Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-03-24

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

24 MARCH 1998

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

[02] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

[03] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (3)

[04] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: - ''IF THE WORLD SAYS TO THE GREEK-CYPRIOT SIDE THAT IT IS NOT REPRESENTING THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS, THE CYPRUS ISSUE CAN BE SOLVED WITHIN ONE MONTH''

[05] TURKEY IN BRIEF - MARCH 24, 1998

[06] WEU ''CRISEX-98'' CRISIS ADMINISTRATION MANEUVER

[07] TURKEY-ECONOMY - HOPES FOR OIL AND GAS IN THE SALT LAKE

[08] ''ISTANBUL NEW AIRPORT STUDY'' PROJECT

[09] TURKEY-BAD WEATHER - BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS CAUSE PROBLEMS IN MANY PARTS OF TURKEY

[10] TURKEY-BRITAIN - THE CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF KARADAYI IN LONDON

[11] ''WATER'' CRISIS AT FAO CONFERENCE - TURKISH DELEGATION OPPOSES DRAFT FINAL STATEMENT OF HIGH LEVEL OFFICIALS

[12] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''STRUGGLE AGAINST FUNDAMENTALISM TO BE MADE WITHIN DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES''

[13] FAO CONFERENCE - MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND VILLAGE AFFAIRS TASAR: ''SELLING THE WATERS OF THE TIGRIS AND EUPHRATES IS OUT OF THE QUESTION''

[14] NEVRUZ CELEBRATIONS IN DIYARBAKIR - TWO ITALIANS HAVE BEEN DEPORTED

[01] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

(Derived from the Newsspot of the Turkish General Directorate of Press and Information.)

ARMS BUILD-UP IN GREEK CYPRIOT CYPRUS
Necati Utkan, the Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman told a press briefing on Monday that recent efforts to build-up weapons in Greek Cypriot Cyprus would be met with ''adequately serious measures.''

Commenting on the Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos' suggestion that the deployment of Russian-made S-300 missiles could be cancelled ''if Turkey were to halt military flights over Cyprus.'' Utkan said, ''Now that developments have sparked such embarrassment, not only on the island, but in all the countries concerned, they are trying to find ways of correcting their wrong actions.'' /Hurriyet/

CORDOVEZ IN ANKARA
Diego Cordovez, the U.N. Special Coordinator for Cyprus, is expected to arrive in Ankara today for consultations with the Turkish officials. The U.N. envoy is scheduled to meet with Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister, Sukru Sina Gurel, the Minister of State responsible for Europe and Cyprus and the Foreign Ministry officials.

Cordovez traveled to Athens on Monday and met with the Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis. The U.N. Security Council is awaiting a report from Cordovez, who said he would ask for ''guidance'' on how to start negotiations before returning to the eastern Mediterranean island. The U.N. is exerting efforts to revitalize the bi-communal talks between the two Cypriot sides. /Cumhuriyet/

CEM TO BONN
Ismail Cem, the Turkish Foreign Minister will participate in the ''Contact Group'' meeting to be held on Tuesday in Bonn regarding the troubled situation in Kosovo.

Necati Utkan, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman said in a weekly press conference on Monday that Cem is expected to hold discussions with his Greek and German counterparts while in Bonn. He added that the agendas of these meetings could vary somewhat, according to the priority the individual foreign ministers place on the discussion topics. /Cumhuriyet/Sabah/

ITALIANS ARRESTED IN PRO-KURDISH DEMONSTRATION
Three Italian activists were in police detention Monday, awaiting a court hearing after being arrested for taking part in pro-Kurdish celebrations in the southeastern city of Diyarbakir. Noting that the Italians had displayed flags of the outlawed PKK organization and shouted slogans in support of the group, the Diyarbakir Security Chief Gaffar Okan said in a press conference, ''Whoever tries to violate the territorial integrity of the country, whether they be foreigners or not, will be prevented.'' /Sabah/

TURKEY, ISRAEL AIM TO BOOST TRADE
Turkey and Israel plan to bolster the annual bilateral trade from 620.7 million US dollars in 1997 to two billion US dollars in the coming years, declared Isin Celebi, the Turkish Minister of State and Nathan Sharansky, Israel's Minister of Industry in Istanbul on Monday, when the two ministers met with members of the Turkish-Israeli Business Council.

Celebi urged Israeli businessmen to invest in Turkey and participate in ambitious domestic privatization programmes.

Sharansky said Israeli firms want to invest in Turkey's ambitious Southeastern Anatolia hydro-electric irrigation project (GAP) and also cooperate with Turkey in the former Soviet Union. /Hurriyet/Milliyet/

(To be continued)

[02] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

(Derived from the Newsspot of the Turkish General Directorate of Press and Information.)

TURKISH EXPORTERS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
The Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade has organized a five day visit to the Czech Republic and Hungary to which 100 Turkish exporters have been invited. The visit aims to boost Turkish exports by finding new markets. The Turkish and Czech businessmen yesterday held a meeting for an exchange of ideas in the Czech capital of Prague. In the meeting, the Czech and Turkish officials expressed their belief that the economic relations between the two countries can be brought to a higher level. /Hurriyet/

TURKISH-CHINESE BUSINESS COUNCIL ANNOUNCES NEW OPPORTUNITIES
The Turkish-Chinese Business Council during a press briefing yesterday, revealed that new Chinese investments worth 750 billion US dollars will open up new business opportunities for Turkish businessmen in China. The Chinese Ambassador Yao Kyang Yi called on Turkish businessmen to consider enlarging their scope of activity in China. /Hurriyet/

INDUSTRY MINISTRY PRESSES FOR TRANSPARENCY
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has established a new arrangement in a move to promote transparency and prevent mistakes in ministry transactions. Within this framework, the chairmen of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), the Turkish Artisans' and Entrepreneurs Confederation (TESK), and the Turkish Union of Chambers of Agriculture (TZOB) will serve as ombudsmen in the Ministry of Industry and will be authorized to monitor services provided by the ministry. A protocol will be signed today between the ministry and the TOBB, TESK and TZOB. /Milliyet/

COUNCIL OF MINISTERS' MEETING
The government unveiled yesterday a package of measures designed to fight growing fundamentalist trends. The package includes measures for controlling the capital of Islamic companies and keeping close watch on schools and courses run by religious sects. The package has been approved by the Council of Ministers and will be presented today to the Parliament for discussion. In a meeting on 27 March, the National Security Council (NSC) is expected to tackle the issue of fundamentalism. /Milliyet/

GREECE TRAINS PKK TERRORISTS
''Time'' magazine says in its latest issue that Greece is providing training for the PKK terrorists in the Athens Kurdish Culture Institute. The magazine quotes Roserin Laser, the Balkans Director of the Kurdistan International Liberation Front as saying that every week five to ten terrorists are sent to Turkey from the Greek camp near Athens to fight for the PKK terrorist organization.

Meanwhile, the Milliyet daily newspaper gives details about a report on PKK activities prepared by the General Directorate of Security. According to the report, the organization declared 1997 a ''year of conquest'', but suffered heavy losses in a number of wide-scale operations organized by the Turkish Armed Forces and is now splitting apart. The decision of the so- called senior PKK commander Semdin Sakik to seek refuge in Northern Iraq is evaluated within this framework. /Milliyet/

(To be continued)

[03] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (3)

(Derived from the Newsspot of the Turkish General Directorate of Press and Information.)

TURKISH DIPLOMAT CANDIDATES FOR UNSCOM
It has been announced that Engin Turker, the Turkish Ambassador to Bahrein and Ambassador A&ccedil; Melih Ulueren, the Undersecretary at Turkey's Iraqi Embassy are candidates for a Special Group responsible for checking on weapons of mass destruction in line with an agreement signed on 23 February between Iraq and the United Nations. /Cumhuriyet/

PAKISTAN NATIONAL DAY RECEPTION IN ANKARA
On the occasion of the National Day celebrations, the Pakistan Embassy held a reception in Ankara yesterday. Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ismet Sezgin, Speaker of the Parliament Hikmet Cetin, Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces, General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, Commander of the Turkish Air Forces General Ilham Kilic and Chairman of the Virtue Party (FP) Ismail Alptekin attended the reception. /Cumhuriyet/

NEW HYPERMARKET IN ANKARA
The German ''Real'' chain of hypermarkets has opened a giant market in Ankara. The market covers an area of 16,000 square meters and offers 60 thousand different products. The market is targeting to make an annual sales of 100 million DM. /Milliyet/

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES UP
During the last week the Central Bank foreign exchange reserves increased by 146 million US dollars. At the same time foreign exchange reserves in commercial banks surged by 112 million US dollars. /Milliyet/

AVALANCHE KILLS EIGHT SOLDIERS
The number of soldiers who have died following an avalanche in Bingol on Sunday has increased to eight. Search operations are continuing to find the four soldiers who are still missing. /Milliyet/

[04] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: - ''IF THE WORLD SAYS TO THE GREEK-CYPRIOT SIDE THAT IT IS NOT REPRESENTING THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS, THE CYPRUS ISSUE CAN BE SOLVED WITHIN ONE MONTH''

Pointing out that the Greek Cypriots would not give up their dream of being the ''Greek Cypriot government'', Denktas stressed that saying to the Greek Cypriots that they are not the government of the Turkish Cypriots is the duty and obligation of the world.

Denktas received the National Youth Foundation (NYF) delegation led by Adnan Demirturk. Denktas said in the meeting that the ruling party and the opposition reached a consensus that the ''Cypriot government'' was not the government of the Turkish Cypriots.

Denktas said that the ''Cypriot Government'' was removed after Makarios's armed attack on December 21, 1963, to overthrow the partnership republic.

Emphasizing that the Turkish Cypriots did not challenge the UN Security Council, the European Union and the US, Denktas said, ''we don't want to be submitted to the injustice.''

The NYF delegation was later received by Dervis Eroglu, the TRNC Prime Minister and Serdar Denktas, the TRNC Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State.

[05] TURKEY IN BRIEF - MARCH 24, 1998

It was reported that Mugdat Usman (aged 13), Adnan Usman (aged 14) and Ali Aktas (aged 12) had found the grenade in the garbage dump of the Commando Battalion in Van and started to play with the grenade on the railway passing near their houses.

Mugdat Usman and Adnan Usman were killed and Ali Aktas was seriously injured when the grenade exploded.

Ali Aktas was taken for medical treatment at the Yuzuncu Yil University Research Hospital.

The investigation related to the incident is underway.

ISTANBUL - A 43-member Palestinian businessmen delegation came to Turkey on Monday to hold several contacts.

The delegation led by Suleyman Abu Karsh, the Deputy Minister of the Palestinian Ministry of Economy and Commerce, visited the Association of Independent Industrialists and Businessmen (MUSIAD) in Istanbul.

The cooperation opportunities in especially the food and textile sectors were discussed at the meeting.

ISTANBUL - The ''AIREX'98- Second International Civil Aviation and Airport Equipment Fair'' will take place at the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul between April 16 and 19, it was reported on Monday.

The Bombardier Regional Jet Se, Challenger 604, Lear 60, Cessna Citation X, Citation Jet, Caravan, Skylane, Skyhawk, Dassault Falcon 900EX, Gulfstream GV, Boeing, Galaxy Astra SPX, Pilatus PC12, Casa CN235, Raytheon Beech Jet 400A, Bell 407, Bell 430, Robinson R 44, Agusta P109 and the SF600 Canguro type planes and helicopters will be exhibited during the fair organized by the MINT Fair Organization Limited Company.

A total of 144 firms from 22 countries will have stands at the fair.

COLOGNE - Isilay Saygin, the Minister of State responsible for Women and Family, attended on Monday the meeting titled ''Turkish Women and their Problems'' organized by the Turkish-German Women's Association at the Turkish Culture Center in Cologne.

Saygın said at the meeting that men and women together represent the family.

Saygın later proceeded to Munich to participate in the meeting on ''Fighting Against Drug Usage''.

ISTANBUL - The Turkish-Israeli Business Council, which works within the structure of the Foreign Economic Relations Committee (DEIK), gave awards on Monday to the people and institutions that have made contributions to the relations between Turkey and Israel.

Natan Sharansky, the Israeli Minister of Industry and Commerce; Ekrem Guvendiren, the Chairman of the Turkish-Israeli Business Council and Yavuz Zeytinoglu, the Chairman of the DEIK Executive Board also participated in the ceremony at the Ceylan Intercontinental Hotel.

The ''Service Award'' was given to the Turkish Airlines (THY).

The ''Honorary Award'' was given to Cem Kozlu, the Chairman of the THY Executive Board and to the RAM Foreign Trade, which realized the most exports to Israel.

ISTANBUL - The works of famous composers were sung at the ''Friendship and Solidarity Concert'' organized by the Turkish-Greek Friendship Association on Monday.

Cengiz Bektas, the Chairman of the Turkish-Greek Friendship Association, said before the concert that a person who seeks friendship and solidarity, absolutely finds close friends and said, ''we are calling on everybody for love, peace and brotherhood. Everybody should fulfill his/her obligations.

[06] WEU ''CRISEX-98'' CRISIS ADMINISTRATION MANEUVER

The Western European Union (WEU) ''Crisex-98'' Crisis Administration Maneuver's Incident-Coordination meeting continues in Southern Antalya Province.

Gen. Ataman who participated at the ''Incident-Coordination'' meeting said that Turkey, being a European country, expended efforts to contribute to all developments that will provide for peace and balance in Europe.

Mentioning the incidents in Kosovo Ataman said ''Turkey, within this framework, extended full support to ALBA which is a humanitarian aid operation in Albania and became an example to the Western European Union.'' Incidents happening in Kosovo are a serious problem for Europe and one of the problems that may endanger the security of the European Union.''

More than 70 representatives from the WEU member countries of Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, the Netherlands, Britain, Spain, Sweden, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Hungary, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Greece are participating in the maneuver.

Sub-Committee for Politics, Intelligence and Public Relations have been established during the meeting.

[07] TURKEY-ECONOMY - HOPES FOR OIL AND GAS IN THE SALT LAKE

Guzel told the A.A correspondent, ''I think Turkish Petroleum Corporation's (TPAO) oil research at the Salt Lake is very positive.

Guzel also added that the TPAO's research does not damage the environment around the Salt Lake.

[08] ''ISTANBUL NEW AIRPORT STUDY'' PROJECT

Taner Kucukunsal, the Director General of the DHMI, told the A.A correspondent that they would implement the ''Istanbul New Airport Study'' project to provide the study and evaluation studies if there was a need for a new airport in Istanbul.

''If the studies prove that Istanbul requires a new airport, we will specify the construction area, the number of runways and the passenger capacity of the new airport. We are planning to construct a new airport with three runways that allow planes to take off and land at the same time. We will install contemporary equipment and facilities with international standards at the new airport,'' Kucukunsal said.

Kucukunsal said that they were planning to build the new airport in the Thracian region, maybe near Silivri.

[09] TURKEY-BAD WEATHER - BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS CAUSE PROBLEMS IN MANY PARTS OF TURKEY

Officials told the A.A correspondent that the snowfall is continuing in Erzurum, Erzincan, Agri, Kars, Mus, Bingol, Tunceli, Igdir, and Ardahan Provinces. The Erzurum-Bingol highway has been closed to the traffic because of the heavy snowfall.

In the Eastern Anatolia Region 2,500 village roads have been closed and electricity has been cut off in many parts of the region. Heavy snowfall is also affecting Van, Bitlis and Hakkari Provinces. Officials warned the drivers about possible avalanches.

The highway team are continuing their activities on the Ankara-Istanbul highway.

The snowfall which began three days ago caused 50 village roads to close in Bursa Province.

In the meantime Murat Ozer (aged 35) from Yozgat Province froze to death.

[10] TURKEY-BRITAIN - THE CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF KARADAYI IN LONDON

General Karadayi will meet with his British counterpart Sir Charles Guthrie today.

The British Defence Ministry said that General Karadayi has been given information about the strategical defence issues. The Defence Ministry stressed that the relations between Turkey and Britain will be developed with General Karadayi's visit.

General Karadayi will return to Turkey after he completes his meetings in Britain.

[11] ''WATER'' CRISIS AT FAO CONFERENCE - TURKISH DELEGATION OPPOSES DRAFT FINAL STATEMENT OF HIGH LEVEL OFFICIALS

Mustafa Tasar, the Minister of Agriculture and Village Affairs, representing Turkey in the Ministers' Meeting which started within context of the conference said ''inclusion of issues in the report which have no legal validity and which have not taken effect, by attributing them to the UN agreement is unacceptable.''

The Turkish delegation opposed the draft final statement of the High Ranking Officials' Meeting as it was contrary to the UN International Covenant dated 1997 concerning the misuse of international waterways.

Another issue which Turkey opposed was the usage of the expression ''international waterway'' in the text, which is under discussion in international law circles instead of ''cross border waterways.''

Tasar said that Turkey, while determining her agricultural policies, considered the World Food Summit documents and issued the Food Law and implemented the Food Codex.

Noting that activities had been accelerated to conclude the GAP project, Tasar said ''when this multi-purpose and integrated development project is concluded, it will bring an increase to the national agricultural production, as well as providing food security.''

Tasar said that sustainable agricultural development, but not producing damage to environment was also important, adding that governements should implement agricultural development programs that are in accord with the environment. He also added that regional cooperation should be improved.

[12] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''STRUGGLE AGAINST FUNDAMENTALISM TO BE MADE WITHIN DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES''

Addressing his party Group meeting, Yilmaz said that the government showed the utmost care in not harming people who do not use religion as a tool for political interests and who do not use religion to change the structure of the state.

''We are obliged to be meticulous in separating the sincere Moslems and the fundamentalists in this struggle,'' Yilmaz said, adding ''the ANAP will not distort from the basic principles of the Republic and we will not give up our perception of preserving the national and moral values of our state.''

Yilmaz said that they will never exploit religion and the pure religous feelings of people, adding ''we will not harm our citizens while we are preserving the principles of Republic.''

[13] FAO CONFERENCE - MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND VILLAGE AFFAIRS TASAR: ''SELLING THE WATERS OF THE TIGRIS AND EUPHRATES IS OUT OF THE QUESTION''

Tasar, who is currently participating in the UN Food and Agriculture Organizations (FAO) 24th Near Eastern Regional Conference Ministers' Meeting, responding to the questions of the Syrian reporters following his meeting with the Syrian Prime Minister Mahmud Zu'bi said ''under normal conditions asking for money for the water coming from the Tigris and Euphrates is out of the question. Apart from this we have the Manavgat water. We may sell water from here to everywhere. If wanted, we will give it to Syria.''

Responding to a question about whether or not the water resources in Turkey could be a solution to the water shortage in the region, Tasar said this was not only a problem of the region, but also a problem of the world. He said several agreements were signed about cross border waters and water problems were solved within the framework of these agreements.

When asked if Turkey, Syria and Iraq would hold a meeting on water, Tasar said ''such a proposal came from Syria and Iraq. Turkey is still investigating this proposal.''

[14] NEVRUZ CELEBRATIONS IN DIYARBAKIR - TWO ITALIANS HAVE BEEN DEPORTED

Italy's Ambassador to Turkey attended the deportation of Giulia Chiarini and Marcello Musto at the Ataturk Airport.

A total of 44 foreigners have been taken into custody during the Nevruz celebrations in Diyarbakir and afterwards 43 of them removed from the region. Dino Frisulo who is a member of the Italian Peace Association, was carrying a photograph of a separatist terrorist and was arrested by the Diyarbakir State Security Court.

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