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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-08-04Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>AA Daily04 August 1999 WednesdayCONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on Aug 4, 1999. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)''LAY DOWN ARMS!''''I call on PKK to end the armed struggle by September 1, 1999 and leave Turkey,'' head of the terrorist organization Abdullah Ocalan said. ''Agression and violence constitute an obstacle in front of human rights and democracy. Violence which is mainly rooted from Kurdish problem plays an important role in this. The solution is to give an end to violence. Therefore, I call on PKK to end the armed struggle and leave Turkey by September 1999. I call on the state and the related institutions of the society to support the peace process,'' Ocalan announced through his lawyers at a press meeting. GORDION IS CANDIDATE TO BECOME ''MUSEUM OF THE YEAR IN EUROPE'' MILLIYET (LIBERAL)KOH CAUSES A CRISISTurkey has been very uneasy about the statements and the questions of Harold Koh, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State issued during his visit to the southeastern region. The Foreign Ministry conveyed the message to the U.S. Embassy in Ankara that ''Koh shouldn't issue that much of statements regarding sensitive issues.'' Koh will meet with Premier Ecevit on Thursday and hold a press briefing. HISTORICAL WORDS FROM BAHCELI SABAH (LIBERAL)''I CALL UPON PKK TO GIVE UP ARMS''Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization (PKK) called on the terrorist organization PKK to end the armed struggle and to withdraw its forces outside the borders of Turkey by September 1, 1999. EXPERTS' VIEW FRIDAY TO BE PARALYZED CUMHURİYET (LEFT)HIGH CHRONIC INFLATION CONTINUESThe inflation in July was 4 percent in wholesale prices and 3.8 percent in consumer prices. The State Institute of Statistics (DIE) said the 12-month annual inflation as of July was 53.9 percent in wholesale prices and 68.2 percent in consumer prices. TERRORISTS RAKE A MINIBUS GOVERNMENT BARGAINS WITH OPPOSITION FOR ARBITRATION RADIKAL (LEFT)MISSILE PARTNERSHIP WITH ISRAELTurkey is about to take a giant step towards military partnership with Israel. An agreement for the joint production of Popeye 2 missiles will soon be signed between Turkey and Israel. The project will cost Turkey 132 trillion Turkish liras. The U.S. is bothered by the agreement; however, she does not oppose it. Only Israel and the U.S. army possess Popeye 2 which has a success close to a 100 percent in hitting targets. DSP AND MHP DECISIVE ON ARBITRATION ECEVIT: ''REPENTANCE LAW MUST PASS BEFORE PARLIAMENT RECESSES'' TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)ARMENIAN PROPOSAL REJECTEDThe proposal brought by an American deputy who is member of the Armenian lobby, to block all kinds of expenditures of the U.S. regarding Baku-Ceyhan pipeline was rejected by the U.S. House of Representatives. NO RETURN FROM ARBITRATION ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)APO: ''LAY DOWN YOUR ARMS''Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, ordered the PKK terrorists to stop all armed struggle and withdraw from the Turkish territories as of September 1, 1999 to give way to the establishment of peace. The statement of Ocalan was disclosed to press by his lawyers. Noting that violence formed an obstacle blocking the development of human rights and democracy, Apo, in his statement, said that in order to get out of the blind alley, the violence should end. REPENTANCE TO EMPTY PRISONS The Motherland Party (ANAP) did not adopt the repentance bill that Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit wants to put into effect as soon as possible. Mesut Yilmaz of ANAP will present a new proposal to the Premier requesting him to postpone the repentance to October 29. [02] GAP REGION EXPORTS 307.5 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS PRODUCTS IN FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF 1999GAZIANTEP, Aug 4 (A.A) - The exports of agricultural, animal, and industrial products from the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region in first seven months of the year decreased 6 percent to 307 million 535 thousand U.S. dollars, it was reported on Wednesday.The total exports from the region in the same period last year was 326 million 837 thousand U.S. dollars. The Southeastern Anatolian Exporters' Unions data shows that the region exported 11 million 4 thousand U.S. dollars live-stock and animal products, 55 million 775 thousand U.S. dollars grain, cereals and seeds, 27 million 278 thousand U.S. dollars dried fruits, 162 million 81 thousand U.S. dollars textiles and 51 million 397 thousand several goods in the first seven months of 1999. [03] FBI STOPS A DELTA AIR LINES PLANE ON ITS WAY FROM ATLANTA TO ISTANBULCHICAGO, Aug 4 (A.A) - Federal agents of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) stopped a Delta Air Lines flight at Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport on Tuesday and questioned seven people.Agents boarded Flight 40, an MD 11 with 231 passengers aboard, about 6:30 p.m. EDT (2230 GMT), 25 minutes after it was scheduled to depart. All of the passengers on Delta Air Lines flight to Istanbul, Turkey, were asked to get off the plane. Seven passengers were questioned, and one man detained. Local news reports said six of the passengers were quickly released when it was determined they had no connection to the man who was detained. The plane took off from the airport after four hours. Tom Bush, the FBI agent said that it is not clear yet whether or not the passanger whose name and nationality has not been given, has any connections with any terrorist organization and the investigation continues. [04] HEYECAN VEZIROGLU GIVEN AWARD OF EXCELLENCE AT INTERNATIONAL ART AND COMMUNICATION CONGRESS IN LISBONANKARA, August 4 (A.A) - International Art and Communication Congress was held in the Portugese capital Lisbon between July 11 and 19. Well-known women and men who come from different cultures came together at the Congress.Heyecan N.Veziroglu who attended the Congress on behalf of the Ministry of Culture had two representations, ''Change of Women in Turkey'' and ''700th anniversary of the Ottoman Empire'', was given an Award of Excellence. Veziroglu said women's efforts to gain professional rights and responsibilities started with the Republic. Ataturk's reforms formed a new socio-cultural structure and played an important role in gaining legal and political rights for women. The reforms strengthened an active social participation, democracy, and secularism, she explained. In her second representation, Veziroglu emphasized the cultural, artistic, and scientific aspects of the Ottoman. Ottoman empirers always supported poets, musicians, lawyers, and artists, Veziroglu noted. Tolerance was a major aspect of the Ottoman and different cultures co-existed which became a tradition during the rule of Mehmet the Conqueror, she explained. [05] CONSUMER LOANS BECOME CHEAPERANKARA, Aug 4 (A.A) - The source usage support fund deduction in the consumer loans, which are given by the banks and financing companies, was decreased from eight percent to three percent, it was reported on Wednesday.In accordance with the new arrangement which became effective the same day, the fund rate for all of the loans given by the banks and financing companies will be three percent. In accordance with the new arrangement, there won't be any fund deduction in the loans up to two billion Turkish Liras (TL) given to the agriculture cooperatives member farmers only for the purchase of agricultural goods. [06] BLOW ON ARMENIAN LOBBY IN U.S.WASHINGTON D.C., Aug 4 (A.A) - The efforts of the Armenian lobby to include an additional article to the bill on foreign appropriations which is discussed by the U.S. House of Representatives, to sabotage Baku-Ceyhan project have been fully unsuccesful, it is reported on Wednesday.The article submitted by Robert Andrews, a member of the Armenian lobby and a Democrat Party deputy from New Jersey to the House of Representatives was firstly withdrawn due to the pressure of the U.S. administration and the Speaker's Office of House of Representatives and secondly it was rejected by a great majority of votes. Andrews tried to limit and freeze all kinds of American spendings regarding the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project till Upper Karabakh problem is solved. The proposal was rejected by 315 votes to 103 in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. Even if the additional article was accepted, it had to be approved by the U.S. Senate and signed by Bill Clinton, the U.S. President, which didn't seem possible. When the additional article was at the agenda of the House of Representatives, the U.S. State Deparment officials and John Wolf, the special representative for Caspian energy, assured guarantees to Baki Ilkin, the Turkish Ambassador to the U.S. about Clinton administration's support to the Baku-Ceyhan project. The House of Representatives accepted the foreign assistance to be 12.6 billion dollars. [07] KHARRAZI, IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: ''I HOPE THE TWO TURKISH SOLDIERS TO BE RELEASED SOON''TEHRAN, Aug 4 (A.A) - Kemal Kharrazi, the Iranian Foreign Minister said that he hopes the two Turkish soldiers, who were detained by Iran, will be released within few days as a sign of Iran's good will.Issuing a statement upon the question of IRNA, the Iranian official news agency, about the request of Turkish officials regarding the release of the Turkish soldiers, Kharrazi recalled his meeting with Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister in Sarajevo. Cem confirmed in the meeting that the two soldiers violated the Iranian border by mistake and Turkey does not have any bad intention and requested their release in the meeting, said Kharrazi. ''Iran is positive about this issue by taking into consideration the humanitarian dimensions of the event and the assurances given by the Turkish Foreign Ministry and other officials who said that the event took place accidentally,'' he added. Iran keeps under detention two Turkish soldiers whom it claims to violate the border in Kotur city of Western Azerbaijani state of Iran on July 22. [08] MORE THAN 55 PERCENT OF HOTELS IN ANTALYA FULL, RESERVATIONS FOR AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER WAITING FOR APPROVALANTALYA, August 4 (A.A) - More than 55 percent of hotels in Antalya were full in July and the authorities are expecting the same figures to continue in August and September.However, less hotels are booked in Antalya compared to July 1998 and the reservations for August and September are still waiting for confirmation, the authorities said. ''There are no indications that the problems will go next year. 2000 will also be a difficult year,'' they said. Israeli and German tourists top the list in Antalya, Mahmut Veziroglu, the General Director of Falez Hotel in Antalya told the A.A correspondent. He said he hoped to host more tourists in the next two months; however, he is not expecting a very sharp increase in their number. Jirayr Kececiyan, the General Director of Sharaton Voyager Hotel also said August and September did not look too bright. ''Reservations were made but they are waiting to be confirmed. There is a hesitation among tourists,'' he noted. His hotel hosted mostly Turkish tourists in July who came on weekends, Kececiyan said. Both Vezioroglu and Kececiyan said they did not have high hopes for 2000. Deger Erbora, the Public Relations Manager of Adonis Hotel, on the other hand said her hotel was 80 percent full in July and added that they were expecting to go on like this in August and September. Banu Baloglu, the Public Relations of Dedeman Hotel pointed out that the majority of her customers in July were Turks. Dedeman Hotel also hosted Russians and Israeli tourists last month. Baloglu said they are expecting tourists from Russia and Middle East in August. [09] TURKEY'S FIRST FIRE EXTINGUISHER PLANE READY FOR MISSIONANKARA, August 4 (A.A) - Turkey's first fire-extinguisher plane which was upgraded by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and allocated to the Forestry Ministry, is ready for mission; it was reported on Wednesday.The TAI statement said that the plane will perform a show flight in TAI installations on August 6, 1999. The statement noted that one of the 15 planes which were out of service in 1993 was converted into a fire extinguisher plane within the framework of the project carried out by the Turkish Foundation to Combat Erosion for Reforestation and for the Protection of Natural Habitats (TEMA), Anadolu University and TAI. The statement added that following the upgrade, the plane reached a capacity of carrying 4.5 tons of water or chemical liquid. Sabahatting Cakmakoglu, National Defense Minister, and Nami Cagan, Forestry Minister, are expected to watch the show. [10] DUNDAR, CHAIRMAN OF BTTDD BURSA BRANCH: ''IF GREECE WAS SINCERE IN HER STATEMENTS, THAN WE WANT HER RECOGNIZE THE TURKISH IDENTITY AND GIVE CITIZENSHIP RIGHTS''BURSA, Aug 4 (A.A) - Mustafa Dundar, the Chairman of the Association of the Western Thracian Turks' Solidarity (BTTDD) Bursa Branch, said on Wednesday that Greek Foreign Minister Yorgo Papandreu, with his statements about the Western Thracian Turkish minority, accepted the Turkish existence in that region.Dundar said that the statement of the Greek Foreign Minister was ''the definition of the Turkish identity in Western Thrace''. Noting that Greek Foreign Minister, while making the definition, separated the Turkish existence into three parts as Pomaks, Gypsies, and Turks, Dundar said with such kind of an approach, Papendreu was seeking different calculations and targets. ''Greece changed her attitude and assumed a completely different approach by giving up her struggle to deny the Turkish identity. That was a stealthy statement which was made for the progression of the continuing dialogue between Turkey and Greece and their consequences in the way she desires,'' Dundar said. ''If Greece is sincere in her words and the talks with Turkey, than first of all, she has to recognize the Turkish identity, deem the Turks first- class citizens and give them citizenship rights. Otherwise, the developments between the two countries can't continue within the framework of good will,'' Dundar stated. [11] EVERYTHING FOR GAP - ALL CITIES IN GAP REGION, EXCEPT FOR GAZIANTEP AND KILIS, HAVE ''PRIORITY REGIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT'' STATUSGAZIANTEP, August 4 (A.A) - One of the leading development projects of the world and Turkey's biggest, Southeast Anatolia Development Project (GAP) is using wider and different incitements than other regions to draw private sector investments from both inside and outside the region.The report of GAP Regional Development Administration Chairmanship, ''GAP and Industry'', reminded that the Gaziantep-Sanliurfa-Diyarbakir line was given priority in short and medium term infrastructure investments and industries. The activities will later spread to other sub-regions which have development potential, the report said and pointed out that Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, and Diyarbakir would also need investing. Cities except Gaziantep and Kilis have the status of ''Priority Regions for Development''. ''The normal status of Gaziantep and Kilis caused an impression that the cities on the west end of the development line are not sufficiently supported,'' the report noted. ''To remove this impression and to bring a more balanced development plan, Industry Line incitements started in the beginning of 1995 which includes these two cities instead of Attraction Center incitements which was proposed by the GAP Administration,'' the report said. ''Governments are determined to reach economic and social development targets expected from the GAP in the shortest time possible and measures to draw more private sector investments to the region were already put into practice in GAP region,'' it was stressed in the report. [12] CALL OF OCALAN, THE HEAD OF THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION, TO ''LAY DOWN ARMS'' - PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''THE STATE WILL NOT MAKE THIS AN ISSUE OF BARGAINING WITH ANYBODY OR ANY ORGANIZATION IN TURKEY''ANKARA, August 4 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, speaking about the call of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, forwarded to members of the terrorist organization to ''lay down arms'', said ''Turkey will not make this an issue of bargaining with anybody or any institution.''Responding to the questions of reporters following DSP party group meeting, Ecevit said ''separatist terrorism came to the end of a blind alley. It is clear that Abdullah Ocalan could understand this after he was brought to Turkey and he was sentenced.'' Pointing out that Turkey wanted separatist terrorism to end, Ecevit recalled that Repentance Draft Law was prepared to facilitate the militants and armed terrorists to return to normal life. Ecevit said everybody who thinks of Turkey should contribute to end separatist terrorism, adding that ''yet, the state will not make this the issue of bargaining with anybody and any organization in Turkey.'' When asked if this call was positive, Ecevit said ''we don't know what kind of results can be obtained. Time will show...'' [13] STATEMENTS OF KOH, THE U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE - ATACANLI, FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''FOREIGN VISITORS WHO CARRY OFFICIAL IDENTITIES ARE EXPECTED TO PAY REQUIRED ATTENTION AGAINST THE SENSITIVITIES OF THIS COUNTRY DURING THEIR VISITS''ANKARA, August 4 (A.A) - Sermet Atacanli, Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman, said on Wednesday that they expected foreign visitors having official identitities who come to Turkey to pay required attention to the sensitivities of this country.Addressing the weekly news conference of Foreign Ministry, Atacanli evaluated the contacts of Harold Koh, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, reponsible for human rights, in Southeastern provinces and his statements regarded with the state of human rights in Turkey. Stressing that Turkey was a free country and that everybody could go everywhere they want within the framework of existing rules, Atacanli said, ''Turkey is an open country. Everybody, foreign or native people, can go everywhere they want within the framework of existing rules. Yet, foreign guests having official identitities in particular are expected to pay necessary attention to the sensitivities of this country.'' Atacanli said they observed that during the visit of Koh to Southeastern provinces this care was not shown and that this was conveyed to the U.S. Embassy. Koh is expected to stage a news conference and evaluate his contacts following his meetings with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, Minister of State. [14] USLU, CHAIRMAN OF HAK-IS: ''IF THE DRAFT LAW ON SOCIAL SECURITY IS SUBMITTED TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THE MEMBERS OF CHAIRMANSHIP COUNCIL WILL WALK TO THE PARLIAMENT''ANKARA, August 4 (A.A) - Salim Uslu, the Chairman of the Confederation of Right Labour Unions (Hak-Is), said on Wednesday that if the draft law on social security is submitted to the Parliamentary General Assembly, the members of Hak-Is Chairmanship Council will walk to the parliament.Addressing a press conference following the extraordinary meeting of Hak-Is Chairmanship Council, Uslu noted that they will support the one-day strike which will be staged by the Confederation of Turkish Labour Unions' (Turk- Is) on Friday. Uslu said that the ''arrangements targetting the usurp of the rights'' which are included in the Draft law on Social Security, demoralize the workers. Stressing that the one-day strike of Turk-Is which will be staged on Friday is a legal protest, Uslu said, ''we will not use our labour force on Friday. Some people want to call this protest 'a general strike' and want to accuse the workers. The form and the conditions of a general strike is very different. We can teach those who do not know the form and the conditions of the general strike.'' Noting that the protests will be the result of their responsibility and the determination; Uslu said, ''all the branches of Hak-Is and other confederations will convene today and Friday in the centrum of the cities and will stage a common protest. Turk-Is decided to stage one-day strike on Friday. This decision is a rightful decision. The decisions of Turk-Is are similar with the decisions of the Labour Platform and the decisions of the Chairmanship Councils of Hak-Is and the Confederation of Revolutionary Workers' Unions (DISK). The government should fulfil the requirements of our reaction. The responsibility of the government is to decrease the tension. However, the government considers itself as the opposite front of the workers.'' [15] A FIBRE OPTICS FACTORY TO BE SET UP IN SOUTHEASTERN SANLIURFA PROVINCESANLIURFA, August 4 (A.A) - A fibre optics factory will be set up in southeastern Sanliurfa province with the partnership of Turkey and Germany; it was reported on Wednesday.Sahabettin Harput, Sanliurfa Governor, told A.A correspondent that the factory which will be the biggest installation of Turkey will cost 75 million U.S. dollars and will produce CDs and DVDs. Harput said that the necessary incentive and permit documents were provided and that the foundation of the factory will be laid in the shortest time. Haput noted that a total of 250 workers will be employed in the factory and that this figure will gradually be increased; adding that the factory will be constructed by the end of this year. Stressing that the factory will start production by the end of this year, Harput stated that the products of the factory will be exported to mainly European and Middle East countries. [16] ANGHELI, MOLDAVIAN AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA, IN BURSA - ANGHELI: ''THE DOORS OF MOLDAVA ARE TOTALLY OPEN FOR THE TURKISH BUSINESSMEN''BURSA, August 4 (A.A) - Tudor Angheli, Moldavian Ambassador to Ankara, said on Wednesday that the doors of Moldova are totally open for the Turkish businessmen and invited the Turkish businessmen to his country.Addressing a statement following his meeting with Orhan Tasanlar, Bursa Governor; Angheli noted that there are 36 agreements signed between Turkey and Moldova and that the relations between the two countries are based on a strong legal ground. Stressing that now it was time for the mutual relations, Angheli stated that Moldova is a small country with only five million population but that his country has a strategic importance. Noting that the Turkish businessmen should go to Moldavia and should realize joint projects with Moldavian businessmen, Angheli stressed that the Moldavian people consider themselves and Turkey as a joint country with 70 million population. Stating that the relations between the two countries improved since 1994, Angheli emphasized that some Turkish companies started to carry out initiatives in Moldova and that Bayindir Holding is one of them. Angheli added that Bayindir Holding will open a bank two months later and that this will be the first foreign bank in his country. Responding a question on the capture of Cevat Soysal, a leading name in the terrorist organization, in Moldavia; Angheli said that Soysal earlier came to Moldavia but that he did not know how he arrived in Moldova. Angheli noted that Moldova is a small country and she does not have a perfect army; adding that their borders are open and that he wants Turkish nation to know that his country cannot be involved in such affairs. [17] DSP GROUP CONVENES - PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''POSSIBILITY APPEARS TO REACH A COMPROMISE WITH THE OPPOSITION ON THE ISSUE OF ARBITRATION''ANKARA, August 4 (A.A) - Bulent Ecevit, Prime Minister and leader of Democratic Left Party (DSP), said on Wednesday that a possibility appeared to reach a compromise with the opposition parties on the proposal envisaging a Constitutional change paving ways for international arbitration.Addressing his party group meeting, Ecevit said the ones who oppose to the proposal for a constitutional change regarded with international arbitration, the ones who thought that this will contradict with the national sovereignty right, could not discriminate the change of the era. ''Nobody insists on Turkey or any economic and trade institution to accept international arbitration. Nobody has the right to make such an insistence. Yet, several foreign companies, which we need and think would be beneficial for national means, have the right to say (we will come to your country and make necessary investments yet you should grant us the right of arbitration which many countries granted.) What will happen if we don't grant this right? The companies in question will use their right not to make investments in Turkey.'' Noting that Turkey adopted international arbitration long years ago like many countries, Ecevit recalled the international agreements which Turkey sided to this end. ''Several people in Turkey on one hand oppose to international arbitration and on the other hand they want European Union (EU) membership or they seem that they want. In fact, if we become a member of the EU, we should change the understanding of sovereignty to a great extend.'' Ecevit said the problems on the issue of arbitration stemmed from lack of provisions arranging privatization in the Constitution, uncertainity of public service concept and that these prevented international arbitration on several issues. Ecevit said ''energy is one of the main issues. If Turkey fails to get the required measures and make necessary investments, it will meet a very serious energy shortage within a few years. Our sources are not adequate to overcome this shortage. It is a requirement of our national interests to promote foreign reliable companies to make investments in Turkey in energy field.'' Pointing out that there was a full harmonization between the three political parties which form the government on the issue of international arbitration, Ecevit said Husamettin Ozkan, Deputy Prime Minister and Hikmet Sami Turk, Minister of Justice met with the leaders and officials of opposition parties. Ecevit said ''the possibility to make compromise with them appeared. I am happy to say this. I am sure DSP Group will act altogether to this end. Our power is our unity.'' [18] ORGANIZATIONS WHICH SET UP ''LABOUR PLATFORM'' SIT-IN IN GUVEN PARK OF ANKARAANKARA, August 4 (A.A) - The 15 non-governmental organizations which set up the ''Labour Platform'' staged sit-in in Guven Park of Ankara to protest the Draft Law on Social Security on Wednesday.The chairmen of the non-governmental organizations except Bayram Meral, Chairman of the Turkish Trade Unions Federation (Turk-Is), convened in front of Turkish Architects and Engineers Chambers Union and walked to the Guven Park. Meral later joined the chairmen of the organizations in the park. The protestors who chanted slogans as saying ''general strike is coming'' and ''worker and civil servant hand in hand for the general strike'' started the sit-in together with the chairmen of the confederations. The chairmen and the members of the confederations participated in the sit- in for 20 minutes and then started walking to the parliament. The sit-in of the workers and civil servants continue. Meanwhile, the workers which are the members of the platform walked to the Ozgurluk (Freedom) Square of Istanbul and started ''indefinite sit-in'' in the square while some other workers started a sit-in protest in Kadikoy Square of Istanbul. On the other hand, the workers which are the members of Confederation of Public Workers' Trade Unions (KESK), staged a sit-in protest in Ataturk Square of northeastern Trabzon province. The sit-in protest ended without any problems. [19] OKUYAN, LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY MINISTER, MEETS KARABAY, DISK CHAIRMAN - KARABAY: ''WE TOLD OKUYAN TO WITHDRAW THE DRAFT LAW BECAUSE IT DOES NOT SUIT THE CONDITIONS OF TURKEY''ANKARA, August 4 (A.A) - Yasar Okuyan received Vahdettin Karabay, the Chairman of the Confederation of Revolutionary Workers' Unions (DISK), prior to the protest of the ''Labour Platform'' on Wednesday.In a statement issued following the meeting, Karabay said that he told Okuyan to withdraw the draft law on social security because it does not suit the conditions of Turkey. Karabay noted that he suggested Okuyan that they should start talks on the draft law and should make the draft law convenient for Turkey's conditions in the shortest time; adding that Okuyan should give information about his suggestions to the government. Meanwhile, the Labour and Social Security Ministry statement said that Karabay expressed his ideas about the Draft Law on Social Security to Okuyan during their two-hour meeting. The statement added that the meeting in which the one-day strike decision of the Turkish Trade Unions Federation (Turk-Is) was discussed, was very positive. [20] FM: ''TURKEY IS RESPECTFUL TO THE TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF IRAQ''ANKARA, August 4 (A.A) - The Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that Turkey is respectful to the territorial integrity and the political unity of Iraq.Addressing the weekly press conference, Sermet Atacanli, Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman; noted that they have not received any sign which is opposite to the ideas of Turkey from the U.S. Responding a question on the letter which Mohammed Said Al Sahaf, Iraqi Foreign Minister, sent to Kofi Annan, United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General; Atacanli stated that Turkey handles this issue with care and sensitivity and that she reiterated the importance she attaches to the territorial integrity and the political unity of Iraq for many times. When asked what the U.S. stance about this issue was, Atacanli said that they have not received any negative sign and that the U.S. said that they share the uneasiness, worries, and ideas of Turkey about this issue. Sahaf earlier defined Turkey's cross-border operations as ''attack to the Iraqi territory'' and asked Annan to launch initiatives to end these ''attacks'' in his letter to Annan. [21] DENKTAS, TRNC PRESIDENT: ''THERE IS DISAGREEMENT ON CYPRUS, RATHER THAN A PROBLEM''LEFKOSA, August 4 (A.A) - Rauf Denktas, the President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), said on Wednesday that there is a disagreement on Cyprus rather than a problem.Speaking in a programme in Bayrak Radio and Television (BRT) about the Cyprus question, the integration issue and the decisions of the TRNC-Turkey Partnership Council, Denktas noted that the Turkish Cypriots are ready for an agreement which foresees equal conditions for the two sides and that it is necessary for the two sides to define the dispute similarly to say that there is a Cyprus dispute. Stressing that it is impossible to reach today's point if the Turkish Cypriots give up their rights; Denktas stated that what should have been done in 1974 against those who consider Turkish Cypriots as a minority is being done today and that they should not change their policy. Noting that he cannot submit the decisions taken about the Cyprus question together with the Turkish parliament to the TRNC Republican Parliament because of his worry that the TRNC parliament cannot have a consensus on the decisions, Denktas said, ''this situation makes Turkish public opinion uneasy. To this end, I wanted to discuss these issues in front of the nation.'' Denktas emphasized that there are two alternatives in front of the Turkish Cypriots; adding that one of these alternatives is to cooperate with the Greek Cypriots who consider Turkish Cypriots as a minority and be eliminated as individuals in the European Union (EU) when the Greek Cypriots sign an agreement with the EU which says the rights given to Turkey are abandoned. Denktas added that the alternative was the continuation of present policy. Stating that the Cyprus question was solved for the Greek Cypriot side when they are considered as ''the government of Cyprus'' in 1964; Denktas stressed that the problems of Turkish Cypriots is ''not to experience a similar life which was experienced between 1963 and 1974, and to set up a new equal and sovereign partnership by not giving up sovereignty and equality and by not accepting the status of minority.'' Emphasizing that the Greek Cypriots did not accept the federation proposal, Denktas said that the problem is solved for the Greek Cypriot side and that they sat at a table with the Turkish Cypriots for tactical purposes. Denktas said, ''as long as they are called 'the government of Cyprus', their only problem is to bring Turkish side to heel. The problem of Turkish Cypriots is not to be brought to heel.'' [22] TURKEY-IRAN - ATACANLI, FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''OUR EXPECTATION IS THAT OUR TWO SOLDIERS SHOULD BE RELEASED''ANKARA, August 4 (A.A) - Sermet Atacanli, Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman, said on Wednesday that Turkey's expectation was the release of the two Turkish soldiers in the direction of Kamal Khrazzi, Iranian Foreign Minister.Addressing a news conference, Atacanli responded to the questions related with the latest developments in Turkish-Iranian relations. Pointing out that Khrazzi, Iranian Foreign Minister, said he hopes the two Turkish soldiers, who were detained by Iran, will be released within few days as a sign of Iran's good will, Atacanli said ''this is also our expectation.'' Recalling that allegations of bombings forwarded to Turkey by Iran have been discussed seriously as a sign of good will, and that an expert delegation has been sent to the region, Atacanli said: ''Iran had several allegations. We think that it is meaningless even to think that Turkey had such bombings consciously. Turkey has no reason to hold such an act. Meanwhile, also there is no such information which came to us from military authorities such an incident happened accidentally during the activities in Northern Iraq.'' Responding to another question, Atacanli said he has information that there was a telephone conversation between President Suleyman Demirel and Iranian President Mohammad Khatami. Responding to other questions, Atacanli said the Supreme Security Committee meeting is foreseen to take place in Ankara between the two countries on August 9. Stressing that actual field of activity of the committee was to overcome the problems stemming from the activities of the terrorist organization, Atacanli said, ''this is an issue which we attribute importance. As terrorist organization began to use Iranian territories more due to the developments in the region, the requirement appeared for these mechanisms to be used more effectively.'' Atacanli said they have noted the words of Kharazzi which said ''Iran does not allow terrorist organization to act in its territories'', adding that they will have proposals during committee studies how they will reach concrete outcomes. Iran keeps under detention two Turkish soldiers whom it claimed that they violated the border in Kotur city of Western Azerbaijani state of Iran on July 22. [23] DELTA AIRLINES PLANE STOPPED BY FBI - PASSENGERS SAY DETAINED PERSON IS A TURKISTANBUL, August 4 (A.A) - The passengers of the Delta Airlines flight from Atlanta to Turkey, said on Wednesday that the person who was detained by the federal agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport on Tuesday, was a Turk.The Delta Airlines flight from Atlanta to Istanbul arrived at the Ataturk Airport at 3.45 p.m. local time. Four Turks who were interrogated by the U.S. security forces in Atlanta and were permitted to travel, was taken to the Istanbul Police Organization to be interrogated by the Turkish security forces. Yesterday, federal agents of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) stopped a Delta Air Lines flight at Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport and questioned seven people. Agents boarded Flight 40, an MD 11 with 231 passengers aboard, about 6:30 p.m. EDT (2230 GMT), 25 minutes after it was scheduled to depart. All of the passengers on Delta Air Lines flight to Istanbul, Turkey, were asked to get off the plane. Seven passengers were questioned, and one man detained. Local news reports said six of the passengers were quickly released when it was determined they had no connection to the man who was detained. The plane took off from the airport after four hours. [24] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''WE HAVE BROUGHT A NEW DIMENSION TO CYPRUS TALKS''LEFKOSA, August 4 (A.A) - Rauf Denktas, President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Wednesday that they brought a new dimension to Cyprus talks, which were carried out in Greek-Greek Cypriot management, in which no healthy result can be obtained, with the proposal ''we will discuss confederation''. Denktas said the world began to understand Turkish Cypriots better following this proposal.Responding to the questions of reporters Denktas said he did not expect an invitation from the U.N. Secretary General after the position which appeared newly, Denktas said yet he expected him to use his good will mission and a balanced approach. Denktas said Glafcos Clerides, Greek Cypriot leader did not accept any proposal so far. TRNC President Denktas recalled that his proposal to hold state-to-state negotiations were held by getting Turkey's support, adding that ''we don't say we will never sit at negotiation table. Accept our proposal to hold state-to-state negotiations and let us sit and negotiate everything.'' Denktas said the world began to understand Turkish side with the confederation proposal, pointing out that articles began to appear in the U.S., Britain, Germany and Italy in favor of Turkish Cypriots. [25] KOH, U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE, IN ISTANBUL - KOH MEETS MESROB II, PATRIARCH OF TURKISH ARMENIANS, AND BARTHOLOMEOS I, PATRIARCH OF FENER ORTHODOX CHURCHISTANBUL, August 4 (A.A) - Harold Koh, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State responsible for human rights, met with Mesrob II, Patriarch of Turkish Armenians, and Bartholomeos I, Patriarch of Fener Orthodox Church, on Wednesday.Koh firstly visited the Turkish Armenians Patriarchate in Kumkapi district and then visited Fener Orthodox Patriarchate in Balat district. Later, Koh visited Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) and met with the chairman and the members of TUSIAD Executive Board. Koh visited Istanbul Bar and met with Yucel Sayman, the Chairman of the Bar, yesterday evening. Sayman said that Koh's visit was only a ''courtesy visit.'' Meanwhile, the officials of the U.S. Chief Consul in Istanbul, said that Koh's visits have ''special'' reasons and that no information is given to the press. Koh is expected to stage a press conference in Ankara tomorrow. [26] ROBERTSON APPOINTED AS NATO'S NEXT SECRETARY GENERAL - FOREIGN MINISTRY: - ''WE HAVE EXPANDED SUPPORT FOR MR. ROBERTSON TO BECOME NATO SECRETARY GENERAL''ANKARA, Aug 4 (A.A) - Turkey welcomed on Wednesday appointment of British Defense Minister George Robertson as the next Secretary General of NATO in succession to Javier Solana.The Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying, ''We appreciated Mr. Robertson's productive cooperation approach on the bilateral and
international platforms during his defense ministry period. Turkey has
expanded support for Mr. Robertson to become next Secretary General of
NATO.'' George Robertson who was named as the Secretary General of NATO for next four years, is expected to take the mandate in early October. [27] DELTA AIRLINES PLANE STOPPED BY FBIISTANBUL, Aug 4 (A.A) - Airplane belonging to the Delta Airlines arrived in Istanbul from Atlanta on Wednesday after one of its passengers was detained by the federal agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta, the U.S.As the airplane landed at the Ataturk Airport, security measures were tightened. A total of six people including one child and one woman, who were interrogated by the FBI agents, were taken to the police headquarters to be questioned by the Turkish security forces. Police determined their identities as Mehmet Gokay, Nilesen Gokay, Kaan Gokay, Mehmet Kutlugil, Alen Sologan and Haluk Cakmak. Responding to questions of journalists, Alen Sologan said that the FBI agents detained one person who was claimed to be a terrorist. He added that they were quickly released when it was determined they had no connection to the man who was detained. Terasa Bilir, one of the passengers aboard, told reporters, ''We were waiting for the plane to take off. Suddenly American security units including FBI agents, boarded. They took a group of passengers out of the plane. I think that 3 or 4 of them were friends. I suppose that they met with the detained person in the plane. That person was not a friend of them. After they were taken away, all passengers were asked to get off the plane. Security officials searched baggages. Later we were allowed to get into the plane again.'' Erdal Sezel, another passenger, noted, ''we were told that the person who was detained by the FBI agents, was a passenger with false passport. But it was claimed later that he was Turk and a terrorist. He was in his 30s.'' A.A Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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