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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-06-04Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>AA Daily04 June 1999 FridayCONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on June 4, 1999. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)TELE-SCANDALHurriyet, seized the original documents of the 'tele-ear' scandal in Ankara Security Directorate. It was found out that, the intelligence unit within the Ankara Security Directorate taped the phones of the Prime Ministry, many ministers, 30 deputies, some famous journalists, businessmen, and mayors in the last year. The incident caused the dismissal of three top level officers at Ankara Security Directorate in early May. The incident showed that those who taped the phones, abused the technology and made it a habit to 'take a peek' at the telephone conversations of politicians. MILLIYET (LIBERAL)MESSAGE DAY AT COURTAbdullah Ocalan, head of the terrorıst Organızation, on the fourth day of his trial, said ''I want to suggest to the PKK a peace conference'' and added that the PKK will be a big support to the state should the government accept his call for peace. The lawyers and relatives of Ocalan did not attend Thursday's hearing because of accomodation problems. The Chief Judge Turgut Okyay asked Ocalan not to give evasive answers during his interrogation. OKYAY OVERTURNS QUESTION REGARDING OCALAN'S ORIGIN NO PROBLEMS ON HEADSCARF ''The eight year long mandatory education program will continue. It is out of question to interfere with women's scarves in their private lives. However, it cannot be turned into a political symbol in public institutions which violates the basic principles of the Republic,'' it says in the programme. SABAH (LIBERAL) HE BECOMES KEMALIST ALSO DGM CONFLICT IN ANAP CUMHURIYET (LEFT) ''I BELIEVE IN ATATURK NATIONALISM'' MAJORITY IS OKAY FOR DGM CHANGE RADIKAL (LEFT) OCALAN BECOMES A KEMALIST PRESENT FOR APO FROM INTERVENORS YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL) APO REVEALS PKK'S FINANCIAL CENTER:'MONEY IS IN INFLATION LOWER THAN EXPECTED IN MAY TÜRKİYE (RIGHT) OCALAN DISCLOSES SECRETS OF BLOODY PKK ORGANIZATION ''I HOPE IT WILL BE FOR THE BENEFIT OF TURKEY'' Bahceli said, ''I am following the process. The independent justice realizes a work which will ease the public opinion. I hope that the verdict will be for the benefit of Turkey.'' ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)APO, WHO IS CORNERED, BEGS FOR PEACEAbdullah Ocalan, head of the terrorist organization, claimed that he was not treated humanely in Russia, Italy and Greece, where he had gone after Syria. Ocalan said ''I preffered Turkey. I will be in Turkey even if I die, or live. I have received support in Turkey.'' Ocalan, who astonished people in the hall, also said ''I am in an intense effort on friendship issue.'' THE ONLY WAY IS TO CIVILIZE DGMs Hikmet Sami Turk, Minister of Justice, said on Thursday that proposal for a Constitutional change related with the changes in structure of State Security Courts (DGM) may be submitted to Parliament on Friday. According to the proposal military judges in court delegation will be withdrawn and turning of DGMs to military courts in martial law periods will be prevented. [02] FOREIGN MINISTRY WELCOMES AND SUPPORTS THE ATTITUDE OF SERBS IN ACCEPTING THE PEACE PLANANKARA, June 4 (A.A) - Foreign Ministry said on Friday that diplomatic initiatives to find a peaceful solution to Kosovo crisis gained momentum in the latest period as air operation towards Yugoslavia was underway, pointing out that Turkey welcomed and supported the developments.Recalling that a peace plan, submitted by Martti Ahtisaari, Finnish President and the EU Special Representative, and Viktor Chernomyrdin, Special Representative of Russia, to Slobodan Milosevic in Belgrade was accepted, a Foreign Ministry statement said that this development was important and hopeful for installation of peace in the region. Pointing out that refugees and people who were forced to leave their houses would be able to return to Kosovo with the implementation of conditions in the peace plan, the statement said peace and stability can be installed in the region as a result of this. The statement said, ''Turkey sincerely wishes implementation of peace plan soon and express readiness to provide every kind of contribution within this framework to install peace, tranquility, stability, and welfare in the region.'' [03] TURKISH BANKING SYSTEM FROM THE VIEW POINTS OF FOREIGNERS - THOMPSON, DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THOMPSON BANK WATCH, SAYS ISSUING OF BANKING LAW WILL REDUCE RISK IN THE SYSTEMANKARA/NEW YORK, June 4 (A.A) - Edward Thompson, Deputy Chairman of Thompson Bank Watch, one of the leading banking rating institutions, said on Friday that issuing of banking law will reduce the risk in banking system.Speaking to A.A correspondent about the developments in Turkish banking system, Edward Thompson said legal arrangements related with banking was important for Turkish Banking system. Pointing out that there were high interest and high cost problems in Turkish banking system, Thompson said yet the most important problem was the decrease in quality of financial assests of the banks, and wanted this problem to be solved. Edward Thompson said unlimited deposit insurance in Turkish banking system caused unfair competition especially against the big banks. Noting that Turkey should give up applying unlimited deposit insurance as a part of European Union (EU), Thompson said this was an advantage for the small banks for now. [04] HALF MILLION TOURISTS VISIT ANTALYA IN FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1999, MORE EXPECTED TO COME IN JUNEANTALYA, June 4 (A.A) - A total of 503 thousand foreign tourists visited Antalya in the first five months of 1999, and the reservations are expected to increase in June.A total of 82,712 tourists in January, 90,270 tourists in February, 90,791 tourists in March, 69,524 tourists in April, and 169,917 tourists in May, came to Antalya, according to the information given by Antalya Airport General Directorate. Last year in May, 295,443 tourists had visited Antalya. Germans outnumbered other tourists in Antalya last month. People who work in tourism sector are hoping that the promotion efforts they displayed at international tourism fairs would start giving their fruits in June. There is an anticipation especially for Russian tourists. [05] CONSTRUCTION OF KARGAMIS AND BIRECIK DAMS PROGRESSING RAPIDLYGAZIANTEP, June 4 (A.A) - Muammer Guler, the Gaziantep Governor said on Friday that important progress has been observed in the construction of Kargamis and Birecik dams which are being built on Euphrates river.Energy production and water storage are expected to start at Kargamis and Birecik Dams by the end of this year, Guler pointed out. The two dams are the last two chains of dams which are to be built on Euphrates river as a part of the South East Anatolia Project (GAP). ''People of Gaziantep are anxiously waiting for the day when the dams will open to their service,'' the Governor said. The two dams will provide irrigation to thousands of hectars of fields in Gaziantep. ''The farmers of Gaziantep will start benefiting from the GAP when they start irrigating their fields. The agriculture will develop rapidly once the irrigation starts. The electric centrals that will be built on the dams will also meet Turkey's energy need significantly,'' Guler explained. President Suleyman Demirel who laid the foundation of Birecik and Kargamis Dams has been following their progress closely, Guler noted and said Demirel was expected to visit the site of dams on Sunday. The Gaziantep Governor also added that those whose lands were confiscated will have the opportunity to let the President know about their problems. [06] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES SPANISH CROWN PRINCE GRACIA IN DOLMABAHCE PALACEISTANBUL, June 4 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Thursday that important developments were recorded in Kosovo and that Turkey closely covered and evaluated them. Demirel said ''if the developments continue to this way, a ceasefire and peace may be provided in Kosovo soon.''Speaking to reporters following a meeting with Spanish Crown Prince Felipe de Borbon Gracia in Dolmabahce Palace, Demirel said Spain was the ally of Turkey in NATO, and a very close friend in Europe, and that there was no problem in Turkish-Spanish relations. Pointing out that there was a trade volume between the two countries worth of two billion U.S. dollars, Demirel said this cooperation was benefical for the two countries. Demirel recalled that Spanish King and Queen visited Turkey in the year 1993, and that he visited Spain in the year 1998. Stressing that Spanish Prime Minister visited Turkey last year, Demirel said, ''we have cooperation with Spain in every field. There are positive relations between the two countries also within the framework of NATO. We defend the same ideals and targets.'' Attributing importance to the visit of crown prince, Demirel said cooperation between Turkey and Spain not only covered the field from Turkey to Spain but also the region extending from South America to Altay Mountains and Asia which extends to the Chinese border. Demirel said ''we attribute special importance to improve this.'' Responding to the questions of journalists if Ocalan issue was brought to the agenda or not, Demirel said ''there were several efforts to convene so- called Kurdish parliament in the Basque. Yet, Spanish State and Government took measures against it. I thanked to them.'' When a journalist asked a question if Spain supportds Turkey's entrance to the EU, Demirel said ''it has always given us support and continues to do so.'' Mentioning about the developments in Kosovo, Demirel said Turkey closely covers and evaluates these developments and added that ceasefire and peace can be provided in Kosovo soon if developments take place in this way. Erol Cakir, Istanbul Governor, and Spanish Trade Delegation also participated in the meeting. [07] ULUGBAY, STATE MINISTER HOLDS A PRESS BRIEFING : ''SUPERVISION OF BANKS WILL BE IN FORCE AFTER JUNE 11 WITH ALL RULES''ANKARA, June 4 (A.A) - Hikmet Ulugbay, the State Minister who is responsible from economy, said on Friday that the news published about the banks two days ago is totally unreal and baseless.Addressing a press briefing, Ulugbay recalled that decision of the Constitutional Court regarding the abolishment of a part in an article on Bank Law will enter into force on June 11, adding ''when it enters into force, the Law on Banks won't be annuled.' Pointing out to the fact that only ''an authorization in an article will be annulled, ''Ulugbay stressed that the supervision of the banks will also be in force after June 11 with all rules, adding the guarantee of saving deposits also continues. ''Such kind of baseless news, harm both the economy and our citizens,'' said Ulugbay, adding the new draft law on Banks has been transferred to the parliament. [08] ULUGBAY, STATE MINISTER HOLDS A PRESS BRIEFING : ''THE FORMER LAW ON BANKS HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO PARLIAMENT AGAIN''ANKARA, June 4 (A.A) - Hikmet Ulugbay, the State Minister said on Friday that the former law on banks has been transferred to the parliament again.Addressing a press briefing the same day, Ulugbay said that the necessary instruments regarding the supervision of the banks are in the existing bank law, adding there is not anything unclear. Recalling that the IMF delegation will come to Turkey on June 15, Ulugbay said that the IMF delegation will later proceed to Ankara on June 17 and continue to hold contacts. Noting that the necessary contacts have been made within the framework of the relations with the IMF, Ulugbay said that meetings will be held with the IMF delegation about the staff monitoring agreement and the ''struggle with inflation programme supported by funds'' which he expained before going to Washington D.C. Ulugbay stressed that the contacts will be the continuation of the studies they carried out between February-March and in April. [09] TURKISH-SPANISH INVESTMENT AND COOPERATION MEETING - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKEY IS A RELIABLE AND STABLE COUNTRY WHICH FITTED DEMOCRACY, SECULARISM, AND MARKET ECONOMY WELL''ISTANBUL, June 4 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel stressed on Thursday that Turkey was a reliabe and stable country which fitted democracy, secularism, and market economy well. Demirel also said there were every kind of facility and attraction to prefer Turkey as business partner.Addressing Turkish-Spanish Investment and Cooperation Meeting staged within the context of Spanish Industry and Technology Fair ''Expotecnia-99'', Demirel said relations between Turkey and Spain can be carried out from And Mountains to Altay Mountains and to Great Wall of China. Demirel said cooperation and partnership relations between the two countries can be defined as ''perfect'', adding that the two sides should expend efforts in economic and trade relations. Pointing out that trade volume between Turkey and Spain was 1.71 billion U.S. dollars according to the figures of 1997, Demirel said ''this number increased to 1.9 billion U.S. dollars in 1998. It has a tendency to increase yet it is still not adequate.'' Mentioning about the importance of promotion to evaluate potentials between the two countries well, Demirel said, ''Turkey has every kind of infrastructure required for investment and cooperation. Opportunities of the Mediterranean which unites us, should be evaluated well.'' [10] EU SUMMIT - DRAFT OF FINAL DECLARATION MENTIONS TURKEYKOLN, June 4 (A.A) - The draft of final declaration which is expected to be announced at the end of the EU heads of governments and states summit which is held in Koln, mentions Turkey, it is reported on Friday.The draft mentioned about Turkey by noting that ''the heads of governments and states of the EU countries welcome the intention of Turkey to progress in all economic and political reforms that are necessary for the fulfilment of the Copenhagen criteria, its efforts to strengthen social and democratic reforms and its wish for a constructive solition in the southeastern Turkey.'' The EU heads of state and governments request the EU Council and the EU Commission to improve the European Strategy aiming at preparing Turkey to EU membership together with Turkey, the draft said. It also asked the EU Cooncil and the EU Commission to prepare a calendar to reach reforms regarding the Copenhagen criteria and the rules of the Article 6 of the EU Agreement. ''The EU heads and governments will launch efforts to take the necessary decision for including Turkey in the enlargement process equally as a candidate state and for inviting her to the ministers meeting of candidate states during the Helsinki enlargement process in relation with the other decisions EU will take about the enlargement process in Helsinki,'' the draft added. [11] ABKHAZIA PROBLEM TO BE NEGOTIATED IN ISTANBUL - TURKEY TARGETS GETTING ACTIVE ROLE IN SOLUTION OF ABKHAZIA PROBLEMANKARA, June 4 (A.A) - Problem between Georgia, and Abkhazia which is located within the borders of Georgia, will be negotiated in Istanbul with the participation of the related countries.A Foreign Ministry statement said Turkey will host a meeting between June 7 and 9 within the framework of Geneva Process carried out under the U.N. supervision to contribute to the Abkhazia problem. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will address the opening ceremony of the meeting. Istanbul meeting is expected to discuss economic, humanitarian, and social dimensions of Abkhazia problem, not only the political and security dimensions. Representatives of the U.N., Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the U.S., Germany, Britain, France, and Russian Federation are expected to attend the meeting. Abkhazia problem, which stemmed from the failure to determine status of Abkhazia, which is within the borders of Georgia, waits for a solution since 1991. The constitution which Georgia adopted since 1991 after gaining independence, fails to mention about the status of Abkhazia and this led to clashes between Georgian forces and separatist forces in Abkhazia. U.N. Georgian Military Observer Mission (UNOMIG) was established in July 27, 1993 to control the implementation of the ceasefire agreement. Five Turkish officers began to work in UNOMIG with the observer status. Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Peace forces was deployed in Abkhazia as of June, 1994. Political consultations between the sides continue since 1997 within the framework of Geneva process under the supervision of Liviu Bota, the U.N. Secretary-General's Private Representative, with the participation of Rusia and OSCE representatives. Meanwhile, Turkey sees Istanbul meeting as an important opportunity to reach a solution, to continue existing dialogue mechanism, to install confidence atmosphere between the sides and to discuss the problems which wait for an urgent solution. Turkey thinks finding a lasting and just solution to Abkhazia problem was important to install internal stability and peace in Georgia, and to make peace and security atmosphere to prevail in the region. Turkey expects a result to be issued from the Istanbul meeting that can satisfy all the sides. [12] TURKISH-SPANISH INVESTMENT AND COOPERATION MEETING - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKEY WILL CONTINUE TO GROW IN ALL FIELDS AND UNDERTAKE NEW INVESTMENTS''ISTANBUL, June 4 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Friday that Turkey will continue to develop in all fields and undertake new investments, adding ''the Turkish industry introduces important opportunities.''Noting that tourists are guests of Turkey and all conditions exist for tourists to spend their holidays in security, President Demirel said that the difficulties seen in the tourism sector will be overcome in a short period of time. Addressing the Turkish-Spanish Investment and Cooperation meeting, President Demirel said that Turkey has protected her highest increasing growth-rate among the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the European Union (EU) countries, adding the Turkish economy is the 16th biggest economy of the world. Noting that Turkey has realized an increase of 45 percent in her exports recently and 90 percent of its imports are composed of industrial goods, President Demirel pointed out that an energy investment of 30 million dollars will be undertaken in Turkey in the coming ten years. Inviting Spanish investors to invest in this suitable field, President Demirel said, ''important developments have taken place in the last ten years in the field of telecommunication. Turkey will realize an investment programme of 100 billion dollars. Privatization is one of the most important priorities of Turkey. We expect Spanish investors to be interested in our privatization programme.'' ''When the project of pipelines is completed, Turkey will be one of the important energy terminals of the world,'' said President Demirel, adding Turkey comes the twelth in production of iron and steel in the world and it comes the seventh in Europe in this field. Stressing that Turkey is the sixth country in the world regarding production of cotton, President Demirel said that ''9.7 million tourists visited Turkey last year and they left an income of eight billion dollars.'' In his speech, President Demirel stated that the Southeastern Anatolian Project (GAP) is the biggest integrated project of the Republican history, adding that the GAP will add 32 billion kilowatt hours of energy and nearly two million hectars of irrigation capacity to the Turkish economy. ''Only half of this integrated project has been completed and it is open to foreign investors,'' said Demirel, noting that the institutional cooperation between the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises of Turkey and Spain should be supported. Noting that the legal basis between Turkey and Spain to improve cooperation exists in great extent, President Demirel said that the two countries should sing the agreement on reciprocal encouragement and protection of investments in the coming period. Stressing that the Turkish-Spanish Action Plan which was signed last July foresees close cooperation in many fields, President Demirel added that ''the businessmen of the two countries have great role to play to transform the cooperation among our countries to a new cooperation and partnership. I fully believe that you will fulfil this in the best way. The Expotechnia, the Spanish Fair is a very important step taken to this end.'' [13] NUMBER OF U.S. TROOPS AT INCIRLIK BASE INCREASEDANKARA, June 4 (A.A) - The number of U.S. troops at the Incirlik Base of southern Adana province increased, it is reported on Friday.A statement by the U.S. Embassy in Ankara said, ''the number of American troops stationed here increased this week with the addition of 39th Air Expeditionary Wing forces, marking the first time in history, the U.S. Air Force has directly supported two different areas of responsibility from one location.'' Stating that the new wing will support Operation Allied Force, the NATO-led air campaign against the former Republic of Yugoslavia, the statement said this wing will also add approximately 750 more people and around 20 KC-135 aircrafts to the base. The statement said that New Jersey and Maine Air National Guard units are deploying here from the U.S. [14] DEPLOYMENT OF ITALIAN ASPIDE MISSILES IN GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE - FM: ''THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT TURKEY WILL TAKE MEASURES AGAINST THE BEHAVIOURS WHICH WILL ENDANGER THE SECURITY OF TRNC'' - ''ITALY UNDERTAKES A SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY BY BEING A NATO COUNTRY''ANKARA, June 4 (A.A) - The Foreign Ministry said on Friday that the deployment of the Italian Aspide missile system in the Greek Cypriot side will cause a threat and instability in the regional security; adding that Turkey will not tolerate the behaviours which will endanger the security of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and will take necessary measures to prevent them.Issuing a statement, the Foreign Ministry recalled that the Greek Cypriot press issued news saying that the final agreement about the selling of the Aspide missile system will be signed in the following days and that the missiles will be brought on the Island in August. Stressing that the Greek Cypriot side has armed itself with the support of Greece and constructed military air and sea bases for many years, the statement noted that the Greek Cypriot side will widen its armament programme. The statement stressed that the news saying that the Aspide missiles will be brought to the Greek Cypriot side puts forward the armament activites of the Greeks and Greek Cypriots within the framework of joint military doctrine. The statement added that the mentality behind these activities put forward the threat and danger which are caused by the Greeks and Greek Cypriots over the peace and security in the Eastern Mediterranean. The statement pointed out that the hostile policies of Greeks and Greek Cypriots against Turkey negatively affect the regional security and stability and that Italy undertakes a special responsibility by being a NATO country. The statament said, ''our opinion about this issue are explained to the friend and ally countries. Within this context, Italy, where the Aspide missiles are produced, undertakes a special responsibility by being a NATO country. Italy has a responsibility of not selling weapons to the Greek Cypriot side arising from the resolutions of the United Nations (UN) Security Council and the documents of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) about the weapons transfer. We expect that Italy will fulfil her international committments.'' [15] GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF SECURITY SAYS IT RECEIVED A TIP-OFF SAYING THAT ILLEGAL IBDA-C ORGANIZATION WILL TRY TO ASSASSINATE PREMIER ECEVITANKARA, June 4 (A.A) - The General Directorate of Security said on Friday that it received a tip-off saying that the illegal fundamentalist IBDA-C organization is preparing to assassinate Premier Bulent Ecevit.General Directorate of Security sent a letter to Prime Ministry saying that they received a tip-off that the illegal IBDA-C, a fundemantalist organization, will try to assassinate Premier Bulent Ecevit. The letter said that an investigation about the tip-off is underway. The same letter was also sent to the related units of Ankara Police Organization and the necessary warnings were made. Thus, tight security measures were taken in Ankara. The officials said that they usually receive such tip-offs and that they carry out investigations; adding that the investigations about the related organizations are intensified. Meanwhile, Ecevit responded the questions of the journalists about this issue when leaving the parliament. When asked a question saying that a group of terrorists were captured while they were preparing to assassinate him, Ecevit said that he has no idea about this and that the necessary authorities take the measures without informing him. Sadettin Tantan, the Interior Minister, said that there were some persons who are caught, but declined to say if tyey were preparing for assasination. [16] FM: ''PRESENT INFORMATION INDICATES THAT EU HAS NOT CHANGED ITS DISCRIMINATION POLICIES'' - ''WITHIN THIS CONTEXT, TURKEY SHOULD NOT BE EXPECTED TO CHANGE HER APPROACH IN HER RELATIONS WITH EU''ANKARA, June 4 (A.A) - The Foreign Ministry said on Friday that although the European Union (EU) has not issued its resolution statement in the end of Cologne Summit, the present information indicates that the EU has not changed its discrimination policy towards Turkey.Responding a question, Sermet Atacanli, Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman, said that within this context, Turkey should not be expected to change her approach in her relations with the EU. Atacanli noted that Turkey welcomes the initiatives of Germany, the Term President of EU, and some member countries about the representation of Turkey in the equal status with the other candidate members. A.A Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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