Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-01-20

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

AA Daily

20 January 1999 Wednesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] THE U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT: - ''ALBRIGHT HAS CONVEYED HER DISPLEASURE TO DINI OVER OCALAN'S ESCAPE FROM JUSTICE''

[03] GERMAN OPPOSITION PARTIES CRITICIZE GERMAN GOVERNMENT - WESTERWELLE, ''OCALAN CASE IS A SCANDAL FOR GERMAN GOVERNMENT'' - ''GERMAN GOVERNMENT DECEIVED PARLIAMENT AND PUBLIC OPINION''

[04] PRESIDENT DEMIREL VISITS HIS AZERBAIJANI COUNTERPART ALIEV

[05] HEAVY SNOWFALL PARALYZES DAILY LIFE AND TRAFFIC IN CENTRAL KONYA PROVINCE

[06] COE'S REPORT ON TURKEY - COE PROPOSES TURKEY TO MAKE COOPERATION WITH VENICE COMMISSION CONCERNING CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS

[07] GREAT SUCCESS OF TURKISH SCIENTIST IN THE U.S. - DISCOVERY OF DR. FATIH UCKUN PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN TREATMENTS OF LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA

[08] KAZAKH PRESIDENT NEZARBAEV'S INAUGURATION

[09] CLAIMS SAYING THAT OCALAN, THE CHIEF OF THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION HIDES IN MOSCOW

[10] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: - ''SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION HAS COME TO THE POINT OF COLLAPSE'' - ''NEWS CLAIMING THAT WE REQUESTED DEBT FROM THE IMF, IS NOT TRUE''

[11] HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH CONDEMNS ITALIAN GOVERNMENT: ''OPPORTUNITY OF TRYING CHIEF TERRORIST HAS BEEN MISSED''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) OCALAN IN NIJNI NOVGOROD
Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK who left Italy in a hurry is in military airport of Nijni Novgorod city in Volga region of Russia. Lebedev, the Russian Ambassador to Turkey was summoned again to the Foreign Ministry and he was told that Ocalan was in Nijni Novgorod city of Russia. Lebedev denied this information. Meanwhile it is reported that Ocalan, the chief of the seperatist terrorist organization PKK can leave this Russian city for Belarus, North Korea or Libya. Sule Soysal, the Turkish Ambassador to Belarus said that Belarussian Foreign Minister Latipov stated that Ocalan won't be permitted to enter Belarus. In that case Ocalan can leave for North Korea.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

JIRI SUPPORT TO OCALAN
Turkey learned the place of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK from CIA and MOSSAD, the intelligence services of the US and Israel respectively. According to the claims confirmed by the government sources, ''the fascist leader of Russia played a role in the escape of Abdullah Ocalan from Italy to Russia. Ocalan probably had a communication with Jirinovski, the fascist leader of Russia in his flat in Rome.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

MOSCOW EVADES
Russia which has said that up to now that if Ocalan comes to Russia he would be arrested, says now that ''even if Ocalan is in Russia, the legal basis to extradite him does not exist because there is not an agreement between Turkey and Russia which foresees the extradition of criminals.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

RADIKAL (LEFT)

NO OCALAN, MANY SCENARIOS
While Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that ''Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK could have entered Russia from a former Soviet republic,'' a high ranking Russian official claimed that ''Ocalan is not in Russia.''

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

OCALAN:I THANK TO D'ALEMA
The Italian television channel RAI-1 broadcast Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK which recorded a tape for his lawyers. Ocalan said goodbye in the tape adding that he will return to Italy one day, noting that ''during my stay in Italy, Italians protected me very well, they have even put a radar on my roof. I would like to thank to D'Alema, the Italian Premier for that.''

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] THE U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT: - ''ALBRIGHT HAS CONVEYED HER DISPLEASURE TO DINI OVER OCALAN'S ESCAPE FROM JUSTICE''

Addressing a press conference, James Rubin, the Spokesman of the U.S. State Department, pointed out that the U.S. is aware of Ocalan's departure from Italy.

Rubin reiterated that Ocalan should be brought to justice for his crimes committed against humanity.

''We regret that the path chosen by Italy does not appear to have advanced the goal of bringing Ocalan to justice,'' Rubin told the reporters.

Rubin noted that Albright held several telephone conversations with Dini in the last two days and the issue of Ocalan was among the topics discussed, but he gave no detailed information.

He also added that he could provide no further information about Ocalan's whereabouts since he left Italy.

[03] GERMAN OPPOSITION PARTIES CRITICIZE GERMAN GOVERNMENT - WESTERWELLE, ''OCALAN CASE IS A SCANDAL FOR GERMAN GOVERNMENT'' - ''GERMAN GOVERNMENT DECEIVED PARLIAMENT AND PUBLIC OPINION''

Addressing a press conference, Westerwelle, stressed that the government of Chancellor Gerhard Schroder has deceived both the German parliament and the German public opinion systematically with its statements over the issue of Ocalan.

Pointing out that the German government did not request the extradition of Ocalan, the terrorist chief from Italy although there was an arrest warrant for him in Germany, Westerwelle accused the government of being a mere spectator while Ocalan was leaving Italy.

Westerwelle pointed out, ''it is possible to come to such a conclusion then; a dangerous person who violates international laws can easily escape from justice. The case of Ocalan is a scandal for the German government. The government declared previously that Ocalan could not flee from being judged. But he is free now and calls his supporters to launch violence acts. This is nothing but a scandal.''

Wolfgang Zeitlmann, the Spokesman of the Christian Social Unity Party (CSU) for Internal Affairs and Justice Policy, stressed that Schroder's government collapsed.

Pointing out that the confidence in the state of law in Germany has been damaged at the international level, Zeitlmann, described the German government's allegations that Ocalan could not escape from being judged, as misleading.

[04] PRESIDENT DEMIREL VISITS HIS AZERBAIJANI COUNTERPART ALIEV

President Demirel was informed by Prof. Dr. Cetin Harmankaya about the health condition of Aliev.

Prof. Dr. Harmankaya stressed that Aliev who suffers from an infection in his respiratory system and bronchitis, is recovering.

Meanwhile Aliev celebrated the Ramadan Festival of the Turkish people.

Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, also visited President Aliev in the GATA.

[05] HEAVY SNOWFALL PARALYZES DAILY LIFE AND TRAFFIC IN CENTRAL KONYA PROVINCE

A total of 200 village roads in Meram, Selcuklu, Celtik, Ilgin, Hadim, Aksehir, Eregli, Halkapinar, Guneysinir, Doganhisar and Derbent counties of Konya Province, were closed to traffic as a result of snowstorm.

Highway teams maintain activities to re-open the roads to traffic.

A number of traffic accidents occurred in city center of Konya causing financial damage.

Officials at the Directorate General of State Meteorology said that the bad weather conditions will continue in the coming days.

[06] COE'S REPORT ON TURKEY - COE PROPOSES TURKEY TO MAKE COOPERATION WITH VENICE COMMISSION CONCERNING CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS

The report, which will be discussed during the general council meetings of COEPA, calls on Turkey to continue undertaking reforms in human rights and democracy.

Foreign Ministry is uneasy about the report which proposes Turkey to make cooperation with Venice Commission concerning constitutional reforms.

Venice Commission examines whether or not the articles of the member countries' constitutions are in harmony with the principles of the COE.

Venice Commission examines the constitutions of the East European countries which have recently joined the COE and puts forward legal recommendations to them.

The two European parliamentarians visited Ankara and Diyarbakır provinces at the beginning of September last year and held contacts with Turkish officials.

The draft report which was prepared by Barsony and Schwimmer calls on Turkey to make legal arrangements regarding the right to freedom of expression, right to organize and rights of prisoners.

[07] GREAT SUCCESS OF TURKISH SCIENTIST IN THE U.S. - DISCOVERY OF DR. FATIH UCKUN PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN TREATMENTS OF LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA

According to the study of Dr. Uckun, the identification of an enzyme may improve the way leukemia and lymphoma are treated.

Stressing that the cancer cells from leukemia and lymphoma commonly resist chemotheraphy, Dr. Uckun noted, ''we have discovered that the identification of the BTK enzyme plays a key role in the way the leukemia and lymphoma cells withstand the cancer-fighting treatment.''

Dr. Uckun pointed out, ''we believe that the identification of BTK as a key regulator of drug sensivity will significantly increase our understanding of how best treat to cancer. Now we know what target to attack to effectively fight the chemotheraphy resistance of leukemia and lymphoma cells, we can quickly determine how best to kill them.''

Having discovered BTK enzyme as a new target that is vital for the survival and drug resistance of leukemia cells, Dr. Uckun and his team have developed and synthesized a new anti-leukemia drug which specifically and rapidly inactivates BTK in leukemia cells.

Dr. Fatih Uckun has been working at the Minnesota University since 1984. He has established the Hughes Institute within the structure of the university in 1996 to research the diseases effecting the defense system of human body such as AIDS and cancer.

[08] KAZAKH PRESIDENT NEZARBAEV'S INAUGURATION

Hikmet Cetin, Speaker of Parliament, and Ziya Aktas, Energy and Natural Resources Minister, joined the ceremonies for inauguration of Nazarbaev.

President Askar Akaev of Kyrgyzstan, President Islam Kerimov of Uzbekistan, Iranian Vice President, Russian Prime Minister Yevgeni Primakov, the Prime Ministers of Tajikistan, Ukraine and Moldova, the Deputy Prime Ministers of Azerbaijan, Belarus and Armenia, the Chinese Deputy Secretary of State, the Georgian State Minister and other high-level officials were also in attendance at the ceremonies.

Cetin is scheduled to be received by President Nazarbaev later today.

Meanwhile President Suleyman Demirel has sent his Kazakh counterpart a message of congratulation.

The Presidential Press Center quoted Demirel as saying, ''Kazakhstan has become one of the most respected and leading countries both in the region and in the world under the determined leadership of President Nazarbaev. I believe that the cooperation between Turkey and Kazakhstan will strengthen in the coming days.''

Demirel thanked Nazarbaev for his contribution to the relations between the two countries.

[09] CLAIMS SAYING THAT OCALAN, THE CHIEF OF THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION HIDES IN MOSCOW

This person who says his name is ''Alexander'' without giving further information about himself, phoned on Tuesday the A.A office in Moscow and alleged that ''Ocalan is in Moscow.''

Alexander told A.A correspondent that the chief terrorist stays in one of the houses he stayed in his previous visit to Moscow.

''The terrorist came to Russia for the second time, but he also stayed in Greek Cypriot side and Greece besides Italy,'' Alexander said.

Alexander also alleged that he has such material, documents, films, photos and information proving that Ocalan is in Moscow at the moment and he also stayed in Greece and the Greek Cypriot side.

It is not known now whether or not this person says the truth or tries to deceive the public opinion.

This person uses the offices of the press organs and the room of Alexander Mitrofanov, who acts as the leader of the support extended to the separatist terrorist organization PKK by Duma, the lower chamber of the Russian parliament in his meetings with press members.

[10] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: - ''SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION HAS COME TO THE POINT OF COLLAPSE'' - ''NEWS CLAIMING THAT WE REQUESTED DEBT FROM THE IMF, IS NOT TRUE''

Addressing the journalists, Ecevit noted that the whereabouts of Ocalan could not be determined yet, adding, ''but it is important that he cannot come out and he cannot find a country which will grant political asylum to him.''

Responding to a question whether or not his government requested financial aid from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in order to repay Turkey's foreign debts, Ecevit pointed out, ''We have relations with the IMF, but the news claiming that we requested financial aid to repay foreign debts worth of 24 billion US dollars, is not true.''

Stressing that the government is aware of the burden of the foreign debts, Ecevit reminded that Turkey has never hinder her repayments.

Ecevit added, ''Turkey even repaid depts of the Ottoman Empire. However Turkey has been effected by the global crisis, and we expect the support of the international finance organizations including the IMF.''

[11] HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH CONDEMNS ITALIAN GOVERNMENT: ''OPPORTUNITY OF TRYING CHIEF TERRORIST HAS BEEN MISSED''

Human Rights Watch issued a written statement in Brussels, recalling the crimes against humanity, massacres, illegal activities of the separatist terrorist organization controlled by its chief.

Holly Cartner, the Chairman of the Human Rights Watch's Department of European and Central Asian Affairs said that ''the Italian government and the international society missed an opportunity concerning Ocalan case as they could not give a message to those who commit violence saying that they will hold responsibility for their crimes and could not prove the faithfullness of Italy and other countries to the international justice system.

The statement defended the view that a legal basis is needed to punish the crimes committed against humanity, adding that such kind of criminals have to be put on trial far away from political pressures.

Human Rights Watch recalled that it wrote a letter to Massimo D'Alema, the Italian Premier last November explaining the crimes of the terrorist chief and requesting his trial.

Humah Rights Watch pointed out that Abdullah Ocalan is responsible for hundreds of murders including civilians, women, children, teachers, its political oppositions, soldiers and policemen and committed these crimes as ''the policy of the organization.''

A.A

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