Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-03-14

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

AA Daily

14 March 1999 Sunday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] PARLIAMENT'S EXTRAORDINARY MEETING - PARLIAMENT DECIDES TO RECONVENE ON TUESDAY

[03] PARLIAMENT'S EXTRAORDINARY MEETING - PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''A CHAOS IS NOW AWAITING TURKEY''

[04] FM CEM: ''TURKEY REGARDS GREECE AS A TERRORIST COUNTRY''

[05] GENERAL KIVRIKOGLU, THE CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF RETURNS TO TURKEY FROM BELGIUM

[06] EU FM MEETING IN GERMANY - FISCHER, GERMAN FM: ''WE CLEARLY CONDEMN PKK TERRORISM''

[07] EU FM MEETING IN GERMANY - HANS VAN DEN BROEK: ''WE EXPECT REALIZATION OF COOPERATION WITH EU PARLIAMENT CONCERNING MATERIAL ISSUES LINKED WITH TURKEY''

[08] TURKISH AND SPANISH BUSINESSMEN TO MAKE COOPERATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

[09] PREMIER ECEVIT ADDRESSES TO PEOPLE IN TRABZON: ''IF ELECTIONS ARE NOT HELD ON APRIL 18, OUR MISSION WILL END''

[10] ''INTERNATIONAL INTEGRATED RURAL REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING'' COURSE ENDS

[11] DRUG OPERATION IN SOUTHEASTERN GAZIANTEP PROVINCE - 13 PEOPLE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY

[12] HAND BOMB FOUND BY CHILDREN KILLS ONE CHILD

[13] TURKISH-MACEDONIAN RELATIONS

[14] GEMICI, STATE MINISTER LEAVES FOR MALI

[15] TALAY, MINISTER OF CULTURE TO LEAVE FOR ISRAEL

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) 13 PEOPLE DIE
The murderer and terrorist PKK, which is still supported by some European people as a political organization, burned 13 innocent people alive in Goztepe district in Isbtanbul yesterday. Three PKK terrorists who entered the Mavi Carsı (Blue Market) around 16.30, forced the people to go upstairs and set the six-story department store on fire.

OCALAN INCIDENT TO ISOLATE GREECE FROM EURO
The British newspaper the Guardian said that Greece is preparing to adapt Euro at the beginning of 2001, however this may not be realized due to the role she played in the case of the chief terrorist.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

GOVERNMENT'S TACTICS OF RESIGNATION
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit proposed President Suleyman Demirel to resign in return to the game of the Virtue Party (FP). President Demirel requested the government to stay in power.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

ASILTURK:WE WILL TAKE THE RISK
Oguzhan Asilturk, a deputy from the Virtue Party (FP) extended support to the deputies most of whom are disenchanted because of their exclusion from candidate lists. Asilturk told FP deputies that ''the others want to give an amnesty for Abdullah Ocalan, the murderer of 30,000 people and prohibit Necmettin Erbakan, a former prime minister from dealing with politics. Even if we lose votes, we will extend support to the deputies who wish to reconvene the parliament.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

RADIKAL (LEFT)

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

ERBAKAN OPENS PARLIAMENT
Those deputies most of whom are disenchanted because of their exclusion from candidate lists and who took the support of the Virtue Party (FP), were successful in opening the parliament. The parliament will reconvene on March 16, Tuesday to continue with the discussions.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

AGCA TO COME TO TURKEY
Mehmet Ali Agca, who had attempted to assasinate Pope the Second Jean Paul asked the Pope to forgive him many times. Pope approved the extradition of Agca to Turkey yesterday. If President Scalfaro also approves this decision, Agca will complete his remaining eight years in prison in Turkey.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] PARLIAMENT'S EXTRAORDINARY MEETING - PARLIAMENT DECIDES TO RECONVENE ON TUESDAY

The parliament rejected the motion to hold a general debate about the developments that took place after the capture of the chief terrorist.

After the rejection of the first motion, the parliament accepted a second motion submitted by several deputies from the Virtue Party (FP) and other disenchanted deputies which calls on the parliament to continue working.

The second motion was accepted by 268 votes against 216.

After the vote, Hikmet Cetin, the Parliament Speaker said that the parliament will re-convene on March 16 and he closed the session.

Recai Kutan, the leader of FP, Tansu Ciller, the leader of the True Path Party (DYP) and Deniz Baykal, the leader of the Republican Peoples' Party (CHP) did not participate in the extraordinary meeting, while other party leaders were present in the parliament.

[03] PARLIAMENT'S EXTRAORDINARY MEETING - PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''A CHAOS IS NOW AWAITING TURKEY''

Responding to questions of journalists, Ecevit said ''this is a totally new situation. We will have to think about it and see what happens.''

Bulent Ecevit also denied on Sunday the claims saying that he submitted his resignation to President Suleyman Demirel on Saturday.

''This is not true, we have a different situation this time. If the Democratic Left Party (DSP) gives up its mission, Turkey will have difficulty in forming a new government. I don't want to cause such developments. Thus I don't think of such a thing at this stage,'' Ecevit added.

[04] FM CEM: ''TURKEY REGARDS GREECE AS A TERRORIST COUNTRY''

Speaking on behalf of the government in the parliament, Cem stated that Turkey won't accept any observors during the trial process of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief terrorist, adding ''no body should think of himself/herself as a colonial governor visiting a colony in the 18th century, no body can regard Turkey like that.''

Noting that Turkey has recorded a great progress in the struggle with terrorism, Cem pointed out that relations with Islamic countries and the Middle Eastern countries reached an important level.

Stressing that Europe has started to listen to Turkey during their government, Cem said ''we took a resolved and serious attitude towards Europe.''

''Europe has faced terrorism itself, those who had stayed indifferent when Turkish embassies were occupied by terrorists, learned terrorism when their embassies were occupied by terrorists,'' Cem said.

Emphasizing that Europe has seen the connection of Greece with terrorism, Cem said ''Greece is a terrorist country according to us.''

Stressing that Turkey won't accept such demands like ''fair trial'' of the chief terrorist, Cem said nobody has the right to have doubts of the fair trial in Turkey, adding Turkey will neither accept ''observors'' nor ''foreign lawyers'' concerning the trial process of the chief terrorist.

[05] GENERAL KIVRIKOGLU, THE CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF RETURNS TO TURKEY FROM BELGIUM

General Kıvrıkoglu stressed once more that Greece was captured red-handed while giving support to terrorism and this support does not match with values of neighbourhood, alliance and civilization.

General Kıvrıkoglu returned from Belgium the same day.

Secretariat General of General Staff said in a written statement that Gen. Kıvrıkoglu attended the 132th NATO Military Committee Chiefs of General Staffs meeting, NATO-Ukraine, Europe-Atlantic Association Council, NATO- Russia Federation Association Council meeting and SHAPEX-99 Conference, all held between 9-12 March.

The statement noted that General Kıvrıkoglu held bilateral contacts with chiefs of general staffs of various countries and NATO high ranking officials, including Javier Solana, the NATO Secretary General.

''Turkey's contribution to the security of Europe has been confirmed by all countries in bilateral contacts. However Greece does not permit Turkish Armed Forces elements to use Greek airspace, ports and territories for NATO aims and plans. If the same attitude of Greece continues in NATO plans for Kosovo, Greece will not only give damage to Turkey but also to NATO. Gen. Kıvrıkoglu requested NATO officials to take steps immediately against such a possibility,'' the statement added.

[06] EU FM MEETING IN GERMANY - FISCHER, GERMAN FM: ''WE CLEARLY CONDEMN PKK TERRORISM''

Addressing a joint press briefing with Hans van den Broek, the EU Commissioner for Foreign Affairs after the first day of the unofficial meeting, Fischer said Turkish-EU relations were also taken up at the meeting.

''We clearly condemn the PKK terrorism,'' said Fischer, adding all EU foreign ministers who attended the meeting wish to have good and developing relations between Turkey and the EU.

Referring to the southeastern problem, Fischer said ''what is important today is to evaluate the opportunities in order to instal a permanent peace in Southeastern Turkey. Protection of the territorial integrity of Turkey is very natural, it is not possible to claim the contrary.''

Stressing that the Southeastern problem is an internal issue of Turkey, Fischer said Turkey is a member of the Council of Europe (COE) and has assumed responsibilities in this framework, adding Turkey has fulfilled her responsibility by easing the mission of a COE delegation which visited Turkey a short time ago.

[07] EU FM MEETING IN GERMANY - HANS VAN DEN BROEK: ''WE EXPECT REALIZATION OF COOPERATION WITH EU PARLIAMENT CONCERNING MATERIAL ISSUES LINKED WITH TURKEY''

Responding to a question of A.A correspondent in a joint press briefing with Joschka Fischer, the German Foreign Minister at the end of the first day of the unofficial EU Foreign Ministers meeting held in Germany, Hans van den Broek stated that ''we don't expect the EP to approve our proposal before the EP elections.''

Noting that EU Commission has supported the projects aimed at development of the Southeastern Turkey in social and economic respects within the last one and a half years, Broek pointed out that the Southeastern problem, which is a very sensitive issue, should be separated from the debate on terrorist organization PKK and chief terrorist.

[08] TURKISH AND SPANISH BUSINESSMEN TO MAKE COOPERATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

TOBB said in a written statement that officials from the Ministry of Environment, Turkish public institutions and Spanish businessmen will make presentations in the morning session of the meeting.

The two delegates will exchange views on the basis of projects in the afternoon session.

Priority is given to environmental sector by the ''Financial Protocol'' signed between Turkey and Spain in January 1998 which foresees extending a Spanish credit worth of 450 million dollars to Turkey.

[09] PREMIER ECEVIT ADDRESSES TO PEOPLE IN TRABZON: ''IF ELECTIONS ARE NOT HELD ON APRIL 18, OUR MISSION WILL END''

Addressing to people in northern province of Trabzon, Bulent Ecevit said that their main task is to carry Turkey to the coming elections in a secure way.

Noting that the state functions properly, Premier Ecevit said that DSP will come out as the first political party if elections are held on April 18.

[10] ''INTERNATIONAL INTEGRATED RURAL REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING'' COURSE ENDS

Erkan Alemdaroglu, the Director General of GAP Regional Development Administration told A.A correspondent that the first part of the course which lasted for seven months was held in Israel and the remaining part namely ''practice'' was realized in GAP which lasted for two and a half months, adding 35 agricultural experts from 21 countries participated in the course.

''GAP was taken as the sample project, the experts carried out researches in Harran Plain for two months,'' he added.

[11] DRUG OPERATION IN SOUTHEASTERN GAZIANTEP PROVINCE - 13 PEOPLE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY

While Gendarmerie was checking vehicles on Gaziantep-Kilis highway, they found a car left near Kazıklı village. A series of operations started when material for producing heroin was found in the car.

Security forces took 13 people into custody including one chemistry teacher for forming a gang to produce heroin.

Investigation concerning the suspects is underway.

[12] HAND BOMB FOUND BY CHILDREN KILLS ONE CHILD

The three children started to play the hand bomb they found, but the bomb suddenly exploded killing one of them and injuring the two.

The wounded children are taken under medical treatment in Diyarbakır state hospital.

An investigation is underway in relation to the incident.

[13] TURKISH-MACEDONIAN RELATIONS

Kail told A.A correspondent that Turkish-Macedonian free trade agreement will be signed during his visit to Ankara.

The agreement foresees lifting the customs duties on the Macedonian exports to Turkey for the first five years, likewise Turkish exports except raw materials will benefit from the same exemption.

Macedonian Minister said that Turkey extends all kinds of support to improvement of Macedonian economy.

[14] GEMICI, STATE MINISTER LEAVES FOR MALI

Minister Gemici will be accompanied by a delegation including representatives from General Staff, Foreign Ministry, Gendarmerie, Undersecretariat for Foreign Trade and Istanbul municipality in his visit to Mali.

Issues of signing a Commercial, Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement between Turkey and Mali, the present situation in Cooperation Agreement on Military Training, the opportunities of cooperation in industry, trade, agriculture, education and construction business will be discussed in the contacts.

The Turkish delegation headed by Hasan Gemici will return to Ankara on March 19 after wrapping its contacts in Bamato, the capital of Mali.

[15] TALAY, MINISTER OF CULTURE TO LEAVE FOR ISRAEL

Ministry of Culture said that Talay, who was invited by Yitzhak Levy, the Israeli Minister of Culture, Education and Sports to Israel, will open the exhibition composed of old Turkish carpets displayed in Istanbul Museum of Turkish and Islam Works of Art on March 16.

The Ministry of Culture Turkish Music Chorus will give concerts in Jerusalem on March 17 and in Tel Aviv on March 18.

A.A

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