming at informing us,'' Kutan added.

[13] EREZ MEETS WITH YILMAZ - YALIM EREZ: ''MY CONFIDENCE AND HOPE FOR FORMING THE NEW GOVERNMENT IS INCREASING AFTER EACH TALK''

Addressing a joint press conference with Mesut Yilmaz, the Prime Minister and the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP) following their meeting, Erez said that they held a very beneficial meeting and that he conveyed to Yilmaz same proposals he had given to the Virtue Party (FP), stressing that Mesut Yilmaz would support him.

When asked whether or not they would manage to bring into force the laws he vowed to do it until the general elections, or whether or not he wanted to change the date of general elections, Erez said, ''don't try to ambush me. My duty is to enable Turkey to hold the general elections on 18 April 1999 in a healthy atmosphere and to hand over my duty to the prime minister after the general elections. The Parliament had made a decision and everybody is obliged to show respect to this decision.''

''Since I undertook this task, I believe the government I will form will get the confidence vote. After each talk with the leaders of political parties, my confidence and hope for forming the 56th government is increasing. I don't have an earlier government formula. My goal is to form a very broad-based government. I want to include every political party having a group at the Parliament. I didn't start with prejudice,'' Erez said.

[14] EREZ MEETS WITH YILMAZ - YILMAZ, LEADER OF ANAP: - ''WE SUPPORT MR. EREZ FROM THE HEART''

Addressing the joint press conference he staged with Erez, Prime Minister Yilmaz said that the participation of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) in the new government was the sine qua non for ANAP.

Pointing out that President Suleyman Demirel's made the most appropriate selection by giving the mandate to Yalim Erez, Yilmaz said, ''however, there is a political party opposing to this selection but I don't even consider this party's attitude important. Because this is a personal attitude.''

''This government will bring Turkey to the general elections. We are supporting Mr. Erez and his efforts to form the new government. The new government's being a very or less broad-based is not important, its getting the confidence vote is important. We will support Mr. Erez on every issue. We won't launch a bargaining attitude,'' Yilmaz stated.

When asked why he put that sine qua non, Prime Minister Yilmaz said, ''don't perceive this as a condition. We carried out concordant governmental activities with the DSP. The 55th government was ousted unfairly. Mr. Ecevit also didn't accept the formulas which did not include the ANAP. Faithfulness is important in inter-party relations. We believe this faith unity between ANAP and DSP will be morally binding at this stage.''

Evaluating President Suleyman Demirel's statement that he won't form a ''Cankaya government'', Yilmaz said, ''this attitude is democratic and respectful for the parliament. The Constitution gives the President an authority based on his will and the President didn't apply to this Article as the Parliament had already made election decision. And his statement will also contribute to the efforts of Mr. Erez.''

[15] ROME COURT OF APPEAL REJECTS TURKEY'S REQUEST FOR POLICE SURVEILLANCE

The Rome Court of Appeal Criminal Department No:4 said Turkey's request for a new police surveillance was ''not applicable'' and made a decision appropriate to the attitude of Oliviero Diliberto, the Minister of Justice of Italy.

The Italian Justice Minister said last week that there was not a reason for ruling to put Ocalan again under police control.

In their two-page verdict, the Rome Court of Appeals judges said that Turkey's request was unacceptable as it was deprived of legitimacy basis, stressing that the issue of police surveillance was under the authority of the Justice Minister in accordance with the Article 714 of the Italian Penalty Code.

The court said the opinion of the Justice Minister constituted the basis for that decision.

Augusto Sinagra, Turkey's lawyer, requested on 17 December the Rome Court of Appeal to renew the police surveillance aiming at extraditing the chief terrorist to Turkey.

Giovanni Malerba, the public prosecutor hearing the case of the extradition of Ocalan, submitted on 18 December his indictment to the Rome Court of Appeal.

Tommaso Figliuzzi, the Chairman of the Rome Court of Appeal, and the judges, Giovanni Carlino, Serenella Siriaco, took into consideration the statement of the Italian Justice Minister and rejected Turkey's request.

[16] EREZ MEETS WITH ECEVIT - ECEVIT, LEADER OF DSP: ''WE ARE READY TO GIVE EVERY ASSISTANCE''

Addressing a joint press conference he staged with Yalim Erez, an independent deputy from Mugla province and the Minister of Industry and Trade, Bulent Ecevit said that they didn't hold a detailed meeting and they would hold a second meeting next week.

''We are ready to stage every assistance in forming the 56th government,'' DSP leader Ecevit stressed.

Pointing out that there should not be a situation which contradicts with the consistency of the DSP, Ecevit said, ''DSP is a political party which does not make concessions on the issue of secularism.''

[17] EREZ-ECEVIT MEETING - YALIM EREZ: ''I AM VERY HOPEFUL ABOUT THE MEETING''

Addressing to journalists after the meeting, Erez said ''I would like to thank to Mr. Ecevit and the Democratic Left Party (DSP) for their understanding concerning the establishment of the government.''

Noting that they have been working together with Ecevit for 17 months in the government, Erez said that ''this period has been one of reciprocal respect and I would like to thank to Ecevit for his trust and support.''

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