Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-02-28

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

AA Daily

28 February 1999 Sunday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR BANGLADESH: ''THE RECIPROCAL DEPENDENCE AMONG COUNTRIES AFFECTS ALL LEVELS OF GLOBAL LIFE TODAY''

[03] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER CETIN RETURNS TO TURKEY - CETIN: ''JUSTICE IN TURKEY IS AS INDEPENDENT AND FAIR AS THE JUSTICE IN EUROPE''

[04] WEU TRANSATLANTIC FORUM CONFERENCE - NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER TURK LEAVES FOR U.S.

[05] CONSTRUCTION OF THIRD SATELLITE TO FINISH WITHIN SIX MONTHS - THIRD TURKISH SATELLITE TO BE LAUNCHED AT THE END OF MARCH 2000

[06] PRESIDENT DEMIREL ADDRESSES TO TRT-1: ''STATE HAS DONE EVERTHING THAT IS NECESSARY IN ITS STRUGGLE WITH TERRORISM'' - ''DON'T TRY TO TURN US INTO YUGOSLAVIA, IF THE AIM IS TO DESTABILIZE TURKEY, WE WON'T PERMIT THIS''

[07] PRESIDENT DEMIREL ADDRESSES TO TRT-1: ''WE TRY TO PUT OUT THE FURNACE OF TERRORISM AND BREAK OFF ITS CONNECTIONS ABROAD INCLUDING GREEK SUPPORT TO TERRORISM'' ''THE HEAD OF THIS TERRORIST MOVEMENT IS IN TURKEY, HE WILL BE TRIED, BECAUSE HE INCITED PEOPLE TO COMMIT CRIMES''

[08] YUCAOGLU, CHAIRMAN OF TUSIAD: - ''GREECE HAS A SERIOUS BEHAVIOR DISORDER AGAINST TURKEY'' - ''THE DECISION OF TURKISH-GREEK BUSINESS COUNCIL SHOULD BE PERCEIVED AS THE PROTEST OF TURKISH PUBLIC OPINION'' - ''GREEK GOVERNMENT HAS TO ANNOUNCE TO THE WORLD THAT IT WILL NOT SUPPORT PKK ANY MORE''

[09] TURKEY SIGNS TRADE AGREEMENTS WITH COUNTRIES POSSESSING RICH NATURAL GAS REVERVES

[10] TURKISH-EU RELATIONS - PIQUE, THE SPANISH GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN: ''I DON'T THINK THAT TURKEY'S MEMBERSHIP TO THE EU WILL BE LEFT OVER TO ANOTHER DECADE''

[11] TENDER FOR INSTALLATION OF SECURITY SYSTEM AT STRAITS POSTPONED TO 12 APRIL

[12] BURNS, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO GREECE: ''GREEK GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO HIDE OCALAN WAS A SERIOUS MISTAKE''

[13] EXPOTECNIA'99 FAIR - ORGAZ, SPANISH TRADE UNDERSECRETARY: ''SPAIN HAS OPENED A CREDIT OF 410 MILLION DOLLARS FOR TURKEY, THIS CREDIT CAN INCREASE''

[14] TOURISM IN TURKEY

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) FORMULA SOUGHT FOR STATE SECURITY COURTS
The discussion on trial of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief terrorist in State Security Courts continues. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit says that no changes can be made to State Security Courts without a constitutional ammendment and as it is known there are military judges and prosecutors in these courts.

IS OUR PARLIAMENT DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE IN IRAQ?
Yalım Erez, an independent deputy and a former deputy of the True Path Party (DYP) who will compete in the coming elections as an independent candidate, criticized the candidacy lists that are determined by the leaders. ''In Iraq, Saddam Hussein, in Turkey five leaders determine these lists. By this method, how will our parliament be different from the one in Iraq?'' Erez added.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

OCALAN GOES, FRIENDSHIP ENDS
An aide for Abdullah Ocalan, the chief terrorist accuses Greece of having betrayed the chief terrorist. Semsi Dilan Kılıc, one of the three terrorists in Kenya where the chief terrorist was captured, was welcomed like kings in Athens, further escalated the crisis between Greece and the terrorist organization PKK. Accusing the Greek Premier Costas Simitis of betrayal, Kılıc told the press briefing that ''Simitis and Pangalos handed over Ocalan. Greek people have to punish these politicans.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

GREAT SUCCESS
The symphony of Zulfu Livaneli, a famous Turkish compositor and a columnist, namely ''New Age Rhapsody'' was performed by London Symphony Orchestra. For the first time a Turkish symphony was performed by one of the famous orchestras of the world.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

RADIKAL (LEFT)

''Ocalan couldn't be arrested if the Motherland Party (ANAP)-True Path Party (DYP) or Welfare Party (RP)-DYP coalitions were in the power. DSP didn't make any corruption. We proved ourselves we are assertive in economy. Mesut Yilmaz has to make a convincing defense for Turkbank,'' Ecevit said.

REJECTION TO ERBAKAN
Supreme Election Board (YSK) rejected the applications of Necmettin Erbakan, former leader of the banned Welfare Party (RP), and Sevket Kazan, a senior- aide of Erbakan, to be independent deputy candidates.

YSK after its evaluation decided to reject the applications unanimously. Tufan Algan, the Chairman of YSK, said, ''those applications are contrary to the rules of the Code on Political Parties.''

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

''After the elections, 20 MPs will join our independent Eastern Issue group after resigning from the Motherland Party (ANAP) and Democratic Left Party (DSP). Our aim is to have the Parliament be sensitive to this issue,'' he said.

PRESIDENT DEMIREL DUE IN DACCA FOR D-8 SUMMIT
President Suleyman Demirel will leave today for Dacca, Bangladesh to attend the Developing-8 (D-8) Heads of States and Governments Summit.

Demirel, who will hold bilateral contacts and address the D-8 Summit, will return to Turkey on 3 March.

''FERRARI 2000'' SOLD FOR 200 THOUSAND U.S DOLLARS IN TURKEY
Ferrari will start to produce its new ''360 Modena'' on 15 March. The code- named ''F131'' cars will be sold for 200 thousand U.S. dollars in Turkey.

F131 has already found four purchasers in Turkey.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

It was determined that several arms including the Sam missiles were delivered to PKK after they had brought into Syria with vessels from Greece.

ECEVIT: ''GREECE CAN'T BE FORGIVEN''
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit reacted against the Greek government's supporting three PKK terrorists.

Ecevit said Greece is the leading country supporting terrorism and this is known by everybody.

Stressing that granting three PKK terrorists with asylum in Greece can't be forgiven, Ecevit said the two lawyers, who withdrew from defending Ocalan, assumed such an attitude as they could not find anything to exploit about the case.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR BANGLADESH: ''THE RECIPROCAL DEPENDENCE AMONG COUNTRIES AFFECTS ALL LEVELS OF GLOBAL LIFE TODAY''

Addressing a statement at Esenboga Airport before his departure, President Suleyman Demirel said that ''the dependence among countries affects all levels of global life today.''

Noting that D-8 is an economic cooperation initiative started under the leadership of Turkey, President Demirel said ''the aim in starting D-8 initiative is to increase the trade among eight countries having a huge economic potential, various resources, great population and geography and to improve economic cooperation within the scope of concrete projects.''

Pointing out that he will turn over the D-8 Term Presidency to Bangladesh during the summit, President Demirel stated that the draft resolutions and Dacca Declaration prepared during the D-8 Commission meeting held between February 25-26, 1999 and Council of Ministers convened on February 27 will be taken up during the summit in Dacca. ''We will also find the opportunity to exchange views about the issues of cooperation within the framework of D- 8.''

Stressing that some of the D-8 countries have affected from the last economic crisis in a considerable extent, President Demirel said ''we will share our experience and in this framework I will hold bilateral contacts with heads of states and governments of D-8 countries. The projects that will be carried out within the framework of D-8 structure were determined during the first summit held in Istanbul on June 15, 1997. According to that Turkey has undertaken the coordination of working group's activities in sectors of industry and health.''

President Demirel said that the important project of the working group on industry is ''Crop Duster Project'' given to the Undersecretariat of Defense Industry, adding that ''the first test flight of the crop duster prototype is planned to be realized in the last quarter of 1999.''

[03] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER CETIN RETURNS TO TURKEY - CETIN: ''JUSTICE IN TURKEY IS AS INDEPENDENT AND FAIR AS THE JUSTICE IN EUROPE''

Cetin, who concluded his official visit to Britain as the guest of the British Parliament, returned on the same day to Turkey.

Speaking to reporters at the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Hikmet Cetin said that he held very beneficial contacts in Britain and the aim of his visit was to improve the interparliamentary relations between the two countries.

Pointing out that Turkey and Britain have very positive relations within the structure of the European Union (EU) and the two countries recorded progress in the economic relations, Cetin said that he believed this should also be reflected in the interparliamentary relations.

Cetin said that the issues like terrorism and the apprehension of the chief terrorist had also been discussed during his contacts.

Noting that he stressed during his contacts that the double-standardization should not be implemented regarding terrorism, Cetin said that the failure in not making even a condemnation concerning those events constituted an example for double-standardization.

''I emphasized during my contacts that there is not a Kurdish problem and terrorism is not an ethnic issue in Turkey,'' Cetin said.

Cetin said that he told British officials that Europe should carry out a joint struggle against terrorism, which had been supported in the past by Turkey's neighbours and allies and this was unacceptable.

[04] WEU TRANSATLANTIC FORUM CONFERENCE - NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER TURK LEAVES FOR U.S.

Prior to his departure from the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Turk said that the issues on which success had been achieved regarding the administration of security in Europe and the ways for further improvement of the European- Atlantic cooperation will be discussed at the conference which will start on Monday.

Noting that Turkey is one of the 13 WEU Transatlantic Forum member countries, Turk said, ''these countries are fulfilling term presidency in alphabetical order. Thus Turkey will be the Term President between 2008- 2009.''
''I will also hold bilateral contacts with the ministers of member countries during the conference to be held under the term Presidency of Denmark,'' Turk said.

Pointing out that the NATO defense ministers will convene at a meeting to be hosted by the U.S Secretary of Defense William Cohen, before the conference, Turk said that this meeting will create a beneficial discussion atmosphere before the conference.

Responding to a question, Turk said that the Greek Defense Minister has still not confirmed his participation in the conference and that if he comes to the U.S. a meeting between them is possible.

National Defense Minister Hikmet Sami Turk will return to Turkey on 4 March.

[05] CONSTRUCTION OF THIRD SATELLITE TO FINISH WITHIN SIX MONTHS - THIRD TURKISH SATELLITE TO BE LAUNCHED AT THE END OF MARCH 2000

Hasan Basri Aktan, the Minister of Transportation and Communications, and Atilla Sezgin, the General Director of the Turkish Telekom, said that they were informed about the construction process for the Turksat 2A by the French officials during their visit to France.

Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Aktan said that the capacity of the third satellite was increased twofolds compared to the first and second satellites and the number of channels will be 32.

Aktan recalled that they chose Euroasia, Turkey, Caucasus and Turkish Republics as the receiving region.

Aktan said that the satellite is expected to cost 300-320 million U.S. dollars, adding, ''after tests, the satellite will be launched at the end of March 2000.''

[06] PRESIDENT DEMIREL ADDRESSES TO TRT-1: ''STATE HAS DONE EVERTHING THAT IS NECESSARY IN ITS STRUGGLE WITH TERRORISM'' - ''DON'T TRY TO TURN US INTO YUGOSLAVIA, IF THE AIM IS TO DESTABILIZE TURKEY, WE WON'T PERMIT THIS''

Responding to questions about the PKK terrorism and the capture of the chief terrorist in state run television channel TRT-1, President Demirel said that the most important issue Turkey has faced since the establishment of the Turkish Republic is PKK terrorism, which aims at dividing Turkey.

Noting that there are ''experienced people behind the PKK terrorism,'' President Demirel pointed out that one should accept that this movement is not an ordinary movement, because its preparations have been organized very well. ''Everybody has to understand the fact that Turkey is unitary state, '' added President Demirel.

Stressing that everybody knows that 3000-5000 people are not enough to separate a part of Turkey's territories, Demirel said ''but the aim of the terrorist movement is to get the support of the local people who did not believe in them.''

''If one of our citizen say he/she is Kurdish, nobody says anything to him/her, but he/she is a citizen of the Turkish nation, because there is only one state and it is the state of everyone. There is one nation and everybody is individual of this nation,'' said President Demirel.

Calling to the world, President Demirel said that ''don't try to turn us into Yugoslavia, if the target is destabilize Turkey, meaning to make us unstable, we won't permit this.''

''No body is treated unequally due to his/her ethnic origin and religion in Turkey,'' said President Demirel, noting that Europe has seen that the PKK terrorism is not a liberation movement, because there is nobody inviting others to rescue him/her in Turkey. ''People is with the state, because the state is people's state. The security forces of the state try to protect the citizens who suffer from terrorism,'' said President Demirel.

Noting that Turkey has problems of democracy and economy, Demirel emphasized that it is not possible to accept terrorism in order to solve these problems.

''They tell us to recognize rights to the Kurdish minority, we tell them that we don't have an issue like the Kurdish minority or Kurdish problem. These people are our first-class citizens like the other people of this country,'' he added.

[07] PRESIDENT DEMIREL ADDRESSES TO TRT-1: ''WE TRY TO PUT OUT THE FURNACE OF TERRORISM AND BREAK OFF ITS CONNECTIONS ABROAD INCLUDING GREEK SUPPORT TO TERRORISM'' ''THE HEAD OF THIS TERRORIST MOVEMENT IS IN TURKEY, HE WILL BE TRIED, BECAUSE HE INCITED PEOPLE TO COMMIT CRIMES''

Responding to questions about the PKK terrorism in state-run television channel TRT-1, President Suleyman Demirel said that ''I ask this to the world, is the appearance of the chief terrorist at Greek Embassy in Kenya normal, isn't it shameful? Or is this the sign of the fact that this person is protected by Greece. Many signs show that Greece has protected this person, there are camps in Greece which extend arms and tactics to terrorist PKK.''

Noting that Turkey is in a state of self-defense and she will do what is necessary for her self-defense, President Demirel said some people note that this had to be said at the final stage, but it has to be said now and it was my mission to say that.

''One of the (NATO) allies, Greece, is supporting a bloody movement so that Turkey is attacked from within,'' Demirel said.

''Now, is this not disgraceful?'' he added.

Stressing that the chief terrorist has been captured by Turkey and he will be tried because of inciting people to commit murders, President Demirel pointed out that the court is a criminal court, not an ideological one.

''Justice is independent in Turkey, everybody has to be sure of that. The Turkish justice will show its sensitivity again regarding such an important issue;'' said President Demirel, calling on the families whose children are on mountains to bring their children from mountains.

Stressing that Greece can't continue to support terrorism, President Demirel said that Europe should show a very serious attitude at this point.

President Demirel said Greece has to close all of the camps used by the terrorist PKK in her territories. ''Greece also has to arrest all of the terrorists wanted and extradite them to Turkey. Greece is a member of the Council of Europe (COE), Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the European Union (EU). We expect the member states of these organizations not to be ignorant about the things that happened against Turkey. Europe and the whole civilized world is getting an examination. We'll see what will happen.''

[08] YUCAOGLU, CHAIRMAN OF TUSIAD: - ''GREECE HAS A SERIOUS BEHAVIOR DISORDER AGAINST TURKEY'' - ''THE DECISION OF TURKISH-GREEK BUSINESS COUNCIL SHOULD BE PERCEIVED AS THE PROTEST OF TURKISH PUBLIC OPINION'' - ''GREEK GOVERNMENT HAS TO ANNOUNCE TO THE WORLD THAT IT WILL NOT SUPPORT PKK ANY MORE''

Yucaoglu responded the questions of the A.A correspondent about the relationship between Greece and PKK which was completely revealed with the apprehension of the chief terrorist.

''Greece pursues serious enmity policies against Turkey, she has a serious behavior disorder as she supports terrorist organizations. This policy has been pursued by Greek governments for years.''

Yucaoglu said that the Greek public opinion, several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and Greek businessmen should create an atmosphere enabling them to affect the Greek politicians.

Noting that they tried to explain the issue to Greek governments and politicians by taking up the issue within a series of talks and platforms that Turkey had created a decade ago with very good intentions but the Greek businessmen did not put forward a serious initiative, Yucaoglu said, ''in spite of the meetings held in Turkey, they prefered to hold low- profile meetings in Greece and they even did not want the Greek government to attend those meetings or the governmental units rejected to participate in them. There had been such ineffective activities. Thus we welcome with respect the decision of the Turkish-Greek Business Council. That decision should be perceived as the protest demonstration of the Turkish public opinion.''

Yucaoglu stressed that first of all the Greek government should announce to the world that it will not support the terrorist PKK any more and it will make a serious change in its policy.

''This is not an apology. It can be difficult for them but I believe this is the first step for constructive friendly relations,'' he said.

Pointing out that Greece is trying to evade the issue with the resignation of three ministers, Yucaoglu said, ''while we are talking about these issues, we see that some PKK terrorists were brought to Athens from Kenya under Greek diplomatic protection by private planes. I mean Greece's support to terrorism continues and this discontents us.''

''They are in an awful contradiction. There are great differences in the statements of Greek government even in the opposition. All European countries are watching this. And we are waiting that the world will accept that Greece's attitude is wrong. We think that Europe would assume a different attitude against us if Turkey faced such an issue,'' he said.

Responding to the question ''is there a hypocrisy?'', Yucaoglu said, ''I can't call it as hypocrisy but it is very clear that different standards are being implemented. Turkey is wanted to be kept under pressure about the issues concerning herself. However, we see that the same pressure is not implemented on Greece when similar events take place.''

Noting that the same attitude has also been shown regarding the missiles issue, Yucaoglu said that the Greek-Cypriot passport found on Ocalan revealed that Greece continues to pursue the same policy in parallel with the Greek-Cypriot side.

Stating that there is a need for new steps for a healthy continuation of the Customs Union, Yucaoglu said that Turkey is uneasy when she faces Greek vetos in every step.

''The objections and vetos did not have an economic and even political reason. Greece's withdrawing her veto from financial protocol may be the first step and a good will indication,'' he added.

[09] TURKEY SIGNS TRADE AGREEMENTS WITH COUNTRIES POSSESSING RICH NATURAL GAS REVERVES

The Directorate General of Pipeline Oil Transportation Corp. (BOTAS) signed six natural gas sale and supply agreements with several countries having sufficient reserves.

Turkey signed natural gas trade agreements with Russia, Turkmenistan and Iran to supply her deficit reaching 42 billion cubic meters that will last till 2020 while she will import natural gas from some of the Turkish Republics by the Caspian-Mediterranean carbonhydrates project in long-term.

In short-term, BOTAS will purchase natural gas from some countries via sea. To this end, BOTAS targets to import Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) from especially Libya, Algeria, Nigeria, Qatar, Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates and Norway.

[10] TURKISH-EU RELATIONS - PIQUE, THE SPANISH GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN: ''I DON'T THINK THAT TURKEY'S MEMBERSHIP TO THE EU WILL BE LEFT OVER TO ANOTHER DECADE''

A group of journalists who came to Spain as guests of the Spanish Foreign Trade Institute to be informed about the Expo Technia 99 Fair that will be held by Spain in Istanbul between 1-6 June, met with Josep Pique.

Responding to questions of Turkish journalists, Pique said that the religious factor is not effective element regarding Turkey's application to the EU, adding that the economic situations of the candidate countries is important in being members of the EU.

Responding to another question, Pique stated that Spain supports the democratic efforts in Turkey and favours economic modernization, stressing that Spain is ready to make cooperation with Turkey in both issues.

Referring to the privatization efforts in Spain, Pique pointed out that they have earned an income of 30 billion dollars from privatization in the last three years.

[11] TENDER FOR INSTALLATION OF SECURITY SYSTEM AT STRAITS POSTPONED TO 12 APRIL

Maritime Undersecretariat announced that 12 April 1999 is the deadline for submitting bids for the International Straits Traffic tender to which leading radar producers are preparing themselves to participate.

The U.S. Lockheed firm, German Stn Atlas and Daimler Benz, Dutch Hitt, French Thomson CSF, British Marconi and Italian Alenia companies are expected to bid for the computer systems installation tender which will be financed by a foreign credit worth of almost 40 million U.S. dollars.

The whole system is foreseen to be put into service as of the mid-2000.

Within the scope of the project, eight of the Traffic Control Centers will be constructed at the Istanbul Straits while other five centers will be built at the Canakkale Straits.

The constuction will be realized with ''turn-key delivery'' method.

[12] BURNS, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO GREECE: ''GREEK GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO HIDE OCALAN WAS A SERIOUS MISTAKE''

Addressing the weekly To Vima magazine published in Athens, Burns said the U.S. government is uneasy about Greece's efforts to hide the chief terrorist, stressing that the U.S. government was disappointed with the Greek government's decision to hide Ocalan at the Greek Embassy in Nairobi.

Calling Turkey and Greece to put an end to their verbal quarrel started after the apprehension of chief terrorist in Kenya and his arrival in Turkey, Burns said that Turkey and Greece have to stop this quarrel.

[13] EXPOTECNIA'99 FAIR - ORGAZ, SPANISH TRADE UNDERSECRETARY: ''SPAIN HAS OPENED A CREDIT OF 410 MILLION DOLLARS FOR TURKEY, THIS CREDIT CAN INCREASE''

Responding to questions of journalists invited to Spain by Spanish Foreign Trade Institute to be informed about preparations of Expotechnia'99 Fair that will be held in Istanbul between 1-6 June, Louis Orgaz, the Spanish Trade Undersecretary said that they favour improvement of relations with Turkey.

Noting that Spain is interested in many projects in Turkey and the credit has been given to Turkey to be used in purchase of goods and technology can increase, Orgaz said that Spain is interested in rehabilitation of Ankara- Istanbul Train Project and investments such as Izmir-Aliaga Fast Train project, adding the economic relations between Turkey and Spain are promising.

Jose Manuel Reyero, the Deputy Chairman of the Spanish Foreign Trade Institute said that Spain has realized an export worth of 1.3 billion dollars and the amount of imports from Turkey is 650 million dollars.

Recalling that Spain is a country which supported Turkey within the European Union (EU), Reyere pointed out that Turkey can play the role of a bridge in improvement of relations of Spain with the Turkish Republics.

Spanish businessmen told Turkish journalists that they launch efforts to increase the economic relations between Turkey and Spain, adding that they have chosen Turkey as an economic strategical trade partner.

Spanish businessmen said that they are against the possible gathering of the socalled Kurdish parliament in Basque region and the businessmen in that region are also uneasy about it.

Expotecnia'99 Fair will cost 10 million dollars and 300 Spanish firms which desire to enter the Turkish market will display their products in agricultural industry, manufacturial industry, electronics, energy and telecommunication, engineering, transportation, energy and medicine industry.

[14] TOURISM IN TURKEY

Kerem Kofteoglu, in his analysis published in the magazine of the Association of Economy Correspondents, said that the tourism sector in Turkey recorded a growth in parallel to the growth in the world.

According to the researches of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the number of tourists visiting Turkey will increase to 15 million in the year 2000.

WTTC said that Turkey's share in world tourism will be 2.08 percent in 2000 and she will manage to be one of the top ten countries obtaining highest income from tourism.

The analysis said that Turkey has increased her tourism revenues by 17 percent in recent years.

A.A

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