Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-01-23

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

AA Daily

23 January 1999 Saturday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] MILD EARTHQUAKE SHAKES IZMIR PROVINCE AND SURROUNDINGS

[03] PATRIOT MISSILE BATTERY DEPLOYED AT INCIRLIK BASE

[04] MOSQUE CONSTRUCTION COLLAPSES, INJURING FOUR WORKERS INCLUDING TWO ROMANIANS

[05] SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA REGION REALIZES 241.5 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS IN EXPORTATION TO THE MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRIES IN 1998

[06] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN KOSOVO - ECEVIT DESCRIBES ARRIVAL OF THE PATRIOT MISSILES AS A POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT

[07] KOSOVO CRISIS - A GROUP LAYS BLACK WREATHES IN FRONT OF THE UN BUILDING AND YUGOSLAV EMBASSY

[08] PATRIOTS TO STAY AS LONG AS THE TREAT CONTINUES

[09] ENERGY PRODUCTION IN GAP DAMS - A TOTAL OF 25.9 BILLION KILOWATT OF ENERGY PRODUCED IN KARAKAYA, KEBAN AND ATATURK DAMS

[10] BSEC PROCESS IN STAGNANCY PERIOD

[11] EDU-EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING - NIINISTO, CHAIRMAN OF EDU: - ''EDU SUPPORTS TURKEY'S FULL MEMBERSHIP TO THE EU. TURKEY SHOULD REALIZE SEVERAL LEGAL AND ECONOMIC REFORMS''

[12] IMF DELEGATION DUE IN TURKEY ON WEDNESDAY

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

TANKER HORROR IN MARMARA
There is an environmental calamity in the Marmara sea. It was reported that there is fuel leakage in the burning tanker which is loaded with 2850 tonnes of liquid fuel. It was also reported that two people were killed and three others were missing. Eight people were saved by the fishermen.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

DECISION DAY IN BAKU-CEYHAN
Clinton administration which foresaw usage of Turkey as the main route in transportation of Caspian oils to western markets and expended support to Baku-Ceyhan project to this end, continue its ''Optimistic'' attitude. Richard Morningstar, special consultant of the Clinton administration on the issue of Caspian Energy Diplomacy, said they expected concerned companies and governments to decide within the coming 12 months.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

HOROR IN THE SEA
Tanker, loaded with oil, burned in the Marmara. Two people were killed and there are three other missings. The tanker burned in the off shores of Armutlu. Danger of explosion made people to intervene to fire. Comert, the captain, died in the fire.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

ECEVIT WARNS TURKEY'S NEIGHBOURS
Russia on Friday offically disclosed that chief of separatist terrorist organization was not on their territories. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, following a meeting which took place on the issue, made a statement and said ''especially, any one of the neighboring countries should not give facilities to this. We want none of the countries to shelter Apo by knowing his terrorist identity. We will evaluate this as an open hostile act to Turkey and take required precautions.''

RADIKAL (LEFT) ECEVIT: IT IS A REASON FOR WAR
As the allegations claiming that Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of separatist terrorist organization PKK, is in the Nagorno Karabakh, rise, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit harsly warned Armenia. Ecevit stressed, ''we hope that no one will shelter Ocalan.'' He also added, ''there are rumours that he is in Karabakh. As I said before, we will evaluate his sheltering by any neighboring country as a clear attitude against Turkey. There are news reports saying he is there or may be there. Yet, this is not certain.''

HELL IN THE SEA
An explosion caused a tanker named ''Marmara'' belonging to the Petrol Trans Company, which was loaded with 3 thousand tonnes of liquid fuel, to burnt down in the off-shores of Armutlu county in Yalova province. Two persons were killed and eight others were injured at the incident. The destiny of three crew who have got lost following the blast, could not be determined yet. Meanwhile the Marmara Sea has been polluted by the tonnes of fuel.

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

APO GOES TO GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE INSTEAD OF S-300 MISSILES
It was reported that Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of separatist terrorist organization PKK, may leave for the Greek Cypriot side.

The leading names of the PKK who convened in Northern Iraq at the beginning of the week, has taken a decision towards Ocalan's departure to the Greek Cypriot side. The separatist terrorist organization wants the Greek Cypriot side because of its geographical nearness and the political relations between the Greek Cypriot side and the European countries.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

CONSTRACTION COLLAPSES, INJURING FOUR PERSONS
Wooden blocks in a mosque construction in Kucukcekmece District of Istanbul Province collapsed, injuring four workers, two of them are Romanians. Baki Savas, Sabit Savas, Damaian Katalin and Stajan Bukar were taken to the Private Dogan Hospital for medical treatment.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Minister Bulent Ecevit regarding that Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of separatist terrorist organization PKK, was not in Russia. Igor Ivanov, the Russian Foreign Minister, also officially declared that as an outcome of the investigations, it was found out that chief of the separatist terrorist organization was not in Russia.

TANKER DISASTER
Fire broke out in a tanker named ''Marmara'' which was loaded with 1,500 tonnes of liquid fuel, in the off-shores of Armutlu County of Yalova Province, killing two crew and injuring eight others. Three sailors who have got lost at the accident, could not be found yet. Tight security measures are taken in region. Two fire-extinguishing ships and a ship belonging to the Naval Forces have sent to the scene in order to fight against flames.

[02] MILD EARTHQUAKE SHAKES IZMIR PROVINCE AND SURROUNDINGS

Officials at the Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory Earthquake Research Institute told the A.A correspondent that the epicenter of the earthquake was in Karsiyaka District of Izmir Province.

No casualties or financial damages were reported at the earthquake.

[03] PATRIOT MISSILE BATTERY DEPLOYED AT INCIRLIK BASE

The Secretariat General issued a statement saying, ''the sides have decided to deploy a Patriot missile air defense battery at the Incirlik Base within the framework of the measures taken for the security of the Operation Northern Wath which was being carried out by the coalition forces. The deployment process of the battery has been completed successfully.''

[04] MOSQUE CONSTRUCTION COLLAPSES, INJURING FOUR WORKERS INCLUDING TWO ROMANIANS

Baki Savas, Sabit Savas, Damaian Katalin and Stajan Bukar who were injured at the incident, were taken to the Private Dogan Hospital for medical treatment.

The health conditions of the injured workeds are reported to get better.

[05] SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA REGION REALIZES 241.5 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS IN EXPORTATION TO THE MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRIES IN 1998

In 1997, the region realized 377 million 864 thousand US dollars in export.

Officials at the Directorate of Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union, told the A.A correspondent that in 1998, they exported 104 million 645 thousand US dollars in textiles; 121 million 554 thousand US dollars in grain-cereals; 4 million 612 thousand US dollars in dried fruits and 10 million 726 thousand US dollars in livestock and animal products.

The majority of the goods were exported to Iraq, Syria and Saudi Arabia and the Turkish goods in greatest demand were synthetic thread cotton thread, dried apricot, flour, biscuit, chocolate, candy, bean, sugar, lentil, sheep, carpet and margarine.

[06] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN KOSOVO - ECEVIT DESCRIBES ARRIVAL OF THE PATRIOT MISSILES AS A POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT

Addressing journalists following his meeting with Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, Ecevit stressed that Turkey has declared her displeasure with the genocide in Kosovo to whole the world.

Reminding that Turkey has called the United Nations Security Council and the NATO to take necessary measures to prevent more bloodshed in Kosovo, Ecevit told the reporters that the high-level officials maintain negotiations over the issue.

Ecevit emphasized, ''Kosovons are exposed to a genocide and a ethnic cleansing campaign.''

Responding to a question regarding the Patriot missiles which are planned to be deployed at the Incirlik Base, Ecevit described the arrival of the missiles in Turkey as a positive development. Bulent Ecevit noted, ''It is not clear that what will happen in the region where Turkey takes place. We requested the U.S. to send the Patriot missiles against a possible attack and the U.S. have accepted our demand. Patriot missiles will remain in Turkey as long as they are required.''

Responding to a question whether the U.S. has charged a diplomat in Ankara to overthrow the Saddam's administration in Iraq, Ecevit said that the mentioned diplomat is Frank Ricciardone, but his mission is in the U.S., not in Turkey.

Ecevit denied allegations claiming that the U.S. aims at setting up a center in Turkey in order to attack on Iraq and to provide aid to the Iraqi opposition.

Stressing that Turkey is respectful for the territorial integrity of neighbouring countries, Ecevit reiterated that Turkey opposed to division of Iraq.

[07] KOSOVO CRISIS - A GROUP LAYS BLACK WREATHES IN FRONT OF THE UN BUILDING AND YUGOSLAV EMBASSY

Speaking on behalf of the group, Ibrahim Efendioglu, the Chairman of the Bulgarian-Turks Culture and Cooperation Association, stressed that the similar events occured before, but the UN did not take the neccassary measures.

Noting that they have lost confidence in the UN, Efendioglu noted that urgent measures should be taken for peace in the Balkans.

The group called the UN to take actions immediately.

Tight security measures have been taken in the area.

[08] PATRIOTS TO STAY AS LONG AS THE TREAT CONTINUES

A U.S. diplomat speaking to A.A correspondent said ''we have brought Patriot missiles upon the request of Turkish government. Because Saddam administration recently made hostile statements against the countries in the region. We have responded positively to this request on Jan 14 which we evaluated as a reasonable measure. The official said earlier they thought the Patriots to be deployed in Turkey for about 30 or 60 days adding that yet, they will stay in Turkey as long as the threat continues.

Noting that Turkey was the only NATO member country and a friend of the U.S., the official said the patriots came but that Turkish government will decide for the number and deployment place of them.

The U.S. offical said Patriots will be used to defend whatever the Turkish government want to defend. Baghdad supports separatist terrorist PKK organization.

Noting that they did not have a concrete information what kind of weapons Iraqi administration have, the official said Iraq may have missiles that may reach to Incirlik and any other point of Turkey.

The official pointed out that Patriots were the best systems in the world and added that a battery was brought to Incirlik.

Responding to a question about Frank Ricciardone, who was appointed to organize the opposition against Saddam Hussein, Iraqi Head of State, the official said Ricciradone left his assignment in Ankara and that he will go to Washington soon to take his new post.

[09] ENERGY PRODUCTION IN GAP DAMS - A TOTAL OF 25.9 BILLION KILOWATT OF ENERGY PRODUCED IN KARAKAYA, KEBAN AND ATATURK DAMS

Halil Alis, the Group Director of the Keban Turkey Electricity Production and Transportation Corporation, told the A.A correspondent that a total of 23 billion 600 million kilowatt-hour of energy was produced in 1997.

''The Keban Dam produced 6 billion 630 million kilowatt-hour, the Karakaya Dam produced 8 billion 199 million kilowatt-hour and the Ataturk Dam produced 11 billion 75 million kilowat-hour of energy in 1998,'' he added.

[10] BSEC PROCESS IN STAGNANCY PERIOD

Crisis in Russia, political instability and problems of Common Wealth of Independent States (CIS) experienced while going through free market economy, are effective in this stagnancy period.

Faik Kaytanci, Secretary General of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Parliamentarian Assembly (BSECPA), said ongoing domestic political instability in Turkey prevented itself to maintain its effectiveness and dynamism within BSEC process.

Evaluating the developments and the current situation in BSEC process, Kaytanci wanted Turkey to continue its locomotive role within BSEC process.

Noting that only private sector succeeded in this and maintained it, Kaytanci said ''Turkey's being more effective and active will speed up BSEC process. The high performance which Turkey will record, will affect other countries positively.''

Kaytanci said ''BSEC, which is an economic cooperation model open abroad, involves a very wide region which includes 300 million population.'' He also said ''there is a very big economic potential here. France, Germany and Japan are interested in this formation.''

Kaytanci said BSEC member countries were not big rivals to each other in production adding that on the contrary they have economic structures complementing each other and that this increased the success of the process.

Stressing that BSEC process could not be carried out rapidly due to the specialities of the region, Kaytanci said CIS countries have economic, political and social problems and that their overcoming these problems will be a miracle.

Kaytanci said ''this a problem of time. Expecting to get very successful concrete outcomes for BSEC will not be realistic at the moment. Time is required to settle political and economic structures of these countries. Crisis in Russia was also very effective in stagnancy of this process.''

Kaytanci said BSEC process is not an alternative to any formation, ''on the contrary I believe that Turkey, which will have a strengthened industry with the BSEC process, will in a short time be integrated with the EU.'' He said, with better performance of the BSEC process Turkey will overcome its problems of inflation, employment and population easily.

Kaytanci noted that one of the final goals of BSEC was to become a free trade region adding that finance structure of BSEC was about to be completed ''in case this is concluded, giant projects will be implemented.''

Pointing out that the Black Sea Economic Cooperation played an effective role in overcoming political tension between the regional countries, Kaytanci said in case BSEC member countries are in solidarity, Russia will be able to overcome its economic crisis very quickly.

[11] EDU-EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING - NIINISTO, CHAIRMAN OF EDU: - ''EDU SUPPORTS TURKEY'S FULL MEMBERSHIP TO THE EU. TURKEY SHOULD REALIZE SEVERAL LEGAL AND ECONOMIC REFORMS''

Addressing the 72nd EDU Executive Committee meeting with the participation of the central right parties from 25 European countries and six European organization, Niinisto noted that they will discuss the way which the central, central right, conservative and the Christian Democrat parties will follow to unite the central right in Europe.

Niinisto said membership of the Motherland Party (ANAP) to EDU was an advantage to Turkey's full membership to EU recalling that Finland, with the advantage of being a member of EU, became a full member of the EU four years ago.

He said EDU supported Turkey's full membership to EU yet urged Turkey to realize legal and economic reforms to realize this.'' Niinisto pointed out that Turkey should be evaulated in equal criterion which other candidate countries had.

When asked if they will support ANAP in general elections which will take place on April 18, Niinisto said ANAP has been a member of the EDU for long years and share the same values and views with the other EDU member countries and added that they will support ANAP in the elections.

Meanwhile, Bulent Akarcali, Deputy Chairman of ANAP responding a question said it was not important where Abdullah Ocalan, chief of the separatist terrorist organization is, adding the important thing is that he should not be in anywhere. Akarcali said Turkey's will did not give facilities to any country to this end and noted that Ocalan will be brought to Turkish justice in the end.

Responding to a question Akarcali said EDU was closely interested in Kosovo question and pointed out that EDU members launched serious initiatives to prevent Serbian violation in Kosovo.

[12] IMF DELEGATION DUE IN TURKEY ON WEDNESDAY

The IMF Delegation which had paid an official visit to Turkey in October in order to inspect the realizations in July-August-September period, will stay in Turkey until February 8.

Members of the delegation will hold contacts with representatives of the public and private sectors both in Ankara and Istanbul.

Responding to questions of the A.A correspondent, Thomas Hardy described the formation of the new government in Turkey as a positive development.

Hardy said, ''we will evaulate activities of the new government and its economic expectations for 1999 during our visit to Turkey. We will give priority to the developments within the framework of the Staff Monitoring Programme.''

Thomas Hardy pointed out, ''Turkey has begun to apply structural programmes along with a serious anti-inflation programme. Such programmes should also comprise financial supports. We are ready to make any aid to Turkey if the conditions are appropriate.''

The IMF stressed in its latest report that the interest rates have increased as a result of unproper markets and the unrealization of the foreign debt. The Fund pointed out that Turkey should maintain the economic measures and structural reforms.

A.A

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