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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-05-28Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>28 MAY 1998CONTENTS
[01] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM IN LUXEMBOURGLUXEMBOURG, May 28 (A.A) - Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, arrived in Luxembourg on Wednesday night to participate in the NATO Council of Ministers' meeting.Cem will hold bilateral contacts with several ministers including Madeleine Albright, the US Secretary of State and Klaus Kinkel, the German Foreign Minister during the NATO Council meetings, which will start on Thursday morning and end on Friday. Foreign Minister Cem will return to Ankara on Friday evening. [02] CLINTON: ''TURKISH-US RELATIONS ARE ROOTED IN A STRONG AND HISTORICAL BASIS''WASHINGTON, D.C., May 28 (A.A) - Baki Ilkin, the new Turkish Ambassador to the US submitted on Wednesday his letters of credence to Bill Clinton, the US President.Addressing the ceremony held at the White House, Ilkin said that the Turkish-American relations are ''perfect'' in every field, adding that the relations improve within the framework of law, democracy and individual liberties and a basic vision of peace and prosperity for everybody. Ilkin stated that Turkey and the US have displayed a close cooperation from Korea to Somali and Bosnia for decades and contributed to humanity with this cooperation. Baki Ilkin, who presented his letters of credence to Clinton approximately one month after his arrival in Washington, D.C., pointed out that the two countries are working together concerning the solution of regional problems, prevention of the expansion of weapons of mass destruction and in the fields of the defense industry, terrorism and prevention of drug trafficking. Stressing that the reciprocal trade increases rapidly, Ilkin added that the US firms want to benefit from the potential in Turkey, which is described as a ''rising market'' by the US administration. Bill Clinton said that the Turkish-American relations are rooted in an historical and strong basis and the two countries have been cooperating for years concerning the establishment of security in Europe, resistance against aggression and for peace and democracy from Korea to Bosnia. Mentioning the visit of Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz to the US last December, Clinton said that new horizons have been opened in Turkish-American relations by this visit. Bill Clinton added that the trade between the two countries will further increase with the successful and dynamic economy of Turkey and the opportunities brought by the new energy fields. [03] ASSEMBLY MEETING OF ISO - FM CEM: ''TURKEY DOESN'T HAVE A COMPLEX ABOUT HER BEING CONSIDERED TO BE AN EUROPEAN'' - ''TURKEY ISN'T OBLIGED TO GET CONFIRMATION FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES FOR HER BEING EUROPEAN''ISTANBUL, May 28 (A.A) - Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, said on Wednesday that Turkey had been taking part in Europe for the last 700 years, adding that Turkey didn't have a complex about her being considered to be an European.Ismail Cem attended the monthly Assembly Meeting of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO) in which the major topic, ''the Effects of the Turkish Foreign Policy and Strategies on the Turkish Economy and Industry'', was discussed. Cem said that it wasn't true to expect a correct evaluation from foreign countries if there wasn't an accurate presentation of Turkey. ''The goal of Turkey is to be the terminal country, that is, the center of Eurasia,'' Cem said. ''Turkey has been taking part in Europe for the last 700 years. Turkey doesn't have a complex about her being considered to be an European. Turkey isn't obliged to get confirmation from foreign countries for her being European,'' Cem stressed, adding that Turkey is an European and an Asian country. Pointing out that Turkey had some disputes with most of her neighbors when they formed the 55th government, Cem said that the European Union (EU) didn't include Turkey on the Agenda-2000 for its expansion process and the leaders of the European Parliament were openly accused of being liars. ''We started working with the guideline, that is, to bear some part of the blame if Turkey is at loggerheads with most of her neighbors. We recorded progress in the relations with our neighbors, especially with Iran, Syria, Iraq and with the EU and the US. We started to improve the relations, taking into consideration the interests of our country,'' Cem said. Noting that Turkey took every necessary step to improve the relations with Greece, Cem said that any Foreign Ministers of the NATO member countries and the EU member countries don't have the right to make even a little criticism against Turkey regarding the Turkish-Greek relations. ''I told my counterparts in my contacts that they didn't have a right to criticise Turkey morally regarding the Turkish-Greek relations,'' Cem added. Ismail Cem said that he was optimistic for the improvement of the relations with Greece, except for the Cyprus issue. ''There were some disagreements with Germany for a brief period. These are being removed. Klaus Kinkel, the German Foreign Minister wants to hold a meeting with me. We will meet in Brussels. I hope we will provide important messages about Turkish-German friendship in that meeting,'' Cem said. Pointing out that the EU owes Turkey nearly 2.2 billion US dollars, Cem said that Turkey is a member of the EU in the economic dimension, but not in the political dimension. Ismail Cem said that they brought for the first time the perception of economic diplomacy in foreign policy, in addition to cultural and classical diplomacies. Recalling that they had established in the Foreign Ministry branches responsible for economic issues, Cem said that they had set up the necessary political infrastructure to improve the economic relations with several countries. ''The political relations with Russia have improved. We have recorded progress in the quota issue with the US. In the Middle East, we want to set up close relationship with the Arabs based on a realistic basis and which doesn't have a political condition,'' Cem added. [04] THE US WELCOMES ARREST OF ASSILANTS WHO SHOT AND INJURED BIRDALWASHINGTON, D.C., May 28 (A.A) - James Rubin, the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs of the US Department of State, said on Thursday that the US welcomes the arrest by the Turkish police of six persons wanted in the May 12 shooting attack on Akın Birdal, the Chairman of the Human Rights Association.Responding to a question during a press briefing, Rubin said that ''as we have understood, these people who are in custody say that they are the members of radical nationalist gangs.'' The investigation of this attack is still ongoing and we urge the Turkish authorities to quickly bring all the parties involved to justice, Rubin said. Describing Akın Birdal as one of the foremost human rights advocates in Turkey, Rubin pointed out that ''The United States government strongly condemns the assassination attempt against Birdal.'' Rubin said that Birdal has dedicated himself to improving Turkey's human rights situation and the US strongly supports the vital role of those working on behalf of non-governmental organizations in Turkey and elsewhere. Responding to another question, Rubin stated that Madeleine Albright, the US Secretary of State can hold bilateral contacts with her Turkish and Greek counterparts during the North Atlantic Council (NAC) meeting, which will be held in Brussels. [05] MEETING OF COUNCIL OF MINISTERS - JAPANESE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES EQUIPMENT-SUPPLIES AID FOR DISASTER AREAS - WORLD BANK CONVEYS TO GOVERNMENT IT CAN OPEN CREDIT FOR DISASTER AREASANKARA, May 28 (A.A) - The Japanese government proposed equipment-supplies aid to the flood-disaster areas in Turkey and the World Bank conveyed to the government that it can open credit for these areas, it was reported on Wednesday.The Council of Ministers discussed in its meeting the measures to be taken for the flood disaster which affected the Western Black Sea region and some other regions. Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of State, said that the Japanese government sent a letter to him, proposing equipment- supplies aid for these areas. Gunes Taner, the Minister of State, told the members of the Council of Ministers that the World Bank had conveyed to him that it can open credit for the disaster areas. The members of Council of Ministers approved in their meeting the offer of the World Bank for a loan-agreement, but they didn't decide on the amount of the credit. The Council of Ministers also approved all of the proposals of the Natural Disasters Coordination Committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ecevit. The Council of Ministers approved seven decrees of the Committee. In accordance with these decreees, the victims of the flood disaster will be given financial aid from the Fund for the Encouragement of Social Welfare and Solidarity; the debts of the farmers and tradesmen to the Turkish Ziraat Bank and Halkbank will be delayed; taxes will be postponed; municipality dues will be deferred and the share of receivables from the Turkish Iller Bank will be increased five-fold. [06] ''CROSSROADS OF THE WORLD'' CONFERENCE - ERSUMER, THE MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES: ''TURKEY WILL HOST MANY PIPELINES'' - GRANDMAISON, THE DIRECTOR OF THE US TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY: ''WE REGARD TURKEY AS A VITAL PARTNER''ISTANBUL, May 28 (A.A) - Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources said on Wednesday that Turkey has been at crossroads for ages and she will become an energy terminal with the many pipelines which she will host.Addressing the ''Crossroads of the World Conference'' which was organized by the US Trade and Development Agency (TDA), Ersumer said that the aim of Turkey is to ''contribute to the realization of important projects in the region by bringing the countries having the sources and investor firms together.'' Ersumer stressed that not only the Turkmen natural gas, but also the Azerbaijani, Turkmen and Kazakh oil will pass via Turkey, adding that efforts are being launched to transport them through Ceyhan. Noting that a great progress has been recorded in these important projects, Ersumer said that working groups will be set up in the coming period to accelerate the activities. Ersumer stressed that the prevention of the transports of Caspian oil to the Mediterranean via the Turkish Straits is of great importance for Turkey. Chuck Hagel, the US Senator said that the economic corridor which will be set up towards the West will also contribute to the peace, adding, ''there is a great opportunity for us to set up and improve economic cooperation in the region, we shouldn't waste that.'' Mark R. Parris, the US Ambassador to Turkey, read the message of Bill Clinton, the US President and quoted him as saying that the US has realized the importance of the commercial partnership with other countries on the threshold of the 21st century. Addressing a press briefing before the conference, Joseph Grandmaison, the Director of the US Trade and Development Agency, said, ''the US government thinks that this region is the most attractive region in the world concerning commerce and other opportunities.'' Noting that more than 65 projects in the fields of oil, natural gas, transports, mining and energy will be discussed during the conference, Grandmaison said that 730 people are participating at the conference. Responding to a question about the place of the conference, Grandmaison said that ''both the US government and the commercial sector regard Turkey as a vital partner.'' Addressing a reception held after the conference, Ersumer said that the US will extend great support to the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline and the other energy projects in Turkey. ''Turkey has an existing capacity of 21,000 megawatts, but an additional capacity of 43,000 megawatts should be provided by 2010. For the first time three important institutions of the US came together in a common place and they say that they will support the projects here. This is a very important issue,'' said Ersumer responding to a question. Federico Pena, the US Secretary of Energy, said that efforts should be launched to reach the potential and richness of the countries. Parris said, ''Turkey presents a great opportunity for Western businessmen and investors,'' adding that Turkey is a very reliable country concerning the transports of the Caspian and Central Asian energy sources to the West. More than 65 projects worth 20 billion US dollars will be presented at the conference, which will discuss infrastructure projects from Turkey, Romania, Moldova, Bulgaria, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, the Ukraine, Georgia and Albania. Meanwhile seven out of 17 electric projects will be presented by Turkey. [07] OPERATIONS IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY - 20 TERRORISTS KILLED, THREE OTHERS CAPTUREDDIYARBAKIR, May 28 (A.A) - Security Forces killed 20 terrorists and captured three others during the operations staged in Southeastern Turkey, it was reported on Thursday.The Emergency Rule Regional Governor's office said that 17 terrorists were kiled in the Akcabudak and Alıclıyayla regions at Lice County of Diyarbakır Province and three terrorists in the Cepkenli region of Van Province. Officials said that one member of the security forces died during the operations and three terrorists were captured in Cınar County of Diyarbakır Province. Operations are underway in the region. [08] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)These are brief summaries of some of the leading stories in Turkey's press on May 28, 1998. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.(Derived from the Newsspot of the Turkish General Directorate of Press and Information.) CETIN OFF TO ITALY CAGAN IN GERMANY S-300 MISSILES CAUSE ANXIETY ISTANBUL GLOBALIZATION CONFERENCE SIX PKK TERRORISTS KILLED US SUPPORT FOR TURKEY 200 MILLION US DOLLARS IN CREDIT FOR GARANTI BANK BIR CONTINUES WITH CONTACTS IN ISRAEL [09] CAGAN, MINISTER OF LABOR, IN GERMANY - CAGAN MEETS WITH HIS GERMAN COUNTERPART BLUMBONN, May 28 (A.A) - Nami Cagan, the Minister of Labor and Social Security, who is currently paying an official visit to Germany, met with Norbert Blum, the German Minister of Labor and Social Order, at a luncheon in Bonn, Germany, it was reported on Wednesday.Addressing the luncheon, Norbert Blum said that this luncheon was the symbol of the pacific community, adding that there was a yearning for peace in the world which is becoming more savage every day. Stressing the importance of personal friendship, Blum said the concept of friendship wasn't related only to the relations between governments. Blum told Cagan that they had common responsibilities for the Turkish citizens living in Germany. ''The world is getting globalized and in this atmosphere, the most valuable thing is providing our children with a diploma. A total of 47 thousand Turkish students in Germany are receiving apprenticeship training and a total of 47 thousand Turkish entrepreneurs created an employment opportunity for 200 thousand people,'' Blum said. Resembling the relations between Turkey and Germany to an ''historical family relationship'', Blum said, ''there may be arguments and difference of opinions in a family. Why can't this also be so in the relations with our two countries? The important thing is not to forget the historical Turkish-German relations because of some disputes in the family.'' Later, Nami Cagan and Norbert Blum held a joint press conference. Pointing out that most of the Turkish people living in Germany considered this country as their second homeland, Cagan said, ''this is a positive development. However, our citizens still have several problems. My German counterpart Blum had made contributions to solve some of these problems.'' Blum said that the negotiations with the Turkish side had continued within a very good and friendly atmosphere. ''The people, who have good intentions, should make contributions for removing the misunderstandings between our two countries and not giving harm to the relations between Turkey and Germany,'' Blum added. [10] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)These are brief summaries of some of the leading stories in Turkey's press on May 28, 1998. The Anadolu Agency doesn't verify these stories and doesn't vouch for their accuracy.(Derived from the Newsspot of the Turkish General Directorate of Press and Information.) ARMENIAN REALITY FOR EUROPE AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENT ACCEPTS ALLEGED MASSACRE AUSTRIA: NEW EU-TERM PRESIDENT IN JULY AID FOR VICTIMS OF FLOOD DISASTER [11] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (3)These are brief summaries of some of the leading stories in Turkey's press on May 28, 1998. The Anadolu Agency doesn't verify these stories and doesn't vouch for their accuracy.(Derived from the Newsspot of the Turkish General Directorate of Press and Information.) ADMIRAL DERVISOGLU IN ALBANIA US PRAISES TURKEY NO PKK IN KURDISH CONFERENCE IN EGYPT EU BAN ON TURKISH AQUACULTURE PRODUCTS TURCO-GREEK SUMMIT MAY BE HELD AT YALTA HELICOPTER CRASH: ONE SOLDIER DEAD [12] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''THE GOVERNMENT HAS NORMALIZED TURKEY AND I THINK ITS MISSION HAS ENDED''ANKARA, May 28 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Wednesday that the government was formed under exceptional circumstances and has completed the role assigned to it.President Demirel stated during a reception at the Cankaya Presidential Residence that the difficulty in Turkish politics stems from the division among the central leftist and rightist parties. Reiterating the view that a referendum should be applied in Turkey and such kinds of issues should be discussed in Turkey, President Demirel said that Turkey has to completely solve her problems in the market economy. ''We need such a government which is backed by the parliament to solve these issues. You can't expect things from a government which isn't supported by the parliament. However today's government was formed under exceptional conditions and it has normalized Turkey. In my opinion the mission of the government ended there. The government shouldn't have the claim to do more things. A great majority of the things which were discussed 10-11 months ago aren't discussed today,'' Demirel said. [13] ADMIRAL DERVISOGLU, CHIEF COMMANDER OF NAVAL FORCES, IN ALBANIATIRAN, May 28 (A.A) - Admiral Salim Dervisoglu, the Chief Commander of the Naval Forces, met on Wednesday with General Aleks Andoni, the Chief of the Albanian General Staff, and with Luan Hajdaraga, the Albanian Minister of National Defense. Admiral Dervisoglu will deliver the equipment that Turkey sent to Albania and will make observations in this country.Admiral Dervisoglu and the delegation accompanying him visited the Turkish Embassy in Tiran. Later Admiral Dervisoglu met with Gen. Andoni. Gen. Andoni said in the meeting that they were attaching great importance to the friendship and cooperation with Turkey. Admiral Dervisoglu said that Albania is an important country for Turkey, thus supporting Albania while she was experiencing hard times was the duty of Turkey as she was a friend of Albania. Following this meeting, Admiral Dervisoglu met with Hajdaraga, the Albanian Minister of National Defense. Admiral Dervisoglu said in the meeting that there was an historical friendship and relationship between Turkey and Albania, although the two countries weren't neighbors. Stressing that the aid from Turkey had been continuously increasing, Hajdaraga said that Albania was pleased with the support of Turkey. Speaking to the Turkish reporters, Admiral Dervisoglu said that the equipment had been brought to Albania two days before for making contributions to the restructuring of this country. ''Albania is in the Balkans. Turkey wants peace in the Balkans,'' Admiral Dervisoglu added. [14] TDI TO SELL ITS SHIPSANKARA, May 28 (A.A) - The Turkish Maritime Enterprises (TDI) Corporation will sell its ships, it was reported on Thursday.The General Directorate of Maritime Affairs said in its announcement that the TDI Corporation put its ships up for sale with the bargaining method on the condition of providing the continuation of the voyages of the ships on the domestic and external lines for which the Turkish Maritime Lines was providing services. The sales will be realized by sealed bids and holding negotiations. The General Diractorate will privatize its ships in accordance with the related law. The announcement said that the letter of guarantee for bidding on the ships is one million US dollars. The companies to bid for these sales will obtain the ''Specifications'' for 15 million Turkish Liras (TL) at the TDI Corporation Chairmanship of Financial Affairs Department at the Main Harbor in Karakoy, Istanbul. The tenders should be submitted to the TDI Corporation Chairmanship of Financial Affairs Department by 4:00 p.m. on June 17, 1998. [15] OPEN SKY AGREEMENT TO ENTER INTO FORCE TWO MONTHS AFTER ITS RATIFICATION BY RUSSIAN, BELARUSIAN AND UKRAINIAN PARLIAMENTSANKARA, May 28 (A.A) - The Open Sky Agreement to which 25 countries are parties will enter into force two months after its ratification by the Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian parliaments, it was reported on Wednesday.The General Secretariat of the General Staff said in a written statement that the agreement, which is legally binding and which has the force of law after its ratification by the Turkish parliament on April 5, 1994, will enter into force 60 days after the other countries ratify it. ''Negotiations continue with the parties to the agreement concerning the test reconnaissance flights in 1998 until the agreement enters into force. In this framework, Turkey exercised three test reconnaissance flights in Germany, Russia and the US. Likewise, the US, Belarus and Germany exercised three flights in Turkey. Within the framework of the Open Skies Agreement, Turkey also exercised test reconnaissance flights between May 11-15, 1998, in Romania.'' [16] THE CLAIMS OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE - SEZGIN, DEFENCE MINISTER AND DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: ''OFFENDING A TRADITIONAL FRIENDSHIP IS AGAINST THE PRINCIPLES OF FRIENDSHIP'' ''HOW CAN YOU DECIDE ON AN ISSUE THAT HAS TO BE SOLVED BY THE HISTORIANS?''ANKARA, May 28 (A.A) - Ismet Sezgin, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, said on Thursday that offending a traditional friendship is against the principles of friendship, responding a question on the Armenian genocide allegations which the French Parliament will discuss.Sezgin told reporters before a meeting of the Higher Planning Board that this issue has to be solved by the historians. ''How can you decide in the Parliament on an issue which has to be solved by the historians? What kind of a democracy is this? What kind of a justice is this?'' he asked. Responding to a question if there will be any sanctions for arms imports from France, Sezgin said, ''No, there is nothing that has happened so far. When there is a necessity for purchasing weaponry from abroad, it is very natural that we will prefer the countries acting in accordance with our thesis in the international platform.'' [17] PRESIDENT DEMIREL SENDS A MESSAGE TO ALIYEV, THE AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT TO CONGRATULATE AZERBAIJAN'S NATIONAL DAYANKARA, May 27 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel expressed the pleasure of Turkey concerning the fact that Azerbaijan has taken her deserved place in the international society, in spite of all the difficulties.Sending a message to Haydar Aliyev, the Azerbaijani President on the Azerbaijani National Day and the 80th foundation anniversary of the Azerbaijani Democratic Republic, President Demirel stated that ''we appreciate the success of Azerbaijan in her efforts to set up a state based on the supremacy of law.'' Noting that Azerbaijan will reach peace and prosperity by overcoming the conflict in Nagorno Karabakh, Demirel stated in his message to Aliyev, ''the existing relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan are rooted in a strong basis due to the fact that you always say that we are two separate states, but one nation.'' [18] THE RELIEFS OF HERACLES SARCOPHAGUS AT PERGE BACK IN TURKEY - CETIN, THE PARLIAMENT SPEAKER: ''THE RETURN OF THE RELIEFS BY THE ADMINISTRATORS OF HENKEL COLLECTION CONSTITUTES A PROUD EXAMPLE''ISTANBUL, May 28 (A.A) - The two reliefs of the Heracles Sarcophagus at Perge were handed back to Turkey by the Türk Henkel in a ceremony held in Istanbul late on Wednesday.Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament, who received the reliefs on behalf of the Republic of Turkey said in the ceremony that the return of the reliefs by the administrators of the Henkel Collection constituted a proud example. Pointing out that Anatolia is an important center for the smuggling of historical artifacts, Cetin said that the Germans made the largest contribution to the development of Turkish archaeology by the systematic works of German archaeologists during the Ottoman period. Cetin stressed that Turkey is determined to fight against the smuggling of these historical masterpieces. Emphasizing that the specific masterpieces of Anatolia will reflect their real cultural value only when they are exhibited in the places where they were built, Cetin said that he hoped the return of the reliefs by the Henkel Collection would form an example for other art lovers. ''If this attitude is adopted by other art lovers, then significant steps will be taken in the struggle against the smuggling of historical masterpieces.'' Hans Dietrich Winkhaus, the Chairman of the Executive Board of the Henkel Group, said that they bought these reliefs together with the Schwarzkopf firm, and decided to return them to Turkey when they realized that these reliefs belong to the Heracles Sarcophagus at Perge. ''The real owners of such masterpieces are the countries where they are found,'' Winkhaus said. Winkhaus also stressed that Germany is among the important trade partners of Turkey, and said that the recent situation in relations worries them. ''We have to normalize all our relations,'' he added. The Heracles Sarcophagus belonged to Roman Empire period in Second Century AD. The four reliefs of the sarcophagus were lost for nearly 20 years. One of the reliefs was handed over to Turkey last year by Paul Getty, the US press lord and famous art collector. The reliefs which were returned will be sent to Antalya. [19] BALANCE OF PAYMENTS - FOREIGN TRADE DEFICIT INCREASES BY 17.9 PERCENT IN FIRST QUARTER OF 1998ANKARA, May 28 (A.A) - The balance of current transactions had a deficit of 875 million US dollars in the first quarter of the year, it was reported on Monday. The deficit was 1 billion 265 million US dollars in the first quarter of 1997.According to the Balance Sheet of the Balance of Payments including the revenues-expenditures of Turkey in foreign exchange and issued by the Central Bank, the foreign trade deficit in the first quarter of 1998 increased 17.9 percent to 3 billion 278 million US dollars. The foreign trade deficit was partly met from 2 billion 403 million US dollars in net income obtained from service revenues and unmet transfers, stemming from the increases in especially worker remittances, tourism revenues and income from other goods and services. The 17.9 percent foreign trade deficit was resulting from a 20 percent decrease in the shuttle trade and from a 5.7 percent increase in the expenditures for imports, while the export incomes increased by 5.1 percent. The foreign trade deficit was 2 billion 780 million US dollars in the January-March 1997 period. The Central Bank announced that the net income of the capital movements on the balance of payments' balance sheet in the first quarter of 1998 was 3 billion 718 million US dollars. According to the Balance Sheet of the Balance of Payments, the net direct investments in the capital movements decreased 34.6 percent to 83 million US dollars. In the same period, a total of 763 million US dollars in loan entrances were realized in the portfolio investments. The credits were obtained by the export of bonds to the international capital markets. Meanwhile, the net entrances from the security investments were 168 million US dollars in the same period. The net withdrawals in the medium and long-term capital movements in the first quarter of 1998 was 712 million US dollars, while the net income was 405 million US dollars. The net entrance of the short-term capital movements in the first quarter of this year was 1 billion 50 million US dollars, while it was 446 million US dollars in the same period last year. The foreign exchange reserves of the Central Bank increased by 3 billion 197 million US dollars, while there was a 1 billion 439 million US dollars decrease in the Bank's existing foreign exchange reserves. The actual foreign capital entrance in the first quarter of the year decreased 34.6 percent to 83 million US dollars when compared with same period in 1997. The active foreign capital entrance in the same period last year was 127 million US dollars. The income of Turkey from exports was realized at 7 billion 658 million US dollars including 6 billion 378 million US dollars in revenues from the shuttle trade. The income from exports in the same period last year was 7 billion 593 million US dollars including revenues from the shuttle trade. The expenditures for the imports in the first quarter of this year were 10 billion 936 million US dollars including the expenditures for the imports of gold. The total import expenditures, including the expenditures for the imports of gold, was 10 billion 373 million US dollars in the same period last year. Turkey repaid a total of 3 billion 58 million US dollars in foreign debts in the first quarter of the year. The total foreign debt payments in the January-March 1998 period was composed of 2 billion 39 million US dollars in payments for principal and 1 billion 19 million US dollars in interest payments. Turkey paid a total of 2 billion 179 million US dollars in foreign debts in the same period last year. [20] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''THE ATTACK ON BIRDAL SHOWS THAT MAHMUT YILDIRIM, WHOSE CODE NAME IS 'YESIL,' IS ALIVE''ANKARA, May 28 (A.A) - Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz said on Wednesday that the attack on Akın Birdal, the Chairman of the Human Rights Association, showed that Mahmut Yıldırım, whose code name is ''Yesil'' is alive and he is the one who ordered the murder of Birdal as the security officers have substantial evidence about it.Responding to questions on a private television channel, Yılmaz said that they will do their best to capture the members of gangs in Turkey, adding ''particularly Yesil should be captured and brought to justice.'' Yılmaz stressed that the main aim of the attack on Birdal was to disturb the stability in Turkey, noting that he brought this issue onto the agenda of the National Security Council (NSC) and the latter made a recommendary decision to find out all the connections of such kinds of attacks and incidents. ''We have to capture 'Yesil' to illuminate the gang activities,'' added Yılmaz. Responding to a question about the Republican People's Party (CHP), Yılmaz said that he has difficulty in understanding whether or not the CHP supports the government. Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz said that the government aims to decrease inflation to 50 percent and to realize nine billion US dollars in privatization by the end of this year, moreover it won't undermine the infrastructure investments. Responding to a question asking the time of elections, Yılmaz said ''I prefer it to be held in December 2000.'' Noting that the problems that create difficulties in the existing political system should be solved first before holding discussions on a presidential system, Yılmaz said ''we can miss these days, if we think that a transition to a presidential system is the only way to solve all of our problems.'' Responding to another question about deployment of the S-300 missiles on Cyprus, Yılmaz stated that this is a problem for all of the western world and the US. ''If the Greek Cypriot side deploys them on the island, then we will take all the necessary measures to protect both Northern Cyprus and Turkey.'' ''The de facto situation on Cyprus, meaning the existence of the two states on the island, should be recognized to solve the Cyprus question. This means the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) by the whole world,'' Yılmaz added. [21] TURKISH-SYRIAN ENERGY TRANSFER LINEGAZIANTEP, May 28 (A.A) - The Turkish-Syrian energy transfer line was concluded within the foreseen period, it was reported on Thursday. The poles and cables of the 120 km of energy line have been installed.A total of 300 poles were installed in the last 12 months for the 380 kilowatt amperes of the Turkish-Syrian energy transfer line overseen by the 11th Regional Directorate of the Turkish Electricity Inc. (TEAS) with a loan of 7.5 million US dollars obtained from the European Investment Bank. Turkey is waiting for the completion of the tender opened by Syria for running the energy transfer line reaching this country via the route of the Ataturk Dam, Birecik, Karkamis and Elbeyli. The studies in Turkey, Iraq, Egypt and Jordan were concluded within the scope of the project foreseeing getting energy from the interconnected system until the year 2000 in which the Birecik and Karkamis Dams will start to operate and then selling the energy. Syria opened a tender to conclude the part of line in the Syrian territories. The interconnected system will start to operate when the studies in Syria are concluded. [22] DENKTAS, THE TRNC PRESIDENT, ASKS ITALY TO STOP THE SALE OF MISSILES TO THE GREEK CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATIONROME, May 28 (A.A) - Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), asked Lamberto Dini, the Italian Foreign Minister, not to sell missiles to the Greek Cypriot side for protecting peace in the Mediterranean.Denktas told Borghese, an Italian weekly, that he wanted to believe that the Italian government won't approve the project which foresees the delivery of Aspide missiles within the framework of an agreement between the Greek Cypriot administration and the Italian Alenia firm signed in 1996. ''If Italy wants to create another Greece in the Mediterranean by sending these missiles, she is on the right path,'' Denktas said, stressing that the Greek Cypriot side targets to Hellenize all of Cyprus by taking the disagreement which started in 1963 on the island until the end, and also Italy knows the aim of the Greek Cypriots in purchasing these missiles better than anybody else. Denktas said that the TRNC will object to this situation by all her means, and creating such a problem in the Mediterranean won't be to the benefit of the Italian foreign policy. Stating that the solution of the Cyprus problem is in the hands of the European Union (EU), Denktas said, ''the EU should tell the Greek Cypriots that they will be excluded from the membership process in case they deploy the missiles on the island.'' Responding to a question if Turkey will use force in case Russia delivers the S-300 missiles to the Greek Cypriot side, Denktas said, ''Turkey takes all precautions both in Turkey and the TRNC. Because the missiles are for offensive purposes.'' Denktas stressed that all relations with the Greek Cypriot side will be cut off and the division of Cyprus will be permanent in case the missiles are delivered. [23] TWO CARGO TRAINS COLLIDE - ONE PERSON DIES, FOUR OTHERS INJUREDADANA, May 27 (A.A) - Two cargo trains collided on Thursday at the Bucak station, which is 18 kilometers away from Karaisalı County of Adana Province.Officials said that the cargo train coming from Yozgat Province to Adana Province, collided with another cargo train, which was waiting at the Bucak Station. One person died and four others were injured in the accident. Officials added that the accident took place due to the mistake of the switchman. [24] PRIVATIZATION IN DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRICITY CONTINUESANKARA, May 28 (A.A) - The privatization in the distribution of electricity continues, it was reported on Thursday. The decisions of the Council of Ministers regarding the assignment of the companies which won the operations right for distributing electricity from the Kemerkoy-Yenikoy and Yatagan thermal power plants and fron six electricity distribution regions, were published in the Official Gazette the same day and came into force.In accordance with the decisions of the Council of Ministers, the Guney Ege Energy Company will operate together the Mugla Yatagan, Yenikoy and Kemerkoy thermal power plants, and the Yenikoy Mining Enterprise's Sekkoy- Ikizkoy-Husamlar mining fields. The Guney Ege Energy Company will sell the electricity it will produce to the Turkish Electricity Inc. (TEAS) for the next 20 years. The Kizilirmak Electricity Distribution Company will realize the electricity distribution to central Yozgat, Sivas and Tokat Provinces, while the Tekas Electricity Company will carry out electricity distribution to Tekirdag, Kirklareli and Edirne Provinces in the Thracian region. The electricity distribution to Sakarya and Bolu Provinces in the Black Sea region will be realized by the Sakarya Bolu Distribution (SBD); the electricity distribution to central Kirsehir, Nevsehir, Nigde and Aksaray Provinces will be operated by the Andas company; the Zigana Electricity Distribution will distribute electricity to Trabzon, Rize, Artvin, Gumushane and Giresun Provinces in the Black Sea region and the Bati Karadeniz Distribution Company will realize the electiricty distribution to Zonguldak, Cankiri, Bartin and Karabuk Provinces. The contracts signed with the companies will be valid for 30 years. [25] AKKAYA, THE GENERAL DIRECTOR OF THE TDI: - GRAND PRINCESS WILL BRING 70 THOUSAND US DOLLARS TO TURKEY WITH EACH JOURNEYANTALYA, May 28 (A.A) - Muzaffer Akkaya, the General Director of the Turkey Maritime Enterprises (TDI), said on Thursday that the ''Grand Princess'' ship which brought rich businessmen to Istanbul on her first journey, will provide thousands of US dollars to the TDI with each journey.Akkaya told the A.A correspondent that they aim to break the economic embargo which is being applied to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), with the passenger ship carrying tourists on the Antalya-Cyprus- Israel route. He added that they working to put the Black Sea ship, the most luxurious passenger ship in Turkey, on the Antalya, Cyprus and Haifa Port of Israel route. Noting that the TDI provides guidance, tugboats and other services to the Grand Princess, Akkaya pointed out that they obtain octrois of 10 US dollars per passenger and this will bring nearly 70 thousand US dollars for each journey of the Grand Princess. Adding that 10 million tourists visit the Mediterranean on ships, Akkaya said, ''the TDI works for serving tourism. The religious belief tourism will rise in 2000 because of the celebrations of the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ. We expect 25-30 thousand more tourists in the framework of the religious belief tourism. Meanwhile the Dikili Port was enlarged 60 metres.'' Akkaya reminded that they made a profit of 15 trillion Turkish Liras last year, and added that they aim to increase this figure up to 26 trillion Turkish Liras in 1998. [26] DEBTS OF PEOPLE WHO RECEIVED DAMAGES FROM THE FLOOD TO BE POSTPONED FOR THREE YEARSANKARA, May 28 (A.A) - Decisions of Council of Ministers related to persons who received damages from the flood which had started on May 20, were disclosed on Thursday. According to the decision, the loan debts of farmers, artisans, sellers, and others who are engaged in trade and industry, to the Ziraat, Halk and Emlak Banks and the Agricultural Credit cooperatives were postponed for three years, and one year will be without interest.Also the Turkiye Halkbank will open five-year term establishment loans and three-year term operations loans to people who are involved in trade and industry. Ahat Andican, the Minister of State and Government Spokesman, Hasan Gemici, the Minister of State and Yasar Topcu, the Minister of Public Works and Housing, staged a press conference at the Prime Ministry and disclosed the decisions of the Council of Ministers related to the issue. Andican said 15 people died and six people were reported to be missing so far due to the floods, adding that a total of 484 settlement places, 9,412 houses and businesses were inundated. Andican said that the total croplands which were inundated was one million 61 thousand decares. It was also reported that 400 million Turkish Liras will be given to persons who lost their relatives, 160-240 million Turkish Liras to persons who were disabled, and 100-300 million Turkish Liras to persons whose businesses were damaged. Andican said that the Japanese government sent a letter and expressed readiness to extend any kind of technical or financial aid to heal the wounds of the flood. Meanwhile, it was reported that the heavy rains around Bursa Province in the Marmara region caused the inundation of thousands of croplands. The estimated damage is six trillion Turkish Liras. [27] ARMENIAN CRISIS IN THE RELATIONS WITH FRANCE - FRENCH PARLIAMENT WILL DISCUSS THE DRAFT LAW CONCERNING THE SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE - THE DRAFT LAW CAUSES STRONG REACTIONS IN TURKEYPARIS, May 28 (A.A) - The French Parliament will discuss during the general assembly on Friday the draft law concerning the so-called Armenian genocide, which caused diplomatic tension between Turkey and France it was reported on Thursday.The Foreign Affairs Commission of the French Parliament, accepted yesterday the draft law being taken onto the agenda of the general assembly. The draft law of Rene Rouquet, the Socialist member of the French Parliament, foresees the recognition by France of the so-called Armenian genocide. During the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Commission some deputies offered to harden the draft law against Turkey, but their offers were rejected. Rouquet who presented the draft law, said in his speech at the meeting that they requested rejection of the mentioned offers, because they don't want to damage the relations between France and Turkey and between Turkey and Armenia. The mentioned draft law caused strong reactions in Turkey. Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament, sent letters to their French counterparts to express Turkey's discomfort regarding the draft law. Yilmaz and Cetin emphasized that the good relations between Turkey and France will be damaged in case of the acceptance of the draft law. Meanwhile the Armenian people living in Europe, are expected to hold a demonstration in front of the French Parliament today to support the draft law. The French press keeps its silence on the mentioned draft law and didn't give any news or comments related to the draft law. [28] FM CEM MEETS WITH HIS FRENCH COUNTERPART - HARSH WARNING TO PARISLUXEMBOURG, May 28 (A.A) - Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, currently in Brussels to participate in the NATO Council meetings, gave the message to France that it is inevitable that the bilateral relations of Turkey and France will be affected negatively if the draft resolution supporting Armenia is legalized.Cem met with Hubert Vedrine, the French Foreign Minister on Thursday morning, and recalled that many Turkish diplomats were killed within the framework of the allegations of genocide on Armenians. Cem said that legalization of this draft resolution by France will only give a trump card to circles who support Armenian terrorism. Noting that Armenian terrorism had targetted French citizens in the past, Cem said that France has to provide for the security of Turkish diplomats and citizens if this draft resolution is legalized. Vedrine said that the initiative in question didn't come from the government, but from the parliament and defended that they didn't have any chance to prevent this. French Minister identified the draft resolution in question as a ''show of strength'' of several circles in the parliament which oppose the government. The French Foreign Minister also claimed that Turkey shouldn't exaggerate so much the importance of the legalization of this draft. Cem stressed that it would be out of the question for Turkey to accept this initiative. In case the draft in question is legalized, Turkey, in retaliation to France, gives the message that it wouldn't include France in important tenders. Vedrine, in a press conference which he staged following his meeting with Cem, said that he hoped the Turkish-French relations wouldn't be affected in case this draft resolution is legalized. [29] FOREIGN MINISTRY: - ''MILLER'S WORDS WERE MISUNDERSTOOD''ANKARA, May 28 (A.A) - The Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that the words in the press which was attributed to Thomas Miller, the US Special Coordinator to Cyprus, as ''the US will react angrily if Turkey intervenes with the S-300 missiles which will be deployed on the island'' was infact the misinterpretation of his real expressions.Addressing the weekly press conference, Necati Utkan, the Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, told the reporters, ''Miller said that the deployment of the S-300 missiles on the island is wrong, and Turkey's threat is also wrong. The missiles are a threat, and we said that Turkey will take all the necessary preacutions.'' Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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