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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-01-07Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>07 JAN 1999CONTENTS
[01] US TO DELIVER A FRIGATE TO TURKISH FLEET IN FEBRUARYWASHINGTON, Jan 7 (A.A) - One of the three frigates which Turkish Fleet will get from the US will be delivered in mid-February, it was reported on Wednesday.Perry-type ''TC Gelibolu F493'' frigate will be delivered following a ceremony in San Diego, the US. The US Congress accepted to give 14 frigates within the framework of Pentagon budget for 1999 financial year. The frigates which 11 of them are Knoxx-type and three of them Perry-type will be given as Excess Defense Article. Eight of the Knoxx-type frigates are currently in Turkish Fleet throught ''leasing''. Other three Knoxx-type frigates will be donated. Turkey will pay 180 million dollars for the Knoxx-type frigates. Turkish Fleet took the delivery of three Perry-type frigates last January in a ceremony staged in South Carolina state. The US will also ''donate'' a Knoxx-type frigate and three Adams-type controlled missile destroyers within the framework of Excess Defense Article. The US administration says it considers its national interests and and strategic balance in the region in arms sales and transfers to Turkey and Greece. [02] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on Jan 7, 1999. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)43 DAYS WASTEDWhen Yalim Erez, Prime Minister-Designate handed over the mandate of forming the government to President Suleyman Demirel, we have returned the day when the government was toppled by the Parliament. Thus a total of 43 days were wasted. President Suleyman Demirel came to the point of re- appointing Bulent Ecevit, leader of Democratic Left Party (DSP). Ecevit hinted that he was expecting the mandate and said ''I hope Erez will not be offended.'' SUMMIT OF COMMANDERS TO TAKE PLACE IN ESKISEHIR MILLIYET (LIBERAL)FILLING MODELCankaya proposed minority government to take ministers from the True Path Party (DYP) and the Motherland Party (ANAP). Bulent Ecevit, leader of DSP, is inclined yet Tansu Ciller, leader of DYP is cold. The mandate which Yalim Erez gave back, will be given to Ecevit today. TRAGIC CONFESSION FROM THE MINISTER SABAH (LIBERAL)BOTH OF THEM ARE WEARYTurkey talks about the government and Hakan Sukur for days yet neither of them could reach a result. Yalim Erez, Prime Minister-Designate handed over the mandate on Wednesday yet President Suleyman Demirel did not call Bulent Ecevit, the leader of Democratic Left Party (DSP) as it was expected. Transfer of Hakan Sukur, the striker of Galatasaray and Turkish national soccer team to Juventus also turned into a puzzle like the government problem. BAYKAL: ''WE HAVE OUR EYES ON DEMIREL'' CUMHURIYET (LEFT)PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ DRAWS A PINK FUTURE-PICTURE IN ECONOMY FOR THE YEAR1999 Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz pointed out that source backed agreement was brought to the agenda with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and claimed that foreign investors will come back to Turkey. Yilmaz also pointed out that struggle against inflation, which he identified as dangerous as mafia and separatist terrorism, should be carried out whatever the future government will be. ACCORDING TO ANKARA ITALY IS INCONSISTENT RADIKAL (LEFT)WATER GANG IN ANKARAMuzaffer Sarac, an independent member of the Ankara Municipal Assembly, accused the Ankara Water and Sewerage Administration (ASKI) of being the leader of the water gang, claiming that it did never collect money from islamist organizations and a total of 472 million cubic meters of water was lost. FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''WE WON'T INTERFERE'' Foreign Ministry adopted the opinion that ''it can make everything it wants as long as it won't give harm to Turkey.'' SECRET COALITION President Suleyman Demirel is expected to re-assign DSP leader Ecevit today. Ecevit also thinks of forming a ''minority government looking as a coalition'' by taking ministers from ANAP and DYP. YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL) EUROPE REALIZES THE FACTS ''They have got direct information about this chief terrorist's crimes and desires,'' Ismail Cem said. BILICAN: ''1998 BECAME THE YEAR OF STRUGGLE AGAINST MAFIA'' He said the most successful achievement was the operations against mafia. TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)ECEVIT IS READYBulent Ecevit, the leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP), is awaiting the commission which was handed back by Yalim Erez, an independent deputy from Mugla province. ''I don't know whether or not the President will re-assign me but we, as the DSP, never escape from difficulties. We are ready to contribute to the benefits of Turkey,'' Ecevit said. HAKAN BECOMES A JUVE PLAYER Tuttospot said Hakan signed the contract with Juve managers in Lugano. PREMIER YILMAZ EVALUATES THE ECONOMY Yilmaz mentioned that they realized gra-eat performances in the fight against inflation despite the negative conditions. ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)LOOK AT THAT BEGGAREverybody got astonished when they saw the belongings of Hicabi Kaya, who was detained while begging in Samsun province in the Black Sea Region. He was carrying three bankbooks having an account of 6.5 billion Turkish Liras. Police revealed that he had also a four-flat building in Unye county of Ordu province. Despite all of these, Hicabi Kaya said he was in need of help. [03] INTERNATIONAL PROTOCOL BETWEEN TURKEY AND PAKISTANANKARA, Jan 7 (A.A) - The Council of Ministers approved on Thursday the ''Protocol On Physiological Training of Pakistani Air Forces Commandership Personnel'', which was signed between Turkey and Pakistan.In accordance with the protocol, which was published in the Official Gazette and entered into effect the same day, the Air Forces Commandership's Headquarters of Air Health and Examination and Physiological Training is foreseen to give the concerned training to the Pakistani military personnel in central Eskisehir province. [04] RTUK MONITORS MED TV 24-HOURS A DAYANKARA, Jan 7 (A.A) - The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK) experts are monitoring the Med TV, the broadcasting organ of the separatist terrorist PKK organization, 24-hours a day via satellite, it was reported on Thursday.The experts at RTUK Monitoring and Evaluation Department Chirmanship's special branch are watching the programmes of the Med TV which makes the broadcast from Britain. The experts are preparing reports about the Med TV's programmes contrary to Turkey's indispensible integrity with her country, nation and territories. Med TV is the only foreign TV channel which is monitored by the RTUK. RTUK launches initiatives at Britain's similar organization, the Independent Television Commission (ITC), through the Foreign Ministry under the light of those reports and in accordance with the European Trans- Frontier TV Convention foreseeing that the broadcasting which contradicts with the independency of a member country can't be made. RTUK lodged complaints against the Med TV on charges that it broadcasted programmes which contradicted with Turkey's constitutional order and directed at her internal affairs. As a result of those complaints, the ITC decided to sentence the Med TV to pay two seperate fines. [05] HELICOPTER PURCHASE - TALKS UNDERWAY FOR THE PURCHASE OF 50 SIKORSKY HELICOPTERSANKARA, Jan 7 (A.A) - As talks are underway for the direct purchase of 50 general purpose type Sikorsky helicopters, Aselsan (Military Electronics Industry and Trade Corp.) carries out initiatives to produce electronic control systems of these helicopters in Turkey.High level officials of National Defense Ministry and Sikorsky company maintain contacts on the issue of purchase of 50 Sikorsky helicopters which is expected to cost approximately one billion US dollars. Bargainings continue during the talks to purchase the helicopters in the most appropriate conditions. Meanwhile, Aselsan, which recorded important successes in production of military electronic systems, expend efforts to produce electronic control systems of the Sikorsky helicopters in Turkey. Officials of Aselsan continue contacts with the officials of Sikorsky who are currently in Ankara. Financial portrait of the contribution which Aselsan want to make will cost 700,000 US dollars per helicopter and will have an estimated cost of 35 million US dollars in total. Sikorksy officials are reluctant to give concession on the issue of sale of all systems. Sources close to the issue say Aselsan's contribution to the Sikorsky helicopters, which is expected reach 20 million US dollars, is important due to economic and strategic means. Officials said if Aselsan makes electronic control system, Turkey will not be fully dependent on Sikorsky company and that Turkey will have the facility to act independently in failure or repairment process. [06] EXPORTS FROM AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR INCREASES 13.2 PERCENTBURSA, Jan 7 (A.A) - The exports from the automotive sector increased 13.2 percent to 1 billion 773 million US dollars in 1998, it was reported on Thursday.The Uludag Exporters' Union issued a statement saying that 64 percent of the total exports was composed of by-industry products including several spare parts. The exports from the by-industry rose 18 percent to 1 billion 81 million US dollars in last one year. The exports from the automotive sector in December 1998 reached 153.3 million US dollars. The export figures of the automotive sector for 1998 are as follows: Export Name of Product (Thousand US dollars) ----------------------------------- ------------------ Bus-Minibus-Midibus 230.980 Automobiles 137.416 Lorries 21.769 Motor Vehicles With Special Purpose 1.578 Work Machines 8.065 Vessels & Floating Vehicles 133.053 Aerospatial Vehicles & Instruments 111.755 Bicycle-Motorcycle 16.548 Agricultural Machines 4.188 Tanks & Armoured War Vehicles 4.009 Towing Vehicles 339 Automotive By-Industry 1.081.290 -------------------------- --------- [07] COAL PRODUCTION IN ZONGULDAKZONGULDAK, Jan 7 (A.A) - A total of 340 million 897 thousand tons of coal was produced in last 50 years in the Zonguldak coal-basin in the Black Sea Region, it was reported on Thursday.The trough-coal production between 1941-1998 in the Uzulmez, Kozlu, Karadon, Armutcuk and Amasra regions was 340 million 807.6 thousand tons. In the same period, a total of 207 million 489.9 thousand tons of sorted coal was produced. The coal production in Zonguldak broke the record in 1974 with 8 million 545.9 thousand tons. The amount of marketable coal produced at the mines in 1997-1998 was specified to be 4 million 425.5 thousand tons. The coal production has dropped in recent years in parallel to the decrease in the number of workers. The number of workers and the amount of coal production in some specific years are as follows: Year Number of Workers Coal Production ---- ----------------- --------------- 1990 34,047 5,628,743 tons 1995 21,520 3,251,520 tons 1997 18,134 3,118,688 tons 1998 17,400 2,900,000 tons </pre> [08] TURKEY-STOCK EXCHANGE - IMKB FIRST SESSION - NATIONAL-100 INDEX RISES TO 2,923.87 WITH AN INCREASE OF 37.89 POINTSISTANBUL, Jan 7 (A.A) - The Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) National-100 Index in the first session increased 37.89 points to 2,923.87 and shares gained 1.31 percent in value compared with prices at the close of Wednesday's second session, it was reported on Thursday.At the close of the first session, the financial index increased 44.48 points to 3,692.63, the industrial index rose 24.67 points to 2,108.85 and the services index climbed 87.59 points to 4,344.32. The financial shares gained 1.22 percent in value, the industrial shares gained 1.18 percent in value and the services shares gained 2.06 percent in value compared with Wednesday's second session close. A total of 159 of the 284 shares gained in value, 58 shares lost in value while the prices of 67 shares didn't change. The trading volume in the morning session was 53 trillion Turkish Liras. [09] BLUE STREAM PROJECT - CONSORTIUM, LED BY ITALIAN SAIPEM COMPANY, TO REALIZE THE CONTRUCTION OF NATURAL GAS PIPELINE THAT WILL TRANSPORT RUSSIAN NATURAL GAS TO ANKARA VIA THE BLACK SEAANKARA, Jan 7 (A.A) - A consortium, lead by Italian Saipem company, will realize a part of the construction of natural gas pipeline, namely Blue Stream project, which will transport Russian natural gas to Ankara passing via the Black Sea. The consortium will construct the part which will extend from Russia to the Black Sea Samsun province.Construction of the part of the pipeline which is on Turkish territories will start soon within the framework of the agreement signed between Turkey and Russia earlier. Officials said studies continue to nationalize the routes which the pipeline will pass and noted that the company group will start construction works soon. It is envisaged to realize the first natural gas transportation by mid-2000 via the Blue Stream pipeline. Officials of Botas (Turkish state run oil company) said Russia fulfilled its responsibilities, adding that Russia financed the part of the pipeline which on its territories. Meanwhile, it was reported that construction of 450 km long line which will transport Russian natural gas from Samsun to Ankara will be materialized by an international consortium in which Turkish companies are also included in. Under the agreement signed between the two countries first natural gas transportation will begin in the year 2000 and that every year natural gas will be purchased from Russia. This quantity may reach to 25 billion cubic meters. The part of the pipeline which will be constructed on Turkish territories will be financed with a 375-million US dollar credit that will be taken from various international finance organizations. [10] FOX HUNTING WITH CYANIDE POISINING - HUNTSMEN TO PAY 8.8 BILLION LIRAS FINEKAYSERI, Jan 7 (A.A) - The Provincial Directorate of Environment in central Kayseri province fined the three huntsmen, who killed 163 foxes and one wolf with cyanide poisining in Felahiye county of the province, to 196.5 million Turkish Liras (TL) per person, it was reported on Thursday.Following the latest punishment, the huntsmen will pay a total of 8 billion 789.5 million TL fine. Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Bekir Kabasolak, the Chairman of the Provincial Directorate of Environment, said that Article 6 of the Bern Convention of Europe regarding Protection of Wild Life and Their Living Environment, which Turkey also signed on 20 February 1984, foresaw that killing every kind of animal intentionally was prohibited. Kabasolak said that the same Article foresaw administrative or legal measures on the condition of deliberately hunting of animals and killing them with poisining. [11] STRUGGLE AGAINST DRUG SMUGGLING IN VAN PROVINCE - MORE THAN ONE TONNES OF DRUG SEIZED IN 1998VAN, Jan 7 (A.A) - Zeki Catalkaya, the Provincial Director of Security, said on Thursday that a total of 1 tonne 642 kg of drugs including heroin, hashish, base morphine and opium, were seized by the narcotics officials during the operations launched against drug smuggling in eastern province of Van in 1998.Reminding that narcotics officials have been struggling against drug smuggling since 1983, Catalkaya stressed that operations in the region continue. Catalkaya noted that the drugs are being brought to Turkey from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran, the route known as the ''Golden Crescent'', from the border in the southeastern region and transferred to European countries via Turkey. ''Narcotics officials launched 62 operations against drug smuggling and seized a total of 928.7 kg of heroin, 549 kg of hashish, 137.2 kg of base morphine, 15.2 kg of opium, 453 roots of Indian hemp and 12.3 kg of other drugs. A total of 210 persons were taken into custody during the operations, '' Catalkaya added. [12] ITALIAN SPORTS PAPERS COMMENT ON THE TRANSFER OF HAKAN SUKURROME, Jan 7 (A.A) - The Italian newspapers continue to issue news on the transfer of Hakan Sukur, the striker of Galatasaray football club, to Juventus football club, it is reported on Thursday.Noting that Sukur returned from Zurich to Turkey on Wednesday, the Italian newspapers pointed out that Sukur and the Juventus managers will meet again the following days and that only the details of the agreement will be determined in this meeting. Tutto Sport newspaper wrote that the famous footballer returned to Istanbul after he had an agreement with the Juventus managers and that Sukur agreed to play for the Juventus football club until June 30, 2003 and the club agreed to pay him three and a half billion Italian liras for a session. La gazetta Dello Sport newspaper also handled the transfer of Sukur under the headline ''Sukur returns to Turkey without signing the agreement.'' The newspaper wrote that Hakan and Juventus managers will meet again for a second round of talks in the coming days. Corriera Dello Sport newspaper wrote under its headline ''the agreement with Hakan is postponed'' that he will come back to Torino next week and quoted Bettega, one of the Juve managers, as saying that they will give the final decision after the Bari match. [13] KURDISH ORIGIN WRITERS PROTEST OCALAN, CHIEF OF SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKKSTOCKHOLM/BONN, Jan 7 (A.A)- A total of 33 Kurdish origin writers and intellectual persons living in Sweden reacted on Thursday to the insulting statements of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK, at the Med-TV, the illegal television channel of the PKK.Kurdish origin writers and leading intellectual names such as Abdulkerim Seyda, Abdurrahman Zengene, Lokman Polat, Malmisanij, Murat Ciwan, Mahmut Lewqendi, Siddik Bozarslan, Cemsid Haydari, Nedim Dagdeviren, Suleyman Demir, Zeynelabidin Zinar, Said Aydogmus, Mumtaz Aydin, Husamettin Aslan, Mustafa Aydogan, Halim Can and Nezir Akat issued a joint communique titled as ''For The Public Opinion'' and protested Ocalan. The joint communique stressed that Ocalan has no right to insult the Kurdish people with humiliating words and added, ''such words against self- respect of human being, are prohibited by the human rights, international laws and agreements. The Med-TV has also violated broadcast ethics by broadcasting Ocalan's obnoxious insults.'' Meanwhile the Kurdish writers were threatened in an article titled ''33 Partridges'' issued in ''Free Policy Newspaper'' on January 3, 1999. Describing the writers as ''traitorouses and collaborators'', the article stressed that the writers will account for their disloyalty. [14] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS MEETS WITH RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR MURADOVLEFKOSA, Jan 7 (A.A) - Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), met on Thursday with Georgi Muradov, the Russian Ambassador to the Greek-Cypriot side.No detailed information was given about the meeting at which the latest political and military developments concerning the Cyprus issue were discussed. Before the meeting, Muradov declined to comment on the news saying that the Greek-Cypriot administration and Russia had started negotiations about the deployment of Russian short-range TOR-M1 missiles on the southern part of Cyprus. [15] FOREIGN DEBT PAYMENTS - 54.2 MILLION US DOLLARS PAID IN FOREIGN DEBT SINCE JANUARY 1, 1999ANKARA, Jan 7 (A.A) - Turkey has repaid a total of 54.2 million US dollars of foreign debt since the beginning of this year, it was reported on Thursday.The Central Bank data shows that the Treasury paid 37.8 million US dollars; the Central Bank repaid 1.3 million US dollars; the Ministry of National Defense and the Defense Fund paid 15.1 million US dollars in foreign debt between January 1 and 6, 1999. Turkey repaid a total of 12 billion 494.2 million US dollars of foreign debt in 1998. [16] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES OF CENTRAL BANK REDUCE TO 19.7 BILLION US DOLLARSANKARA, Jan 7 (A.A) - The foreign exchange reserves of the Central Bank reduced to 19 billion 718 million US dollars, it was reported on Thursday.The Central Bank data shows that the foreign exchange reserves, which decreased by 97 million US dollars between December 25, 1998 and January 1, 1999, reduced 19 billion 718 million US dollars as of 25 December. The Central Bank's foreign exchange reserves were 19 billion 815 million US dollars in 25 December. Meanwhile, according to 18 December-based statistics, Turkey's total international gross reserves decreased 456 million US dollars to 31 billion 229 million US dollars between 11-18 December. The international gross reserves of Turkey were 31 billion 685 million US dollars on 11 December. As of 18 December, Turkey's international reserves were composed of 1 billion 125 million US dollars in gold reserves; 19 billion 656 million US dollars in the Central Bank's foreign exchange reserves; and 10 billion 448 million US dollars in the commercial banks' foreign exchange reserves. [17] AVALANCHE IN KAHRAMANMARAS - RESCUE WORKERS DISCOVER DEAD BODY OF DOGAN - SEARCH CONTINUES TO FIND FOUR OTHER HUNTERSEKINOZU, Jan 7 (A.A) - The death toll at the avalanche in Agpinar Settlement in Ambarli Village in Ekinozu County of Kahramanmaras Province four days ago, increased to two on Thursday after the rescue workers discovered the lifeless body of Ali Dogan who was trapped under the avalanche.The Civil Defense Avalanche Rescue Union formed by five experts, continues to search for Resul Dogan, Suleyman Kisacik, Erhan Soner and Hasan Dogan who are still missing following the avalanche. Dead body of the Ali Dogan was sent to Agpinar Settlement for autopsy. Meanwhile the rescue works were hampered by a heavy snow storm. Hasan Yildiz (aged 28) was killed at the avalanche, while Siho Karaca, Seyho Coban and Okkes Kisa have been rescued. [18] THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE DAMS IN THE GAP REGION TO BE COMPLETED SOONDIYARBAKIR, Jan 7 (A.A) - The officials started the process of transfer of Kralkizi Dam, which has an important place within the framework of the Southeast Anatolian Project (GAP), to Turkish Electricity Incorp., (TEAS); and the test (electricity) production in Dicle Dam will start in March 1999 and in Batman Dam in 2000, it is reported on Thursday.The construction of the dams in the GAP region, which will meet the great deal of energy demand in Turkey, will be completed soon. Most of the Kralkizi, Batman and Dicle Dams are completed and they will will not only produce electricity but also will provide employment in agricultural sector. The officials of State Water Works (DSI) said, ''as the maintenance of the Kralkizi Dam is completed, we will transfer it to TEAS. The transfer will be fulfilled in the coming days.'' The officials emphasized that the power plant of Batman Dam will be constructed at the end of 1999 and that the test production will start in 2000. Stating that the dams will provide employment for the people living in the region, the officials said that three dams will employ 50 thousand workers. Noting that Kralkizi Dam will produce 146 million kilowatts of electricity per hours (kwh), Dicle Dam will produce 298 million kwh electricity and Batman Dam will produce 483 million kwh electricity in a year, the officials stressed that Dicle Dam will irrigate 130 thousand hectars of field while Batman Dam will irrigate 38 thousand hectars of field. The officials said that three dams will provide 40 trillion Turkish liras to the economy when the figures of 1998 are taken into account. The technical meetings between the consortium including Turkey, Britain, Italy, Sweden and Switzerland firms and the Directorate General of State Water Works (DSI) continue. The negotiations on the construction of Ilısu Dam which will lead to floods in Hasankeyf county, continue. The officials said that although the amount of water that will be collected in Batman, Ilısu, Dicle and Kralkizi Dams will be more than 14 billion cubic metres and that only Ilısu Dam will produce 4 billion kilowatts per hour of energy in a year, Hasankeyf county and 68 villages will be under waters by the construction of Ilısu Dam. [19] IL GIORNALE: ''OCALAN PLANS TO LEAVE FOR SOUTH AFRICA'' - IL MANIFESTO: ''D'ALEMA URGES OCALAN TO LEAVE ITALY''ROME, Jan 7 (A.A) - The Italian Il Giornale Newspaper claimed on Thursday that Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK, requested 48 hours to decide whether or not he will leave for South Africa.The news under the title of ''Ocalan Plans to Leave for South Africa, Last Two Days For Him to Decide'' stressed that Ocalan who had earlier refused to go to South Africa, has begun to evaluate the proposal once again following the threats of Italian Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema. Describing the relations between Italy and South Africa as very good, Il Giornale pointed out that both Turkey and the US are not expected to react harsly to Ocalan's departure for South Africa. Meanwhile Il Manifesto Newspaper pointed out in the news titled ''D'Alema Insists Ocalan to Leave Italy'', that Ocalan is under serious pressure to leave the country. The newspaper stressed that Ocalan led the deterioration of the commercial and military relations between Turkey and Italy. [20] SEARCHES FOR A NEW GOVERNMENT - IN CASE ECEVIT FORMS A GOVERNMENT, THE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMME TO BE READ IN PARLIAMENT ON JANUARY 12ANKARA, Jan 7 (A.A) - In case Bulent Ecevit, the leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) who is assigned to form the new government, completes his searches of government; the government programme is expected to be read on January 12 in the parliament, it is reported on Thursday.In case Ecevit submits the list of the Council of Ministers of the fifty- sixth government to Demirel, the programme of the government will be read in the parliamentary general assembly on January 12. Discussions on the government programme will be held on January 15, that is two days after the programme is submitted as it is foreseen under the Constitution. The vote of confidence for the new government will be held on January 17, a day after the meetings. [21] 10 PERSONS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY DUE TO GREENPEACE DEMONSTRATIONISTANBUL/KADIKOY, Jan 7 (A.A) - The gendarmerie forces intervened with a group formed by the members of Greenpeace who held a demonstration to protest the continuation of the activities of the solid discharge burning installation in Izmit, despite the Environment Ministry decided to close the installation, it is reported on Thursday. Ten persons were taken into custody.The members of Greenpeace tied themselves with chains to the entrance door of the ''IZAYDAS Clinical and Dangerous Discharge Burning and Energy Production Installation'' early in the morning. The efforts of Kenan Evin, the Director General of IZAYDAS, could not prevent the environmentalists from protesting. The environmentalists continued their demonstration by opening their banners noting ''Sealed by Greenpeace'' and the Greenpeace flag. Gendarmerie took ten members of Greenpeace into custody. [22] TURKISH-INDIAN COOPERATION - BUDRA KUMAR, INDIAN AMBASSADOR: ''WE INVITE TURKISH BUSINESSMEN TO INVEST IN INDIA''IZMIR, Jan 7 (A.A) - Budra Kumar, the Indian Ambassador to Turkey, said on Thursday that whole world believes that the Turkish businessmen are dynamic and added, ''we invite Turkish businessmen to invest in our country.''Addressing a speech in his visit to Burhan Ozfatura, Izmir Mayor, Kumar said that Turkey and India have good-neighbourly relations. Emphasizing that Turkey was not only a state but also a civilization, Kumar said, ''Turkey has an important place in the history of India.'' Recalling that the political relations between the two countries are in its best situation today, Kumar noted that there exists a common understanding between the two countries. Stressing that they believe that Izmir and India have a great deal of business potential, Kumar said that an Indian business delegation will visit Izmir Chamber of Commerce in the shortest time and that this visit will form the infrastructure of the trading relations between the two countries. Kumar said, ''we suggest Turkish businessmen to come and make investments in India. Our country have a great deal of potential. We wish Turkish businessmen to benefit from this potential. Thus, our trading volume can reach to one billion dollars if these opportunities are realized.'' [23] ULUCEVIK, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO BONN: ''TURKISH PEOPLE IN GERMANY EXPECT DUAL CITIZENSHIP''BONN, Jan 7 (A.A) - Tugay Ulucevik, Turkish Ambassador to Bonn, said on Thursday that the Turkish people living in Germany expect the right to dual citizenship.Ulucevik issued a statement to German daily ''Bild'' concerning the amendment proposal of the German coalition government, which foresaw the facilitation of the transition of the foreigners living in Germany to the German citizenship and which was rejected by the extreme rightist parties and by the Union parties. Stating that such application is accepted by Turkey, Ulucevik said that providing German citizenship to Turkish people without depriving them of their Turkish citizenship is the request of the majority of the Turkish people living in Germany. Recalling that the children and grandchildren of Turkish people who came to Germany 38 years ago, are born in Germany, Ulucevik pointed out that most of the young people born in Germany consider this country where they will realize their plans and added, ''the right action to be taken is to encourage these young people.'' Stressing that recognition fo German citizenship to the Turkish people living in Germany without taking their Turkish citizenships is the expectation of the Turks living in Germany, Ulucevik emphasized that Turkey will welcome any step that can facilitate the adaptation of Turkish people to German society. Noting that the Turkish Citizenship Law enables Turkish people to be a citizen of another country without leaving their Turkish citizenship, Ulucevik pointed out that Turkey will not demand the Turkish people who are granted the German citizenship, to leave their Turkish citizenship. [24] YILMAZ-ECEVIT MEETING - ECEVIT, LEADER OF THE DSP: - ''NEW GOVERNMENT WILL BE UNDER MY RESPONSIBILITY''ANKARA, Jan 7 (A.A) - Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of State and the Leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) who was re-assigned to form the new government, said on Thursday that the new government will be under his responsibility.Responding to questions of the journalists after his meeting with Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, the Leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP), Ecevit pointed out that the meeting focused on the election calendar. Ecevit told the reporters that the details of the calendar will be certain later on Friday. Responding to a question whether they discussed the list of cabinet during the meeting or not, Ecevit noted that this issue was not taken up at the meeting. [25] ECEVIT MEETS WITH CILLER - CILLER, THE DYP LEADER: ''I TOLD MR. ECEVIT THAT OUR PARTY WILL NOT BE A COALITION PARTNER''ANKARA, Jan 7 (A.A) - Tansu Ciller, the leader of the True Path Party (DYP) who met with Bulent Ecevit, the leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) assigned to form the new government, said after the meeting that Ecevit proposed her party to take part in the government that will be formed, adding ''we have told him that we don't desire to be a partner of any coalition government.''Addressing a press briefing after her meeting with Bulent Ecevit, Tansu Ciller said that ''if you ask why we have extended support to the minority government which we hadn't earlier supported, I can say that many things happened in Turkey in this period and we decided to handle the issue. The main target of the government that will be formed is to carry Turkey to the coming elections in peace and security.'' ''Although my party won't take part in the new government, we have concerns about several issues, for instance the appointment of minister of education is very important for us. I requested Mr. Ecevit to appoint skilled ministers to deal with the problems in Turkey, particularly concerning the struggle with the pillage,'' said Ciller. Responding to questions, Ciller said that ''we can't insist on appointment of some ministers to the new government, but we are ready to contribute to the formation of the government. We only wish the elections to be held.'' When asked whether or not DYP gave a name to DSP concerning the ministries who have to be independent according to the laws, Ciller said ''we did not give any names, but this issue can come to the agenda later.'' Noting that they have exchanged views with Ecevit about the government programme, Ciller said that the programme will be a short one, adding her concern regarding the possibility of postponement of elections has decreased in a great deal. [26] DIEPGEN: ''I WISH TURKEY JOINS THE FULL MEMBERSHIP NEGOTIATIONS IN THE EU''BERLIN, Jan 7 (A.A) - Eberhard Diepgen, Prime Minister of Berlin state of Germany, received on Thursday the foreign diplomats in Berlin due to the new year.Diepgen told Alphan Solen, the Turkish Consul General to Berlin that he wished the Turkish-German relations would further improve, adding ''I wish Turkey joins the full membership negotiations that will be held within the framework of the European Union (EU).'' Addressing to foreign diplomats, Diepgen stated that many important developments will take place in 1999. Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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