Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-08-07

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

07 AUG 1998

CONTENTS

[01] SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION'S ABDUCTION ACTIVITIES IN SWEDEN - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''INCIDENT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO REVEAL PKK'S TERRORIST ACTIVITIES'' - UN MENTIONS CHILD MILITANTS OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION IN ITS REPORT

[02] WATER FROM EUPHRATES TO SYRIA - 31 BILLION CUBIC METERS WATER RELEASED TO SYRIA BETWEEN JUNE 1997 AND MAY 1998

[03] FIRST INTERNATIONAL SONG AND SHOW FESTIVAL TO BE ORGANIZED AT ANTALYA ON 19 SEPTEMPER

[04] TURKISH TRANSPORTERS REACT TO DOCUMENT PROVISION

[05] SIXTEEN TURKISH PLAYERS IN PURSUIT OF GOAL IN GERMANY'S FIRST AND SECOND SOCCER LEAGUES

[06] BULGARIAN POLICE CAPTURE ZIYA KORKUT, ACCOMPLICE OF VEYSAL OZERDEM WHO STRUCK PM YILMAZ WITH FIST

[07] CORLU AIRPORT TO BE OPENED TO CIVIL AVIATION SERVICES - PRESIDENT DEMIREL AND PREMIER YILMAZ TO PARTICIPATE IN OPENING CEREMONY

[08] TURKEY TAKES ACTION TO STOP SALES OF STINGER MISSILES TO GREECE - RELATIONS BETWEEN GREECE AND SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION TO BE PRESENTED ONCE MORE FOR CONSIDERATION

[09] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[10] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[11] TORRENTIAL RAINS CAUSE FLOOD IN SAMSUN - MANY HOUSES AND BUSINESS PLACES INUNDATED

[12] SLIGHT EARTHQUAKE SHAKES HAKKARI

[13] MINISTRY OF NATIONAL EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH COMPUTER LABORATORIES AT 2, 451 SCHOOLS

[14] GIANT TENDER WORTH OF 70 TRILLION TURKISH LIRAS - MANY FOREIGN COMPANIES PRESENT PROPOSALS FOR THE TENDER OPENED BY GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF VILLAGE AFFAIRS FOR THE PURCHASE OF WORK MACHINES

[15] LIEUTENANT GENERAL BUYUKANIT, COMMANDER OF 7TH CORPS: - ''TERROR EVENTS DECREASE IN THE REGION''

[16] CHINESE DELEGATION VISITS ITO

[17] TURKISH-US ENERGY GROUP MEETINGS - YIGITGUDEN, UNDERSECRETARY OF MINISTRY OF ENERGY: ''US REITERATES HER SUPPORT FOR THE BAKU-CEYHAN PROJECT''

[01] SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION'S ABDUCTION ACTIVITIES IN SWEDEN - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''INCIDENT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO REVEAL PKK'S TERRORIST ACTIVITIES'' - UN MENTIONS CHILD MILITANTS OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION IN ITS REPORT

The Foreign Ministry's statement pointed out that the Dagens Nyheter, one of the leading newspapers in Sweden, wrote in its issue dated 10 July 1998, that several children of Kurdish origin aged between 14 and 17 have gone to the summer camp in Varmland for a holiday, but haven't returned. The families of the missing children have appealed to the police.

As the result of the initiatives of the Turkish Embassy in Sweden, it has been revealed that the PKK made propaganda at a summer camp in Varmland and sent several children to The Netherlands for training. Following the news issued in the newspapers, a group of the children in question have returned to Sweden.

The Swedish officials told the reporters that they have recorded the testimonies of the children and have started to investigate the incident.

The Swedish press also wrote that the children have given contradictory information about the place to which they have been sent.

Meanwhile Yado Roz, the responsible person at the Swedish Bureau of the ERNK, has gone to Brussels with the pressure of the Swedish police, following the incident becoming known to the public.

The Swedish Social Democrat Party's Youth Branches rejected the allegations, claiming that they provided financial aid to the mentioned summer camp, and described the PKK as a terrorist organization claiming the lives of innocent people.

However, it isn't the PKK's first child abduction activity in Sweden. The terrorist organization is reported to have established a similar camp in 1991 and sent 5 children from this camp to the ''war'' and 16 children of Kurdish origin, who got lost in Bollnas in 1995, are still missing in Sweden.

The United Nations also mentioned the child militants of the terrorist organization in its report. The report points out that the PKK has about ''3 thousand child soldiers''.

[02] WATER FROM EUPHRATES TO SYRIA - 31 BILLION CUBIC METERS WATER RELEASED TO SYRIA BETWEEN JUNE 1997 AND MAY 1998

The State Water Works told the A.A correspondent that the annual average water flow from the Turkish-Syrian border is 982 cubic meters per second in the 12 month period between June 1997 and May 1998. This figure proves that approximately 31 billion cubic meters of water flowed to Syria in one year.

This year a total of 1,100 cubic meters of water was released from Euphrates in one second in January, 1,465 in February, 1,340 in March, 801 in April, 906 in May, 541 in June and 773 cubic meters of water in July.

[03] FIRST INTERNATIONAL SONG AND SHOW FESTIVAL TO BE ORGANIZED AT ANTALYA ON 19 SEPTEMPER

Officials told the A.A correspondent that singers from nine countries will participate at the festival. The singers and music bands are as follows:

Alexis from Germany, Gino Doro from Italy, Linda Fields from the US, Pippo Azzuro from Italy, Santa Esmeralda from Spain, Fr. David from Britain, Ottowan from France, Sasja Velt from The Netherlands, Bea from Germany and Love-Pain from Germany.

[04] TURKISH TRANSPORTERS REACT TO DOCUMENT PROVISION

The Turkish Transporters' Union in Europe, based in Munich, identified the change made by the Undersecretariat of Customs as ''outdated.''

A statement of Halis Ates, the Executive Board Chairman of the Union, said ''it had been realized that the related Article of the Customs regulations was outdated and it had been changed. Now, they want to bring back this implementation.''

The statement said that Germany did everything to expel the retired Turkish citizens, adding ''the obligation of permanent return for bringing goods without tax'' was Germany's demand.

Ates said they expended efforts to annul the decision and called on administrators to annul the decision to prevent the activities that may subsequently occur.

[05] SIXTEEN TURKISH PLAYERS IN PURSUIT OF GOAL IN GERMANY'S FIRST AND SECOND SOCCER LEAGUES

Seven Turkish athletes including Hami Mandirali who has been transfered from the Trabzonspor Club to Schalke 04, plays in the first league.

The German press praises the performance of Mandirali who cost the Schalke 04 Club 7 million German marks.

Meanwhile, nine Turkish players dribble in the second soccer league.

The names, clubs and positions of the Turkish players in Germany are as follows:

First League:

Club Name of the Player Position

FC Schalke 04 Hami Mandirali forward

Hamburg SV Soner Uysal forward

VFL Bochum Yildiray Basturk midfield

VFL Bochum Nesat Gulunoglu forward

E. Frankfurt Burhanettin Kaymak defence

SC Freiburg Ali Gunes midfield

Second League:

Club Name of the Player Position

FC ST. Pauli Cem Karaca midfield

FC Gutersloh Kemal Halat defence

Wattenscheid Cetin Aydin midfield

Hannover 96 Volkan Arslan midfield

Hannover 96 Hakan Bicici midfield

Tennis Borussia Muslum Can midfield

Tennis Borussia Celalettin Kocak midfield

Tennis Borussia Faruk Namdar midfield

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[06] BULGARIAN POLICE CAPTURE ZIYA KORKUT, ACCOMPLICE OF VEYSAL OZERDEM WHO STRUCK PM YILMAZ WITH FIST

Korkut was also being sought by the Interpol.

The Press Center of the Ministry of the Interior pointed out that Ziya Korkut was captured at the Kalotina border gate between Bulgaria and Serbia on 5 August.

Korkut has been taken into custody and sent to the Central Prison in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria.

[07] CORLU AIRPORT TO BE OPENED TO CIVIL AVIATION SERVICES - PRESIDENT DEMIREL AND PREMIER YILMAZ TO PARTICIPATE IN OPENING CEREMONY

The State Airports Administration (DHMI) General Directorate in a written statement said that the Corlu Military Airport will be in the service of the civilian aviation sector by considering the developing economic situation of the Thracian Region and its tourism potential and with the additional installations.

The statement said the building of the Corlu Airport has a field with an area of 6,650 square meters and has a capacity of 1,500 million passengers.

Meanwhile, it was also reported that the Denizli Cardak Aiport was closed to the air traffic due to the repair of the runway.

The Turkish Airlines Directorate said in a written statement that the Denizli trips will be made from the Adnan Menderes Airport in Izmir until the Denizli Airport is opened to service.

[08] TURKEY TAKES ACTION TO STOP SALES OF STINGER MISSILES TO GREECE - RELATIONS BETWEEN GREECE AND SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION TO BE PRESENTED ONCE MORE FOR CONSIDERATION

The Turkish Embassy in the US has began its initiatives by bringing the relations between Greece and the seperatist terrorist organization onto the agenda of the US Congress.

A senior official from the Foreign Ministry confirmed the news in the press about the sales of the missiles to Greece, and pointed out that Turkey is opposed not to the sales of missiles to Greece, but to the terrorist PKK organization getting the missiles.

Within the framework of the initiatives made by the Turkish Embassy in the US, the documents proving the relations between Greece and the PKK will be presented for the consideration of the senior US officials.

The US Congress's approval is necessary for the sales of the mentioned missiles to Greece, therefore the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) has approved the sales of the 1,322 Stinger missiles, 188 launchers and the other equipment.

The Stinger missiles are known as extremely effective against low level flying planes and helicopters along with the Cruise missiles.

The Pentagon had defended before, ''the sales of the missiles don't damage the power-balance in the region, but will increase the military capacity of Greece that is a member state of the NATO, and so reinforce the foreign policy and national security of the US.''

[09] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

SUPREME MILITARY COUNCIL MEETING CONCLUDES
A four-day-long Supreme Military Council (YAS) meeting concluded on Thursday, after announcing the new line-up for the influential Turkish military which will take effect following the retirement of General Ismail Hakki Karadayi, the Chief of General Staff, in late August. Karadayi's post is being filled by General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, the Commander of the Land Forces, while he will be succeeded by General Atilla Ates, the Commander of the First Army. The council members decided that General Cevik Bir, the Deputy Chief of General Staff, be appointed as the Commander of the First Army and his vacant post will be filled by General Hilmi Ozkok, the current commander of the NATO Allied Land Forces in Southeastern Europe based in Izmir. The decisions made in the August phase of the routine biannual YAS meeting will take effect on 30 August, the 76th anniversary of the Victory Day. /All papers/

CABINET NAMES GOVERNORS
Five new governors were appointed in the Cabinet meetings yesterday. According to the decisions of the cabinet, Erol Cakir, the former Governor of Izmir, was appointed Governor of Istanbul. Kemal Nehrozoglu, the former Governor of Amasya was appointed to Izmir. Cavit Kavak, the Minister of State, said after the announcement that the appointments had already been approved by President Suleyman Demirel. /All papers/

PKK KIDNAPS MAYOR IN SOUTHEAST
Armed terrorists of the PKK terrorist organization have kidnapped the mayor of Bahcesaray district in the Southeastern province of Van, along with three other persons. Mayor Naci Orhan's car was stopped last night by roadblocks set up by the PKK along an isolated road outside the district. He and three others were abducted by the terrorists, who also stole valuables from the passengers of the other cars they stopped. An extensive search operation was launched later by the security forces to find the abductors and the four missing persons. Troops tracking down the terrorists killed two PKK terrorists during an exchange of gunfire. /Cumhuriyet/

IMF: ''TURKEY SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTING STAFF MONITORING AGREEMENT''
Willy Kiekens, the Executive Director Responsible for European Affairs of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has indicated that Turkey has successfully implemented the Staff Monitoring Agreement without any deviations from the original plan. In a press release, Kiekens said that Turkey and the IMF signed the agreement for a period of 18 months. ''Turkey has been implementing the programme in full compliance with the agreement, '' emphasized Kiekens, adding, ''Turkey had maintained a stable growth rate. Due to the credible policies adopted, the adverse affects of the crisis experienced in the Asian countries didn't reach Turkey. Among the developing countries, Turkey is a country that does not need financial aid from the IMF''. /Milliyet-Hurriyet/

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES UP
The Central Bank foreign exchange reserves increased by 163 million US dollars between 24-31 July and reached 25.7 billion US dollars. Foreign exchange reserves, which totalled 25,548 billion US dollars on 24 July, rose to 25,711 billion US dollars on 31 July. According to data dated 17 July 1998, Turkey's international reserves amounted to 36.1 billion US dollars. Turkey repaid 75.8 million US dollars in foreign debts between 3-5 August. Foreign debts paid off since the beginning of this year totalled 6, 920 billion US dollars as of 5 August. /Milliyet/

SCHRODER OFFERS A NEW TURKISH POLICY
The nominee for prime minister from the Social Democrat Party (SDP) for the general elections to be held in Germany on 27 September put forward a new ''Turkish policy''. Gerhard Schroder says that he is committed to improving Turkish-German and Turkish-EU relations. He supports ''dual citizenship'' rights for Turkish workers living in Germany and has criticized German xenophobia. Visiting Washington, D.C., within the framework of an international tour prior to the general elections, Schroder was received by US President Bill Clinton two days ago. During the meeting at the White House, Clinton suggested that Turkey shouldn't be excluded from the EU expansion and it is reported that Schroder noted that he would do his best regarding this issue. Schroder later delivered a speech at the Georgetown University and pointed out the importance of the NATO and EU expansion for European stability, and noted that Turkey was an important European partner. /Milliyet/

[10] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

ARMS BUILD-UP BY GREEK CYPRIOTS
The Greek Cypriot Assembly approved yesterday a draft law which increases the defense tax rate from 3 percent to 4 percent. The increase in the tax rate will make a contribution worth 80 million US dollars to the defense budget. It is reported that it is a message to Turkey that the Greek Cypriot Administration is determined to defend the island. Meanwhile, Sir David Hannay, the EU Special Envoy to Cyprus, yesterday warned the Greek Cypriot Administration and said that they should reconsider the purchase of the Russian-made S-300 missiles. Hannay made a statement on the London Greek Cypriot radio yesterday and said that Britain was against the deployment of the S-300 missiles on the island. Hannay noted that he didn't believe that the missiles would provide security on the island and that the real way to ensure security on Cyprus was to sit at the negotiation table. Hannay stressed that an arms build-up on the island could cause a Greek- Turkish conflict. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKISH FIRM WINS KAZAKH GMS LICENCE
The Rumeli Telekom said yesterday that it had brought the license to operate Kazakhstan's first GMS (Global System for Mobile Communications). ''With a bid of 67.5 million US dollars, Rumeli Telekom has taken over the operation of Kazakhstan's GMS network for 15 years'', said the Rumeli Telekom representatives. /Sabah/

AFSIN-ELBISTAN-B POWER STATION CONTRACT SIGNED
A contract for the construction of one of Turkey's largest energy projects, the Afsin-Elbistan-B thermal power plant was signed yesterday. When it is completed it will make a 7.5 percent contribution to national power needs. The power plant will be constructed by a consortium composed of the Japan Mitsubishi and Turkish GAMA and ENKA firms and will cost 1.6 billion US dollars. The power plant is expected to be completed in four years. Prime Minister Yilmaz who signed the construction contract, stated that the 55th government was taking the necessary measures to meet infrastructural needs. Construction of the power plant will start in three months. /Sabah/

FOREST FIRES
In a fire which broke out near Salur village in Manavgat, Antalya, 135 hectares of forest has been burned down. Officials from the Regional Directorate for Forests said that the fire, the cause of which remains unknown, was completely put out by late evening. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKEY CAUTIONS US AGAINST MISSILES SALE TO GREECE
Turkey opposes the Pentagon's decision to sell more than one thousand Stinger missiles to Greece on the grounds that Athens has forged links with the PKK terrorist organization and that therefore these missiles could be handed over to the PKK. On the order of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Turkey's Washington Embassy will start contacts with US officials to halt the sale. During contacts in the Congress, the Department of State and the Department of Defense, Turkish officials will draw attention to the relations between Athens and the PKK and formally request the US not to hand over the missiles. A high level Turkish diplomat said yesterday that there were hundreds of PKK militants in a PKK camp near Athens, which has been reported by many press members. He added that no one could assure Turkey that the missiles wouldn't be used somehow in their training sessions. /Hurriyet/

TURKISH-AUSTRALIAN COOPERATION IN AWACS PURCHASE
Turkey and Australia will act jointly in the purchase of AWAC early warning planes. Joint bargaining will reduce the cost of the planes, experts note. Turkey has opened a bid for buying four AWACS planes, the cost of which is estimated at nearly 800 million US dollars. Boeing, Northrop-Grumman, Lockheed and Raytheon are participating in the bidding. /Hurriyet/

TURKISH EXPORTS UP
The Turkish Exporters' Board announced yesterday that exports in July increased by 3 percent when compared to the same month in 1997. Exports totalled 2 billion 350.6 million US dollars in July 1998, while it amounted to 2 billion 281 million US dollars in July 1997. Increase in the period from January to July runs at 6.2 percent when compared to the corresponding period last year. Over the past seven months exports totalled 15 billion 984.1 million US dollars. Leading export industries include textiles, automotives and electric-electronics. /Hurriyet/

VALUE ADDED TAX REDUCED FOR TOURISM SECTOR
The Council of Ministers has agreed that the value added tax will be fixed at 15 percent for the tourism sector. Previously, various rates of up to 23 percent have been applied in the tourism sector. /Hurriyet/

[11] TORRENTIAL RAINS CAUSE FLOOD IN SAMSUN - MANY HOUSES AND BUSINESS PLACES INUNDATED

The heavy-rain affected the Adalet, Cay, Yeni and Irmak Districts inundating many houses and business places.

The torrential rains also paralyzed the daily life and traffic in the city. Five traffic accident occurred in Samsun causing financial damage.

The Samsun Municipality units continue their pumping activities.

Meanwhile, the officials from the Meteorology Regional Directorate said that the heavy-rains will continue until the weekend.

[12] SLIGHT EARTHQUAKE SHAKES HAKKARI

The Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory Earthquake Research Institute officials said that the epicenter of the earthquake that occurred at 04:30 a.m., was Hakkari.

No casualties or financial damages were reported at the earthquake.

[13] MINISTRY OF NATIONAL EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH COMPUTER LABORATORIES AT 2, 451 SCHOOLS

''Information Technology Classes'' will be formed within the framework of the Catching 2000 in Education Project in order to improve education.

The equipping of the primary schools with computers will be realized with the loans provided by the World Bank.

[14] GIANT TENDER WORTH OF 70 TRILLION TURKISH LIRAS - MANY FOREIGN COMPANIES PRESENT PROPOSALS FOR THE TENDER OPENED BY GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF VILLAGE AFFAIRS FOR THE PURCHASE OF WORK MACHINES

Japanese, US, German and French companies give proposals for the work machines' tender which will be provided with foreign credit that will reach 70 trillion Turkish Liras.

Here are the companies which gave proposals:

Mitsubishi(Japan), Enka-Hitachi (Turkish-Japanese), Borusan (Turkey), Marubeni(Japan), Mercedes, Ford, BMC, Chrysler, Hyefely (France) and Alsthom (France).

[15] LIEUTENANT GENERAL BUYUKANIT, COMMANDER OF 7TH CORPS: - ''TERROR EVENTS DECREASE IN THE REGION''

Addressing the meeting with the members of the Diyarbakir Association for the Protection of the Families of Martyrs, Lieutenant General Büyükanit noted that they will establish a ''Martyr's Monument'' at the Headquarters of the 7th Corps.

Lieutenant General Buyukanit also stressed that he believes the terrorism will end following the solution of the health, education, economy and infrastructure problems in the region.

[16] CHINESE DELEGATION VISITS ITO

Addressing the meeting, Cengiz Ersun, the Secretary General of the ITO, said that they will sign the cooperation protocol with the Shanghai Trade Chamber.

Ersun pointed out that because of the lack of information and the difficultues of transportation and telecommunications, the existing potential between Turkey and China couldn't be utilized sufficiently. Zhang Guan Sheng stressed that they aim to set up good commercial relations with Turkey, adding, ''we want to open a store in order to purchase Turkish goods and make investments in Turkey.''

The members of the Chinese delegation will hold bilateral talks with the representatives of several firms.

[17] TURKISH-US ENERGY GROUP MEETINGS - YIGITGUDEN, UNDERSECRETARY OF MINISTRY OF ENERGY: ''US REITERATES HER SUPPORT FOR THE BAKU-CEYHAN PROJECT''

Speaking to the A.A correspondent Yigitguden evaluated the fourth meeting of the Turkish-American Energy Working Group which was held in the US last week.

Noting that the pipelines were evaluated which will transport oil and natural gas from the Caspian basin to the western markets, Yigitguden said that the energy tenders opened by the ministry and the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant project for which the US capital Westinghouse company also gave a proposal, weren't discussed during the meeting.

Yigitguden pointed out that US once again reiterated her support for the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline project during the meetings, adding ''we have seen that there is a great consensus of opinion between the sides. There was a great support extended to us.''

Noting that the visit to the US of the Energy Ministry delegation was very constructive, Yigitguden said ''we have finalized our cooperation in many fields. We departed from the US after reaching agreements on many issues. We have no difference of opinion with the US on making cooperation on oil and natural gas pipelines and on geopolitical fields.''

Meanwhile, it was reported that the US administration favored the transport of Azerbaijani oils and Turkmen natural gas to the Mediterranean through the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline.

Washington, D.C., regards Turkey as a ''key country'' in its strategies related to the Caspian basin which have rich sources that may be an alternative to the Middle East and extends support to Turkey to this end.

US strongly opposes the passage of pipelines from Iran and proposes a pipeline that will pass over the Caspian Sea to make the Turkmen Natural gas reach Ceyhan. The US earlier persuaded Saparmurad Turkmenbasi, the Turkmen Head of State, to prepare a feasibility report to this end.

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