Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-08-01

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

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

01 AUG 1998

CONTENTS

[01] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM MEETS WITH SHAAT, PALESTINIAN PLANNING AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION MINISTER

[02] ARAFAT DEMANDS SUPPORT FROM PRESIDENT DEMIREL ON ISSUES OF PEACE PROCESS AND STATUS OF JERUSALEM

[03] ARAFAT RECEIVES PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ AND ECEVIT, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER - ARAFAT DEPARTS TURKEY

[04] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES SAHBAZ, CHAIRMAN OF TURKISH-HUNGARIAN BUSINESSMEN ASSOCIATION - DEMIREL: ''TURKEY TRIES TO FORM A FREE TRADE AREA''

[05] CONDEMNATION FROM FOREIGN MINISTRY

[06] THE US PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON'S CYPRUS REPORT - CLINTON REITERATES, ''WE ARE OPPOSED TO S-300 MISSILES''

[07] DECISION OF EUROPEAN COURT - TRNC PRESIDENT: ''THE DECISION IS BIASED AND POLITICAL''

[08] ALARKO'S SUCCESS IN UZBEKISTAN - A CONSORTIUM INCLUDING ALARKO HOLDING TO UNDERTAKE REHABILITATION OF BUHARA, SEMERKANT AND URGENC AIRPORTS

[09] OIL AND NATURAL GAS PIPELINES - BASKUT, DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN MINISTRY: - ''TURKISH-AMERICAN JOINT VENTURE HAS REACHED ITS AIM''

[10] TRNC PRESIDENT EROGLU: ''DEPLOYMENT OF S-300 MISSILES IS A WRONG DECISION''

[11] 16 TURKISH ORIGIN PEOPLE CAPTURED IN BULGARIAN-TURKISH BORDER

[12] TURKEY MEETINGS FROM WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM - TURKEY TO BE TAKEN UP DURING MEETINGS THAT WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN NOV 8 AND 9

[13] VERBAL ATTACK TO TURKISH MINORITY IN WESTERN THRACE - FOREIGN MINISTRY: - ''WE EXPECT GREEK AUTHORITIES TO TAKE NECESSARY MEASURES AND TO BRING GUILTIES INTO JUSTICE''

[01] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM MEETS WITH SHAAT, PALESTINIAN PLANNING AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION MINISTER

Addressing the journalists before the meeting, Cem said that they would discuss the relations between Turkey and Palestine, the deadlock in the Middle East peace process, and the status of Jerusalem at the meeting.

Reminding that he had paid an official visit to the region last month, Cem pointed out that there are close ties between the two communities who share same values.

Mentioning the proposal of the US that was accepted by the Palestine Salvation Organization, Cem stressed that Israel hasn't appropriated the proposal. He added, ''Turkey has always shown the required sensitivity on this subject and will continue to do so. I told the Israeli official that Turkey gives great importantance to the peace proposal during my contacts in Israel. We also stressed that our relations with Israil will escalate after the proposal is realized.''

Nabil Shaar expressed Palestine's satisfaction with Turkey's support, adding that Turkey is very significant for them with her strategical importance.

[02] ARAFAT DEMANDS SUPPORT FROM PRESIDENT DEMIREL ON ISSUES OF PEACE PROCESS AND STATUS OF JERUSALEM

Foreign Ministry high ranking official told A.A correspondent that Arafat also called on economic relations to be improved.

The issues which were brought to the agenda during Arafat's contacts are: Expectations of Palestine from Turkey, Prevention of efforts to make Jerusalem Jewish, re-operation of the Middle East Peace Process and improving bilateral relations.

The official said Arafat briefed Demirel about the studies of ''Jerusalem Committee'' which was established with the participation of 16 countries who are members of Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) which was held in Kazablanka city of Morocco.

The official said Turkey opposed to the changing of the status of Jerusalem adding that this was regarded together with the Middle East Peace Process.

The official said Arafat, during the talks, conveyed the diffuculties Palestinia experienced due to the embargo of Israel imposed on Palestinia and that exportation stopped and unemployment increased.

The official said in response to Arafat's demands, Demirel said Turkey supported resuming of talks related with the Middle East Peace Process and that Turkey will launch initiatives to Europe, the US and Israel to this end.

Meanwhile, Turkey's promise given to Palestina related with the credit which will be extended for teh repairment of Jerusalm was also taken up.

[03] ARAFAT RECEIVES PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ AND ECEVIT, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER - ARAFAT DEPARTS TURKEY

No statements were given about the agendas of both meetings.

Arafat left Turkey for Palestine on Saturday morning after he concluded his contacts in Turkey.

President Demirel and other senior officials saw off Arafat and accompanying delegation at the Esenboga Airport.

Arafat requested support of President Demirel and the other senior officials to revive the Middle East peace process that has been in deadlock for a long time. He also called businessmen to improve their commercial relations with Palestine.

[04] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES SAHBAZ, CHAIRMAN OF TURKISH-HUNGARIAN BUSINESSMEN ASSOCIATION - DEMIREL: ''TURKEY TRIES TO FORM A FREE TRADE AREA''

Addressing the meeting, Demirel described Hungaria as a sister state to Turkey. He stressed that Hungaria is the transition gate of Turkey to Europe, noting that there are close historical ties between the two countries.

Reminding that Turkey has signed free trade agreements with Hungaria, Romania, Bulgaria, and she will sign with Ukraine and Poland in coming months , Demirel pointed out, ''a block of free trade agreements has been coming into existence within this framework. This will be so useful for the all Turkish businessmen working abroad.''

Noting that Hungaria is a stable country and will become a member state in the European Union and the NATO, Demirel said, ''relations between Turkey and Hungaria will be further improved in coming years. Turkey aims to increase trade volume with Hungaria up to one billion US Dollars.''

President Demirel also added that Ender Arat has been appointed as the ambassador to Hungary.

Osman Sahbaz said that they work to increase trade volume between the two countries that is 272 million US Dollars in thus year, up to one billion US Dollars. He also reminded that 70-100 Turkish businessmen work in Hungary and Turkish businessmen to set up new economic and commercial relations with Hungary.

[05] CONDEMNATION FROM FOREIGN MINISTRY

Necati Utkan, Foreign Ministry Spokesman, said ''Eleftherotipia'' newspaper published in Greece, mentioned about a newsreport dated on 28 July 1998 related with the interview made with one of the murderers of Balkar.

Utkan said the report carrying the signature of Vangelis Panagopoulos, said Antranik Bogosyan, who had killed Turkish Ambassador in 1983 in Belgrade said he did not repent. Utkan noted that the news report praised the murderer and mentioned about this killing with appreciations.

Utkan said ''It is obvious that press is the respectable and indispensabe element of contemporary society. Yet, freedom of press can not be used to praise the crime of a person and to make the propoganda of the murderers.'

The Greek newspaper said Antranik Bogosyan, the terrorist, was one of the Lebanese Armenians and that remained paralysed when a bullet hit his waist while he was trying to flee after shooting Balkar.

Responding to a question of Vangelis Panagopoulos that if he repented after killing Turkish Ambassador, Bogosyan said ''we Armenian generations living abroad decided to force Turkey to accept genocide on Armenians to make them give us our territories. I am proud that I participated in this struggle. I never repented.''

[06] THE US PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON'S CYPRUS REPORT - CLINTON REITERATES, ''WE ARE OPPOSED TO S-300 MISSILES''

Clinton reminded that he had sent messages regarded with the issue to William Cohen, the US Defence Secretary, and Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, and added that initiatives of Richard Holbrooke, the US Special Representative for Cyprus, on the island have failed because of the conditions put forward by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), but he will maintain his efforts in order to find a peaceful solution to the Cyprus problem.

Reminding that William Cohen visited Turkey in April and conveyed his message to Yilmaz, Clinton said, ''I underlined a feredal solution with two societies and two sides on Cyprus in my message to Yilmaz. Cohen reiterated the same message during his contacts with his Turkish counterpart Ismet Sezgin, General Cevik Bir, the Deputy Chief of General Staff, and requested help from the Turkish Government to overcome the deadlock on the island.''

Clinton pointed out, ''Cohen also held talks in Athens and expressed the US' worries with the deployment of the S-300 missiles on the island. Meanwhile Kenneth Brill, the US Representative for Cyprus, came together with Glafcos Clerides, the Leader of the Greek Cypriot side Administration, and Yannis Casulides, the Foreign Minister, in April 28, and repeated that the missiles will escalate tension on the island.''

Stressing that Strobe Talbott, the US Assistant Secretary of State, and Thomas Pickering, the US Under Secretary for Political Affairs, met with Casulides in May, Clinton noted that Talbott and Pickering told Casulides that the missiles risk the future of the peace efforts on the island.

[07] DECISION OF EUROPEAN COURT - TRNC PRESIDENT: ''THE DECISION IS BIASED AND POLITICAL''

Denktas said it was not possible to abide by the agreement adding that TRNC would not talk anything related with bi-community before the lifting of the decision.

Denktas said decision of the court ignored the facts in Cyprus and did not mention about the 35-year situation and law in the region.

Noting that Greek Cypriot leadership may be couraged by the decision, Denktas said yet the result was nothing and that it will mean closing all doors between TRNC and Greek Cypriot side.

[08] ALARKO'S SUCCESS IN UZBEKISTAN - A CONSORTIUM INCLUDING ALARKO HOLDING TO UNDERTAKE REHABILITATION OF BUHARA, SEMERKANT AND URGENC AIRPORTS

Airways for the rehabilitation of Buhara, Semerkant and Urgenc Airports in Uzbekistan, it was reported on Saturday.

The agreement of the tender worth of 48.5 million US Dollars, was signed between the Uzbek Airways and the consortium formed by Laing of Britain, Marubeni of Japan and Alarko Holding.

Alarko Holding will conclude the contruction of control towers and buildings of ground-service at three airport within 18 months. The rehabilitation of the Buhara, Semerkant and Urgenc Airport will be realized with the loan of The Overseas Economic Coorperation Fund (OECF) based in Japan.

[09] OIL AND NATURAL GAS PIPELINES - BASKUT, DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN MINISTRY: - ''TURKISH-AMERICAN JOINT VENTURE HAS REACHED ITS AIM''

Responding to the questions of the A.A correspondent after his contacts in Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, expressed the first aim of the Turkish- American joint initiative as ''make statements that will remove the opposite claims regarded with the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline'', and added that they have realized the first aim.

Baskut stressed that their second aim is to encourage Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan to find a peaceful solution to the dispute between them on the natural gas pipeline. Noting that they have taken the first positive step on the issue, Baskut said, ''the two sides insist on their attitudes. We as the Turkish-American joint delegation don't interfere the problem. We believe them to solve the dispute on their own.''

Baskut reminded that the five countries should reach agreement in order to determine the status of the Caspian.

Noting that he held talks with Abid Sherifov, the Azeri Deputy Prime Minister, and Tevfik Zulfikarov, the Azeri Foreign Minister,

Baskut said that the works on financial and technical fields of the project will maintain next two months.

Yaman Baskut also reminded that Turkey plans to persuade the companies that take place in the international consortium on the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline.

[10] TRNC PRESIDENT EROGLU: ''DEPLOYMENT OF S-300 MISSILES IS A WRONG DECISION''

Responding to a question related with S-300 missiles Eroglu said ''decision to deploy S-300 missiles is a wrong one. The issue of missiles has also become an arguement within Greek Cypriot side people.''

When asked there were maneuvers taking place related with the S-300 missiles, Eroglu said ''there may be maneuvers but what is important is the coming of the missiles. I have got the information that pieces related with the radar system arrived in Cyprus. Yet, missiles have not come.''

Eroglu said Turkey's determination to this end is clear. There are statements from Turkish Prime and Foreign Minister and General Staff saying that every kind of measures are taken.

[11] 16 TURKISH ORIGIN PEOPLE CAPTURED IN BULGARIAN-TURKISH BORDER

Bulgarian Interior Ministry press center statement said the incident happened near Lubimets village.

The statement said as a result of the operation staged by the border police, a gang organizing the immigration was captured.

The statement said identities of the two Turkish citizens, who were captured, were kept secret as the investigation is still underway.

[12] TURKEY MEETINGS FROM WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM - TURKEY TO BE TAKEN UP DURING MEETINGS THAT WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN NOV 8 AND 9

World Economic Forum statement said Turkey which represents a very great business platform in Euroasia region, presents international cooperation facilities which will provide development of new markets.

The statement said Turkey also presented facilities to enter to Central Asian markets adding that Turkey established Economic Cooperation Organization with Iran and Pakistan and that it signed customs union agreement with the European Union (EU).

''Future of planned economic reforms, developments foreseen in political situation of Turkey in 1999, political stability and how business world would be affected from this'' are among the issues that will be taken up during the meetings.

[13] VERBAL ATTACK TO TURKISH MINORITY IN WESTERN THRACE - FOREIGN MINISTRY: - ''WE EXPECT GREEK AUTHORITIES TO TAKE NECESSARY MEASURES AND TO BRING GUILTIES INTO JUSTICE''

The statement of the Foreign Ministry pointed out, ''about 50 or 60 Greek youths were reported to go to Koyunkoy in Xhanti, insulted the settlers, and shouted slogans such as ''we will kill you'', ''get away from Greece'' on July 29.''

''As the calm manners of our people prevented any clashes between the Turkish minority and the Greek youths, the civil security officials didn't intervene the attackers unfortunately.''

''It is thought-provoking that this attack came just after the threatening words of Thedoros Pangolos, the Greek Foreign Minister, targeting the Turkish Consulate General in Komotini during his visit to Western Thrace'' it added.

''We expect Greek authorities to take necessary measures and bring the guilties of the verbal attack towards Turkish minority living in the Western Thrace into justice, in order to prevent such incidents that created deep sorrow and worry, to be repeated again.''

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