Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-03-15

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

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

15 MARCH 1998

CONTENTS

[01] TERRORISM - DEATH TOLL OF TERRORISTS INCREASES TO 47

[02] OIC FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING - FM CEM: ''I DO NOT HAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT KOSOVO PROBLEM IS LIGHTENED ''

[03] STRONG DETERMINATION 98 MANEUVER

[04] TURKISH EXPORTERS TO GO TO CZECH REPUBLIC AND HUNGARY

[05] PROPOSAL FROM EU TO EXTEND SUPPORT TO EIGHT YEARS COMPULSORY EDUCATION

[06] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''EU IS NOT INCLUDED IN OUR AGENDA''

[01] TERRORISM - DEATH TOLL OF TERRORISTS INCREASES TO 47

Emergency Regional Rule Governor's office told A.A that security forces, acting on a tip off, staged an air backed operation to Besteler and Dereler region on March 12.

A total of 47 terrorists were killed during this ongoing operation.

It was also reported that three people from security forces died during the operations.

[02] OIC FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING - FM CEM: ''I DO NOT HAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT KOSOVO PROBLEM IS LIGHTENED ''

Speaking to Turkish reporters following the morning session of OIC Foreign Ministers meeting Cem said Turkey, Egypt and Iran submitted separate draft resolutions related with the Kosovo problem yet that they will unite these three draft resolutions. Cem also said he did not have the impression that Kosovo problem was lightened.

FM Cem said he had brief meetings with Turkmen Foreign Minister Boris Sahmuradov and Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Harrazi. He said he discussed natural gas issue with Sahmuradov but did not give details to this end.

Meanwhile, Foreign Ministers, including Cem, were received by Quatari Emirate Sheikh Hamad Bin Halife Al-Tani.

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Foreign and Defense Minister Taner Etkin also participates in the OIC Foreign Ministers meeting as observer.

[03] STRONG DETERMINATION 98 MANEUVER

Speaking to A.A correspondent Sezgin said the maneuver in question was the most important and meaningful military exercise carried out in NATO.

Recalling that Turkey participated in the second maneuver held in Southern Crisis region where Portugual and Spain took place with four F-16, one Frigate and with 30 crews, Sezgin said ministers of the member countries who covered the maneuver also held bilateral talks.

Sezgin said recent developments in Kosovo were taken up during meetings held between alliance member ministers and that there was a consensus of opinion between the ministers to preserve the status of the region in Yugoslavia and to provide authonomy.

Speaking about Kosovo issue Sezgin said ''we are extending efforts to find a peaceful solution to the question without applying to violance and terrorism.'' He also said that if NATO feels the requirement of a UN peace force, we will support this adding that Western institutions and world public take necessary measures to prevent the repetition of tragedy happened in Bosnia.

[04] TURKISH EXPORTERS TO GO TO CZECH REPUBLIC AND HUNGARY

This visit which is staged under the coordination of Foreign Trade Undersecretariat and with the organization of Aegean Exporters Union will be realized between March 22 and 27. Foreign Trade Undersecretary Yavuz Ege will head the delegation.

''Trade relations, business and investment facilities'' titled seminars will be staged and businessmen will hold bilateral contacts within the context of the visit program.

Speaking about the visit Ege said ''we have signed free trade agreements both with Hungary and with Czech Republic. With these agreement Turkey had the facility to compete with EU member countries. Turkey's trade volume with these countries will increase in the coming days.''

Ege also said they will hold talks to furher improve cooperation between Turkey and the countries in question.

[05] PROPOSAL FROM EU TO EXTEND SUPPORT TO EIGHT YEARS COMPULSORY EDUCATION

EU conveyed this proposal to Turkish government at the end of January and also got information from Turkey about the project after sending its experts to Turkey last week. The experts met National Education Ministry officials and were briefed about the studies initiated to this end so far.

It was reported that no limitation as of region and investment will be brought for the usage of the 80 million ECU (86 million dollar) which will be given as donation.

Officials stressed that this 80 million ECU will be used for the purchasing of school equipment and computers rather than construction of schools.

[06] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''EU IS NOT INCLUDED IN OUR AGENDA''

Speaking to reporters Denktas said ''we are going on our way. They want us to bow their wishes and split from Turkey rejecting our rights.''

Denktas also critized that Greek Cypriot Leader Glafcos Clerides invited Turkish Cypriots to the talks which Greek Cypriot Side would hold with the EU and called on people try to solve Cyprus question to treat equally to both sides.

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