Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-01-22

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

AA Daily

22 January 1999 Friday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] MISSING PILOTS FOUND ALIVE

[03] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''WE HAVE DISCUSSED KOSOVO QUESTION TOGETHER WITH PRESIDENT DEMIREL''

[04] PENTAGON SAYS PATRIOT MISSILIES TO BE DEPLOYED IN TURKEY FOR ABOUT 30 OR 60 DAYS

[05] THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION: ''BAKU-CEYHAN IS A TARGET FOR US AND IT SHOULD BE REALIZED''

[06] TURKISH AND RUSSIAN OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS CFE

[07] IVANOV, RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: ''INVESTIGATION ENDED, I AM OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCING THAT OCALAN IS NOT IN RUSSIAN TERRITORIES''

[08] RUSSIA OFFICIALLY INFORMS TURKEY THAT TERRORIST CHIEF IS NOT IN THIS COUNTRY

[09] KOSOVO PROBLEM - OYMEN, TURKEY'S PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO NATO: ''NATO CALLS FOR A PEACEFUL SOLUTION''

[10] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT IN FOREIGN MINISTRY TO GET INFORMATION ABOUT LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

[11] KOSOVO CRISIS - ''TCG MUAVENET'' FRIGATE TO PARTICIPATE IN NATO MEDITERRANEAN PERMANENT NAVAL FORCE

[12] DEPLOYMENT OF PATRIOTS STARTS

[13] DISAPPOINTMENT FOR THE BRITISH SPECIAL ENVOY TO CYPRUS - TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS DID NOT PARTICIPATE TO LUNCH GIVEN BY HANNAY - GREEK CYPRIOT LEADER CLERIDES ANNOUNCED THAT HE WILL NOT PARTICIPATE TO THE DINNER GIVEN BY HANNAY

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

US TO OVERTHROW FROM ANKARA
Washington will organize opposition against Saddam Hussein, Iraqi Head of State, from Ankara. Madeleine Albright, the U.S. Secretary of State, appointed Frank Ricciardone, a diplomat in the U.S. Embassy in Ankara was appointed to overthrow Saddam.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

D'ALEMA TO RUSSIA
Massimo D'Alema will go to Moscow on February 9. This visit takes place after Abdullah Ocalan, chief of separatist terrorist organization, was sent to Russia. Economic relations between the two countries will be taken up during the visit.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

FOREIGN TRADE WITH ITALY RECESSED
According to the figures of exporters association's record exportation to Italy recessed when compared to previous month and the same month of last year.

According to the data of the association, exportation records which was 173.1 million U.S. dollars to Italy in December 1997 reduced to 126.5 million U.S. dollars. The decrease in exportation records was 26.9 percent when compared to December month of the previous year.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

CIVILIAN WARNING TO DSP AND CHP
Leaders of non-governmental organizations conveyed their anger to the leaders of Republican Peoples' Party (CHP) and Democratic Left Party (DSP) saying that these two parties have no difference from rightest parties as of policy style and method and claimed that CHP and DSP were afraid of change. Leaders of non governmental organizations said a historical opportunity was missied in a period where every kind of condition is ready for a leftist ruling.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

THREE PARTIOTS TO INCIRLIK
It was reported that three partriot batteries, not only one, will be deployed in Incirlik Air Base upon the request of Turkish government following the escalation of tension between the U.S. and Iraq. Assembling studies of the first battery which was brought on Wednesday, started on Thursday. Meanwhile, the U.S. and Britain halted reconnaissance flights over northern parts of Iraq throughout the religious holiday upon the request of Turkey.

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

EUROPE EUROPE TAKE MY FLOWER
Lutfi Gobus, the Chairman of the Flower Exporters' Association, said they aim at exporting 15 million carnations to the European countries for ''St. Valentine Day'' in 14 February. The carnation export for ST. Valentine Day will begin in early days of February.

Gobus said their target for 1999 is to export 200 million branch of flowers in return of an income of 27 million US dollars.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

PROPOSAL OF ITALIANS NOT EVALUATED IN GIANT TENDER
Proposal of Italian Intermarine company was not evaluated in 600-million dollar mine-detecting ships tender. The TCG Erdek (M-263), the fourth of the five mine-detecting ships which were purchased from France, arrived in Golcuk on Thursday.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] MISSING PILOTS FOUND ALIVE

The pilots received their first medical treatments in the frigate. They are reported to be in good health conditions.

The two pilots could manage to continue living for three days by eating Turkish delight and with a small amount of water.

[03] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''WE HAVE DISCUSSED KOSOVO QUESTION TOGETHER WITH PRESIDENT DEMIREL''

Speaking to reporters following his 35-minute meeting with President Suleyman Demirel, Ecevit said ''we are very sensitive on the issue'' and added that the government applied to the U.N. Security Council a few days ago and wanted it to convene to take more effective measures.

Ecevit went on as saying: ''The issue was brought to the agenda of the U.N. Security Council. We had also applied to NATO. Obviously more deterring measures should be taken as the attacks reached to grave dimensions. I have listened to the views of our President in this respect.''

[04] PENTAGON SAYS PATRIOT MISSILIES TO BE DEPLOYED IN TURKEY FOR ABOUT 30 OR 60 DAYS

Kenneth Bacon, Pentagon Spokesman said the missiles were sent to Turkey as a ''precaution'' against the possibility of escalation of conflict with Iraq adding the deployment was not as a result of a direct or immediate threat to Turkey.

Bacon pointed out that Patriots were under the control of the U.S. military personnel and that they were sent following the threats of Iraq and upon the request of Turkish government. The Spokesman said the Patriots sent to Turkey were a ''minimum engagement package'' consisting of three missile launchers that would be deployed for about 30-60 days.

[05] THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION: ''BAKU-CEYHAN IS A TARGET FOR US AND IT SHOULD BE REALIZED''

Richard Morningstar, Special Consultant of the U.S. President Bill Clinton and Madeleine Albright, State Secretary, staged a news conference for foreign journalists on the issue of Caspian Basin energy policies and said that meeting with ''empty'' wells in the region should not create desperation.

Morningstar said Caspian Basin has ''important'' reserves even if not as much as the Middle East region and noted that ''empty'' wells could be seen in Northern Sea. Richard Morningstar resembled Caspian Basin to Northern Sea like the reserve capacity.

Morningstar also said Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline was an ''important goal and principle for the U.S.'' and added that negotiations continue between Turkish Government, Azeri Government and the concerned oil companies for Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline. Morningstar said that the negotiations may be resulted in positive outcomes soon.

The U.S. diplomat also mentioned about the dangers that may be created in case of the increase in tanker traffic in Turkish Straits, adding that they have conveyed all of these and that the companies could see the facts.

Morningstar also said that a compromise that will be reached between the governments and companies for the realization of Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline should be attractive economically and commercially and pointed out that the sides were working to this end. Morningstar also expressed belief that basic principles and framework will be determined on the issue of Baku- Ceyhan within one year. He also said Baku-Ceyhan should be realized.

Morningstar noted that development of energy sources in the Caspian Basin will be beneficial for the countries and companies in the region and meanwhile reiterated that they opposed to the passing of the pipeline via Iran.

The U.S. Administration for a long time provided support to Turkey on the issue of Baku-Ceyhan and worked hard to persuade the U.S. companies in the AIOC Consortium.

[06] TURKISH AND RUSSIAN OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS CFE

A Foreign Ministry statement said that the meeting will be a continuation of the negotiations held in Moscow on Nov 11, 1998 within the framework of the regular negotiations carried out between Turkey and Russia. The stage reached in studies in CFE adaptation will be evaluated. An agreement was reached on Dec 1, 1996 during OSCE Lisbon summit to adapt CFE to the changing security conditions in Europe. CFE had taken effect in the year 1992.

An OSCE summit will be staged in Istanbul between Nov 18 and 19, 1999.

[07] IVANOV, RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: ''INVESTIGATION ENDED, I AM OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCING THAT OCALAN IS NOT IN RUSSIAN TERRITORIES''

Responding to the questions of Turkish journalists in a news conference, Ivanov said, ''I can disclose the result today. We have meticulously investigated the issue with the order of Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov. I can say that Ocalan is not in Russian territories today, at this moment.''

Gen. Valentin Sobolev, Russian Domestic Intelligence Service Deputy Chairman, also said Ocalan was not in Russia at the moment.

Sobolev said, ''upon the demands coming from Turkish and Italian governments, we have investigated if Ocalan was in Russia or not. We have found out that he is not in Russia at the moment.''

[08] RUSSIA OFFICIALLY INFORMS TURKEY THAT TERRORIST CHIEF IS NOT IN THIS COUNTRY

Diplomatic sources said that ''the required investigation has been made.'' The message that ''this person is not in Russia'' has been conveyed to Turkey on Thursday, the sources added.

When Russia's special language used on the problem of Ocalan is taken into consideration, this statement means ''he is not in our country anymore, he left.''

Observers close to the issue say that Russia's statement saying that Ocalan was not there should be esteemed without hesitation.

[09] KOSOVO PROBLEM - OYMEN, TURKEY'S PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO NATO: ''NATO CALLS FOR A PEACEFUL SOLUTION''

Evaluating recent developments about Kosovo to A.A correspondent, Oymen said no decision of intervention has been taken yet, adding that ''we are implementing all our facilities and power to halt violence in Kosovo, to provide fulfilment of ceasefire conditions, and to provide international institutions to perform their duties effectively.''

''Our aim is to find a solution through politics before a military intervention. Yet, if the conditions force us and if we have no other way, we say we are prepared for a military intervention'' Oymen said, adding that ''we want the problems to be solved through peaceful means. No such result could be provided so far despite all our efforts. We managed to provide return of tens of thousands of refugees to their homes in October, and withdrawal of some of Serbian troops. Yet, several provocations and extreme attitudes created a problematic situation. We are very uneasy.''

Oymen said that peaceful solution on Kosovo depends on the two sides, adding that ''we do not excuse violence of the two sides, NATO statements attributed importance to this. We want them to find solution by peaceful means. Violence will not bring solution. We condemn violence whereever it comes from. A peaceful solution within the framework of Yugoslavia's territorial integrity should be found. Besides, neither NATO nor any single country supported the initiatives which say 'I want full independence' by using force. This also must be taken into consideration.''

''Yugoslavia also must prove that she wants a peaceful solution, and she does not use unnecessary and excessive force,'' Oymen said, ''while looking for a solution to Kosovo problem, we should not forget that there are more than 50,000 people from Turkish origin there apart from Serbians and Albanians. Also, there are other minorities. The political solution that will be found should protect rights and interests of all minorities.''

[10] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT IN FOREIGN MINISTRY TO GET INFORMATION ABOUT LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

Speaking to reporters while leaving Prime Ministry building, Ecevit said he will get information from Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and diplomats about the latest developments.

Responding to a question about developments on Iraq issue, Ecevit said, ''I will get detailed information in Foreign Ministry. I will make necessary statements afterwards.''

[11] KOSOVO CRISIS - ''TCG MUAVENET'' FRIGATE TO PARTICIPATE IN NATO MEDITERRANEAN PERMANENT NAVAL FORCE

A General Staff General Secretariat written statement said that ''TCG Muavenet Frigate chosen to be assigned in the Mediterranean Permanent Naval Forces, which is one of NATO's Reaction Forces, left from Golcuk Main Base on Jan 21, 1999 to participate in Permanent Force.''

NATO Mediterranean Permanent Naval Force will be assigned in Adriatic Sea in the direction of the resolutions taken by the Alliance due to the recent developments in Kosovo.

[12] DEPLOYMENT OF PATRIOTS STARTS

Activities started in the Air Base as of the early hours of the day which seemed to be calm throughout the feast Eid Al-Fitr.

It was reported that deployment process of two of the Patriot missile batteries concluded.

Patriot missiles had been used during Gulf War in 1991 in Israel and Saudi Arabia against Iraq's Scud missiles.

[13] DISAPPOINTMENT FOR THE BRITISH SPECIAL ENVOY TO CYPRUS - TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS DID NOT PARTICIPATE TO LUNCH GIVEN BY HANNAY - GREEK CYPRIOT LEADER CLERIDES ANNOUNCED THAT HE WILL NOT PARTICIPATE TO THE DINNER GIVEN BY HANNAY

TRNC's TAK News Agency said that the plan of Hannay to meet Denktas, TRNC President, at lunch, and Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader, at dinner in British High Commissioner David Madden's residence was not realized.

Tahsin Ertugruloglu, TRNC Foreign and Defense Minister; Ergun Olgun, the Presidency Undersecretary; and Necati Munir Ertegun, the Special Advisor for Political Affairs of the Presidency, joined the lunch given by Hannay.

Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader, at the same time, announced that he will not take part in the dinner which will be given by Hannay this evening.

Following these developmens, a statement by the British High Commissioner's office claimed that an opportunity was missed by the two leaders to explain their views concerning the future, and expressed regret over the development.

A.A

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