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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-11-13

Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>

Anadolu Agency

ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

13 NOVEMBER 2000 Monday


CONTENTS

  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN
  • [02] MODERATE EARTHQUAKE JOLTS DUZCE
  • [03] BOMB ATTACKS ON AUTOMATIC TELLER MACHINES
  • [04] SECURITY FORCES IMPOUND 72 KG OF HEROIN
  • [05] SPORTS - KARATE
  • [06] 34TH CHESS OLYMPICS END
  • [07] IN FIRST TEN MONTHS, 112.7 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF AGRICULTURAL AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS EXPORTED FROM GAP
  • [08] INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANCY COMPANY SCHRODER SALOMON SMITH BARNEY (SSSB):
  • [09] GREEK BUSINESSMEN IN AEGEAN AYDIN PROVINCE
  • [10] JAPANESE CONSUL GENERAL TO ISTANBUL VISITS CANAKKALE GOVERNOR
  • [11] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT'S REGULAR REPORT ON TURKEY'S PROGRESS TOWARDS ACCESSION
  • [12] OIC SUMMIT CONTINUES

  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

    These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on November 13, 2000. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

    HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

    36 BOLD BANKS
    Only 36 of the 81 banks in Turkey were not afraid of transparency. Those 36 banks disclosed their balance sheet preparing an independent inspection report, that is purified from inflation.

    This boldness show off was exhibited in the recent report of the Economic Scientific Researches Institution (IBAR). The institution, which has been preparing reports titled, ''Banking System in Turkey,'' for 16 years, this time tried a different way and called on independent inspection report from 81 banks The institution got 36 positive responses.

    HARSH WARNING FROM TURKEY
    President Ahmet Necdet Sezer represents Turkey at the Ninth Heads of State and Government Summit of the Organization for Islamic Conference (OIC) held in Doha. Sezer harshly warned Israel during his speech on Sunday. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem warned the U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan that, ''you will turn Cyprus into Kosovo or Bosnia.'' Cem, who met with Annan, expressed the uneasiness Turkey felt over the verbal document.

    MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

    33 RELATIVES OF MARTYRS TO BE INTERVENORS IN ECHR
    A total of 33 relatives of martyrs will attend as the intervenor to the hearing of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, which will take place in European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), on November 21 in Strasbourg city in France. Lawyers of Ocalan had earlier applied to the ECHR saying the the trial did not take place in a just way. The relatives of the martrys also applied to ECHR and said they wanted to attend the hearings. The Court, for the first time, unanimously decided to let the relatives of to attend the hearings.

    IT IS NOT EASY TO ACCEPT TURKEY AS MEMBER
    Mesut Yilmaz, the State Minister and the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP), said the European Union (EU) experienced the difficulty of making partnership with a big and rooted country like Turkey. Yilmaz said Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Founder of Modern Turkish Republic, opened the way going to the EU. Yilmaz said, ''everybody should know that the way going to the EU is a very long one. The same difficulty is also valid for the EU. It is not easy for them to accept a country like Turkey which is big and rooted.''

    SABAH (LIBERAL)

    WORKS ON PREPARATIONS OF 2001 YEAR PRIVATIZATION PROGRAMME UNDER WAY
    The Privatization Administration Board (OIB) continues its works on preparation of the 2001 year privatization programme for the companies in its portfolio. The 2001 year privatization programme could be announced in December of 2000. As a result of its works since the beginning of the year, the OIB reduced the number of companies in its portfolio to 47, and its works on process of privatization of these 47 companies are under way. The OIB is planning to privatize 51 percent of the Turkish Airlines (THY) with a block sale by the end of 2000. The tender for this block sale is expected to be made at the end of November or in the first week of December. Tender for block sale of THY's 51 percent shares would be held by the end of 2000. The OIB has raised 2 billion 633.3 million U.S. dollars as a result of its privatization works on the companies in its portfolio since the beginning of 2000. OIB had targeted a 5.2 billion U.S. dollars total privatization outcome in 2000.

    IS-TIM TO PAY FIRST INSTALLMENT OF 1800 MHZ GSM LICENCE ON MONDAY
    IS-TIM Telekomunikasyon Hizmetleri A.S., the joint venture of Is Bankasi and Telecom Italia Mobile (TIM), will pay on Monday the first 500 million U.S. dollar installment of the 1800 Mhz GSM phone network licence contract. The Grup 7 Ilesitim Hizmetleri company said that after winning the tender for installation and operation of a 1800 Mhz GSM phone network in April of 2000, the IS-TIM Telekomunikasyon Hizmetleri A.S. would pay the first 500 million U.S. dollar of first installment on Monday, November 13 in accordance with the contract signed by the Transportation and Communications Ministry on October 27, 2000. The 1800 Mhz GSM project will be put into practice with the know-how of the TIM, a leading company in mobile communications in Europe with more than 40 million customers, and the cooperation between Is Bankasi and TIM in Turkey.

    CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

    GUREL: ''ANNAN OVERSTEPS THE LIMITS''
    State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel said, ''United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan's mission is not being a mediator. He has overstepped the limits. The Turkish Cypriots are being tried to be made a minority on the island. The non-paper submitted to the sides by United Nations Secretary General Annan at the fifth round of proximity talks, ignored the Turkish Cypriot side's opinions.''

    YILMAZ: ''PROBLEMS CANNOT BE SOLVED BY MAKING CONCESSIONS''
    Mesut Yilmaz, the Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister, said on Sunday, ''Greece should give up using the EU as a shield. The EU wants both Turkey and Greece to solve their problems. It also wants the Cyprus issue to be resolved. We want solution of these problems, but this does not mean that Turkey would make unilateral concessions.'' He added, ''Accession Partnership Accord is an acceptable and reasonable document in spite of chapter regarded with Cyprus issue which was brought onto agenda in the last minute by Greece's efforts.''

    RADIKAL (LEFT)

    SEZER: ''WE WILL NEVER FORGET LAST YEAR'S QUAKE DISASTERS''
    Releasing a statement to mark the first anniversary of the quake disaster which devastated northwestern Duzce province on November 12, 1999, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said, ''as we were expending efforts to heal the wounds of the massive quake on August 17, another quake jolted Duzce on November 12 and claimed hundreds of lives. We will never forget the dates of August 17 and November 12, 1999 in order to take necessary lessons from the quake disasters and to revive hopes of quake survivors.''

    EXPORTS OF MOTOR VEHICLES RISE 14.8 PERCENT IN FIRST TEN MONTHS
    The automotive sector companies increased their exports by 12 percent in the first ten months of 2000 in addition to increase in production. According to the Automotive Manufacturers' Association statistics, a total of 79,106 motor vehicles were exported between January and October. The total exports of motor vehicles had been 70,614 pieces in the same period of 1999. A total of 5,109 commercial motor vehicles was exported in first ten months of 2000 while this number had been 7,150 in the same period of 1999. Meanwhile, exports of automobiles increased 14.8 percent to 67,064 pieces in the first ten months of 2000. A total of 58,389 automobiles had been exported in the same period of 1999.

    TREASURY TO SELL THREE-MONTH BONDS ON MONDAY
    Treasury will hold an auction on Monday, November 13 to sell three-month bonds. Treasury is expected to raise 238 trillion Turkish lira in this auction. The value date of these bonds is November 15, 2000 and the maturity is February 14, 2001. Meanwhile, the 238 trillion TL borrowing will meet 15 percent of total domestic debt repayment in November of 2000. Treasury will hold another auction on Tuesday, November 14 to sell 13-month (392-day) state bonds. Treasury is expected to raise 700-820 trillion TL in this auction.

    YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)

    TURKEY: ''DIALOGUE WITH ISRAEL SHOULD BE MAINTAINED''
    Palestine issue was high on the agenda of the Ninth Heads of State and Government Summit of the Organization for Islamic Conference (OIC) in Qatari capital of Doha. All Islamic countries wanted to halt relations with Israel while Turkey defended that dialogue between Israel should be maintained for peace.

    OKSUZ: ''WE WILL LAY THE FOUNDATION OF UNDERWATER TUNNEL IN MAY''
    Transportation and Communications Minister Enis Oksuz said that the tender for the construction of the 1.8 kilometer-long railway tunnel commuter's train passing beneath the Istanbul Straits which was called ''Marmaray'' would be held in March of 2001. Noting that the tenders for the engineering and consultancy works of the system which would be financed by 800 million U.S. dollars loan obtained from the Japan Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF) had been held, Oksuz said that the construction of the foundation of the system would start in May of 2001. Within framework of the construction programme, the system is foreseen to be finalized in 2005.

    TURKIYE (RIGHT)

    SEARCHES TO FIND A MODERATE WAY IN AMNESTY
    Justice Ministry prepared more than one draft and submitted it to the leaders. The Group Acting Chairmen of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Motherland Party (ANAP), think the issue is open to exploitation if it is prolonged. Deputies of the Virtue Party (FP) and the True Path Party (DYP), say, ''there is no meaning in delaying the issue. The government should submit the draft law to the Parliament soon to ease the tension.''

    WARNING FROM YILMAZ
    Mesut Yilmaz, the Depty Prime Minister, addressed a meeting titled, ''New Policies in the New Century,'' and said, ''the European Union (EU) wants the problems to be solved. However, this will not mean concessions will be made unilaterally.''

    Yilmaz also said, ''Greece should give up using the EU as shield.''

    ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

    SEZER: ''WE SHOULD NOT GIVE UP PEACE IN MIDDLE EAST''
    President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said, ''we should not give up peace in Palestine despite all difficulties. Peace can prevail in the region only through negotiations and settlement of a fair and lasting peace.'' Addressing a special session on Palestine within framework of the Ninth Heads of State and Government Summit of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), President Sezer stressed that Middle Eastern people could not reach peace and stability they have been longing for a long time. ''On numerous occasions, we expressed our profound sorrow over the incidents in the region. With a joint communique which will be issued at the end of the summit, we will announce to the world that continuation of violence in Palestine was unacceptable. These incidents created a rightful reaction in the Islamic World. The most holy sites of Islam became a scene of violent acts that resulted in many casualties. We cannot accept using force in holy sites whatever its reasons are. At the same time, no one can expect us to accept acts of violence against civilians,'' he stressed.

    [02] MODERATE EARTHQUAKE JOLTS DUZCE

    DUZCE/ISTANBUL - A moderate earthquake measuring 4.3 on Richter scale, jolted northwestern Duzce province at 05:12 a.m. on Monday.

    Officials at the Istanbul-based Kandilli Observatory Seismology Institute told the A.A correspondent that the earthquake was centered on Golyaka township of Duzce province.

    There is not immediate reports of casualties in the earthquake.

    The earthquake created panic among residents.

    [03] BOMB ATTACKS ON AUTOMATIC TELLER MACHINES

    ISTANBUL- Bombs, which were left in Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) of several banks in Istanbul, exploded causing financial damage.

    The bombs, which were left by unidentified assailants, exploded in front of two separate bank branches in Kagithane district and in one bank branch in Sisli district.

    There are no reported casualties at the explosions.

    Efforts are underway to capture the assailants who fled after the attack.

    [04] SECURITY FORCES IMPOUND 72 KG OF HEROIN

    SOFIA - Security forces impounded on Sunday 72 kg of heroin at the Kapitan Andreevo Border Gate between Turkey and Bulgaria.

    Security forces stopped and searched a Turkish-registered passenger bus which was on its way from Istanbul to Macedonian capital of Skopje.

    They confiscated 72 kg of heroin in 96 packages in the bus.

    Sources said that the drug's market value was nearly 6.7 million German marks.

    Macedonian driver of the passenger bus was taken into custody.

    A full investigation into the drug smuggling is under way.

    [05] SPORTS - KARATE

    -FIFTH BALKANS UNDER-15 KARATE CHAMPIONSHIPS END
    ISTANBUL - The Fifth Balkans Under-15 Karate Championships in Istanbul ended on Sunday.

    Turkey won seven gold medals in the championship.

    A total of 250 sportsmen from Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Macedonia and Yugoslavia participated in the championships.

    Turkish team ranked first in the ''kumite'' category.

    [06] 34TH CHESS OLYMPICS END

    ISTANBUL- The 34th Chess Olympics organized by the Turkish National Olympics Committee, Turkey Chess Federation and Turkey Intelligence Foundation, ended on Sunday.

    A total of 126 men's and 86 women's teams from 129 countries attended the olympics at Istanbul's Lutfi Kirdar International Congress and Exhibition Center's Rumeli Hall.

    At the end of 16-day 34th Chess Olympics, Russia ranked first in men's and China ranked first in women's.

    Turkey ranked 64th in men's and 63rd in women's.

    Standings at the end of the 34th Chess Olympics are as follows:

    Men's

    1- Russia (38)

    2- Germany (37)

    3- Hungary and Ukraine (35.5)

    Women's:

    1- People's Republic of China (32)

    2- Georgia (31)

    3- Russia (28.5)

    [07] IN FIRST TEN MONTHS, 112.7 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF

    AGRICULTURAL AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS EXPORTED FROM GAP
    REGION TO MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRIES
    GAZIANTEP - The exports of agricultural and animal products to the Middle Eastern countries from the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region in the first ten months of 2000 decreased 18.3 percent to 112 million 775 thousand U.S. dollars.

    In the same period of 1999, the region exported 137 million 947 thousand U.S. dollars of agricultural and animal products to the Middle Eastern countries.

    Officials at the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union, told the A.A correspondent on Monday that in the first ten months of the year, they exported 54 million 692 thousand U.S. dollars in textiles; 55 million 730 thousand U.S. dollars in grain-cereals; 2 million 206 thousand U.S. dollars in dried fruits and 147 thousand U.S. dollars in livestock.

    The majority of the goods were exported to Iraq, Syria and Saudi Arabia, and the Turkish goods in greatest demand were synthetic thread, cotton thread, dried apricot, textile, plastic sack, vegetal oil, olive oil, biscuit, cake, chocolate, cady, sugar and flour.

    [08] INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANCY COMPANY SCHRODER SALOMON SMITH BARNEY (SSSB):

    ''IMF DELEGATION WILL DEPART MAKING POSITIVE
    STATEMENTS ABOUT TURKISH ECONOMY''
    LONDON - International consultancy company Schroder Salomon Barney (SSSB), said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation, led by Carlo Cottarelli, the IMF's Turkey Desk Chief, will depart from Turkey by making positive statements about Turkish economy.

    SSSB, in its Turkey analysis, said the IMF delegation, which is currently in Turkey, was pleased over the success recorded in financial performance so far.

    The analysis said it welcomed the approval of legal arrangement, regarding the privatization of public banks, in Parliamentary Planning and Budget Commission. It said this would accelerate loan of the World Bank, and stressed that the IMF would release the concerned slice of the four billion U.S. dollar Stand-by loan.

    SSSB said some other measures in the economy would be taken within the framework of the 2001 budget, and after the IMF Executive Board accepts the Additional Letter of Intent.

    The analysis said IMF would give advise for the sale of 10 banks in the fund soon.

    The banking circles in London pointed out that some other developing countries failed to succeed although they got more financial assistance, and added that Turkey implemented a successful program.

    [09] GREEK BUSINESSMEN IN AEGEAN AYDIN PROVINCE

    AYDIN - Officials of Greek National and Agriculture Bank, who arrived in Aegean Aydin province as the official guest of Aydin Chamber of Commerce, continue contacts in the province. The guest delegation is led by Nikolas Tsanopoulos, the Chairman of Crete Heraklion Lasithi Chamber of Trade.

    The Greek delegation arrived in Germencik township of the province and met with the senior officials.

    Mustafa Bastug, the Chairman of Aydin Chamber of Trade, said visit of the Greek businessmen contributed to the rapproachement of Turkey and Greece. Bastug said, ''these visits will not be lasting unless they are turned to commercial relations. Businessmen of the two countries should look for ways to increase trade relations in order to make them lasting.''

    Nikolas Tsanopoulos, the Chairman of Crete Heraklion Lasithi Chamber of Trade, in his part, said vocational cooperation and relations contribute to the improvement of relations. Pointing out that they want to see Turkey as the EU member, Tsanopoulos said all the European cities should unite. He said they did not need mediators to improve relations with Turkey.

    Meanwhile, Mihalis Karihimakis, the Parliamentarian of PASOK Party, said rapproachement of the organizations of the two countries was very important for Turkish-Greek friendship.

    Karihimakis said they were pleased over the positive relations between the two countries, and expressed belief that peace and friendship will be further improved due to the positive relations.

    [10] JAPANESE CONSUL GENERAL TO ISTANBUL VISITS CANAKKALE GOVERNOR

    CANAKKALE - Akio Waida, the Japanese Consul General to Istanbul, visited on Monday Canakkale Governor Suleyman Kamci.

    Kamci said that Waida, who took over the mission in April, visited Canakkale to learn about the region.

    [11] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT'S REGULAR REPORT ON TURKEY'S PROGRESS TOWARDS ACCESSION

    BRUSSELS - The European Parliament will vote and approve a regular report on ''Turkey's Progress Towards Accession'' and an enclosed motion for a resolution on Tuesday.

    The regular report was prepared by French Parliamentarian Philippe Morillon from Christian Democrat Party.

    The report said, ''on 13 December 1999, the Helsinki European Council decided to grant Turkey the status of applicant country for accession to the European Union (EU) and to set up an accession partnership and a single financial framework in order to help Turkey's application progress in accordance with the Copenhagen Criteria. Since then, Turkey has made remarkable efforts in devising a programme to develop its judicial framework in order to meet EU demands in a more satisfactory manner, with particular regard to human rights. However, we must also note and acknowledge that an awareness of the importance of these reforms has caused considerable upheavals in the various political parties and in Turkish public opinion. Turkish citizens are realising that Turkey's accession to the EU will require not only the 'painless' revision of their institutions but also a partial renunciation of sovereignty, to which they remain jealously attached, and a radical change in habits and outlook.''

    ''This is why, Parliament has proposed the setting up of a Europe-Turkey Forum involving expert representatives of the Turkish community and appointed MEPs who would consider in depth the issues involved. Turkish accession is too important a matter for the future of the Union and of Turkey itself for a decision to be taken in smoke-filled back rooms or behind closed doors. Lengthy debates will be needed, both in the European Parliament and in the national parliaments, and that is why it is generally accepted that the road will be long and difficult. The establishment of the Forum proposed by the European Parliament should allow us to overcome the initial obstacles encountered on this road,'' it said.

    The report claimed that Europe was prepared to help Turkey find a solution to the ''Kurdish problem''.

    The report defended, ''the second problem which will have to be solved as soon as possible concerns Cyprus. It is hard to understand today how it can remain divided by a wall.''

    It noted, ''since the fight against terrorism may now be deemed to be over, the influence of the Turkish army in the drawing up of political decisions should be gradually reduced. 'Cedant Arma Togae'. The Latin tag still applies today.'' The tag means, ''weapons should be replaced with robe of law.''

    Meanwhile, the enclosed motion for a resolution said, ''accession negotiations cannot begin until Turkey complies with the criteria drawn up at the European Council meeting in Copenhagen. Despite the progress already achieved along the path towards democratisation, human rights and the situation of minorities must continue to be improved by the implementation of those conventions.''

    It said, ''whereas a climate of mutual trust should be created between Turkey and the European Union so that Turkey does not perceive the Union as an 'exclusive Christian club' but as a community of shared values which embrace, in particular, tolerance for other religions and cultures, and whereas no formal cultural or religious conditions are attached to accession to the European Union.''

    It stressed, ''the European Parliament welcomed the signature by Turkey on 15 August and 8 September 2000 of four important UN conventions, on political, civil, social and cultural rights respectively, which must be ratified as soon as possible so that human rights and democratic pluralism may be guaranteed in that country.''

    ''Whereas, according to Lord Russell-Johnston, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the confirmation by Ankara of the sentence imposed on former Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan is not in conformity with the principles of democratic pluralism. The European Parliament expresses its concern about the bill seeking to make it possible to dismiss civil servants on ideological or religious grounds. Whereas the election to the Presidency of the Republic of Mr Sezer, who has demonstrated his commitment to the rule of law, will make it easier for the necessary reforms to be successfully completed,'' it said.

    The motion noted, ''the European Parliament views the recent decision by the Constitutional Court on the law offering a reprieve to those who have committed press offences as a step that reinforces the rule of law; encourages the competent authorities to take this opportunity to continue their reforms in this direction, knowing that this process will logically lead them to a fundamental reconsideration of Article 312 of the Penal Code. The European Parliament looks forward to the early abolition of the State Security Courts and welcomes the adoption of the law suspending the prosecution of, and penalties imposed on, press and broadcasting offences.''

    Criticising the Turkish war planes' operation in Iraq, the motion said that the death penalty to be abolished as soon as possible as part of the reform of the Penal Code.

    The motion said, ''the European Parliament reiterates its proposal for the setting up of discussion forums, consisting of eminent politicians from the European Union and Turkey as well as representatives of civil society, in order to promote the political dialogue and help Turkey progress along the path towards accession.''

    ''The European Parliament calls on the Turkish Government and the Turkish Grand National Assembly to give fresh support to the Armenian minority, as an important part of Turkish society, because of the tragedy that befell them before the establishment of the modern state of Turkey. It also calls for a separate solution to be found for the Kurdish problem, one accompanied by the requisite political, economic and social responses,'' it said.

    The motion continued, ''the European Parliament welcomes the decisions taken by the European Council meeting in Helsinki to set up a single financial framework which would be based on an appropriate level of resources and an accession partnership; calls on the Council and Commission to implement those two decisions as soon as possible and to reassess the amount of the European Union's financial assistance to Turkey, which should meet the needs of the pre-accession strategy.''

    It said that the European Parliament called on the Turkish Government to withdraw ''its occupation forces from northern Cyprus''.

    The motion noted that The European Parliament called on the Turkish Government to improve its relations with all its neighbours in the Caucasus within the framework of a Stability Pact for the region.

    The motion will become a non-binding recommendatory resolution after its approval by the European Parliament.

    Meanwhile, the Armenian and Greek lobbies expended efforts to include the allegations on so-called genocide on Armenians in the report prepared by Morillon, but their efforts did not yield an outcome.

    Sources said that some European parliamentarians would try to bring the so- called genocide on Armenians onto agenda this week.

    Morillon had warned parliamentarians who are members of the EU Commission, and said that they did not need to follow their American friends' mistake.

    He stressed that they did not have the right to speak about genocide.

    French parliamentarian Daniel Marc Cohn-Bendit who submitted a motion to include the allegations on so-called genocide on Armenians in the report on behalf of the Greens Party, said that he would confess his sins.

    Noting that Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and some members of the EU Commission warned him after he had submitted the motion, Cohn-Bendit said that he made a mistake.

    Noting that the issue should be first discussed by the Turkish nation, Cohn- Bendit said that he was ready to withdraw the motion.

    He stressed that it would be right not to include phrase of ''genocide'' in the report.

    Parliamentarians underlined importance of being respectful to the United Nations' definition of ''concept of genocide''.

    Sources said that some European parliamentarians would try to bring again the allegations concerning the so-called genocide on Armenians onto agenda this week.

    Armenian lobby is expected to hold a demonstration in front of the European Parliament Building.

    [12] OIC SUMMIT CONTINUES

    -PRESIDENT SEZER SAYS A LONG-LASTING SOLUTION ON CYPRUS
    CAN ONLY BE FOUND BY TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE REALITIES
    ON THE ISLAND
    DOHA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Monday that a long-lasting solution on Cyprus can only be found by taking into consideration the realities on the island.

    ''The proposal of confederation is a rational and constructive approach to the Cyprus question,'' told President Sezer in the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) summit held in Doha, Qatar.

    Addressing the ninth OIC summit, Sezer said that he explained his ideas about the Palestinian problem and the Middle East peace process during yesterday's special session of the summit.

    Sezer said that Iraq, which is a neighbour of Turkey is one of the most important countries of the Middle East, adding that there is an extraordinary situation in Iraq for the last 10 years.

    The situation of the Iraqi people is getting worse due to the sanctions imposed on Iraq for a long time, said Sezer and added that ''we are concerned by the possibility that the social texture of Iraq can seriously be damaged by the sanctions. Iraq has to continue its cooperation with the United Nations (U.N) to end these negative conditions. However, the international society should also assure Iraq that it will have the positive results of this cooperation and the sanctions can end if the necessary conditions are fulfilled. I would like to stress in this framework that Turkey attributes great importance to protection of territorial integrity and political unity of Iraq.''

    Pointing out to the historical and deep relations between Turkey and Bosnia, Sezer said that Turkey attributes great importance to Bosnian's maintanence of its territorial integrity and its multi-ethnic and multi-cultural structure within the borders recognized by the international society. Sezer said that Turkey believes that this is important for the peace and stability of the Southeast Europe.

    ''Turkey believes that the Dayton Peace Agreement has to be fully implemented for the installation of peace and stability in the region. OIC has to act in a more sensitive way regarding the reconstruction of Bosnia and its economic development,'' said Sezer.

    Referring to the situation in Kosovo, Sezer said that Turkey wants full compliance with the U.N. Security Council Resolution No. 1244. Sezer stressed that the multi-ethnic and multi-cultural structure of Kosovo has to be protected and the pluralist democracy has to be installed there.

    Sezer also underlined the importance of the participation of all Kosovar communities in the administration and the decision-making mechanism regarding the future of Kosovo. Sezer stressed that the acquired rights of Kosovar Turks have to be taken under guarantee, adding that the OIC has to more effectively participate in the economic reconstruction of Kosovo.

    Referring to the developments in the Caucasus, Sezer expressed sorrow over the clashes in the region.

    Stressing that the Karabakh problem constitutes the basic impediment that stands in front of the cooperation in the Caucasus, Sezer stated that 20 percent of the Azerbaijani territory is under occupation which is contrary to the international law and U.N. Resolutions.

    Sezer said that an agreement that can be reached between Azerbaijan and Armenia through negotiations will be the start of a cooperation and friendship period for the whole Caucasus, adding that methods of making the existing cease-fire permanent have to be given priority.

    Turkey attributes importance to the Minsk process activities, said Sezer and said that ''Turkey has always supported and will continue to support Azerbaijan in its right cause.''

    Sezer said that Turkey is uneasy regarding the instability in the Northern Caucasus, adding ''although the clashes in Chechnya ended, it seems that the basic political, economic and social problems of the region wait to be solved.''

    ''We hope the Russian Feaderation to make cooperation with the international organizations to help the people living under severe winter conditions. Meanwhile, we are uneasy by the fact that the return of the OSCE's aid group for Chechnya to the region is late and we wish a solution can be found to the issue soon,'' said Sezer.

    Sezer said that Turkey is concerned by the violations of human rights in Chechnya and its surroundings, adding that independent surveys should start about these violations and dialogue has to be set up with all the sections of the Chechen society.

    President Sezer noted that they are sorry by the Kashmir problem that continues between Pakistan and India, adding the problem has to be solved through dialogue and upon the basis of international legitimacy.

    Sezer said that the clashes and the fight that continue in Afghanistan for 20 years negatively affect the stability of the region, adding that no military solution to the problem in Afghanistan is possible.

    ''The problem can only be solved by the establishment of a broad based and representative government by the compromise to be reached among all the sections of the Afghan society,'' he said.

    Referring to Cyprus question, Sezer said that the Turkish Cypriot nation is the indivisible part of the Moslem existence in the East Mediterranean.

    Reminding the listeners that Cyprus question is on the agenda of the OIC for 20 years, Sezer expressed gratitude for the support and solidarity that the organization extended to the Moslem Turkish nation on Cyprus.

    Sezer said, ''we feel sorry that the efforts exerted for the solution of the question did not bear fruit so far. The basic reason for not being able to solve this question is that the Greek Cypriots defend that the 'Republic of Cyprus' which was ended by themselves in 1963, still continues to exist. The Greek Cypriots consider the Turkish Cypriots who have the common sovereign position on the island, as a minority, and do not accede to the solution of the question under the principle of political equality.''

    Sezer continued, ''the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots are two equal nations which have different religion, culture and language. These two nations have equal status without any discussions. Neither side can represent the other. The Turkish Cypriot nation wants that an agreement which will enable them to protect their sovereign equality, will be reached. The Turkish Cypriot nation struggles to continue to live in a peaceful and safe atmosphere.''

    ''This is the basic condition for preventing the recurrence of the tragedies experienced between 1963 and 1974. A lasting solution on Cyprus can be ensured only by taking into consideration the realities on the island. There are two separate states representing two nations on Cyprus today. These two nations can live together and have cooperation in peace. This can become true by a confederation. The confederation proposal is the rationalist and constructive approach for the solution of Cyprus question, '' Sezer added.

    Sezer called on the OIC member countries to improve their commercial, touristic, communicative, cultural and sportive relations with the Turkish Cypriot nation.

    Terrorism is a source of concern all over the world, Sezer said.

    Sezer noted that Turkey supports all the efforts exerted for struggling against terrorism.

    Sezer stated that within this framework, the member countries' signing and approving the ''Agreement on Struggle Against International Terrorism Among OIC Member Countries'' which was accepted in the 26th OIC Foreign Ministers Meeting in 1999, carry importance.

    Practices to lift the ethnic identity of the Moslem Turkish minority in Western Thrace continue, Sezer said.

    Sezer noted that thousands of members of this minority were denaturalized to serve the target of annihilating the ethnic, religious and cultural identity of the Western Thrace Moslem Turkish minority.

    The concerned article of the Greek citizenship law was annuled in 1998 and the practices were ended, Sezer stated.

    Sezer said that 60 thousand Moslem Western Thrace Turks, who were unfairly deprived of their citizenships, are prevented from becoming citizens again.

    ''The Western Thrace which is a region where Moslem Turkish minority lives, is a region under control. The Greek authorities continue their measures to keep the connection of this region with other parts of the world at the lowest level,'' Sezer said.

    The religious rights of Western Thrace Turkish minority are seriously violated, Sezer emphasized.

    Sezer said that the rights of the minority to elect their mufti under international agreements were prevented and that the elected muftis are tried on charges of crimes like seizing the office by force and are sentenced to punishments.

    ''The Western Thrace Moslem Turkish minority continues to need the interest and solidarity of the OIC due to this maltreatment,'' Sezer said.

    Sezer noted that the OIC has recorded important developments since it was founded and that it has made significant contributions to further improvement of solidarity among member countries.

    Sezer added, ''but, we cannot be contented with the point we have reached. We have to increase our cooperation. Besides our efforts to promote our solidarity, our organization continues to exert efforts to enable tolerance and mutual understanding to reign in the world. The success of OIC gives us an additional strength to take steps in the path to peace and prosperity.''


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