Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-09-21

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AA Daily

21 Sept 1999 Tuesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] FM CEM MEETS WITH HIS RUSSIAN COUNTERPART IN NEW YORK - IVANOV, FM OF RUSSIA: ''RUSSIA ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO TURKISH PREMIER'S VISIT TO MOSCOW''

[03] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT HAS A BUSY SCHEDULE IN U.S. - U.S. WISHES CLINTON'S VISIT TO TURKEY TO HAVE ''HISTORICAL CHARACTER''

[04] OFFICE OF PARLIAMENT SPEAKER EXPECTED TO REQUEST THAT YSK GIVE DECISION ABOUT DEPUTYSHIP OF KAVAKCI, FP WOMAN DEPUTY

[05] JAPAN TO SEND 500 PREFABRICATED HUTS FOR QUAKE SURVIVORS

[06] SOUTH KOREA GRANTS 30 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS CREDIT TO TURKEY

[07] BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE - CAY, STATE MINISTER, PARTICIPATES IN CEREMONY HELD FOR FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF AIOC CONTRACT

[08] MINISTRY OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HOUSING CONCLUDES ITS DEFINITE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT WORK IN MARMARA REGION EXCEPT KOCAELI - 3,230 BUILDINGS HAVE TO BE DEMOLISHED URGENTLY IN SAKARYA -<B>JAPAN'S QUAKE AID TO TURKEY</B> - BASKUT, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO JAPAN: ''THE EXTRAORDINARY CLOSE INTEREST AND COMPASSION SHOWN BY JAPANESE PEOPLE AGAINST THE VICTIMS OF EARTHQUAKE IN TURKEY CONSTITUTE A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR THE FRIENDLY CLOSE TIES BETWEEN THE TWO NATIONS''

[10] VOLUNTARY RESCUE TEAM AKUT TO LEAVE FOR TAIWAN TO PARTICIPATE IN SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

[11] TURKISH-RUSSIAN MAIN NATURAL GAS PIPELINE - 28.9 MILLION DOLLARS OF CREDIT PROVIDED TO INCREASE CAPACITY OF PIPELINE

[12] FIGHT AMONG PRISONERS IN BAYRAMPASA PRISON - TURK, JUSTICE MINISTER: ''SOLUTION OF PROBLEMS IN PRISONS IN LONG TERM DEPENDS ON ACCEPTING SYSTEM OF ROOM RATHER THAN WARDS IN PRISONS''

[13] TURKEY EXPLAINS OCALAN CASE IN OSCE

[14] BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE PROJECT - WOODWORD, CHAIRMAN OF AIOC: ''BAKU- CEYHAN SHOULD CARRY REGIONAL IMPORTANCE''

[15] TURKISH-GREEK DIALOGUE - GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY SOURCES: ''SECOND ROUND OF TALKS ARE EXTREMELY POSITIVE''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

After their capture, the three satanists including a girl said, ''the aftershock measuring 5.8 was the last warning of the satan. There was a need for a victim. We chose Sehriban, and we buried Sehriban after smothered her.

The young killer men strangled Sehriban, hit and beat her while the young killer girl stabbed Sehriban. When unlucky girl died, one of the killer men raped Sehriban. Later they buried her.

STRIKE OF COUNCIL OF STATE ON KAVAKCI
The Council of State dismissed the case initiatied to reverse an earlier ruling to revoke the Turkish citizenship of Virtue Party (FP) Deputy Merve Kavakci.

Kavakci was stripped off Turkish citizenship as she had taken oath of allegiance to the U.S.

Kavakci's U.S. citizenship was included in the decision of the Council of State.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

QUAKE COSTS 100 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS TO TELEKOM
Fatih Yurdal, the General Director of Turk Telekom said at a press meeing on Monday that Turk Telekom made 40 billion Turkish Liras from 80,000 calls made to 199 Earthquake Line and other 900 lines opened after the quake disaster. Yurdal also stated that the quake cost them 100 million U.S. dollars. Theare are currently 17 million telephone lines in Turkey and they will add 2 million more lines in the near future, Yurdal explained. Telekom will postpone the tender opened for 118 line, he said and added that they can rehabilitate this service.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

TWO CONDITIONS FOR SCHOOLS IN DISASTER AREAS
The Ministry of National Education is waiting for damage assessment works to be completed to open the schools. They also want to wait until favourable psychological environment is formed to start the education. Bener Cordan, the Undersecretary said they refrained to give a certain date. Cordan pointed out that they will make up for lost days by accelerating education once the schools open.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

HOUSE RENTS INCREASE BY 5O PERCENT AFTER QUAKE
Following the earthquake, people are trying to move to districts with ''safer ground'' which revived the markets. University students are also looking for apartments to rent which further increased the demand. This caused the rent rates skyrocket. Prior to the earthquake, the rent rates were varying between 100 and 300 million Turkish Liras in Istanbul's Bahcelievler district. Now the same apartments are rented for 150 to 600 million Turkish Liras.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

After Mesut Yilmaz's support to Bulent Ecevit's proposal for an extension of the mandate of Suleyman Demirel for one year, Necmettin

Erbakan also extended support to the proposal.

TURKISH-GREEK JOINT PROPOSAL
Diplomatic circles were surprised at the meeting between Ismail Cem and Yorgo Papandreu ''to drink coffee'' prior to the U.N. General Assembly meeting. It was a great surprise that Cem and Papandreu proposed the U.N. to set up a joint international deployment force against earthquake.

HE SAYS HE DIDN'T MAKE A MISTAKE ON FEBRUARY 28
Necmettin Erbakan, the banned leader of the closed RP, said, ''we were faultless on February 28. Our coalition partner was unreliable. Mrs. Tansu Ciller was not aware of the developments in her party. If I had resigned from the post of Prime Minister, it could be said he escaped.''

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

WE ARE SHAKEN AGAIN
An earthquake measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale shook Thracian Tekirdag province shortly after mid-night.Officials at the Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory and Seismology Institute said the epicenter of the quake were Tekirdag and the Marmara Sea.

Officials said the earthquake was also felt in Istanbul, Canakkale, Balikesir and Edirne. Shortly after the earthquake, people scrambled into streets with panic.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Seven prisoners were killed and three others were injured in the clash between members of two underworld rings linked to Cakici and Hakan Cillioglu.

ONCE AGAIN DIALOGUE AND TOLERANCE
The symposium on ''Art of Living Together'' will start at 10:00 local time today at the Cemal Resit Rey Conference Hall in Istanbul. The ''Ottoman Tolerance'' will be discussed with all aspects at the symposium in which many well-known scientists and spiritual leaders will participate.

[02] FM CEM MEETS WITH HIS RUSSIAN COUNTERPART IN NEW YORK - IVANOV, FM OF RUSSIA: ''RUSSIA ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO TURKISH PREMIER'S VISIT TO MOSCOW''

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem met with his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov in New York.

During his visit to Russia, Prime Minister Ecevit will exchange opinion about the issues concerning Caucasus, Caspian basin and the Balkans, and the bilateral projects especially in the field of energy are expected to be discussed.

At the meeting between the Turkish and Russian ministers, Ivanov stressed that Russia attached great importance also to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Summit in Istanbul.

Diplomatic sources said Russia might be presented by President Boris Yeltsin at the OSCE Summit in Istanbul in November or by new Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

Cem and Ivanov also discussed the issue of regional cooperation in combatting terrorism.

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said, ''I agree with Mr. Ivanov who stressed that terrorist and separatist activities destroy the stability in the region. Turkey is concerned about this issue. Any purpose can't prove terrorism right,''

Diplomatic sources said Cem and Ivanov had not discussed Dagestan or Chechenya by name.

At the meeting during which Kosovo issue was discussed, Ivanov said protection of territorial integrity of Yugoslavia was very important for Russia.

Cem stressed at the meeting that protection of the territorial integrity of countries was one of the basic principles of the Turkish foreign policy.

Cem later recalled that Turkey expected the Duma to ratify the agreements for encouragement of investments and protection of double taxation regarding trade with Russia.

Ivanov said the issue would be finalized in the shortest time.

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will also meet with the foreign ministers of Austria, Germany, Denmark, Pakistan and Iran.

[03] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT HAS A BUSY SCHEDULE IN U.S. - U.S. WISHES CLINTON'S VISIT TO TURKEY TO HAVE ''HISTORICAL CHARACTER''

Issues such as quake aid, Cyprus, Turkish-Greek relations, Iraq, democratic reforms, energy cooperation and arms sales are likely to be taken up during Ecevit's visit to the U.S. between September 26 and October 1.

Diplomatic sources in Washington D.C. said that the U.S. wishes to benefit from the positive atmosphere with Greece and the sympathy of the American public opinion towards Turkey following the earthquake disaster in Turkey. The U.S. desires taking of steps to solve Turkish-Greek issues and Cyprus issue.

The American administration pointed out that they wish the visit of Bill Clinton, the U.S. President to Turkey in November to participate in the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) summit to have a historical character after Premier Ecevit's visit to the U.S. which will bring a new positive dimension to bilateral relations.

The U.S. aid package to Turkey after the quake disaster, Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline and U.S. support to Turkey's policy towards the EU and region come among the issues which are at the agenda of Turkey.

Turkey will tell the U.S. regarding the Cyprus issue that ''don't have an attitude which we can't support.''

Diplomatic sources summarized the approaches of Turkish and American sides about the basic issues that are at the agenda of meetings as follows:

The U.S. wishes to record a progress about the Cyprus question and Turkish- Greek relations due to the warmer relations between the two countries following the massive earthquake that hit Marmara region of Turkey. The U.S. can request some gestures from Turkey towards Greece to this end such as opening of clergy school in Heybeliada in Turkey and reduction in manoeuvres in Aegean.

The U.S. will probably give a message to Turkey about the Cyprus issue requesting her to act in a way to find a solution and tell Turkey that if Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) sits at a negotiation table with Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader, Turkey will gain from that.

Turkey will tell the U.S. that there are some positive elements in the ''trio sovereignty'' proposal of the U.S. about Cyprus and she also wishes a solution on the island. However Turkey will also stress that the sovereignty of the TRNC has to be absolutely recognized before the negotiations proposed to be held under the auspices of the U.N.

Turkish side will also give the message to U.S. ''not to act in a way to stimulate the expectations of people. This can cause disappointment.''

The U.S. discusses the issue of American Treasury's support to the debenture bonds worth of few billion dollars Turkey plans to sell abroad. If this support, which needs to be approved by the U.S. Congress is assured, Turkey's selling of quake bonds abroad will be very easy and interest rate will be low. In this framework the U.S. is in tendency to give up its idea of donating 300 million dollars to Turkey for one time as a foreign aid.

The U.S. will give full support to Turkey's taking aid from institutions such as World Bank and give a message during the meetings that she is behind the stand-by agreement foreseen to be signed between Turkey and IMF.

Cancelling certain part of million dollars of military debt of Turkey to the U.S. seems to be difficult, yet Clinton is expected to tell the Turkish side that he will do his best in the Congress regarding this issue.

The U.S. favours usage of the existing textile and trade quotas in a more productive manner towards Turkey rather than increasing these quotas. Turkey desires a general increase in the quotas in her exports to the U.S.

The U.S. will stress once again that she is against the idea of separation of Iraq and setting up a Kurdish state in north of the country. The U.S. is expected to defend the view that the conditions in the country are not possible to normalize as long as Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi leader stays in power and launch efforts to make Turkey not object to taking Saddam away from his post. The American side will assure guarantees that the activities to be carried out to this end together with the Iraqi opposition will be carried out within the information and permission of Turkey. ''The interests of U.S. and Turkey are not remote to each other,'' the U.S. is expected to give as a message to Turkey. Turkey in her part will explain her uneasiness over the chaos that will probaly come out in Iraq if Saddam Hussein is toppled and stress that she is against separation of Iraq and won't permit establishment of an independent formation in Northern Iraq.

The Clinton administration is expected to support the reforms of Turkey in the fields of human rights and democratization and tell that the progress of Turkey about this issue will contribute to overcoming obstacles in the U.S. Congress. Turkey will express her resolution to continue reforms.

The U.S. is likely to stress that she fully supports confirmation of Turkey's candidacy for EU membership, adding progress reached about the Cyprus issue and Turkish-Greek issues will help in reaching this target.

The U.S. will also give the message that she will oppose the isolation of Turkey from the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) initiative which was put forward by the EU for defense of the EU.

Turkey will ask the U.S. to make her support to Baku-Ceyhan project concrete, while Clinton administration will emphasize that her political support to the project is full. However the American administration is not expected to undertake a financial obligation about it.

The Turkish side will ask the U.S. to fully lift the obstacles faced in sales of arms. The American side will stress that the progress that can be reached regarding the Cyprus issue will help in persuading the U.S. congress about sales of arms.

[04] OFFICE OF PARLIAMENT SPEAKER EXPECTED TO REQUEST THAT YSK GIVE DECISION ABOUT DEPUTYSHIP OF KAVAKCI, FP WOMAN DEPUTY

After the Council of State rejected Kavakcı's request asking for not applying the decision of Council of Ministers to strip her of her Turkish citizenship, the deputyship of Kavakci has become a matter of discussion once more.

The Office of Parliament Speaker believes that the YSK should cancel the deputyship of Kavakci since she does not comply with the condition of ''being a Turkish citizen for being elected as a deputy.''

To this end, the Office of Parliament Speaker will submit a letter to the YSK asking that the decision of the Council of State about the merits of the case should be the reason of cancelling her deputyship.

In case the YSK cancels the deputyship of Kavakci, the state will take back three-month salary she got when she was elected as a deputy.

[05] JAPAN TO SEND 500 PREFABRICATED HUTS FOR QUAKE SURVIVORS

An official from the Japanese Embassy in Ankara told A.A correspondent that the Japanese government decided to send 1,000 prefabricated huts to Turkey.

Emphasizing that Japan will send 500 prefabricated huts to Turkey at the first stage, the official noted that Japan announced tenders for the transfer of these huts and that the transfer of these huts will cost 1.4 million U.S. dollars.

Stressing that the prefabricated huts are expected to arrive in Turkey on September 20, 1999; the official stated that 500 huts are ready to be send to Turkey and that the other 500 huts will be sent to Turkey after they are purchased from the producer companies.

[06] SOUTH KOREA GRANTS 30 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS CREDIT TO TURKEY

The Treasury Undersecretariat statement said that the South Korean government decided to give credit to Turkey to finance the reconstruction and rehabilitation projects in the disaster zone.

The statement noted that the credit have a maturity of 30 years and will be paid back to South Korea over 1.25 percent interest.

The statement added that the credit will be given by Korean Economic Development Cooperation Agency.

[07] BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE - CAY, STATE MINISTER, PARTICIPATES IN CEREMONY HELD FOR FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF AIOC CONTRACT

The State Ministry statement said that Cay made a speech in the ceremony and emphasized the importance of the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline.

Emphasizing that the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline should be realized, Cay said, ''the present will and determination that the project will be realized in the shortest time, direct and encourage us. Realizing this project by the support of the friendly circles will contribute to the regional stability and welfare.''

Haydar Aliyev, the Azerbaijani President, defined the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline contract as ''the contract of the century'' and said that the project should be encouraged.

The U.S. delegation which also participated in the ceremony, said that they support the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline.

Cay met with Elcin Efendiyev, the Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister, during the dinner given by Aliyev. Cay and Efendiyev discussed the Azerbaijani- Turkish relations during the meeting.

Cay will meet with Polad Bulbuloglu, Azerbaijani Culture Minister, within the framework of his contacts in Baku.

Cay will also have a meeting with Turkish businessmen.

Cay will return to Turkey on Wednesday.

[08] MINISTRY OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HOUSING CONCLUDES ITS DEFINITE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT WORK IN MARMARA REGION EXCEPT KOCAELI - 3,230 BUILDINGS HAVE TO BE DEMOLISHED URGENTLY IN SAKARYA

The Ministry concluded its definite damage assessment work in disaster region except Kocaeli. The work continues in Kocaeli.

There are 3,230 buildings that must be demolished urgently in Sakarya province of Marmara region. 66,125 flats and 10,899 business places were heavily damaged, 66,001 flats and 9,913 business places were moderately damaged and 77,927 flats and 9,674 business places were lightly damaged in the massive earthquake that shook Marmara region.

A total of 80,517 flats and 8,484 business places were not damaged.

-<B>JAPAN'S QUAKE AID TO TURKEY</B> - BASKUT, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO JAPAN: ''THE EXTRAORDINARY CLOSE INTEREST AND COMPASSION SHOWN BY JAPANESE PEOPLE
AGAINST THE VICTIMS OF EARTHQUAKE IN TURKEY CONSTITUTE A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR
THE FRIENDLY CLOSE TIES BETWEEN THE TWO NATIONS''
ANKARA, Sept 21 (A.A) - Yaman Baskut, Turkey's Ambassador to Japan, said on Tuesday that the extraordinary close interest and compassion shown by the Japanese people to the victims of earthquake in Turkey constituted a good example for the friendly close ties between the two nations, and strengthened them.

Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Yaman Baskut said the Japanese people showed great sensitivities in addition to the aid sent by the Japanese government.

''The visitors' rush into the Embassy has been continuing since the earthquake. They want to express their condolences and make donations. The Japanese Prime Ministry, Parliament Speaker's Office, political parties, governor's offices, mayor's offices, other official organizations, important political, religious, financial organizations, deputies, non- governmental organizations, professional organizations, labour unions and schools submitted their donations to the Embassy. The donation collected at the aid account of the Embassy has reached nearly four million U.S. dollars, '' he said.

Pointing out that in addition to the Embassy's aid campaign, the Japanese Red Cross Organization, State Radio and Television NHK, newspapers and non- governmental organizations launched aid campaigns, the Turkish Ambassador said the donation collected by those organizations increased over the amount collected at the Embassy's aid account.

Stating that the Japanese private railway company Keio Line launched aid campaigns in every station in its lines and donations to those campaigns still continued, Yaman Baskut said, ''also some large stores started campaigns. The concerts in Tokyo are changed into aid concerts for the victims of earthquake in Turkey.''

''A group of children who lost their parents in the strong earthquake in Kobe, Japan in 1995 visited the Embassy, and they told us that they decided to help the children in Turkey. These Japanese children strolled in the streets for days to collect money. While I was visiting the monument which was built in the memory of the Ertugrul Ship, which sank while she was bringing Sultan Abdulhamit II's message to Japanese Emperor Meije, a small Japanese girl handed her money-box to me in a bid to help the survivors of the earthquake,'' he said.

[10] VOLUNTARY RESCUE TEAM AKUT TO LEAVE FOR TAIWAN TO PARTICIPATE IN SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

Iskender Igdir, the spokesman of AKUT, told A.A correspondent that the 15- member AKUT team will leave for Bangkok, Thailand at 9.45 p.m. this evening.

Igdir noted that the AKUT team will later proceed to Taipei, the capital of Taiwan and that they will take their rescue equipment with themselves.

[11] TURKISH-RUSSIAN MAIN NATURAL GAS PIPELINE - 28.9 MILLION DOLLARS OF CREDIT PROVIDED TO INCREASE CAPACITY OF PIPELINE

The credit agreement under the guarantorship of the Undersecretariat of Treasury was signed the same day by Transportation of Oil Through Pipeline Inc. (BOTAS) and Mitsubishi Corporation, which gave the credit.

The loop lines having a length of 165 kilometers which was put out to tender by BOTAS last year, will cost 33,9 million dollars.

85 percent of the project which will be carried out by Evren-KNGS consortium in 16 months will be met by this credit.

Turkey still purchases nearly 10 billion cubic meters of natural gas via Bulgaria annually, this amount will reach 16 billion cubic meters if the negotiations that are underway give a good result.

[12] FIGHT AMONG PRISONERS IN BAYRAMPASA PRISON - TURK, JUSTICE MINISTER: ''SOLUTION OF PROBLEMS IN PRISONS IN LONG TERM DEPENDS ON ACCEPTING SYSTEM OF ROOM RATHER THAN WARDS IN PRISONS''

Speaking to reporters, Turk stressed that solution of problems in prisons in long-term depends on accepting the system of room rather than wards, adding the tenders regarding construction of prisons with the room system continue.

Recalling that seven persons died and three persons were wounded during the incidents which started in Bayrampasa prison around 16.00 local time on Monday, Turk stated that the events started when arrested Hakan Cillioglu left his warm, passed seven doors and killed Kenan Ali Gursel, another prisoner. Followers of Gursel killed six persons, he added, noting the amnistration of the prison fully controls the sitation there at the moment.

Turk added that weapons, three mobile phones, 61 bullets, 21 hashish matters and pills were found in the prison.

Turk pointed out that the share of the Ministry of Justice from the general budget has been less than 1 percent till today and they will request increasing that amount to 2.5 percent next year.

''Coalition parties continue to exchange views about the amnesty law which was returned back to the parliament by President Suleyman Demirel. This law has to be adopted in the beginning of October,'' he added.

[13] TURKEY EXPLAINS OCALAN CASE IN OSCE

Yalim Eralp, Turkey's Permanent Representative to the OSCE, made a speech about the trial of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, in the conference.

Eralp's speech was the first speech issued in the working groups of the Conference which is being held with the participation of 62 countries, including OSCE member countries and the non-member countries, 13 international organizations and 107 non-governmental organizations and which will end on October 1, 1999.

Eralp detailed the trial process of Ocalan in his speech and emphasized that the news of the foreign press agencies do not include the ideas of Turkey and base on the information given by the lawyers of Ocalan. Eralp recalled that Ocalan did not accept some of his lawyers because of their insufficiencies.

Emphasizing that defining the terrorist organization PKK as ''an armed opposition group'' is not correct, Eralp said that the PKK is a terrorist organization whose terrorist vocation has been clearly recognized by the European Court of Human Rights in the case Zana versus Turkey, dated 25 November 1997.

Stressing that allegations that the Kurdish national identity and Kurdish language are denied in Turkey are baseless, Eralp drew the attention that citizens in Turkey may speak any language in their daily lives in the public domain and Kurdish magazines, as well as radio and TV stations abound.

Stating that the allegations that Ocalan was interrogated while blindfolded is false, Eralp said that as the leader of a terrorist organization who is considered responsible for the deaths of over 30,000 people, it is only natural that he should have been conveyed to prison under strict security measures which included blindfolding him.

He added that this was a measure taken only during transport and not during the interrogation and that these allegations are ironic in light of the practice in Europe of gagging illegal immigrants during deportation which has caused the death of at least one immigrant to their knowledge.

Eralp stated that contrary to the allegations in these reports, Imrali prison is not an interrogation facility of the Turkish Armed Forces and that the gendermes responsible for security around the prison are not a part of the Armed Forces; adding that they are under the control of the Interior Ministry and the administration of the prison itself is subject to the Ministry of Justice like all other prisons.

Recalling that Ocalan himself has openly declared at his trial that he is being treated humanely in prison and that this was further endorsed by the delegation from the Europeane Committee for the Prevention of Torture which visited the prison last February and March, Eralp continued, ''the letter of that Committee was made public. Ocalan's health is under strict medical control and reported. Furthermore, Ocalan is not isolated and can see his relatives, lawyers, psychiatrists, doctors, as well as having daily contact with prison personnel. His cell is 3x5x3, receives sunlight and is not soundproofed.''

He went on saying that:

''Certain restrictions on Ocalan's communication with and access to his lawyers in the first instance was a precautionary measure to prevent the possibility of the terrorist organization PKK from carrying out any attacks. Such precautionary measures exist in the legislation of some other European countries. Furthermore, as long as the right of defense of the accused is not taken away, imposing certain restrictions on this right is in keeping with the accepted principle of ''proportionality'' of the European Court of Human Rights. Indeed, Ocalan's lawyers first applied to see their client on 22 February and were able to do so on 25 February.''

''These reports further generalize that Turkish State Security Court procedures foresee upto four days incommunicado detention. Except for areas under emergency rule and where offences are committed as a group, this period is 48 hours. Hence this generalization is false. Ocalan was taken under custody of 16 February 1999 and kept under custody for four days until 20 February 1999. Because the interrogation could not be completed, this was extended by a court order until 23 February. The judges and prosecutors were able to reach the island of Imrali only on 21 February due to bad weather conditions. The weather conditions at the time have been documented through official weather reports. The prosecutor obtained Ocalan's testimony on 22 February and the State Security Court judge issued a permanent arrest warrant on 23 February. The allegations that prosecutors were kept out of the investigation process is unfounded.''

''Ocalan and his lawyers had the right to file a protest against his being taken under custody, the prolongation of his period under custody, as well as the decision for his arrest, in keeping with the relevant provisions of the Turkish Penal Code which correspond to Article 5/4 of the European Convention on Human Rights. They did not use these rights available to them. The Turkish Penal Code does not foresee any time restrictions on defendants' sessions with their lawyers. Ocalan had access to his lawyers for as long as he deemed necessary. Reports of his meetings with his lawyers recording the various lengths of sessions prove this.''

''During these sessions it is true that his lawyers were not allowed to bring any documents or stationery material for security reasons. These were supplied to his lawyers at prison. Ocalan's access to newspapers was restricted only for a very short time. These restrictions were later removed.''

''On the first day of Ocalan's access to his lawyers on 25 February during the preparatory investigation phase, two security personnel and a judge were present in order to ensure his safety and security. This personnel remained outside of hearing distance of Ocalan's conversation with his lawyers. After the case was opened nobody was present. Supervision of a terrorist's conversation with his layers is a procedure also present in the legislation of other countries such as Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Switzerland.''

''Allegations that Ocalan was not informed of the charges levelled against him cannot be taken seriously. While Ocalan was residing in Italy, Turkey sought his extradition. The 'European Convention on Extradition' requires that the charges levelled against the person whose extradition is sought be brought to the attention of the accused.''

''Protests against Ocalan who is perceived as the leader of the terrorist organization PKK, responsible for the deaths of 30,000 people must be considered normal and indeed falls within the scope of the freedom of assembly. If we had controlled such protests we would then have been blamed by these same NGO's for limiting the freedom of assembly. The security forces however did take all necessary measures to ensure that Ocalan's lawyers and relatives came to no harm.''

''The non-partisan and independent nature of the Court which has tried Ocalan cannot be questioned. Indeed, all the court proceedings were open to both Turks and foreigners. The rapporteurs of the Council of Europe, members of CEPA, members of diplomatic representations in Turkey, NGO representatives were all able to attend the trial. Indeed, the members of the Council of Europe presented a memorandum to CEPA in which it was stated 'the consensus on the procedure of the trial is that it has been correct and in accordance with the applicable Turkish law.' Moreovery, the rapporteur on Turkey, Barsony, in his presentation at CEPA stated that 'the trial was fair under Turkish law, it was fairly conducted.''

''The allegations that State Security Courts do not instill confidence due to the presence of military judges is likewise unfounded. Turkey through a constitutional reform has removed the military judge on the panel of the State Security Courts.''

Eralp added that Ocalan himself throughout the trial has never alleged that he was deprived of any of his rights to fair defense.

[14] BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE PROJECT - WOODWORD, CHAIRMAN OF AIOC: ''BAKU- CEYHAN SHOULD CARRY REGIONAL IMPORTANCE''

Addressing a news conference Woodword said if Baku-Ceyhan Pipeline Project, which is planned to transport Azeri main production oil to world markets takes effect, it should be constructed by taking into consideration all existing oil beds in the Caspian basin.

Woodword said exportation capacity of Baku-Supsa pipeline can be increased if it can form a specific part of Baku-Ceyhan project in the future, adding that the issue of cost of Baku-Ceyhan project should be clarified, and noted that they wanted Turkey to give required guarantee.

Woodwork pointed out that they carried out their studies in the existing oil beds in the direction of graphics they determined, and added that the quantity of oil they export will increase in the year 2003.

Noting that Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project can not be ready till the year 2003, Woodword said a pipeline can be needed to transport increasing oil quantity to world markets.

Meanwhile, Wref Diggings, Representative of AIOC, responding to the question of A.A correspondent, said they wanted limitless guarantee from Turkey on the issue of cost of Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project.

Noting that they could not yet get a response from Turkey related with the issue, Diggins said they carry out contacts with the officials of Turkish state run pipeline company BOTAS, which is thought to undertake the construction of the project.

[15] TURKISH-GREEK DIALOGUE - GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY SOURCES: ''SECOND ROUND OF TALKS ARE EXTREMELY POSITIVE''

Noting that Turkey did not bring on the negotiation table the issues which will probably create conflict, the sources said it was determined that both of the countries were willing for cooperation.

The sources said the effects of the rapprochement created between the peoples of the two countries due to the quakes were seen in the talks, adding that the timidity and coldness which was recorded in the first round of talks were replaced with a positive atmosphere in the second round of talks.

The sources said it was decided to hold next Turkish-Greek talks between October 21 and 22 in Ankara and between October 25 and 26 in Athens.

A.A

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