Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-04-01

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AA Daily

01 April 1999 Thursday

CONTENTS

[01] KOSOVO - PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SPEAKS ABOUT RUSSIAN WARSHIPS

[02] ATACANLI: ''RUSSIA MADE AN ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT TRANSIT OF EIGHT WARSHIPS FROM TURKISH STRAITS BETWEEN APRIL 3 AND 8''

[03] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[04] RED CRESCENT SENDS HUMANITARIAN AID TO ALBANIA

[05] TURK, MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE: ''NATO OPERATION WILL CONTINUE TILL A RESULT IS TAKEN''

[06] DENKTAS, TRNC PRESIDENT: ''I HOPE THE WORLD COUNTRIES UNDERSTOOD WHAT KIND OF A STRUCTURE GREECE HAS''

[07] ILKIN, TURKEY'S AMBASSADOR TO WASHINGTON, MEETS WITH ILLINOIS GOVERNOR

[08] TURKMEN NATURAL GAS PIPELINE PROJECT

[09] GENERAL KILIC, AIR FORCES COMMANDER: ''OUR THREE CARGO PLANES LEFT FOR TIRANA YESTERDAY, ANOTHER ONE WILL LEAVE TODAY''

[10] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''RUSSIAN NAVY'S ENTRANCE TO MEDITERRANEAN OR MAYBE TO ADRIATIC SEA CAN RECOVER SERBIAN MORALE''

[11] CHINESE PARLIAMENT SPEAKER'S VISIT TO ISTANBUL

[12] TURK, NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER: ''RUSSIAN SHIPS WILL BE CAREFULLY MONITORED''

[13] CEM, FOREIGN MINISTER: ''AN EXPERIENCED CAPTAIN IS NECESSARY FOR TURKEY IN STORMY WATERS''

[14] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT HOLDS A PRESS BRIEFING: ''ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA DON'T HAVE POWER TO MEET VITAL NEEDS OF THOUSANDS OF KOSOVONIANS''

[15] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT HOLDS A PRESS BRIEFING - GOVERNMENT TAKES SEVERAL MEASURES TO REVIVE AUTOMOTIVE AND TOURISM SECTOR

[16] ITC SPOKESMAN: ''PREVENTING MED-TV'S ILLEGAL BROADCASTS IS NOT ITC'S MISSION''

[17] TURKISH LANGUAGE ACCEPTED AS COMPULSORY COURSE FOR TURKS STUDYING IN BULGARIAN SCHOOLS

[18] HASIPOGLU, TRNC PARLIAMENT SPEAKER: ''EOKA IDEALS ARE STILL ALIVE''

[19] BAYAR, MINISTER OF INTERIOR: ''PHOTOS OF 'ALIVE BOMBS' WHO CAN ENTER PROVINCES OF TURKEY DISTRIBUTED TO ALL SECURITY UNITS''

[20] GERMAN PROSECUTION STARTS AN INVESTIGATION ABOUT 224 SUPPORTERS OF TERRORIST PKK WHO STAGED ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES IN FRANKFURT

[21] CORANDIS, NEW GREEK AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY ARRIVES IN TURKEY

[01] KOSOVO - PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SPEAKS ABOUT RUSSIAN WARSHIPS

Ecevit went on as saying ''as I told earlier, only Russia can make Milosevic renounce his operations of genocide. But now, the move of the Russian fleet to the Mediterranean, especially to the Adriatic, will embolden Milosevic,.''

Responding to a question that Duma has a decision that may mean mobilization, Ecevit said ''as you know decision of Duma does not bind Yeltsin. Duma represents a specific public. Unfortunately these are very regretful developments for future.''

[02] ATACANLI: ''RUSSIA MADE AN ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT TRANSIT OF EIGHT WARSHIPS FROM TURKISH STRAITS BETWEEN APRIL 3 AND 8''

Responding to the questions regarding passing of Russian warships from the Turkish Straits, Atacanli said Russian Federation had sent notıces on March 26 and March 30 to Foreign Ministry and made an announcement about transit of the warships between April 3 and 8 under Montreux Agreement.

Pointing out the obligation of making an announcement beforehand under Montreux Agreement for the transit of warships from Turkish Straits, Atacanli said ''we have made necessary annoucement to the concerned sides as the demand of Russian Federation is appropriate to the Articles of Montreux Agreement envisaging tonnage and time limitations.''

Atacanli also noted that required instructions were given to Turkey's Permanent Representation to NATO to give information to NATO Council about this development.

[03] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

ECEVIT: ''RUSSIAN WARSHIPS TO ENCOURAGE SERBS''
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, when recalled the news reports that Russian warships will pass through the Straits, said ''I have heard about the news. I am deeply concerned about it.''

Ecevit went on as saying ''as I told earlier, only Russia can make Milosevic renounce his operations of genocide. But now, the move of the Russian fleet to the Mediterranean, especially to the Adriatic, will embolden Milosevic,.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

Addressing to people in an open air meeting of his party in central Anatolian Sivas province, Ecevit said those who are responsible for bomb attack on Ayhan Cevik, Cankiri Governor and the fire in Mavi Carsi (Blue Market) in which 13 people were killed, were captured in a short time.

ANKARA: PASSAGE IS APPROPRIATE TO THE AGREEMENTS
Sermet Atacanli, Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman, said that Russian Foreign Ministry made an announcement about transit of eight warships between April 3 and 8 from the Turkish Straits. Russian war ships can pass from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean through the Straits in accordance with the Montreux agreement.

Responding to the questions regarding passing of Russian warships from the Turkish Straits, Atacanli said Russian Federation had sent notices on March 26 and March 30 to Foreign Ministry and made an announcement about transit of the warships between April 3 and 8 under Montreux Agreement.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

PERMISSION GIVEN FROM NSC
Permission is given to the passage of Russian warships in order not to further escalate tension. The issue of eight warships, which Russia wants to transit from Turkish Straits, was taken up in National Security Council (NSC) and it was decided that opposing the passage of the ships will further escalate the tension.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Responding to a question if a land operation may come to the agenda after this stage, Ecevit said ''I hope this will not be needed.''

MED-TV MAKES PACKAGE BROADCASTS
Med-tv, sub-organization of terrorist organization, of which broadcastings were suspended for three weeks, makes package broadcasts through a tv channel linked with Vatican.

It was reported that members of the terrorist organization prepare package broadcasts in studios in Denderleew region of Belgium and reaches to satellite via Britain through a tv channel called CTV.

Terrorists make two-hour broadcasts a day.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

FIRE BOMB ATTACKS
Fire bomb attacks happened in three separate places in Istanbul on Wednesday evening. Fire bombs were thrown to a truck and a shoe shop in Zeytinburnu district. Mustafa Guler, a citizen, was wounded when another fire bomb planted under a lorry exploded in Gunesli district.

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

EXPORTATION NOT AFFECTED BY CRISIS
According to Foreign Trade Undersecretariat 1998 was a successful year for exportation although there was an economic crisis in the world. Despite the bankruptcy of Russia, which is one of the biggest markets of Turkey, exportation to this country increased by 7.9 percent.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

When asked how he evaluated the situation, Ecevit said ''there is not any information at the moment. Yet, according to the impression I got from the news agencies, it is clear that a concrete result could not be gained from the meeting. It is clear that Milosevic wants to apply a tactic to gain time. Unfortunately, there is not a serious sign that he will give up massacre.''

MASS BLOW ON TERRORISM
A mass blow was put on illegal Hezbollah organization in the Southeast. First leg of the operation, administred by Gaffar Ozkan, chief of police in Diyarbakir, had started 16 months ago. More than 1000 police attended the operation in 250 points. A total of 122 members of the organization were arrested. Many shelters were found and there were skeletons and torture cells in the shelters.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

It was reported that members of the terrorist organization prepare package broadcasts in studios in Denderleew region of Belgium and reaches to satellite via Britain through a tv channel called CTV.

Terrorists make two-hour broadcasts a day.

Med-TV broadcasts were suspended for 21 days by Britain's Independent Television Commission (ITC) on charges that it calls for violence. ITC has announced that it will wait a presentation from MED-TV until 12 April, which is the due date of suspension punishment, and then decide whether to give permission or not for MED-TV to start broadcasting again.

HUMANITARIAN AID TO KOSOVO
Seven trucks of humanitarian aid, sent by Red Crescent, was conveyed to Kosovon immigrants in Albania and Macedonia. Also humanitarian aid, full of six trucks, was sent from Ankara to Albania on Wednesday.

[04] RED CRESCENT SENDS HUMANITARIAN AID TO ALBANIA

Humanitarian aid of Red Crescent continues to Kosovon immigrants who sheltered to Albania and Macedonia.

Within this framework, a ceremony was staged in Red Crescent's Central Depot and warehouse, and humanitarian aid composed of six trucks of foodstuff was sent to Albania.

Addressing the ceremony Fatih Evren, Director General of Red Crescent, recalled that seven trucks of humanitarian aid had been sent to Albania and Macedonia on Saturday.

It was reported that Red Crescent General Headquarter established a crisis desk and worked for 24 hours a day, and that they have covered the developments in the Balkans and that necessary coordination was provided to convey the aid to the Kosovon immigrants.

Evren said Kosovars who came to Turkey settled near their relatives in Istanbul and Bursa adding that every kind of help was expended to 50 immigrants who came to Istanbul.

[05] TURK, MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE: ''NATO OPERATION WILL CONTINUE TILL A RESULT IS TAKEN''

Speaking to reporters in Arakli county in the Black Sea Trabzon province, Turk said NATO operation continued in several stages, adding that ''at the first stage there was the hitting of several military targets. Now, second stage is under implementation. The coming stages will continue according to the attitude of Serbs. This human tragedy, experienced in the middle of Europe, will be ended.''

Turk said Turkey wants Kosovo to return to its former status where lives of people are taken under guarantee.

[06] DENKTAS, TRNC PRESIDENT: ''I HOPE THE WORLD COUNTRIES UNDERSTOOD WHAT KIND OF A STRUCTURE GREECE HAS''

Responding to the questions of reporters Denktas said facts about Greece were revealed following the latest incidents and noted that ''it has been understood that Greece can not improve relations with Turkey and solve Cyprus question with this soul, belief and enmity.''

Speaking about Kosovo question Denktas said ''They are trying to make an artifical unification. This unification will break out after three years as it happened in Cyprus. Who will save the minority in this case? The only way of solution is separation. The cure is to give the rights of Kosovars.''

Denktas also said NATO had to show its power and determination earlier, adding that he did not think anything can be gained with the air operation ''land operation is a must'' he added.

[07] ILKIN, TURKEY'S AMBASSADOR TO WASHINGTON, MEETS WITH ILLINOIS GOVERNOR

Trade relations between Turkey and Illinois state were discussed during the meeting and an agreement could be reached to further increase trade volume.

Ambassador Ilkin recommended Ryan to visit Turkey.

Ilkin later addressed Chicago University where he described Turkey. Ilkin responded to the questions of audiences and met with representatives of Turkish student associations.

[08] TURKMEN NATURAL GAS PIPELINE PROJECT

A.A correspondent was told that East-West energy corridor, formed with Ankara Declaration which was signed by Presidents of five countries, was envisaged to be used for Turkmen-Turkey natural gas pipeline project and Baku-Ceyhan crude oil pipeline project.

Feasibility study was made and environmental effect evaluation report was prepared for Baku-Ceyhan project and the most appropriate route was chosen.

Turkey, who favored usage of this route as energy corridor, foresees Turkmen Project to use the same route after Caspian sea passage, reach Turkish territories and link with Eastern Anatolia natural gas transmittal line in Erzurum-Horasan.

The financial talks are planned to start in July 1999, pipeline fitting to start in the third quarter of the year 2000 and implementation of the pipeline is planned to start by mid 2003. The period envisaged by the consortium who made an agreement with Turkmen side covers 28 months.

Turkey prefers the consortium to construct and operate pipeline till to the Georgian-Turkish border and wants state-run Turkish pipeline company Botas to construct the part which is from the border till to Horasan and its linking with Eastern Anatolian natural gas transmittal line.

Under the protocol signed by Turkey and Turkmenistan on October 5 forseeing purchase of 16 billion cubic meters natural gas, the sides will provide natural gas transportation with a long term ''Natural Gas Purchase and Selling Agreement'' and in the possible soonest time will prepare and sign ''Pipeline Agreement.''

[09] GENERAL KILIC, AIR FORCES COMMANDER: ''OUR THREE CARGO PLANES LEFT FOR TIRANA YESTERDAY, ANOTHER ONE WILL LEAVE TODAY''

General Kılıc told A.A correspondent that Greece has opened her air space to Turkish cargo planes for the first time, ''our planes brought 36 tons of food and medicine of Red Crescent to Albania. We don't have any difficulty in transportation of aid to Tirana.

As long as the Red Crescent wishes, our cargo planes will go on transporting humanitarian aid. Greece doesn't cause any difficulty regarding this issue,'' he added.

Responding to a question about the passage of Russian war ships through the Straits, General Kılıc said ''Montreux Treaty will be applied. Russia had earlier informed us about the war ships she would send to the region. There is not any problem about the passage of the war ships at the moment. They will pass through the straits as long as they notify us and as long as the conditions permit.''

The humanitarian aid is transported by C-130 and C-160 type military cargo ships to Tirana.

[10] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''RUSSIAN NAVY'S ENTRANCE TO MEDITERRANEAN OR MAYBE TO ADRIATIC SEA CAN RECOVER SERBIAN MORALE''

Responding to questions of journalists, Premier Ecevit said that ''according to the rules of the Montreux Treaty, war ships can pass through the straits if they notify the Turkish officials about it earlier. There isn't anything to say in respect of law. However I hoped that Russia had acted in a different way in order to persuade Serbians to act humanely.''

When asked whether or not this initiative of Russia would escalate tension, Ecevit said ''I think it will escalate the tension and I am worried about it.''

''Is there any suggestion from NATO,'' asked a journalist to Ecevit, who replied by saying that ''I don't think so.''

[11] CHINESE PARLIAMENT SPEAKER'S VISIT TO ISTANBUL

DEIK said in a written statement that Yavuz Onay, the Chairman of the Turkish-Chinese Business Council, Husamettin Kavi, the Chairman of the Executive Board of Istanbul Industry Chamber and DEIK member and Germiyan Saatcıoglu on behalf of Koc Holding will visit the guest Chinese Parliament Speaker Peng on April 3 at Cıragan Palace.

[12] TURK, NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER: ''RUSSIAN SHIPS WILL BE CAREFULLY MONITORED''

Responding to questions of journalists about the developments in Kosovo, Turk stated that the NATO operation has broadened, adding ''Serbs didn't soften their attitude. The efforts of Russian Prime Minister didn't give a result. Serbs insist on their former attitude and tend to a very limited reconciliation. The aim of NATO is to urge the Serbs to accept a peace based on autonomy in Kosovo and to end genocide movement there. I hope Russia will contribute to Kosovo issue in respect of peace.''

[13] CEM, FOREIGN MINISTER: ''AN EXPERIENCED CAPTAIN IS NECESSARY FOR TURKEY IN STORMY WATERS''

Addressing to people in a meeting held by his party in Develi county of Kayseri province, Foreign Minister Cem stated that Turkey closely monitors the developments in Kosovo and she is one of the effective countries of NATO.

''A genocide has started to be committed against muslim Albanians and Turks of Kosovo. Turkey continues to protect our people in Kosovo and acts for the benefit of Kosovonian people by her national identity, which is close to Kosovo,'' said Cem, adding that the biggest chance of Turkey is having an experienced prime minister like Bulent Ecevit in such a dangerous and chaotic world atmosphere.

[14] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT HOLDS A PRESS BRIEFING: ''ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA DON'T HAVE POWER TO MEET VITAL NEEDS OF THOUSANDS OF KOSOVONIANS''

Addressing a press briefing, Bulent Ecevit said that thousands of Kosovonian immigrants applied to Albania and Macedonia as they are forced to leave their homes.

Noting that while Turkey's assistance to Macedonia continues, she also helps Albania, Ecevit said that ''four cargo planes belonging to the air forces transported humanitarian aid to Tirana, the capital of Albania yesterday.'' Ecevit said a cargo plane will also leave for Tirana today and six TIRs of the Red Crescent left for Tirana carrying 110 tons of various aid stuff.

Responding to questions, Ecevit said that ''prevention of the passage of Russian war planes from straits is not permitted under the Montreux Treaty. As you know, their passage is free unless they earlier notify Turkish officials about it. The political aspect and legal aspect of the issue are different. I am worried about the possibility that the entrance of Russian fleet to Mediterranean and even Adriatic Sea can encourage Serb people who commit genocide in Kosovo. In that respect I think that the timing of Russia is unlucky. But we can't prevent them from crossing the Straits. There are definite provisions about this issue in the Montreux Treaty.''

When asked whether or not Turkey will take initiatives to stop illegal broadcasts of Med-TV, the mouthpiece of the terrorist PKK, Ecevit said yes.

[15] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT HOLDS A PRESS BRIEFING - GOVERNMENT TAKES SEVERAL MEASURES TO REVIVE AUTOMOTIVE AND TOURISM SECTOR

Prime Minister Ecevit stated that foreign touristic tour firms try to prevent tourist flow to Turkey by showing few terroristic activities in Turkey.

Addressing a press briefing, Bulent Ecevit said that the automotive sector has effected from the economic crisis in the world in a considerable extent, adding ''besides the interest in imported cars negatively effects our native automotive industry.''

Noting that the tourism sector faces a difficult problem, Ecevit said that Turkey has installed security particularly in touristic regions by taking effective measures.

Stressing that the number of terrorist activities that take place in touristic places are very limited, Ecevit said that ''we've started a promotion campaign directed towards countries which send many tourists to Turkey. We try to explain the real situation in Turkey. This has been effective in a certain degree.''

Prime Minister Ecevit said that the tax on purchase of additional vehicle decreased to 6 percent which will be valid between the dates of April 1, 1999 and June 30, 1999.

Referring to measures taken in tourism sector, Prime Minister Ecevit said that the fee received from tourists coming to Turkey by Charters at the Turkish airports decreased by 25 percent. Ecevit added that the prices of the fuel sold to Charters coming to Turkey are foreseen to be reduced.

[16] ITC SPOKESMAN: ''PREVENTING MED-TV'S ILLEGAL BROADCASTS IS NOT ITC'S MISSION''

Responding to questions concerning the issue, ITC spokesman said that they are not informed about the issue, but if this is true, it is the task of the British Ministry of Industry and Commerce to investigate the issue.

''If Med-TV broadcasts, this is an illegal broadcast and is one without license and it is not important from where it is broadcasted,'' the Spokesman said, adding if the concerned ministry receives such information, it will have the right to file a suit against Med-TV.

[17] TURKISH LANGUAGE ACCEPTED AS COMPULSORY COURSE FOR TURKS STUDYING IN BULGARIAN SCHOOLS

The draft law prepared by the Bulgarian Ministry of Education transforms ''mother tongue'' courses from ''elective'' status to ''compulsory'' one.

If the draft law is also approved by the Bulgarian parliament, the ethnic groups' children living in the country will learn their mother tongue as compulsory courses at schools starting from 1999-2000 education year.

At the time being, ''mother tongue'' courses are elective and instructed for two hours a week.

[18] HASIPOGLU, TRNC PARLIAMENT SPEAKER: ''EOKA IDEALS ARE STILL ALIVE''

Issuing a message upon the foundation of EOKA, the Greek Cypriot terrorist organization, Hasipoglu said that installation of permanent peace on the island gets difficult everyday in such an atmosphere where EOKA ideals are still kept alive.

Noting that Turkish Cypriot people launched resolved efforts to prevent unification of the island with Greece in 1950s, Hasipoglu said that ''our people still resist such ideals today.''

Hasipoglu commemorated the Turkish Cypriot and martyries who struggled against EOKA violence.

The Greek Cypriot administration celebrates the 44th foundation of the EOKA terrorist organization which started to act on April 1, 1955 by killing Turkish people in order to unite the island with Greece.

[19] BAYAR, MINISTER OF INTERIOR: ''PHOTOS OF 'ALIVE BOMBS' WHO CAN ENTER PROVINCES OF TURKEY DISTRIBUTED TO ALL SECURITY UNITS''

Responding to questions of journalists, Bayar stated that the security forces have received information on time saying that several young terrorists trained abroad in order to stage bomb attacks in Turkey, came to Turkey.

''The events that took place till today were overcome at the minumum damage. These young people who are trained abroad are our children,'' he added.

Responding to questions about the operations staged against Hezboullah, an illegal terrorist organization, Bayar said that the operations staged against this organization have started to give good results.

Noting that Antalya is one of the important tourism centres of Turkey, Bayar said that the number of tourists coming to Antalya in first three months of this year increased by 15 percent compared to the same period last year.

''These are positive developments, all of our security units are alarmed in touristic places. I don't think there will be any bad event from now on,'' he said.

[20] GERMAN PROSECUTION STARTS AN INVESTIGATION ABOUT 224 SUPPORTERS OF TERRORIST PKK WHO STAGED ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES IN FRANKFURT

The Frankfurt Prosecution started the investigation about 23 people who occupied Greek Consulate in Frankfurt, 11 people who occupied Kenyan Tourism Consultation Office and took four officials refugee there in order to disturb the public order.

The German Prosecution stated that two people whose residence addresses are not known, are kept under custody and and a suit will be filed against all these people soon.

Bernd Rauchhaus, the German Prosecutor said that the names of more than half of the supporters of terrorist PKK have been determined and one of the socalled representatives of the terrorist PKK are among these people.

Officials said that an investigation is underway about the other 190 demonstrators who were supporters of the terrorist PKK and who were encircled by police during the occupation of Greek Consulate on February 16.

[21] CORANDIS, NEW GREEK AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY ARRIVES IN TURKEY

Corandis, who worked as the Chief of the Balkan Desk in Greek Foreign Ministry for the last two years, had earlier been the Greek Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

A definite date has not been determined about the submission of credentials by Corandis to President Suleyman Demirel.

The new appointment of Dimitris Nezeritis, the former Greek Ambassador to Turkey has not been realized yet.

A.A

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