Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-11-23

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[01] AA Daily

23 November 1999 Tuesday

[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

BAY LEAF FROM ALEXIOU TO AKSU
Sezen Aksu who went to Athens to give a friendship concert, was welcomed by Greek singer and compositor Haris Alexiou with a big bay leaf. Haris Alexiou told a press briefing that she wants to compose a song for Aksu, while Aksu said that she has already written a song for her.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL) BEHIND CLOSE DOORS
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Cumhur Ersumer told the paper that they solved the difficulties about Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project one by one behind the closed doors. Ersumer stressed that Turkey needs a nuclear power station and they seek for a compromise with coalition parties. ''I believe that nuclear power stations are very friendly to the environment,'' he added.

TELEPHONE-TAPPING WITNESS
Hursit Ucak, a witness who is a policeman told the court about the telephone-tapping scandal of Ankara security that they firstly copied certain files and later erased them. ''My director Zafer Aktas requested me to give him the 20 copied discs, but he didn't give them back. These were either destroyed or taken away,'' he said.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

NO OFFICIAL FUNERAL FOR INCETAHTACI
The members of the Virtue Party (FP) didn't accept an official funeral by the parliament for Bedri Incetahtacı, the Gaziantep Deputy of the Virtue Party (FP) who lost his life in a traffic accident on Sunday morning on the way to Ankara's Esenboga Airport from where he was going to fly to Germany's Koln city. Incetahtacı was buried in Gaziantep after a religious pray in the mosque.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

CEM'S INITIATIVE FOR HELSINKI
Turkey has intensified its efforts before the European Union (EU) summit that will be held in Helsinki between 10-11 December. Turkey contacts with Sweden and Denmark. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, who went to Luxembourg to participate in the West European Union (WEU) meeting, will proceed to Sweden on Wednesday and come together with Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh. Cem will leave for Denmark from Sweden on November 26 and meet with Dannish Foreign Minister Niels Helveg Petersen there.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

WORLD BANK HOPEFUL ABOUT TURKEY
Johannes Linn, the World Bank deputy President said that ''Turkey comes out as the economic power of her region. There is a very optimistic impression about Turkey's future.'' Speaking in a conference on ''Reconstruction of Turkey and Foreign Investment,'' Linn noted that Turkey was shaken by two quake disasters, but these disasters brought Turkey closer to the West. The damage will be met by the aid that will be provided by World Bank and other international institutions, he said. Linn stressed that the government in Turkey also carries out a very important task about reforms.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

ATATURK NOT REASON OF CONFLICT
Devlet Bahceli, the Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister said that Ataturk Higher Council of Culture, Language and History has an important mission to prevent Ataturk from being the subject or mask of conflicts. Social reconciliation and tolerance are necessary to reach the modern civilization level, which was targeted by Ataturk, said Bahceli and added that only those societies which can make its national culture and language survive, can protect their presence in the future.

[03] TURKEY'S AMBASSADOR TO EU AKYOL ORGANIZES CONCERT NIGHT FOR QUAKE SURVIVORS

Romano Prodi, the EU Commission Chairman was an honourary guest, besides high ranking officials from the EU and many ambassadors attended to the concert.

Pianist Idil Biret gave a concert and nearly 350 people listened to her in an enthusiasm.

The income that will be gained from the concert will be used in construction of rehabilitation buildings for children in the quak-hit- region.

[04] U.S:''WE ARE NOT IN A POSITION TO PROPOSE ANSWERS TO BIG PROBLEMS''

Jamis Rubin, the U.S. Department of State's Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs told a press briefing that the U.S. is not in a position to propose answers to big problems.

Ruben stressed that the thing the U.S. does is to help the two sides on Cyprus and to make them catch the opportunity of peace.

The U.S. views about the point targeted to be reached about the Cyprus question are very well known and the U.S. wishes the concerning issues to be discussed, added Rubin.

[05] EFFORTS UNDERWAY TO SET UP FREE ZONE AMONG TURKEY, U.S, AND ISRAEL

A delegation from the Foreign Trade Undersecretary left for Jordan to examine the free zone established in this country. The delegation is expected to wrap up its contacts and return to Turkey on Friday.

Officials noted that one of the existing free zones will probably be chosen and its place can be the free areas in Gaziantep or Yumurtalık, Adana.

Jordan can also be included in the free zone that will be established in Turkey as it is a stable and influential country in the region and as the free zone between Jordan and Israel operates in a succesful way.

The approval of the American and the Israeli legislative organs is necessary to set up the free zone in Turkey.

When the agreement is put into force, Turkey and Israel will have the advantage of exporting their industrial products to the U.S. without any quotas or customs duties.

[06] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: - ''OSCE SUMMIT WAS FINALIZED SUCCESSFULLY''

The Presidential Press Center quoted President Demirel as saying, ''the OSCE summit was finalized successfully as a result of your government's effective works. Turkey has benefited from this important political promotion activity. I congratulate all ministries, institutes, and organizations.''

In his letter, President Demirel noted, ''the agreements regarding the Baku- Ceyhan oil pipeline project and the trans-Caspian natural gas pipeline project which are vitally significant for Turkey, were signed during the OSCE summit. The 57th government headed by yourself has won everybody's appreciation to this end. I congratulate your government for this historical success.''

President Demirel also sent letters of congratulation to Cumhur Ersumer, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Natural Resources; Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister; Yalim Erez, the Turkish Permanent Representative to the OSCE; and Erol Cakir, the Governor of Istanbul.

[07] TURKEY TO PURCHASE ELECTRICITY FROM TURKMENISTAN

Turkey started to think of importing electricity since her electricity demand increases by eight percent every year.

Turkey which started to purchase electricity from Bulgaria, Iraq, and Georgia, signed an agreement with Turkmenistan for the purchase of electricity.

Within the framework of the agreement, the electricity which is planned to be purchased from Turkmenistan, will be transferred through the 400 kilowatt energy transportation lines between Turkey and Iran.

Turkey will start purchasing electricity from Turkmenistan next week.

Turkey is buying four billion kilowatts of electricity from Bulgaria every year, but thinks of increasing this amount since the power plants which are being constructed at the moment will start operation.

Turkey purchased 257 million kilowatts of electricity from Iran in 1999.

The officials said that the term of the agreement between Turkey and Iran will terminate this year and Turkey will probably continue to buy electricity from Iran with a new agreement.

[08] TERM OF ARREST FOR ERDAL, SUSPECT OF SABANCI ASSASSINATION, EXTENDED

The term of arrest for Erdal; Musa Asoglu and Kaya Sas, members of illegal extreme leftist DHKP-C organization, were extended in the court session held in Belgium.

The lawyers of Erdal, Ekici, Asoglu, and Sas asked for the release of their clients by claiming that there is no reason to keep these persons under arrest.

The lawyer said that they applied to another court for the release of their clients.

The lawyers said that their request will start to be discussed in this court on Wednesday.

Their clients are kept under very tight security conditions and are under control 24 hours, the lawyers said.

When recalled that Turkey asked for Erdal's extradition, the lawyers said that the Justice Ministry has the authority to give a decision about this issue.

Later, the court extended the term of arrest for Erdal, Asaoglu, and Saz while Hasan Ekici, another member of DHKP-C, was released. But, Ekici was prohibited from leaving Belgium.

The court said that it has not received any dossiers from Turkey. The court added that the Belgian Justice Ministry will decide about the extradition of Erdal as it receives the dossier.

Fehriye Erdal had been captured with a fake identity card in the name of Nese Yildirim in Knokke city of Belgium on November 26, 1999.

Erdal's real identity had been revealed on November 12, 1999.

[09] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: - ''OUR CONTRIBUTION TO EDSI WILL BE PROPORTIONAL TO OUR PARTICIPATION''

Addressing journalists, Cem noted, ''the European Union (EU) is working on a new arrangement. They want Turkey to participate in the EDSI. But our contribution to the EDSI will be proportional to our authority and position in the decision taking mechanism. Turkey, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Norway, and Iceland are members of the NATO, but they are not members of the EU. The EU wants to form a military organization. What will be the positions of these countries? Turkey's exclusion is not in question.''

[10] PM ECEVIT SAYS CHAIRMEN OF TURKISH AND RUSSIAN INTELLIGENCE SERVICES WILL MEET TODAY

Ecevit responded to the questions of the journalists when leaving the Prime Ministry.

When a journalist recalled that Russian President Boris Yeltsin claimed that there are ''Chechen camps'' in Turkey and asked who conduct these investigations, Ecevit noted that the chairman of Russian intelligence service will come to Ankara today.

Ecevit stated that he will meet with Senkan Atasagun, the Undersecretary of National Intelligence Organization (MIT).

Ecevit continued, ''we do not know whether or not they have real documents concerning this issue. But, the MIT has documents concerning the camps of the terrorist organization PKK in Russia. This issue will also be discussed in the meeting.''

When asked about the claims that the court session in which the verdict about Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, will be given, will be suspended to a later date; Ecevit said, ''we do not know whether or not the legal process of the case will end in the court session held on November 25, 1999. Because, there are methods of objection.''

''Besides, we do not know for what Ocalan's lawyers have applied to the European Court of Human Rights, or whether or not Turkey received any respond to the application, or whether or not the court asked us to suspend the court session. We have not received any responds until today. We will assume an attitude according to the respond of the court,'' Ecevit added.

Ecevit stressed that the European Court of Human Rights have binding rules for Turkey but the legal process of the case is not over yet.

When asked about the additional measures regarding the quake zone, Ecevit said that all the tents which resist to the winter conditions have been sent to Bolu, Duzce, and Kaynasli.

A total of 8,802 tents which was ordered a short time ago, will arrive in the region in a short time, Ecevit pointed out.

They will exert all kinds of efforts to construct the prefabricated huts in the earlier planned date to solve the transitory settlement problem, Ecevit emphasized.

Responding another question, Ecevit said that they will discuss every issue in the ''Leaders Summit'' which is planned to be held on Wednesday.

[11] PM ECEVIT: ''WORLD BANK ATTRIBUTES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO RELATIONS WITH TURKEY''

Ecevit responded to the questions of the journalists at the Prime Ministry.

He met with Johannes Linn, the Deputy Governor of World Bank, today and an agreement will be signed today; Ecevit recalled.

When asked whether or not some conditions are put forward, Ecevit said, ''conditions are out of question. The World Bank attributes great importance to relations with Turkey. The World Bank is pleased about its relations with us. Of course, they draw our attention to some deficiencies. This is very useful for us. We had a very fruitful, friendly, and constructive meeting.''

Meanwhile, the officials said that the World Bank delegation asked the intervention of Ecevit to some projects which are not carried out.

The officials noted that the World Bank delegation said that the 600 million U.S. dollar credit which was sent to Turkey to be used in education, is not being used.

Ecevit asked the delegation to prepare a report about in which projects this money should be used, the officials stated.

The officials stressed that the delegation said that Turkey was late in allocating fields to construct permanent buildings in the quake zone.

Ecevit told the delegation that an administration center was set up to deal with this issue, the officials added.

[12] PRODI, CHAIRMAN OF EU COMMISSION: - ''TURKEY WILL NEED SOCIAL MOBILIZATION FOLLOWING HELSINKI SUMMIT''

Prodi, many members of the EU Commission, many members of the European Parliament, diplomats and the representatives of business and economy circles participated in the concert given by pianist Idil Biret in Brussels on Monday evening.

Prodi and Nihat Akyol, Turkey's Permanent Representative to the EU, spoke at the concert held with the contributions of Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) and Turkish companies.

He is hopeful about the Helsinki Summit but the resolutions which will be taken about Turkey's candidacy should be understood well; Prodi noted.

Prodi stated that Turkey is considered as a European country.

The quake disaster in Turkey is also the disaster of Europe and the problems should be overcome in solidarity with Europe, Prodi stressed.

Prodi emphasized that the doors are open in Turkey's relations with the EU and he hopes this situation will improve in the Helsinki Summit.

Europe is facing an atmosphere full of conflicts but despite this, it marks developments, Prodi pointed out.

Prodi said that Turkey should work with patience and he thinks that the doors of the EU will be widely opened to Turkey in Helsinki.

The EU has become a big economic power in the world and is in the process of a monetary union, Prodi noted.

Prodi stated that Turkey should tolerate the deficiencies and benefits of the EU.

The real struggle of Turkey will start after the Helsinki Summit, Prodi stressed.

Prodi added that the resolution taken in the end of Helsinki Summit will be a compromise and to this end, it may not satisfy the parties.

Speaking after Prodi, Nihat Akyol thanked the governments, organizations and the nations of the EU countries for their initiatives following the quake disasters in Turkey.

Akyol said that they have entered a hopeful period in the relations between Turkey and the EU.

[13] OFFICIALS SAYS IMF DELEGATION DOES NOT EXTEND TERM OF ITS VISIT DUE TO NEGATIVE DEVELOPMENTS

The IMF delegation asked that the revenues which will be provided from the additional taxes should be increased at the meeting held at the Treasury Undersecretariat last night, the officials noted.

The officials stated that the economy bureaucrats accepted the increase of the additional tax revenues.

They aim at having a revenue of nearly one quadrillion Turkish liras from the additional taxes, the officials stressed.

The officials emphasized that the legal arrangements regarding the additional taxes should be made as soon as possible.

The budget deficit should be stagnated as soon as possible, the officials pointed out.

The officials added that the additional tax policy will set up the main target of the first six-month programme in the stand-by agreement.

[14] TURKEY AND U.S. SIGN AGREEMENT ON RECIPROCAL EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENT

Aydan Karahan, Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary, and Mark Parris, U.S. Ambassador to Ankara, signed the agreement.

The agreements makes it possible for the spouses and children of the diplomats and administrative personnel of the embassies and chief consulates of the two countries to work in a job in the country where they are staying.

Karahan said that this agreement paves the way to the spouses and children of the personnel of the embassies and the chief consulates to continue their carreer in the country where they are staying.

Parris said that a significant development in the lives of the families of the diplomats will be marked by this agreement.

Turkey and U.S. experienced some intensive days in the recent two years like the signing of Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project agreement and U.S. President Bill Clinton's visit to Turkey, Parris recalled.

Parris noted that this agreement starts a new period in the relations between the two countries.

[15] TRUBNIKOV, CHAIRMAN OF RUSSIAN INTELLIGENCE UNIT, IN TURKEY

Trubnikov who arrived in Istanbul today, proceeded to Ankara and the inter- delegationary meetings between the Russian delegation headed by Trubnikov, and Turkish delegation headed by Atasagun, started.

The officials said that the claims that Turkey sends assistance to Chechnya and the documents regarding that camps of terrorist organization PKK exist in Russia are being discussed in the meeting.

The officials did not say when the Russian delegation will depart Turkey.

[16] WEU COUNCIL - FM CEM MEETS WITH ROBERTSON, NATO SECRETARY GENERAL

Robertson appreciated the success of Turkey recorded in organization of Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) summit, and noted that he will pay an official visit to Ankara.

Robertson visits capital cities of all NATO member countries since he was appointed as the Secretary General.

The NATO Secretary General mentioned Kosovo issue and thanked to Turkey due to its support and contributions. Robertson stressed the need for continuation of important contributions of Turkish Armed Forces.

Ismail Cem in his part pointed out that there was a bottleneck in Kosovo, and noted that initiatives within the body of NATO were needed to overcome this bottleneck.

[17] ANKARA ONCE AGAIN STRESSED TO ANNAN THAT INDIRECT TALKS SHOULD CONTINUE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE U.N.

Speaking about the efforts to connect Turkey's European Union (EU) candidacy with Cyprus question, Gurel said the decisions that will be taken in Helsinki summit should not be connected with the attitude Ankara will adopt in Cyprus issue. ''Besides, the decisions that will be taken in Helsinki, will prove the attitude of EU in Cyprus. We will arrange our attitude according to this'', he added.

Gurel pointed out that Kofi Annan, the U.N. Secretary General, mentioned Cyprus question and Turkey's candidacy to EU during his contacts in Ankara on Monday. Gurel said they conveyed the views of Ankara regarding the issue.

Gurel said in his meeting with Annan he once again stressed that indirect talks that will start in New York on December 3 should continue under the roof of the U.N..

''We have conveyed our several concerns about Cyprus talks and we reiterated that the talks should be appropriate to the definition of indirect talks'', Gurel noted.

Gurel said he told Annan that Turkey opposed Cyprus talks to turn into negotiations which others interfere, adding that ''we wanted the talks to be under the supervision of the U.N. The U.N. should not lose control so that we will not find others in front of us. Annan accepted our views.''

[18] TURKEY'S RESTURCTURING AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT CONFERENCE - DEMIREL: ''NEW HORIZONS OPENED FOR TURKEY AS WE APPROACH TO 21ST CENTURY''

President Demirel sent a message to Faruk Yoneyman, Foreign Capital Association Executive Board Chairman, who arranged ''Turkey's Restructuring and Foreign Investments Conference.''

In the message Demirel said political structures and relations changed as well as the economic structures in globalization process experienced in contemporary world. Demirel said respect to human rights, democracy based on priority of law, and free market economy became widespread today, and added that they became common values which define 21st century.

Demirel said the world speaks about the idea of constructing a new international finace architecture for the 21st century, and added that ''so, we are in the construction process of institutional infrastructure of the global economic order of the next century. Today, Turkey is the 16th biggest economy of the world with its purchase power and with its 400 billion U.S. dollars Gross National Product. Turkey recorded five percent average development rate in the last 30 years despite its political instability in the last 10 years. Turkish economy is among the 10 newly emerging markets of the world. Turkey is the bigggest economy in Eastern Europe, the Balkans, the Black Sea, Caspian Basin and the Middle East.''

Demirel said Turkey has been invited to G-20 group as a member, adding that this is the last example showing the development level of Turkish economy.

Demirel said one of the problems that should be overcome was the exclusion of state from the economic and trade activities, and noted that the only solution for this was the implementation of comprehensive privatization program.

Demirel said ''the target is to improve economy. We want to reach a growing and healthy economy. So, we should envisage the developments in time and take required steps.''

[19] TURKEY-ISRAEL - MUMCU VISITS AKKO AND HAIFA

Mumcu and the accompanying delegation visited Akko on Tuesday morning and visited historical places. In the afternoon they visited historical places of Haifa. The delegation will proceed to Tel Aviv on Wednesday morning and will return to Turkey after visiting Turkey's Embassy here.

Mumcu arrived in Israel as the official guest of Amnon Lipkin Sahak, Israeli Tourism Minister, and acted as the co-chairman of Turkish-Israeli first Joint Tourism Commission.

Mumcu also met with Mitri Ebu Ayta, Palestinian Administration Tourism Minister, in Beytullahim.

Cooperation in belief tourism in the year 2000 was the main topic in the agenda of Mumcu's contacts.

[20] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''WE ARE GOING TO NEW YORK FOR BASE''

TRNC President Denktas briefed political party leaders and several former parliamentarians about the latest developments in Cyprus question.

Denktas said he will go to New York with goodwill and to search for a way out.

Denktas said Greek and Greek Cypriot side told their people that ''don't worry, there is a Greek lobby in the U.S., the U.S. is with us. A scenerio has been prepared to this end.''

Denktas advised TRNC people to listen the statements of Kofi Annan, the U.N. Secretary General, well, and noted that ''we are not going there to solve Cyprus question. We are going there to prepare a base for the solution of the question. Because, face to face meetings are impossible without preparation of this base.''

Denktas is scheduled to brief the parliament within this week about the latest developments on Cyprus issue.

[21] WEU MEETINGS END - CAKMAKOGLU, MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE: ''TURKEY IS IMPORTANT FOR DEFENSE OF EUROPE''

Cakmakoglu responded to the questions of journalists following the end of the Western European Union (WEU) Council meetings. Cakmakoglu stressed the importance of Turkey in defense of Europe.

Noting that views of Turkey regarding European Defense and Securıty Identity were clear, Cakmakoglu recalled that transfer of WEU to European Union (EU) was in the agenda.

Cakmakoglu said, ''Turkey is a member of collective defense more than 50 years. It is also an associate member of WEU. I think European countries, which are not still EU members, should not be excluded from this mechanism. EU will use NATO assets. Turkey, which is a NATO member, should have the right to speak.''

Pointing out that EU was looking for a solution, Cakmakoglu said efforts were under way for a clear solution.

Cakmakoglu said Turkey's main target was to be a full member of the EU.

When asked about his statements issued in Luxembourg meetings, Cakmakoglu said, ''WEU has military capabilities for operations targetting crisis administration. Yet, most of them are inadequate. These deficiencies should be overcome. I have expressed readiness of Turkey to extend required support with its strong army as it happened in the past. I also expressed expectation of allies, which are not EU members, to take place in EU'S security and defense structures with full and equal rights.''

Cakmakoglu later left for Turkey.

[22] WEY COUNCIL - ANKARA'S VIEWS REFLECTED

The sources said balance sheet of WEU's military capabilities was figured out, and consultations took place about European Defense and Security Identity. They said all the ministers reflected their views before important decisions that will be taken in Helsinki Summit about European Defense and Security Identity.

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, addressing the meetings, pointed out that European Defense and Security Identity should not be exclusive, and that rights of European allies should be respected. Cem said consultations should continue in the mechanisms that will be established, and benefits of NATO member countries, which are not EU members, should be taken into consideration.

Speaking to press Cem said contributions of Turkey to European Defense and Security Identity were wanted.

Recalling that Turkey covered a determined attitute on this issue in NATO summit held in Washington D.C., Cem said investigation regarding the status of six Euroepan NATO allies, which are not EU members, still continues.

Foreign Minister Cem will proceed to Sweden on Wednesday morning to hold contacts before Helsinki Summit.

[23] A.A

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