Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-01-28

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[01] AA News

28 January 2000 Friday

[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

GROWING STAR
Turkey once again shines in the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos where the world leaders meet. WEF Chairman Klaus Schwabs told the newspaper, ''undoubtedly, Turkey is a growing star. This progress will be seen also in the economic forum.'' It was mentioned that Turkey was a regional key country and a very important link between Europe and Central Asia-Middle East. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit who said that Davos meetings constituted an important opportunity for the display of Turkey's opportunities, called foreign businessmen to invest in the Southeastern Anatolia Project.

SUPER RETIREMENT
The ''super retirement for members of parliament'' operation, which was postponed due to public's reaction, was concluded late on yesterday. The proposal, which was completed in just 15 minutes by the commission, was immediately transferred to the Parliament. The Parliament legalized the proposal in just 30 minutes.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

DENOUNCER OF ASLITURK SHOT
Dursun Catlý, the former Mayor of Sisli who brougt onto the agenda the corruption claims against Gulay Asliturk for the first time in 1997, was shot in the leg. Catli said, ''in the early hours, a young man who has scarlet hair and is about 25 years old, came to my office. He pointed his gun to me and said, 'you will pay for your claims', and shot me in the leg.''

ALSO MHP REACTS
Devlet Bahceli, the Deputy Prime Minister and the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), criticized Virtue Party's (FP) Recai Kutan's statement that targeted the General Staff. ''The dispute between the army and the FP is dangerous for the stability. It is meaningless to get the soldiers, who withdrew to barracks, out again.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

KUTAN INVITED TO RESIGN
In the extraordinary Chairmanship Council meeting, leading names of the Virtue Party (FP) like Bulent Arinc and Cemil Cicekci invited Recai Kutan to resign while Kutan said, ''I won't resign.''

HE PROCEEDS TO DAVOS WITH TRAIN
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, who proceeded from Zurich to Davos, said, ''I am feeling more free.'' ''We prepared a list of projects that we can immediately open to the foreign capital,'' he said.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

VIRTUE ESCALATES TENSION
After the General Staff said that the Virtue Party (FP) is the source of fundamentalism, Recai Kutan of the FP said that the statement which were the cause of the General Staff's statement did not belong to him. However, the FP deputies made new statements that can escalate the tension. Veysel Candan, a senior aide of Kutan, said, ''what we have said was for the country.'' FP's unofficial daily Milli Gazete wrote an uncovered article targeting the Turkish Armed Forces. It said, ''we understood that the spoiled minority, which considers itself as the biggest authority, is gradually losing its hypnotic power on the society despite their huge information means.''

RADIKAL (LEFT)

FIRST EXECUTION, THEN CONDOLENCE
Cemal Ucar, the terrorist Hezbollah's so-called responsible ''official'' for Diyarbakir, who committed suicide in prison, said before his death that the Hezbollah killed many of its terrorists with charges of spying. ''Later, a letter of condolence was sent to the house of the person killed by Hezbollah,'' he said.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

ATHENS SENTENCED
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) sentenced Greece to pay a 3.4 billion Turkish Liras compensation to Mehmet Emin Aga, the elected Mufti of Xanthi. The case of Aga was continuing for 6.5 years.

DETENTIONS CONTINUE
Upon the confessions of captured Hezbollah terrorists, Police detained yesterday 47 people in the nationwide operations. The Eruh Mayor who is claimed to have connection with the terrorist Hezbollah organization was arrested.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[03] DAVOS MEETINGS - FM CEM: ''I STATED THAT EU BORDERS DON'T END IN THE AEGEAN SEA, BUT END IN EASTERN ANATOLIA''

Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Cem said, ''the Prime Minister made a very good statement. He briefed foreign investors on the Turkish economy.''

Cem said he stated in the meeting that geopolitical position of Turkey had been changed and that Turkey attached great importance to Caucasian and Central Asian countries.

''I recalled that Turkey is a EU candidate, and mentioned that Turkey's strategical position is gaining strength gradually. I stressed that the EU frontiers now don't end in the Aegean Sea, but end in eastern Anatolia,'' he said.

Central Bank Governor Gazi Ercel said the foreign investors were impressed by the statement of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, adding, ''I think it was a very successful and beneficial meeting.''

Treasury Undersecretary Selcuk Demiralp said Foreign Minister Cem, Central Bank Governor Ercel and Privatization Administration Board Chairman Ugur Bayar made statements in the meeting.

Demiralp said foreign investors asked questions about Turkey's economic programme and foreign policy.

Demiralp added that Foreign Minister Cem conveyed Turkey's opinions about improving relations between Turkey and Greece, and developments in the Central Asia, Caucasia, and Middle East to the participants of the meeting.

[04] DAVOS MEETINGS - TREASURY UNDERSECRETARY DEMIRALP: ''WE ARE PLANNING TO REALIZE BORROWING IN JAPANESE SAMURAI MARKET''

Speaking to the A.A correspondent in Davos, Demiralp said the amount and date of the borrowing were not clear at the moment.

Selcuk Demiralp stressed the amount of borrowing would become clear according to the Japanese rating organization JCR's report on Turkey.

Demiralp said he would pay a visit to Japan in mid-March to this end.

[05] DAVOS MEETINGS - PREMIER ECEVIT:''I AM OPTIMISTIC ABOUT SPREADING OF DEMOCRACY TO EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD''

''Modern technology and modern mass communication means give the opportunity to spreading of ideas irrespective of borders,'' told Premier Ecevit in a panel discussion on ''Society not Economy'' in Davos.

Ecevit stressed that people feel themselves more responsible for guiding the society as a result of communication, technology, and more democratization.

People have the feeling that they lost control in society or in their private lives by the spreading of globalization and market economy, said Ecevit and said this cause psychological problems and violence.

However, globalization and market economy cause the participation of people in the world economy in a more dynamic way and this has caused further improvement of prosperity, stressed Ecevit and added that the differences of prosperity levels among countries has to be overcome.

The prosperity level can further increase in former Soviet countries by the further spreading of market economy in these countries, Ecevit noted.

Globalization urge people living in various countries to common destiny and cooperation, said Ecevit and pointed out that this is beneficial for individuals.

Kurt Biedenkopf, the Governor of Saxony state of Germany said in his part that a very small part of the world population affected from globalization.

Globalization is not in all fields, but it spreaded in financial area, said Biendenkopf, adding the developed industrial countries don't want to lose control in an atmosphere in which globalization has spreaded to all parts of the world.

[06] EU COMMISSION CHAIRMAN PRODI: ''THERE IS POSITIVE AND OPTIMISTIC ATMOSPHERE ABOUT TURKEY''

Speaking to A.A correspondent, Prodi said that the EU and Turkey had rational approaches at Helsinki summit, the EU thinks that Turkey's EU membership will be realized in long term, and all the opportunities have been mobilized to this end after this summit.

Turkey's full membership will take time and the concerned sides have to launch efforts, said Prodi and added that abolishment of the death penalty in Turkey will be a very positive step.

Turkey has to continue its legal reforms to abide by the EU, said Prodi and added that the rivalries and differences of religion in the past won't be an impediment for full membership.

''France and Germany, which had armed conflicts in the past, couldn't come together under the roof of the EU, if one looked at the past,'' said Prodi and noted that people from different religions and cultures can live together.

[07] CHECHNYA, TURKEY'S EU MEMBERSHIP, RELATIONS WITH IRAQ, SYRIA AND ISRAEL DISCUSSED IN ECEVIT'S MEETING WITH OGI

Ecevit, currently in Davos to participate in World Economic Forum held a meeting with Ogi which lasted for 25 minutes.

Officials told A.A correspondent that Ogi asked Prime Minister Ecevit about the Russian operation against Chechnya. Ecevit pointed out that the issue was important for the Chechens living in Turkey as well as its humanitarian dimensions. Ecevit said the problem should be solved through political means, not by military means.

When Ecevit said he hoped that Turkey will be a member of the EU sooner than the envisaged period, Ogi said many cantons in Switzerland, which is composed of 26 separate cantons, were not willing for the EU membership.

Responding to a question of Ogi, Ecevit said Turkey has positive relations with Israel, adding that these relations improved after depature of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, from Syria.

Pointing out that Turkey was one of the countries which was mostly effected by the embargo imposed on Iraq, Ecevit called on Swiss businessmen to invest in Turkey.

Ecevit also thanked to the aid sent by Switzerland due to the quake disaster which Turkey had to experience.

[08] FM CEM: ''TURKEY MAY PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN IMPROVEMENT OF ECONOMIES OF NEWLY FOUNDED REPUBLICS IN CENTRAL ASIA, CAUCASIA, AND BALKAN PENINSULA''

FM Cem attended a panel discussion titled, ''General View of Caucasia and Central Asia: Is it the Silk Road or the Great Game?'' staged in Davos within the framework of World Economic Forum meetings.

Addressing the panel discussion, Cem said Turkey was a bridge as of its geopolitical position, and due to civilizations, cultures, ideas, beliefs, and economies of the East and the West. Cem recalled that Turkey has historical, cultural, religious, and language links with the countries of the region.

Cem pointed out that Turkey, which has a dynamic economy and democracy, formed a model for the countries which have newly gained their independence, adding that it may play an important role in providing of stability in the region.

Cem noted that Europe and Asia connected to each other more in parallel to the developments experienced in technology, adding that the term ''Eurasia'' appeared. FM Cem stressed that, '' Turkey is in the center of Eurasia due to strategical means.''

Responding to a question, Cem said Turkey did not support separatist action in Chechnya, yet pointed out that Turkey was against the killing of civilians in the war.

Cem is expected to meet Madeleine Albright, the U.S. Secretary of State, on Friday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Haydar Aliyev, Azeri President, who also attended the panel discussion, said he was hopeful for the solution of upper Karabakh problem through peaceful means.

Pointing out that 20 percent of Azeri territory was under Armenian occupation and that millions of people had to migrate because of this, Aliyev expressed hope that Davos meetings will provide improvement.

Robert Kocharian, Armenian Head of State, reiterated the same hope and claimed that Azeri territories were not under Armenian occupation.

[09] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS MEETS WITH FORMER BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY OWEN

Owen who came to the Greek Cypriot side to stage a conference, visited TRNC Presidential Office together with Edward Clay, the British High Commissioner.

Owen wanted to meet with Denktas and noted that he came to the island to get information about the Cyprus question.

Owen said he is not involved in politics actively, he is only a member of the House of Lords, but he is still interested in Cyprus question.

Denktas said in his part that he is pleased to see Owen and noted that Owen contributed to Cyprus question during his term in office as he was open- hearted.

''We thank you for that, I hope it will be beneficial for you to get information from us as being a person who monitors the developments in Cyprus,'' told Denktas to Owen.

[10] DENKTAS' WRITTEN STATEMENT: ''WE HAVE PUT FORWARD THE ROAD LEADING TO A LASTING SOLUTION WITH THE CONFEDERATION PROPOSAL''

TRNC President Denktas issued a written statement today and said a compromise on the Island can be permanent in case it is reached between the two states in question, and in case it preserves the balances between Turkey and Greece.

Pointing out that TRNC stressed that a base should be prepared between the two sides for an initiative for a permanent compromise, and that an improvement can be provided in the basis of a full equality on Cyprus, Denktas recalled that these views were conveyed to Kofi Annan, the U.N. Secretary General.

Denktas said there was a new period in front of them, adding that they entered a period full of new conditions, new parameters, and new hopes.

''We went to New York with this understanding as two equal sides. We wanted the international community to confirm that there was not a joint administration on Cyprus for an improvement. We have stressed the concept that there are two democracies, two peoples, and two sovereign states on Cyprus was a starting point. We have pointed out that the road leading to the solution will be opened by prodiving equal status and by lifting the unjust embargoes which Turkish Cypriot side had to face,'' Denktas said.

TRNC President stressed that, ''we have reiterated our willingness for a cooperation and forming bridges between the two states within this framework. The U.N. basis and the concerned third sides began to understand and accept our views. Further improvement of negotiation process in Cyprus can take place in case the parameters are settled on the facts on the island and as long as existing unconfidence atmosphere is removed.''

Pointing out that they will attend proximity talks in Geneva in a constructive manner and with good-will, Denktas said, ''our confederation proposal dated August 31, 1998 puts forward the road leading to a permanent solution on Cyprus. This road will be opened by the adoption of equal status, and removal of embargoes imposed on Turkish Cypriot side.''

Denktas said the embargoes imposed on TRNC did not have an excuse and legality, called on these inhumane limitations and injustice imposed on Turkish Cypriot people to end.

Denktas said their cooperation with the U.N. Secretary General and his representatives will continue within the framework of these views.

Denktas will depart TRNC on Saturday evening to participate in second tour of proximity talks that will take place in Geneva on January 31.

Denktas and an accompanying delegation will stay in Istanbul for a night, and proceed to Geneva on Sunday.

[11] WORLD BANK-AGRICULTURE REFORM - WORLD BANK DELEGATION TO DEPART TURKEY

The World Bank delegation, which held studies within the framework of agriculture reform in the coordination of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Ministry, listened to the experts of the concerned institutions, and got information about agriculture system.

The delegation which examined product distribution between agriculture cooperatives, public banks, and regions, proposed agriculture reform to be carried out within the framework of Agricultural Re-Structuring and Support Committee. The committee is a regulator institution composed of the representatives of all related institutions.

The World Bank delegation, in its return to Washington D.C., will brief high level authorities of the Bank about reform studies in Turkey. The delegation will visit Turkey periodically to examine the implementation of the reform.

Agricultural Re-Structuring and Support Committee was separated into two sub-working groups to be more active upon the proposal of the World Bank delegation.

Meanwhile, a bill was prepared to be submitted to Council of Ministers. The bill targets re-structuring of the agriculture unions to increase agricultural productivity and to prevent it from being a fiscal burden.

Turkey targets getting 750 million U.S. dollars credit from the World Bank in the first stage.

World Bank, after the examination it will hold after March, will release usage of additional financial sources within the framework of the success of program and monetary needs.

[12] TURKISH-GREEK FRIENDSHIP IN COEPA

Turkish and Greek parliamentarians sat side by side in the session and said that the solidarity and friendship which emerged between the two countries following the quake disasters, should be an example for other countries.

COEPA parliamentarians said that the politicians should also take examples from the solidarity between the two countries and noted that the improving bilateral relations contribute a lot to the security and stability of the region.

The report and the recommendary decision adopted by COEPA call for the continuation of aid to Turkey and Greece after the quake disasters.

The report also supported the assistance of the IMF and World Bank to heal the wounds of quake disasters, and added that the credits opened by European Social Development Fund should continue.

The Fund decided to open a credit worth of 300 million ECUs to Turkey with low interests and in return of projects after the massive earthquake on August 17. This amount can increase to 500 million Euros after the earthquake in Duzce.

[13] SUSPENSION OF EMBARGO IMPOSED ON LIBYA - FOREIGN MINISTRY WELCOMES SUSPENSION OF EMBARGO

Sermet Atacanli, Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman, recalled that Libyan people left behind a 7-year-old embargo period which kept them under a heavy psychological pressure and put their economy under hard conditions.

''Our bilateral relations with Libyan people and our approach to third countries about Libya are different things,'' Atacanli said, adding that whatever Turkey's relations with the third countries is, Turkey always supported Libya in international forums or against the third countries.

Atacanli stressed that this point was known by Libyan leadership, and noted that, ''it is very natural that we expect Libyan leadership to be careful on issues which Turkey is sensitive, and that Turkey will not make concessions on any condition.''

Atacanli pointed out that Turkish-Libyan relations were ''special'', adding that ''400-years old brotherhood is in question beyond the friendship. It is very natural to improve the relations when dialogue, which is lacking, is re-installed.''

[14] TURKEY AND BULGARIA SIGN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING REGARDING COOPERATION IN EDUCATION

Metin Bostancioglu, Minister of National Education, speaking at the signing ceremony, said productive studies were held in the past two years to improve bilateral relations.

Bostancioglu said the common goal of the two countries was ''education in peace and democracy.''

Pointing out that Turkish-Bulgarian Permanent Cooperation Working Group was formed to improve relations between the two countries in the field of education, Bostancioglu said an agreement has been reached as a result of the efforts of the working groups.

Bostancioglu invited Bulgarian Science and Culture Minister to Turkey.

Venteslav Pantchev, Deputy Minister of Education and Culture, said efforts should be exerted to improve relations between the two countries. Pointing out that beneficial activities were planned in the memorandum of understanding, Pantchev said they were impatient to see the consequences of these activities.

Memorandum of understanding foresees examination of textbooks in the field of history, and formation of working groups to start workings in May the latest.

The memorandum of understanding, which foresees the two countries to submit joint projects to the European Union (EU), also includes improvement of cooperation between high education institution, establishment of friendly relations, and sports competitions between the school teams of the two countries.

[15] YALOVA, STATE MINISTER, HOLDS CONTACTS IN VIENNA - YALOVA: ''TURKEY PRESENTS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERNATIONAL ENTREPRENEURS''

Yalova, currently in Vienna to brief Austrian business circles and entrepreneurs about the privatization activities in Turkey, met with business circles today.

Pointing out that the government, with its 8-month performance, showed its belief to the requirement of economic reforms, Yalova stressed that they were resolved to carry out political and administrative reforms as well as the economic ones.

Yalova said election atmospheres, populist policies, changing political and administrative cadres, uncertainity in economic targets, high inflation, unregistered economy and deficiencies in legal infrastructure negatively effected the foreign investments that will come to Turkey through privatization. Yalova stressed that with the opening of way to international arbitration and new political and economic developments, these problems will be overcome.

Yalova pointed out that Turkey presented unique opportunities to international entrepreneurs with appropriate conditions, its growth strategy, a customs regime which has been harmonized with the EU standarts.

The existence of Istanbul Stock Exchange, which is one of the most active stock exchange markets of the region, multi-lateral political and trade relations with the U.S., the EU, Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, Balkans and Caucasia, show Turkey's importance, said Yalova. Turkey is also one of the 20 biggest emerging markets of the world, and that it is a 70 million market, he said.

Yalova invited Austrian investors to giant privatization projects like POAS, Petkim, Tupras THY, Erdemir, Isdemir, Telekom. He said Turkey expected 5 billion U.S. dollar inflow of foreign capital in the year 2000 if international arbitration can be provided.

Yalova said, ''one of the most important problems of Turkey is that we should exclude state from the economic and trade activities. We can only achieve this by implementing a comprehensive privatization program successfully.''

[16] FM CEM AND ALBRIGHT, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE, DISCUSS BILATERAL AND REGIONAL ISSUES

Cem and Albright met each other in Davos. The meeting lasted for nearly 40 minutes.

The Cyprus question was also brought to the agenda during the meeting.

Albright said that they welcome the economic reform program that Turkey follows and that Turkey should continue to follow this program.

They also welcome the establishment of good relations between Turkey and Greece, Albright noted.

Albright stated that Cem assumes a cautious attitude about this issue.

Albright requested that the essential issues should also be discussed in Cyprus proximity talks which will be held in Geneva soon, and that developments regarding this issue should be marked.

She had met with Kofi Annan, the United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General, to discuss this issue before she came to Davos; Albright added.

Cem, on his part, said that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will go to Geneva with some constructive proposals.

This question can be solved on the principle of the existence of two states on Cyprus; Cem noted.

Cem stated that Germany's inviting Rauf Denktas, the TRNC President, had positive reflections in TRNC.

Cem recalled that Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, the State Minister, will go to Washington D.C. in February to inform the U.S. about the developments recorded in human rights issue, and that he will meet with Albright on February 22, 2000.

Cem informed Albright about the reform initiatives launched in Turkey to harmonize the European Union (EU).

Then, Albright expressed concern about the developments recorded in Georgia due to the war in Chechnya.

Albright said that they realized that the tension in the Russian-Georgian border started to ease in the recent days.

The positive atmosphere about the Upper Karabakh dispute was deteriorated following the assassination in Armenia, Albright noted.

Albright stated that they are exerting efforts to bring two sides together.

Both Albright and Cem shared the similar ideas about the importance that the Central Asia carry.

Albright stressed that they attribute importance to the maintenance of the independence of the Central Asia countries and the improvement of prosperity in these countries.

Then, Cem informed Albright about the capital punishment upheld for Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization.

Cem said that since the capital punishment was upheld for Ocalan, it was among the prior issues which are being discussed in Turkey in the recent days.

Cem also informed Albright about the developments regarding the Baku-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline Project talks which were held between January 21 and 22 in Ankara.

Albright said that they welcome Turkey's proposal for Caucasus Stability Pact.

The water issue was the last item of the meeting between Cem and Albright.

Cem said, ''the water of Euphrates and Tigris will not be included in the equation of Middle East.''

The water of Manavgat Brook can be sold to the countries of the Middle East in return of money, Cem added.

A.A

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