Compact version |
|
Thursday, 15 August 2024 | ||
|
Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-02-01Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>AA Daily01 February 1999 MondayCONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on Feb 1, 1999. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)EITHER THE POLITICAL PARTIES OR THE COUNTRYPresident Suleyman Demirel said, ''if you object to two-round elections, you will sacrifice the sake of the country to the sake of a political party.'' Demirel also said in his statement to this daily that if there will not be two-round elections, the people who does not get the majority vote like 75 percent will rule the local governments. APO PUZZLE MILLIYET (LIBERAL)TRANSIT CRISISPrime Minister Bulent Ecevit stated that a reliable source in Italy noted early on Sunday morning that Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of separatist terrorist organization PKK, is back in Italy. He added that they have no detailed information whether Ocalan plans to settle down in Italy or to proceed another country from Italy afterwards. Meanwhile Massimilliano Bandini, the Italian Ambassador to Turkey, was summoned to the Foreign Ministry on Sunday upon the news claiming that Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of separatist terrorist organization PKK, was back in Italy. TORRENTIAL RAINS AND HEAVY SNOWFALL PARALYZES DAILY SABAH (LIBERAL)YSK: NO OBSTACLE FOR THE TWO-ROUND ELECTIONSTufan Algan, the head of the Supreme Board of Elections, said, ''if the law for the two-round elections is passed in the parliament until March 15, 1999; we will realize the elections without having any problems.'' Stating that there is not any obstacle for the two-round elections, Algan requested that a fifteen-day-period should be put between the two rounds. WE HAVE A TITLE DEED IN THE SPACE CUMHURIYET (LEFT)OCALAN ENCOUNTERS DIFFICULTIES TO FIND A SHELTERPrime Minister Ecevit stated, ''a reliable source in Italy told us that Abdullah Ocalan, chief of separatist terrorist organization PKK, is back in Italy, but we have no detailed information whether Ocalan plans to stay in Italy or to proceed another country from Italy afterwards. If this news is not a misleading, Ocalan should be in Italy for the time being.'' Ecevit pointed out that maybe Ocalan did not leave Italy at all, and noted that Ocalan encounters difficulties to find a shelter for himself. SEVEN TERRORISTS KILLED IN DIYARBAKIR RADIKAL (LEFT) MANCO PASSED AWAY ADNAN POLAT IS RUNNING FOR THE ISTANBUL MAYOR OFFICE FROM CHP YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)THE U.S. CONTINUE TO HIT TARGETS IN IRAQA total of 22 war planes, three tanker planes, four transport planes, four commander planes and one Awacs plane took off from the Incirlik Base in the Southern Adana Province, between 11:30 a.m. and 13:30 p.m. on Sunday for routine enforcement over the no-fly zone in Northern Iraq. Meanwhile a war plane hit an Iraqi radar nstallation in no fly zone over northern part of Iraq. The U.S. officials said the attack occurred after Iraqi radars targeted the U.S. plane which is holding their routine flights. RAFSANJANI COMPLAINS ABOUT RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND ISRAEL TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)PRESIDENT DEMIREL: IRAQ IS IN DEADLOCKDescribing the people in Northern Iraq as friends of Turkey, President Suleyman Demirel stressed that Iraq has been in deadlock for a long time. He said that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has no sovereignty over Iraq any more, adding that Hussein has no connection with the outside world. Demirel also stressed that the Incirlik Base cannot be used without Turkey's permission. CIA: A KURDISH STATE WILL NOT BE ALLOWED ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)OCALAN PUZZLE:Premier Bulent Ecevit said on Sunday that Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization, was in Rome, by depending on the words of a credible Italian official. However, the Italian offices denied this and said that he was not there. This situation will indicate that either Ecevit is misinformed or that Turkey is cheated once more. [02] OCALAN, CHIEF OF SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION, IS NOT PERMITTED TO ENTER IN NETHERLANDS - IT IS SAID THAT OCALAN IS ON HIS WAY TO ATHENSAMSTERDAM, Feb 1 (A.A) - The initiatives of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK, to enter into the Netherlands, failed due to the determined attitude of the Dutch government, it was reported on Monday.Ocalan who was reported to land at the Rotterdam Airport by a private airplane, was not permitted to enter into the air space of the Netherlands. The airplane carrying terrorist Ocalan, has then changed its course towards another country which is still unknown. Meanwhile Ocalan's Dutch lawyer said that Ocalan was on his way to Athens, the capital of Greece. Officials at the Rotterdam Airport told the A.A correspondent that it is extremely difficult to estimate the country which Ocalan headed for. Officials stressed that airplane's arrival in Athens is depended on the distance between the Netherlands and the country which it took off. If the airplane took off from a nearby country, arrival in Athens will be possible for Ocalan. In this case Ocalan will be able to fly as far as Cyprus. But if the airplane took off from a distant country such as Russia, the airplane will possibly need to land on another European country. [03] TURKEY LAUNCHED INITIATIVES AT GREEK FOEIGN MINISTRY FOLLOWING NEWS REPORTS THAT OCALAN, THE HEAD OF TERRORIST PKK ORGANIZATION, IS HEADING FOR ATHENSATHENS, Feb 1 (A.A) - Tacan Ildem, Turkey's Charge D'Affair in Athens, launched initiatives early on Monday at Greek Foreign Ministry, following news reports that Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the separatist terrorist organization PKK, was refused by Netherlands, and he was heading for Athens.Sources told A.A that Ildem pointed out to the news reports coming from the Netherlands, and asked from the Greek authorities whatever necessary be done in such case. Greek government earlier stated that it was out of question to give permission to the head of the separatist terrorist organization to enter into the country. Dutch radio and televisions informed that the head of the separatist terrorist organization would land on Rotterdam airport by a private plane. After Ministry of Justice of Netherlands declared that Abdullah Ocalan would no way be given permission to enter into the country, Ocalan's Dutch lawyer said that Ocalan's private plane was now heading for Athens. [04] IT IS CLAIMED THAT AIRPLANE CARRYING OCALAN, CHIEF OF SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION, LANDED ON AN ''UNKNOWN PLACE''AMSTERDAM, Feb 1 (A.A) - B. Bohler, the Dutch Lawyer of Ocalan, claimed on Monday that the private airplane carrying Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK, landed on a country, but gave no detailed information about the country.The airplane which was heading towards the Rotterdam Airport in the Netharlands, changed its course towards another country after it was not was not permitted to enter into the air space of the Netherlands. The initiatives of Ocalan whose whereabouts could not be determined since he left Italy to enter into the Netherlands, failed due to the determined attitude of the Dutch government on Monday morning. [05] OIL PRODUCTION IN ADIYAMAN - TPAO PRODUCES A TOTAL OF 806 THOUSAND BARRELS OF OILGAZIANTEP, Feb 1 (A.A) - The Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) has produced a total of 806 thousand barrels of oil in Adiyaman Province, the biggest oil reserve of Turkey, since January 1, it was reported on Monday.Officials at the Regional Directorate of the TPAO told the A.A correspondent that 57 percent of the oil production in Turkey is being provided from 160 oil wells in Adiyaman. The TPAO produces 26 thousand barrels of oil per day. The TPAO also maintains oil-prospecting activities in Gaziantep and Hatay Provinces and test-production activities in Kilis and Sanliurfa Provinces. [06] CETIN, THE SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT, IN TABRIZTABRIZ, Feb 1 (A.A) - Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of Parliament, went on Sunday to Tabriz for the second leg of his four-day official visit to Iran.Yahya Muhammedzade, the Governor of East Azerbaijan Province, welcomed Cetin at the Tabriz airport. Later, Cetin and Muhammedzade held a meeting. Muhammedzade proposed setting up a joint Chamber of Industry between Tabriz and Izmir or between another city. Stating that the trade between Turkey and Iran is not so high, Muhammedzade expressed his views about the improvement of the Turkish and Iranian trade relations. Cetin said in his part that he mainly discussed the improvement of trade relations between Turkey and Iran in his meetings in Iran, and added, ''I will convey the issue of setting up a joint Chamber of Commerce between Izmir and Tabriz to the related authorities. I will tell them to do what is necessary.'' Cetin, who is expected to hold a press conference in Tabriz on Monday, will return Ankara on Monday evening. [07] ''THE DIARY OF A LUNATIC'' WHICH IS PERFORMED BY A TURKISH ARTIST, IN NEW YORKNEW YORK, Feb 1 (A.A) - The play written by Nikolai Gogol titled ''The Diary of a Lunatic'' is performed by a Turkish artist in New York on Monday.Turkar Coker was very successful and got the appreciation of the audience in the play which was performed in Turkish within the framework of the cultural activities of the American Turkish Women's Solidarity Association. The same play was before performed again by Coker in English in Canada Festival last summer and received positive criticisms. [08] TORRENTIAL RAINS CAUSE MANAVGAT STREAM TO FLOOD - MANY HOUSES AND BUSINESS PLACES INUNDATEDANTALYA, Feb 1 (A.A) - Manavgat Stream flooded due to the torrential rains which started four days ago in Manavgat County of the Southern Antalya Province on Monday.Mehmet Capraz, the Governor of Manavgat, pointed out that heavy rain affected Yukari Hisar, Asagi Hisar, Asagi Pazarci, Yukari Pazarci, Caglayan and Selale Districts inundating many houses and business places. Husnu Tuglu, the Governor of Antalya, and Natik Canca, the Director of the Antalya Security Directorate, visited Manavgat later today in order to make observations in the effected areas. A total of 160 business places, 8 trout farms and about 1,500 houses were flooded by the torrential rains. The highway between Antalya and Alanya was closed to the traffic as a result of the damage caused by the flood waters. No casualties were reported at the flood. [09] ATHENS DENIES NEW REPORTS SAYING THAT OCALAN, CHIEF OF SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION, IS IN GREECEATHENS, Feb 1 (A.A) - Athens denied on Monday the news reports claiming that Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK, is in Greece.Responding to questions of the A.A correspondent, an official from the Greek Foreign Ministry stressed that Ocalan is definitely not in Greece. Describing the news claiming that Ocalan who was not permitted to enter into the Netherlands, came to Athens, as ''unreal'', the Greek official said, ''any one can allege anything.'' The official noted that he thinks Ocalan is in Russia or neighbouring countries to Russia, adding that Greece condemns all terrorists actions wherever it comes from. Tacan Ildem, the Turkish Charge D'Affair to Greece, launched initiatives early this morning at Greek Foreign Ministry, upon the news saying Ocalan was heading for Athens. Ildem pointed out to the news reports coming from the Netherlands, and asked from the Greek authorities whatever necessary be done in such case. The Dutch radio and television channels informed that Ocalan would land on the Rotterdam airport by a private airplane. After the Dutch Justice Ministry declared that Ocalan would no way be given permission to enter into the country, the airplane carrying Ocalan changed its course towards another country which is still unknown. [10] STATE MINISTER ULUGBAY RECEIVES PARRIS, THE U.S. AMBASSADOR TO TURKEYANKARA, Feb 1 (A.A) - Hikmet Ulugbay, State Minister responsible for the economy, received on Monday Mark Parris, the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey.Addressing the journalists following the meeting which lasted neary one hour, Parris said that they scrutinized economic relations between Turkey and the U.S. at the meeting. Parris added that meeting focused on the opportunities to further improve economic relations between the two countries. [11] NEZERITIS, GREECE'S AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY, SUMMONED TO THE FOREIGN MINISTRYANKARA, Feb 1 (A.A) - Dimitrios Nezeritis, Greece's Ambassador to Turkey, was summoned to the Foreign Ministry on Monday.Nezeritis told reporters as he enter into the Ministry building that he did not know why he was summoned to the Foreign Ministry. Nezeritis will meet with Faruk Loğoğlu, Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary. Tacan Ildem, Turkey's Charge D'Affair in Athens, had launched initiatives early on Monday at Greek Foreign Ministry, following news reports that Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the separatist terrorist organization PKK, was refused by Netherlands, and he was heading for Athens. Responding to questions of the A.A correspondent, an official from the Greek Foreign Ministry said that Ocalan is definitely not in Greece. [12] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM RECEIVES LEBEDEV, RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO TURKEYANKARA, Feb 1 (A.A) - Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, received on Monday Aleksander Lebedev, the Russian Ambassador to Turkey.Addressing the journalists following the meeting which lasted for nearly one hour, Lebedev stressed that the meeting focused on whereabouts of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of separatist terrorist organization PKK. Lebedev quoted Cem as saying that there are contradictory news concerning whereabouts of Ocalan. He stressed, ''I am quite sure that Ocalan is not in Russia and he cannot find shelter in Russia anyway.'' Noting that main aim of the meeting was to congratulate Cem who has been re- appointed as foreign minister at the 56th government, Lebedev pointed out that the bilateral relations between Turkey and Russia were also taken up at the meeting. Lebedev also added that there is a possibility of a high-level official visit in coming days within the framework of improvement of cooperation between the two countries. [13] INVESTMENT FROM MALAYSIA TO TURKEYISTANBUL, Feb 1 (A.A) - Mirzan bin Mohamad, the son of Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad of Malaysia, arrived in Istanbul on Monday to hold talks over the investments opportunities in automotive and electronic sectors in Turkey.Addressing the journalists at the Ataturk Airport, Mohamad who pays a visit to Turkey as the guest of the Jet-Pa Holding, said that the biggest Proton automobile center of the world is in Turkey, and his visit to Turkey aims at further improving the center. Mohamad also noted that his country wants to make investments in Turkey in electronic sector. Fadil Akgunduz, the Chairman of the Executive Board of the Jet-Pa, pointed out that such investments will contribute to the Turkey's economy. [14] NEZERITIS, GREECE'S AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY, SUMMONED TO THE FOREIGN MINISTRY - NEZERITIS: ''WE HAVE EARLIER SAID THAT OCALAN WILL NOT BE GIVEN PERMISSION TO COME TO GREECE. IF WE SAY SOMETHING, WE KEEP OUR WORD''ANKARA, Feb 1 (A.A) - Dimitrios Nezeritis, Greece's Ambassador to Turkey, was summoned on Monday to the Foreign Ministry following news reports that Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the separatist terrorist organization PKK, went to Athens.Nezeritis who met with Faruk Loğoğlu, the Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary, for 15 minutes responded the questions of reporters after the meeting. Saying that he denied the allegations that the head of the separatist terrorist organization went to Greece during the meeting, Nezeritis said, ''we have earlier said that Ocalan will not be given permission to come to Greece. If we say something, we keep our word.'' Nezeritis said that it was out of question that he was given a note, Nezeritis said that he gave assurance to Turkish authorities that the head of the separatist terrorist organization cannot enter into Greece. [15] BELGIUM: - ''AIRPLANE CARRYING OCALAN, DID NOT LAND IN BELGIUM''BRUSSELS, Feb 1 (A.A) - The Belgian Foreign Ministry stated on Monday that the airplane carrying Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of separatist terrorist organization PKK, did not land in Belgium.Officials at the Turkish Embassy in Brussels warned the Belgian official units and asked them to take necessary measures in such case. Belgian officials noted that they have fulfilled all control procedures at the airport under the consciousness of the responsibility of their own air space. Meanwhile, reminding that the airport does not serve during nights, officials at the Luxembourg Airport stressed that nothing extraordinary happened last night and no airplane landed on the airport. Meanwhile, different intelligence sources in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands put forwards interesting ideas. Noting that Ocalan does not get on to an airplane without determining a certain course, sources defended that Ocalan should have determined another direction previously in case the Netherlands does not permit him to enter into the country. Meanwhile, it was said that there are many private aviation clubs in Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark, and airplanes which land on the ports of these clubs can be overlooked easily. Sources also pointed out that no one can prevent the airplane which gives the signals of ''Mayday'' or ''SOS'' from being landed on any airport. Several sources claimed that Ocalan was not aboard at all, adding that Ocalan can head towards an unpredictible direction by using several airplanes as President Yasar Arafat of Palestine did before. Stressing that no European Union (EU) countries open doors for a terrorist, Belgian officials reiterated that Belgium does not allow Ocalan to stay on Belgian territories, and added Ocalan himself is aware of this fact. [16] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: - ''UNCERTAINTY OVER WHEREABOUTS OF OCALAN, CONTINUES'' - ''AS OCALAN LIVES IN LUXURY VILLAS AND TRAVEL BY PRIVATE PLANES, YOUNG PEOPLE DECEIVED BY HIM DIE IN MOUNTAINS IN POVERTY''ANKARA, Feb 1 (A.A)- Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit noted on Monday that uncertainty over the whereabouts of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK, continues.Addressing a press conference, Ecevit pointed out that there are different allegations and rumours about the whereabouts of Ocalan, and added, ''but the important thing is that Ocalan encounters with difficulties to find a shelter for himself. He is wandering from one country to another, but he cannot find a country which will admit him on her territories. Every one has realized the fact that sheltering Ocalan means to become accomplice of his crimes against humanity.'' ''As Ocalan lives in luxury villas and travel by private planes, the young people and children deceived by him, suffer from privation and die in poverty in mountains. Where did Ocalan obtained such amount of money? A part of his wealth is black money and the other part is bloody money obtained by pressure, threats, homicide and drug smuggling. Ocalan's case is not the case of Kurdish people. In fact he is an enemy of Kurds. Ocalan despise and insult them in the most obnoxious ways,'' Ecevit stressed. Noting that the Turkish government endeavour to improve the Eastern and the Southeastern Anatolia regions without racial discrimination, Ecevit reiterated that the separatist terrorist PKK tries to prevent investments in the region. Pointing out that the world has begun to recognize the bitter facts, Ecevit emphasized that Ocalan was exhausted and his organization will totaly collapse in coming days. Responding to a question whether Ocalan went to Italy or not, Ecevit said that they received no detailed information over the issue and uncertainty on whereabouts of Ocalan continues. He also added that the Italian authorities express concern over the possibilty of Ocalan's arrival in Italy. [17] THE GREEK PRIVATE TELEVISION CHANNELS: - ''OCALAN IS IN ATHENS''ATHENS, Feb 1 (A.A) - The Greek private television channels informed that the airplane carrying Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of separatist terrorist organization PKK, landed on Athens Airport on Monday.The SKY Television quoted a group of deputies from the PASOK who support Ocalan, as saying that Ocalan is waiting for response of the Greek government in his airplane. The Antenna Television Channel claimed that airplane carrying Ocalan landed on the Athens Airport to load fuel. The Antenna pointed out that they got the information from the sources at the Public Order Ministry, but the information was not confirmed yet. Dimitris Reppas, the Spokesman of the Greek Government, and the Greek Foreign Ministry said early today that Ocalan did not come to Greece and did not request permission to land on Greek territories. [18] TEODORU, SPOKESMAN OF GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY, DENIES NEWS ABOUT PRESENCE OF OCALAN IN GREECEATHENS, Feb 1 (A.A) - Athens denied on Monday the Greek private television channels' news about the presence of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of separatist terrorist organization PKK, in Athens.Responding to questions of A.A correspondent, Theodoros Theodorous, the Spokesman of Greek Foreign Ministry, said that Ocalan is not in Greece. Describing the news broadcasted by the Greek private channels as unreal, Theodorous pointed out that Ocalan neither came to Greece nor stopped in Greece for fuel supply. The SKY television quoted a group of deputies from the PASOK who support Ocalan as saying that Ocalan is waiting for response of the Greek government in his airplane. The Antenna Television Channel claimed that airplane carrying Ocalan landed on the Athens Airport to load fuel. [19] IMF DELEGATION CONTINUES ITS CONTACTS IN THE TREASURYANKARA, Feb 1 (A.A) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation headed by Martin Hardy, the chief of the Turkish desk of IMF, met on Monday with the officials of the Undersecretariat of Treasury.The delegation which holds contacts within the framework of the Staff Monitoring Programme, met with the Treasury officials to discuss the macro economy and the economic programme of 1999. The officials has not issued a statement about the continuing meeting between the Treasury officials and the IMF delegation to which the press is not allowed. The IMF delegation which will hold contacts with the officials responsible for economy will leave Ankara on February 8. [20] HEAVY SNOWFALL PARALYZES DAILY LIFE AND TRAFFIC IN THRACE - 162 VILLAGE ROADS AND MERIC-UZUNKOPRU MOTORWAYS ARE CLOSED TO TRAFFICEDIRNE, Feb 1 (A.A) - A total of 162 village roads and Meric-Uzunkopru highway were closed to traffic in the Thrace region due to the heavy snowfall on Monday.A total of 30 vehicles were stuck in TEM highway due to the heavy snowfall and the icy road. The people in the vehicles were brought to the nearby settlements by the highway teams. The teams do not let the vehicles to continue their route without snow tyres or tyre-chains. Many villages can not be reached by phone and 18 villages can not be given electricity in the Thrace region. Meanwhile, the teams of the municipalities and rural services continue their activities to re-open the highways and the weather reports indicate that the snowfall will continue on Tuesday. [21] EMINZADE, IRANIAN FM DEPUTY, DUE IN TURKEY - ASEFI, IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN: - ''CETIN'S VISIT IS A POSITIVE AND GOOD ONE''TEHRAN, Feb 1 (A.A) - Mohammed Riza Asefi, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman, said on Monday that the visit of Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Turkish Parliament, is positive.Asefi said in his statement to the journalists, ''Cetin's visit is a positive and good one. There are positive developments in the Iranian and Turkish relations recently and we hope that many steps will be made in the relations between the two countries.'' Asefi also noted that Muhsin Eminzade, the Deputy of Kemal Kharrazi, the Iranian Foreign Minister, Responsible for Asia, will go to Turkey for a two- day official visit. Asefi added that Eminzade will exchange views on the bilateral relations, regional and international issues and the recent developments in Iraq. It is reported that Eminzade, who is expected to arrive in Turkey on Tuesday and to start holding contacts the same day, will bring a message from Mohammed Khatami, the Iranian President. [22] GERMAN INTERIOR MINISTRY: - ''OCALAN WILL BE ARRESTED AS SOON AS HE LANDS IN GERMANY''BONN, Feb 1 (A.A) - A spokesman from the German Interior Ministry said on Monday that Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of separatist terrorist organization PKK, will be arrested if he lands on German territories.The German spokesman reminded that there is a national arrest warrant for Ocalan in Germany. Responding to a question whether Germany will allow the airplane carrying Ocalan to land on Germany or not, the spokesman said that the authority of giving permission to private airplanes belongs to the Transportation Ministry. An official at the German Transportation Ministry stressed, ''it is a special situation. I can say nothing about it from this moment. Pilot asks for permission to land on the airport, but he is not obliged to inform the names of the passengers aboard.'' [23] TURKEY REALIZES 10 PERCENT OF THE WORLD MARGARINE EXPORTSISTANBUL, Feb 1 (A.A) - Turkey realizes almost ten percent of the margarine exports in the world, it is reported on Monday.The report prepared by the Central Anatolia Exporter's Union indicate that the production capacity of Turkish margarine sector which was born by a factory built in western Izmir province in 1932, reaches to one million tons a year. Turkey realized 572,000 tons of production in 1997 in the margarine sector. The exports in 1997 reached to 129 million U.S. dollars with an increase of four percent. The countries including Algeria, Syria, Iran, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Russia, Romania, Lubanon, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Netherlands, Kazakhstan, Bulgaria and Kyrgyzistan consumed 151,816 tons of Turkish margarine in 1997. Syria, Iran, Azerbaijan and Algeria were the biggest markets of Turkish margarine exports in 1997. The statistics of 1996 indicate that Belgium and Luxembourg was on the top of the list of the countries exporting margarines with a share of 16 percent, the Netherlands became the second with a share of 13 percent while Turkey became the third with a share of 10 percent. The insufficiency in the production of oily seeds negatively affects Turkish margarine sector which is in high levels. The deficit of raw materials is met by the exports. Turkey realizes a change in the oil market. The consumption of the liquid oils increases because it is more healthy than the margarines. However, the margarine sector continue to increase, but with a small percentage. The consumption of margarines in Turkey is 6.3 kilograms per person, including 1.2 kilograms of margarine used in cooking, 3.2 kilograms of breakfast margarine and 1.9 kilogram of industrial margarine. Turkish margarine sector which can increase its exports can also make investments in the developing countries in realizing projects, technical information, building installations and carrying out these installations. [24] A TOTAL OF 240,000 CAPTAGON PILLS SEIZED IN OPERATIONS - FIVE PERSONS, INCLUDING ONE JORDANIAN DETAINED FOR DRUG TRAFFECKING IN GAZIANTEPGAZIANTEP, Feb 1 (A.A) - Gaziantep security forces seized on Monday 240,000 Captagon pills in the operations held in southern Gaziantep province, Kilis and Istanbul.The Police Organization said in its statement that the Captagon pills having a market price of 300,000 U.S. dollars were brought from Bulgaria to Istanbul and were sent to Gaziantep and Kilis to be sold to Jordan via Syria and to the other Middle East and Gulf countries. Five persons including one Jordanian were detained and the investigation was underway. [25] SZABO, HUNGARIAN DEFENCE MINISTER, SPEAKS TO A.A: - ''WE DO NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS IN MILITARY FIELD WITH TURKEY'' - ''THE HUNGARIAN PILOTS CAN BE TRAINED IN TURKEY IN A SHORT TIME'' - ''WE WILL NOT GRANT ASYLUM TO OCALAN IF HE SEEKS ASYLUM''BUDAPEST, Feb 1 (A.A) - Janos Szabo, Hungarian Defense Minister, said on Monday that Turkey is an important ally and that they will request military help from Turkey, which had an important role in the efforts of Hungary to be a member of NATO.Szabo told A.A correspondent that there is not a problem in military field between Turkey and Hungary and that Turkish army is the one which has the highest defense power in Europe. Stating that Turkish army is an advanced, well armed and well prepared one and that Turkey produces many defense weapons and F-16 war planes, Szabo added that they can request help from Turkey especially in the aviation field and that the Hungarian pilots can be trained in Turkey in a short time. Noting that he visited the U.S. a short time ago and that he can say that his country can be a member of NATO in March by depending on the impressions he had in his visit, Szabo stressed that Hungary does not have a modern army at the moment and that NATO will allocate three radar systems to his country to defend the air space of Hungary. Szabo added that they can have a desired army in a decade if the Hungarian economy is in good shape. Responding to a question of A.A correspondent whether or not Hungary will grant asylum to Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization, if he seeks asylum from Hungary; Szabo said, ''we will not grant asylum to Ocalan. We are not interested in this issue. Oclan did not seek asylum from Hungary. I think the reason of this is obviuos. We will never want to have crisis and tension with Turkey, which is our closest ally. Ocalan and his fellows should hope for help from the countries which support them.'' [26] THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS RATIFIES TWO COOPERATION AGREEMENTS WITH THE TRNC AND ALGERIAANKARA, Feb 1 (A.A) - The Council of Ministers ratified on Monday the Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement which was signed between Turkish government and the government of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and the Cooperation Agreement in the Fields of Veterinary and Health signed between the Ministries of Agriculture of Turkey and Algeria.The trade, economic and financial relations between Turkey and the TRNC will be improved by Cooperation Agreement signed between Turkey and the TRNC and which was published in the Official Gazette on Monday. The agreement between Turkey and TRNC also foresees the prevention of the inflow of products of the third countries to Turkey via Cyprus and the gradual increase of the exports of the TRNC. The Turkish-Algerian Agreement which was also published in the Official Gazette on Monday aims at the improvement of the cooperation in the health and veterinarian services of the two countries. The Cooperation Agreement in the Fields of Veterinary and Health between Turkey and Algeria will facilitate the exchange of the animals and animal products. The parties will carry out studies to prevent from the diseases that can spread to the human beings from the animals and from the other possible contagious diseases. [27] HAKTANIR, UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN MINISTRY: - ''OCALAN IS IN ATHENS. HE IS NOT ALLOWED TO GET OFF THE AIRPLANE'' - ''WE EXPECT GREECE TO BE LOYAL TO HER PREVIOUS WORDS REGARDING THAT SHE WILL NOT ADMIT OCALAN ON HER TERRITORIES''ANKARA, Feb 1 (A.A) - Korkmaz Haktanir, the Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry, said on Monday that Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of separatist terrorist organization PKK, is in Athens Airport, but he is not allowed to get off the plane.Haktanir stressed, ''we expect Greece to be loyal to her previous words regarding that she will not admit Ocalan on her territories.'' Noting that Turkey's request of extradition of Ocalan is valid in any condition, Haktanir reminded that Turkey has two demands within this framework; no country to grant Ocalan with political asylum, and to extradite Ocalan to Turkey to bring him to justice. Pointing out that they have not received the news about presence of Ocalan in Athens when Dimitrios Nezeritis, the Greek Ambassador to Turkey, was summoned to the Ministry, Haktanir told reporters, ''the initiatives of Ocalan to enter into the Netherlands failed due to the determined attitude of the Dutch government. Dutch officials did not permit Ocalan to enter into the air space of the Netherlands. Meanwhile Dutch lawyer of Ocalan claimed that Ocalan was on his way to Athens. We also received an information claiming that airplane carrying Ocalan was landed on a small airport in the Netherlands. We maintain contacts with the Greek officials upon the news about the presence of Ocalan in Athens.'' Stressing that uncertainty over the country which Ocalan came to the Netherlands continues, Haktanir pointed out, ''but it was said that he came to the Netherlands from a Schengen country and then changed direction for a Schengen country again.'' Haktanir reminded that he held talks with Italian Charge D'Affair to Turkey this morning and requested information from Italy. He also added that Ocalan could have landed on the Athens Airport without informing the Greek government. [28] NEZERITIS, GREEK AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA, IS SUMMONED TO THE FOREIGN MINISTRY ONCE MORE - NEZERITIS: ''OCALAN IS NOT ON GREECE, WAS NOT IN GREECE BEFORE AND WILL NEVER BE IN GREECE''ANKARA, Feb 1 (A.A) - Dimitrios Nezeritis, Greek Ambassador to Ankara, was summoned to the Foreign Ministry for a second time on Monday following the news reports that Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization, was in Athens.The Foreign Ministry asked Nezeritis, who had a ten-minute meeting with Faruk Logoglu, the Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary, to inform them about the news reports saying that the terrorist chief was in Athens. Adressing a statement to the journalists after the meeting, Nezeritis said that this news report was spread by a private television channel and that the Greek authorities denied this news. Stating that he reiterated the guarantee given by the Greek authorities concerning that they will not let Ocalan shelter in Greece in the meeting, Nezeritis said, ''Ocalan is not in Greece, was not in Greece before, and will never be in Greece.'' Responding a question on whether or not the chief terrorist sought asylum from Greece, Nezeritis said that he heard these claims from the press and that he does not have further information. When recalled that his statements contradict with that of the Turkish officials, Nezeritis said, ''how can Turkish officials say that Ocalan is in Athens? They called me to the Ministry to ask whether he is in Athens or not.'' [29] SUDANESE EMBASSY IN ANKARA: - ''OCALAN HAS NEVER BEEN IN SUDAN''ANKARA, Feb 1 (A.A) - The Sudanese Embassy in Ankara denied news reports claiming that Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of separatist terrorist organization PKK, was in Sudan, on Monday.Idris Mustafa, the Undersecretary of the Sudanese Embassy in Ankara, told the A.A correspondent that they reserve their right to sue the newspapers publishing the news reports in question. Saying that the ''fictitious and unreal'' news reports insulted the Sudanese people, Mustafa added, ''a separatist terrorist named Ocalan, has never been in Sudan.'' Mustafa told the A.A correspondent that the Sudanese Embassy wants to assure that Sudan will never admit Ocalan on her territories. ''Sudan herself is also a victim of terrorism and separatist activities. Sudan attributes great importance to the friendly relation with Turkey,'' Mustafa added. A.A
Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |