Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-03-01

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AA Daily

01 March 1999 Monday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN BANGLADESH FOR THE SECOND D-8 SUMMIT

[03] SEVERAL BOMB ATTACKS IN ISTANBUL

[04] SIX OUT OF 53 HADEP MEMBERS ARRESTED

[05] STATEMENTS PREPARED BY THE EMERGENCY REGIONAL GOVERNOR OFFICE THROWN TO RURAL AREAS BY HELICOPTERS

[06] MICHEAL RADU, AN EXPERT AT FOREIGN POLITICS RESEARCH INSTITUTE SAYS MOST KURDS LIVING IN TURKEY AND ABROAD DO NOT SUPPORT THE TERRORIST PKK

[07] THE PIPELINE CARRYING OIL FROM KIRKUK TO TURKEY HIT BY U.S. AND BRITISH PLANES - BOTAS: ''THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM CONCERNING MAIN UNITS OF THE PIPELINE, THERE IS A MALFUNCTION AT A POWER-FEEDING STATION''

[08] D-8 SUMMIT - HASINE, BANGLADESHI PREMIER: ''D-8 DEVELOPED AND STRENGTHENED DURING THE LEADERSHIP OF PRESIDENT DEMIREL''

[09] PRODUCTS OF 35 RUSSIAN FIRMS TO BE DISPLAYED AT EXPO'99

[10] COE COMMITTEE FOR PREVENTION OF TORTURE DELEGATION ARRIVES IN TURKEY

[11] WESTERN THRACIAN TURKISH UNITY: ''GREECE HAS TO PUT AN END TO HER SUPPORT TO TERRORISM BY APOLOGIZING TO TURKISH NATION'' - ''GREECE, WHICH DOESN'T GIVE THEIR RIGHTS TO WESTERN THRACIAN TURKS, DOESN'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO GIVE HUMAN RIGHTS LESSON TO TURKEY''

[12] ATATURK, THE FOUNDER OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY, COMES THE EIGHT IN ''MAN OF THE CENTURY'' LIST OF U.S. TIME MAGAZINE

[13] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN BANGLADESH: ''THE VERDICT ON THE CHIEF TERRORIST WILL BE A JUST ONE, EVERYBODY HAS TO BE SURE OF THAT''

[14] TURKEY'S OLIVE OIL EXPORTS INCREASES BY 300 PERCENT IN QUANTITY AND BY 246 PERCENT IN VALUE

[15] THE COURSES OF THE OECD MULTILATERAL TAX CENTRE IN ANKARA STARTS

[16] PRESS CONFERENCE OF PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT - ECEVIT ANNOUNCES AID PROGRAMME FOR COMPLETION OF INVESTMENTS IN 26 PROVINCES MOSTLY IN EAST AND SOUTHEAST

[17] PRESIDENT DEMIREL ADDRESS TO D-8 SUMMIT: ''A CLOSE REGIONAL AND GLOBAL COOPERATION IS NECESSARY IN TODAY'S WORLD TO OVERCOME PROBLEMS AND INDEFINITENESS'' - ''D-8 AS A NEW ECONOMIC COOPERATION MECHANISM IS PROMISING''

[18] TURKEY TO CONSTRUCT 17 NEW YATCH MARINAS

[19] PRESS CONFERENCE OF PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT - ''BACK TO VILLAGES AND REHABILITATION PROJECT'' FOR EAST AND SOUTHEAST ACCELERATED

[20] PRESS CONFERENCE OF PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT - ''THE REASON FOR PRIVATE SECTOR'S INVESTMENTS' REMAINING BEHIND OTHERS IS NOT SECURITY FROM NOW ON''

[21] PRESS CONFERENCE OF PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT - ''WE WILL REPEAT IN COMING DAYS OUR REQUEST FOR BENEFITTING FROM THE EXCEPTION IN ARTICLE 50 OF THE U.N. CHARTER ABOUT THE EMBARGO IMPOSED ON IRAQ,''

[22] PIPELINE CARRYING OIL FROM KIRKUK TO TURKEY - IRAQI ADMINISTRATION: ''KIRKUK-YUMURTALIK PIPELINE CAN START FLOWING OIL ONE MONTH LATER'' - U.S. EMBASSY OFFICIAL: ''IT IS OUT OF QUESTION THAT THE AIR STRIKE TARGETED THE PIPELINE. YESTERDAY, U.S. PLANES HIT A RADIO RELAY STATION''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) FILE OF TREASON
Turkey collected the names of 30 European politicans who extend support to the terrorist organization PKK in a file. Meanwhile it has been found out that Greece has sent 20,000 weapons and 30,000 Stinger missiles to the terrorist PKK. Many of these European politicans met with the chief terrorist in Lebanon, Damascus and Bekaa valley and exerted efforts to support the PKK.

BOARD OF ELECTIONS TO ANNOUNCE LIST OF CANDIDATES
Temporary list of candidates who will compete in the general and local elections will be declared in radios and television channels today. Oppositions to the candidates will also start today and it will end on March 2. The definite list of candidates will be announced on March 9.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

MEETING AGAINST CHIEF TERRORIST
Approximately 2500 people who participated in the meeting in Mudanya county of Bursa province where the families of martyries condemned terrorism, demanded the death sentence of the chief terrorist. The meeting lasted for two hours.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

ECEVIT TO EXPLAIN INVESTMENT PROGRAMME
Next week Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit will start to tour around Turkey for the coming elections and he will visit the Southeastern region first. Rahsan Ecevit, his wife will also be with him during Premier Ecevit's visit. Meanwhile Bulent Ecevit will explain the investment programme that will be implemented in Eastern and Southeastern regions by a press briefing today.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR BANGLADESH
President Suleyman Demirel left for Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh to participate in the Developing Eight (D-8) Summit. Noting that economic cooperation movements are important, 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.''

RADIKAL (LEFT)

ATHENS IN SURPRISE
The crisis within the Greek government is getting deeper after the accusation of it by the three PKK terrorists brought to Greece from Kenya. Semse Dilan Kılıc, a PKK terrorist said that ''Simitis, the Greek Prime Minister handed over Ocalan, the chief terrorist to Turkey.'' Meanwhile Nicolas Burns, the U.S. Ambassador to Greece said that ''the decision of Greece to hide Abdullah Ocalan, the chief terrorist was an important mistake.''

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

TOUGH REACTION FROM TUSIAD TO GREECE
Erkut Yucaoglu, the Chairman of the Association of the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen (TUSIAD), said that rumours about the support given to terrorist PKK organization by Greece have been revealed, stressing, ''Greece has a serious behavior disorder against Turkey. 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.''

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN BANGLADESH FOR THE SECOND D-8 SUMMIT

Erdinc Olumlu, the Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh hosted a dinner in honour of President Suleyman Demirel on Sunday evening.

President Suleyman Demirel will address the opening speech of the D-8 Summit which will start on Monday and then turn over the Term Presidency to Bangladesh.

President Demirel will also hold bilateral contacts with the heads of governments and states of countries which participate in the summit and he will meet with Sheikh Hasina Wazed, the Bagladeshi Premier on Monday.

[03] SEVERAL BOMB ATTACKS IN ISTANBUL

The bombers escaped on foot while the injured were hospitalized.

Erol Cakir, the Istanbul Governor visited the injured at Istanbul University's Medicine Faculty and got information about their condition. Two people were transferred to Haseki Hospital who were reported to be in serious condition. Hasan Ozdemir, Istanbul Security Director also came to investigate the coffee shop where the explosion took place. Three people who allegedly had links with the incident were taken into custody while the security forces continue an operation in the area.

In another incident in Istanbul, a group of demonstrators in Kagithane district threw a petrol bomb into a parked bus and then tried to build a barrier to block the road of the firemen the same night. The demonstrators escaped after putting an illegal sign at the scene. Three people who are believed to be among the demonstrators were taken into custody.

In the same district, a work machine was first poured petroleum on and then burnt by unidentified people.

In Umraniye district, a group of unidentified individuals threw petrol bombs into fives buses which were parked at a garage. Three of the buses were completely burnt while two of them were partly damaged despite the efforts to put out the fire.

Another bus suffered minor material damage after a petrol bomb attack in Bahcelievler district.

The police are continuing their investigation related to the bomb attacks.

[04] SIX OUT OF 53 HADEP MEMBERS ARRESTED

After being brought to the court following their interrogations by security officials, six out of 53 members of HADEP were arrested and put into prison. The remaining 47 HADEP members were released to be tried later.

Fifty-three HADEP members, who would hold an illegal demonstration after the capture of the chief terrorist, had been taken into custody at the HADEP office in the county. Many sticks, stones, documents and one tin of paraffin had been found in the office.

[05] STATEMENTS PREPARED BY THE EMERGENCY REGIONAL GOVERNOR OFFICE THROWN TO RURAL AREAS BY HELICOPTERS

Speaking in the ceremony held in Kocakoy county of Diyarbakır province after the distribution of the statements, Aydın Arslan, the Emergency Regional Governor said that the state exists for the people and the existance of the state is at the service of the people, adding that the state is ready to do everything that is to the interest of the people.

Noting that the terrorist organization was set up in these territories 21 years ago, Arslan stated that ''the power of Turkey captured the chief terrorist in Africa and handed him to the Turkish justice. Turkey is a strong state and we've realized a great success against the terrorist organization.''

Stressing that peace and security is provided in the region, Arslan said that investments will start in the region and unemployment will be overcome.

Arslan emphasized that if terrorists on mountains surrender, they will chose to live like ''human beings,'' adding ''they will either die on mountains or surrender and serve their state. We call on the terrorist militants who live in misery on mountains to surrender and be free from misery. Citizens and parents have also roles to play in this framework, they should also try to reach these people.''

Nafiz Kayalı, the governor of Diyarbakır said in his part that the terrorism trouble which continued for 21 years, has come to the end and peace is provided in Diyarbakır.

Noting that they expect the dissolution of the militant staff within the terrorist ogranization, Kayalı pointed out that ''everybody has to understand that problems can't be solved by use of force and living on mountains.''

The PKK uses systematic murder and violence, which has resulted in over 20, 000 deaths over the past decade. Its aim is to undermine Turkey's parliamentary democracy by forcing a territorial division of the country.

[06] MICHEAL RADU, AN EXPERT AT FOREIGN POLITICS RESEARCH INSTITUTE SAYS MOST KURDS LIVING IN TURKEY AND ABROAD DO NOT SUPPORT THE TERRORIST PKK

Radu published an article titled ''Who is Ocalan?'' when Ocalan, the chief terrorist surfaced in Italy last November, followed by another one under the title of ''Capture of Abdullah Ocalan and the future of anti- terrorism'' after the terrorist leader was brought to Turkey. His latest study is called ''The PKK strategy in Europe to judge Turkey'' where he criticizes Greece and the leftist circles in Europe for the support they launched to the terrorist PKK.

Radu points out in his study that, one of the strategies of the terrorist PKK's public relations campaign is to make the distinction blurry between the terrorist organization's bloody Maoism and the Kurds who are spread all around of the world. Radu says most of the Kurds who live in Turkey and in Europe have no links with the terrorist organization and those who support the organization should be regarded as a security threat. ''PKK constitutes a threat to the free people of Turkey and Europe,'' he said.

Radu said many European politicians and media authorities adopted ''romantic'' feelings towards Kurds instead of common sense.

He said he found it embarrassing that MED-TV, the mouthpiece of the terrorist organization which broadcasts in Belgium with British licence started to be interested in the ''rights'' of terrorist Ocalan instead of the Turkish sovereignity and the Kurdish victims of the terrorist PKK. Radu said it is illogical that the countries which are not known by their effective justice system like Russia, Italy and Greece are advising Turkey on this matter.

Several of Turkey's leading officials have been and are of Kurdish origin, including cabinet ministers and generals. Turks of Kurdish origin enjoy full citizenship in Turkey and participate in all aspects of political, economic and social life. Almost one-third of Turkey's deputies in the parliament are of Kurdish origin.

[07] THE PIPELINE CARRYING OIL FROM KIRKUK TO TURKEY HIT BY U.S. AND BRITISH PLANES - BOTAS: ''THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM CONCERNING MAIN UNITS OF THE PIPELINE, THERE IS A MALFUNCTION AT A POWER-FEEDING STATION''

The planes hit a pumping station in northern Iraq and the flow of oil stopped due to the damage at the station, which is 40 kilometers away from Mosul.

Meanwhile BOTAS, the Turkish state-run operators of the pipeline said that the oil had stopped flowing because of a malfunction at a power-feeding station, adding the main units of the pipeline are in good condition.

BOTAS officials told A.A correspondent that there is not a problem concerning the main units, the pipeline stopped flowing at 17.40 local time, although Iraqi officials managed to restore pumping on an emergency system, it later collapsed at 20.55 local time.

''There is no need to panic, as this is a subordinate damage,'' said the officials.

Officials said on Monday that one person died and five others were wounded during the airstrike, adding there was no settlement units near the station, which was on a desert. They stressed that there was no damage at the pipeline, which will start flowing oil after the repairs.

[08] D-8 SUMMIT - HASINE, BANGLADESHI PREMIER: ''D-8 DEVELOPED AND STRENGTHENED DURING THE LEADERSHIP OF PRESIDENT DEMIREL''

The second summit of the D-8 composed of developing countries started in Bangladesh the same day.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the summit held in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasine stated that D-8 countries undertake projects in the fields upon which they are speacialized.

''Our cooperation will provide peace and economic growth and help our contries to reach the prosperity we wish in the coming centuries,'' said Hasine.

Later President Suleyman Demirel turned over the D-8 term presidency mandate to Bangladeshi Premier Hasine.

[09] PRODUCTS OF 35 RUSSIAN FIRMS TO BE DISPLAYED AT EXPO'99

Vladimir Ivanovic Kozirev, the Russian Deputy Minister of Business Development will open the exhibition on Wednesday where the products of the top 35 Russian companies will be shown.

EXPO '99 will further improve the trade between the two countries after a period when Turkey's export to Russia almost stopped because of the economic crisis in Russia.

[10] COE COMMITTEE FOR PREVENTION OF TORTURE DELEGATION ARRIVES IN TURKEY

Officials at the Foreign Ministry said that the eleven-member delegation arrived in Istanbul on 27 February and started its inquiries.

Officials said the delegation may proceed to Imrali Island on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Officials said the delegation came to Istanbul in accordance with Articles 30 and 31 of the ''European Convention on Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Humiliating Treatment or Punishment'' which was also signed by Turkey.

Officials said the Committee on Prevention of Torture can pay periodical or ''ad hoc'' visits to the COE member countries in accordance with Article 8 of the same convention.

The signatory countries don't have the opportunity to reject those kind of visits.

Officials said the COE delegation is currently paying an ''ad hoc'' visit.

Meanwhile, the Committee on Prevention of Torture in an earlier report said Turkey took positive steps despite the deficiencies in human rights issue.

[11] WESTERN THRACIAN TURKISH UNITY: ''GREECE HAS TO PUT AN END TO HER SUPPORT TO TERRORISM BY APOLOGIZING TO TURKISH NATION'' - ''GREECE, WHICH DOESN'T GIVE THEIR RIGHTS TO WESTERN THRACIAN TURKS, DOESN'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO GIVE HUMAN RIGHTS LESSON TO TURKEY''

Aydin Gencer, the Chairman of the Western Thracian Turkish Unity, issued a written statement saying that Greece pretends not to see several international agreements she had signed including Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and Paris Charter.

Pointing out that they, as the Western Thracian Turks, want to set up friendly relations with Greece, Gencer said, ''however, the support given to the terrorist organization by Greece which became definite with the events occured recently, created uneasiness within us. Now, we expect Greece to apologize from the Turkish nation and to fully withdraw her support to terrorism.''

Noting that instead of talking about the so-called human rights abuses in Turkey, Greece has to give the rights of Western Thracian Turks who gained an official status of minority, Gencer said, ''while the human rights of Western Thracian Turks are not recognized in the middle of Europe, Greece doesn't have the right to give human rights lesson to Turkey and Western Thracian Turks.''

Stressing that Greece should give back their posts to Mehmet Emin Aga and Ibrahim Serif, the elected Muftis of the Turkish society, Gencer said, ''we want Greece to supply necessary equipments for the Turkish schools, allow education in Turkish language and not to dismiss the teachers working at these schools.''

[12] ATATURK, THE FOUNDER OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY, COMES THE EIGHT IN ''MAN OF THE CENTURY'' LIST OF U.S. TIME MAGAZINE

Prophet Christ stands at the top of the list of the survey which still continues by gaining 41.5 percent of the votes and Mustafa Kemal Ataturk comes the eight by gaining 1.32 percent of the votes.

Adolf Hitler is the third with 9.04 percent, while Prophet Mohammed is the fourth with 8.54 percent and Gandhi becomes the sixth with 4.49 percent.

Pope Jean-Paul The Second, Ronald Reagan, Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill and Bill Gates follow Ataturk in the list.

A total of 27.549 persons have voted for Ataturk until today.

[13] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN BANGLADESH: ''THE VERDICT ON THE CHIEF TERRORIST WILL BE A JUST ONE, EVERYBODY HAS TO BE SURE OF THAT''

Addressing a statement to Turkish journalists after receiving Sheikh Hasina Wazed, the Bangladeshi Prime Minister, President Demirel said that the trial of the chief terrorist is a criminal case and it should not cross the Turkish borders.

''Abiding with the procedures foreseen by the European Court of Human Rights in the trial of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief terrorist does not make Turkey uneasy,'' said President Demirel, adding that D-8 is a cooperation summit which started under the leadership of Turkey and D-8 brings eight countries together which have peaceful social and economic targets.

Recalling that the D-8 second summit could not earlier be held in Bangladesh which suffers from serious floods, President Demirel said that the next summit will be held in Egypt after two years, adding the most important target of the D-8 is to improve trade.

Meanwhile President Demirel gave 50,000 dollars to Bangladeshi people who suffer from the flood by the mediation of Sheikh Hasina Wazed, the Bangladeshi Prime Minister.

President Suleyman Demirel seperately received Hasan Habibi, the Vice President of Iran and Amr Moussa, the Egyptian Foreign Minister the same day.

President Demirel will participate in the dinner that will be hosted by Bangledeshi President Shahabuddin Ahmed in the honour of heads of governments and states of D-8 countries the same evening.

[14] TURKEY'S OLIVE OIL EXPORTS INCREASES BY 300 PERCENT IN QUANTITY AND BY 246 PERCENT IN VALUE

The figures of the Foreign Trade Undersecretary indicate that the olive oil exports of Turkey which were 8,170 tons in the period of 1997 and 1998 increased to 32,666 in the period of 1998 and 1999.

The exports increased from 13 million U.S. dollars to 45.2 million U.S. dollars on monetary basis in the mentioned period.

Most of the exports were realized to the countries of the European Union (EU) with 17,015 tons in the mentioned period. The exports to the EU countries increased by 695 percent in quantity and 525 percent in monetary value.

The exports to the Russian Federation increased to 1,020 tons in the period of 1998 and 1999.

Turkey's olive oil exports to Switzerland, Canada, Singapore and Malta also increased, while Turkey started to export olive oil to Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Argentine in the mentioned period with a value of 212 tons.

[15] THE COURSES OF THE OECD MULTILATERAL TAX CENTRE IN ANKARA STARTS

The Ministry of Finance officials, the teachers coming from the U.S., Japan and Denmark will give the courses which are held in the Ankara Multilateral Tax Centre of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
Five experts from Albania, three experts from Belarussia, three experts from Macedonia, four experts from Georgia, four experts from Kazakhstan and three experts from Mongolia, Moldova and Uzbekistan participate in the course.

The subjects of risk analysis, indirect method in determination of the income, the control of the Value Added Tax (VAT), international supervision, supervision of cash trade, control of special industrialization types, control of financial institutions and rights of punishment and tax payers will be discussed during the course.

In the same OECD Centre in Ankara, a total of 1906 high ranking bureaucrats from 28 countries took courses on tax policy and administration, international principles and systems and the Turkish Tax System since 1993.

[16] PRESS CONFERENCE OF PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT - ECEVIT ANNOUNCES AID PROGRAMME FOR COMPLETION OF INVESTMENTS IN 26 PROVINCES MOSTLY IN EAST AND SOUTHEAST

Addressing a press conference he staged at the Prime Ministry building, Prime Minister Ecevit said that investment and operation credits with appropriate conditions will be given to the facilities, which ''couldn't be finished, put into service or partly opened due to like security, immigration and insufficient capital reasons'' in the provinces mostly in the Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia Regions.

Pointing out that a total of ten trillion Turkish Liras (TL) will immediately be transfrred from the general budget into the Investment Incentive Fund for 1999, Ecevit said, ''with this objective, a total of 20 trillion TL will be transferred in 2000 and the total source to be allocated will reach 30 trillion TL. Thus an opportunity to employ 8,200 people will be created.''

Ecevit said that the agricultural industry, health and health sector will be provided with the loan opportunity.

Prime Minister Ecevit said that the maximum credit amount, which was given to the investors, was increased from 100 billion TL to 300 billion TL as the investment and operation credit.

The physical realization rate, which was foreseen for half-finished investments, was decreased from 75 percent to 50 percent. These loans will be given by the Turkish Development Bank.

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that they will apply to the Council of Ministers to ask for an ''energy support'' to the companies in the Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia.

Ecevit said that the existing decree for energy support includes only the investment period while the new decree will include the operation period giving opportunity to companies to make use of the energy support after the completion of investment.

In accordance with that decree, the deduction rate in energy prices for the first year will be 50 percent; 40 percent for the second year and 25 percent for the third year.

Ecevit said within the scope of the decision, the Council of Ministers will make a new decision about the investment incentives for the small and medium-scale enterprises (SMSEs) in these regions.

Ecevit said that Hatay, Gaziantep, Ordu and Yozgat provinces were included in the scope of the urgent support increasing the number of provinces in the scope of the decree from 29 to 33.

In accordance with the new decree, the total investment amount for equipment, furniture and office stock mentioned in the definition of SMSEs was increased from 50 billion TL to 100 billion TL.

The total credit given to provinces in the scope of urgent support was increased from 40 billion TL to 75 billion TL.

The maximum credit amount will be 60 billion TL for the provinces in the scope of the ''region having priority in development'' and 50 billion TL for other provinces.

Also, the operation loan for all regions increased from 10 billion TL to 25 billion TL.

The interest rate in the regions having priority in development and in the provinces in the scope of the urgent support will be 20 percent while it will be 30 percent in other regions.

The maximum term for investment credits will be four years while the operation credits will have maximum two-year term.

These credits will be given by the Turkish Halk Bank.

[17] PRESIDENT DEMIREL ADDRESS TO D-8 SUMMIT: ''A CLOSE REGIONAL AND GLOBAL COOPERATION IS NECESSARY IN TODAY'S WORLD TO OVERCOME PROBLEMS AND INDEFINITENESS'' - ''D-8 AS A NEW ECONOMIC COOPERATION MECHANISM IS PROMISING''

Addressing the Developing Eight (D-8) Summit held in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh on behalf of Turkey of which term presidency has ended, President Suleyman Demirel stated that ''only two years have passed after the establishment of the D-8 initiative, but important progress is recorded in the concrete cooperation fields in that short period.''

Noting that democracy, development and peace can't be seperated from each other, President Demirel said that ''we can only embrace this golden triangle by an international cooperation at the regional and global level.''

Stressing that the global financial crisis has effected the economies of the D-8 countries, President Suleyman Demirel pointed out that if more transparency and prudence were shown by an international cooperation, this financial crisis at the markets would be prevented.

President Demirel stated that Turkey comes among the countries which has effected from the mentioned crisis at the minumum level, adding that Turkey's exports to the U.S. increased by 15 percent in 1998.

Pointing out that the power of the Turkish economy is based on the structural changes realized since 1980s, President Demirel pointed out that ''we've established a strong industrial structure and Turkey comes the 16th biggest economy in the world with a 400 billion dollars of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).''

President Demirel said that D-8 is promising as a new cooperation mechanism, recalling that Turkey is the founder member of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) together with Iran and Pakistan and also the founder member of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC).

''We attribute great importance to the functions of the D-8 and we have to increase the trade volume among our countries, but without the support of the business world, our efforts can't be successful,'' said President Demirel, adding that the free movement of businessmen of D-8 countries is another important issue that has to be solved without any delay.

Stressing that Turkey is the coordinator country of the Industrial Working Group, President Demirel said that producing a crop duster is another important project.

[18] TURKEY TO CONSTRUCT 17 NEW YATCH MARINAS

The Marina Investment and Managers Association (MARYAT) officials told A.A correspondent that Turkey will have a yatch capacity of 4,330 as long as the yatch marinas are constructed.

The marinas which are being constructed are Antalya-Kas, Izmir-Cesme, Izmir- Cesme Dalyan, Balikesir-Burhaniye, Antalya-Finike, Antalya-Gazipasa, Antalya-Manavgat Irmakagzi, Antalya-Alanya, Mersin, Istanbul-Kumburgaz, Tekirdag-Marmara

Eregli, Yalova, Trabzon, Izmir-Sigacik, Icel Kumkuyu, Canakkale-Bozcaada and Izmir-Alacati.

An official from MARYAT said that the marinas of Turkey can shelter 5,000 yatches at the moment, adding that this capacity should increase to 25,000 or 30,000.

Stating that Turkey gained two and half billion U.S. dollars from the yatch tourism, the official noted that in case this capacity is increased to the desired level, this figure can reach ten billion U.S. dollars.

Defending the view that time is spent in vain to get the necessary permission for the construction of yatch marinas, the official stressed that it would be better if a commission formed by officials carry out investigations and submit its view to the ministries.

[19] PRESS CONFERENCE OF PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT - ''BACK TO VILLAGES AND REHABILITATION PROJECT'' FOR EAST AND SOUTHEAST ACCELERATED

Addressing a press conference, Premier Ecevit said that the families, who want to return back to their villages, will be specified within the scope of the measures he announced.

The infrastructural services will be concluded in these villages and construction of houses will be completed. Besides construction of social facilities like village clinics and schools will be finished.

Prime Minister Ecevit said low-interest and long-term credits will be given to new full-investments having minimum eight million U.S. dollars of investment cost and creating opportunity for the employment of 75 people in the sectors excluding animal husbandry, textile industry, clothing and transportation sectors in the Emergency Rule Region.

Ecevit said incentive certificate issued by Treasury will be requested for those credits.

Premier Ecevit said that low-interest long-term credits will be given from the Development and Support Fund to the small and medium-scale enterprises (SMSEs) and small art cooperatives.

A total of ten trillion Turkish Liras (TL) is allocated for the projects creating employment in stockbreeding, carpet and rug business and greenhouse industry.

Noting that a total of 25 thousand families found the opportunity to get employed in the last 1.5 years, Ecevit said that the people, who want to benefit from these opportunities, have to apply to Governor's Offices in provinces or Offices of the Head Official in counties.

The support programme announced by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit aims at developing the economy in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia, increasing the life standard and creating appropriate atmosphere for private sector investments.

The measures aiming at accelerating the public infrastructural investments especially in education and health sectors are as follows:

-''Back to Villages and Rehabilitation Project was accelerated. With this project, the families, who want to return back to their villages, will be specified. In these villages, the infrastructural services will be concluded. Construction of houses will be concluded with the workforce of the residents in these villages and construction of social facilities like village clinics and schools will be concluded.

-For these families, apiculture, greenhouse industry, animal husbandry, fruit growing, handicraft business, carpet and rug business will be supported.

-Back to Villages and Rehabilitation Project, which will be carried out by the Southeastern Anatolia Region (GAP) Administrative Chairmanship, will be included in the investment programme. With the project, 600 billion TL was allocated from the supplementary appropriation fund to provide housing for 634 families in the GAP provinces.

-Directorate General of Rural Services was provided with one trillion TL of supplementary appropriation fund to revive the villages and settlements evacuated or abandoned due to security reasons as a result of the events occured in the Esatern and Southeastern Anatolia, and to enable the people, who immigrated, to return back to their villages.

-With this project, at the first step, 1,017 families will find the opportunity to return back to their villages and settlements in Bingol, Hakkari, Tunceli, Bitlis, Van and Mus.

Prime Minister Ecevit said that 2.7 trillion TL was transferred into the budget of the Health Ministry to supply the medical equipment and office stock at the health facilities, of which construction was concluded or will be concluded in near future. A total of two trillion TL will be met from the Appropriation Fund for Accelerating Investments.

Also, emergency units will be established in five provinces besides hemodialysis centers will be set up in Sirnak, Hakkari and Tunceli provinces.

[20] PRESS CONFERENCE OF PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT - ''THE REASON FOR PRIVATE SECTOR'S INVESTMENTS' REMAINING BEHIND OTHERS IS NOT SECURITY FROM NOW ON''

Addressing a press conference, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''so, the economy in the region will be revived.'

''Security from now on will not be the reason for insufficient private sector investments in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia. Because, security has been provided in the region. I believe there are two reasons for the private sector's showing insufficient interest to investments in the region; the first reason is that the investments of several organized industry zones started but they couldn't have been concluded for years. Thus the construction of these zones and small industrial sites will be accelerated,'' Ecevit said.

Ecevit said that the second factor was the frequent power cuts in these regions stemming from the failure in concluding energy projects.

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that a total of 40.5 trillion Turkish Liras (TL) of source was appropriated to the regions within the scope of the support programme, adding that 25.9 trillion TL of that source will be met from the budget sources.

Ecevit said that the investments in the scope of eight years of compulsory education will be accelerated and the schools, which were closed due to several reasons, will be re-opened, the number of boarding primary schools will be increased and the equipments of these schools will be supplied.

Stressing that the construction of boarding schools will be rapidly completed, Ecevit said that education and training centers and hospital schools for handicapped people, especially the children suffered from terrorism in the region will be opened.

[21] PRESS CONFERENCE OF PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT - ''WE WILL REPEAT IN COMING DAYS OUR REQUEST FOR BENEFITTING FROM THE EXCEPTION IN ARTICLE 50 OF THE U.N. CHARTER ABOUT THE EMBARGO IMPOSED ON IRAQ,''

Responding to questions at his press conference at the Prime ministry building, Ecevit said, ''when security is provided, the development is accelerated and when the development accelerates, the security measures become more effective.''

''Some states, which have interests in the region, are trying to divide Turkey and to keep Turkey's influence and activity in the region at the minimum level. They have exerted this effort since the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire. Turkey managed to overcome those efforts. The external powers' desire to create a popular movement in the southeast failed. The security can be completely provided if the external support given especially by some of our allies is withdrawn. However, despite the continuation of this support, the terrorism in the region has been nearly annihilated by Turkish Armed Forces and village guards,'' Ecevit said.

''Turkey gives considerable financial losses and casualties as the security measures were increased due to the infiltrations of terrorists stemming from the authority gap in Northern Iraq. Besides, the embargo imposed on Iraq is also harmful for Turkey. Turkey wants to benefit from the exception mentioned in Article 50 of the U.N Charter. We have still not received a positive response to this request but we will repeat this request in the coming days. We want to benefit also from the border trade,'' Ecevit said.

[22] PIPELINE CARRYING OIL FROM KIRKUK TO TURKEY - IRAQI ADMINISTRATION: ''KIRKUK-YUMURTALIK PIPELINE CAN START FLOWING OIL ONE MONTH LATER'' - U.S. EMBASSY OFFICIAL: ''IT IS OUT OF QUESTION THAT THE AIR STRIKE TARGETED THE PIPELINE. YESTERDAY, U.S. PLANES HIT A RADIO RELAY STATION''

Iraqi Information Ministry announced that RS6 station can't pump oil to Turkey as the whole energy system was destroyed during the air strike.

The RS6 pumping station is 40 km southeast of Mosul and 109 km away from the Turkish border.

The U.S. administration announced that U.S. air strikes had targeted Iraq's air defense system and other military targets.

Iraq said oil pumping has been stopped since late on Sunday.

Talal Kenan, an official at the Iraqi Oil Ministry, said that a delegation from the Turkish Pipeline Oil Trasportation Corp. (BOTAS) will visit the pumping station within a week to carry out researches.

Kenan said that the station will re-start pumping oil one month later if they can find a technical solution.

Meanwhile, an official at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara told the A.A correspondent that the U.S. planes hit a radio relay station and it was out of question that the air strike had targeted at the pipeline.

A.A

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