Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-08-14

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

AA Daily

14 August 1999 Saturday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] RICHARDSON, U.S. SECRETARY OF ENERGY, DUE IN TURKEY ON AUGUST 16

[03] ''TURKEY: SPACE CAMP'' INTRODUCED WITH A COCKTAIL PARTY

[04] MURDER OF SEMSI DENIZER - STATE MINISTER GEMICI: - ''IF IT IS NECESSARY, A PARLIAMENTARY COMISSION CAN BE SET UP TO REVEAL THE ASSASINATION''

[05] TURKEY'S BIGGEST ZOO TO BE OPENED IN GAZIANTEP IN JUNE, 2000

[06] JOHN H. STUBBUS, DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF WORLD CULTURAL HERITAGES FOUNDATION: - ''HISTORICAL WORKS IN NEMRUT MOUNTAIN SHOULD BE RESTORED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE''

[07] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS: - ''ERBAKAN IS DREAMING'' - ''OCALAN'S STATEMENTS BECAME BARGAINING STYLE OF A POLITICIAN''

[08] REPENTANCE DRAFT LAW ADOPTED

[09] CELEBRATIONS TAKE PLACE IN THE TRNC TO MARK THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF SECOND STAGE OF PEACE OPERATION

[10] 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF SECOND STAGE OF PEACE OPERATION - PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF THE TRNC: - ''IT WAS NOT A SEPARATE SECOND OPERATION, BUT IT WAS CONTINUATION OF THE FIRST OPERATION''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) PROPOSAL CONCERNING INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION, ADOPTED
The proposal concerning a constitutional change related with the international arbitration, was adopted at the Parliamentary General Assembly with 448 votes. President Suleyman Demirel approved the law concerning the constitutional change that enables the solution of disputes stemming from public concession provisions and contracts through national and international arbitration.

NATIONWIDE ONE DAY STRIKE OF LABOUR PLATFORM
Employees went on a one day strike nationwide as decided by the Labour Platform to protest the international arbitration and the social security reform. Police took tight security measures in Diyarbakir, Batman, Siirt, Malatya, Sirnak, Elazig and Mardin which also witnessed similar protests. The one day strike paralyzed the daily life and traffic in Turkey.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING SIGNED BETWEEN IRAN AND TURKEY
A memorandum of understanding was signed between Turkey and Iran following the Supreme Security Commission meeting which took place to struggle against terrorism and to provide border security. In the memorandum of understanding, it was decided to establish a telephone and fax line aiming at strengthening cooperation between commanders who were appointed by the two countries to struggle effectively against separatist terrorist PKK organization. The commanders will make the planning and coordination of simultaneous operations in order to render the terrorist groups ineffective and they will provide continuous information flow for border security.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

ERBAKAN HIGHLY PLEASED
Necmettin Erbakan started to talk after the political ban on him was lifted and wanted an apology. ''Why should they forgive us since we did not commit a crime? I wonder what are they forgiving now? Returning back to politics can't be offered to us as a favour? They have to thank to us as a result of our services and they have to apologize to us,'' he said.

RETIREMENT AGES APPROVED
Despite the protests of labourers and civil servants, the Parliament discussed the Social Security Draft Law yesterday. Article 6 of the 69- Article bill foreseeing retirement age as 58 for women and 60 for men, was approved.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

GAP TO BE INTRODUCED TO THE WORLD BY CNN
The Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) will be introduced to the world by the CNN-TV, the biggest news channel of the world. A five-member team from the CNN arrived in the region to prepare a programme titled ''Water and the Importance and Influence of the GAP on the Regional People.''

RADIKAL (LEFT)

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

Fogg said that the government of Turkey is willing to implement the necessary reforms for the Turkish economy and that it has a strong support at the parliament to implement the reforms.

JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER DUE IN TURKEY
Masahiko Koumura, Japanese Foreign Minister, will pay an official visit to Turkey between August 18 and 20. Japanese Foreign Ministry issued a written statement saying that Mr. Koumura will hold talks with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Ismail Cem, Foreign Minister. He is scheduled to proceed to Istanbul on August 19. We will come together with Turkish businessmen in Istanbul.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] RICHARDSON, U.S. SECRETARY OF ENERGY, DUE IN TURKEY ON AUGUST 16

Contacts of Richardson in Turkey will focus on the latest developments about the Baku-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline Project and the Turkmenistan-Turkey Natural Gas Pipeline Project.

Richardson is expected to express the support that the U.S. extends in the projects.

He is also expected to launch an initiative to overcome the deadlocks in the projects.

Bill Richardson will be received by President Suleyman Demirel.

He is scheduled to come together with Cumhur Ersumer, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Natural Sources, on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Trade Development Agency (TDA) is expected to give Turkey the second portion donation loan of 250 thousand U.S. dollars to be spent for the counceling services of the projects.

The symbolic support of the TDA which had earlier given Turkey a loan of 823 thousand U.S. dollars for the transportation of Caspian natural gas and oil sources, was described as a sign of cooperation and solidarity between the two countries.

Richardson is expected to come together with Azeri President Haydar Aliev in Baku on August 17, and with Turkmen President Saparmurad Turkmenbasi in Ashkhabad on August 18.

Richardson will be the first U.S. Secretary of Energy who pays an official visit to the region within one and a half year.

[03] ''TURKEY: SPACE CAMP'' INTRODUCED WITH A COCKTAIL PARTY

Addressing the cocktail party, Kaya Tuncer, the Chairman of Executive Board of Aegean Free Area Founders and Managers Inc. (ESBAS), said that the ''Turkey: Space Camp'' which will be opened in June, 2000, will provide a unique education opportunity.

Tuncer added, ''the camp will prepare the young generation aged between 7 and 16 to become the engineers, astronauts and scientists of the future.''

The Space Camp will be the first space camp in Turkey, Middle East, and Southern Europe, and the seventh in the world.

The Space Camp will be established by the licence of the U.S. Space Camp Foundation.

Ismail Akbay, one of the pioneers of the U.S. space researches who has worked for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for 31 years, stressed that the Space Camp will be very useful for the education of the Turkish youth.

Reminding that Germany and Italy have endeavoured to establish the seventh space camp of the world, Owen K. Garriot, a prominent U.S. astronaut, underlined that such a success will be Turkey's.

[04] MURDER OF SEMSI DENIZER - STATE MINISTER GEMICI: - ''IF IT IS NECESSARY, A PARLIAMENTARY COMISSION CAN BE SET UP TO REVEAL THE ASSASINATION''

Responding to questions of journalists about the issue, Gemici noted that a full-scale investigation is continuing.

Pointing out that several allegations were brought into agenda in the wake of the assasination, Gemici said, ''Denizer was a leading figure for Zonguldak. He was one of my close friends. He had struggled for the Turkish Coal Authority (TTK) and for the future of Zonguldak. His demise created a deep sorrow. The murder is being tried to be connected to the Social Security Draft Resolution and to the Law concerning the constitutional change in the international arbitration. These are very serious claims. Those who are speaking out such claims, could not put forward concrete evidences so far. Security forces continue to investigate whether or not there was any inciting factor in the assasination.''

[05] TURKEY'S BIGGEST ZOO TO BE OPENED IN GAZIANTEP IN JUNE, 2000

Responding to questions of the A.A correspondent, Sofuoglu said that more than 400 billion Turkish Liras was spent on the project which was put into practice last year, and the construction will be adjudicated on August 27 with the bid bond of 447 billion 231 million Turkish Liras.

Sofuoglu stressed that the construction of Turkey's biggest zoo will be finalized in June, 2000, and will cost nearly one trillion Turkish Liras.

Pointing out that 60 percent of the construction was concluded so far, Sofuoglu underlined that the project will be the biggest zoo not only in Gaziantep and Southeastern Anatolia Region, but in Turkey and even in Europe.

[06] JOHN H. STUBBUS, DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF WORLD CULTURAL HERITAGES FOUNDATION: - ''HISTORICAL WORKS IN NEMRUT MOUNTAIN SHOULD BE RESTORED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE''

Stubbus visited the ruins in Nemrut, and told A.A correspondent that the World Cultural Heritages Foundation has been serving to support restoration projects in different parts of the world, and to transfer these historical works to the next generations for 35 years. Recalling that the historical works in Nemrut Mountain were included in the Cultural Heritage List by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Stubbus stressed that the restoration works should start in the mountain as soon as possible.

Pointing out that he will express his impressions in the meeting which will be held in New York in September, Stubbus said that they take 100 historical works into the programme every year, and Nemrut is among the historical works to be taken into this year's programme.

Noting that they are in close cooperation with the World Bank, Stubbus underlined that they will try to call international organizations' attention to the project.

Stubbus received information from Maurice Crijns, the Chairperson of International Nemrut Foundation.

Stubbus also added that they are supporting the restoration works in Ayasofya Museum, Ani Ruins, Patara and Catal Hoyuk.

[07] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS: - ''ERBAKAN IS DREAMING'' - ''OCALAN'S STATEMENTS BECAME BARGAINING STYLE OF A POLITICIAN''

Responding to questions of journalists about the constitutional change concerning the international arbitration, Ecevit said, ''we have adopted the Law envisaging constitutional change regarded with the international arbitration. This will provide a great external source and investments of build-operate-transfer. Lack of this Law blocks the way of Turkey. Capitulation claims are extremely wrong. There are infrastructural projects that cannot be delayed. With this Law, we will realize foreign and modern technology soon. If we encounter with difficulties concerning arbitration, we will take the necessary measures.''

Stressing that they will never cease from retirement age as 58 for women and 60 for men, Prime Minister Ecevit told the reporters that this issue is irreversible.

Noting that they gained the support of the Turkish Labour Unions (Turk-Is) in the compromise process, Ecevit said that the non-governmental organizations which set up the ''Labour Platform'' try to keep the Turk-Is under pressure.

Ecevit said, ''such illegal demonstrations can cause serious problems in Turkey. All social groups can express their complaints in an appropriate way, but Labour Platform's demonstration turned out to be a challenge. We have always defended participation of all social groups in politics. But there are rules for this participation, otherwise it will become a muddle.''

Ecevit defended that the constitutional change in the Political Parties Law will not open the way for Necmettin Erbakan, former Leader of the Welfare Party which was closed by the Constitutional Court, to return to politics.

When asked, ''Is the resignation of 28 deputies and approval of these resignations by the Parliament in question?'', Ecevit told the reporters, ''It is impossible. Mr. Erbakan is not a dreamer, but it is real that he is dreaming. Also he is right. I thought it became clear that he cannot be a candidate. The constitutonal change makes difficult to close a political party. I have been defending it from the very beginning. A political party cannot be closed due to one person's speeches.''

When asked about the harmony among the coalition partners, Ecevit said, ''coalition partners are working in concordance. There were unimportant problems during the preparation of the Amnesty Law.

These problems were about the details, but he have solved them.

There could be divergences even in the political parties. But the important thing is not to reflect these problems into the government.''

Stressing that there has been a lack of authority in Northern Iraq for the last nine years, Ecevit underlined that the issue of Northern Iraq will be brought into agenda of the U.S. President Bill Clinton's contacts in Turkey.

When asked about his evaluations on the statements of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of terrorist organization PKK who was sentenced to death penalty by the Ankara State Security Court No: 2 on charges of treason, Ecevit said, ''his statements became bargaining style of a politician. But this will rouse reaction in the society. We will maintain our determination on the issue. Foreign politicians have begun to change their attitudes.''

[08] REPENTANCE DRAFT LAW ADOPTED

The bill, which was transferred to the Parliament, envisages that the people, who set up the terrorist organization, and the people in the terrorist organization's administrative and commanding staff and ''high- level officials'', can't benefit from the law,

In accordance with the bill, the terrorsits, who killed or injured security forces, can't benefit from the law.

Terrorists won't be punished according to their situations or gradated reduction will be applied on their sentences. The courts may not hand down sentences on the terrorists, who did not participate in any terrorist activity, surrender and help the collapse of the terrorist organization through their information, if the information is confirmed by the Security and Ministry of Interior.

There will be gradated reduction in the punishments of the terrorists, who help the collapse of the terrorist organization through the information they give during interrogation and after trial, again in accordance with court decisions. This gradation will change according to the level were the terrorist repents and the content of their information.

In accondance with an interim Article included in the bill, the terrorists can benefit from these law backwards under same conditions.

If the Repentance bill enters into effect, will be valid for six months after it is published in the Official Gazette. During this period, the terrorists, who surrender, are interrogated, tried or sentenced to imprisonment, can make application and request to benefit from the law. The final decision will be given by the court.

[09] CELEBRATIONS TAKE PLACE IN THE TRNC TO MARK THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF SECOND STAGE OF PEACE OPERATION

The Turkish soldiers had landed on Cyprus on July 20, 1974 to start the Peace Operation. The second stage of the Operation had begun on August 14, 1974.

Victims of the mass massacres are being commemorated within framework of the celebrations.

Meanwhile, it was reported that the Greek Cypriots are preparing to stage provocative actions with the support of the church and the administration.

The Greek Cypriots organized a rally, concert and religious ceremony in Gazimagusa Derinya border region at 20.00 local time today.

Representatives of Greek Cypriot political parties and several deputies from Britain, Greece and other European countries are expected to participate in the activities.

[10] 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF SECOND STAGE OF PEACE OPERATION - PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF THE TRNC: - ''IT WAS NOT A SEPARATE SECOND OPERATION, BUT IT WAS CONTINUATION OF THE FIRST OPERATION''

As the celebrations are taking place in the TRNC to mark the 25th anniversary of the second stage of 1974 Peace Operation, President Denktas received Osman Tabak, Mayor of Tekirdag, and accompanying delegation.

Stressing that the definition as ''Second Peace Operation'' is completely wrong, Denktas underlined that such definition causes comments which claim that the first operation was legal, but the second was illegal. He added, ''the Peace Operation continued since the Greek Cypriots did not want peace on the island.''

Denktas said that if this operation, which is called second operation, had not continued, they had the evidences and documents proving that the massacre, that the Greek-Cypriots started in Murataga, Sandallar, Atlilar and Taskent could spread to 15 other villages. ''We had to feel the grief of 15 other Turkish villages, if the continuation of the Peace Operation had not been launched,'' Denktas stressed.

Noting that the confederation proposal, which was put forward by the Turkish side, can't ''exist continuously'', Denktas said, ''while there is an opportunity, they can agree if they want.''

Pointing out that the Greek-Cypriots have responded the Turkish sides's calls for consensus since that time by saying, ''we are the Cyprus Republic. We can talk if you come without harming us,'' Denktas emphasized that there has not been any change in the situation despite all the good will of the Turkish side.

A.A

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