Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-09-15

Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

AA Daily

15 Sept 1999 Wednesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM CALLS PAPANDREU, GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER, AND EXPRESSED CONDOLENCES OVER THE DEATH OF KRANIDIOTIS, GREEK DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER

[03] FOREIGN MINISTER ISMAIL CEM CANCELS VISIT TO BUCHAREST AFTER THE DEATH OF GREEK DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER YANNIS KRANIDIOTIS

[04] ENERGY POWER PLANT TO GOSB - INDUSTRIALISTS TO PRODUCE THEIR OWN ENERGY

[05] JAPANESE DELEGATION VISITS MINERAL RESEARCH AND EXPLORATION INSTITUTE

[06] MUTUAL PROTECTION AND INCITEMENT OF INVESTMENTS BETWEEN TURKEY AND CUBA PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL GAZETTE

[07] IMF DELEGATION IN FINANCE MINISTRY - COTARELLI, IMF TURKEY DESK CHAIRMAN: ''WE BEGAN TO THINK OF INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF AID AFTER VISITING QUAKE REGION''

[08] TURKISH-GREEK DIALOGUE - SECOND STAGE OF SECOND TOUR MEETINGS START IN ANKARA

[09] IMF EMERGENCY AID CREDIT-TURKEY - IMF TO GIVE ITS BIGGEST EMERGENCY EMERGENY LOAN TO TURKEY

[10] CAY, MINISTER OF STATE, IN KAZAKHSTAN - CAY: ''KAZAKHSTAN WANTS TO INCREASE ANNUAL TRADE VOLUME BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES TO MORE THAN ONE BILLION U.S. DOLLARS

[11] MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''THE MOMENTUM RECORDED IN THE PROCESS, CONTRIBUTES TO THE PROVIDING OF PEACE AND STABILITY IN THE REGION''

[12] IMF DELEGATION IN FINANCE MINISTRY - COTTARELLI, CHIEF OF IMF TURKEY DESK, SAYS THEY WILL RECOMMEND IMF EXECUTIVE BOARD INCREASE CREDIT

[13] DEATH OF GREEK DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''WE SHARE GREECE'S GRIEF''

[14] CAKMAKOGLU, NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER: ''THE NEW LEGISLATION THAT WILL PAY THE MEN OUT OF COMPULSORY 18-MONTH MILITARY SERVICE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE EARLIER ANNOUNCED PRINCIPLES''

[15] TURKISH-GREEK DIALOGUE - SECOND-ROUND TALKS SESSION ON ''CULTURE'' ENDS

[16] IMF DELEGATION VISITS FINANCE MINISTRY

[17] CONTACTS OF IMF DELEGATION

[18] TURKEY AND CROATIA SIGN SECOND TERM JEC PROTOCOL

[19] RED CRESCENT SIGNS PRE-AGREEMENT WITH RED CROSS-RED CRESCENT FEDERATION

[20] STATEMENT OF ULUGBAY, FORMER STATE MINISTER - ULUGBAY, FORMER STATE MINISTER, SAYS THE TENSIVE DAYS AND TIREDNESS LED HIM TO ATTEMPT SUICIDE

[21] TURKISH-GREEK DIALOGUE - SESSION ON ''REGIONAL COOPERATION'' OF SECOND- ROUND SECOND-STAGE TALKS STARTS

[22] ULUGBAY, FORMER STATE MINISTER: - ''I PREFERRED SUICIDE INSTEAD OF RESIGNATION''

[23] HALONEN, FINNISH FM, BEHAVES CAUTIOUSLY ABOUT TURKEY'S BEING OFFICIALLY DECLARED AS FULL MEMBER IN HELSINKI SUMMIT

[24] PREMIER ECEVIT RECEIVES U.S. ASSISTANT STATE SECRETARY GROSSMAN AND NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBER BLINKEN

[25] OFFICIALS HEADED BY PRESIDENT DEMIREL AND TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS DISCUSS CYPRUS ISSUE

[26] TURKISH-GREEK DIALOGUE - SESSION ON ''REGIONAL COOPERATION'' OF SECOND- ROUND SECOND-STAGE TALKS ENDS

[27] GROSSMAN, U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE: ''WE ARE CLOSELY INTERESTED IN CYPRUS QUESTION''

[28] PREMIER ECEVIT: ''WE FOCUSED ON WHAT CAN COME TO AGENDA IN MY CONTACTS IN U.S. WITH GROSSMAN''

[29] FOREIGN AID TO QUAKE VICTIMS IN TURKEY - FOREIGN MINISTRY PREPARES ''OPEN THANK-YOU LETTERS'' FOR COUNTRIES THAT SENT AID TO TURKEY

[30] FOREIGN AID TO QUAKE VICTIMS IN TURKEY - A PART OF HUMANITARIAN AID COLLECTED IN GERMANY SENT TO TURKEY BY RO-RO SHIPS VIA ITALY

[31] WHO MEETING OF EUROPE REGIONAL COMMITTEE - TURKEY'S DRAFT ABOUT MEASURES TO BE TAKEN AFTER QUAKES AND OTHER DISASTERS ACCEPTED

[32] PRIME MINISTRY CRISIS ADMINISTRATION CENTER: ''PRINCIPLES OF TEMPORARY HOUSING AID TO BE GIVEN TO QUAKE VICTIMS DETERMINED''

[33] ECEVIT SPEAKS TO GREEK MEGA CHANNEL: - ''TURKEY DOESN'T HAVE ANY DESIRE ON GREEK TERRITORIES''

[34] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT-TURKEY - JPC CO-CHAIRMAN ESER: ''EU IS ALSO UNEASY ABOUT LUXEMBOURG DECISIONS''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

DEAR BULENT
The warm relations which came with the quake, were reflected to diplomacy. British Prime Minister Tony Blair, in a letter which he sent to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, addressed to him as ''Dear Bulent''. Wave of sympathy forwarded to Turkey from all over the world, increases gradually following the massive earthquake. Tony Blair, British Prime Minister, said ''Thank you for your letter of 26 August expressing appreciation for our support following the earthquake in Turkey. We have been profoundly moved by the tragedy of the earthquake and deeply saddened at the terrible loss of life.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

IN TEN DAYS, THEY SPOKE FOR SIX MONTHS
Fatih Yurdal, Turk Telecom General Director said they started free local and international calling in disaster areas; however, quake survivors talked on the phone longer than they expected, therefore, they had to stop the free calls. In only ten days, quake survivors made calls which they would normally make in six months, Yurdal noted. ''Our people need to be educated. We made the calls free so that people could inform each other about their situation. However, they had long chats on the phone,'' he said. The only solution to open the locked lines is to keep conversations very short, he noted.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

GOSSIP QUAKE
Inhabitants of Marmara passed another night without sleep because of the lies that contradict with the logic and science. The lies caused people to pass the night in the streets.

INSURANCE TO LESSEN THE BURDEN
''Construction insurance'' which was brought to the agenda following the Marmara quake, was discussed in a panel which was held in Treasury Undersecretariat on Tuesday. Recep Onal, the Minister of State, said in the experiences of the developed countries, insurance companies form an auto- control for the quality of the buildings, and lessened the risk that the state has to take as a result of the natural disasters.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

TURKEY DISCUSSION
Difference of opinion between the foreign ministers of the EU member countries continue if or not Turkey will have candidate country status. Although most of the countries stated that they were ready to define Turkey as the candidate country, a small group of countries, mainly Sweden, wants Turkey to fulfil some part of the conditions put foward by the EU, before accepting Turkey as the candidate to be an EU member country.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

DEATH TOLL IN ATHENS CLIMBS TO 127
Dimitris Reppas, the Greek Government Spokesman said 127 people died in Athens earthquake and there were still 11 people trapped under collapsed buildings. The quake survivors have been placed in 20,000 tents. The financial cost of the quake damage might exceed 650 million U.S dollars, Reppas stated and added that the EU did not yet decided on a figure to help Greece. The Government Spokesman also stressed that the Turkish and Greek rescue teams, AKUT and EMAK displayed a very good example of solidarity and cooperation during rescue efforts.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

CEM: NO GUARANTEE FOR THE EU
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said positive steps taken on the way to European Union (EU) can not be regarded as guarantee for Turkey's full membership to the Union.

IT IS RISKY TO OPEN SCHOOLS
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said they can not determine a date for the re- opening of schools. Ecevit said ''required observations are under way related with the quake possibilities. It is clear that opening schools is a risk that can not be taken at the moment.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

ECEVIT:''IT IS RISKY TO OPEN SCHOOLS''
The government which insisted on opening the schools changed its mind after Tuesday's powerful aftershock measuring 5,8 by Richter scale. ''It is obvious that we can not risk opening the schools,'' Ecevit said but declined to give a certain date for the their opening.

[02] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM CALLS PAPANDREU, GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER, AND EXPRESSED CONDOLENCES OVER THE DEATH OF KRANIDIOTIS, GREEK DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER

Foreign Ministry officials said Cem called Papandreu on Tuesday evening immediately after he learned about the news.

Kranidiotis and five other people were killed when a Falcon type plane, belonging to Greek Prime Ministry, went into a steep plunge in the closing stages of a flight from Athens to Bucharest.

[03] FOREIGN MINISTER ISMAIL CEM CANCELS VISIT TO BUCHAREST AFTER THE DEATH OF GREEK DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER YANNIS KRANIDIOTIS

Turkish Foreign Ministry authorities said Southeast European Countries Cooperation Process Foreign Ministers' Meeting which was going to take place in Bucharest was postponed.

At the meeting, the foreign ministers were going to focus mainly on Kosovo issue. The draft of ''Conditions of good neighbourly relations, stability, security, and cooperation in southeast Europe'' which was proposed in Antalya summit was going to be reviewed in an attempt to finalize it.

Kranidiotis was killed when a Falcon type jet plane which was carrying 13 people fell into turbulence. His son Nikos Kranidiotis, co-pilot of the plane, two journalists, and one guard also lost their lives in the accident.

Kranidiotis was born in Cyprus in 1947. Following the Athens Law Faculty, he studied at Harward and Suffex universities. He started his political life at PASOK party and was appointed as Deputy Foreign Minister in 1996. Kraniditiotis was seen as one of the architects of Turkish-Greek rapproachement which was observed recently.

[04] ENERGY POWER PLANT TO GOSB - INDUSTRIALISTS TO PRODUCE THEIR OWN ENERGY

Durmus Issever, Chairman of GOSB, told A.A correspondent that a power plant which can work with fuel-oil or LPG can be turned into a facitility which works with the natural gas.

Noting that the power plant will be established as 60 megawatt at the first stage, Issever said, ''this production is enough for the 311 enterprises in OSB that is composed of three regions. The power plant will be constructed in a way that its production capacity will increase when required.''

Issever said the power plant will be set up by Aksa company with German technology and with Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model and will cost for 60 million German marks.

Issever said the foundation of the power plant is foreseen to be laid by the end of the year 2000, and will later be tranferred to GOSB after being operated by Aksa company for 10 years ''project of the power plant is concluded. Pre-permission is taken from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.

[05] JAPANESE DELEGATION VISITS MINERAL RESEARCH AND EXPLORATION INSTITUTE

MTA stated that a high level delegation from Japanese Geology Survey visited MTA on Tuesday. The Japanese institution has been working on joint projects with MTA about active faults and earthquakes since 1982.

''After the first talks, we agreed on a long term project for the detailed mapping of land and sea ground faults. We are hoping that the Japanese experience will be useful for our country,'' it was said. The project is expected to start in November.

A Japanese delegation including Dr. Hirokazu Kato, Deputy General Director; Dr. Eikiehi Tsukuda, President of Seismotechnic Research; researchers Dr. Toshikazu Yoshioka and Dr. Yasuo Awata will make observations in quake hit regions on Wednesday.

[06] MUTUAL PROTECTION AND INCITEMENT OF INVESTMENTS BETWEEN TURKEY AND CUBA PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL GAZETTE

According to the agreement, the sides will permit all transfers enter and leave their country without any delays once the necessary tax regulations are completed.

Both sides will directly discuss any disagreements that might emerge. If the conflict could not be resolved between Turkey and Cuba within six months, an arbitration delegation of three members could could be applied to resolve the problem.

[07] IMF DELEGATION IN FINANCE MINISTRY - COTARELLI, IMF TURKEY DESK CHAIRMAN: ''WE BEGAN TO THINK OF INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF AID AFTER VISITING QUAKE REGION''

Responding to the question of A.A correspondent, Coterelli recalled that they visited quake region on Tuesday and noted that they observed that the quake damaged a large area. He said the efforts in the region were beneficial.

Cotarelli pointed out that they decided to increase the emergency loan which they will extend to Turkey after visiting the region and their contacts there. Noting that this was not the duty of them, Cotarelli said they will convey this view to Washington.

Responding to another question Cotarelli said their visit will end on Friday.

[08] TURKISH-GREEK DIALOGUE - SECOND STAGE OF SECOND TOUR MEETINGS START IN ANKARA

Turkish and Greek delegations started their talks at the Foreign Ministry where they will discuss cooperation against terrorism and other regional and cultural cooperation opportunities.

Mithat Balkan, the Deputy Undersecretary of Foreign Ministry and Anastasios Skoperitis, the Political Director of Greek Foreign Ministry are leading the talks. Yannis Korandis, the Greek Ambassador in Ankara is also attending the meetings.

In the morning session of the meetings, the diplomats are discussing cooperation in cultural field. The delegations are expected to exchange views on regional cooperation in the afternoon session.

Within the framework of Turkish-Greek dialogue, the diplomats had discussed cooperation in environment, trade, and tourism fields in Athens on September 9 and 10.

The first tour of meetings started in Ankara on July 26 and 27 and ended in Athens on July 29 and 30.

Regarding the demise of Yannis Kranidiotis, the Greek Deputy Foreign Minister, Ambassador Balkan said they were all deeply grieved by the news and stated that ''it was a big loss''.

Members of the Greek delegation seemed very sad because of Kranidiotis' demise.

[09] IMF EMERGENCY AID CREDIT-TURKEY - IMF TO GIVE ITS BIGGEST EMERGENCY EMERGENY LOAN TO TURKEY

According to the information which A.A correspondent gathered from the IMF Financial Aid table, the IMF extended aid to countries who suffered from natural disasters by the EL fund which it initiated in the year 1996.

The biggest amount of the aid which the IMF extended within the framework of the EL was 291.4 million U.S. dollars to Mexico in 1986 due to a quake. Pakistan with 189.6 million U.S. dollars and India with 187.5 million U.S. dollars followed Mexico.

The EL system envisages extending emergency financial aid to provide the countries which face natural disasters to recover and to maintain the reforms which were interrupted.

[10] CAY, MINISTER OF STATE, IN KAZAKHSTAN - CAY: ''KAZAKHSTAN WANTS TO INCREASE ANNUAL TRADE VOLUME BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES TO MORE THAN ONE BILLION U.S. DOLLARS

Cay was received by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev after participating in ''Cooperation in Asia and Security Measures Council''.

Recalling that a draft resolution, prepared in sub-commissions, was signed during the Council meeting, Cay said Turkey believed that such a cooperation and security agreement was needed to improve friendship between Asian countries and to lift conflicts. Cay said he accepted to attend the meeting to this end, adding that it extended every kind of efforts.

Cay said they exchanged views in his meeting with Nazarbayev, Kazakh President, and noted that Nazarbayev conveyed his condolences due to the quake which hit Turkey. Cay said Nazarbayev promised every kind of aid to Turkey.

Cay said Nazarbayev favored continuation of Turkish-Kazakh friendship and cooperation, adding that they stated that trade volume between the two countries should be increased to more than one billion U.S. dollars.

Cay, Minister of state, said he briefed Nazarbayev about the restoration of Hoca Ahmet Yesevi Tomb which Turkey has undertaken, and noted that it will be completed till to the celebrations that will take place on the 1500th anniversary of Turkistan city.

Cay also said Kazakh President Nazarbayev asked Turkey to build a mosque to Turkistan city.

[11] MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''THE MOMENTUM RECORDED IN THE PROCESS, CONTRIBUTES TO THE PROVIDING OF PEACE AND STABILITY IN THE REGION''

A statement issued from the Foreign Ministry pointed out that Turkey supported the Middle East peace process from the very begining, and recalled that talks between Israel and Palestine resumed in Erez within the framework of an agreement reached with Sarm Al-Sheikh memorandum signed on September 4.

The statement said the process will gain a new momentum with the talks where status of Jerusalem, Jewish settlement units, security arragements, water, borders, and refugee issues would be discussed and which were targetted to end till September 2000.

The statement said, ''Turkey thinks momentum recorded in the process contributed a lot to the providing of peace and stability in the region, and wished success to the talks within the period forseen.''

[12] IMF DELEGATION IN FINANCE MINISTRY - COTTARELLI, CHIEF OF IMF TURKEY DESK, SAYS THEY WILL RECOMMEND IMF EXECUTIVE BOARD INCREASE CREDIT

Following his meeting with Sumer Oral, Finance Minister, which lasted for nearly one and a half hours, Cottarelli noted that their mission in Turkey will end on Friday.

Responding a question, Cottarelli said that the governmental officials showed that they are ready to take the necessary measures to use the credit in the quake zone.

[13] DEATH OF GREEK DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''WE SHARE GREECE'S GRIEF''

The Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that it felt great sadness when it had been informed that Yannis Kronidiotis lost his life in a plane accident during his flight to Bucharest for the Southeastern European Cooperation Process Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

Recalling that Foreign Minister Ismail Cem had called his Greek counterpart on the phone shortly after the accident offering his condolences, the statement said, ''as the Foreign Ministry staff, we express condolences to the family of Yannis Kranidiotis, and share the grief of the Greek people and Greek Foreign Ministry staff upon this unexpected loss.''

[14] CAKMAKOGLU, NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER: ''THE NEW LEGISLATION THAT WILL PAY THE MEN OUT OF COMPULSORY 18-MONTH MILITARY SERVICE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE EARLIER ANNOUNCED PRINCIPLES''

In the meeting held for the introduction of International Defense Industry Aviation and Navigation Fair (IDEF-99), Cakmakoglu responded the questions of the journalists about the new legislation on the military service.

Emphasizing that they do not carry out initiatives to enlarge the scope of the legislation that will pay the men out of the compulsory 18-month military service and to include the men who are living in the quake zone within the framework of the application without considering their age, Cakmakoglu noted that they do not think of changing the age limit of the application which was earlier announced.

Recalling that this new application aims at easing the pains of the quake, Cakmakoglu stated that the most important thing is to perform the military service.

Responding a question, Cakmakoglu stressed that the prisoners who can benefit from the amnesty can benefit from this new legislation on military service in case their conditions comply with the facts announced in the legislation.

Stressing that nearly 40,000 people applied for this new military application as of yesterday, Cakmakoglu said that those who would apply for this military service in six months after the law was issued can benefit from the application.

Responding a question, Cakmakoglu said that they will not reduce the period of the military service of those who are performing their military service at the moment.

[15] TURKISH-GREEK DIALOGUE - SECOND-ROUND TALKS SESSION ON ''CULTURE'' ENDS

The talks which started at 10:30 local time at the Foreign Ministry building lasted nearly two hours.

Speaking to reporters, Yannis Korandis, the Greek Ambassador to Ankara, said the talks like the former ones were continuing in a friendly and comfortable atmosphere.

The Greek Ambassador recalled that the talks would continue in the afternoon.

When asked whether it was possible to sign an agreement for cooperation in culture field with Turkey, Korandis said the talks were continuing, and any statement might be released on Thursday.

The Turkish and Greek delegations will start the session on ''regional cooperation'' at 15:00 local time after attending the luncheon that will be given by the Greek Ambassador.

[16] IMF DELEGATION VISITS FINANCE MINISTRY

Following his meeting with the IMF delegation, Oral answered the questions of reporters.

When asked whether the supplementary budget would be increased over to 500 trillion Turkish Liras (TL), Oral said, ''let's do not talk about these issues. I won't comment on this issues. We have discussed everything with the IMF. The preparations for the 2000 budget are underway.''

When asked whether the budget had been brought onto agenda, Oral said, ''we have discussed everything. We have discussed the issues which are taken up when an IMF delegation comes to the Finance Ministry.''

Responding to a question about the spending of a 330 million U.S. dollars IMF loan, Oral said ''let's do not talk about details. It will be approved by the IMF Executive Board. The implementations to be imposed on the loan will become clear when it comes.''

[17] CONTACTS OF IMF DELEGATION

The IMF delegation which finalized its joint report on the quake damage with the World Bank, had met with the officials at the Tresury on last Monday to discuss the report in question.

The IMF delegation had also toured the quake zone yesterday.

The IMF delegation as of today started to focus on the contacts that will constitute the basis for the talks with a Turkish delegation in Washington D.C.

The meetings of the IMF delegation with the President of the Central Bank, the Undersecretaries of the Finance Ministry and the Treasury will be held within the framework of a briefing on the talks fron a stand-by in Washington D.C.

The IMF delegation will mainly focus on the preparations for 2000 budget, and the measures that can increase revenues during his contacts especially at the Finance Ministry till Friday, the day when the IMF delegation will wrap up its contacts in Turkey.

[18] TURKEY AND CROATIA SIGN SECOND TERM JEC PROTOCOL

The Foreign Trade Undersecretary statement said that the Turkey-Croatia JEC Second Term Meeting was held between September 13 and 14, 1999 in Zagreb.

Fikret Unlu, the State Minister, headed the Turkish delegation while Nenad Porges, the Croatian Economy Minister, headed the Croatian delegation during the meetings.

The two delegations discussed the present commercial and economic relations between the two countries and the cooperation in the fields like engineering, transportation, energy, and tourism.

The delegations also discussed improving the cooperation in banking, free zones, standardization, and customs and Turkish contractor companies' undertaking the construction of the infrastructural projects, including the Adriatic Motorway, in Croatia.

Meanwhile, Unlu was received by Croatian Prime Minister Matesa, Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Granic, Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Development and Reconstruction Minister Radic and Croation Tourism Minister Vinka Cetinski, in Zagreb.

Unlu also participated in the opening ceremony of Zagreb International Fair and the Fourth Term Meeting of the Turkish-Croation Business Council.

[19] RED CRESCENT SIGNS PRE-AGREEMENT WITH RED CROSS-RED CRESCENT FEDERATION

The Red Crescent statement said that the pre-agreement detailed the tasks and responsibilities of the Red Crescent and International Red Cross-Red Crescent Federation concerning the ''Turkey Quake Operation'' and started the second phase of the aid which covers the period between September 1999 and March 2000.

The pre-agreement which detailed all the efforts including the sheltering, health, water, hygiene, feeding, clothing, and the social aid, foresees providing the food from the local sources in the second phase.

The pre-agreement envisages that International Red Cross-Red Crescent Federation can give any support to the Red Crescent.

[20] STATEMENT OF ULUGBAY, FORMER STATE MINISTER - ULUGBAY, FORMER STATE MINISTER, SAYS THE TENSIVE DAYS AND TIREDNESS LED HIM TO ATTEMPT SUICIDE

Speaking about why he attempted suicide, Ulugbay said, ''the situation I was in started to negatively affect my hope of being useful. These ideas intensified in those last days and since these ideas reached their peak on July 6, I decided to end my life and I attempted suicide. But, I could not be successful in my attempt.''

Stressing that he had a very happy family life for thirty years and that he will continue to pay attention to his family life from now on, Ulugbay noted that the claims that he attempted suicide because he argued with his wife or children were all baseless and that his family was very sad about these claims.

Noting that he had not wrote a letter or anything else before he committed suicide, Ulugbay stressed that he did not meet with anybody or did not argue with anybody before his suicide attempt. Ulugbay added that the claims saying that he asked for a meeting with Premier Bulent Ecevit that day were all incorrect.

Stressing that Ecevit's proposal saying that he should have a rest for some time was wrongly reflected to the public opinion, Ulugbay emphasized that Ecevit, Husamettin Ozkan, Deputy Prime Minister, and his wife used to recommend him to leave Ankara at weekends to have a rest. Ulugbay added that he planned to go to Bodrum county of Aegean Mugla province that weekend with his wife.

Stating that he felt sad about the statements of Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of Motherland Party (ANAP), saying that he leaked out the IMF documents, Ulugbay said, ''but in his later statements, Yilmaz said that he did not get the documents from me, but received information during the leaders meetings. Yilmaz who participated in two meetings held among the leaders of the coalition parties, was given detailed information about the meetings with the IMF. I used to meet the IMF delegation on behalf of the coalition government and I used to learn the ideas of the leaders of the coalition parties.''

''None of the leaders demanded any documents before these meetings, during these meetings, or following these meetings. So, I did not give any documents directly or indirectly to anybody. If a leader made such a demand, I had to give the same document to all the leaders of the coalition parties, '' Ulugbay added.

Emphasizing that the allegations saying that what he think about the appointment in the Treasury Undersecretary was not asked, was also incorrect, Ulugbay said, ''besides, the allegations saying that I argued with Ozkan are not correct. Moreover, my wife called Ozkan after she called the ambulance that night and asked him to come as soon as possible. Ozkan is a very distinguished friend I met after I got in politics.''

[21] TURKISH-GREEK DIALOGUE - SESSION ON ''REGIONAL COOPERATION'' OF SECOND- ROUND SECOND-STAGE TALKS STARTS

The Turkish and Greek delegations will discuss the regional cooperation opportunities in the talks which started at 15:35 local time at the Foreign Ministry building.

The Turkish delegation is headed by Mithat Balkan, the Deputy Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry, and the Greek delegation is led by Anastasios Skopelitis, the Political Director of the Greek Foreign Ministry.

Yannis Korandis, the Greek Ambassador to Ankara, is also attending the talks.

The delegations took up the opportunities for the cooperation in the field of culture at today's first session.

The talks will conclude on Thursday with a session at which the issue of ''struggling against terrorism, smuggling, and organized crimes''.

[22] ULUGBAY, FORMER STATE MINISTER: - ''I PREFERRED SUICIDE INSTEAD OF RESIGNATION''

Hikmet Ulugbay said that during his life, he had never become sick of the difficulties of every kind of mission in every rank, and his principle was to work with all he has to successfully fulfil his duties.

Stressing that he had not shared the difficulties and problems he faced with his colleagues and cabinet members, Ulugbay said, ''this tiresome work atmosphere started to affect badly my hope for giving beneficial services. This opinion became intensified, and in the night of July 6, I decided to commit suicide. However, I failed. I think it was God's mercy.''

''It is impossible to defend that my decision was reasonable. However, I understood that managing to put the rationalism into first plan when the tension reaches the peak point can't always be possible,'' he said.

[23] HALONEN, FINNISH FM, BEHAVES CAUTIOUSLY ABOUT TURKEY'S BEING OFFICIALLY DECLARED AS FULL MEMBER IN HELSINKI SUMMIT

Responding the questions of A.A correspondent in the European Parliament, Halonen refrained from responding the questions on granting Turkey full membership status in Helsinki.

When asked whether or not they will grant Turkey full membership status, Halonen said that the relations started to improve after a two-year interval and that the meetings about this issue will continue until the summit.

Halonen noted that they are pleased that the dialogue between Turkey and the EU resumed.

When recalled the allegations that some Scandinavian countries want to put preconditions in front of Turkey before the membership, Halonen stated that only the Copenhagen criteria are valid for this issue and that they cannot impose different criteria for the candidate countries.

[24] PREMIER ECEVIT RECEIVES U.S. ASSISTANT STATE SECRETARY GROSSMAN AND NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBER BLINKEN

Also, Mark Parris, the U.S. Ambassador to Ankara, attended the meeting at the Prime Ministry building.

Grossman, former Ambassador of the U.S. to Ankara, and Blinken, the U.S. Security Council member for relations with Cyprus, Turkey and Greece, are currently holding a series of contacts in Ankara before Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's visit to the U.S. on September 28.

The U.S. diplomats are expected to contine their contacts on Thursday and leave Turkey early on Friday.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ecevit, prior to this meeting, had received Trajan Petrovski, the Macedonian Ambassador to Ankara.

[25] OFFICIALS HEADED BY PRESIDENT DEMIREL AND TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS DISCUSS CYPRUS ISSUE

Premier Bulent Ecevit; General Huseyin Kıvrıkoglu, the Chief of General Staff; Devlet Bahceli and Husamettin Ozkan, the State Ministers and Deputy Prime Ministers; Cumhur Ersumer, the Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Natural Resources; Sukru Sina Gurel and Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, the State Ministers; Sabahattin Cakmakoglu, the National Defense Minister; Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister; Tahsin Ertugruloglu, the TRNC Foreign Minister; Korkmaz Haktanır, the Foreign Ministry Undersecretary and other high ranking officials participate in the meeting.

The meeting is close to press.

[26] TURKISH-GREEK DIALOGUE - SESSION ON ''REGIONAL COOPERATION'' OF SECOND- ROUND SECOND-STAGE TALKS ENDS

Issuing a short statement after the meeting which lasted for two hours in the Foreign Ministry and which took up the possibilities of regional cooperation between the two countries, Yannis Korandis, the Greek Ambassador to Turkey said that the meetings were held in a positive and friendly atmosphere.

''Terrorism, smuggling and struggle with organized crimes'' will be discussed during the meeting of the Turkish and Greek delegations on Thursday.

Faruk Logoglu, the Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary will preside the Turkish delegation tomorrow. A joint statement is expected to be issued after the meeting.

[27] GROSSMAN, U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE: ''WE ARE CLOSELY INTERESTED IN CYPRUS QUESTION''

Speaking to reporters after his meeting with Premier Bulent Ecevit, Grossman stated that he is happy to come to Turkey again and see the old friends. Noting that he came to Turkey to stress once again the solidarity of the American administration and nation with the Turkish nation following the massive earthquake in Turkey, Grossman said that Bill Clinton, the U.S. President and Madeleine Albright, the U.S. State Secretary charged him of giving information about the preparations of the coming visit of Premier Bulent Ecevit to the U.S.

Pointing out that he hopes Ecevit's coming visit will be successful both for Turkey and also the U.S., Grossman stated that certain issues that closely interest American public opinion and nation also came to the agenda in his meeting with Premier Ecevit. Grossman emphasized that they exchanged views with Ecevit about issues that concern the two countries.

When asked about the issues that will be taken up in Clinton-Ecevit meeting, Grossman, the former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey said that ''this depends on Clinton and Ecevit,'' adding reconstruction of the regions devastated by the quake, economic and democratic reforms, relations with Iraq, Greece and the Cyprus issue can come to the agenda.

Upon a question asking whether or not the U.S. has a concrete expectation from Turkey about the Cyprus question, Grossman said that both Clinton and Albright are closely interested in finding a solution to the Cyprus problem. Grossman said his aim in coming to Turkey is not to make negotiations, but to give information about certain issues in which the American public opinion is closely interested.

''As being a U.N. member, we favour the two sides to come together on Cyprus,'' said Grossman, adding the U.S. will do her best for the Turkish nation regarding the quake disaster.

[28] PREMIER ECEVIT: ''WE FOCUSED ON WHAT CAN COME TO AGENDA IN MY CONTACTS IN U.S. WITH GROSSMAN''

When reporters asked Premier Ecevit whether or not the Cyprus issue came to the agenda in his meeting with Grossman the same day, Ecevit said that ''we focused on what can come to agenda in my contacts in the U.S. with Grossman, the Cyprus issue is certainly among these issues.''

Upon questions about the way of determining the date of opening of schools, Premier Ecevit said that ''I don't have information about it now. Certainly a decision will be given when a signal showing that the danger has been overcome comes out.''

Ecevit added that ''quake shakes countries, natural disasters take place and people get panic. But the important thing is to prevent them from getting panic.''

[29] FOREIGN AID TO QUAKE VICTIMS IN TURKEY - FOREIGN MINISTRY PREPARES ''OPEN THANK-YOU LETTERS'' FOR COUNTRIES THAT SENT AID TO TURKEY

Foreign Ministry said that silver plates will be given to foreign relief teams which joined the search and rescue work in disaster regions as an expression of the Turkish government's and nation's gratitude. The plates which were prepared by the Foreign Ministry and which were sent to Turkish embassies in the concerned countries will be given to foreign ministries of the concerned countries.

Meanwhile the Foreign Ministry also prepares ''Open Thank-You Letters'' for countrises which sent rescue teams, humanitarian aid and participated in the fight with fire.

The open letters started to be published in 80 press organs of 28 countries including Austria, Morocco, Uzbekistan, Ukraine and Luxembourg as news or full text on Wednesday.

[30] FOREIGN AID TO QUAKE VICTIMS IN TURKEY - A PART OF HUMANITARIAN AID COLLECTED IN GERMANY SENT TO TURKEY BY RO-RO SHIPS VIA ITALY

Foreign Ministry said that the humanitarian aid stuff collected by Turkish and German citizens within the framework of the aid campaign carried out by Turkish representations in Germany, is transferred to Istanbul via Trieste port of Italy by TIRs belonging to TITAB firm in Munich, Germany.

The number of TIRs carrying aid to Turkey from Germany reached 70 by the last humanitarian aid sent to Turkey by 30 TIRs which left Germany between 12-13 September.

[31] WHO MEETING OF EUROPE REGIONAL COMMITTEE - TURKEY'S DRAFT ABOUT MEASURES TO BE TAKEN AFTER QUAKES AND OTHER DISASTERS ACCEPTED

Turkey's draft on ''Measures To Be Taken After Quakes and Other Disasters'' was accepted by 51 countries which are members of WHO.

The draft particularly focuses on setting up international network, stressing that network is necessary to get continious and correct news during and after disasters.

Theodore Kotsonis, the Greek Deputy Health Minister who participated in the meeting said that ''I would like to thank the Turkish nation for its sympathy and friendship once again.''

Referring to the work of Turkish and Greek voluntary aid teams, Kotsonis said that efforts of such teams must be supported.

[32] PRIME MINISTRY CRISIS ADMINISTRATION CENTER: ''PRINCIPLES OF TEMPORARY HOUSING AID TO BE GIVEN TO QUAKE VICTIMS DETERMINED''

The press anouncement of the Center noted that ''a temporary housing aid of 100 million liras in a month up to 1,2 billion liras for one year will be given to those who found temporary housing with their own opportunities as their houses were damaged heavily, moderately or lightly by the massive earthquake. This aid won't be paid to those who stay in installations of public institutions, tent cities or temporary prefabricated houses. Besides 600 million liras of repair aid will be given for once to those whose houses were lightly damaged by the quake without making a discrimination between owners and renters of these houses. The application will start on October 1, 1999. The aid will be given to citizens from the Fund of Encouraging Social Assistance and Solidarity through governorships.''

[33] ECEVIT SPEAKS TO GREEK MEGA CHANNEL: - ''TURKEY DOESN'T HAVE ANY DESIRE ON GREEK TERRITORIES''

Addressing to Greek MEGA television channel, Premier Ecevit said that ''we want peace and cooperation with Greece by using all possibilities.''

Responding to a question about the Cyprus issue, Premier Ecevit stated that this question is distinct from the ''Turkish-Greek relations'', adding ''Cypriots will solve this problem themselves.''

Ecevit pointed out that the dialogue started by the foreign ministers of the two countries ''maybe won't affect sensitive issues, but create an appropriate psychological atmosphere in respect of cooperation between Turkey and Greece.''

''We have to try solving our problems through dialogue and it is good that the dialogue has started,'' he added.

[34] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT-TURKEY - JPC CO-CHAIRMAN ESER: ''EU IS ALSO UNEASY ABOUT LUXEMBOURG DECISIONS''

Speaking to reporters together with the other members of the Turkish parliamentary delegation namely Ismail Bozdag and Ayfer Yılmaz, Kursat Eser stated that the EP members are aware that an unfair attitude was shown against Turkey and he has the impression that they want to compensate this mistake.

Noting that the EP closely monitors the activities of the government in Turkey, Eser said that everybody appreciates the laws adopted by the parliament by the efforts of the coalition government in three months.

Eser said that they thanked the EP during their contacts for its close interest in Turkey following the quake disaster in Turkey, pointing out that the Turkish-EU relations will be taken up in details during the chairmanship council meeting on Thursday.

Meanwhile it is reported that EP parliamentarians will visit Turkey nexth month to make observations in the regions devastated by the massive quake.

A.A

Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article