Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-01-16

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

AA Daily

16 January 1999 Saturday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TURKEY PROMOTED TO HIGH RANKING OFFICERS AND CIVILIAN DEFENSE MEMBERS IN A NATO BRIEFING HELD IN ROME

[03] ILKIN, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO THE U.S.: - ''WE WANT GOOD NEIGHBOURHOOD RELATIONS WITH SYRIA''

[04] U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT: - ''WE HAVE AGREED IN PRINCIPLE TO SEND A PATRIOT BATTERY TO TURKEY''

[05] PATRIOT MISSILES TO BE SENT TO INCIRLIK

[06] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER THE U.S.' INITIATIVES IN NORTHERN IRAQ

[07] TURKEY WANTS A DATE TO BE DETERMINED REGARDING EXTRADITION OF TERRORIST CHIEF

[08] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF THE TRNC: - ''CYPRUS QUESTION WILL BE SOLVED AS SOON AS THE GREEK CYPRIOTS RECOGNIZE RIGHTS OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS''

[09] BERGER, CHAIRMAN OF THE WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL: - ''OCALAN SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE''

[10] STATEMENT OF ECEVIT GIVEN TO WASHINGTON POST - PREMIERSHIP PRESS CENTER: ''AS THE NEWSPAPER SUMMARIZING PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT'S STATEMENT, IT USED AN EXPRESSION THAT MAY LEAD TO MISUNDERSTANDINGS''

[11] A TOTAL OF 29 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAPTURED IN ISTANBUL

[12] DANGEROUS NEWS REPORT IN GREEK NEWSPAPER - FOREIGN MINISTRY WARNS GREEK AUTHORITIES TO EVALUATE WELL THE THREATS TARGETTING TURKISH REPRESENTATIONS AND DIPLOMATS

[13] TURKISH DETERGENT COMES FIRST AMONG DETERGENTS OF GOOD QUALITY IN RUSSIA

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

TWO TURKISH CITIZENS DIE IN ARSON ATTACK IN BELGIUM
Two Turkish citizens died in a fire which broke out in Schaerbeek district in Brussels where Turkish citizens are intensely populated. Brussels Prosecutorship said the fire was an arson attack. Investigations are underway to determine if the arson attack was stemmed from racism or not. Seven other people were wounded in the fire.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

ATTACK IN BATMAN PROVINCE
Separatist terrorists who attacked Raman-3 Oil Production Station of Turkish state run oil company (TPAO) Batman provincal directorate, killed three private security officials and seriously wounded three others. Two terrorists were killed in a following clash with security forces.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

RESIGNATION IN ANAP
Organization argument in Bursa provincal organization of the Motherland Party (ANAP) which lasted for years led to a resignation. Feridun Pehlivan, a Deputy, critized Mesut Yilmaz, leader of ANAP and resigned from his party. With his resignation number of the deputies of ANAP reduced to 136 and number of the Independents increased to 18.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

PEHLIVAN, DEPUTY FROM BURSA, RESIGNS FROM ANAP
Feridun Pehlivan, The Deputy of the Motherland Party (ANAP) from

Bursa, resigned from his party claiming that ''Mesut Yilmaz will not work with his friends.'' Pehlivan said he decided to resign as he was accused of covering a populist policy whenever he brings problems of workers and civil servants to the party and that Tansu Ciller, leader of True Path Party (DYP) was acquitted by ANAP after all numberless accusations.

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

EXPORT REDUCES 0.4 PERCENT
The State Statistical Institute (DIE) noted that Turkey's export reduced 0.4 percent and import decreased 4.5 percent in January- November period of 1998 compared with the same period of last year. Turkey's export which was 23 billion 851.8 million US dollars in 1997, reduced to 23 billion 754.2 million US dollars in Turkey, and the export that was 43 billion 617.5 million US dollars in 1997, decreased to 41 billion 659.8 million US dollars in January-November period of 1998. Meanwhile, Turkey realized 2 billion 179.2 million US dollars in export and 3 billion 498.6 million US dollars in import in November 1998.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

TERRORIST ATTACK ON THE TPAO
Separatist terrorists attacked on the Raman-3 Oil Production Station belonging to the Turkey Petroleum Corporation (TPAO)in Batman Province. Three security forces died while three others were injured seriously at the clashes with the separatist terrorists. Meanwhile two terrorists were killed by the security forces.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] TURKEY PROMOTED TO HIGH RANKING OFFICERS AND CIVILIAN DEFENSE MEMBERS IN A NATO BRIEFING HELD IN ROME

The meeting, in which Turkey was promoted, was chaired by Gen. Lecea, the Spanish College Commander. Mustafa Firat, General Staff Commander Control Department Chairman and Onur Oymen, Turkey's permanent Representative to NATO, also participated in the meeting as speakers.

Gen. Firat briefed about structure, operation and power of Turkish Armed Forces in the meeting in which 69 officers and civilian defense members from 21 countries participated.

The meeting also focused on the military exercises of Turkish Armed Forces within the context of Partnership for Peace and also mentioned about contribution of Turkish Armed Forces in Bosnia, Somalia, Georgia and in Iran-Iraqi border.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Oymen briefed about basic principles of Turkey's foreign policy, and contributions of Turkey to European Union (EU), Bosnia, Kosovo and Caucasian countries. Speaking about Turkey's economic situation, Oymen said ''Turkey develops rapidly.''

Separatist terrorist PKK organization, Turkish-Greek relations, Cyprus question, Turkey's full membership to EU, relations with Western European Union (WEU) and refugee problem were also discussed at the meeting.

[03] ILKIN, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO THE U.S.: - ''WE WANT GOOD NEIGHBOURHOOD RELATIONS WITH SYRIA''

Giving a statement to the Middle East Insight Magazine, Ilkin mentioned that many wars and clashes have claimed thousands of lives in the Middle East so far, and emphasized, ''Turkey aims at a peaceful atmosphere in the region.''

Responding to a question, Ilkin stressed that the problems between Turkey and Syria, stemmed from Damascus' support for the separatist terrorist organization PKK.

Pointing out that Turkey has requested Damascus to stop overall relations with the separatist terrorist PKK and not to shelter terrorists on its lands many times, Ilkin underlined that Syria should have taken the current measures against terrorism years before.

Mentioning the good relations between Turkey and Israel, Ilkin reminded that the relations between the two countries are based on a long past, an active present and a brilliant future.

[04] U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT: - ''WE HAVE AGREED IN PRINCIPLE TO SEND A PATRIOT BATTERY TO TURKEY''

Rubin said the missiles will be deployed in Turkey ''for the duriation of the current crisis'' with Iraq continue. Rubin said ''we see no immediate threat to Turkey right now, but obviously there are a lot of hostile statements from Baghdad and we think it's prudent to consider these kind of precautionary measures.''

Rubin said Turkey was a NATO member country which has vital importance adding that Turkey expended critical support for Iraq to abide by the UN resolutions.

Rubin pointed out that they appreciated usage of Incirlik base to patrol Northern Iraq and we understand that there is no change in Turkey's determination to this end.

Noting that they understand Turkey's sensitivity regarding the developments in Iraq, Rubin said policies of Turkey and the U.S. were in harmony.

When recalled that Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit issued statements critizing Iraqi policy of the U.S., Rubin said they understood Turkey's sensitivity yet that policies of the two countries were in harmony. The U.S. Spokesman also stressed that they supported Iraq's territorial integrity.

Meanwhile, the U.S. military officials said they started preparations to send a Patriot missile battery to Turkey and that a group of experts will be sent to Incirlik. Yet, it was also reported that signature of Williman Cohen, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, was required in this respect.

[05] PATRIOT MISSILES TO BE SENT TO INCIRLIK

Michael Doubleday, Pentagon Spokesman, said they worked on several details related with the missiles. Meanwhile, the U.S. military officials also stated that Patriot missile battery will be sent to Incirlik Air Base.

Military officials also said a team will be sent to Turkey to ''assess arrangements'' for the missiles, which would be deployed in the area of Incirlik Air Base.

James Rubin, the U.S. State Department Spokesman earlier said they have agreed in principle to send the anti-missile Patriot missiles.

Rubin said ''we see no immediate threat to Turkey right now, but obviously there are a lot of hostile statements from Baghdad and we think it's prudent to consider these kind of precautionary measures.''

A Partiot battery may include three or eight launchers.

[06] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER THE U.S.' INITIATIVES IN NORTHERN IRAQ

Giving a statement to the Washington Post Newspaper, Ecevit noted, ''Turkey defends that some of the sanctions imposed on Iraq by the United Nations, should be lifted.''

Ecevit pointed out that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has been acting more provocatively since the joint air strike of the U.S. and Britain against Iraq.

Prime Minister Ecevit stressed that the U.S.' initiatives aiming at forming an allience between Massaud Barzani, the Leader of the Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), and Jalal Talabani, the Leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), can cause Iraq's division.

Stressing that both the U.S. and the Iraqi military forces are responsible for the escalating tension in the region, Ecevit noted that the clashes in the no flight zone during the air controls can create new problems.

Emphasizing that the international community's main target in Northern Iraq should be the integrity of the region with Iraq, Ecevit pointed out that Irak's division will cause trouble not only for Turkey, but for whole region.

Stressing that Turkey is satisfied with the relations with the U.S. except of the issue of Iraq, Ecevit also added he does not believe that democracy will be interrupted in Turkey.

[07] TURKEY WANTS A DATE TO BE DETERMINED REGARDING EXTRADITION OF TERRORIST CHIEF

Sinagra wanted the date of the hearing to be specified to speed up judgment process.

Extradition file of Turkey which was taken by Chief Prosecutor Giovanni Malerba on Dec 2 was conveyed to Rome Appeals Court on Dec 18 after being examined.

No date has been specified for Turkey's file that has been waiting in Rome Appeals Court since that time.

[08] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF THE TRNC: - ''CYPRUS QUESTION WILL BE SOLVED AS SOON AS THE GREEK CYPRIOTS RECOGNIZE RIGHTS OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS''

Addressing oath ceremony of the 21st Period Reserve Officers from the TRNC Security Forces, Denktas stressed that the Turkish Cypriots actually exist on the island.

[09] BERGER, CHAIRMAN OF THE WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL: - ''OCALAN SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE''

Replying the letter written by the Turkish-American Associations Assembly (TADA) which was sent him following the capture of Ocalan in Italy, Berger stressed that he shares worries of the Turkish people regarding terrorist actions of the separatist organization claiming thousands of lives.

Berger noted, ''we believe that the responsibles of such actions should account for their crimes against humanity.''

Describing Turkey as one the countries suffering from terrorism, Berger stressed that Ocalan should be brought to justice immediately. Reminding that the U.S. has defended extradition of Ocalan to Turkey from the very beginning within the framework of the internal laws of the related countries, Berger said that this did not realize because of the Italian laws. He added that the U.S. maintain contacts with Italy, Turkey and Germany in order to find alternatives to bring Ocalan to justice.

Naming the struggle against terrorism among the priorities of the U.S.' foreign policy, Berger stressed that only one country cannot fight against terrorism, an international cooperation is required to defeat it.

The U.S. has declared the PKK as a ''bloody-handed and brutal terrorist organization'' in 1996.

[10] STATEMENT OF ECEVIT GIVEN TO WASHINGTON POST - PREMIERSHIP PRESS CENTER: ''AS THE NEWSPAPER SUMMARIZING PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT'S STATEMENT, IT USED AN EXPRESSION THAT MAY LEAD TO MISUNDERSTANDINGS''

Premiership written statement said an expression was used by ''Washington Post'', while summarizing the statement of Ecevit, that may lead to misunderstandings.

The statement said Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit welcomes formation of dialogue and solidarity between Barzani and Talabani especially against the separatist terrorist organization.

The statement went on as saying Ecevit wanted dialogue and solidarity between the two groups to consider existance of Turkoman in Northern Iraq.

[11] A TOTAL OF 29 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAPTURED IN ISTANBUL

Officials told the A.A correspondent that acting on a tip-off, the security forces stopped a lorry for a control near Firuzkoy District of Istanbul and captured 29 Iranians who hid under the canvas of the lorry.

Immigrants who were planning to proceed to Greece from Edirne Province, were later taken into custody for violating the Turkish borders and the passport law.

Officials said that the immigrants will be deported once the legal proceedings are completed.

[12] DANGEROUS NEWS REPORT IN GREEK NEWSPAPER - FOREIGN MINISTRY WARNS GREEK AUTHORITIES TO EVALUATE WELL THE THREATS TARGETTING TURKISH REPRESENTATIONS AND DIPLOMATS

Necati Utkan, Foreign Ministry Spokesman, said ''we expect Greek authorities to take every kind of precautions to provide security of life and property of the Turkish diplomats and the security of representation buildings.''

Utkan pointed out that extreme rightest Stohos Newspaper, known with its fanatic news reports and interpretations, published a very provocative interpretation on Jan 13 with the title ''Nov 17 and Others: For Turkish Agents'' and which showed officials of Turkish representations in Greece as the target of ''Nov 17'' organization.

Utkan recalled that the same newspaper had published a news report in 1994 in which it gave home addresses of Turkish officials assigned in Athens in details and that a short time after Haluk Sipahioglu, an offical of Turkish Embassy in Athens, became the target of terrorist bullets on July 4, 1994.

Utkan said ''when the recent interpretations of this newspaper is considered within this framework, it is felt that it may be a starting of a possible development that may lead to another bloody incident.''

Utkan pointed out that Stohos Newspaper and forces behind this newspaper, seemed to repeat a similar scenario, adding that developments to this end may cause grave results.

[13] TURKISH DETERGENT COMES FIRST AMONG DETERGENTS OF GOOD QUALITY IN RUSSIA

The research led by Chemistry Prof. Mihail Pletnev, enumerated a total of 40 detergents' degrees at the ISO 4198-84 washing test. A Turkish detergent came first at the list, while for other Turkish made detergents take place among the best 20 detergents.

Meanwhile two Turkish made detergents were also mentioned among the most effective detergents in accordance with the results of the research.

A.A

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