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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-05-12Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>AA Daily12 May 1999 WednesdayCONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on May 12, 1999. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)YILMAZ, LEADER OF ANAP: ''IF HALIDE EDIP PUT OFF HER OUTER GARMENT, MERVEWILL ALSO TAKE HERS OFF'' Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP), said that if Halide Edip Adivar, a woman parliamentarian who entered the parliament without wearing a headscarf in 1950s, could put off her carsaf, a garment covering a woman from her head to foot in the Ottoman Empire period, Merve Kavakci, the woman deputy from the Virtue Party (FP) who came to the parliamentary general assembly wearing a headscarf, will also take hers off. Yilmaz noted that he did not know that Kavakci would come to the general assembly and that to this end, he was unprepared for such situation. OTTOMAN WORKS IN AUCTION SHOCK IN THE REPORT MILLIYET (LIBERAL)MERVE IS AMERICANOfficials, speaking about the application of Turkey to the U.S. for Merve Kavakci, Virtue Party (FP) Istanbul Deputy, said Kavakci carried the U.S. citizen passport due to her former husband. As a result of the observations, it was reported that ''Merve Kavakci is not the only U.S. citizen in the Parliament.'' FIVE CANDIDATES TO BE PARLIAMENT SPEAKER SABAH (LIBERAL) DEMIREL: ''HEADSCARF ISSUE IS THE SENSITIVITY OF THE CRISIS WITH IRAN CUMHURIYET (LEFT)POLICE ORGANIZATION REPORT: ''IRAN IS THE SUPPORTER OF TERRORISM''The Police Organization issued a report in which it declared the attacks of Iran which are carried out by fundemantalist and terrorist organizations. The report said that the leaders of the terrorist organization PKK, Hezbollah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad Organization participated in the terrorist meetings which were headed by Ali Fallahiyan, the head of the Iranian secret service. The report noted that Iran met the costs of the terrorist attacks by the incomes of drug and arms smuggling. Iran supported the PKK by some services including education, camp, sheltering, health, weapons, ammunition and logistic support. The report stated that Iran considered supporting the fundemantalism in Turkey as the last step following the collapse of the PKK. SEAWOLF-99 MANOEUVRES RADIKAL (LEFT)IT IS NOT EASY WITH MHPDSP-MHP-ANAP formula get knotted in turban question. Prime Minister Ecevit is thoughtful. The coalition with MHP, which was thought to be easy at the begining, enters into a deadlock with the insistency of MHP to lift turban ban in universities. TURKISH FRONT FOR KOSOVO YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)MINISTER BARGAININGPrime Minister Bulent Ecevit prepared the proposal he will present to his future partners. A total of 12 chairs will be given to Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and 8 to the Motherland Party (ANAP) in the cabinet which has 36 ministries. Ecevit puts forward five conditions to the partners without concesssion. These are recruiting civil servants by Center for Student Selection and Placement (OSYM), Government partners should openly put the attitude they will cover in ''Islamic Patterns'' to the protocol. Continuation of the line which has been covered in privatization and diplomacy so far. Continuation of eight years compulsory education. Education in the universities without turban. TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)CINDORUK, LEADER OF DTP, RESIGNS FROM HIS OFFICEHusamettin Cindoruk, the leader of the Democratic Turkey Party (DTP), resigned from his office because he considered himself responsible from the failure in the April 18 local and general elections. FIRST INVESTIGATION IN FP TODAY ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)SAVAS, CHIEF PROSECUTOR, INSISTENT ON BEING STRICTVural Savas, Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme Court of Appeals, defended his words ''vampire'' and the ''malignant tumour'' and showed that he did not step back from his strictness. Savas said he had the right to make every kind of comparisons to help both citizens and the constitutional court to better understand the truth of the matter. ''SOUR'' RELATIONS WITH IRAN [02] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS HIS PARTY DOES NOT INTERFERE WITH PARLIAMENT CHAIRMANSHIP ELECTIONSANKARA, May 12 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Tuesday that his party did not interfere with the Parliament Chairmanship elections.When asked if the parties reached an agreement on a candidate, Ecevit stated he definitely did not discuss this issue with other parties. Ecevit said he will not take long to start his second round of meetings with party leaders and he denied rumours that he had some contacts with the True Path Party (DYP). The Prime Minister stated that he and Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, discussed developments in foreign relations on Tuesday. When the reporters asked Ecevit what he thought about the statements of Vural Savas, the Chief Prosecutor, the Prime Minister said ''I don't get involved in that.'' [03] PROF. SAYLAN, CHAIRWOMAN OF SUPPORT FOR MODERN LIFE ASSOCIATION: ''DEMOCRACY DOESN'T MEAN EVERYONE CAN DO WHATEVER SHE LIKES ANYTIME ANYWHERE''ISTANBUL, May 12 (A.A) - Prof. Turkan Saylan, Chairwoman of Support for Modern Life (CYDD) Association said on Tuesday that Turkish Republic was a modern, secular and democratic state and added ''Democracy doesn't mean everyone can do whatever she likes anytime anywhere. Democracy is a system of rules and anyone who doesn't obey those rules is an anarchist'' at an open air meeting in Istanbul on Tuesday.Prof. Saylan reminded that every individual has three spheres in life; private, social and public. Prof. Saylan said the Parliament is the most respectable one of the public areas. ''The deputies get their salaries from the taxes that people pay. They have to obey laws. Nobody should think the Parliament is a picnic field,'' Prof.Saylan continued. Mentioning the protests in Iran, Prof. Saylan pointed out that they were trying to cause confusions on the concept of freedom in Turkey. Noone has any problem with covering her head in her private or social life, she added. [04] AID CAMPAIGNS CONTINUE FOR REFUGEES IN TURKEYANKARA, May 12 (A.A) - Participations in aid campaigns continue to help Kosovar refugees who found shelter in Turkey, it was reported on Wednesday.A total of 900 million Turkish Liras were collected in Rize's Ikizdere county. The campaign will last until the end of May. Police officers of Tekirday Security Directorate sent new clothes to refugees. In Isparta, people who are employed by the National Education donated 5 billion 600 million Turkish Liras for the Kosovars. Also civilians in Isparta collected 18 billion 742 million Turkish Liras cash as well as food and other aid materials worth of 6.5 billion Turkish Liras for the refugees. [05] BOJANE REFUGEE CAMP RUN BY TURKISH RED CRESCENT IS MACEDONIA'S ONLY CAMP THAT OFFERS FOOD THREE TIMES A DAY AND HAS A KINDERGARTENANKARA, May 12 (A.A) - Preparations have been completed to raise the living conditions in Bojane camp area, in Macedonia, which is managed by the Turkish Red Crescent, it was reported on Tuesday.The needs and problems of over four thousand refugees are determined by a representative delegation that was elected by the refugees. Kizilay offers food to refugees three times a day. Showers, toilets and laundry services are also provided in the camp. Health service is available for 24 hours for the refugees. The refugees were also given sleeping bags and kitchen utensils besides basic food and cleaning materials. All children refugees benefit from the school that was opened with UNICEF's cooperation. There is also a kindergarten in the camp. Bojane camp is the only camp in Macedonia that offers food three times a day and has a kindergarten. [06] STANDARD AND POOR'S TO CLOSELY FOLLOW NEW GOVERNMENT'S ECONOMIC POLICIESNEW YORK, May 12 (A.A) - Marie Cavanaugh, Chief of Turkey Desk of the U.S. rating institution Standard and Poor's said they will closely follow the new government's economy policies, it was reported on Tuesday.Cavanaugh who spoke at ''Turkish Financial Markets'' pointed out that Turkey's credit grade which was ''BBB-Stable'' , 1992 was reduced to ''B- Stable'' today. The criterion considered by Standard and Poor's include the country's capacity to pay back its loans, political factors, economic structure, growth capacity, payment balance, stability of prices. Yavuz Canevi, former Head of the Turkish Central Bank, will also deliver an important speech in the seminar. [07] NATO'S REQUEST FROM TURKEY FOR THE USE OF AIR BASES - FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT: ''NATO MILITARY AUTHORITIES CONTACTED WITH THE ALLIES AND TURKEY THROUGH GENERAL STAFF IN CONNECTION WITH NATO'S NEED FOR EXTRA BASES''ANKARA, May 12 (A.A) - Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that NATO military authorities contacted with Turkey through the canal of General Staff in connection with NATO's need for extra bases and airports within the context of air operation against Yugoslavia.A Foreign Ministry statement said: ''NATO military authorities contacted with the allies and with Turkey within the framework of efforts carried out by NATO in the context of Kosovo crisis to meet the need for extra bases and airports. As a preparation, getting required Council of Ministers Decision is needed, and General Staff is given the right of application.'' The statement said NATO had not made any request for the use of specific bases, nor did it qualify how they would be used or for how many planes. The statement said technical aspects related with the operation is under the authorization of General Staff according to the Decision of Council of Ministers. [08] BAYAR, DIRECTOR OF PRIVATIZATION ADMINISTRATION: - ''PRIVATIZATION IS THE JOB OF STABLE GOVERNMENTS''NEW YORK, May 12 (A.A) - Ugur Bayar, the Director of Privatization Administration, said on Wednesday that the privatization is the job of the stable governments which can rule the country three or four years in Turkey; adding that privatization should be realized in Turkey.Bayar told A.A correspondent that that many companies including iron and steel companies, tourism companies, insurance companies, and Turk Telekom, the communication company, are ready to be sold in the last six months. Pointing out that the new government should inform the society about the social dimension of privatization, Bayar stated that the workers who will be dismissed from their jobs should be informed about the reason of their dismissals and about the new job opportunities. Recalling that the people who are dismissed are paid their salaries for eight or ten months, Bayar said that this was not enough and that educational programmes should be applied to make these people earn their livings by small and medium scale enterprises. Bayar said, ''we should show people that we can return the deduction from the expenditure and stagnation in public sector and the revenues from privatization to the public by re-growth in economy and employment in three years. Then, we can give a hope for the people who are dismissed from their jobs.'' [09] A TOTAL OF 78 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAPTURED IN GEBZE COUNTY OF NORTHWESTERN KOCAELI PROVINCEKOCAELI, May 12 (A.A) - A total of 78 illegal immigrants, including Afghanistanis, Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis were captured in Gebze county of northwestern Kocaeli province on Wednesday.The security forces were informed by some drivers that many people were walking beside the highway and the TEM motorway at about 2.30 a.m on Wednesday morning. The security forces then detained 78 persons, and it was revealed that that these persons were the illegal immigrants who entered into Turkey from Dogubeyazit border gate and that they wanted to go to Istanbul during their interrogation. The captured immigrants said in their interrogation that they were a total of 150 persons and that they got out of the buses because they thought that they reached Istanbul; adding that the other 72 people managed to reach Istanbul. The security forces said that the illegal immigrants will be deported following their interrogation and that they will launch initiatives to capture the other 72 immigrants in Istanbul. [10] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAYS HIS PARTY DOES NOT INTERFERE WITH PARLIAMENT SPEAKERSHIP ELECTIONSANKARA, May 12 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Tuesday that his party did not interfere with the Parliament Speakership elections.When asked if the parties reached an agreement on a candidate, Ecevit stated he definitely did not discuss this issue with other parties. Ecevit said he will not take long to start his second round of meetings with party leaders and he denied rumours that he had some contacts with the True Path Party (DYP). The Prime Minister stated that he and Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, discussed developments in foreign relations on Tuesday. When the reporters asked Ecevit what he thought about Vural Savas, the Chief Prosecutor's statements, the Prime Minister said, ''I don't get involved in that.'' [11] USE OF AIR BASES IN TURKEY - PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''WE SHOULD ABIDE BY THE DECISIONS AS A NATO MEMBER COUNTRY''ANKARA, May 12 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Wednesday a decision has not been given regarding the usage of bases in Turkey in NATO operation towards Yugoslavia, adding that ''as a NATO member state, we should abide by the binding decisions of NATO.''When recalled the news reports that NATO authorities wanted to use the bases in Turkey during NATO operation, Ecevit said ''there is nothing I can add to the statement of Foreign Ministry. As a NATO member country, we should abide by the binding decisions of NATO. As far as I know, no certain decision has been given regarding the usage of air bases in Turkey. Yet, the sufficiency of the installations in regional countries are being observed.'' When asked if decision of parliament was required for the usage of bases in Turkey, Ecevit said, ''no. First, because we have an alliance with NATO; second, because necessary procedures have been made to this end. There is not any problem. Anyway, our planes are deployed in a base in Italy. Call for further detailed information from General Staff or Foreign Ministry.'' Responding to another question, Ecevit said it was not clear whether or not the planes which will take off from these bases will function with the aim logistic support or attack. [12] FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIALS TO VISIT GAP REGIONSANLIURFA, May 12 (A.A) - A delegation which will be formed by the high- ranking officials of the Foreign Ministry will go to southeastern Sanliurfa province to carry out researches in the Southeastern Anatolian Project (GAP) region; it was reported on Wednesday.The officials from the Directorate of GAP Regional Development Administration told A.A correspondent that the Foreign Ministry delegation will go to Sanliurfa on May 14, 1999. The delegation will start its contacts and researches from southeastern Mardin province and will visit Fikret Guven, Mardin Governor. The delegation will then hold researches in Mardin-CATOM (Multi-Purpose Society Centre) and Mardin-GIDEM (Entrepreneur Initiative Centre) and will return to Sanliurfa. The delegation will carry out researches in Ataturk Dam and meet with Sehabettin Harput, Sanliurfa Governor, and go to Harran county to get information from Koruklu Research Centre and the fields which are opened to irrigation. The delegation which will go to Halfeti to get information about the re- settlement of the population which was affected from Birecik Dam and the employment project, will depart from the region on May 17, 1999. [13] THE PLANES TO FLY OVER BULGARIA AND ROMANIA IN CASE A BASE IN TURKEY IS USED - U.S. PLEASED OVER TURKEY'S KOSOVO POLICYWASHINGTON D.C., May 12 (A.A) - Sources close to the U.S. administration said on Wednesday that the support Turkey expended to air operations of NATO against Yugoslavia was welcomed, adding that the air operations will be performed more effectively when Turkey and Hungary are also taken into consideration.It has been reported that NATO planes which will take off from a base in Turkey, in case the base is used in NATO operation following principle decision of Ankara, will perform their duties by passing through air spaces of Bulgaria and Romania. The U.S. F-15 and F-16 war planes are expected to be deployed in Turkey for Kosovo assignment if the plan becomes definite. Meanwhile, Greece does not participate in air operations of NATO against Yugoslavia and does not allow NATO to use its facilities and air space. NATO circles find this attitude of Greece as significant, against the close cooperation of Turkey. The U.S. and NATO sources said Turkey and Hungary were taken into consideration due to limited capacity in Aviano base in Italy. [14] U.S. CITIZENSHIP OF KAVAKCI, FP WOMAN DEPUTY - ATACANLI, DEPUTY FM SPOKESMAN: - ''IT IS REVEALED THAT KAVAKCI GAINED THE U.S. CITIZENSHIP BY TAKING AN OATH ON MARCH 5, 1999''ANKARA, May 12 (A.A) - Sermet Atacanli, the Deputy Foreign Ministry Spokesman, said on Wednesday that Merve Kavakci, the woman deputy of the Virtue Party (FP) who came to the parliamentary general assembly meeting wearing a headscarf, became a U.S. citizen by taking an oath on March 5, 1999.Responding a question, Atacanli noted that the U.S. Justice Ministry Citizenship Service Dallas Regional Office officials sent Turkey's Houston General Consulate the computer print-outs regarding the citizenship of Merve Kavakci. Noting that the print outs indicated that Merve Kavakci had gained the right to have a green card on May 2, 1992; Atacanli stated that Kavakci won the U.S. citizenship by taking an oath on May 5, 1999. Atacanli added that the Dallas Citizenship Office officials verbally confirmed all of this information about Kavakci. [15] WILSON, BRITISH TRADE MINISTER, IN ITO - YILDIRIM, ITO CHAIRMAN: - ''ITO IS TURKEY'S DOOR OPENING TO THE WORLD''ISTANBUL, May 12 (A.A) - Brian Wilson, British Trade Minister, visited Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) on Wednesday.Mehmet Yildirim, the Chairman of ITO Executive Board, said that ITO is Turkey's door opening to the world. Recalling the activities of ITO in international platform, Yildirim noted that Britain is the second trading ally of Turkey in Europe, following Germany. Noting that the initiatives to set up a centre in London to contribute to the improvement of trade between the two countries are underway, Yildirim stated that Turkey have some difficulties in marketing, not in production and that they believe that Turkey can find trading allies in London. Recalling that nearly 20 new countries are established in the region where Turkey is situated, Yildirim stressed that Turkey set up close commercial and cultural ties with these countries following the collapse of former Sovıet Unıon but that Turkish private sector is not financially sufficient to have cooperation with these countries. Yildirim added that Turkey can have cooperation with Britain, the finance power of which is very satisfying, in realizing investments in such countries. Brian Wilson said that his visit to Turkey indicated that his country attributes importance to the commercial relations with Turkey, adding that he was accompanied by very important businessmen in his visit to Turkey. Stressing that they consider Turkey among ten developing markets, Wilson noted that they are waiting for the suggestions of ITO to increase the trade between Turkey and Britain. David Logan, Britain Ambassador to Ankara, Peter Hunt, Britain Chief Councellor to Istanbul and many British businessmen participated in the meeting. [16] 87TH ILO WORKING CONFERENCE TO CONVENE IN GENEVA BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND 17ANKARA, May 12 (A.A) - The 87th International Labour Organization (ILO) Working Conference will convene in Geneva between June 1 and 17, 1999; it was reported on Wednesday.This year's agenda will include the conventions on the protection of the child labour and the protection of motherhood as they were discussed in the last year's conference. The Labour and Social Security Minister, on behalf of the government, the Confederation of Turkish Employers' Unions (TISK), on behalf of the employers, and Turkish Trade Unions Federation (Turk-Is), on behalf of workers, will participate in the conference. The Confederation of Revolutionary Workers' Unions (DISK) and Hak-Is will participate in the conference as observers. [17] LEADING NAMES IN ECONOMY TO GO TO PARIS TO GIVE A FINAL SHAPE TO TURKEY REPORTANKARA, May 12 (A.A) - A delegation which is headed by Orhan Guvenen, the State Planning Institute (DPT) Undersecretary, will go to Paris this weekend to participate in the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) meetings to give a final shape to the Report on Turkey.The delegation which will give her first serious examination prior to IMF meeting, will attend the consultation meetings about the Turkish economy next week and will give information about the latest developments in economy. The OECD officials who will give the final shape to the Report on Turkey following the consultations, are expected to issue the report in July. The OECD officials had gave importance to the issues about the implementation of Tax Reform and the business life in Turkey in their visit to Turkey in previous months. [18] TARTAN, MINISTER OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY : ''A EUROPE WITHOUT TURKEY CANNOT BE THOUGHT OF, SOONER OR LATER EUROPE WILL REALIZE THIS''ANKARA, May 12 (A.A) - Hakan Tartan, the Minister of Labour and Social Security stated on Wednesday that Turkey must hold a EU membership of equal status with other countries and added that ''a Europe without Turkey cannot be thought of'', at an international Relations Seminar organized by TURK-IS and Middle East Technical University (ODTU) on Wednesday.''A different alternative for membership would be unjust. The incidents we are witnessing show that Turkey acts like a fuse in the region. EU must see this. A Europe without Turkey cannot be thought of. Sooner or later Europe will realize this,'' Tartan said. A universal and continious peace can only be built on social justice, this is the basic principle of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Tartan stressed and added that Turkey approved 38 out of 181 labour agreements accepted by the ILO to standardize working conditions in Turkey. All seven agreements which are considered basic by the ILO were approved by Turkey. The Minister said Turkey also participates in some activities in the labour field with the Council of Europe and OECD. One of Turkey's biggest problems is insufficient promotion, Tartan stated and added that the Ministry of Tourism was working hard in this field. Labour unions, artists, journalists and scientists also have big responsibility in Turkey's promotion abroad. Bayram Meral, TURK-IS Chairman, who also spoke at the seminar, pointed out that the labour unions do not only sign labour agreements but also closely follow the development of labour unions around the world and bring solutions to them. TURK-IS takes part in the administrative councils of several international labour unions and thus contribute to the development of international relations, Meral added. Meral stressed that the biggest problem they faced in the international relations was the current Constitution and some labour regulations which came into effect after September 12. ''For years, Turkey has been opening its doors to Europe, but Europe closes its doors to Turkey which is the only secular and democratic country in the region and this causes a discomfort,'' Meral said and added that the new Parliament must bring solutions to the problems Turkey faces in the international field. [19] MERVE KAVAKCI'S U.S. CITIZENSHIP - KAVAKCI BECOMES U.S. CITIZEN AFTER HER PARTY SUBMITS CANDIDATE LIST TO SUPREME BOARD OF ELECTIONSANKARA, May 12 (A.A) - Merve Kavakcı, a deputy of the Virtue Party (FP) who couldn't take an oath at the parliamentary general council, became a U.S. citizen nine days after her party submitted the candidate list to the Supreme Board of Elections, it is reported on Wednesday.FP submitted the list of candidates to Supreme Board of Elections till February 24, 1999 just like other parties. Merve Kavakcı, who acquired the right of getting ''green card'' in 1992 and who officially became an American citizen on March 5, 1999 by taking an oath, was elected as a deputy from Istanbul. Kavakcı entered the parliament on May 2 to take an oath by wearing a headscarf and she left the parliament due to the protest of the Democratic Left Party (DSP). President Suleyman Demirel evaluated the headscarf crisis in the parliament by saying that Merve Kavakcı was an agent provocator. Meanwhile, Vural Savas, the Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme Court of Appeals applied to the Constitutional Court saying that Virtue Party is successor of the banned Welfare Party (RP) and the center of anti- secularist activities. After the headscarf crisis in the parliament, it has been found out that Merve Kavakcı talked against Turkey in her speeches in meetings held by fundamentalists in the U.S. Kavakcı accepted in a private Turkish television channel that she is an American citizen, but didn't give further details about it. Demonstrations were held in Teheran, the capital of Iran supporting Merve Kavakcı. Iranian media also supported Merve Kavakcı, while it also increased its broadcasts against Turkey. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit reacted against the demonstration held in Iran and the Foreign Ministry summoned Iranian Ambassador to the Ministry. The part of the oath Merve Kavakcı took to become an American citizen is as follows: ''I hereby declare on oath that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen, that I will support and defend the constitution and the laws of the United States of America against all enemies foreign and domestic.'' [20] ATACANLI, FM DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''TURKEY HAS TO ABIDE WITH HER OBLIGATIONS STEMMING FROM NATO MEMBERSHIP''ANKARA, May 12 (A.A) - Sermet Atacanlı, the Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman said on Wednesday that Turkey has to abide with her obligations stemming from NATO membership.Addressing a weekly press briefing, Atacanlı responded to questions about the U.S.'s demand of using airbases in Turkey. Recalling the statement issued by the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday, Atacanlı said that there are contacts held between Turkey and the NATO military officials about this issue. Pointing out that NATO didn't ask for an official request regarding such details as how many aircrafts will be deployed and the airbases where they will deployed, Atacanlı said that ''there are no details, but there are preliminary and planning studies carried out about this issue. After these studies, the U.S. will make an official demand, and we'll evaluate this demand.'' Noting that the authority given by the Council of Ministers to the General Staff is related to ''implementation,'' Atacanlı recalled the statements of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit about the issue. Prime Minister Ecevit told the same day that ''we are a NATO member and have to abide with the binding decisions of NATO.'' The Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Tuesday about the issue saying ''NATO military authorities contacted with the allies and with Turkey within the framework of efforts carried out by NATO in the context of Kosovo crisis to meet the need for extra bases and airports. As a preparation, getting required Council of Ministers Decision is needed, and General Staff is given the right of application.'' [21] AGREEMENT SIGNED WITH TURKMENISTAN FOR PURCHASE OF 750 KILOWATT/HR ELECTRICITY YEARLYANKARA, May 12 (A.A) - The agreement regarding the purchase of yearly 750 kilowatt/hr electricity from Turkmenistan between 2000 and 2006 was signed in Ankara on Wednesday. Zeki Koseoglu, TEAS Chairman and Saparmurat Nuriyev, Turkmen Deputy Chairman and Minister of Energy signed the agreement.Ziya Aktas, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, said they have reached the last stage of meetings on the transfer of Turkmenistan natural gas to Europe via Turkey. The meetings will be finalized within a week. Recep Bay Arozov, the Turkmen Minister of Oil and Natural Gas, has been in Ankara for two days, and he is expected to stay in Ankara until the meetings end. Aktas said that the electricity purchased from Turkmenistan will be used to strengthen and support the electricity power in East and Southeast Turkey. Nuriyev pointed out that the agreement will intensify relations between Turkey and Turkmenistan. The Minister also said they were very happy to see Turkish investments in Turkmenistan. Koseoglu reminded that Turkey currently purchases electricity from Bulgaria, Iran, and Georgia. ''TEAS is planning to produce 118 billion kilowatt/hr electricity this year. We will balance this with our export,'' Koseoglu pointed out. According to the agreement signed between Turkey and Turkmenistan, Turkey will buy 750 million kilowatt/hr electricity yearly from Turkmenistan between 2000 and 2006. The electricity will be brought to Van's Baskale county through the existing transfer lines and then will be used in Eastern and South Eastern Turkey. The agreement will take effect next year. The unit price of the Turkmen electricity will be determined within a month. New lines must be built in Turkey for a wider usage of this electricity and TEAS will open a tender for this purpose next week. [22] U.S. CITIZENSHIP OF MERVE KAVAKCI - PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''WE ENCOUNTER TOTALLY AN ILLEGAL SITUATION''ANKARA, May 12 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Wednesday that Merve Kavakcı's taking an oath to become the U.S. citizen while preparing to take an oath in the parliament to be a deputy can't be accepted, adding ''we encounter totally an illegal situation. In this situation, even if she takes off her headscarf, in my opinion it is not legally possible for her to be a deputy.''Responding to questions of journalists asking whether or not the U.S. citizenship of Kavakcı will prevent her from taking an oath in the parliament, Ecevit said ''as you know, the applications of candidates have become definite on February 24, 1999. On March 5, 1999 Kavakcı became a U.S. citizen, which is not acceptable. Even if there is an agreement on dual citizenship between Turkey and the U.S., those who will have dual citizenship have to get the permission of Turkey. This permission has not also been taken.'' Responding to a question about the news published claiming that there are other deputies in the parliament who are also U.S. citizens, Ecevit said that ''same principles will be applied to them without making a discrimination. But we can't say anything unless these claims are proved.'' Prime Minister Ecevit said that they will bring this issue to the agenda of the Council of Ministers. Responding to another question about the news saying that Hursit Tolon, the Commander of the 15th army corps was authorized by the Council of Ministers regarding the trial of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief terrorist on Imralı island, Ecevit said that ''justice is independent in Turkey and we'll act according to the verdict that will be given by the judiciary organs.'' ''Nowadays people speak about government formulas without the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), is this correct?'' asked journalists to Ecevit who said ''your curiosity will end within few days.'' [23] HIKMET SAMI TURK, NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER: ''IT IS NATURAL THAT TURKEY WHICH HAS BEEN SUPPORTING NATO'S OPERATION IN KOSOVO SINCE ITS BEGINNING, RECEIVED NATO'S REQUEST TO USE TURKISH BASES POSITIVELY''ANKARA, May 12 (A.A) - Hikmet Sami Turk, the National Defense Minister said it is very natural that Turkey which has been supporting NATO's operation in Kosovo since its beginning, received NATO's request to use Turkish bases positively, it was reported on Wednesday.Turk returned to Turkey from Germany's Bremen city where he went to attend the Western European Union's Ministers meeting. Turk told reporters at Ankara's Esenboga Airport that during the meetings in Bremen, European security and defense was discussed prior to Koln Summit of the EU. The Minister said Turkey's view on these subjects are similar to those of the European countries. During the unofficial meeting of defense ministers, Turk said, the Balkan crisis was also discussed. ''In my speech, I stated that Turkey finds the ethnic cleansing carried out by Yugoslavian security forces very worrying, and strongly condemns it,'' Turk said. All western countries must find an urgent solution to the refugee problem and NATO should continue its air operations until it reaches its goal, Turk stated during the meetings. ''In the Bremen Statement, NATO and EU expressed full support and cooperation on Kosovo issue. They also support efforts to prevent entrance of weapons and oil to Yugoslavia,'' Turk continued. Turk noted that Europe was about to witness important developments in security and defense fields, and added that Turkey was willing and ready to participate in these efforts. A.A Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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