Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-06-30

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AA Daily

30 June 1999 Wednesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: - ''I AM OPTIMISTIC ABOUT IMF DELEGATION'S CONTACTS''

[03] ILKIN, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO THE U.S., RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS OF CNN CORRESPONDENT ABOUT CAPITAL PUNISHMENT GIVEN TO OCALAN

[04] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: - ''WAR IN KOSOVO WAS WON, NOW IT IS TIME TO ATTAIN PEACE''

[05] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM AND HIS GREEK COUNTERPART PAPANDREU TO COME TOGETHER ON WEDNESDAY

[06] SANBERK, TURKEY'S AMBASSADOR SPEAKS TO CANAL 4 - ''KURDS HAVE EVERY KIND OF CITIZENSHIP RIGHTS IN TURKEY''

[07] LEADER OF VIRTUE PARTY, KUTAN: ''WE RESPECT COURT DECISION, IT WAS A DECISION THAT WAS EXPECTED BY PEOPLE''

[08] US: ''OCALAN WAS TRIED ACCORDING TO LAW''

[09] PRESIDENT DEMIREL OPENS ''WAR AND PEACE: OTTOMAN-POLISH RELATIONS IN 15TH-19TH CENTURY'' EXHIBITION - DEMIREL: ''21ST CENTURY WILL BE THE CULTURAL ERA''

[10] GIANT ORGANIZATION FOR OSCE SUMMIT TO BE HELD IN ISTANBUL

[11] IMPORTANT INVESTMENTS WAIT FOR INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION - A SERIES OF IMPORTANT INVESTMENT PROJECTS WILL BE COMPLETED WITHIN THE PLANNED TIME WITH OPERATION OF ARBITRATION COMMITTEE MECHANISM WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE ISSUED WITH SEVERAL CHANGES IN THE CONSTITUTION

[12] TURKEY AND CUBA SIGNS TOURISM AND CULTURE AGREEMENT

[13] U.S. CONSULATES IN ISTANBUL AND ADANA ARE CLOSED TEMPORARILY

[14] U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL APPOINTS ANNAN TO CALL DENKTAS AND CLERIDES FOR MEETING IN FALL

[15] SAVAS, REPUBLICAN PROSECUTOR OF SUPREME COURT: - ''I WILL OBSERVE THE OCALAN'S DOSSIER AS SOON AS IT IS SUBMITTED TO THE SUPREME COURT''

[16] CUBA DELEGATION VISITS THE TOBB - TOKAT,SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE TOBB: - ''TURKISH AND CUBAN BUSINESS CIRCLES SHOULD IMPROVE ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL RELATIONS'' - OTHON, CUBAN MINISTER OF LIGHT INDUSTRY: - ''TURKEY AND CUBA CAN COOPERATE IN MANY FIELDS''

[17] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS RECEIVES RANTZAU, GERMAN SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO CYPRUS, AND BLOMBERG, UNDERSECRETARY OF FINNISH FOREIGN MINISTRY

[18] DENKTAS, PRESIDENT OF TRNC: - ''WE DON'T ACCEPT THE U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL'S DECISIONS'' - ''I CAN MEET WITH SECRETARY GENERAL. NO GROUND DOES EXIST FOR A MEETING WITH CLERIDES''

[19] SANBERK, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO BRITAIN, N SKY-TV: - ''IT IS WRONG TO PUT THE KURDISH ORIGIN CITIZENS LIVING IN TURKEY, AND THE PKK INTO THE SAME BOX'' - ''THIS TRIAL IS REGARDED WITH SERIOUS CRIMES COMMITTED BY A PARTICULAR PERSON''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

CHRIST'S 2000TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED IN ANTAKYA
St.Petrus and St.Paulus days were celebrated in Antakya's St.Pierre Cave Church on Tuesday.

Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the representative of Pope 2 Jean Paul, Mesrob Mutafyan, the Turkey Armenian Patriarch and Iknadios Hazim, the Damascus Patriarch. Antakya is one of the first centers of Christianity.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

72 PERCENT OF TAX INCOMES GOES TO PAY INTERESTS
Half of the budget went to the Treasury to pay the loan interests which is more than 72 percent of tax incomes. The tax incomes of 1999 budget has been estimated as 14 quadrillion 200trillion TL. 10 quadrillion 300 trillion TL of this amount will be used to pay interests.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

2- ''The fact that the severity and continuity of the actions of the defendant indiscriminately killed thousands of innocent people, babies, children, women and elderly, ... that the crime constituted a grave, imminent and great danger to the country, to ensure justice ... there was no place for the application of article 59 of the Turkish Penal Code.'' (The article calls for a reduction in the sentence.)

THERE HAS NOT BEEN EXECUTION FOR 15 YEARS
Ilyas Has and Hidir Aslan had been executed in Turkey lastly. Has, member of the illegal extreme leftist Dev-Yol organization, was sentenced to capital punishment on charges of killing a watchman to take his gun and Aslan was sentenced to capital punishment for killing two people.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

TURKISH UNIT TO SET OUT
Turkish unit, which will act within the body of Peace Protection Forces (KFOR) in Kosovo concluded its preparations. A ceremony was held in Mamak Mechanized Infantryman Brigade for the Turkish unit which is expected to set out to Kosovo on Wednesday. The unit which was equipped with 993 personnel, 205 vehicles and modern weapons has the capacity to fulfil every kind of duty.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

DEMIREL:''WHATEVER THE JURISDICTION SAYS, THAT WILL HAPPEN''
President Suleyman Demirel said ''the court fulfilled its task'' regarding the death sentence given to the head of the terrorist organization Abdullah Ocalan on Tuesday.

When asked by the reporters what would happen next, the President said ''whatever the jurisdiction says, that will happen''.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that he can't comment on the death sentence given to Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, adding, ''I hope the decision given by the court on Imrali Island will be auspicious for our nation.''

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

TURKISH SOLDIERS READY FOR KOSOVO
A goodbye ceremony was held in Ankara on Tuesday for the Turkish Peace Force troops which will leave for Kosovo to join the NATO forces, KFOR. ''You will bring peace to Kosovors who lived all the ugly sides of war. You will help them erase the deep scars of this disgrace of humanity,'' said Necdet Timur, the Land Forces Commandership Head of Staff.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

EUROPE, DESPITE THE DECISION OF THE COURT, SAYS ''DON'T EXECUTE''
The EU should be taken into consideration. Europe who closely cover Apo case, wanted capital punishment decision not to be implemented. The EU, The Council of Europe, and the EU Commission stressed the opposition of Europe to capital punishment.

The U.S.: The decision is fair. James Rubin, the U.S. State Department Spokesman said trial of Ocalan was in accordance with the principles, adding that the issue of capital punishment concerned Turkish justice system, Parliament, and President from now on.

[02] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: - ''I AM OPTIMISTIC ABOUT IMF DELEGATION'S CONTACTS''

Ecevit came together with Devlet Bahceli, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of State and Leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), and Mesut Yilmaz, Leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP).

Addressing journalists after the meeting, Ecevit said that Hikmet Ulugbay, State Minister, informed them about the IMF delegation's contacts.

When asked whether the IMF offered a spending programme, Ecevit refrained from giving detailed information.

Ecevit told reporters that social security reforms and retirement age will be taken up at the Board of Ministers meeting on Friday, adding they will come together again tomorrow.

Husamettin Ozkan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State; Hikmet Ulugbay and Tunca Toskay, State Ministers; and Sumer Oral, Finance Minister, were also in attendance at the Leader's Summit which lasted nearly four hours.

[03] ILKIN, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO THE U.S., RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS OF CNN CORRESPONDENT ABOUT CAPITAL PUNISHMENT GIVEN TO OCALAN

Addressing a programme named ''Insight'' on the CNN-TV, Ilkin said that if the Supreme Court approves the capital punishment given to Ocalan, then verdict will be brought onto agenda of the parliament.

Stressing that the parliament is the will of the public, Ilkin pointed out the parliament's decision will not be affected by any foreign reaction.

Recalling that President Suleyman Demirel has right to forgive sentenced persons, Ilkin said that such a person can only be forgiven due to his chronic diseases or his mental ilnesses.

Ilkin refrained from making any comment on the decision which will be given by the parliament.

[04] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: - ''WAR IN KOSOVO WAS WON, NOW IT IS TIME TO ATTAIN PEACE''

Noting that Turkey attributes great importance to Kosovars, Cem pointed out, ''Turkish minority in Kosovo which has good relations with the other two groups, can play a significant role in peace and reconciliation process. But the Turkish minority's situation is harder than the other's situation.''

Recalling that there are many experts on the Balkans including scientists and diplomats who are known and respected in the international platform, Cem said that these expert's knowledge and experiences can be useful in reconstruction of Kosovo.

Meanwhile, Turkey plans to increase number of security officials who will be charged in Kosovo International Police Force. Turkey envisaged to participate in the Police Force with 25 personnel.

The UN stated that it needs at least 3 thousand police to provide security in Kosovo.

On the other hand, Turkey has set up a group headed by Sukru Tufan, and begun to send humanitarian aid to Kosovo.

Ankara also plans to establish communication bureaus in Prizren, Pristine and Mamusha.

[05] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM AND HIS GREEK COUNTERPART PAPANDREU TO COME TOGETHER ON WEDNESDAY

Responding to questions of journalist, Cem said, ''if we find an opportunity to take positive steps for the future, we will evaluate it.''

Cem pointed out that he approaches prudently to the meetings with Papandreu.

Issue of holding a meeting at the high-level diplomats level to discuss terrorism and other relevant issues, is expected to be brought onto agenda of the meeting.

Diplomatic sources told the A.A correspondent that Turkey defends to hold similar meetings with Greece on bilateral issues.

Meanwhile, Greece has changed her intransigent policy and attitude towards Turkey following the capture of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization PKK, and dismissal of Theodoros Pangolos, former Greek foreign minister. Turkey's consistent policy and her success in explaining her own thesis to the world public opinion, played a great role in this change.

After Ocalan was captured, the support given by Greece to the terrorist organization, had clearly been revealed in the world public opinion.

Cem will also come together with Kofi Annan at 16.30 local time.

[06] SANBERK, TURKEY'S AMBASSADOR SPEAKS TO CANAL 4 - ''KURDS HAVE EVERY KIND OF CITIZENSHIP RIGHTS IN TURKEY''

Pointing out that Turkey's problem was terrorism, Sanberk recalled that there were Kurdish origin citizens in this country who promoted to the position of general and who acted as parliamentarians, prime minister, and parliament speaker within the democratic system.

Responding to the statements of the program host that ''there are human rights violations in Turkey'', Sanberk said Turkey was a democratic country and that it is administered by a government which is elected democratically. Ambassador Sanberk said ''Kurds are part of this government and the part of political parties.''

When asked to make a comparison between the Kurds and Kosovar Albanians, Sanberk said ''these two can not be compared. Kosovar Albanians are not equal citizens of Yugoslavia. Can a Kosovar Albanian be the President of Yugoslavia? Or can he move to Serbia on his on will? They can not do these but a Kurdish origin Turkish citizen may apply for any job he wants, or live in a region of the country whereever he desires.''

When asked to comment on the capital punishment decision, Sanberk said verdict of the court would be rightful, yet added that the decision has not passed through the stage of the Appeals Court.

[07] LEADER OF VIRTUE PARTY, KUTAN: ''WE RESPECT COURT DECISION, IT WAS A DECISION THAT WAS EXPECTED BY PEOPLE''

Kutan answered the questions of reporters at a reception held on the National Day of Sweden at the Swedish Embassy. Kutan said Ocalan was tried lawfully and the court's attitute during the trial was appreciated both in Turkey and abroad.

''After this point, a reasoned verdict will be issued and it will go to the Court of Appeals. After the decision of the Court of Appeals, it will to the Parliament. We will closely follow all these stages. Our Chairmanship Council discussed this matter. We will decide what we will do next,'' he stated. When asked how they will approach the matter, Kutan said he could not comment on that before the the decision reaches to the Parliament General Council.

Yekta Gungor Ozden, the former Chairman of the Constitutional Court said Ocalan would have been given death penalty considering the crimes he committed anywhere in the world. Ozden noted that Ocalan was used as a tool by some foreign countries and said he didn't believe that the westerners were sincere on this issue.

''Turkish Republic signed the sixth amendmend of the European Human Rights Agreement suggesting to remove the death penalty from law. The death penalty in Turkey has a legitimacy to which Europe can not object. But Europe will put us in a difficult situation because of other reasons,'' Ozden continued.

[08] US: ''OCALAN WAS TRIED ACCORDING TO LAW''

Rubin, during a press meeting, decribed Ocalan as ''the terrorist leader of the terrorist PKK'' and pointed out that the situation is an opportunity for Turkey to form a dialogue with its citizens of Kurdish origin.

Rubin went on to say that the US Embassy representatives watched every hearing of the trial along with other foreign diplomats and media. The case was finalized appropriately and according to the law, he added.

The Spokesman said the removal of the military judge from the court was regarded as a positive development by the US. The US was concerned when Ocalan's contact was cut off from the world in the first nine days of his trial, he noted and said they would closely follow the developments.

When reminded of the European reactions against the court decision to execute Ocalan, Rubin said this was the concern of Turkish justice system, the Parliament, and the President.

The Spokesman stressed that a majority of Turkish citizens of Kurdish origin did not support terrorism and Ocalan case was an opportunity for Turkey to build a dialogue with its citizens of Kurdish origin, improve democracy, and human rights for these people.

Rubin said the PKK supporters staged wild protests in Europe and security measures were taken at the US diplomatic representations there.

Contrary to Europe, the death penalty is carried out in the US. A total of 14 people were executed this year only in Texas.

[09] PRESIDENT DEMIREL OPENS ''WAR AND PEACE: OTTOMAN-POLISH RELATIONS IN 15TH-19TH CENTURY'' EXHIBITION - DEMIREL: ''21ST CENTURY WILL BE THE CULTURAL ERA''

President Demirel, within the framework of the activities held for the 700th foundation anniversary of the Ottoman Empire, opened the exhibition named ''War and Peace: the Ottoman Empire-Polish relations in the 15th and 19th Century''.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the exhibition, President Demirel said their target in celebrating 700th anniversary of the Ottoman Empire, was not to re-enactment conquests, wars, fights, and enmities.

Demirel said the Ottoman Empire was the owner of a great state and a great civilization and stressed the requirement of remembering this great civilization. Demirel said this civilization influenced the civilizations around it, and at the same time was influenced by them.

Demirel said the culture in the world, whichever nation or people had it, was universal and the property of all humanity. ''There are the works of art of other civilizations here which had lived before us. As Turks, we have contributions to these civilizations,'' Demirel said, adding that a total of 35 states were founded from the body of the Ottoman Empire.

Demirel said the people should learn a positive lesson, not enmity from the history if they want to live in peace. The unity and cooperation in culture is one of the ways of learning a lesson. 21th Century will be the cultural era.

Demirel pointed out that Turkey and Poland have positive relations as two friendly countries and praised the cooperation Poland provided for the opening of this exhibition.

Istemihan Talay, the Minister of Culture, said Polish people protected these works of arts for 300 years, and thanked to Polish people as they have given opportunities to Turkish people to see them.

Meanwhile, Stanislav Jirovski, Polish Culture and Arts Deputy Minister said the exhibition reflected the roots of 600-years relations between the two countries.

[10] GIANT ORGANIZATION FOR OSCE SUMMIT TO BE HELD IN ISTANBUL

Ambassador Sadi Calislar of the Foreign Ministry said a consortium was formed among four private institutions who have experience on international conferences. The meetings will be held at Ciragan Palace and Lutfi Kirdar Congress Center will be prepared for the reporters. Calislar reminded that five thousand people attended the last summit of OSCE in Lisbon and a total of seven thousand people including the participants, delegation members, and press are expected to participate in the summit.

By the end of June, 40 countries already made their reservations, and Azerbaijan, Albania, Italy, and Sweden confirmed their coming. Seven big hotels were arranged for the accomodation of official delegations while the other participants will be placed at 35 other hotels. Security measures will be tightened during the summit around the hotels where the meetings will take place and people's entrance to these areas will be limited. The mobile health teams will also be available in these areas, Calislar explained.

A total of seven million US dollars have been set aside for the preparations of Istanbul summit and sponsors are searched for financial support.

Anadolu Agency (A.A), Turkish Radio and Television (TRT), and Turkish Telecom are working in coordination to follow the preparations for Istanbul Summit. The A.A. will attend the summit as the official news agency while A.A's photos will be transmitted to the whole world using the most advanced techniques.

The signing of a charter regarding Europe's 21st century security model is regarded as almost certain and the document will be called ''Istanbul Charter''. It was reported that the Charter will have the same significance with the Helsinki Convention which was signed in 1975.

Another document which is expected to be signed during the summit is the European Conventional Forces Agreement adapted to the conditions which occured after the Cold War. Only 33 of the attending countries are expected to sign this agreement.

Apart from these agreements, some regional problems will also be discussed at Istanbul Summit's meetings. The diplomatic sources state that it is difficult to reach a consensus within the institution on contradictory subjects like Kosovo, Karabagh, and Abkhazia.

[11] IMPORTANT INVESTMENTS WAIT FOR INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION - A SERIES OF IMPORTANT INVESTMENT PROJECTS WILL BE COMPLETED WITHIN THE PLANNED TIME WITH OPERATION OF ARBITRATION COMMITTEE MECHANISM WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE ISSUED WITH SEVERAL CHANGES IN THE CONSTITUTION

A series of important projects within the context of energy and transportation sector that will carry Turkey to 21st century, will be functioned again if the draft resolution prepared to this end is submitted to the Parliament and issued.

Arbitration Committee Law, planned to be issued to encourage foreign capital investments in Turkey and to create confidence atmophere to entrepreneur groups, will be issued in parallel with several arrangements that will be made in related articles of the Constitution.

The officials said the foreign companies and the foreign creditors which promised to make important financial contribution to the big investment projects, are waiting for the related articles of the constitution with the issue.

According to this, a series of important projects of which tenders have been completed and total investment costs are more than 50 billion U.S. dollars, can be brought to the final stage which is the construction stage, after the International Arbitration Committee arragement.

These are the projects which will be brought to the stage of construction following the related legal arrangements:

1- Izmit Gulf Passage with a total investment cost of 1.6 billion U.S. dollars. This project which Japanese-Turkish company group undertakes, covers construction of Izmit Gulf bridge and the motorway construction which has a total 24 km length.

2- The Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant. The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources carry out consultations with three company groups who wanted investment assurance from Turkey. The construction of this project is planned to be completed with foreign credits. The Energy Ministry will give its final decision following the legal arrangements that will take place.

3- The Straits Passage. The investment which will cost nearly one billion U.S. dollar is planned to be completed with ''build-operate-transfer'' system. Yet, Directorate of Highways is expected to put the project into tender in the year 2000 within the scope of the system in question after the new arbitration committee draft resolution is issued.

-Istanbul Tube Passage (Marmaray). It will unite the two sides of Istanbul with a 1.3 kilometer tunnel under the sea.

-Canakkale Strait. The project in question is planned to cost approximately 600 million U.S. dollars together with the Peripheral motorways. The new arbitration committee will determine the fate of the project.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, apart from the Mersin Nuclear Power Plant project, is expected to focus on efforts for the construction of many thermic, natural gas, and hydraulic plants following arbitration law arrangements.

[12] TURKEY AND CUBA SIGNS TOURISM AND CULTURE AGREEMENT

Othon said although the two countries were geographically far from each other, they have many common elements in their cultures and history.

Mumcu stated that the relations between the two countries could develop further in political, cultural, and tourism fields, and added that the agreements would strengthen these relations.

''I believe that Cubans who visit Turkey and Turks who visit Cuba will return from their trips with good impressions. I heard that Cubans call their President by his first name so I will do the same. There are many admirers of Fidel in Turkey and I am sure millions of people would like to visit Cuba. You can tell this to your country,'' Mumcu stated.

The two ministers later visited the photography exhibition ''The Images of Cuban Revolution'' organized by the Cuban Embassy.

[13] U.S. CONSULATES IN ISTANBUL AND ADANA ARE CLOSED TEMPORARILY

A statement of the U.S. Ankara Embassy Information Center said the U.S. consulates in Istanbul and Adana were suspended temporarily, adding that this application would be valid for today.

The statement said Ankara Embassy of the U.S. carried out its activities and noted that this arrangement was found appropriate due to the possible security concerns that may erupt with the death sentence given to Ocalan.

The statement said they have not received any information related with the threats that may be forwarded to the U.S. citizens in Turkey.

The supporters of the terrorist organization staged demonstrations in front of representations of the U.S. in several countries following the death sentence.

[14] U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL APPOINTS ANNAN TO CALL DENKTAS AND CLERIDES FOR MEETING IN FALL

The draft law prepared by the Security Council was approved by the Council members on Tuesday night.

The support of two leaders will be asked on the following points:

-no preconditions

-all problems will be put forward

-discussions will continue until an agreement is reached

-the Security Council's decisions that were accepted previously on the Cyprus issue will be taken into consideration

The Security Council, for the first time, asked the military authorities besides the political authorities to support Annan and his representative on the Island Ann Hercus.

The draft law expressed the concern caused by the failure to reach a solution on Cyprus issue and stressed that Annan's mission was to decrease the tension, and bring a fair and permanent solution to the problem. The Council called on both sides to contribute to these efforts.

The Security Council will deal with Cyprus issue once again in the first half of December 1999.

[15] SAVAS, REPUBLICAN PROSECUTOR OF SUPREME COURT: - ''I WILL OBSERVE THE OCALAN'S DOSSIER AS SOON AS IT IS SUBMITTED TO THE SUPREME COURT''

Recalling that the verdict of the Ankara State Security Court No. 2 about Ocalan is considered as an urgent case in accordance with the the DGM Law and the Code of Criminal Procedure, Savas noted, ''crimes that are tried by the DGMs, are deemed urgent cases, and they are taken up when the courts are closed. I will observe the dossier of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization PKK, as soon as it is submitted to the Supreme Court. A written recommendation will be prepared, and sent to the criminal department on duty. If the defendant lawyers request the Court to hold hearings for the examination of the appeal, the Supreme Court Criminal Department will specify a date for the hearing.''

Meanwhile, sources close to the Supreme Court said that the examination of the appeal cannot be done in judicial holiday.

The same sources said that the dossier of Ocalan will be presented to the Enforcement Office after it is submitted to the Supreme Court Criminal Department No:9.

They added that if the defendant lawyers request the Court to hold hearings for the examination of the appeal, the Supreme Court Criminal Department No:9 will specify a date for the hearing. In this case the Supreme Court Criminal Department No:9 will give a decision in accordance with the Article 125 of the Turkish Penal Code.

[16] CUBA DELEGATION VISITS THE TOBB - TOKAT,SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE TOBB: - ''TURKISH AND CUBAN BUSINESS CIRCLES SHOULD IMPROVE ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL RELATIONS'' - OTHON, CUBAN MINISTER OF LIGHT INDUSTRY: - ''TURKEY AND CUBA CAN COOPERATE IN MANY FIELDS''

Addressing the meeting, Othon recalled that necessary ground is ready to ease economic and commercial relations between Turkey and Cuba with the 2nd Joint Economic Commission (JEC) Protocol signed between the two countries, and added that Turkish and Cuban business circles should now improve economic and commercial relations.

Tokat stressed that the TOBB will expend any kind of efforts to reach this target.

Jesus Perez Othon, the Cuban Minister of Light Industry, promoted the Cuban economy, and said that their economy was affected negatively by the U.S. blockade, and by the collapse of the U.S.S.R.

Noting that Cuba has set up new economic plans to overcome all problems, and to become concordant with the international economic norms, Othon said that Cuba has entered into a lasting development process since 1993.

Othon stressed that they aim at improving economic and commercial relations with Turkey within framework of Cuba's opening target into the world markets.

Noting that Turkey and Cuba can cooperate in many fields, Othon named some of these fields as hotel equipments, food staff, medicine raw material, hygienic equipments, oil, fuel-oil, mining, metal, iron-steel, banking, and textile raw materials.

[17] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS RECEIVES RANTZAU, GERMAN SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO CYPRUS, AND BLOMBERG, UNDERSECRETARY OF FINNISH FOREIGN MINISTRY

No detailed information was given about agenda of the meeting.

Rantzau is scheduled to come together with Glafcos Clerides, the leader of the Greek Cypriot administration on Thursday.

He is expected to leave island on Saturday.

Meanwhile, President Denktas also held talks with Jaako Blomberg, the Undersecretary of the Finnish Foreign Ministry.

Addressing the meeting, Blomberg noted that several significant progresses have been recorded in the Cyprus question.

Blomberg pointed out that they aim at improving relations with the Turkish Cypriot community, and they consider this as a necessity.

Jaako Blomberg also held contacts in the Greek Cypriot side.

[18] DENKTAS, PRESIDENT OF TRNC: - ''WE DON'T ACCEPT THE U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL'S DECISIONS'' - ''I CAN MEET WITH SECRETARY GENERAL. NO GROUND DOES EXIST FOR A MEETING WITH CLERIDES''

Speaking to reporters, Denktas evaluated the two decisions that were taken on Tuesday by the U.N. Security Council concerning Cyprus.

Noting that he can inform the Secretary General if he personally invites him to get information about the opinions of the Turkish Cypriots, Denktas stressed that however, no ground does exist for a meeting with Glafcos Cleries, the leader of Greek-Cypriot side.

Emphasizing that they will continue to protect their rights, Denktas said, ''we are comfortable. We will continue to protect our rights till the end. The solution is the recognition of the two states.''

Noting that the decision no:1,251 is about the six-month extension of the mission of the U.N. Peacekeeping Force on Cyprus, Denktas said the decision in question continuously starts with the sentence ''the Cypriot government has consented to the existence of the Peacekeeping Force on Cyprus,'' and that's why, the Turkish side does not accept this decision.

Noting that they always expressed that they, as the TRNC government, can host the Peacekeeping Force in the sovereign territories of the TRNC, Denktas said, ''the status of the U.N. soldiers in the TRNC sovereign territories is guest. They continue their mission as our guests. They can continue with this status as they accepted the rules for being guests. There are some issues and restrictions in accordance with these rules. If they recognize us and say 'the mandate was extended also with the consent of the TRNC', then, those restrictions will be naturally removed.''

Stressing that he will not be interested in other issues mentioned in the decision, Denktas said, ''because, we don't accept this decision. Since they consider the Greek-Cypriot administration which they recognized as 'Cypriot government', as the administrator, and since they have taken such a decision despite our objection, then these statements do not bind us.''

Stating that a document was issued as an appendix to the decision, Denktas said also Turkey, Greece, and Britain should consent to the continuation of the Peacekeeping Force. Noting that these three guarantor countries consented to the extension of the mandate as a result of the objections as it was not mentioned in the decision.

Denktas stressed that the consent of Turkey was given under the light of the opinions of the TRNC, and they were obliged to confirm that the Peacekeeping Force stay on Cyprus as a guest.

Stressing that the decisions, which were taken inadequately and pretended not to see the Cyprus question, have made the solution of the question difficult for 36 years.

Recalling that the Greek-Cypriot side destroyed the joint Republic of Cyprus with barbarism similar to the barbarism of Slobodan Milosevic, the President of Yugoslavia, Denktas said the world insist on its mistake of seeing the Greek Cypriot side which destroyed the Cyprus Republic as ''the legal Cyprus government''.

Noting that the UN decision called on the whole world to recognize the independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of ''Cypriot Republic'', Denktas said this was very ''funny''.

Pointing out that the decision no:1,250 was a political decision, Rauf Denktas said the approach of the G-8 was supported, and that Turkey and the TRNC announced their opinions about the approach of the G-8 before and after the G-8 made a move.

Emphasizing that the decision made attributions to the Security Council decisions which take the existence of the Cyprus Republic as a base, and Turkey and the TRNC refused these decisions, Denktas said, ''thus, the negotiations have been suspended. They are insistently trying to please the Greek-Cypriots and Greek-Cypriot lobby by making attributions to these decisions.''

Noting that the decision invites both of the leaders to come to the negotiation table without pre-condition, Denktas said, ''the 'Cypriot Republic' was the pre-condition of the Greek Cypriot side which prevented the meetings from reaching results so far.

Stressing that nothing can be achieved as long as that pre-condition is not removed, Denktas said the two leaders were invited to the meetings, this had no meaning except the continuation of ''intercommunal meetings'', which were killed by Glafcos Clerides.

Noting that the Security Council, itself, puts the pre-condition by saying ''you will take into consideration the concerned decisions of the UN'' while saying that there was ''no pre-condition'', Denktas said the concerned decisions have made the Greek-Cypriot side ''legal government'' for 36 years.

Emphasizing that their struggle is for independence, sovereignty, and freedom, and to reach a sound agreement which will not lead the Greek- Cypriots to repeat what they did between 1963 and 1974, Denktas said this depends on the recognition of the sovereignty of the two states and two communities, and accepting the division of independence into two.

[19] SANBERK, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO BRITAIN, N SKY-TV: - ''IT IS WRONG TO PUT THE KURDISH ORIGIN CITIZENS LIVING IN TURKEY, AND THE PKK INTO THE SAME BOX'' - ''THIS TRIAL IS REGARDED WITH SERIOUS CRIMES COMMITTED BY A PARTICULAR PERSON''

Addressing a television programme on the SKY-TV, the prominent news channel of Britain, Sanberk evaluated the situation following the death sentence given to Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization PKK, by the Ankara State Security Court (DGM).

Stressing that Europe is in a confusion of concept about the Ocalan affair, Sanberk said, ''Ocalan was hosted in Italy just like a special guest before his arrest in Kenya. He was also given support by Greece while Germany did not launch any initiative for Ocalan's extradition.''

Sanberk emphasized that the issue of Ocalan is being evaluated from a ''blind point'' in Europe's head.

When reminded the allegations claiming that Ocalan will become a Kurdish legend if Turkey carries out the capital punishment, Sanberk pointed out, ''it is wrong to put the Turkish citizens with Kurdish origin, and the terrorist organization PKK into the same box. These are not the same thing. Kurds who participated in such bloody massacres, do not represent Kurdish people living in Turkey.''

Sanberk added, ''this trial is regarded with serious crimes committed by a particular person. There are homicide and acts of violence among these crimes which are considered as crimes in every part of the world.''

Responding to a question about possible effects of the verdict on the relations between Turkey and the European Union (EU), Sanberk said, ''this trial is not connected with Turkey's entrance to the EU.''

When asked whether or not the capital punishment given to Ocalan will be executed, Sanberk recalled that this issue is also being discussed in Turkey.

Pointing out that no capital punishment was carried out in Turkey in recent years, Sanberk said that the verdict is open for appeal.

Pointing out that the appeal is not the last point, Sanberk said that the verdict will be brought onto agenda of parliament, and then will be submitted to the President's approval.

Sanberk recalled that the President has no right to forgive the sentenced person, but he can veto the decision. He noted that in case of President's veto, the parliament will re-evaluate the decision once again.

Sanberk also recalled that the verdict will be evaluated simultaneously by the European Human Rights Court.

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