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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-10-28
[01] AA Daily
28 October 1999 Thursday
[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN
[03] These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in
Turkey's press on Oct 28, 1999. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify these
stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
[04] HURRIYET (LIBERAL) - ------------------ ORDER FOR OCTOBER 29 Turkish
Armed Forces which participated in the funeral of journalist-author Ahmet
Taner Kislali, will participate in the ceremony which will be held at
Ataturk's Mousoleum on October 29, 1999. A total of 5,000 personnel of the
Turkish Armed Forces will be in attendance at the Mausoleum at 8.30 a.m.
[05] BOMB REPORT The bomb experts completed their report about the bomb
which killed journalist-author Ahmet Taner Kislali. The report said that
the bomb experts could not decide which organization prepared the bomb. The
report noted that beer can, TNT, and RDX, and nails were used in the bomb.
[06] MILLIYET (LIBERAL) - ----------------- ADDITIONAL TAX WORTH OF 4.5
QUADRILLION TL The government will pass the earthquake law and will impose
additional tax to the banks. By the increases in other tax types, the
government brings 4.5 quadrillion Turkish lira additional tax to the tax-
payers.
[07] DHKP-C HEADQUARTERS A total of 16 weapons, 50 bombs, an assassination
list including 46 people and two million U.S. dollars were found in the
cell house in Brugge. The National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and
Justice Ministry contacted the Belgian authorities following the capture of
Fehriye Erdal, the suspect of Sabanci Center assassination.
[08] SABAH (LIBERAL) - -------------- EVCIL CAPTURED The security forces
captured Erol Evcil, a name behind the Nesim Malki assassination, in Bursa
province last night. He was wanted for two years. The security forces found
out that Evcil who was also wanted by the Interpol, entered into Turkey two
days ago. Evcil was captured in the house of his former accountant Hakan
Karakurt.
[09] NEW FAVOURITE IS ALGERIA A new era starts in Turkey's relations with
Algeria. Turkey which became the energy terminal for the Caspian region,
proposed a new model to Algeria which has rich natural gas beds. This
proposal said, ''both countries need cash foreign exchange. Let's open a
joint account and let's trade from this account in return for gas.''
[10] CUMHURIYET (LEFT) - ---------------- BOMB RIDDLE The illegal
organization which prepared the bomb that killed Ahmet Taner Kislali
couldn't be named. The National Intelligence Organization, which
investigates Kislali's assasination, is working on foreigners while the
police and gendarme are trying to determine the assailants according to the
information given by witnesses. It was mentioned that seven people were
taken into custody within the framework of the investigation. The Gendarme
Criminal Laboratory prepared a report on the bomb. The report said the
Serkisof chain watch and Toshiba battery used in the bomb can not be found
in the markets, and the battery had not been sold in the market for two
years.
[11] TENSION BETWEEN JUDGEMENT AND POLITICS The rightist flank, which
supported Supreme Court of Appeals President Sami Selcuk's statements
targeted the system, reacted against Supreme Court Republican Chief
Prosecutor Vural savas and Council of State Chairman Erol Cirakman. Mesut
Yilmaz of the Motherland Party (ANAP) said that the criticisms of
politicians should not be considered as intervention in judgement. Tansu
Ciller of the True Path Party (DYP) said, ''everybody should look after his
own job. There will be a chaos in the state and anarchy will occur if you
accept or do not the rules of democracy whenever you want.''
[12] RADIKAL (LEFT) - --------------- PREMIER ECEVIT IS UNEASY Premier
Bulent Ecevit said that the incidents in Armenia make everybody uneasy.
''Some dark developments used to happen in Caucasus. The situation can be
worse and more tense now. I don't know whether the incident is a reaction
against the developments marked between Azerbaijan and Armenia,'' Ecevit
noted.
[13] A LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST AKIT NEWSPAPER The Republican Chief
Prosecutor's Office filed a lawsuit against ''Akit'' newspaper. The
Prosecutor's Office filed this lawsuit against Murat Balibey, the former
Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper, and an author Hasan Karakaya. The lawsuit
was filed on charges that the Akit newspaper insulted the personal rights
of Vural Savas, Supreme Court Republican Chief Prosecutor, in one of its
stories. The indictment asked for imprisonment terms changing between four
months to one year and four months.
[14] FLIRT CONTINUES IN BSEC Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, and George
Papandreu, Greek Foreign Minister, had a close meeting during the Black Sea
Economic Cooperation (BSEC) meeting. The two ministers said that the
dialogue process between Turkey and Greece is 'positive.' The two ministers
did not talk about Helsinki Summit.
[15] TÜRKİYE (RIGHT) - ---------------- ATMOSPHERE EASED The developments
in the country and abroad were discussed at yesterday's meeting of the
National Security Council (NSC). The statement released after the meeting
said, ''the state will expend the greatest effort to capture the murderers
of Ahmet Taner Kislali.'' The NSC also took decisions of recommendation
about extension of emergency rule in five southeastern provinces,
continuation of struggle against separatist and fundamentalist terrorism
and modern education at private schools.
[16] WE WANT FEHRIYE Fehriye Erdal, one of the assailants of businessmen
Ozdemir Sabanci's murder, was captured in Belgium and imprisoned in this
country. The Justice Ministry prepared a dossier about her, and will send
this dossier to Belgium requesting the extradition of Erdal.
[17] SARIKAYA: ''I KILLED UGUR MUMCU'' The trial of Cengiz Sarikaya, one of
the eleven people accused of the assasinations of journalists Cetin Emec
and Turan Dursun, continued at the Istanbul State Security Court no:11.
Yavuz Yerler, who was heared as a witness after six years, said, ''it was a
long time ago. I don't know any of these accused.'' Sarikaya said, ''the
witness lied. I killed Ugur Mumcu. He is the person who gave me the bomb.
He said he did not know me but I know him.''
[18] ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE) - -------------------- BOMB TARGETS AT
DETERIORATING PEACE The National Security Council (NSC) emphasized that the
assassination of journalist-author Ahmet Taner Kislali targeted at
deteriorating peace, unity and solidarity of the nation. The NSC said that
all the public organizations will do their best to solve the incident. The
Council drew the attention that the assailants gained the hatred of Turkish
nation.
[19] CUSTOMS LAW PASSED The Parliamentary General Assembly adopted the
Customs Law which unites all the customs regulations in only one law. The
law harmonizes Turkey's customs regulations with the international
agreements and the European Union (EU). The law re-defines the customs
tariff and gives an opportunity to have a customs tariff which has the
flexibility to be adapt the customs to foreign trade policies.
[20] 76TH ANNIVERSARY OF FOUNDATION OF REPUBLIC OF TURKEY TO BE CELEBRATED
TOMORROW
[21] ANKARA, Oct 28 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Thursday
that Turkey has taken her esteemed place among the world states by
recording significant developments in the 76-year history of Republic of
Turkey. Releasing a statement in regard to November 29 Republic Day, Ecevit
emphasized, ''Turkish nation which had lived independently for thousands of
years, founded Republic of Turkey after the Independence War. Republic of
Turkey has never abandoned Ataturk's reforms and principles as a democratic,
secular, and social state of law. Our nation's common will is to maintain
the Republic with its overall institutions. The Republic is the guarantee
of undivisible integrity, and people's unity.'' ''Turkey has recorded
significant developments in 76-year history of the Republic. She has gained
an esteemed place among the world states as an element of confidence and
stability both in her region, and in the world. But the most basic rule of
development and improvement is not to consider the current point adequate.
Turkey's greatest target is to keep going on her way following Great Leader
Ataturk's reforms and principles. She aims at providing the people to live
in peace by benefiting equally from overall economic and social rights,''
Ecevit underlined. Prime Minister Ecevit also added, ''we will mark
tomorrow the 76th anniversary of foundation of Republic of Turkey with
mixed feelings of satisfaction and tremendous sorrow in the wake of the
massive earthquake disaster which devastated Marmara Region on August 17.''
[22] TURKEY IS IN THRESHOLD OF EXPORTING LOCOMOTIVES
[23] ANKARA, Oct 28 (A.A) - The Turkish Locomotive Industry Corp.
(TULOMSAS) submitted bids for the international locomotive tender announced
by Algerian Railways Administration. The officials said on Thursday that
TULOMSAS submit bids for the Algerian tender announced to purchase 16
locomotives. TULOMSAS participates in the tender with the diesel oil
hydraulic locomotive which was designed and produced by itself, the
officials noted. The DH 600 model locomotives cost 18 million U.S. dollars,
the officals stated. The officials stressed that if TULOMSAS wins the
tender, Turkey will export locomotives for the first time. French Raitech,
Geismar and CFD Industry companies; Belgian CMA company; Spanish Alsthom
company, Polish Komex Bumar Fablock company; Canadian Our GM company;
German Vossloh Schienen, and Algerian Ferroviale company had also submitted
bids for the tender.
[24] PRESIDENT DEMIREL SENDS CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES TO PRESIDENTS OF
ARGENTINE AND TUNISIA
[25] ANKARA, Oct 28 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel sent congratulatory
messages to the presidents of Argentine and Tunisia on Thursday. A
statement of the Presidential Press Center said that Demirel sent
congratulatory messages to Fernando de la Rua, the new President of
Argentine, and Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, new President of Tunisia.
[26] U.S. PRESIDENT CLINTON SENDS CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT
DEMIREL
[27] ANKARA, Oct 28 (A.A) - U.S. President Bill Clinton sent a
congratulatory message to President Suleyman Demirel for the 76th
anniversary of the establishment of the Republic. A statement of the
Presidential Press Center said on Thursday that Clinton conveyed warm
congratulatory messages to Demirel for the 76th anniversary of the
Republic. Clinton said that he want to express condolence over the tragic
losses due to the devastating August quake, the statement noted. Clinton
said he welcomes the efficient construction works carried out in the quake
zone, the statement stressed. The statement emphasized that Clinton is
longing for his visit to Turkey which is planned to be held in November and
the efforts to improve the cooperation between his country and Turkey.
Demirel thanked Clinton in a reply message, the statement pointed out.
[28] DGM FILES A SUIT AGAINST MEHMET KUTLULAR
[29] ANKARA, Oct 28 (A.A) - The Ankara State Security Court (DGM)
Republican Chief Prosecutor's Office filed on Thursday a suit against
Mehmet Kutlular, the owner of the Yeni Asya newspaper, on charges of
''inciting hatred among people'' with his statement on October 10, 1999 at
the Kocatepe Mosque in Ankara. The suit was filed with the request of
imprisonment term of two years up to six years. DGM Republican Prosecutor
Nuh Mete Yuksel concluded his investigation about accused Kutlular, and
prepared his indictment. Giving information about the emergence of the
Divine Light sect movement, the indictment said a booklet titled ''Psalm
Warning: Earthquake'', which was published by the Yeni Asya newspaper, was
distributed before the religious poem read at the Kocatepe Mosque in the
memory of Saidi Nursi, the founder of the Divine Light sect. Noting that it
was possible for a faithful person to say that the quake was the ''divine
dispensation'', the indictment said, ''however, the accused went beyond
this limit and attempted to accuse some circles of society due to the
quake.'' Pointing out that the accused had said that the quake happens when
people become sinful, careless, furious, depraved and sinner, the
indictment said Kutlular accused the Naval Forces Commandership by showing
the February 28 process which he claimed that it started in Golcuk as one
of the reasons of the quake. The indictment mentioned that accused Kutlular
said there was a head-scarf oppression in Turkey, and the oppression
against the faithful people was one of the reasons of the quake. The
indictment said the accused classified the society in two groups like
faithfuls and sinners or those who are faithfuls and those who oppress
faithfuls, inciting hatred and enmity against each other. The indictment
stressed that those allegations were the claims which do not suit positive
science; can be put forward by uneducated people and constitute threats
against the state regime. The indictment requested imprisonment terms of
two years up to six years for accused Mehmet Kutlular with charges of
''inciting hatred among people'' in accordance with the Turkish Penal
Code's Article 312/2-3.
[30] CAPTURE OF FEHRIYE ERDAL
[31] ANKARA, Oct 28 (A.A) - The Belgian Interpol confirmed on Thursday that
the person, who was captured in Belgium, is Fehriye Erdal who was wanted
with charges of involvement in the assasination of businessman Ozdemir
Sabanci. Sources said the Belgian Interpol's written confirmation was
received by the Turkish Interpol. Thus, Turkey's request for apprehension
of Fehriye Erdal concerning her extradition came into force. Officials at
the Turkish Interpol said the process would continue diplomatically. In
accordance with this, the Justice Ministry will send the dossier about
Fehriye Erdal's extradition to Turkey to Belgium through the Foreign
Ministry in coming days.
[32] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES OF CENTRAL BANK INCREASE TO 24.7 BILLION
U.S. DOLLARS
[33] ANKARA, Oct 28 (A.A) - The foreign exchange reserves of the Central
Bank increased to 24 billion 786 million U.S. dollars on October 22. The
Central Bank data shows that the foreign exchange reserves, which climbed
by 634 million U.S. dollars between October 15-22, increased to 24 billion
786 million U.S. dollars as of 22 October. The Central Bank's foreign
exchange reserves were 24 billion 152 million U.S. dollars on October 15.
Meanwhile, according to the 8 October-based statistics, Turkey's total
international gross reserves increased 75 million U.S. dollars to 36
billion 756 million U.S. dollars between October 1-8. The international
gross reserves of Turkey were 36 billion 681 million U.S. dollars on
October 1. As of 8 October, Turkey's international reserves were composed
of 1 billion 11 million U.S. dollars in gold reserves; 24 billion 45
million U.S. dollars in the Central Bank's foreign exchange reserves; and
11 billion 700 million U.S. dollars in the commercial banks' foreign
exchange reserves.
[34] TURKEY AND VIETNAM SIGN CULTURE AGREEMENT
[35] ANKARA, Oct 28 (A.A) - A culture agreement was signed between Turkey
and Vietnam on Thursday. The agreement was signed after interdelegationary
talks presided by Devlet Bahceli, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
State, and by Nguyen Cong Tan, the Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister, who is
paying an official visit to Turkey. The agreement envisages cultural
cooperation between the two countries. Meanwhile, Nguyen Cong Tan is
expected to be received by President Suleyman Demirel, and Prime Minister
Bulent Ecevit later today.
[36] FOREIGN DEBT PAYMENTS - 10 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS PAID IN FOREIGN DEBT
SINCE JANUARY 1, 1999
[37] ANKARA, Oct 28 (A.A) - Turkey has repaid a total of 10 billion 53.66
million U.S. dollars of foreign debt since the beginning of this year. The
Central Bank data shows that the Treasury paid 8 billion 674.08 million
U.S. dollars; the Central Bank repaid 342.94 million U.S. dollars; the
Ministry of National Defense and the Defense Industry paid 646.84 million
U.S. dollars, and the Defense Fund paid 17.67 million U.S. dollars in
foreign debt between January 1 and October 27, 1999. Meanwhile, a total of
749.86 million U.S. dollars of foreign debt was repaid between October 1
and 27.
[38] TALBOTT, U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTS TURKEY
[39] ANKARA, Oct 28 (A.A) - Strobe Talbott, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of
State, departed Turkey on Thursday. Talbott had arrived in Turkey yesterday
from Armenian capital Yerevan. He was received by President Suleyman
Demirel overnight. Talbott had paid visits to regarded countries with the
aim of resolving the Upper Karabakh problem. Stephen Sestanovich, the
Special Advisor of Talbott for the Commonwealth of Independent States; and
Carey Cavanaugh, the U.S. Representative in Minsk Group, had accompanied
Talbott during his visits to Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. Talbott and
Sestanovich are expected to hold contacts in Moscow within framework of
their visit to the region. They are scheduled to come together later with
co-presidents of the Minsk Group which was established within structure of
the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Russia, the
U.S., and France are carrying out co-presidency of the Minsk Group which
was established to resolve the Upper Karabakh problem between Azerbaijan
and Armenia. Armenia has occupied 20 percent of Azeri territories including
Upper Karabakh.
[40] SANBERK, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO BRITAIN: - ''IT IS OUR DUTY TO PROTECT
REPUBLIC'S VALUES, AND TO FURTHER IMPROVE THEM''
[41] LONDON, Oct 28 (A.A) - Ozdem Sanberk, the Turkish Ambassador to
Britain, said on Thursday, ''It is our duty to protect the Republic's
values, and to further improve them.'' Sanberk issued a message to mark the
76th annuversary of foundation of Republic of Turkey, and to celebrate
October 29 Republic Day of Turkish citizens living in Britain. In his
message, Sanberk expressed satisfaction that Turkish people living abroad
were sharing the same enthusiasim with the people in Turkey. Referring the
assasination of Prof. Dr. Ahmet Taner Kislalı, one of the greatest
intellectuals, statesmen, and journalists of Turkey, on October 21, Sanberk
expressed profound sorrow over loosing such a significant personality.
Sanberk noted that efforts to heal wounds of those who were left homeless
and destitude by massive quake which devastated northwestern part of Turkey
on August 17, were continuing. He thanked Turkish citizens living in
Britain, for their contributions for quake victims. Sanberk also underlined,
''Turkey has been maintaining a foreign policy having basic characteristics
such as responsibility, solidarity, realism, and reliability amid threats
of racism, and terrorism.''
[42] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM DUE TO CROATIA
[43] ZAGREB/VUKOVAR/ANKARA, Oct 28 (A.A) - Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister,
will pay an official visit to Croatia at the beginning of November. Cem's
contacts in Croatian capital Zagreb will focus on regional problems, and
bilateral relations. He will be received by President Franjo Tudjman of
Croatia, and by Croatian Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa. Cem is scheduled to
come together with his Croatian counterpart Mate Granic. He is also
expected to visit the exhibition of Ottoman works which was previously
opened by Istemihan Talay, the Culture Minister. Diplomatic sources told
the A.A correspondent that issues such as Dayton Peace Agreement,
establishment of peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina, integration process with the
European Union (EU), and further improvement of bilateral relations between
Turkey and Croatia would be brought onto agenda of Cem's contacts in
Zagreb. Meanwhile, President Tudjman plans not to attend the Organization
for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Summit which will be held in
Istanbul in November due to criticisms against Croatia on the issue of
trial of war criminals. Diplomatic sources indicated that Croatian Prime
Minister Matesa, and Foreign Minister Granic would represent Croatia at the
summit.
[44] GENERAL KIVRIKOGLU, CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF: - ''I AM PROUD OF SAYING
THAT TURKISH ARMED FORCES WOULD CONTINUE TO PROTECT DEMOCRATIC AND SECULAR
REPUBLIC OF TURKEY AGAINST OVERALL DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN THREATS''
[45] ANKARA, Oct 28 (A.A) - General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, the Chief of
General Staff, said on Thursday that the Turkish Armed Forces would
continue to protect democratic and secular Republic of Turkey against
overall domestic and foreign threats. Releasing a statement to mark the
76th anniversary of foundation of Republic of Turkey, General Kivrikoglu
said, ''As members of the heroic Turkish Armed Forces, we are proud of
celebrating the 76th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey which was
founded with self-sacrifice of Turkish nation under leadership of Ataturk,
and with blood of our martyrs.'' ''I am proud of saying that the Turkish
Armed Forces whose history is full of distinguished heroisms, and which has
gained endless affection and confidence of the Turkish nation, would
continue to carry out any kind of duty under the light of Ataturk's
principles and reforms, and to protect democratic and secular Republic of
Turkey against overall domestic and foreign threats with its great
discipline, training, and modern equipment. The Turkish Armed Forces is the
guarantee of peace, security and well-being in the region,'' General
Kivrikoglu added.
[46] EU TO SEND TURKEY FINANCIAL AID WORTH OF 95 MILLION EUROS
[47] STRASBOURG, Oct 28 (A.A) - The European Union (EU) decided on Thursday
to send Turkey financial aid worth of 95 million Euros in 2000. The EU's
2000 budget envisages to send Turkey quake aid of 50 million Euros, and 45
million Euros, the first instalment of the 135 million Euros which was
foreseen to be given to Turkey in three years within scope of the strategy
to get Turkey closer to the EU.
[48] TURKEY INCLUDED IN EU'S EDUCATION AND YOUTH PROGRAMS
[49] STRASBOURG, Oct 28 (A.A) - The European Parliament accepted on
Thursday to include Turkey in the European Union (EU)'s education and youth
programs. The report which was prepared by Giuseppe Gargani, the Spanish
member of the European Parliament's Youth and Culture Committee, was
accepted at today's general assembly session. The resolution envisages
Turkey to be included in the EU's education and youth programs like other
candidate countries. The education program which will continue till 2006,
foresees scientific cooperation among universities in EU countries. The
youth program envisages improvement of social and cultural relations
between the young people in the EU countries and Turkey.
[50] TUSIAD: ''TURKEY SHOULD NOT BE GONE ASTRAY BY DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN
THREATS''
[51] ISTANBUL, Oct 28 (A.A) - The Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen'
Association (TUSIAD) issued on Thursday a booklet named ''Democracy is
Turkey's Source of Power''. The TUSIAD emphasized, ''there may be circles
who aim at sending Turkey away of her targets to be a secular, democratic
state of law respecting human rights, and individual freedoms, by entraping
her. Turkey should not be gone astray by any domestic and foreign threats.
She should not try to resolve existing problems with initiatives which
could mean limitation of democratic rights.'' The TUSIAD noted that Turkey
which came to the threshold of candidacy to the European Union (EU), has
begun to make economic and political reforms. ''We will become an European
country soon, and our only need is to further improve democratic structure
to this end. The TUSIAD believes that works which will increase Turkey's
democratic standards without damaging integrity of the country and
secularism, the two main elements of Republic of Turkey, should be
finalized by the parliament. Our state has the adequate power to overcome
any kind of problems,'' the TUSIAD said.
[52] KARAHASANOGLU, EDITOR IN CHIEF OF AKIT NEWSPAPER, TAKEN INTO CUSTODY
[53] ISTANBUL, Oct 28 (A.A) - Mustafa Karahasanoglu, the Editor in Chief of
the Akit Newspaper, and Ali Ihsan Karahasanoglu, the lawyer, were taken
into custody on Thursday. It was claimed that the Akit Newspaper had showed
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Taner Kislali, former Culture Minister and journalists, as
a target to the terrorist organizations. Security units searched the Akit's
building in Goztepe district of Istanbul province upon the directions of
the Office of Republican Chief Prosecutor of the Istanbul State Security
Court (DGM). Mustafa Karahasanoglu, and Ali Ihsan Karahasanoglu will be
released after their interrogations are finalized.
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