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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-01-12Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>AA Daily12 January 1999 TuesdayCONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on Jan 12, 1999. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)FIRST PREMIER WITHOUT A MERCEDESBulent Ecevit, leader of Democratic Left Party (DSP), is the first Prime Minister who did not get on a Mercedes automobile for 20 years. Ecevit preserved his previous attitude and preferred Renault as the vehicle of his post. When 55th government was formed, a Mercedes automobile was allocated to Ecevit but he did not accept it. Ecevit said he will be in an effort to prevent all consumption extravagance. JUSTICE MINISTER: I WILL BE IMPARTIAL MILLIYET (LIBERAL) THE US HITS AGAIN CILLER DIGS THE CABINET SABAH (LIBERAL)AND 20 YEARS AFTER...Bulent Ecevit, who worked as Prime Minister for three times so far, returned to Premiership in 1999 which he gave up in 1979. Ecevit had been Prime Minister in 1978. Inflation was 70 percent and one US dollar was 42 Turkish liras. Going abroad was restricted as there was economic problems in Turkey. Ecevit, after 20 years, took over a very different Turkey. Turkey recorded important successes in the fields of communication, exportation, and transportation. There is no limit for going abroad. An large part of the people go abroad only for holiday. HINTING WARNING FROM DEMIREL CUMHURIYET (LEFT)ITALY DOES NOT WANT OCALANAugusto Sinagra, Turkey's Italian lawyer, said Turkish Judges are better than Italian judges, and stressed that Abdullah Ocalan, chief of separatist terrorist organization should be judged in Turkey. Massimo D'Alema, Italian Prime Minister, hinted that Ocalan does not have the chance to get political asylum from Italy and added Italy can not ignore terrorism crimes. INTERROGATION OF KIRCI CONTINUES RADIKAL (LEFT)PRICE OF PREMIERSHIPBulent Ecevit, the Leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) stressed that the DSP cannot admit any pressure on its efforts to form the new government, but Tansu Ciller, the Leader of the True Path Party (DYP), received what she wants in the new cabinet. Hikmet Ulugbay was given the position of deputy prime minister instead of Ministry of National Education while Hasan Denizkurdu and Kutlu Aktas were left out of new government. THE 56TH GOVERNMENT YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)TAKE IT EASYBulent Ecevit became prime minister for the fourth time after 20 years. The Democratic Left Party's minority government formed by 25 ministers, aim at carrying Turkey to general elections in 18 April. THE US ATTACK IRAQI MISSILE SITE FROM INCIRLIK BASE TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)ECEVIT BECOMES PRIME MINISTER AFTER 20 YEARSBulent Ecevit, the Leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP), became the new prime minister of Turkey after 20 years. A total of 25 ministers take place in the 56th government. Mesut Yilmaz, the Leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP) who handed over his mission to Ecevit, said that he would come back for the fourth time in the general elections. Ecevit replied him, ''we will work together again.'' ITALY TURNS AWAY FROM OCALAN SERENGIL, A LEADING TURKISH ACTOR, PASSES AWAY ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)GOVERNMENT OKAYBulent Ecevit, leader of Democratic Left Party (DSP) presented ''DSP minority government'' list to President Suleyman Demirel. Council of Ministers is composed of three independent, and 22 deputies from DSP. Ecevit thanked to all parties and said his duty is to bring the country to the elections. JAPANESE SUPPORT TO TUBE TUNNEL [02] ''TURKEY JOURNALISM ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS'' - TEKELI, DEPUTY CHIEF EDITOR OF DOMESTIC NEWS DEPARTMENT OF ANADOLU AGENCY, AND KIZILARSLAN, CORRESPONDENT OF THE A.A, AWARDEDISTANBUL, Jan 12 (A.A) - Safa Tekeli, the Deputy Chief Editor of Domestic News Department of the Anadolu Agency (A.A), and Sufyan Kizilarslan, Correspondent of the A.A, won the Turkey Journalism Achievement Awards with their study named ''The Buildings Which Became Monumental with the Republic and Ataturk'', it was reported on Monday.The other owners of the Journalism Achievement Awards given by the Turkey Journalists Society, are as follows: The Political, Economic and Social News Award: Alper Balli from the
Cumhuriyet Newspaper, Meanwhile Orhan Karaveli, Abbas Guclu, Mustafa Pamukoglu, Ali Gumus, Nedim Sener, Zehra Gungor, Ertan Unal, Cemil Taktak, Kadir Demirel, Ilker Ankun, Nalan Seckin, Dilek Icinsel, Serdar Ilkgun, Mete Cubukcu, Yilmaz Sahin were awarded with honourable mentions. [03] THE US: - ''WE ATTRIBUTE GREAT IMPORTANCE TO TRIAL OF OCALAN, CHIEF OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION''WASHINGTON D.C., Jan 12 (A.A) - A high-level US official said on Monday that the US attributes great importance to trial of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of separatist terrorist organization PKK.Evaluating the latest developments regarding Ocalan who has been in Italy since November 12, 1998, the US official stressed that they maintain efforts with the aim of providing a concensus of opinion between Turkey and Italy over the issue of Ocalan to be brought to justice. The high-level official reminded that the US has welcomed news towards Italy would reply Ocalan's demand for political asylum in negative. The US Administration emphasizes that granting Ocalan with the political asylum will be a stroke to the struggle against terrorism all over the world. Pointing out, ''Ocalan is a terrorist. We have committed the file compraising the terrorist actions of Ocalan, to the Italian government,'' the high-level US official told the A.A correspondent that the US has defended the extradition of Ocalan to Turkey from the very beginning. The US Administration has declared the PKK as an international terrorist organization in 1996. [04] YACHT TOURISM IN TURKEYANTALYA, Jan 12 (A.A) - Approximately 25 percent of Turkey's tourism incomes are obtained from yacht tourism, and foreign exchange incomes provided in this field reached to two billion dollars, it was reported on Tuesday.Zafer Ergul, Antalya Setur Marine Director, said there were 14 marines in Turkish shores having 6769 yacht capacity. He said ''There are currently 13, 000 yachts at Turkish shores. 6,000 of them are Turkish and others are foreign. 4,000 of 6,000 yatches are of commercial aim. Ergul noted that trade aim yatches could not reach their targets in 1998 tourism season, adding that required importance should be attributed to this end. Fusun Aldirmazoglu, Reception Chief of Setur Marina, said number of yatches coming to Antalya Setur Marina was 20 percent more when compared to previous year's figure. She said a total of 1,744 yatches came to Setur Antalya Marina in the year 1998 adding that Germany comes the first with 171 yatches, 119 British, 52 French, 35 American, 21 Austrian, 17 Dutch, 15 Swiss, 15 Sweedish, 16 Italian, 8 Danish, and 83 yatches from other countries came to Setur Marina. Aldirmazoglu said marinas should be activated ''food, entertainment, social activity and sports activities should be provided. Marinas should be clean and systematic and should provide good services.'' [05] BEDIR, THE LIBYAN AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY, DENIES ALLEGATIONS LINKING LIBYA TO OCALAN, CHIEF OF SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONANKARA, Jan 12 (A.A)- Mansur Mohammed Bedir, the Libyan Ambassador to Turkey, denied allegations linking Libya to Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of separatist terrorist organization, on Tuesday.Responding to questions of the A.A correspondent, Bedir stressed that the news claiming that Ocalan has a powerful organization in Libya, are baseless and untrue. Noting that there is no armed or disarmed foreign organization in Libya, Bedir expressed hope that the press will reflect the truth over the issue, and form a positive ground in order to strengthen and improve the friendly relations between Turkey and Libya. Several newspapers claimed that Ocalan who is currently in Italy, could be sent to Libya. [06] BAYKAL, CHP LEADER: ''ANAP, DYP AND DSP ARE IN A POLICY BASKET''ANKARA, Jan 12 (A.A) - Deniz Baykal, leader of Republican Peoples' Party (CHP), said on Tuesday that an ideational conflict between the Motherland Party (ANAP), True Path Party (DYP) and Democratic Left Party (DSP) is out of question, adding that ''there is no problem for ANAP, DYP and DSP to be in the same political basket.''Addressing his party group meeting, Baykal said political parties in Turkey could not reach to a level of transparancy to identify themselves. Baykal said ANAP and DYP supported minority government of DSP and carried out their togetherness ''there is not an ideational conflict between. The problem of how principles will agree has been overcomed, everything has been mixed and they have become the part of the same dough.'' Recalling that Mesut Yilmaz, leader of ANAP had said ''I will not sit on the mud'' and that he resigned not to hide the corruption, Baykal claimed, ''there are still allegations of corruption. Yet, these allegation are now uniting these three, not separating them.'' Baykal claimed that there is no difference between ANAP, DYP and DSP as of political direction and political ethics, adding that ''this view will open ways in front of our political life.'' Baykal also claimed that people withdraw their signatures from the interrogation motions after making bargainings and pointed out that telephone calls are being made from interrogation commissions and laundering operations are made. CHP leader Baykal said ''independent ministries'' were shared following very big bargainings, and added ''who has the right to pay Justice Ministry as bargaining cost to a family in return for vote of confidence.'' Baykal wished success to the new government despite all these developments ''their duty is to give concession and our duty is to own the truth and right.'' [07] TREASURY SELLS 1.2 QUADRILLION LIRAS NOMINAL-VALUED 13-MONTH BILLSANKARA, Jan 12 (A.A) - The Treasury sold a total of 1 quadrillion 230 trillion Turkish Liras (TL) nominal-valued 13-month (392-day) term bonds in Tuesday's tender.The offer had been 1 quadrilion 580 trillion TL while the Treasury realized 531 trillion 058 billion TL in net sale. Meanwhile, also a total of 240.4 trillion TL bonds were sold to the public organizations over the interest at the tender. The annual simple interest rate became 122.33 percent and the annual composite interest rate became 118.24 percent. [08] PUK URGES ENHANCING INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION FOR IRAQI KURDSANKARA, Jan 12 (A.A) - Barham Salih, the Director of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan's (PUK) Bureau for International Relations in Washington D.C., said on Tuesday that the implementation of no-fly zones played a dissuasive role in Baghdad's attacks against Kurds thus they wanted the no-fly zone to be extended.Salih issued a written statement saying that rather than permit Baghdad to raise questions regarding the no-fly zones' legitimacy, the international community should enhance Iraqi Kurdistan's security by extending the no-fly zone to cover the 40 percent of Iraqi Kurdish territory not presently patrolled. Pointing out that this would provide the Kurdish people a credible international security guarantee against future Iraqi ground assults, Salih said that the countries supporting Iraq's claims should not forget the brutality dealt to Iraqi Kurds, including the systematic use of chemical weapons against Kurdish civilians, the wanton destruction of rural life, ethnic cleansing, forces deportation, and the genocidal ''Anfal'' campaign in which over 182,000 civilians perished. Salih said the Kurdish people also needed the continued engagement of the international non-governmental organizations and the UN in the crucial humanitarian effort to sweep the land mines. [09] BULENT ECEVIT, THE PRIME MINISTER: ''WE'LL BENEFIT WELL FROM OUR SHORT TERM IN OFFICE''ANKARA, Jan 12 (A.A) - Bulent Ecevit, the Prime Minister said on Tuesday that ''we are determined to benefit well from our short term in office as possible as we can.''Reading the government programme in the parliament, Prime Minister Ecevit said that the main aim of the 56th government is to bring the country to the elections that will be held on April 18 in security, adding that they won't implement election economy during this period. Noting that new appointments won't be made as long as they are not necessary, adding that partisanship won't be permitted in public administration. Stating that the government programme is short as the government won't stay in power for a long time, Ecevit said that they will attribute importance to limit their expectations from the parliament. ''While fulfilling our mission to carry Turkey to the coming general and local elections in security, our government won't implement election economy and refrain from using state opportunities in prodigality. Our government will keep loyal to the secularist characteristic of the Turkish Republic, will respect the freedom of expression and religion and attribute importance to applications which abide with human rights,'' said Ecevit. Ecevit stressed that his government will atribute importance to improving the culture of reconciliation and will work in harmony with the parliament. ''We have limited our cabinet with 25 members rather than 38 people and we will keep loyal to objectivity, productivity and honesty,'' said Ecevit, noting that the 56th government will continue to struggle with the crime organizations and money laundering in a resolved manner,'' said Ecevit. ''The separatist terrorist organization, which lost its head has entered into the process of dissolution,'' said Ecevit, adding that his government will continue to speed up the economic and social development of the eastern and southeastern regions. Noting that Turkey is a vanguard of democracy, secularism, modernity and equality between men and women in her region, Ecevit said Turkey will sooner or later take the place she deserves in integration process of Europe without giving any concessions from her national rights. Pointing out that Turkey's relations with the US and Russia will continue
as they were, Ecevit said that the fact that the Greek Cypriot side had no
other choice than giving up her idea of deployment of the Russian missiles
on Cyprus was a successful result of deepening of the multilateral
relations between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
(TRNC). -ECEVIT, THE PRIME MINISTER Addressing the parliament and reading the government programme, Ecevit said that his government will continue in implementing the the reforms in education in line with the eight years compulsory education. Noting that his government will attribute importance to fair distribution of health services in the country, Ecevit said that ''the necessary steps will also be taken to make the measures against the traffic monster more effective and deterring.'' ''The implementations aiming at increasing the state contributions to the education income of poor families' children will continue. Measures will also be taken against unregistered workers and against the efforts to prevent the workers from being the members of the labour unions. In this framework a draft law on work guarantee will be presented to the parliament. It will be beneficial if the draft law on the right of workers to organize in labour unions is accepted by the parliament,'' said Ecevit. Pointing out that the Turkish economy is strong against the global crisis when she is compared with other developing countries, Ecevit said the 1999 budget has to enter into force as soon as possible, adding they will form such an economic programme with the 1999 budget. ''Meanwhile the struggle with the inflation will continue with determination and the investments on infrastructure and energy will continue to this end,'' Ecevit said. [10] PUK CLOSES BUREAUS ASSISTING SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONANKARA, Jan 12 (A.A) - Shazad Saib, the Representative of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in Ankara, said on Tuesday that some bureaus in the region controlled by the PUK had been closed previous month under the suspicion that they extend support to the separatist terorist PKK organization.Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Saib said, ''for a long time, there has not been a PKK bureau in the region controlled by the PUK. However, there were some bureaus we suspected of making PKK propaganda and being close to PKK. Every kind of activity which raises suspicion of helping PKK had been prohibited and such bureaus had been closed.'' Pointing out that the separatist terrorist organization did not have a military existence in the PUK region, Saib said that they did not face a resistance regarding the closure of those bureaus. Shazad Saib added that most of the closed bureaus belonged to Iraqis and the foreigners at those bureaus had left the region. [11] BILICAN, THE GENERAL DIRECTOR OF SECURITY: ''TECHNICAL CONDITIONS EXISTED TO CAPTURE KIRCI AND WE HAVE CAPTURED HIM''ANKARA, Jan 12 (A.A) - Necati Bilican, the Director General of Security said on Tuesday that they have captured Haluk Kırcı, a wanted criminal as the necessary technical conditions have existed, adding that efforts are underway also to capture another criminal whose code name is Yesil (Green).Responding to questions of journalists about the capture of Yesil, Bilican stated that the technical conditions meant the necessary intelligence efforts to capture a criminal. ''You will find the traces of the person you are looking for, determine that he is the right person and then you will start launching efforts to capture him,'' said Bilican. ''Recently many people who are wanted have been captured, is it by chance?, '' asked a journalist to Bilican, who responded that ''no it is not, this is a result of our efforts. But even if you launch so much efforts, you can't always capture criminals. There is no such guarantee that the result of these efforts will always be successful.'' Responding to a question asking whether or not efforts are underway aiming at capturing Yesil, Bilican said that the police launch efforts about all outlaws. ''Police are trying to find Yesil, but it is not easy to find a missing person, the police is successful in realizing tough missions,'' said Necati Bilican, adding that Haluk Kırcı, the wanted criminal in connection with the murder of the seven Turkish Worker's Party (TIP) members in Bahcelievler district of Ankara and the murder of Omer Luftu Topal, the casino king, is being interrogated. ''It is not appropriate to issue a statement about this issue when he is still being questioned. The necessary statement will be issued soon,'' he said. [12] HERCUS TO LEAVE FOR NEW YORK TO MEET WITH ANNANLEFKOSA, Jan 12 (A.A) - Ann Hercus, the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's Deputy Special Representative to Cyprus, will leave Cyprus late on Wednesday for New York to meet with Kofi Annan, it was reported on Tuesday.Sarah Russel, the Spokesman of the UN Peacekeeping Force, said that Hercus, who would stop by in London on her way to New York, would meet with Robin Cook, the Foreign Minister of Britain. The contacts of Hercus in London and New York will specify the 1999 agenda of the UN's efforts to solve the Cyprus issue. Ann Hercus is expected to return to the island on Saturday. Hercus restarted her shuttle diplomacy by meeting yesterday with Glafcos Clerides, the leader of the Greek-Cypriot side. Hercus will be received on 13 January by Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). [13] ITALIAN OPPOSITION: ''IF TURKEY IS MYOPIC, THAN ITALY IS BLIND''ROME, Jan 12 (A.A) - The issue of deportation of Abdulah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist PKK organization, is expected to be discussed at the Wednesday's sessions of the Italian Parliament and Senate, it was reported on Tuesday.The official process for the discussion of the Forza Italia group's motion about the deportation started at the meeting, which was held yesterday with the participation of the chairmen of groups at the Italian Parliament. The opposition rightist parties invited the Parliament and Senate to hold the discussion about deportation while the leftist parties in power adopted an attitude in favor of delaying the discussion. The decision to be made after those discussions won't have a binding characteristic but the Italian press says Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema would assume a more clear attitude in accordance with the result to be reached at the Parliament and Senate. Meanwhile, Luisgi Lorogonni, the Italian Premier's aide responsible for Foreign Relations, said that there was a need for initiatives enabling the chief terrorist to leave Italy before discussing the deportation issue. The Italian press said Italian Premier D'Alema staged a press conference on Monday criticizing Turkey and accusing her of being ''a shortsighted country'' in her policy covering Southeastern Anatolia Region. The Forza Italia group responded this accusation by saying, ''If Turkey is myopic, than Italy is blind.'' The Spokesman of the Forza Italia group, told the La Stampa newspaper that the chief terrorist should be expelled. [14] NEW YORK TIMES, ''ECEVIT IS THE PRIME MINISTER WHICH HAS NOT INVOLVED IN SCANDALS''NEW YORK, Jan 12 (A.A) - New York Times, one of the leading newspapers of the US, said on Tuesday that a minority government was formed by Bulent Ecevit in Turkey after a search of government for six months.The newspaper said that the term in office of the government is not known at the moment, adding the government formed by Ecevit is a minority government, but the other parties promised to extend support to the government. ''One of the most important decisions of Prime Minister, who staged the Cyprus Peace Operation was to prevent Turkey to enter the European Union (EU),'' noted the paper, adding those who criticize Ecevit describe him as ''loyal to outdated views and to former anti-imperialist beliefs, protective in economy and favouring state intervention in economy.'' The paper stressed that the Democratic Left Party (DSP) supports a free market economy to which workers will participate and which will work in democratic leftist framework. New York Times said that Ecevit has a simple life and he has not involved in any scandals. [15] 82 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAPTURED IN IZMIRIZMIR, Jan 12 (A.A) - A total of 82 foreigners who wanted to go to Greece illegally, and three persons who helped them were captured in Seferihisar county of western Izmir province on Tuesday.Izmir Gendarme Commandership stated that the gendarme forces took three persons, including one Pakistani and two Turks, into custody on charges of helping the immigrants to go to Greece illegally. After these three persons said in their interrogation that they hid the foreigners in a forest in Doganbey, the security forces captured 82 illegal immigrants, including 42 Pakistani and 40 Bangladeshi. The officials said that three persons who helped the foreigners to go to Greece illegally, had a deal with the immigrants to take them to Athens with a private yatch which would come from Greece for 2,500 US dollars per person. The illegal immigrants will be deported, the officials said. The three persons who helped the illegal immigrants were arrested. [16] FM CEM MEETS WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF EU COUNTRIES' IN ANKARAANKARA, Jan 12 (A.A) - Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister met on Tuesday with the representatives of the EU countries in Ankara and they took up the recent developments concerning the Turkish-EU relations.Karen Fogg, the EU Commission Representative to Turkey, Hans Joachim Vergau, the German Ambassador to the EU, the representatives of other EU countries and high ranking officials from the Foreign Ministry participated in the meeting. Diplomatic sources pointed out that the reason of the meeting was to revise the Turkish-EU relations within the framework of taking over Germany's EU Term Presidency. Foreign Minister Cem had earlier met with the representatives of the EU countries during the EU Term Presidency by the Netherlands, Britain and Austria. At the meeting the representatives of the EU countries congratulated Ismail Cem upon being appointed as the foreign minister for the second time. Diplomatic sources pointed out that there is not any new element in views exchanged by the concerned sides and the Turkish side stressed once again the importance of the financial assistance foreseen by the EU for Turkey. [17] THE DEFENSE MINISTERS MEETING OF THE MULTINATIONAL PEACE FORCE IN SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE ENDS - ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL WHICH ARRANGES THE STRUCTURE OF THE PEACE FORCE SIGNEDATHENS, Jan 12 (A.A) - The meeting of the defense ministers of the countries which are the members of NATO and Partnership for Peace (PFP), ended in Athens as the ministers signed an agreement concerning the Southeastern European Multinational Peace Force, on Tuesday.An additional protocol which arranges the structure of the Peace Force is also signed in the meeting where Ali Tuygan, Turkish Ambassador to Greece, represented Turkey. The protocol foresees the deployment of the headquarter of the Peace Force in Romania, Turkey, Bulgaria and Greece in four-year-terms, starting from Bulgaria. It also foresees the undertaking of the commandership of the peace force, by the attendant countries in two-year-terms starting from Turkey. The protocol also put forth the provision that the presidency of the Political-Military Steering Committee should be carried out by the attendant countries in two-year terms, starting from Greece. Meanwhile, Akis Tscohacopulos, Greek Defense Minister, said in his statement after the meeting that the Peace Force is a product of the common interests of the attendant countries, which intersect in peace, security and stability of the region. Emphasizing that these countries aim at not only military unification but also cooperation within a wider framework, Tscohacopulos stressed that the Peace Force is a means of the peace and stability demand of the countries in the region. [18] THE US: ''THE THING THAT IS IMPORTANT FOR US IS BRINGING TERRORIST OCALAN TO JUSTICE''WASHINGTON, Jan 12 (A.A) - A high ranking official from the US said on Tuesday that ''the thing that is important for us is absolutely bringing the terrorist Abdullah Ocalan to justice.''Evaluating the recent situation concerning the chief of the separatist terrorist organization who has been in Italy since November 12, the American official pointed out that they wish Turkey and Italy to reach a consensus of opinion regarding the trial of the terrorist chief and they launch efforts to this end. The US official pointed out that they welcome the news saying that Italy will give a negative response to the political asylum request of the terrorist chief. The US administration notes that granting political asylum right to the chief of the separatist terrorist organization will strike a blow on the struggle with the terrorism. ''This man is a terrorist and we have submitted the Italian government a file concerning the terrorist crimes of Ocalan,'' the US official said, adding the US has defended from the beginning the extradition of the chief of the separatist terrorist to Turkey. ''What ever happens, Ocalan has to be brought to justice by being accused of his terror crimes, this is important for us,'' the American official said. The US administration had earlier declared the PKK as a ''bloody and violent international terrorist organization.'' The US was influential in removing the chief of the separatist terrorist organization from Syria and the US President Bill Clinton had sent a message to Syrian President Hafez-Al Assad including tough expressions and warning Assad to give up the relations with the terrorist PKK. [19] BP GAS TARGETS LEADERSHIP IN TURKEY - FAURE, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF TURKISH BRANCH OF BP: ''WE TARGET LEADERSHIP IN TURKEY, WHICH WILL BE THE MOST IMPORTANT LPG MARKET OF EUROPE IN 2002''ISTANBUL, Jan 12 (A.A) - Thierry Faure, the Director General of the Turkish Branch of British Petrol (BP) Gas, said on Tuesday that Turkey will be the most important Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) market of Europe in 2002 and that BP Gas targets leadership in Turkish market of LPG.Adressing a press conference, Faure said that the BP also aimed at doubling their share in the European LPG market. Emphasizing that they decided to make investments in Turkey, which is in the second place in European LPG market, by taking into consideration that this will have an important role in achieving their targets; Faure noted that BP moved into Turkish LPG market by purchasing the companies of DeltaGaz, Petgaz, DeltaNaft and Delta Tup in November, 1997. Faure drew the attention that the BP also purchased Dortyol Terminal, where 20 percent of the imported LPG enters Turkey. Faure stressed that they attach importance to improving the Turkish quality and security standards to the European standards and that they maintain a 15-million-US-dollar-investment within the framework of improving the standards. [20] FOREIGN RESOURCE INFLOW TO TURKEY - ABAC, TURKISH DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF DCR DUFF & PHELPS: ''TURKEY SHOULD GIVE TRUST THE INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS''ISTANBUL, Jan 12 (A.A) - Selcuk Abac, the Deputy Chairman of the DCR Duff & Phelps, an international rating organization, said on Tuesday that Turkey should give more trust for the investments of the international investors to overcome her foreign resource bottleneck.Abac said in his statement that the most important issue that the new government is facing today is ''overcoming the foreign resource bottleneck''. Pointing out that it was important to rely on the country to overcome the bottleneck, Abac said, ''the new government should act in compliance with the realities of the global crisis, while carrying out new regulations. It should maintain its 'staff monitoring' agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).'' Defending the view that the transfer of three banks to Saving Account Insurance Fund and that the state's fully securing the accounts negatively affect the credibility of the banking system, Abac said, ''to put an end to this situation, the banks should be under the control and auditing of an independent organization, which does not have a connection with politics. Moreover, the implementation of local rating for the banks and companies should be launched and the differences of financial structure and strenght should be put forth.'' Claiming that the conventional foreign finance techniques, which Turkey uses the most, have lost their effects in the global crisis, Abac noted that Turkey should use advanced finance methods, which are credible for the international investors to overcome this situation. Abac also stressed that 4.3 billion US dollar-foreign resources inflow is realized in Turkish exports, which are rated by DCR, in the last three years. [21] BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE PROJECT - YIGITGUDEN, UNDERSECRETARY OF ENERGY MINISTRY: ''IT IS FORESEEN THAT NEGOTIATIONS WILL CONCLUDE THIS MONTH''ANKARA, Jan 12 (A.A) - Yurdakul Yigitguden, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, said on Tuesday that the continuing negotiations about the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project were foreseen to conclude in January.Yigitguden said that a 30-year regime, which was guaranteed by Turkey, should be launched for the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project. Yigitguden received the same day Valek Aleskerov, the Chairman of the Azerbaijani national oil company SOCAR's Foreign Investments Department, and Robin Brannigan, the Deputy Chairman of the Azerbaijani International Operation Consortium company AIOC. Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Undersecretary Yigitguden said that the talks among Turkey, Azerbaijan and AIOC started on 20 October 1998 and the draft of the intergovernmental agreement was finalized after the negotiations in Istanbul and Baku. Pointing out that 90 percent of the talks on the hosting country agreement was concluded, Yigitguden said that the remaining four-five commercial and legal articles were planned to be finished at the negotiations to start on 13 January in Istanbul and continue until 18 January. ''During the meetings in Istanbul, the issues of the validity of these agreements, their schedules, transit taxation to be collected from the oil transportation and the compensations will be discussed,'' he said. Noting that they had carried out the necessary etudes to make the project been feasible, Yigitguden recalled that the Baku-Ceyhan project had a transit regime as Turkey did not have an underground source. Pointing out that the negotiaitons were planned to be concluded until the end of January, Yigitguden said that the intergovernmental and hosting country agreements were foreseen to be signed in March at the latest and the agreement was foreseen to be ratified by the Parliament in early summer. [22] YILMAZ: ''ECEVIT'S GOVERNMENT WILL ASSUME THE TASKS OF THE ELECTION GOVERNMENT'' - ''THE 18 APRIL ELECTIONS WILL BE A TURNING POINT FOR THE COUNTRY''ANKARA, Jan 12 (A.A) - Mesut Yılmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP) said on Tuesday that ''the government that was formed by Bulent Ecevit will assume the tasks of the election government.''Addressing his party, Yılmaz stated that the most important reason of their support to the formation of the new government was to carry Turkey to the coming elections in safety and peace, noting that this government is a transition one. Noting that the minority government is the one which will function according to the authority recognized to the President concerning the election government under the Constitution, Yılmaz said that ''the only difference is the fact that this government has been set up within the framework of the compromise reached in the parliament rather than within the constitutional authority of the President.'' ''Our citizens expect the parliament to solve their basic problems, such as inflation and unemployment and they know that the way to overcome these problems is political compromise,'' said Yılmaz, adding that ''the elections on April 18 will be a turning point for the country.'' [23] DENKTAS, PRESIDENT OF TRNC, RECEIVES BRILL, THE US AMBASSADOR TO LEFKOSA - DENKTAS: ''THE NEWS ABOUT 'LAND FOR RECOGNITION' IS IMAGINATIVE. IT NEVER CONCERNS THE TURKISH SIDE''LEFKOSA, Jan 12 (A.A) - Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), said on Tuesday that the news published in the Greek-Cypriot newspapers regarding the ''land for recognition'' was totally imaginative and it would never concern the Turkish side.Speaking to reporters after meeting with Kenneth Brill, the US Ambassador to Lefkosa, President Denktas said that the only peaceful formula for the TRNC's negotiating with the Greek-Cypriot side was the confederation which was decided together with Turkey. Denktas stated that the aim of the confederation formula was to set up cooperation bridges between two states and turn Cyprus into a bridge of peace between Turkey and Greece. Pointing out that the issue of the exchange of property might be solved by a joint commission to be established by the two sides, Denktas said, ''I am inviting the Greek-Cypriots to discuss a formula which can give the most realistic and necessary response to two sides by establishing a joint commission regarding the exchange of property. I had earlier proposed this formula. Let's set up a commission. We can enable our peoples to exchange property.'' Denktas said the exchange of property and land was a legal and political issue and efforts should be launched to make the European Court of Human Rights accept this issue, otherwise the continuing talks on Cyprus would lose their meaning. Noting that the Cyprus issue is not solved even if the Greek-Cypriots gave up deployment of the S-300 missiles on Cyprus, Denktas said the main problem was the Greek-Cypriots' violating the Turkish Cypriots' rights by claiming for years that they were the only ruler on Cyprus. Responding to question, Denktas said an US-style federation won't work on Cyprus and the conditions on the island were different from those in the US. The US Ambassador to Lefkosa Kenneth Brill said that the news published in the Greek-Cypriot newspapers claiming that the US was preparing a formula of ''land for recognition of TRNC'' was totally a speculation. Brill said, ''I don't rely on every news issued by the Greek-Cypriot press about Cyprus. I saw several speculative news in the press about this issue.'' Stressing that the US supported the UN's initiatives and especially the efforts of Ann Hercus, the UN Secretary General's Deputy Special Representative to Cyprus, Brill said that other countries and the US were doing their utmost to have those intitiatives to be productive. Responding to a question, Brill said that the US supported a bi-zonal and bi-communal federation on the island. [24] KIVRIKOGLU, CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF, IN BULGARIA - ''BALKAN PEACE FORCE WILL PLAY A CONSIDERABLE ROLE IN SECURING PEACE AND STABILITY IN THE REGION''SOFIA, Jan 12 (A.A) - General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, the Chief of General Staff, said on Tuesday that the ''Southeast European Countries' Multi- National Peace Force'' known as the ''Balkan Peace Force'', of which headquarters will be set up in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, would play a considerable role in securing the peace and stability in the region.General Kivrikoglu arrived in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia to hold contacts. In the first day of his three-day visit to Bulgaria, Chief of General Staff Kivrikoglu met with his Bulgarian counterpart General Miho Mihov and the Bulgarian Parliament Speaker Yordan Sokolov. Addressing a press conference following his meeting with general Mihov, Huseyin Kivrikoglu said that the Balkan Peace Force would be firstly commanded by a Turkish general. When asked whether or not the Balkan Peace Force may function in Kosovo, General Kivrikoglu said, ''the NATO will decide on this issue in accordance with the future developments.'' Pointing out that Turkey supported Bulgaria's membership to the NATO, Kivrikoglu said, ''We reiterated this wish in every NATO meeting and at every international platform.'' Kivrikoglu said Bulgaria's membership to the NATO had a great importance for the stability in the whole region and in Europe. General Kivrikoglu, who will sign the working programme between the Turkish and Bulgarian Armed Forces for 1999 on Wednesday, will return to Turkey on Thursday after meeting with Georgi Ananiev, the Minister of Defense of Bulgaria. A.A
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