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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-12-29Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>29 DEC 1998CONTENTS
[01] HASIPOGLU ELECTED AS THE TRNC PARLIAMENT SPEAKERLEFKOSA, Dec 29 (A.A) - Ertugrul Hasipoglu, a deputy of the National Union Party (UBP) from Gazimagosa city of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was elected on Monday as the TRNC Parliament Speaker.Hasipoglu was elected at the second round voting by 38 votes against 12 votes. Hasipoglu, who is 57 years old said after taking over the mission from Dervis Eroglu, the temporary parliament speaker, that TRNC has a strong democratic structure and he will exert all kinds of efforts to further strengthen this strong structure by respecting the principle of impartiality. Salih Cosar, a parliamentarian from the Democratic Party (DP) was elected as the Deputy TRNC Parliament Speaker. [02] JUVENTUS FC CLUB OFFERS HAKAN SUKUR TO BE TRANSFERED TO ITALY AND TO SERVE AS A PEACE ENVOYISTANBUL, Dec 29 (A.A) - Italian Juventus FC Club offered Hakan Sukur, one of the leading scorers of Turkey, to be transfered to Italy and to serve as a peace envoy between Turkey and Italy, it was reported on Monday.Sukur responded the Juventus FC Club, ''I have several targets to be realized in the Galatasaray Club, but playing in the Juventus FC will be a great opportunity for me.'' Sukur asked one or two days to think about the offer. Following Sukur's response, the Juventus FC Club which wants to get rid of such bad situation, has agreed with Duggary from France. Meanwhile Fatih Terim, the Coach of Galatasaray Club, and the executive board of the club opposed to the offer. [03] EREZ, THE MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE: ''I BELIEVE THAT I WILL GET THE GREATEST SUPPORT FROM THE TRUE PATH PARTY (DYP)''ANKARA, Dec 29 (A.A) - Yalım Erez, the Minister of Industry and Trade, who was assigned to form the government by President Suleyman Demirel said on Monday that he believed he would get the greatest support from the True Path Party (DYP).Responding to questions in a private television channel, Erez said that he will meet with Tansu Ciller, the leader of the True Path Party (DYP) at 14.00 on Tuesday, adding ''Mrs. Ciller is my former leader and my friendship with DYP deputies continues. I am not seeking for only a government that will get the vote of confidence, but for a reconciliation, '' Erez said, adding he will complete his meetings with party leaders on Wednesday and later decide about the structure and formation of the government. Stressing that he is impartial towards political parties, Yalım Erez said that he believes that all the problems will be overcome through dialogue. ''I wish to form a government which will incorporate all the parties,'' said Erez, adding he believes every leader has common sense and Deniz Baykal, the leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP) is one of the party leaders, whom he will easily reach an agreement with. ''All of our leaders behave responsibly and they wish to end the government crisis as soon as possible. I believe we will have a beneficial meeting with Baykal,'' said Erez. Defending the view that he won't have difficulties in forming the government, Erez stated that ''I will form the 56th government, if it was difficult, the former government could not be formed. In fact one should attribute importance to the fact that I was assigned to remove the government crisis as soon as possible and to provide the stability. I believe that the only tool to install stability is reconciliation.'' ''If the legislation and execution work at the same speed and in the same parallel, the problems can be solved. I believe the draft laws which are pending in the parliament, will be adopted less than 30 days till February 15. The efforts concerning elections will start after February 15,'' said Erez. Recalling that Turkey faces with a difficulty, Erez said Turkey has to make an agreement with IMF soon, to fully implement the stability programme and fulfil the conditions of getting credits from abroad. [04] NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL CONVENESANKARA, Dec 29 (A.A) - The National Security Council convened on Tuesday for the monthly meeting under the leadeship of President Suleyman Demirel.Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz; General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, the Chief of General Staff; Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State; Ismet Sezgin, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense; Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister; Kutlu Aktas, the Interior Minister; General Atilla Ates, the Commander of the Land Forces; Admiral Salim Dervisoglu, the Commander of the Naval Forces; General Ilhan Kilic, the Commander of the Air Forces; General Rasim Betir, the Commander of Gendarme Forces; General Ergin Celasin, the Secretary General of the National Security Council; Korkmaz Haktanir, the Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry; Senkal Atasagun, the Undersecretary of the National Intelligence Organization; Necati Bilican, the Director General of Security; and Aydin Aslan, the Governor of the State of Emergency Region, are in attendance at the meeting. The council will evaluate the latest developments both in Turkey and the world. [05] GREEK CYPRIOTS OPEN FIRE ON THE TRNC BORDERLEFKOSA, Dec 29 (A.A) - Unidentified assailants from the Greek Cypriot side opened fire early on Tuesday on a sentry-post at the south of Guvercinlik Village near Gazimagosa in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).Officials at the TRNC Security Forces' Press Bureau told the A.A correspondent that two shots were fired at Turkish Cypriot guards from a speeding car heading towards the British base area. No casualties were reported at the incident. The TRNC authorities complained to the United Nations Peace Keeping Forces on Cyprus and the British officials, and protested the incident. Reminding that similar attacks to the TRNC borders had been staged before, the Turkish Cypriot authorities expressed concern over the incidents. Pointing out that such attacks and provocations prove real target and intention of the Greek Cypriots, the TRNC officials stressed that they will take all necessary measures and use their right of self-defense in similar attacks in future. [06] SUIT IS FILED AGAINST HADEP ADMINISTRATORS FOR ''AIDING THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK''ANKARA, Dec 29 (A.A) - The Chief Prosecution of the State Security Court in Ankara filed a suit on Monday against 47 members of the People's Democracy Party (HADEP) including Murat Bozlak, the the leader of HADEP for abetting the separatist terrorist organization PKK by issuing statements and going on hunger strikes and requested their imprisonment up to seven and a half years.The indictment prepared by Talat Salk, the Chief Prosecutor noted that Murat Bozlak issued a statement on November 11, 1998 when Turkey started to take initiatives to request the extradition of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization who was arrested in Italy as the real responsible person concerning hundreds of bloody terrorist activities realized by the separatist terrorist organization PKK in Turkey. The indictment stressed that after another press briefing issued by HADEP Ankara headquarters on November 13, 1998; HADEP members started to go on hunger strikes to protest the arrest of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief terrorist and to protest the extradition request of Turkey. ''In fact HADEP stresses the Kurdish problem has to be solved by peaceful ways, meaning they support the idea that the chief terrorist and the separatist terrorist organization PKK should have a political freedom,'' the indictment noted, adding ''the unity and organic link between the PKK, the separatist terrorist organization and HADEP was shown clearly by documents found during searches of party local buildings.'' ''The suspects who are the HADEP Central Execution Board members are responsible for the organic link between HADEP and the separatist terrorist organization PKK, moreover for the activities of the party administrators which are in parallel with the activities of the PKK and which serve the aims of the PKK. They also act within the same manner. Starting hunger strikes means aiding the armed gang in spite of knowing the real attitude and character of the armed gang. This can't be accepted as a democratic activity. Democratic activity, on the other hand, means acting within the limits of law. The aim of the hunger strike is to divide the state of the Turkish Republic, to extend support to the separatist terrorist organization and to protest the arrestment of the chief terrorist. The hunger strike was staged by the HADEP administrators to this end. By the hunger strikes, HADEP tried to give the message to Europe and the whole world that Ocalan was not the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK and there is a people behind him,'' noted the indictment. Listing the massacres committed by the separatist terrorist organization PKK, the dates and the places where they were committed, the indictment also points out that the terrorist organization is also engaged in drug trafficking. ''Political freedom can't be granted to this bloody terrorist organization and its chief which deals with drug trafficking. One can't think of the possibility that Turkey could consider such a terrorist organization as an interlocutor,'' said the indictment, stressing that PKK is an armed gang which was set up to commit crimes against the country and sovereignty of the state and it recalled for the jurisprudence of the Supreme Court of Appeals concerning this issue. ''No institution can urge Turkey to give rights to an ethnic group which can be considered as privileges. International agreements also don't permit that. Moreover the demands of PKK are not limited with acquiring the rights that will be considered as privileges. The Kurdistan maps found in HADEP offices incorporate the territories of Turkey, but also the territories of her neighbours. Turkey does not have eyes on territories of her neighbours. However, the aim of the separatist terrorist organization PKK is to found an independent state in a region including the territories of Turkey and those of the neighbouring states,'' Salk said in his indictment. The Prosecutor requests the imprisonment of the party leaders between four and a half years and seven and a half years for violating Article 169 of the Turkish Penal Code and Article 5 of the Law No. 3713. [07] TURKISH-CHINESE RELATIONS - YAO, CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY: - ''WE SHOULD COVER UP FOREIGN TRADE DEFICIT BETWEEN TURKEY AND CHINA'' - ''TURKEY HAS A DEVELOPING ECONOMY''KAYSERI, Dec 29 (A.A) - Yao Kuangyi, the Chinese Ambassador to Turkey, said on Tuesday that the foreign trade deficit between the two countries should be covered up.Responding to questions of the A.A correspondent, Yao stressed that political and economic relations between Turkey and China are very good, but the two countries have not enough information about each other. Noting that there exists a great economic potential in China, Yao pointed out, ''our growth rate has been 10-11 percent for the last two decades, but the economic crisis in Asia has influenced China negatively. Meanwhile our foreign exchange reserves reached up to 140 billion US dollars in 1998. People's Republic of China is a great market for all countries. We monitor Turkey's economy closely. Turkey has a developing economy. There is a commercial potential between the two countries, but we do not know each other much.'' Reminding that the Turkish Airlines will begin Istanbul-Beijing-Changhai flights later in 1999, Yao pointed out that this will effect the commercial relations between the two countries positively. Noting that China has high technology in the construction of hydroelectric power plants and Turkey is rich of water, Yao told the A.A correspondent that Turkey and China can cooperate to construct a hydroelectric power plant. He added, ''We have no marble, you can sell us marble and buy granite in return. Turkish and Chinese companies can become partners and make business. Turkish businessmen can construct meat processing facility in China.'' [08] TURKISH-CHINESE RELATIONS - YAO KUANGYI, THE CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY: ''WE CAN CONSTRUCT THE RAILWAYS OF TURKEY''KAYSERI, Dec 29 (A.A) - Yao Kuangyi, the Chinese Ambassador to Turkey said on Tuesday that China has advanced technology concerning the construction of railways, adding ''we can also contruct the railways of Turkey.''Visiting Kayseri Industry Chamber the same day, Yao stated that Turkey and China have a great economic potential and this has to be evaluated well. Noting that they can carry out joint business with Turkey in many fields, Yao stated that ''Turkey has a big project about the modernization of her 100,000 kilometer-railway. An expert team from China will come to Turkey and carry out inquiries here. If a tender is put out, we will also compete in the tender.'' Stressing that China wishes to purchase copper from Turkey, Yao added that a Chinese firm can establish a partnership with a Turkish firm, run a copper mine in central province of Kayseri and they could also finance that. Mustafa Capar, the Chairman of the Kayseri Industry Chamber said that Kayseri has a big chrome and copper reserve and they can sell these minerals to China. [09] EREZ, PRIME MINISTER-DESIGNATE: - ''I WANT ALL PARTIES TO TAKE PART IN THE GOVERNMENT''ANKARA, Dec 29 (A.A) - Yalim Erez, Industry and Trade Minister and an independent deputy from Mugla province who was assigned to form the new government, said on Tuesday that he has several alternatives to form the new government.Responding to questions of the A.A correspondent, Erez stressed that he wishes the largest participation to the government, and wants all parties to take part in the new government. Erez noted that he is hopeful about his meeting with Deniz Baykal, the Leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP). He also added, ''I do not talk with the party leaders through the press. I
will also hold talks with Tansu Ciller, the Leader of the True Path Party
(DYP).'' [10] 27 KILOGRAM OF HASHISH SEIZED<B>IN EASTERN PROVINCE OF ERZURUM</B>ERZURUM, Dec 29 (A.A) - Gendarmerie found out a place in eastern province of Erzurum where hashish was produced and seized 27 kilograms and 750 grams of hashish in that special place, it is reported on Tuesday.Acting on a tip-off, the gendarmerie checked for vehicles in Narman-Tortum highway and seized 16.8 kilograms of powder hashish wrapped in 15 packets in the luggage of a car driven by Ismail Kaplan. Kaplan told gendarmerie that he had a special place in his house to grow hashish and gendarmerie seized 11.5 kilograms of hashish in the house. Officials said that the investigation continues. [11] IRAQ-NORTHERN WATCH OPERATION - KHAMANDI, UNDERSECRETARY OF IRAQIEMBASSY IN ANKARA: - ''NO-FLIGHT ZONE IS ILLEGAL''ANKARA, Dec 29 (A.A) - Tarik Khamandi, the Undersecretary of the Iraqi Embassy in Ankara, stressed on Tuesday that the no-flight zone on Iraq is illegal, and called on all friendly countries to support Iraq.Responding to questions of the A.A correspondent concerning the latest clashes between three US fighter aircrafts which were engaged in ordinary monitoring flights within the framework of the Northern Watch Operation, and the Iraqi forces, Khamandi claimed that the US has imposed the ''no- flight zone'' illegally. Noting that Iraq used the right of self-defense against attacker US aircrafts, Khamandi described the opinion that the US fighter aircrafts opened fire to defend themselves, as nothing but nonsense. [12] YALIM EREZ, THE PRIME MINISTER DESIGNATE<B>ADDRESSES TO A.A:</B> ''WE CAN ADOPT IMPORTANTLAWS BY COMPROMISE'' - ''THE NUMBER OF THE CABINET MEMBERSWILL BE BELOW 30''ANKARA, Dec 29 (A.A) - Yalım Erez, the Minister of Industry and Trade who was assigned by President Suleyman Demirel to form the government said on Tuesday that if a compromise is reached in the parliament, important laws can be adopted by decrees having the force of law.Responding to questions of A.A correspondent, Erez said that he favours to form a government with the formula of 24 plus 1, including 17 performer ministries and seven state ministries, adding the number of ministers in the cabinet will be below 30. ''There will be three independent ministries and I will chose them outside the parliament. Nobody should doubt about this fact: there will be a government, my mission is to lead the government to elections and to adopt the laws which have priority,'' said Erez, noting that ''the efforts to form the government can last until January 15, thus we have 15-20 days. Moreover we can adopt laws by benefiting from the Article 91 of the Constitution which opens the way to discuss the laws not one by one, but by in blocs.'' Responding to a question on economy, Erez said that ''the problem seen in the Turkish economy is one of finance. This problem will be overcome when the promises made concerning the social security draft law and taxes are fulfilled.'' When asked whether he thinks of signing a stand-by agreement with International Monetary Fund (IMF), Erez said that ''the necessities of the economy will be done. When the draft law on social security is adopted, the problems concerning finance will be overcome. The business world should believe the fact that all kinds of measures necessary to be taken about economy will be taken.'' [13] EREZ MEETS WITH BAYKAL - EREZ, PRIME MINISTER-DESIGNATE: ''I THINK I WILL BE ABLE TOPRESENT THE GOVERNMENT LIST TO THE PRESIDENT NEXT WEEK''</B>ANKARA, Dec 29 (A.A) - Yalim Erez, an independent deputy from Mugla province and the Minister of Industry and Trade, who was assigned to form the new government, said on Tuesday that he could present the government list to President Suleyman Demirel next week.Addressing the press conference following his meeting with Deniz Baykal, the leader of the Repulican People's Party (CHP), Erez said that his meeting with Baykal would shed light on ihs second-round talks with the leaders of political parties. Pointing out that he didn't start with an earlier government formula, Erez said he would make the decision about the government after the conclusion of his first-round talks. Noting that it was possible to put forward several government formulas and to get the confidence vote within the arithmetic of today's parliament, Erez said, ''however, it could be a prejudice if I stated this prior to first-round talks. I want to thank to Mr. Baykal and his senoir-aides for their opinions and information concerning the issue.'' ''They have mentioned that they won't raise difficulties in the formation of the new government. Mr. Baykal, his senior-aides and I have consensus of opinion. There is not any indecision. But making proposal and giving opinion are the natural rights of each political party and I behave respectfully to those opinions,'' Erez stated. Pointing out that the frame of the new government would be formed following the first-round talks and later he would immediately start second-round talks, Erez said, ''I think I will be able to present the list of the 56th government to President Suleyman Demirel next week.'' [14] EREZ-BAYKAL MEETING - BAYKAL, LEADER OF CHP: ''IF THERE IS NO NEED FOR US, THEN THERE IS NO NECESSITY FOR US TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GOVERNMENT, IF THERE IS NEED FOR US, THEN WE WILL NEGOTIATE IT''ANKARA, Dec 29 (A.A) - Deniz Baykal, leader of Republican Peoples' Party (CHP), said on Tuesday that there was no need for them to participate in the government if there is no need for them, ''If they need us, then we will negotiate it.''Speaking to press following his meeting with Yalim Erez, Independent Deputy from Mugla provice who was also asked to form the new government, Baykal said during the meeting Erez informed him the government he was planning to form. Baykal said ''No government model has been determined. It is clear that there was no position at this stage to bring a concrete proposal related with the government. He did not bring us a government model within this framework.'' Baykal said he told Erez how they can help them and under what kind of conditions in studies to form a government. ''I hope that the evaluations we have done may shed light on the formation of the government Erez wants to form. We believe that a government should be formed soon. We may help studies of Erez within this framework'' Baykal said. When asked if he raised reservations related with the Virtue Party (FP), Baykal said their raising reservations to political parties included in the Parliament was out of question. Baykal said ''yet, CHP has the right to decide about the conditions of the contributions it will make to an election government that will be established. Parliament is seeking for a government within itself. Erez carries out efforts to this end, there are political parties that may expend this support to him. FP of course may participate in this government if a cooperation basis can be formed within this framework, we will have no opposition to this.'' Meanwhile, Yalim Erez, Prime Minister-Designate following the meeting said he may submit the government list to President Suleyman Demirel next week. Noting that he did not start his studies with a government formula, Erez said he will take his decision about the government when he concludes the first tour. Erez also thanked to Deniz Baykal and his friends due to the ideas and informations they gave and added that ''there is no hesitation that we are in consensus of opinion with Baykal and his party to serve Turkey.'' Erez said he will start second tour of talks immediately after he forms the basis of the government he will form ''I think I may be able to submit the list to President Suleyman Demirel next week.'' [15] TURKISH CITIZENS IN FIVE CONTINENTS - 3.5 MILLION TURKISH CITIZENS ABROADISTANBUL, Dec 29 (A.A) - The number of Turkish citizens living abroad for economic, educational and health reasons exceeded three and a half million, it is reported on Tuesday.The Directorate General of the Turkish Citizens living Abroad of the Foreign Ministry told A.A correspondent that the majority of the Turkish people migrating to other countries are living in many European countries, mainly Germany. The leading reason of the immigration of Turkish people abroad is economical. The foreign language education and education in many other fields and the health reasons are the other reasons which led the Turkish people migrate to other countries. Germany stands at the top of the list of the countries in which Turkish people live with a population of approximately two million, while Kyrgyzistan is the country with the least Turkish citizens with a population of two thousand. The official figures indicate that the majority of Turkish citizens with an amount of more than three million live in Europe, while more than 232 thousand live in Asia, 170 thousand in America, 49 thousand in Australia and six thousand in Africa. More than 479 thousand of the Turkish people living in eight countries have the right to dual citizenship. Germany is the first in the list of the countries granting this right to Turkish citizens with an amount of 196 thousand people, while Netherlands is the second with 158 thousand and Australia is the third with 32 thousand. [16] HAKAN SUKUR, STRIKER OF GALATASARAY, CONSIDERS TO PLAY FOR FC JUVENTUSISTANBUL, Dec 29 (A.A) - Hakan Sukur, the striker of Galatasaray and Turkish national soccer team, accepted the offer from Italy's FC Juventus, it was reported on Tuesday.Addressing a press conference at the Swiss Hotel in Istanbul, Celalettin Bilgic, the Turkish representative of Juventus, said that Hakan Sukur earlier stated that he would not consider that offer due to psychological problems, but he later changed his mind after an intense insistence of Juventus Club. Pointing out that Hakan Sukur was considering a return to Turin, Celalettin Bilgic said, ''Hakan Sukur conveyed his econonic demands to us and I informed Juventus Club on his demands. Today, Juventus will give a rasponse and announce if it accepted his demands or not.'' Noting that Juventus had reached an agreement with Dugarry in principle but didn't sign a contract, Bilgic said, ''however, Juventus wants to sign contract firstly with Hakan Sukur. If thiy want, they will sign a contract also with Dugarry.'' ''If Hakan Sukur agrees with Juventus, then Hakan Sukur will have to reach an agreement with his club Galatasaray. The two soccer teams have already reached an agreement in principle,'' Bilgic added. Hakan Sukur, who had a brief stint with Torino three years ago, is seeking a four-year, 8 million US dollars contract with Juventus. Hakan Sukur was the top scorer in the Turkish first division last season with 32 goals for reigning champion Galatasaray, and scored 12 goals in the first half of the 1998-1999 season. Galatasaray has been eliminated from the Champions League but still has a chance to clinch the domestic championship. The club is currently third in the Turkish league, only one point behind leader Fenerbahce. [17] NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING ENDSANKARA, Dec 29 (A.A) -The National Security Council (NSC) on Tuesday discussed the issue of ''necessity for compulsory continuation of struggle which is launched against all of illegal elements including especially the separatist terrorist organization.''Isin Celebi, the Minister of State responsible for economy, and Zekeriya Temizel, the Minister of Finance, attended the meeting and gave information to the NSC about the effects of global crisis on Turkey and the measures which should be taken against that crisis. The NSC Secretariat General issued a statement following the regular meeting of NSC in December 1998, saying, ''the NSC in its meeting on 29 December 1998 reviewed the the situation of public order and security in Turkey in the last one month and the internal and external developments affecting the security and public order. The NSC discussed the issue of the necessity for compulsory continuation of the struggle against all of the illegal elements including especially the separatist terrorist PKK organization. The NSC also reviewed the important developments in foreign politics closely concerning the security in Turkey.'' [18] MINIMUM WAGE FIXEDANKARA, Dec 29 (A.A) - The Minimum Wage Establishing Commission fixed on Tuesday the new minimum wage as to be 78 million 75 thousand Turkish Liras (TL) in gross-value to be valid by 1 January 1999, it was reported on Tuesday. This figure means a 103.2 percent increase according to the minimum wage in the second-half of 1998.The new minimum wage, which was adopted unanimously and which will be valid for the first half of 1999, was fixed as to be 93.6 million TL in gross- value for the second half of 1999. The figure for minimum wage to be valid in the second half of 1999 means a 95.6 percent increase compared to figure in the same period in 1998. When the consumer prices index is taken as 73 percent, than the reel increase provided in the minimum wage became 2.6 percent. [19] TURKEY CALLS ON THE CLASHING SIDES TO PUT AN END TO CLASHES IMMEDIATELYANKARA, Dec 29 (A.A) - Turkey on Tuesday expressed concern over the re- starting of the clashes in Kosovo and expressed worry that Turkish citizens living in Kosovo may be affected negatively by these clashes.A Foreign Ministry statement said the clashes will spoil the tranquility atmosphere which was provided very difficultly and hamper efforts for a political solution and pointed out that a new and grave refugee problem may erupt because of the hard winter conditions. Emphasizing that the OSCE Inspection group should perform their duties without interference, and this is important for the efforts to find a peaceful solution under an agreement signed between OSCE and Yugoslavian Federal Republic, the statement said ''we call on Yugoslavian Federal Republic and Serbian officials to show restraint and put an end to the clashes soon to this end. We would like to remind the sides the determined attitude of NATO that a solution based on force would not be tolarated.'' The statement stressed that the sides should expend efforts for a successful political solution, and wanted participation of Turkish minority to the negotiations that will be carried out for the new status of Kosovo. [20] EREZ-CILLER MEETING - EREZ: ''CILLER TOLD ME THAT PARTICIPATION OF DYP TO MY GOVERNMENT IS IMPOSSIBLE AND WANTED ME TO HAND BACK THE MANDATE OF FORMING GOVERNMENT IMMEDIATELY''ANKARA, Dec 29 (A.A) - Yalim Erez, Independent Deputy from Mugla province, who was asked to form the new government, said on Tuesday that Tansu Ciller, leader of True Path Party (DYP), told him that it was impossible for her party to participate in the government that will be formed. Erez said ''if she had given time, if we could talk more, I believe that I could persuade her. This did not happen this time, I hope it will happen in second tour.''Erez who staged a news conference following his meeting with Ciller, said his meetings with Recai Kutan, leader of Virtue Party (FP); Mesut Yilmaz, leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP); Bulent Ecevit, leader of Democratic Left Party (DSP); and Deniz Baykal, leader of Republican Peoples' Party (CHP), were positive, and added that he visited DYP today, his former party. Erez said he sincerely wished participation of DYP to the government model he was seeking for and pointed out that ''the government that will be formed will bring the country to the elections on April 18. I want legislation and execution to work together. This will be a government getting its power from the Parliament.'' Erez said Ciller told him that the method he was assigned was not democratic. ''I told her that I was not the interlocutor of her, and that I did not go there to discuss this. I told her that I went there with an understanding to form government. She told me this was impossible and wanted me to hand back the mandate of forming government immediately,'' he added. Erez said, ''I told her that the mandate was given to me and that I have the right to determine the time I will hand back the mandate and that I can form a government without DYP. Yet, I also told her that I want participation of DYP in this government. I expressed readiness to negotiate again if a change happens till the second tour of talks.'' Erez said he was seeking for a compromise and added that he was ready to forgive the insults that have been made to him. Meanwhile, Tansu Ciller, leader of DYP, addressing a news conference she staged following her meeting with Erez, said the process to form a government prolonged more than it required. [21] JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE OF TURK-IS, HAK-IS AND DISKANKARA, Dec 29 (A.A) - The Chairmen of the Turkish Trade Unions Federation (Turk-Is), the Confederation of Revolutionary Workers' Unions (DISK) and the Turkish Confederation of Workers' Rights Labor Unions (Hak-Is) claimed on Tuesday that the businessmen dismissed the workers with the excuse of ''economic crisis'', and invited them to give up this attitude.Bayram Meral, the Chairman of Turk-Is; Salim Uslu, the Chairman of Hak-Is; and Ridvan Budak, the Chairman of DISK, convened at the Headquarters of Turk-Is in Ankara and staged a joint press conference. Bayram Meral invited to capital sector not to create more problems, saying, ''Turkey has internal and external problems. Don't create more burdens.'' ''As a result of the global crisis and its effects of Turkey, most of the workers in some business places were dismissed. One of the most serious problems in Turkey is unemployment. A new measure to remove the unemployment problem is out of question. There is not any investment. We are leaving in a period, in which the money earns money,'' Meral said. Pointing out that the construction, automotive and textiles sectors were facing crisis, Bayram Meral said, ''we can't say there is not a crisis, but it is exaggerated. This is a domestic problem, this is the problem of both workers and employers.'' Salim Uslu, the Chairman of Hak-Is, said for his part that the non- governmental organizations were the sine qua non organizations of democracy, adding that they decided to pursue a common attitude based on a responsible understanding against the public. Ridvan Budak, the Chairman of DISK, said that the workers had always been forced to stand and bear against each crisis. ''Several measures should be taken against the crisis. The crisis in Turkey stemmed from wrong investments and unplanned understanding of state,'' Budak added. [22] TURKISH FOREIGN POLICY IN 1998ANKARA (A.A) - Here is a chronological summary of main events on which Turkish foreign policy has focused on 1998:JANUARYJAN 2Turkey started a series of military operations in the international waters and air spaces in the Agean Sea that lasted on January 23. Greek reactions to the exercise caused new tension and crisis between the two countries. Greece alarmed her armed forces. The flow of illegal immigrants continued in the first months of 1998. Emphasizing that she was ready to cooperate with the concerned countries in the flow of illegal immigrants issue, Turkey requested from the European countries not to consider these illegal immigrants as ''political refugees''. JAN 5 Turkey, the US and Israel started the ''Reliable Mermaid'' operation aiming at ''rescue-search'' in the Eastern Mediterrenean. Jordan joined the operation as an observer. Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, sent a letter to Lamberto Dini, his Italian counterpart, as a warning on the flow of illegal immigrants, noting that political refugee status should not be given to these illegal immigrants. While Romano Prodi, Italian Prime Minister, stated that Europe should adopt a joint stance on the flow of illegal immigrants issue; Bulent Ecevit, Deputy Prime Minister, said that Europe showed a racist approach to the ''problem'' which Turkey was facing in her southeastern region. JAN 6 Turkey reacted harshly to the words of Robin Cook, British Foreign Minister, claiming that ''the eastern borders of Turkey was uncertain.'' David Logan, British Ambassador to Turkey, was summoned to the Foreign Ministry and informed about the uneasiness of Turkey on these words. JAN 8 The security units of Turkey and the countries which signed the Schengen Agreement came together in Rome to discuss the issue of illegal immigrants. Turkey submitted a dossier in the meeting and pointed out that the separatist terrorist organization was behind this flow. Turkey rejected to sign the letter of intention prepared after the meeting since the countries which signed the Schengen agreement did not recognise the role of the separatist terrorist organization in the flow of illegal immigrants. Hubert Vedrine, French Foreign Minister, had contacts in Ankara. The issues such as the illegal immigrants, the ''Southeastern problem'' were discussed besides the issue of improvement of bilateral relations. A protocol concerning the multilateral improvement of the relations between the two countries was signed. JAN 13 A delegation of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) came to Ankara and held contacts. The delegation was warned for its relations with the separatist terrorist organization (PKK) and was reminded that it should re- start the Ankara period. JAN 15 Ankara government seriously condemned the statement of Kai Nehm, Germany Federal Chief Prosecutor who said that ''the activities of the separatist terrorist organization (PKK) would be considered as legal crimes, not terrorism crimes.'' Bulent Ecevit, Deputy Prime Minister, stressed that some German high ranking officials met with PKK and that the terrorist organization guaranteed them not to commit terrorist acts in Germany. JAN 16 Britain started visa application to the persons who carry Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) passport claiming that ''the demand of asylum increased.'' David Logan, British Ambassador to Turkey, was summoned to the Foreign Ministry and informed about the discomfort of Turkey in this decision. The high ranking officials said that the visa application was of political aim. JAN 21 Haris Sladzic, Boro Bosic and Neven Tomic, the Co-Presidents of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia Herzegovina, came to Turkey to hold contacts. The bilateral relations between two countries and the credit which Turkey promised to grant Bosnia Herzegovina were discussed in the meetings. JAN 23 Sir David Hannay, the Special Envoy of Britian to Cyprus, had contacts in Ankara with the title of special envoy of Tony Blair, British Prime Minister. Hannay tried to persuade Turkey to attend European Conference which would be held in March, but received the respond: ''if you want us to attend the conference, you should stop the discrimination you applied against Turkey.'' JAN 26 Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, met with the Turkish councellors to the European Union (EU) countries in Germany. Cem also met with Klaus Kinkel, his German counterpart. Kinkel guaranteed Cem that the prohibitions applied to the separatist terrorist organization (PKK) would continue. JAN 27 The US decided to stop the foreign military selling credits which she was granting Turkey and Greece as of 1999. Ismail Cem, Foreign Minister, said that, ''we do not want military credits or donations. We only want to improve our commercial relations.'' JAN 30 Ismail Cem, Foreign Minister, went to Davos province of Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum meeting and met with Kofi Annan, the United Nations (UN) Secretary General on the solution of the crisis between Iraq and the UN. Annan and Cem decided in the meeting that Cem should have contacts with Iraq as a neighbouring country and should go to Baghdad to this end. FEBRUARYFEB 1The goverment decided that Ismail Cem, Foreign Minister, should go to Baghdad within the framework of a good-will initiative, following a meeting which the crisis between The United Nations (UN) and Iraq was discussed. FEB 2 Marc Grossman, the US Deputy Foreign Minister, and Joseph Ralston, Deputy Chief of General Staff, held contacts in Ankara on the crisis between the United Nations (UN) and Iraq. The US delegation claimed that the Iraqi mass destructive weapons were threats also to Turkey. Meanwhile, Bill Clinton, the US President, sent a letter to the President Suleyman Demirel requesting Turkey's support on the crisis. Dan Tichon, Israil Parliament Speaker, held contacts in Ankara. FEB 4 Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, went to Baghdad to find a solution to the crisis between the UN and Iraq within the framework of ''good neighbourly relations'' initiative. Cem conveyed the message of the President Suleyman Demirel to Saddam Hussein which urged to ''comply with the UN decisions.'' Meanwhile, Mesut Yilmaz, the Prime Minister, said that Iraq would lose the chance of reacting to the changing stance of Turkey in case she did not take the warnings into consideration. FEB 5 Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, who returned Turkey from Iraq, said that Saddam Hussein did not want war and was open to new proposals. Meanwhile, the measures that would be taken in case Turkey faced a new flow of migration were discussed in the meeting between Mesut Yilmaz, the Prime Minister, and the Office of Chief of General Staff on the Iraq-UN crisis. FEB 6 Stating that Turkey would give logistic support to a possible war in the Gulf, Mesut Yilmaz, the Prime Minister, said that Turkey would respond in case Iraq opened fire to the Turkish planes which would possibly hold a humanitarian operation in the region. FEB 10 The ways of improving the relations between the Balkan countries and Turkey were discussed in the meeting of the Turkish ambassadors to the Balkan countries and Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister. FEB 12 Turkey submitted a five-article proposal package to Greece for the solution of the Agean disputes. The invitation for the realization of a meeting between high ranking foreign ministry officials of the two countries was included in the proposal. Recep Meydani, President of Albania, held contacts in Ankara. FEB 14 Ismail Cem, Foreign Minister, went to China and Vietnam for official visits. FEB 16 Tony Blair, British Prime Minister, called Mesut Yilmaz, his counterpart, on the phone and guaranteed the territorial integrity of Iraq. Robin Cook, British Foreign Minister, withdrew his statement which claimed that ''the Middle East map could change'' following the harsh reactions of Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister. Greece rejected the peace call of Turkey. Theodoros Pangalos, Greek Foreign Minister, said that it was out of question to have a meeting with Ismail Cem, his counterpart, on the bilateral problems. FEB 17 John Shattuck, the US State Secretary Responsible for Human Rights, held contacts in Ankara and southeastern provinces. FEB 19 President Suleyman Demirel, in his visit to France, held contacts for the membership of European Union (EU). In an interview to a French newspaper, he responded to a question about the southeast, noting that, ''you should deal with your Corsica, not our Kurds.'' Defining Syria as a terrorist country in his speech in a conference held in his second day in France, Demirel pointed out that Turkey had proofs that the chief of the separatist terrorist organization was in Syria. FEB 20 Sir David Hannay, the special envoy of Tony Blair, the British Prime Minister, came to Ankara and held contacts before the European Conference meeting. Hannay once again emphasized that Britain guaranteed that she did not want a Kurdish state in Northern Iraq. FEB 24 Dimitrios Nezeritis, Greek Ambassador to Turkey, submitted the official respond of his country to peace call of Turkey. In this respond, Greece continued to insist on discussing the bilateral problems in the Hague. Theodoros Pangalos, Greek Foreign Minister, said that he could not meet with Ismail Cem, his Turkish counterpart, in a special meeting, but during the West European Union (WEU) meeting. FEB 26 Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, went to Jordan within the framework of an official visit. Stating that it was necessary to remove the reasons which led the crisis as the Iraqi-UN crisis ended, Cem first went to Jordan, the first leg of his regional tour to boost cooperation in the region. Turkey and Jordan stated that they established a Neighbouring Forum to which the neighbours of Iraq would attend in order to ensure stability in the Middle East. MARCHMARCH 6In an interview to the British Financial Times, Mesut Yilmaz, the Prime Minister, said that there were the traces of traces of Adolf Hitler's policy of ''lebensraum'' in Germany's policy towards the Eastern Europe countries. This created a tension between the two countries. German government seriously reacted to the words of Yilmaz. After Yilmaz's statement was published, Klaus Kinkel, German Foreign Minister, claimed that Yilmaz ''furiously attacked everywhere.'' MARCH 7 MARCH 11 MARCH 12 Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, and Taner Etkin, his counterpart in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) exchanged the ratification documents of Cooperation Council signed on August 6 between two countries. MARCH 15 MARCH 21 Semdin Sakik, the second man of the separatist terrorist organization (PKK), surrendered to the Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party in the Northern Iraq. Turkey started initiatives for the return of Sakik. MARCH 24 MARCH 25 MARCH 30 MARCH 31 Vladimir Cizov, the Special Envoy of Russia to Cyprus, came to Turkey and discussed the issue of the deployment of S-300 missiles on the Island. [23] TURKISH FOREIGN POLICY IN 1998ANKARA (A.A) - Here is a chronological summary of main events on which Turkish foreign policy has focused on 1998:APRILAPRIL 2President Suleyman Demirel warned Armenia in eastern Van province and said, ''they would withdraw from the territory of Azerbaijan if they have minds. Turkey will never let the region to be dragged into instability.'' APRIL 6 APRIL 13 APRIL 14 APRIL 16 APRIL 17 APRIL 21 Thomas Miller, the US Foreign Ministry Special Coordinator to Cyprus, held contacts in Ankara. Miller claimed that Turkey should start to hold negotiations. Miller then went to Athens and stated that the US was determined to solve the ''Cyprus issue.'' Miller said, ''the US, in every level from the presidency to the foreign ministry and the ambassadors, dedicated itself to solve Cyprus issue.'' APRIL 23 APRIL 27 APRIL 28 APRIL 30 MAYMAY 2The US continues his efforts on the Cyprus issue. Richard Holbroke, the Special Envoy of Bill Clinton, the US President, to Cyprus was expected to propose some issues such as the political equality of the Turkish Cypriots, the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) by the US, the decrease in the number of the soldiers, the attendance of the TRNC to the European Union (EU) negotiations in his meeting between 1 and 8 May. MAY 6 Turkey's relations with Greece and Syria became more and more tense as the mentioned two countries supported the separatist terrorist organization (PKK). Harshly reacting to the opening of an office in Athens by the PKK, and the continuation of Syrian support to the PKK, Turkey warned the two countries. President Suleyman Demirel said that the hostile feelings of Syria to Turkey continued. Richard Holbrooke, the Special Envoy of the US President Bill Clinton to Cyprus, claimed that Turkey was responsible for the impasse in the negotiations process on Cyprus, and he alleged that ''the application (of the Greek Cypriot side) to the EU cannot be turned down and the recognition of the TRNC was impossible'' as he was leaving the Island. MAY 11 Turkey, Iran, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Afganistan, Kyrgyzistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Georgia and Tajikistan came together in the Economic Cooperation Organization Summit that would determine the fate of the oil and gas reserves. MAY 13 The project known as the Blue Stream and that would provide the transfer of the Russian natural gas through the Black Sea was ratified by the Council of Ministers. Under the agreement, Russia would ship Turkey 500 million cubic metres of natural gas in 2000 and 4 billion cubic metres of gas in 2001. MAY 15 Thanks to the efforts of the Turkish delegation in the International Maritime organization meeting held in London, the draft concerning the control of the Turkish Straits prepared by Russia was not adopted. MAY 18 The officials of the American Jews who came to Turkey on the claims that the gold belonging to the Jews but usurped by the Germans in the Second War War was brought to Turkey, requested that the Turkish archives would be made available in their negotiations with Premier Mesut Yilmaz and Sukru Gurel, State Minister. MAY 20 Theodoros Pangalos, the Greek Foreign Minister, said that Greece was determined to continue to veto the fulfilment of the financial obligation of the European Union to Turkey arising from the Customs Union agreement. Pangalos said that Athens would oppose to any kind of decisions concerning the improvement of the Turkish-EU relations. Meanwhile, the one-day visit of Robin Cook, Foreign Minister of Britain, the Term President of the EU, was found to be unsuccessful by the British press. The US would sell 30 Harpoon missiles to Turkey worth of 43 million US dollars, and 248 Hellfire missiles to Greece worth of 24 million US dollars, it was reported. Pentagon, the US Secretariat of Defense, stated that the Hellfire and Harpoon missiles would not affect the military balance in the region. MAY 21 As an intensive diplomacy traffic was faced between the parties to hold the Turkish-EU Association Council on May 25, the proposals of Robin Cook, the Foreign Minister of Britain and the Term President of the EU, did not satisfy Ankara. It was reported that Cook proposed two formulas since the Greek veto, especially on the financial aid, could not be overcome, and that these formulas could not meet the expectations of Turkey. JUNEJUNE 1An American magazine revealed clearly the ''organic'' relation between Syrian government and the separatist terrorist organization (PKK). The Syrian government did not oppose the fact that Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of PKK, was living in Damascus and assumed an attitude as if it wanted this fact to be known throughout the world. In the interview, the relations between PKK and the PASOK, which is in the power in Greece, was also revealed, and the facts which Turkey was trying to tell the world were proved. JUNE 2 Turkish Parliament issued a statement noting that the draft law concerning the so-called ''Armenian genocide'' adopted in the French National Assembly was a step aimed at Turkish nation. In the note submitted to the French Foreign Ministry by Sonmez Koksal, Turkish Ambassador to France, it was pointed out that this draft law would damage bilateral relations between the two countries. JUNE 3 While Washington government continued his efforts to look for the Jewish gold usurped by the Nazis in Turkey; Ankara, which granted asylum to 100 thousand Jewish people in Turkey during the war, started a legal fight against the claims that Turkey turned a blind eye to the Jewish genocide. JUNE 4 As Robert Kocharian was elected as the President of Armenia, the relations between Armenia and the European Union got closer. Hans van den Broek, the Foreign Affairs Representative of the EU Commission, stated that the Armenian-EU association agreement would be put into effect. JUNE 6 Thomas Miller, the US State Secretary Special Coordinator to Cyprus, stated that he proposed Glafcos Clerides, the leader of the Greek Cypriot side, to put the S-300 missiles in a depot on the Island and that the Greek Cypriots did not oppose to this proposal. Meanwhile, the Russian Ruski Telegraph newspaper published the map of the areas where these missiles possibly would be deployed. The newspaper noted that the first possible place where S-300 missiles would be deployed was Maronide, close to the south coast of the Island. JUNE 7 ''The Kurdish dispute'' report which was discussed and adopted in the Migration Commission of the Council of Europe (COE) and expected to be discussed in the Parliamentarian Assembly of the COE on June 25 created problem between Turkey and the COE. Ambassador Turmen, the Permanent Representative of Turkey to the COE, said that the report was encouraging for the separatist terrorist organization (PKK). The report which condemned burning down of the villages, and forcing people to leave their homes in the southeastern region, and asked for the lifting off the village guard system, and supported the proposal of the PKK regarding the establishment of an international ''Kurdish Conference'', disturbed Ankara. JUNE 9 The Foreign Ministers of the Southeastern European Countries Meeting ended with the Istanbul Declaration. The declaration did not include Kosovo problem. But a chairmanship statement which was issued separately from the Istanbul Declaration, mentioned about the problem and urged a solution as soon as possible. JUNE 15 Evaluating the results of the summit, Sukru Gurel, the State Minister Responsible For the EU, stated that there was not a new position for Turkish government to change its decision taken on December 14. Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, said, ''the candidacy period of Turkey entered into its normal period.'' JUNE 17 JUNE 18 JUNE 25 Sukru Sina Gurel, State Minister, said that ther were not any documents or events related to the World War Two which Turkey wanted to hide. As being the chairman of the commission set up to search the claims against Turkey regarding the Nazi gold, Gurel said that Turkey had chrome trade with Germany during the war time and that not even a gram of the Nazi gold entered in Turkey. JUNE 30 [24] TURKISH FOREIGN POLICY IN 1998ANKARA (A.A) - Here is a chronological summary of main events on which Turkish foreign policy has focused on 1998:JULYJULY 1Adnan Omran, Syrian Foreign Minister, started to hold contacts in Ankara. Omran met with Ismail Cem, his counterpart, and Korkmaz Haktanır, the Foreign Ministry Undersecretary. Turkey urged Syria to stop supporting terrorism. Syria put forth the water issue. Cem said that the current situation was not convenient to go to Damascus. The Foreign Ministry officials stressed that dialog between Syria and Turkey would be possible. JULY 4 Faissal Huseyni, the Palestinian Minister Responsible for Jerusalem, came to Turkey. Huseyni said that he would look at the Ottoman archives on the determination of the status of Jerusalem. JULY 6 Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, went to Israel within the framework of a three-day visit as the guest of Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. Cem emphasized that the relations of Turkey with Israel were not against a third country. Netanyahu stressed the importance of the contribution of Turkey in the Middle East Peace Process. JULY 18 JULY 21 JULY 22 JULY 25 JULY 27 JULY 28 JULY 31 AUGUSTAUGUST 13The homes and the workplaces of the Turkomans were attacked in Irbil, and it was claimed that there was Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) behind the attacks. Iraqi Turkoman Front put a black wreath to the Ankara representation of the KDP. Mahmoud Al Ahmed, Iraqi Minister Responsible from Irrigation, said that unless the dam constructions in the Tigris river and the Euphrates river stopped, they would complain about Turkey to the international court of justice. AUGUST 17 AUGUST 19 AUGUST 20 AUGUST 31 SEPTEMBERSEP 1Faruk Logoglu, the Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary, expressed Ankara's view on the Titina Louzidou case to the ambassadors of the member countries of the Council of Europe (COE). Titina Louzidau, a Greek tourist guide, filed a suit in 1989 based on the provision of the 50th article of the European Convention of Human Rights concerning that ''the goods of every person or citizen is under guarantee''. The court decided that Turkey should pay a compensation. Turkey stated that the decision of the court was political and concerned TRNC rather than Turkey, and rejected to pay the compensation. Foreign Ministry called her ambassadors to Brazilia, Argentine, Chili, Venezuella, Mexico and Cuba to Ankara to improve the political and economic relations with the Latin American countries and held meetings with the attendance of the private sector and public sector institutions. A Latin America Action Plan was prepared. SEP 2 Massoud Barzani, Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader, came to Ankara and briefed Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister, and Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister before he proceeded to Washington. David Welch, the US Foreign Ministry Deputy Secretary Responsible For the Near East Affairs, had invited Barzani and Jalal Talabani, Iraqi Patriotic Union for Kurdistan (PUK) leader, to the US. SEP 8 Premier Mesut Yilmaz said that Syria supported the separatist terrorist organization (PKK). SEP 9 President Suleyman Demirel said in a statement to a magazine that Syria was backing PKK but was still denying it. Stating that there was not a water dispute between Turkey and Syria, Demirel said, ''they are backing terrorism by using the water issue as an excuse. We have started to give a thousand cubic metres of water to Iraq by constructing a dam on the Euphrates. They have to thank us for this.'' Turkey declared that she started the process of being a party to the international agreement that forced the tanker-ships which led to oil pollution to pay compensation. SEP 10 The delegation of the Iraqi Patriotic Union for Kurdistan (PUK) came to Ankara before going to the US. Turkey warned this delegation once more due to its relationship with the separatist terrorist organization (PKK). The Foreign Ministers of Iran, Greece and Armenia gathered together in Teheran. In his statements to the journalists while returning to Athens, Theodoros Pangalos, Greek Foreign Minister, said, ''Talabani tries to establish an autonomous Kurdish region in Northern Iraq which will cover some of the Turkish territory.'' Turkey condemned the words of Pangalos as ''interference with the internal affairs and an attack to the territorial integrity of Turkey.'' Talabani announced that he did not have such meeting with Pangalos by the representation of his party in Ankara. Alexander Lebedev, the new Russian Ambassador to Turkey, submitted his letter of credence to President Suleyman Demirel and started his mission in Ankara. SEP 11 Mufit Ozdes, Turkish Ambassador to Libya, was called back to Turkey to have negotiations for an indefinite time. Turkey asked for an explanation from Libya for the parade of the militants of separatist terrorist organization (PKK) in uniforms in an official ceremony for the anniversary of the Libyan revolution on September 1. Libya said that they had not been informed about the parade. Ozdes then went back to Libya. SEP 12 Ismail Cem, Foreign Minister, went to Iran. The issues such as the tension between Afghanistan and Iraq, infiltration of the PKK terrorists from the Iranian border to Turkey, the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Greece, Armenia and Iran in Teheran were discussed in the meetings. Cem said that he had not positive views as he returned to Ankara. The ministers decided that the committee formed for the border security of Iran and Turkey would work more effectively. The Azerbaijan-Armenian dispute was also discussed. Turkey requested Iran's support on giving an end to the Armenian occupation in Azerbaijan. SEP 15 George Robertson, British Defense Minister, came to Turkey. A defense industry cooperation agreement was signed between Turkey and Britain. Robertson said that they supported the moratorium in Cyprus and they had efforts to postpone or cancel the arrival of S-300 missiles on the Island. Robertson stressed that the British government decided not to give permission to the selling of the weapons which could be used for domestic pressure or external aggressive purposes. SEP 16 Kocheril Raman Narayanan, Indian President, came to Ankara as a guest of President Suleyman Demirel. General Atilla Ates, Commander of Land Forces, warned Syria that ''Turkish patience was coming to an end.'' Foreign Ministry suggested the US that the strike of the civilian personnel in the Turkish-American joint defense installation in Incirlik and the problems arising from this should be settled down as soon as possible. Uluc Ozulker, the FM Deputy Undersecretary, met with Francis Ricciardone, US Charge d'affairs to Turkey, and told him about the desire of Turkey. SEP 17 David Welch, US Assistant Secretary of State Responsible For the Near East Affairs, went to Northern Iraq and invited Massoud Barzani, the leader of the Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), and Jalal Talabani, the leader of the Iraqi Patriotic Union for Kurdistan (PUK) to Washington D.C. Talabani and Barzani had a compromise by the Washington agreement in the US. Turkey expressed her disturbance for being left out of the agreement process. Turkey also reacted to the articles such as the establishment of a Kurdish state in Northern Iraq and the limiting of Turkish operations in the region. SEP 18 Thomas Miller, the Special Coordinator of the US Foreign Ministry to Cyprus, came to Ankara. He proposed to stop the negotiations of the membership of the Greek Cypriot side in the European Union (EU) in case the Turkish Cypriot government started to hold negotiations with the Greek Cypriots, and he also proposed postponement of the arrival of the S-300 missiles in return for a flight moratorium on Cyprus. However, Ankara did not approve this plan. SEP 19 Foreign Minister Ismail Cem went to the US to attend the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. Premier Mesut Yilmaz and Cem represented Turkey in the meetings which started on September 20. SEP 25 Inal Batu, Turkish Ambassador to Italy, expressed the worries of Turkey on the press conference of ''so-called kurdish parliament'' in Rome parliament building, visiting the speaker of Rome parliament. Batu later visited Romano Prodi, the Italian Prime Minister, and said, ''a crisis that cannot be compensated can start.'' SEP 26 Bulent Ecevit, Deputy Prime Minister, said that Turkey increased her diplomatic relations with Iraq from the Charge d'affairs level to the Ambassador level. This statement was evaluated as a reaction to the Washington agreement which provided compromise between the Kurdish parties. Ecevit also said that the Libyan statement on the PKK terrorists parading in a ceremony of the Libyan revolution was satisfactory. SEP 28 In a statement by the Ankara Embassy of Austria, the European Union (EU) Term President, on behalf of the EU, it was said that EU was worried about the punishment of Tayyip Erdogan, the Mayor of Istanbul. Massimilliano Bandini, the Italian Ambassador to Turkey, was summoned to the Foreign Ministry and given a note concerning Turkey's worries. Caroline Haggins, the US Chief Counselor to Istanbul, visited Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Istanbul Mayor, after the Supreme Court decided to sentence him with ten-month imprisonment. Haggins said, ''when the chosen people are exposed to some accusations as political figures, this is a very serious matter. Such incidents weakens the trust for Turkish democracy.'' The Foreign Ministry drew the attention of the US State Secretariat, stating that the statements and visit of Haggings were ''intervention to the internal affairs of Turkey.'' SEP 29 The so-called kurdish parliament convened in Rome. The Foreign Ministry reacted harshly and said, ''the permission given to a branch of a terrorist organization to continue activities in Italian parliament shows that the peace, security and territorial integrity of Turkey is not taken into consideration at all. We expected that the security of Turkey would not be made a tool for ambitions of domestic policy.'' Gerhard Schroder, the newly elected Prime Minister of Germany, supported the integration period of Turkey with the EU, but warned Turkey for the human rights problem. The Foreign Ministry protested and condemned the Greek parliament which declared unanimously the September 14 as the so-called ''anniversary of the genocide that Turkey realized on the Helens of Asia Minor.'' SEP 30 The Natural Security Council (MGK) discussed the measures that could be taken against Syria. So-called ''Kurdish parliament'' in exile held a meeting in the Italian parliament. [25] TURKISH FOREIGN POLICY IN 1998ANKARA (A.A) - Here is a chronological summary of main events on which Turkish foreign policy has focused on 1998:OCTOBEROCT 1President Suleyman Demirel warned Syria once more that Turkey was losing its patience. Inal Batu, Turkish Ambassador to Italy, was called back to Ankara for consultations. Turkey urged Italy to admit that the separatist terrorist organization (PKK) was a terrorist organization and that the so-called ''kurdish parliament'' was an extension of the PKK. Italy stated that the meeting in the parliament was held by the contributions of some deputies and was not the stance of the government. OCT 2 Cenk Duatepe, Turkish Ambassador to Syria, was in Ankara within the framework of his administrative holiday. Duatepe returned Damascus the same day. OCT 4 Hosni Mubarak, Egyptian President, started a shuttle diplomacy between Turkey and Syria to put an end to the tension escalated between the two countries. Mubarak first went to Damascus and exchanged ideas with Hafez Al- Assad, Syrian President. OCT 5 Mubarak held contacts in Ankara. Turkey stressed that the only agenda of a possible meeting with Syria could be the support of Syria to the terrorism. OCT 6 Ann Hercus, the Deputy Special Envoy to Cyprus of Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General, arrived in Ankara and met with Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, and Korkmaz Haktanir, the Foreign Ministry Undersecretary. Hercus said that this visit was an ''acquiantance visit.'' Premier Mesut Yilmaz said that Syria was backing the terrorist organization and was carrying an indirect war against Turkey. OCT 7 Burhaneddin Rabbani, the former President of Afghanistan, met with President Suleyman Demirel and Ahat Andican, the Minister of State. The situation in Afghanistan and the region was discussed in the meeting. Kemal Kharrazi, Iranian Foreign Minister, joined the efforts of ''mediation'' to ease the tension between Turkey and Syria. The dispute in the collective bargaining between the Turkish War-Work Trade Union and the US Air Forces in the Turkish American Joint Defense installations was solved and a collective bargaining was signed. OCT 8 Turkish parliament ratified the military intervention to Kosovo to put an end to the violence in the region. OCT 9 Turkish parliament permitted the Turkish Armed Forces to join a possible NATO operation in Kosova. Kemal Kharrazi held contacts in Ankara to prevent the crisis between Syria and Turkey. OCT 12 Amr Moussa, Egyptian Foreign Minister, came to Ankara to held contacts on the Turkish-Syrian crisis after visiting Damascus. Stating that he brought a message to President Suleyman Demirel by Hafiz Esad, Syrian President, Moussa said, ''the message to Demirel includes the answers of Syria to the worries of Turkey. I hope this explanation will be considered satisfactory by the Turkish government.'' The news that Abdullah Ocalan, the chief terrorist, escaped from Syria was heard. South Eastern European Countries Presidents and Prime Ministers Meeting was held in Antalya. The formation of a regional center in the Balkans to support the trade, and the formation of a free trade zone, were decided in the meeting. Also, the presidents and the prime ministers called for recognizing a large autonomy and self-determination for Kosovo. OCT 13 Ismet Sezgin, the Defense Minister, said that they heard some news that Syria closed the PKK camps in her territory. OCT 14 Armenian church in Turkey chose Mesrob Mutafian as its new patriarch. OCT 15 Leonart Meri, Estonian President, came Ankara within the framework of a three-day visit. President Suleyman Demirel said that Turkey supported the membership of Estonia to NATO. Turkey welcomed the decision of Germany on amending the citizenship law for the foreigners. Ismail Cem, Foreign Minister, sent a message to Izzettin Laraki, Secretary General of the Islamic Conference Organization, noting the views of Turkey concerning the tension between Turkey and Syria. OCT 16 Syria proposed Turkey that the joint committees formed in 1992 should meet again to discuss not only the problems which led to a crisis between two countries but also other problems. Foreign Ministry stated that the only problem that could be discussed was the support given to the PKK terrorism and expressed that Turkey wished to see whether or not Syria ended her support to the organization. OCT 17 Ivan Antonovic, Belarus Foreign Minister, came to Turkey. Antonovic said that his country wished to improve the economic and political relations with Turkey. Ismail Cem, Foreign Minister, disclosed that the Turkish and Syrian security officials planned to come together to discuss the tension. OCT 19 Turkish-Syrian security meeting started in Seyhan county of Adana province. The only article to be discussed was that Syria should immediately end to support the terrorist organization. OCT 20 The crisis arisen between Syria and Turkey since Syria supported the terrorist organization was eased as the parties signed an agreement in Adana. Syria guaranteed that the terrorist organization would not shelter in her territory from now on. Turkey stated that she would closely monitor Syria whether or not she would abide by her commitments. The parties decided to hold a tripartite meeting among Turkey, Syria and Lebanon. A direct telephone line between the two countries was established. OCT 21 The draft resolutions concerning the ratification of the protocols on the attendance of Chech Republic, Hungary and Poland to NATO were adopted by the Turkish Parliamentary General Assembly. It was revealed that Abdullah Ocalan, the chief terrorist, was in Russia. OCT 22 Premier Mesut Yilmaz requested Russia to extradite the chief terrorist. OCT 24 Foreign Minister Ismail Cem stressed that Turkey would impose restrictions to the transition of the tankers from the Straits. OCT 26 Turkey gave a note to Russia officially requesting the extradition of Ocalan. OCT 28 The presidents and the prime ministers of many countries who came to Ankara to attend the ceremonies of celebrating the 75th anniversary of Turkish Republic was met by President Suleyman Demirel in Esenboga Airport. A reception was held in the Residence of President for the guests. OCT 29 Igor Ivanov, Russian Foreign Minister, came to Ankara. Carrying the message of Prime Minister Primatov, Ivanov met with President Suleyman Demirel and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem. Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan signed Ankara Declaration concerning the transfer of the Caspian and Middle Eastern oil to the western markets via Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan main pipe line. A reception was held in the Residence of President within the framework of the ceremonies of the 75th anniversary of the Republic. NOVEMBERNOV 3Massoud Barzani, the leader of the Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), came to Ankara and informed Turkey about the agreement he signed with Talabani, the leader of the Iraqi Patriotic Union for Kurdistan (PUK). Ecevit, Deputy Prime Minister, said that the statements of Barzani stopped the worries of Turkey and that Barzani did not think of a formation in Northern Iraq which would leave Turkey away. Barzani guaranteed that Talabani would also fight against the terrorist organization. Duma, the lower chamber of the Russian parliament, decided to propose to President Boris Yeltsin to grant asylum for Abdullah Ocalan, the terrorist chief. NOV 4 Ivan Kostov, Bulgarian Prime Minister, came to Turkey. Premier Mesut Yilmaz and Kostov signed the agreement prepared for the settlement of Rezve border dispute which could not be settled for 50 years. European Union (EU) Commission issued an enlargement report. Turkey was indirectly considered among the membership candidates. Lebedev, the Russian Ambassador, was summoned to the Foreign Ministry for the decision of Duma. Lebedev said, ''I condemn Duma's decision. This decision can not be effective in the policy of Russian government.'' Foreign Minister Ismail Cem went to Argentine, Brazil, and Latin America within the framework of opening to Latin America. Mehmet Guney, the Turkish Ambassador to Indonesia, whom Turkey nominated as a candidate, won in the first round the elections held in the UN General Assembly in New York for the Rwanda International Punishment Court established in 1994 to try the war crimes and the crimes of humanity in Rwanda and her neighbours. NOV 5 Alexander Avdayev, First Deputy of the Russian Foreign Ministry, came to Ankara. Avdayev met with Faruk Logoglu, the Foreign ministry Deputy Undersecretary. In the statement, Evgeny Primakov, the Russian Prime Minister, said that the chief terrorist was not in Russia and that he guaranteed that he could never stay in Russia. NOV 6 William Cohen, the US Secretary of Defense, came to Ankara for a one-day visit. It was claimed that Cohen said that the US requested to use Incirlik military base in case of a military action against Iraq. The new Straits Regulation was published in the official gazette. ''Non- stop Transit Passage'' was permitted and the term ''Turkish Straits'' was firstly used in the regulation. Foreign Ministry condemned the Cyprus part of the report of the Council of Europe (COE) dated November 4. It is reported that the report which claimed Turkey was an ''occupier'' was full of baseless claims and substantial mistakes and that the EU was responsible for the deadlock in Cyprus. NOV 7 Talabani, the leader of the Iraqi Patriotic Union for Kurdistan (PUK), came to Ankara. Barzani, who was in Ankara the same time, said in a press conference that they did not wish to set up a Kurdish state and that they would continue to cooperate with Turkey against the terrorist organization. Barzani also stressed that the Washington agreement was the continuation of the Ankara Process. Barzani and Talabani held a bilateral meeting the following day. NOV 10 Turkey, Britain and the US disclosed that Turkey's worries occured by the Washington agreement were ended in a joint declaration. In the joint declaration, it was emphasized that Washington agreement was the continuation of Ankara Process, and it was guaranteed that the operations of Turkey in Northern Iraq would not be prevented. It was emphasized that the basic decisions about the political regime of Iraq should be taken within a unitarian Iraq. The control of entrance of the non-governmental organizations to the region was given to Turkish government. NOV 13 It was revealed that Ocalan, the chief terrorist, was caught in Italy on November 12. NOV 17 Bandini, Italy's Ambassador to Turkey, was summoned to the Foreign Ministry. ''Credible and definite information'' concerning the place of Ocalan was requested. NOV 18 Ocalan, who gave testimony in Italy, requested political asylum from Rome. NOV 23 Algirdas Saudargas, Lithuanian Foreign Ministry, came to Ankara. Saudargas signed an agreement concerning the prevention of dual taxation with Turkey. NOV 27 Massimo D'Alema, Italian Prime Minister, expressed that the granting asylum to Ocalan would be inconvenient. NOV 28 The dossier regarding the extradition of Ocalan prepared by the Justice Ministry was submitted to the Italian authorities by a special courier. DECEMBERDEC 2The Foreign Ministry informed some of the unions and assosiations regarding the commercial reflections of the tension and crisis between Turkey and Italy. Gurel, State Minister, said, ''There is not official boycott to Italy.'' DEC 4 An investigation started against Ocalan in Italy on charges of ''entering the country with a fake passport.'' DEC 5 Housni Mubarak, the Egyptian President, came to Ankara for a two-day visit. President Suleyman Demirel drew the attention that the Adana agreement should be applied better in his meeting with Mubarak who contributed to the efforts to ease the tension between Turkey and Syria. While stating that a new era with Syria should start, Mubarak said that it was too early to meet with Hafiz Al-Assad, Syrian President. DEC 16 Rome Court of Appeal released Ocalan, the chief terrorist who was under ''police surveillance'' in Italy since November 20. The Rome Court of Appeal stated that the reason of this decision was that Germany cancelled her warrant of arrest on Ocalan. The Foreign Ministry stated that the decision taken by the Greek Cypriot side concerning the import of the Turkish goods or the goods that were shipped via Turkey was taken ''probably under the pressure of the European Union (EU) Commission'' and that the adoptation of the decision was a question of matter. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and tha other high ranking officials of the ministry held a meeting to evaluate the incidents happened after the chief terrorist was released. Necati Utkan, the Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, said that the situation after the chief terrorist was released was not clear yet and that Ankara could not understand the meaning of the verdict. Stressing that the legal practices of Italy caused doubts, Utkan said, ''the most important thing for us is our demand of extradition.'' DEC 17 The US launched an air strike to Iraq who did not comply with the decisions of the United Nations (UN) Security Council. Turkish Foreign Ministry said, ''we wish the situation in Iraq will normalize as soon as possible. We hope the operation will be short.'' Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said that they gave an instruction to evacuate the Turkish Embassy in Baghdad. Bulent Ecevit, Deputy Prime Minister; Cem, and Sukru Sina Gurel, the State Minister, held a meeting on the Iraqi crisis in the Foreign Ministry. Bill Clinton, the US President, sent a message to President Suleyman Demirel concerning the operation. The Foreign Ministry officials noted that the US did not requested to use the Incirlik base. Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the separatist terrorist organization PKK, officially applied for asylum in Italy. It was revealed that Italian Court of Appeal did not examine Turkey's request for extradition of Ocalan. This attitude of the Court has been evaluated as ''intentional.'' Turkey's lawyers in Italy gave a petition to Rome's Appeal Court, asking Italy to put Ocalan under preventive detention. Turkey also notified concerned Italian authorities against Oliviero Diliberto, the Justice Minister, charging him with abusing his authority. DEC 22 The deadline to hand over the extradition dossier of Turkey to Italy. But Turkey has earlier applied for Ocalan's extradition, and handed over the extradition dossier. Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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