Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-12-20

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

[01] AA News

20 December 1999 Monday

[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

TWO RESONANT BOMBS EXPLODES IN CARREFOUR
Two resonant bombs exploded in Carrefour, a shopping mall in Kadikoy district of Istanbul. Thousands of people shopping in the Carrefour, engulfed in panic after the explosions. An anonymous telephone call before the explosions warned security forces that the illegal Islamic Great Eastern Raider-Front (IBDA-C) placed bombs in tha Carrefour.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

15 million U.S. dollars.

FOUR TERRORISTS CAPTURED
Four members of the illegal Marxist-Leninist Communist Workers Party of Turkey (TKEP-L) were captured in Istanbul. Terrorists including three females, had staged several bomb attacks on a number of military installations and press organizations in Istanbul.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

STAND-BY IN THE END
Talks carried out with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) since 1997 will be concluded with stand-by agreement. The intent letter which was signed by Recep Onal, Minister of State, and Gazi Ercel, Central Bank Governor, will be taken up and voted in IMF Executive Board this week. IMF will provide 4 billion U.S. dollars source to Turkey till the year 2002.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

EU CONFLICT IN AKKUYU
European companies compete for the tender of Akkuyu nuclear power plant. As European Union (EU) put pressure for the closure of nuclear power plants in Bulgaria, competition of German, French and Italian companies for the tender of Akkuyu Power Plant is defined as ''contradiction.''

RADIKAL (LEFT)

TWO BOMBS TO CARREFOUR
Two explosions took place in Carrefour, a shopping mall in Kozyatagi in Kadikoy district of Istanbul on Sunday.

The explosions took place around 3.15 p.m in Carrefour. Police and fire brigades try to reach the scene. A pipe bomb caused the explosions. The first explosion took place in the spirits part of the mall arond 3.15 p.m. Very few customers were in that part of the mall and one customer was slightly injured. She was taken to the infirmary of the shopping mall. The explosions caused panic in other parts of the mall which took place due to a pipe bomb planted among bottles.

After 10 minutes another explosion took place in the car park of the mall.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

Emergency Rule will be lifted. Overall deficiencies of the region will be removed. The region will be made attractive for investors with new bank loan and encouragement system.''

PRIME MINISTRY ANNOUNCES DEATH TOLL AS 832
The Prime Ministry Crisis Management Center stated that 832 people were killed while 4,948 others were injured as of 18:00 local time on Sunday in the wake of the 7.2-magnitude quake which devastated Bolu province on November 12. A total of 12,939 dwellings and 2,450 business places collapsed or suffered heavy damages in the quake.

MILD EARTHQUAKES SHAKE SIRNAK AND ORHANGAZI
As afterchocks continue to shake disaster area in the wake of 7.4 and 7.2- magnitudes earthquakes which struck Marmara Region on August 17 and November 12, two mild earthquakes with magnitudes 3.8 and 2.5, shook southeastern Sirnak province and Orhangazi county of Bursa province.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

AGREEMENT WITH ATHENS AGAINST TERRORISM
The agreement envisaging cooperation between Turkey and Greece in struggle against terrorism, drug and weapon smuggling, and organized crimes, came to the signature stage. The agreement which consists of 14 Articles, is expected to be signed between two countries in coming days.

[03] CAKICI, NOTORIOUS MAFIA BOSS, USES HIS RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT

Officials told the A.A correspondent on Sunday that the Ankara Republican Prosecutor's Office, Istanbul State Security Court (DGM) Prosecutor's Office, and the Istanbul Republican Prosecutor's Office wanted to interrogate Cakici regarding the cases which Cakici cannot be tried in Turkey in accordance with the extradition agreement.

Cakici is using his right to remain silent on the cases in question.

[04] TURKEY-INDIA QUOTA ISSUE

Turkey also stated that she won't adapt immediately the panel decisions foreseeing abolishment of the quotas of textile and confectionary implemented within the framework of the customs union with the European Union (EU).

Turkey sent a letter to WTO saying that this issue concerns the customs union with the EU and negotiations should be made with the EU.

A preliminary meeting was held with the EU on December 7 in Brussels to determine the common way that will be pursued to fulfil the obligations of WTO. After the meeting it was decided that Turkey would fulfil its obligations yet she needs additional time to do that and WTO should be informed by that.

WTO had proposed four suggestions to Turkey to solve the quota conflict. Turkey has to lift the quotas under Articles 11 and 14 of GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) and Articles 2 and 4 of the Agreement on Textile and Clothing.

Under the rules of WTO Turkey has to abide by the WTO decisions within 15 months, yet Turkey tries to extend this term by getting additional time.

Turkey will also discuss this issue with India.

[05] 88 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAPTURED IN VAN

Acting on a tip-off, gendarme teams staged an operation to Topsakal village of Baskale county of Van province. 41 Iraqis and one Afghan, who entered Turkey illegally, were captured in the houses belonging to Hamza Bozgat.

Meanwhile 7 Afghans, 17 Pakistanis, 2 Iranians and 40 Iraqis were captured in the controls near Ovecli village and Kalecik village.

The persons were transferred to Foreigners' Department of the Security to be deported.

[06] KARAKAMIS DAM STARTS PRODUCTION (1) - PRESIDENT DEMIREL:''TURKEY RECORDS PROGRESS''

President Suleyman Demirel participated in the ceremony held upon the start of Karkamıs Dam and Hydroelectric Power Plant's production.

Addressing the ceremony, Demirel said that everybody witnesses a new page of a big claim. Stressing that development can only be possible by investment, President Demirel said that Turkey makes progress.

President Demirel pointed out that Euphrates (Fırat)river offers prosperity to people once again noting ''Thank you Fırat.''

After his speech, President Demirel started the production of Karkamıs Dam and Hydroelectric Power plant by pushing the botton.

[07] KARKAMIS DAM STARTS PRODUCTION (2) - ENERGY MINISTER ERSUMER: ''KARKAMIS DAM IS THE FIRST DAM WHOSE CONSTRUCTION ENDED EARLIER THAN EXPECTED''

The first two units of Karkamıs dam and Hydroelectric power plant, which were established by the partnership of Turkish and Austrian firms in Karkamıs county of Gaziantep province, started production by a ceremony. President Demirel opened the units.

Addressing the ceremony, Ersumer said that this project was concluded in a short time by getting the credits on time.

Ersumer stressed that they will construct 28 other dams by the same method and they will also continue the method of build-operate and transfer which is implemented in Birecik dam.

Constructing dams by getting credits also shows the reliability and possibility of Turkey to find finances, said Ersumer. He added that the electricity consumption in Turkey is behind many developed countries.

Ersumer stressed that they have to give cheap and continuous electricity to industry.

Ralph Shade, the Austrian Ambassador to Turkey said in his part that Austrian President couldn't come to the ceremony due to the elections.

Shade recalled that Austria supported Turkey's membership to the European Union (EU), adding the confirmation of Turkey's candidacy to the EU at Helsinki summit is pleasing.

The power plant will start to function completely in May 2000 and the dam will produce 613 million kilowatthours of energy annually. The total cost of the dam will be nearly 121 trillion Turkish liras and it will pay off the cost in four years.

[08] GERMAN DEFENSE MINISTER SCHARPING ARRIVES IN TURKEY - NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER CAKMAKOGLU: ''WE THANK GERMANY WHICH PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN TURKEY'S EU CANDIDACY''

Sabahattin Cakmakoglu, the National Defense Minister welcomed him at Esenboga Airport.

Speaking in the airport, Cakmakoglu stated that he is pleased to see Scharping in Turkey, Turkey knows that Germany played an important role in the announcement of her candidacy to the EU and thanked Germany.

Cakmakoglu said that they will review bilateral relations, security, defense relations within the integrity of Europe and regional issues and defense industry issues during Scharping's visit to Turkey.

Scharping said in his part that Turkey is a very important friend for Germany, the EU countries and for NATO.

''Turkey constitutes a stability element in respect of her neighbours and due to the foreign policy and security policy she pursues,'' said Scharping.

''The German government launched great efforts to support our historical friend Turkey and to open the European perspective to her during the last 13-14 months,'' said Scharping.

''When I came to Turkey in 1997, the conditions were different. There is a very different political atmosphere now which is clearer. I can say that the conditions of today are better,'' he added.

Scharping is expected to be received by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and meet with Cakmakoglu and Gen. Huseyin Kıvrıkoglu, the Chief of General Staff the same day.

[09] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT RECEIVES GERMAN DEFENSE MINISTER SCHARPING

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit received Scharping, who came to Turkey today.

The guest minister told Ecevit that they want to participate in the tank tender which is worth of 14 billion marks. Ecevit said in his part that everybody can participate in it, underlining the fact that the exchange of weapons between the two countries shouldn't be interrupted from time to time.

Germany had suspended selling weapons to Turkey saying that there were human right violations in Turkey. German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder had noted that an employment for 6000 people would be created by winning this tank tender. The Greens party, which is a coalition partner, opposes participating in the tender.

[10] TURKEY-IMF

Demiralp said that the stand-by agreement will be taken up at IMF Executive Directors Board meeting on Wednesday, adding ''if there is no problem, we expect the agreement to be approved.''

Responding to questions of journalists before the signing of the agreement regarding the aid of 200 million dollars which the Japanese government will give to Turkey due to the quake disaster, Demiralp said the credit of IMF will be used within the foreign exchange reserve of the Central Bank.

''What is important for us is to see the green light of the IMF. Their confirmation of the fact that Turkey has realized both general public and financial discipline carries great importance for us. When this agreement came to a certain stage, such credit rating institutions like Moody's and Standart and Poor's made positive statements about Turkey. Likewise Japanese JCR carries out such a work,'' he said.

''Till March 2000, World Bank will finish its mission regarding the reconstruction of Turkey's financial sector. We do our best to fasten it,'' he added.

[11] ONE CASE AGAINST CAKICI ABATED

Cakici who is imprisoned in Kartal prison, did not participate in the court session.

Muhittin Yuzuak, the lawyer of Cakici, said that his client had a psychological failure due to the physical and psychological torture he faced for sixteen months.

The health report of Cakici will be submitted to the court in the shortest time, Yuzuak noted.

Yuzuak stated that the prescription which was five years ended on charges of a crime which was committed in 1994.

Later, the court asked Necdet Kuscu, the Republican Prosecutor, whether or not he had any requests.

Kuscu said that he wanted to express the merits of the case.

Kuscu recalled that a public lawsuit was filed against Alaattin Cakici and Ugur (Kilic) Cakici on March 25, 1994 on charges of inciting persons to attack Hincal Uluc.

Ibrahim Turk and Barbaros Gokalan who wounded Uluc in the attack were imprisoned, Kuscu noted.

Kuscu reminded that Alaattin Cakici was arrested in France on August 18, 1998.

Cakici was extradited to Turkey on December 13, 1999; Kuscu also recalled.

Kuscu stated that Cakici was imprisoned in Turkey on December 14, 1999.

The last procedure which was implemented in this lawsuit was the indictment dated March 25, 1999; Kuscu stressed.

Kuscu emphasized that to this end, the statute of limitation ended.

Kuscu requested that the lawsuit which was filed against Alaattin Cakici should be dismissed in accordance with the articles of the Turkish Penal Code concerning ''statute of limitations.''

The judge announced that the case which was filed against Alaattin Cakıcı, the notorious mafia boss, for inciting persons to attack journalist-writer Hincal Uluc was abated as the statute of limitations which was five years, ended.

The court also decided to sent a file to the Republican Chief Prosecutor's Office for the release of Cakici from this crime.

By this decision of the criminal court, there remains only one crime of which Cakıcı is accused that caused his extradition to Turkey from France.

In the previous court sessions, Barbaros Gokalan had been sentenced to three-year imprisonment and Ibrahim Turk had been sentenced to one year and one month imprisonment.

Ugur (Kilic) Cakici who was tried on charges of inciting these people to stage an armed attack to Uluc, had been acquitted.

-<B>PREMIER ECEVIT SAYS MILITARY COOPERATION BETWEEN</B> TURKEY AND GERMANY SHOULD NOT BE INTERRUPTED DUE TO TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK
ANKARA, Dec 20 (A.A) - Premier Bulent Ecevit said on Monday that the military cooperation between Turkey and Germany should not be interrupted due to the terrorist organization PKK.

The officials told A.A correspondent that Ecevit thanked Rudolf Scharping, the German Defense Minister, for the German assistance following the quake disasters and the recognition of Turkey as a candidate member to the European Union (EU).

Ecevit told Scharping that Turkey wants Germany to make investments in the Southeastern Anatolia Region during their meeting.

The Copenhagen criteria will be fulfilled in the shortest time, Ecevit stated.

Scharping said that some obstacles occur in the armament agreements between the two countries on charges that some of the weapons are used against the terrorist organization PKK.

Germany is one of the two countries which banned the terrorist organization PKK in Europe; Scharping added.

[13] LEADERS' SUMMIT ENDS

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, the leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP); Devlet Bahceli, the Deputy Prime Minister and the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP); Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP); Husamettin Ozkan, the Deputy Prime Minister; Cumhur Ersumer, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources; Ahmet Kenan Tanrikulu, the Minister of Industry and Trade, attended the leaders' summit.

Speaking to reporters, Ecevit said they discussed the economy with its all aspects at the meeting.

[14] Anadolu Ajansı

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