Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-01-09

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

09 JAN 1999

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] MILD EARTHQUAKE SHAKES SOKE COUNTY OF AYDIN PROVINCE

[03] ECEVIT, THE LEADER OF DSP, MEETS WITH CINDORUK, LEADER OF THE DTP

[04] WARNING FROM ANKARA TO ATHENS - ''WE EXPECT GREECE TO EVALUATE SERIOUSLY THE THREATS TOWARDS OUR REPRESENTATIONS AND TAKE REQUIRED MEASURES''

[05] DRUG WORTH OF 1 TRILLION 262.8 BILLION TURKISH LIRAS SEIZED IN EDIRNE IN 1998

[06] FOREIGN MINISTRY: - ''OUR VIEW TOWARDS GREECE THAT SHE DOES NOT FULFIL HER OBLIGATIONS IN FIR LINE IN ATHENS WAS CONFIRMED'' - ''GREECE SHOULD GIVE UP SEEING FIR AS A FIELD OF SOVEREIGNTY''

[07] ERSUMER, ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTER: - ''NEGOTIATIONS OVER THE BAKU-CEYHAN OIL PIPELINE WILL CONTINUE IN ISTANBUL NEXT WEEK''

[08] STUDIES TO FORM GOVERNMENT - ECEVIT-CINDORUK MEETING ENDS

[09] VARIATION ACTIVITIES IN TURKISH TOURISM TO BE MAINTAINED

[10] CINDORUK, DTP LEADER: ''WE ARE AGAINST THIS GOVERNMENT MODEL. YET OUR DEPUTIES WILL DECIDE ON THE ISSUE OF VOTE OF CONFIDENCE''

[11] IL GIORNALE: ''THREE MORE OCALANS COME TO ITALY''

[12] 78TH ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST INONU VICTORY - PRESIDENT DEMIREL AND PREMIER YILMAZ ISSUE MESSAGES

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

ULUGBAY EXCITEMENT
Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of State and the Leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) who was re-assigned to form the new government, mentioned that Tansu Ciller, the Leader of the True Path Party (DYP) expressed sensitiveness over the presence of Hikmet Ulugbay, the National Education Minister. He also stressed that the DSP cannot admit any pressure on its efforts to form the new government.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

TURKEY WARNS ITALY
Turkey warned Italy to capture and arrest three leading names of the separatist terrorist organization PKK if they arrive in Italy in the coming days. Officials at the Turkish Embassy in Rome told A.A correspondent that Turkey gave a note of protest to the Italian Foreign Ministry at the beginning of this week for the arrest of Cemil Bayik, Duran Kalkan and Ali Sapan, leading names of the separatist terrorist organization.

KURDISH ORIGIN WRITERS PROTEST OCALAN, CHIEF
OF SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK
Kurdish origin writers and intellectual persons living in Sweden reacted to the insulting statements of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK, at the Med-TV, the illegal television channel of the PKK. Kurdish origin writers and leading intellectual names issued a joint communique titled as ''For The Public Opinion'' and protested Ocalan. The joint communique stressed that Ocalan has no right to insult the Kurdish people with humiliating words and added, ''such words against self- respect of human being, are prohibited by the human rights, international laws and agreements. The Med-TV has also violated broadcast ethics by broadcasting Ocalan's obnoxious insults.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

GENERAL STAFF: PROHIBITION OF FUNDAMENTALISM
STRENGTHENS DEMOCRACY
The General Staff issued a report under the title of ''Actual Issues''. The General Staff stressed that the prohibition of the political formations which will destroy democracy and secularism in Turkey, will strengthen the Republic of Turkey. Giving the sample of Hitler, the report pointed out that the Germany was destroyed by the extrememism.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

DIPLOMATS IN DANGER
Turkey warned Greece to take necessary security measures after the threats targeting Turkish diplomats charged in Athens, increased recently. The Foreign Ministry issued a written statement saying that the Turkish diplomats have been threating by a terrorist organization named November 17.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT) MINORITY GOVERNMENT TO BE SPECIFIED
The tension between Bulent Ecevit, Prime Minister-Designate, and True Path Party (DYP) on the issue of Hikmet Ulugbay, Minister of Education was overcomed. Ecevit said ''there is not such a problem. Insistency is not in question.'' Ecevit also said Ulugbay will be Deputy Minister responsible for Economy in the new cabinet.

PARTY WHICH GOES OUT OF SYSTEM WILL BE CLOSED
Hasan Tahsin Information Center was promoted to Ankara representatives of media. The 14-page information note, prepared by General Staff, pointed out that parties, which go out of system in countries which democracy is settled, are closed. It said National Security Council (NSC) is an constitutional institution formed against foreign threats.

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

FIRST WOMAN COMMANDO
Tulin Tepelendiren, the first woman commando lieutenant of Turkey, got certificate of capability in a ceremony held in Egridir Commando School. Sukru Sariisik, Commander of Training Center, said Tepelendiren successfully proved that heroism and ability of Turkish women, which started with Nene Hatuns and Sabiha Gokcen, will continue.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

UNAL ERKAN RESIGNS FROM DYP
Unal Erkan, DYP Minister from Ankara, resigned from his party on Friday. Erkan accused Ciller due to her anti-democratic implementations and wrong doings. Number of chairs of DYP in the Parliament reduced to 98 with the resignation of Erkan.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

''CUSTODY'' CIRCULAR FROM DENIZKURDU
Justice Ministry started working upon the mysterious death of confessor Huseyin Uzun when he was under custody in Security Department. Uzun was told to commit suicide. Hasan Denizkurdu, Minister of Justice, prepared a circular regarding taking under custody and opened investigation against Ayhan Godekmerdan, Prosecutor of State Security Court (DGM) who did not find necessary recording testimony of Uzun.

[02] MILD EARTHQUAKE SHAKES SOKE COUNTY OF AYDIN PROVINCE

The Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory Earthquake Research Institute officials said that the epicenter of the earthquake was Soke County.

No casualties or financial damages were reported at the earthquake.

[03] ECEVIT, THE LEADER OF DSP, MEETS WITH CINDORUK, LEADER OF THE DTP

Husamettin Ozkan, the State Minister and Deputy from the DSP, Mehmet Batalli, the State Minister from the DTP, Ismet Sezgin, the National Defense Minister and Deputy Chairman of the DTP, Hamdi Ucpinarlar, the Deputy Chairman of the DTP, Mahmut Yilbas, the DTP Deputy from Van, and Muhtar Mahramli, the Secretary General of the DTP, are also in attendance at the meeting.

Ecevit and Cindoruk are expected to make a press statement following the meeting.

[04] WARNING FROM ANKARA TO ATHENS - ''WE EXPECT GREECE TO EVALUATE SERIOUSLY THE THREATS TOWARDS OUR REPRESENTATIONS AND TAKE REQUIRED MEASURES''

Foreign Ministry statement said threats directed to officials working in Turkish representations in Athens started again adding that threats came from ''November 17'' terrorist organization to the officials of Turkey's Consulate in Athens.

The statement pointed out that a newspaper, published in Athens, issued an annoucement with the title saying that ''Ankara's Agents will be Punished'' and pointed out that this announcement showed Turkish respesenstations as target. Foreign Ministry statement noted that several effective people in Greece encourged terrorist organization with the statements they made from time to time.

The statement recalled that support of Greek officials to the separatist terrorist organization, was confirmed with their own statements adding that ''In such an atmosphere, we remind Greek authorities their responsibilities and want them to take required measures to protect our diplomats.

[05] DRUG WORTH OF 1 TRILLION 262.8 BILLION TURKISH LIRAS SEIZED IN EDIRNE IN 1998

Officials at the Directorate General of Edirne Customs told the A.A correspondent that struggle against drug smuggling continue at the Kapikule and Ipsala Border Gates in Edirne Province and Derekoy Border Gate in Kirklareli Province.

A total of 89 kg of heroin, 80 thousand drug pills and 1 tonne 385 kg of acid anhydride were seized in 1998 by customs officials.

[06] FOREIGN MINISTRY: - ''OUR VIEW TOWARDS GREECE THAT SHE DOES NOT FULFIL HER OBLIGATIONS IN FIR LINE IN ATHENS WAS CONFIRMED'' - ''GREECE SHOULD GIVE UP SEEING FIR AS A FIELD OF SOVEREIGNTY''

Reminding Turkey stated on January 5 that Grece could not fulfil her obligations in FIR in Athens, the statement stressed that the Greek Civil Aviation officials accepted presence of serious problems in FIR in Athens.

Pointing out that Greek side wants to hide the problems under the technical excuses, the Foreign Ministry emphasized that real problem is lack of staff, lack of training and distort mentality.

Noting that Greece should first change her mentality, the statement underlined, ''Greece should abandon seing the FIR as a field of sovereignty. She ignores her essential services in the FIR. Disorganization and mistake in a vital issue such as the international air-traffic services, cannot be tolerated by the international community.''

[07] ERSUMER, ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTER: - ''NEGOTIATIONS OVER THE BAKU-CEYHAN OIL PIPELINE WILL CONTINUE IN ISTANBUL NEXT WEEK''

Turkish and Azeri officials will participate at talks along with the officials from the Azeri International Oil Company (AIOC) on Wednesday.

Ersumer reminded that Azeri officials and the AIOC consortium delegation will meet with several high-level officials in Ankara on Monday.

He also added that they plan to complete the negotiations and make ready to initial.

Meanwhile Henry Kissinger, the US former Secretary of State who is currenty in Azerbaijan as the special guest of President Haidar Aliev, stressed that the US Administration supports the Baku-Ceyhan route for the main oil pipeline that will transport the Azeri oil into the Western markets.

[08] STUDIES TO FORM GOVERNMENT - ECEVIT-CINDORUK MEETING ENDS

Speaking after the meeting Ecevit said ''I have told him that I am always open to his wishes and opinions and that I appreciate them. We had a friendly meeting.''

When asked if any proposal came from the Motherland Party (ANAP) and True Path Party (DYP) about the issue of independent deputies, Ecevit said ''proposals are coming and we are working on them. There is no problem to this end.''

[09] VARIATION ACTIVITIES IN TURKISH TOURISM TO BE MAINTAINED

Officials at the Tourism Ministry told the A.A correspondent that the Ministry will endeavour to improve a tourism economy having the power of international competition, in the new season.

Ministry aims at meeting the expectations of local people and tourists, making natural and cultural values affluent, improving a productive tourism economy and extending tourism season.

Officials stressed that pioneer tourism activities will be organized in various regions in different seasons such as ''Slack Sea Green Tour'', ''Silk Road tour'', ''Religous Belief Tour'' and ''Handicraft Festivals''.

Tourism officials also added that 54.74 percent of tourists prefering Turkey, come for the cultural aims.

[10] CINDORUK, DTP LEADER: ''WE ARE AGAINST THIS GOVERNMENT MODEL. YET OUR DEPUTIES WILL DECIDE ON THE ISSUE OF VOTE OF CONFIDENCE''

Responding to a question if he asked Yalim Erez, Independent Deputy from Mugla province, for the leadership of DTP or not, Cindoruk said ''I will make a statement on Monday.''

Cindoruk said during the meeting he wished success to Ecevit in his studies adding that ''our opposition to this government model still continues. Our formula was a broad based government. Ecevit forms a minority government yet 56th government is a Republican Government. I think he will disclose the government on Monday and 56th government will be formed on Monday.''

When asked if they will give vote of confidence to the 56th government, Cindoruk said General Administration Council and deputies will decide for it. ''We will decide when we see the program'' he said.

[11] IL GIORNALE: ''THREE MORE OCALANS COME TO ITALY''

The Corriere Della Serra covered the story under the title of ''leading names of terrorist organization come to Italy''.

Il Messaggero wrote, ''Other terrorists come to Italy'', noting,

''Ankara warned Italy, but supporters of the PKK denied the allegations.''

The newspaper also quoted Antonio Martino, the member of the Forza Italy Party Responsible for the Foreign Affairs, as holding responsible the government of Italian Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema of the Ocalan crisis. Martino stressed in his statement, ''There are limits in every field. That is enough. Ocalan has to leave Italy.'' Il Giornale covered the story with the title ''Three More Ocalans Come to Italy'' and stressed that these three come to Italy to provide support for Ocalan.

The newspaper also gave place to the views of Agusto Sinagra, the Lawyer of Turkey, over the issue. Sinagra warned earlier the Italian government that the mentioned terrorists could come to Rome. Sinagra had emphasized that there were arrest warrants for the three persons who were wanted by Turkish justice for serious terrorism crimes.

Turkey gave a note to the Italian Foreign Ministry at the beginning of this week for the arrest of Cemil Bayik, Duran Kalkan and Ali Sapan, leading names of the separatist terrorist organization.

[12] 78TH ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST INONU VICTORY - PRESIDENT DEMIREL AND PREMIER YILMAZ ISSUE MESSAGES

Demirel issued a message due to the 87th anniversary of First Inonu Victory and said every part of the country was occupied following First World War and death of the nation was declared with the provisions of Sevres. Demirel said they aimed at eradicating Turkish nation from the history.

''Turkish nation struggled hard under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk against the slavery which was insisted on them'' Demirel said adding that independence and existence of the nation was made endless with this struggle.

Demirel in the message said the First Inonu Victory was an important turning point in struggle of our nation for freedom and independence.

Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz also issued a message and said First Inonu Victory proved bravery of Turkish soldiers even if in the most harder times.

Yilmaz said ''our nation, with this victory, proved the whole world that it will never give up living indpendently on its territories.''

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