Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-09-03

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AA Daily

03 Sept 1999 Friday

CONTENTS

[01] EXPORTS FROM AUTOMATIVE SECTOR INCREASE BY 48 PERCENT IN FIRST EIGHTS MONTHS OF 1999

[02] SASAKI, DIRECTOR OF JAPANESE INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY ADMINISTRATOR: - ''WE HAVE OBSERVED THAT COLLAPSED BUILDINGS WERE NOT RESISTANT TO EARTHQUAKES''

[03] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[04] PRIME MINISTRY CRISIS ADMINISTRATION CENTER SAYS THOSE WHO RUMOUR QUAKE TO HIT KOCAELI AND YALOVA TO BE PUNISHED

[05] ERTUGRULOGLU, TRNC FOREIGN AND DEFENSE MINISTER: - ''THE CONDITIONS PUT FORWARD BY U.N. PEACE FORCE FOR TURKISH PRESS ABOUT ENTRANCE TO THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE CANNOT BE ACCEPTED''

[06] PRIME MINISTRY CRISIS ADMINISTRATION CENTER STATEMENT: - ''580,000 BARRELS OF IRAQI CRUDE OIL DONATION HAS BEEN STORED IN BOTAS-CEYHAN TERMINAL''

[07] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES ATO DELEGATION - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKEY KNOWS QUAKE AS IT IS IN QUAKE ZONE, BUT WE FACE A MASSIVE QUAKE THIS TIME''

[08] ISRAELIS DONATE 1.3 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS FOR SURVIVORS IN FIVE-HOUR TV PROGRAMME

[09] EU FOREIGN MINISTERS' UNOFFICIAL MEETING - TURKEY-EU RELATIONS TO BE TAKEN UP

[10] TURK ADMIRAL TO COMMAND STANAVFORMED FOR A YEAR

[11] BULGARIAN COMPANIES WANT TO CONSTRUCT PREFABRICATED HUTS FOR SURVIVORS

[12] MEETING ON PROBLEMS OF CONSTRUCTION IN QUAKE - AYDIN, MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HOUSING: ''PRELIMINARY DAMAGE ASSESSMENT WORK PLANNED TO END ON MONDAY''

[13] SECOND TURKISH EXPORT PRODUCTS FAIR TO TAKE PLACE IN MOROCCO IN NOVEMBER

[14] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT ADDRESSES PAKISTANI TELEVISION

[15] DENKTAS, PRESIDENT OF TRNC, IN ISTANBUL - DENKTAS: ''THE HUMANITARIAN AID OF THE GREEK STATE IS CLEAR BUT WE SHOULDN'T DECEIVE OURSELVES'' - ''NEITHER TURKEY NOR GREECE GIVE UP THE NATIONAL CASES THEY DEEM RIGHT''

[16] SEMINAR ON ''CAPITAL MARKETS AND INVESTMENT IN TURKEY'' - FM CEM: ''WITH HER A SERIES OF ADVANTAGES, TURKEY IS ON THE WAY FOR BEING AN IMPORTANT ACTOR OF NEXT DECADES''

[17] GERMANY: ''TURKEY WOULD FIND ITS BEST FRIEND IN EU''

[01] EXPORTS FROM AUTOMATIVE SECTOR INCREASE BY 48 PERCENT IN FIRST EIGHTS MONTHS OF 1999

The Automative Industry Association statement said that the total of the exports from the by-industry increased 144 percent to 640.9 million U.S. dollars in the first eight months of 1999 when compared with the figures of the same period in 1998 while the biggest increase was observed in automative sector.

The automative exports reached 405.3 million U.S. dollars with an increase of 316 percent in the first eight months of 1999 when compared with the exports in the same period in 1998.

The total of the bus exports increased 62 percent to 149.1 million U.S. dollars while the total of the exports of the other products reached 85.6 million U.S. dollars by an 18 percent increase.

The exports of the total of the automative by industry products was realized as 773.3 million U.S. dollars with an increase of 12 percent.

[02] SASAKI, DIRECTOR OF JAPANESE INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY ADMINISTRATOR: - ''WE HAVE OBSERVED THAT COLLAPSED BUILDINGS WERE NOT RESISTANT TO EARTHQUAKES''

Addressing the opening of the seminar, Naoyoshi Sasaki, the director of JICA and the chairman of the delegation said that the quake shook a larger area in Marmara region when compared to the quake in Kobe.

Sasaki pointed out that the number of collapsed buildings was not many, but the death tool was many in the quake that hit Marmara. ''As the region is wide, many people suffer from the quake,'' said Sasaki, stressing that they observed that people were in panic.

''We will explain our experiences and technical information to officials in Turkey. As it is known the Japanese government sends prefabricated houses to shelter quake victims in Turkey. We will build these houses as soon as possible as the winter will set in soon,'' said Sasaki.

Pointing out that the foundation analysis of the buildings were not carried out correctly in the region hit by the quake, Sasaki said that they assessed that the collapsed buildings were not resistant to earthquakes. ''The existing buildings have to be fortified against quakes and the ones which will be built should be resistant to quakes,'' he said.

Takeo Ohara, the Chairman of Kobe Quake Administration Affairs Center said that ''at the first stage, the problem of dead bodies, providing potable water, providing health and hygienic conditions should be realized. At the second stage, damage assessment works have to be finished and daily life should be normalized. At the last stage, reconstruction process has to start and prefabricated houses should be built. In my opinion Turkey can heal the wounds of this quake in 10 years, maybe longer.''

[03] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) ISIKARA, KANDILLI OBSERVATORY DIRECTOR SPEAKS
Responding to rumours about another massive earthquake, Prof. Ahmet Mete Isikara, Director of Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory Seismology Research Instite said ''such rumours existed from the very beginning. Aftershocks reaching 5.5 could occur but there is no major earthquake activity anymore.'' While telling the night when the massive quake shook Marmara region, Isıkara said ''I was also very frightened and I didn't sleep for the first 72 hours due to my heavy schedule.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

FM CEM: ''IT'S HIGH TIME THAT EU GIVES DECISION''
Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, said it's high time that the European Union (EU) gives decision. Cem told Financial Times, published in Britain that Turkey might try only once more to get accepted as a formal candidate for EU membership before abandoning the attempt. Cem noted that the issue of Turkey's candidacy had to be settled at this December's EU summit in Helsinki. ''This whole business has tired us. It has damaged Turkey's image and become humiliating,'' Cem said.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

UNBELIEVABLE THEFT AT TOPKAPI PALACE
The thieves easily entered into the Miniature and Portres of the Sultans Part of the Topkapi Palace on Wednesday night. The alarms in the palace did not ring. The cameras did not record the theft. Thus, the thieves stole the hand-written Koran which was written by Osman El Hussein in 15th Century. The security forces found three separate finger prints on the glass coverage. The security forces think that some officials at the Palace aided the thieves in stealing the Koran.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

GUREL:POLITICS IS DIFFERENT THAN SENDING AID
Sukru Sina Gurel, the State Minister said that the European Union (EU) didn't change its policy based on discrimination, adding time will show whether or not the messages coming from the EU will come true. The government does not consider the recent messages of Germany, Britain and France about full membership of Turkey to the Union as ''support.''

RADIKAL (LEFT)

CEM'S ''STRANGE'' STATEMENT
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem responded to warm messages of the EU countries about full membership of Turkey by issuing a strange statement. Cem told Financial Times that Turkey might try only once more to get accepted as a formal candidate for EU membership before abandoning the attempt. The paper reported Cem as saying that the issue of Turkey's candidacy had to be settled at this December's EU summit in Helsinki. ''This whole business has tired us. It has damaged Turkey's image and become humiliating,'' Cem said. ''If it turns wrong at Helsinki, we may not ask for our candidacy again,'' he added.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

ORDER IN PUBLIC WORKS
The draft prepared by the Ministry of Public Work and Housing brought the condition of ''financial responsibility of insurance'' in constructions. A punishment upto five billion liras is foreseen for those who don't fulfil the duty of inspecting constructions.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[04] PRIME MINISTRY CRISIS ADMINISTRATION CENTER SAYS THOSE WHO RUMOUR QUAKE TO HIT KOCAELI AND YALOVA TO BE PUNISHED

The Prime Ministry Crisis Administration Center statement said that those who rumuored that the heat of the sea water will increase to 45 degree Celcius and that then, a quake will hit Kocaeli and Yalova, will be punished.

Emphasizing the experts said that the heat of the sea water is in its normal temperatures and that the quake is an underground activity, the statement noted that the experts also said that the air, sea and climate conditions do not affect the formation of a quake and that the quake rumours do not base on scientific facts.

The statement called the people not to believe in such rumours.

The statement stressed that the 580,000 barrels of Iraqi crude oil donation which is worth of ten million U.S. dollars started to be filled in the Tupras-Ceyhan tanks.

Noting that the Foreign Ministry opened bank accounts in Ankara for collecting monetary aid to the survivors and in foreign countries through the Turkey's diplomatic representations, the statement said that a total of 775.1 billion Turkish liras; 944,658 U.S. dollars and 467.860 German marks are collected in these accounts.

The statement also listed the preliminary damages in the disaster zone as of 8.00 p.m. on Thursday as follows:

Province Collapsed- medium slightly

Seriously damaged damaged damaged

-------- ---------------- ----------- ------------
. House Workplace House Workplace House Workplace

Kocaeli - - - - - -

Yalova 5702 508 5111 654 7273 1181

Sakarya 2944 182 1192 82 2899 149

Bolu 1598 428 905 229 931 175

Istanbul 901 130 4080 571 3193 259

Bursa 9 1 905 229 931 175

Eskisehir 9 - - - - -

Zonguldak - - - - - -

Tekirdag - - - - - -

</PRE> The statement said that 23 houses in Bursa, 935 houses and six workplaces in Sakarya and 25,601 houses and 2,270 workplaces in Yalova were assessed as ''undamaged.''

[05] ERTUGRULOGLU, TRNC FOREIGN AND DEFENSE MINISTER: - ''THE CONDITIONS PUT FORWARD BY U.N. PEACE FORCE FOR TURKISH PRESS ABOUT ENTRANCE TO THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE CANNOT BE ACCEPTED''

Issuing a statement, Ertugruloglu said that the Turkish journalists requested to enter into the Greek Cypriot side to observe the arson attack staged against the Hala Sultan Tomb in Larnaka and that the conditions put forward by the Peace Force for the journalists to enter into the Greek Cypriot side cannot be accepted.

Ertugruloglu said that the statements of Ann Hercus, Special Envoy of U.N. Secretary General to Cyprus, do not reflect the truths and that the letter of the U.N. officials saying that the Turkish journalists are permitted to enter into the Greek Cypriot side on September 3 had some unacceptable conditions.

Emphasizing that the conditional letter of the U.N. Peace Force about the visit to the Hala Sultan Tomb was returned back, Ertugruloglu noted that the U.N. Peace Force does not have an authority to permit the transitions and that the authority of the Peace Force is to provide the contacts between the two sides.

Underlining that the U.N. Peace Force's letter included some unacceptable conditions, Ertugruloglu stated that one of the conditions is that the materials of the press team, which will go to the Greek Cypriot side to carry out observations in the tomb, will not have the expressions of ''TRNC'' or ''KKTC'' on them.

Ertugruloglu said, ''the second condition is that the personnel who will go to the tomb from the Bayrak Television (BRKT) should not carry goods having the title of the television which is BRT. It was claimed that the Turkish journalists can enter into the Greek Cypriot side on Friday only under these conditions.''

Stressing that instructions were given to accelerate the procedures of free entrance of the dead Greek Cypriot's family to TRNC, Ertugruloglu said that TRNC does not retaliate this issue after the Turkish journalists were not permitted by Greek Cypriot side to enter the other side.

[06] PRIME MINISTRY CRISIS ADMINISTRATION CENTER STATEMENT: - ''580,000 BARRELS OF IRAQI CRUDE OIL DONATION HAS BEEN STORED IN BOTAS-CEYHAN TERMINAL''

The Prime Ministry Crisis Administration Center statement said that a total of 23,605 buildings ''collapsed'' and 42,386 buildings are seriously damaged as of the latest figures of the preliminary damage assessments.

The statement noted that a total of 45 workplaces collapsed and 400 workplaces are seriously damaged, adding that a total of 45,962 buildings and 415 workplaces did not have significant damages.

Emphasizing that many foreign aid materials are brought to Turkey by the Turkish Air Forces planes, the statement noted that a Turkish Air Forces plane was sent to the U.S. to fetch 15 tons of aid which was collected by the initiatives of Turkey's Embassy in Washington D.C.

The statement emphasized that the planes of the Turkish Air Forces will carry 120 tons of air from Frankfurt Airport and 20 tons of tent materials from Stuttgart Airport to Turkey.

[07] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES ATO DELEGATION - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKEY KNOWS QUAKE AS IT IS IN QUAKE ZONE, BUT WE FACE A MASSIVE QUAKE THIS TIME''

Receiving the delegation of Ankara Commerce Chamber (ATO), President Demirel said that ''many efforts are launched and ways were searched to overcome this disaster. Many criticisms were made following the quake.''

Noting that the quake took place in an area of 400 kilometers and happened suddenly, President Demirel said that ''Turkey knows quake as she is in quake zone, but this time she faces a massive one.''

Pointing out that 15,000 people died in the quake up to now, President Demirel said that nearly 100,000 houses can't be used.

''The quake damaged Golcuk, Adapazarı, Yalova, Kocaeli and Istanbul most. Now operations to shift the rubble are underway. Both Turkey and the world gave a very important humanity lesson. We have to drive lessons from this disaster, we must build new cities which will be resistant to quakes. Their places will be correctly chosen and construction styles will also be correctly chosen.''

''I think a state reform which will cover all Turkey should be undertaken, Turkey must be governed better. State, democracy and economy should function better in Turkey,'' said Demirel.

President Demirel stressed that the government launches efforts to implement all the measures that earlier been taken to overcome economic difficulties.

Sinan Aygun, the Chairman of ATO said in his part that the overall damage in Turkey is expected to be around 5-6 billion dollars, not 30 billion dollars.

''Citizens should count on the state, we have been knowing that the trust in the state has been damaged. It is clear that all the institutions of the state should have a reform. The problem is in the system. Turkey should reform its administrative system, the solution is presidential system,'' he said.

[08] ISRAELIS DONATE 1.3 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS FOR SURVIVORS IN FIVE-HOUR TV PROGRAMME

The donations of the Israeli nation which were granted by the telephones during the telethon, were reflected on the screens and that the pictures which were donated by the famous artists, were bought by the Israeli businessmen who were invited to the studio.

The Israelis who granted donations, expressed their deep sorrow due to the quake which led to the death of many people and injure of many others.

The Israeli singers of Turkish origin who participated in the telethon, cried when they were singing songs in Turkish and Hebrew languages.

Ehud Barak, the Israeli Prime Minister, and Premier Bulent Ecevit held a live video dialogue during the programme.

[09] EU FOREIGN MINISTERS' UNOFFICIAL MEETING - TURKEY-EU RELATIONS TO BE TAKEN UP

The meetings of the EU Council which will also discuss the agenda article described as ''a search for a new approach towards Turkey,'' will last for two days.

The EU Council will work on three issues namely ''the recent situation in Yugoslavia,'' ''European Defense and Security Identity (EDSI)'' and ''Relations with Turkey.''

The Council meeting will be followed by many Turkish and West European press members.

Diplomatic sources say that ''the EU has acknowledged the fact that a new approach has to be taken towards Turkey and the solidarity and close attitude of European public opinion towards Turkey following the massive quake in Turkey played an important role in that.''

Greek journalists are also interested in the EU Council meeting and there is an expectation of change in Greece's attitude. However Greek sources stress that the Greek government won't lift its veto on the Financial Protocol to Turkey, but won't impede aids to Turkey due to the quake disaster.

The EU Council has to approve the 30 million euros the EU commission proposed to give to Turkey from urgent aid fund. This approval can be given in Saariselka.

The credit amount which is planed to be transferred to Turkey from European Investment Bank and which carries great importance in respect of finance, will be determined in the EU Council of Financial and Economy Ministers meeting to be again held in Finland between 10-12 September.

The EU Council will take up ''Turkish-EU relations'' on Sunday and it will also focus on the attitude to be taken during Helsinki summit in December. Britain, Germany and France wish to give ''official candidacy status'' to Turkey and pressure is imposed on Greece about this issue. In this framework the recent warning of Turkey to the EU and its resolved attitude are also taken into consideration.

Diplomats stress that ''important signals rather than a concrete decision can come out in the EU Council meeting,'' adding that the atmosphere has changed.

Meanwhile the new European Commission which will start to work on September 15 focuses on the need of normalizing relations with Turkey. The Commission says that it attributes importance to describing Turkey as ''candidate'' in Helsinki Summit and resuming political dialogue with Turkey.

The role played by Turkey during the Kosovo crisis regarding the security of Europe is evaluated as an important element in determination of the new approach by the EU Commission towards Turkey.

The EU Council meeting will end on Sunday.

[10] TURK ADMIRAL TO COMMAND STANAVFORMED FOR A YEAR

The officials at the General Staff said that Admiral Feyyaz Ogutcu will hand over the Commandership of the Standing Naval Forces of Mediterranean from Admiral David M. Stone in the Aksaz Naval Base Commandership in Marmaris on September 6, 1999.

Admiral Ilhami Erdil, Naval Forces Commander; Admiral James O. Ellis, NATO South European Ally Forces Commander; Admiral Guiseppe Spinozzi, NATO Commander of South European Naval Forces (Comnavsouth); Admiral Mural Bilgel, the Planning Principles Head of NATO South European Naval Forces (Navsouth) will participate in the hand over ceremony.

The Greek HS Thrace Frigade, U.S. USS Peterson, Dutch HNLMS Karel Doorman, German FGS Augsberg, British HMS Liverpool, Spanish SPS Santa Maria, Italian ITS Libeccio and Turkish Kocatepe and Barbaros ships will also be anchored in Aksaz for the ceremony.

[11] BULGARIAN COMPANIES WANT TO CONSTRUCT PREFABRICATED HUTS FOR SURVIVORS

Plamen Beninski, Chairman of Bulgarian Construction Chamber, said that the Bulgarian companies are ready to construct 1,000 prefabricated huts in the disaster zone.

Emphasizing that a 36 cubic metre hut can cost 4,900 U.S. dollars and 60 cubic metre hut can cost 7,200 U.S. dollars including the costs of transportation and the assembly, Beninski noted that they submit their proposal to the Trade Office of the Turkish Embassy in Sofia.

Stressing that high quality isolation materials and aluminium wainscot will be used in these prefabricated huts, Beninski stated that they will be very pleased if their proposal is considered as suitable and if they are given the right to construct huts in the disaster zone.

[12] MEETING ON PROBLEMS OF CONSTRUCTION IN QUAKE - AYDIN, MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HOUSING: ''PRELIMINARY DAMAGE ASSESSMENT WORK PLANNED TO END ON MONDAY''

Addressing the opening of the meeting on ''Problems of Construction and Solution Approaches in Quakes'' held in the Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), Koray Aydın stated that some of the preliminary damage assessment work in certain provinces has ended and 1000 engineers participate in the work.

Noting that the quake shocked everybody, Aydın said that ''I say that we are not prepared against the danger of earthquakes.''

Suayip Usenmez, the State Minister, Sabahattin Cakmakoglu, the National Defense Minister and scientiss participate in the meeting.

[13] SECOND TURKISH EXPORT PRODUCTS FAIR TO TAKE PLACE IN MOROCCO IN NOVEMBER

Devrim Erol, Executive Council Chairman of Ladin Fair Organization told the A.A correspondent that 90 firms already applied to participate in the fair.

Turkey's almost all export products will be exhibited in the fair, however there is a special interest for automotive sub-industry and durable goods.

Turkish exports were negatively affected by the economic crisis in Russia and they also realized focusing on only a single market was wrong, Erol stated and stressed that Africa was an untouched and a developing market.

''Morocco is one of the few countries which have political and economic stability in North Africa. Turkey and Morocco have no problems in their past. We also share the same religion. Therefore we chose Morocco,'' he added.

Morocco which has been a colony for long years is now shifting to market economy and Turkish businessmen who will go there will have big advantages, Erol noted.

He stated that such fairs are very valuable to help small and medium scale enterprises to open to foreign markets.

''We wish to be active in construction field as well. Turkish enterpreneurs, through their investments in Morocco, could reach to Middle Africa,'' Erol pointed out and said Turkey's export to Morocco could climb up to 200 million U.S. dollars in a very short time.

Erol also drew attention to North Africa's tourism potential. ''We suffered from being dependent on only a single market. We must make good use of tourism potential in Africa,'' he said.

Erol added that Turkey would overcome its financial problems caused by the quake disaster and regain its dynamism in mid 2000.

[14] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT ADDRESSES PAKISTANI TELEVISION

Ecevit, in his statement to the programme which was planned to be broadcast on the PTV on Saturday, said there is a special friendship relation between Turkey and Pakistan, adding that the special relation exists not only between the two governments but also between the Turkish and Pakistani peoples.

''We were deeply affected by Pakistan's sharing our grief and humanitarian aid, I want to thank sincerely,'' Ecevit stated.

Recalling that Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif paid a visit of support to Turkey and Pakistan decided to make a ten million U.S. dollars donation, the Prime Minister said they were grateful to Pakistani aid and for the solidarity of the Pakistani people.

Noting that the world mobilized to help Turkey, Ecevit said he was deedly affected by that aid which were a nice surprise for him.

Responding to a question about possible effects of the quake on the turkish economy, Ecevit said some negative effects can be overcome as Turkey is a dynamic country which is open to the world.

[15] DENKTAS, PRESIDENT OF TRNC, IN ISTANBUL - DENKTAS: ''THE HUMANITARIAN AID OF THE GREEK STATE IS CLEAR BUT WE SHOULDN'T DECEIVE OURSELVES'' - ''NEITHER TURKEY NOR GREECE GIVE UP THE NATIONAL CASES THEY DEEM RIGHT''

Rauf Denktas arrived in Istanbul to make observations in the quake disaster area.

Speaking to reporters at the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Denktas said the earthquake was a serious disaster and stroke, adding, ''also we felt great sadness same as you.''

Noting that the Turkish Cypriots are doing all they can, Denktas said, ''yesterday, a 92-year-old man gave me the money he saved through his life. Children are donating their pocket money. These are things causing tears.''

When asked how he evaluates the attitude of the Greek Cypriot side despite the good attitude of Greece due to the earthquake, Denktas said, ''we shouldn't be surprised at this. There were some articles saying 'we would have felt much more glad if all of them had died.' The humanist approach of the Greek state is obvious. However, we shouldn't deceive ourseyves. Although Greece is sending humanitarian aid, Greece doesn't give up the cases she deems right. This is tha same for Turkey. Humaneness, friendship and helping one another are good things but these are two different issues.''

Stressing that Greece rushed to help Turkey shortly after the quake, Denktas said, ''that movement softened the contacts between the two countries. I hope this will continue.''

Wishing that the friendship laid by Ataturk and Venizelos will become real, Denktas said, ''both the tw sides and regions will benefit from this. And we will be two friendly states on Cyprus.''

Later, Denktas proceeded to disaster area with a helicopter.

[16] SEMINAR ON ''CAPITAL MARKETS AND INVESTMENT IN TURKEY'' - FM CEM: ''WITH HER A SERIES OF ADVANTAGES, TURKEY IS ON THE WAY FOR BEING AN IMPORTANT ACTOR OF NEXT DECADES''

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, who is currently paying an official visit to London, attended the seminar on ''Capital Markets and Investment in Turkey'' which was organized by the Turkish-British Business Council.

Addressing the Turkish and British businessmen, economists and bankers, Cem praised the gradually strengthening relations between the Turkish and British business circles. Stressing the importance of international aid sent to Turkey after the devastating earthquake, Cem once again thanked to Britain for the role she played during those aid.

Touching on the damages and losses caused by the quake, Cem said they were pleased that the disaster, which hit the most industrialized region of Turkey, did not damage the industrial infrastructure. Emphasizing that the economic and constitutional reforms continued without a pause despite the difficulties after the quake, Cem said, ''we have the privilege of having a powerful government and effective parliamentary majority in this difficult period.''

Recalling that Turkey is capable of overcoming the material losses, Cem thanked to the friendly world countries for their aid up until now, stating that they expect further aid for reconstruction.

Stressing the importance of new relations which were set up between Europe and Asia, and Turkey's important role in that region, Cem pointed out that Eurasia will be the central stage of the next century which will be beneficial for both Europe ano Asia.

Noting that another development is related to the changing political environment, Cem said it was seen that some autonomous states emerged after the cold war period, recalling that almost all of those new states in the Balkans, Caucasus and Central Asia aer the states that share common history, relegion and language of Turkey.

Pointing out that this situation brought Turkey a new international atmosphere that has historical and cultural dimensions, Cem said Turkey became an actor, who has a long past in those geographies, and a vital partner of those countries for their economic reconstruction.

''Consequently, this strategical change overlaps a new consciousness in Turkey. It is a noteworthy issue that there are 26 countries that we have been sharing the common history, common state and common destiny in these geographies for centuries. this infrastructure provides a unique platform for powerful economec relations and political cooperation. Turkey, who has the most dynamic economy, most developed armed forces and most experienced democracy in this broad socio-economic geography spreading to North Africa, Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia from the Balkans, has convenient conditions to contribute to stability and to benefit from the opportunities created by the new Euraisan order. Turkey, with her historical and cultural characteristics and privileged identity of being both European and Asian, has a quite powerful situation for being the strategical center of the Eurasia,'' Cem said.

''If being European is a geographical or historical definition, we have lived in Europe during our 700-year history as a European power and continue to live in Europe. If being European is a cultural definition, than it is somehow complex. If the concept of European is defined by a religious criterion, if the EU is a Christian club, than we don't conform to this definition. However, if the European culture is defined by factors like democracy, human rights, supremacy of law, equality of gender, secularism as it is officially claimed by the EU, than we have been sharing this contemporary European culture and contributing to it for 75 years despite the necessity for additional recovery in some issues,'' he said.

When asked to evaluate the possible consequences of the warming relations between Turkey and Greece, the Foreign Minister said he hopes the second round talks of the dialogue jointly started by him and Greek Prime Minister Yorgo Papandreou will bring great benefits, stressing that the developments shouldn't be exaggerated more.

When asked what could happen in case of a negative result at the Helsinki Summit which will constitute an important corner stone in the process of Turkey's full-membership to the EU, Cem said most of the EU member countries support the idea of Turkey's full-membership and the number of supporting countries increases day by day.

Stressing that a negative decision will turn Turkey's efforts for years out to be nothing and this will be wrong, Cem said, ''the political dimension of the process tired up Turkey very much and more important thing is that it harmed Turkey's image and caused degrading situations. If there is a negative result at the Helsinki Summit, Turkey will evaluate what the most appropriate way will be for her and maybe she won't ask for a review of the candidacy system.''

Responding to a question about the progress in democracy and human rights in Turkey, Cem said many countries have deficiencies to be developed. Noting that several democratic developments have occurreed in Turkey recently but the Western media did not show sufficient interest, Cem said, ''I mean the interpretations are somehow exaggerated. the things that are put forward do not totally reflect the truth.''

Stressing that they expect an unbiased and objective approach from the West towards the issues of democracy and human rights in Turkey, Cem said Turkey has spent last 15 years with the reality of cruel terrorist attacks which affected the democratization process like many things in Turkey.

Emphasizing that Britain, who is suffering from a similar problem in Northern Ireland, has to understand this well, Cem stated that at the current level, the pains suffered from terrorism started to reduce.

[17] GERMANY: ''TURKEY WOULD FIND ITS BEST FRIEND IN EU''

''The new government in Germany had some initiatives to overcome the cold period in German-Turkish relations. Turkey wants to be a EU member and this is where the problem lies. Turkey's human rights record is much poorer than of other candidate countries,'' he claimed and said Germany wanted to serve as a bridge to overcome problems in Turkey and sent Wolfganan Ischinger, the Foreign Ministery Undersecretary to Turkey last May for this purpose. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and German Prime Minister Gerhard Schroder also corresponded through letters during this visit, he reminded and said their correspondence was very positive.

Schroder, in his letter to Ecevit, said ''he wanted to see Turkey as a EU member'', the Foreign Ministry official said.

''We do not want Turkey to lose its candidacy. Turkey must play an active role in this matter. Our expectations from Turkey is to meet Copenhague criteria and be in dialogue with the EU,'' he noted and stressed that it was very difficult for Turkey to be a EU member without improving its human rights record.

The Foreign Ministry official said the EU was not only a customs union but the members also shared a common philosophy. ''We have a constitution and we expect our members to obey it. I would like to start a discussion of what EU membership would bring Turkey in terms of its human rights rather than its economy. The EU must not close its doors to Turkey but keep them open at all times,'' he continued.

When a reporter reminded that Turkey was not as enthusiastic as it was before about the EU membership and instead turned to the U.S. and Israel to improve its ties with these countries, the German Foreign Ministry official said ''considering Turkey's geography and its neighbours like Iran and Iraq, it would find its best friend in the EU''. ''Geographically, Turkey has no other alternative,'' he said.

Regarding the head of the terrorist organization, Ocalan's situation, the German Foreign Ministry official said this was a great chance for law in Turkey. ''Ocalan's call to lay down arms is a great chance for us too because there are many Turks and Kurds living in Germany and this is a great chance to maintain peace here too,'' he added.

A.A

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