Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-08-20

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

20 AUG 1998

CONTENTS

[01] ARMED ATTACK ON ATV 2000 BUILDING - NINE BULLETS HIT THE BUILDING

[02] MILLER'S BARGAINING ON CYPRUS FAILS - MILLER PROPOSES TO STOP NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE EU AND GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE IN RETURN FOR THE TRNC TO BEGIN INTERCOMMUNAL NEGOTIATIONS - ANKARA DOESN'T ACCEPT ISSUE OF S-300 MISSILES AS AN ELEMENT OF BARGAINING

[03] EXPORT TO THE TURKISH REPUBLICS IN CENTRAL ASIA - GAP REGION EXPORTS AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS WORTH 40.2 MILLION US DOLLARS IN SEVEN MONTHS - EXPORT INCREASES 36 PERCENT

[04] COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN TURKEY AND ETHIOPIA - TOBB AND ETHIOPIAN CHAMBER OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE SIGN ''ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT''

[05] SEDAT PEKER RETURNS TO TURKEY - PEKER BROUGHT TO PUBLIC SECURITY DEPARTMENT FOLLOWING MEDICAL EXAMINATION

[06] ANANI CANCELS HIS VISIT TO TURKEY BECAUSE OF CHANGE IN GOVERNMENT IN JORDAN

[07] VOLLEYBALL - NATIONAL WOMENS' VOLLEYBALL TEAM LEAVES FOR BELGIUM IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE AT EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP

[08] MOUNTAIN CLIMBING - ''FRIENDSHIP AND PEACE CLIMB'' AT KACKAR - CLIMB TO BEGIN ON 28 AUGUST WITH PARTICIPATION OF MANY DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN CLIMBERS

[09] TURKISH SECTION OF ENERGY LINE CONCLUDED THAT WILL CONNECT TURKEY, SYRIA, IRAQ, JORDAN AND EGYPT

[10] TURKEY IN BRIEF - 20 AUGUST 1998

[11] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[12] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[13] PRIVATIZATION OF DENIZ NAKLIYATI T.A.S.

[14] TURKISH-MACEDONIAN JOINT VENTURE

[01] ARMED ATTACK ON ATV 2000 BUILDING - NINE BULLETS HIT THE BUILDING

Officials told the A.A correspondent that gunmen opened fire from a white automobile heading on the TEM motorway. Nine bullets hit the windows of the building.

No casualties have been reported in the incident.

Hasan Ozdemir, the Chief of the Security Department in Istanbul, who made observations at the building, told the reporters, ''the attackers will be captured as soon as possible.''

[02] MILLER'S BARGAINING ON CYPRUS FAILS - MILLER PROPOSES TO STOP NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE EU AND GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE IN RETURN FOR THE TRNC TO BEGIN INTERCOMMUNAL NEGOTIATIONS - ANKARA DOESN'T ACCEPT ISSUE OF S-300 MISSILES AS AN ELEMENT OF BARGAINING

Miller put forward a proposal packet containing two articles at his meeting with Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister.

The Foreign Ministry stated that the mentioned articles are as follows:

-''The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) begins the intercommunal negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side. In return for this, the negotiations between the European Union and the Greek Cypriot side will be stopped.''

-''Turkey accepts the moratorium on the flights over Cyprus. In return for this, the Greek Cypriot side postpones the delivery of the Russian made S- 300 missiles to the island.''

Diplomatic sources described these proposals as ''unacceptable'' and stressed that there are many uncertain points in the proposals.

Turkey reiterated her theses on the issue of the Cyprus question to Miller, and emphasized that she won't step back. The Foreign Ministry conveyed to Miller that the intercommunal negotiations cannot begin and Turkey won't abandon the principle concerning the recognition of the TRNC as an independent state on the international platform.

Diplomatic sources pointed out that they couldn't understand how the US undertakes such an obligation on behalf of the European Union, on the first article.

Noting that Turkey's attitute is extremely clear on the postponement of the delivery of the S-300 missiles to the island by the Greek Cypriot side in return for Turkey's acceptance of the flight moratorium, diplomatic forces added, ''Turkey doesn't accept the issue of the S-300 missiles as an element of bargaining. The missiles are the problem of the Greek Cypriot side. They created the problem, now it is their business to solve it.''

Addressing the journalists after his meeting with Cem, Miller said, ''I have no new proposals either on the no-flight zone over Cyprus nor on the moratorium. I have read the proposal packet in the newspapers.''

[03] EXPORT TO THE TURKISH REPUBLICS IN CENTRAL ASIA - GAP REGION EXPORTS AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS WORTH 40.2 MILLION US DOLLARS IN SEVEN MONTHS - EXPORT INCREASES 36 PERCENT

Officials from the Souteastern Anatolia Exporters' Unions told the A.A correspondent that grains and pulses worth 7.4 million US dollars, dried fruits worth 59 thousand US dollars and textiles worth 32.6 million US dollars were exported within the January-July period.

[04] COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN TURKEY AND ETHIOPIA - TOBB AND ETHIOPIAN CHAMBER OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE SIGN ''ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT''

The agreement was signed by Sefik Tokat, the Secretary General of the TOBB, and Adene Guadina, the Chairman of Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce.

Mehmet Batalli, the Minister of State, members of the Administrative Board of the TOBB and the Ethiopian trade delegation lead by Kassahun Ayele, the Minister of Industry and Commerce of Ethiopia, were also in attendance at the signing ceremony.

Hasan Ozmen, the Acting Chairman of the TOBB's Administrative Board, addressing the ceremony, said that Ethiopia has an investment potential in the fields of livestock, meat, leather, coffee and oil seeds, food processing, textiles, iron and steel. He added that the agreement will accelerate the cooperation between the two countries.

Noting that they have also obtained information about the goods which Turkey can import from Ethiopia, Ozmen pointed out that the TOBB will convey this information to the Turkish private sector through the member chambers in the union.

Kassahun Ayele, stressed that Turkey and Ethiopia have significant mutual economic and commercial potentials.

Stating that Ethiopia needs the investments of the Turkish businessmen in many fields including production, construction and engineering, Ayele added that they will provide attractive opportunities for the foreign entrepreneurs in the fields of textiles and agriculture.

Ayele also stressed that they believe the agreement will be a beginning towards improving the relations between Turkey and Ethiopia.

[05] SEDAT PEKER RETURNS TO TURKEY - PEKER BROUGHT TO PUBLIC SECURITY DEPARTMENT FOLLOWING MEDICAL EXAMINATION

Peker was taken to the Sisli Eftal Hospital for a medical examination by the teams of Organized Crime Bureau. He was later brought to the Public Security Department after his health situation was determined to be appropriate for questioning.

Addressing the journalists, Kadir Kartal, Muhittin Yuzuak and Omer Yesilyurt, the lawyers of Peker, claimed that their client has returned Turkey because of health problems. Yesilyurt reminded that there is no arrest in absence for his client. He came to Turkey in order to put an end to the speculations about him.

[06] ANANI CANCELS HIS VISIT TO TURKEY BECAUSE OF CHANGE IN GOVERNMENT IN JORDAN

Abdul-Salam al-Majali, the former Jordanian Prime Minister has tendered his resignation yesterday after his government came under fire for its handling of a water pollution crisis. King Hussein of Jordan has appointed Fayez al- Taravnah, the Chairöan of the Royal Court of Law, as the Prime Minister.

The Foreign Ministry stated that Jordan canceled Anani's visit to Turkey, requesting understanding from Turkey.

A senior official from the Ministry told the A.A correspondent that it wasn't under consideration that Anani would convey a letter from Crown Prince Hassan to President Suleyman Demirel, but a verbal message was possible.

Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, had signed a joint declaration with Anani during his official visit to Jordan between 26-27 February, concerning the continuation of mutual visits between the two countries.

Anani was scheduled to meet with Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister, and Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister.

[07] VOLLEYBALL - NATIONAL WOMENS' VOLLEYBALL TEAM LEAVES FOR BELGIUM IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE AT EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP

The Championship will be held in Louvain La Neuve in Belgium between 22 and 30 August.

The National Team will play the group matches with the teams of

Poland, the Czech Republic, Yugoslavia, Russia and Germany.

The athletes forming the national team are as follows:

Banu (DSI), Burcu Hakyemez, Deniz (Eczacibasi), Burcu Eleman, Doga (Galatasaray), Basak, Betul (Yesilyurt), Pelin, Esra (Vakifbank), Sinem (Karsiyaka), Nilay (Gunes Sigorta) and Hulya (SSK).

The first match of the national team will be played with the Polish team on 22 August.

[08] MOUNTAIN CLIMBING - ''FRIENDSHIP AND PEACE CLIMB'' AT KACKAR - CLIMB TO BEGIN ON 28 AUGUST WITH PARTICIPATION OF MANY DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN CLIMBERS

Many domestic and foreign climbers are expected to participate in the climb.

The programme of the climbing is as follows:

28 August: Starting from Yusufeli County, Sarigol, Barhal Village and Church, Yaylalar Village and camping area at the Olgunlar District.

29 August: Starting from the Dilber Plain, underwater performance at Sea Lake, climbing to the peak and burning torch.

30 August: Starting from the Dilber Plain, underwater performance at Sea Lake, climbing to the peak and burning torch.

31 August: Starting from the Dilber Plain and flight performance.

1 September: Starting from the Yukari Kavran and ending the climb at Ayder.

[09] TURKISH SECTION OF ENERGY LINE CONCLUDED THAT WILL CONNECT TURKEY, SYRIA, IRAQ, JORDAN AND EGYPT

The energy line that is 128 km long, cost nearly 4.8 million US dollars.

Mustafa Sonmez, the Director of the TEAS 11th Network, told the A.A correspondent that Turkey has fulfilled her obligation and concluded the line from the Ataturk Dam to the border region with Syria in Birecik County, but the energy trade cannot be provided because Syria couldn't construct its line despite Turkey, Jordan and Egypt having succeeded in concluding the lines.

Sonmez stressed that the Turkey-Syria energy line is one of the most important projects of the TEAS.

[10] TURKEY IN BRIEF - 20 AUGUST 1998

Haki Demir said that the separatist terrorist organization is on the point of collapse, and expressed his regret at joining the organization.

Demir was taken into custody and sent to prison.

KAYSERI - The Bilkent Symphony Orchestra will give two concerts at the Zelve historical place near Avanos County of Nevsehir Province between 21 and 22 August, it was reported on Thursday.

The Orchestra conducted by Rodolfo Bonucci, will play the Beethoven's 9th Symphony at the Cappadocia Concerts within the scope of the ''Bilkent 5th International Anatolia Music Festival.'' The revenues will be granted to the Nevsehir Directorate of National Education in order to contribute to the eight year obligatory education.

IZMIR - The ship named ''Sirius'' of the International Environment Organization Greenpeace came to Izmir on Thursday.

The ship will stay in Izmir for three days and the members of the Greenpeace will organize promotion activities in Izmir.

Sirius will later proceed to Istanbul and stay there until the end of August.

[11] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

CAKICI TO APPEAR IN FRENCH COURT
Alaattin Cakici, the notorious Turkish crime boss who was caught and arrested by authorities in Nice, will appear in court on

24 September along with his bodyguard Muradi Guler. Cakici and Guler are currently being held at the city prison in Nice.

Referring to Cakici's extradition to Turkey, President Demirel told reporters that he had examined the issue and it seemed that there would not be any difficulty. /All papers/

''INVESTING IN A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT''
Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz was in Dalyan-Koycegiz yesterday to lay the foundation for two water treatment plants, joint projects of the Turkish and German governments. During the ceremony, Yilmaz explained that the contract for the project, towards which the German government granted 35 million DM, was signed to preserve the local environment and the Caretta Carettas, a very unique species of sea turtle. He added that the object of the water treatment project was to maintain the beauty of the coast and to ensure that the waters in the area remained clean. /Milliyet/

GENERAL KIVRIKOGLU REITERATES LOYALTY TO SECULARISM
General Kivrikoglu, the Land Forces Commander who was recently appointed as the new Chief of General Staff, on Wednesday reiterated his loyalty to the country's secularist system. Speaking at the hand-over ceremony of the First Army command in Istanbul, Kivrikoglu said that the principle of secularism, which provides our people with freedom of religion, is an indispensable part of democracy, adding that Turkey was the only democracy in a region of instability. /Sabah/

DEMIREL TOURS TOPKAPI PALACE
President Suleyman Demirel emphasized the need to learn Ottoman history much better than people currently know it. Demirel made the statement Wednesday while touring the Topkapi Palace, accompanied by Istemihan Talay, the Minister of Culture, and Erol Cakir, the Governor of Istanbul.

From the Topkapi Palace, Demirel went to the nearby State Archives Headquarters which houses some 150 million documents pertaining to the governance of the Ottoman Empire. /Sabah/

MILLER IN ANKARA
Thomas Miller, the Special Coordinator to Cyprus of the US Department of State, had comprehensive talks with top-level Turkish officials on Wednesday, aiming to ward off an eventual Turco-Greek confrontation which may erupt with the deployment of the Russian-made S-300 missiles at Greek Cyprus and to find ways of resuming the stalled dialogue between the two communities on the island.

Miller had talks with Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister and Sukru Sina Gurel, the Minister of State Responsible for Relations with the European Union and Cyprus.

Before leaving Turkey on Wednesday evening Miller said that his meetings in Ankara were ''very useful'' and had covered a ''variety of subjects on this difficult issue''. /All papers/

GLOBALSTAR MOBILE PHONE CONTRACT SIGNED IN ANKARA
The contract for the Globalstar project, which will provide new facilities for mobile phone users and will put an end to the transmission range problems, was signed on Wednesday between Turk Telekomunikasyon Cooperation and Tesamturk Cooperation in Ankara. The project is expected to begin service in the first half of 1999. The project will provide telephone, fax and communications via satellites across the globe.

Atilla Sezgin, the General Director of Turk Telekom, held a press conference before signing the contract, saying that the agreement was an important step forward for Turkey's involvement in global communications. Enrique Fernandez, the Chairman of Tesamturk's managerial board, said that Globalstar, which will cost 2.8 billion US dollars, would contribute to national and international integration. /Sabah/

[12] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

THE INDEPENDENT PRAISES TURKISH ECONOMY
An interpretation by Norman Stone printed in the Independent, a leading British newspaper, reflects a pessimistic view of the situation in Russia, while it praises improvements in Turkey.

/Hurriyet/

WORLD CHILDRENS' CHESS OLYMPICS IN TURKEY
The World Childrens' Chess Olympics organized by the Turkish Chess Federation under the sponsorship of the Milliyet daily newspaper will begin in Istanbul tomorrow. The Olympics, which will be opened by President Suleyman Demirel, will end on 31 August. A total of 176 chess players from 24 countries will participate in the Olympics. The age of chess players is under 16. /Milliyet/

ATATURK CONCERT
A concert on the ''Respect for Ataturk'', the founder of the Republic of Turkey, will be held at Anitkabir, Ataturk's Mausoleum, on 4 October 1998, with the cooperation of Turkish Philharmony Association and the Office of the General Staff. The Turkish

Philharmony Association has prepared a comprehensive programme for the first concert to be held at Anitkabir on the occasion of the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of Turkey. /Milliyet/

WALL STREET: ''US SHOULD SEE THE REALITIES ON CYPRUS''
The American Wall Street Journal newspaper has noted that the US should see the realities on Cyprus. The newspaper stated that the basic aim of the deployment of the Russian-made S-300 missiles at southern Cyprus is to provoke an international crisis and to show Turkey as the aggressor. The newspaper said that there were three reasons of the hostility between Turkey and Greece. The first one is nationalist words spoken for political interests, the second is intolerance created with the rejection of Turkey by the European Union (EU) and the third one is investments worth millions of dollars in the Caspian and Balkan regions. /Sabah/

MONUMENT FOR TURKISH SOLDIERS
A monument has been erected in the Valasske Mezirici District for 205 Turkish soldiers, who died on the Galician front in the territories of today's Czech Republic during the First World War. Temel Iskit, the Ambassador to the Czech Republic, commemorated the British, French, New Zealand and Australian soldiers, who died in Turkey, and said, ''commemoration of the martyrs will provide a bridge for friendship to prevent further tragedies''. /Sabah/

CINDORUK AND SEZGIN VISIT THE FLOODED AREA
Ismet Sezgin, the Deputy Prime Minister and Husamettin Cindoruk, the Chairman of the Democrat Turkey Party (DTP), made observations yesterday at the Beskoy District of Trabzon. Sezgin and Cindoruk held a joint press conference at Trabzon's Airport. Sezgin noted that the flood which occurred in Beskoy has been the largest disaster in 70 years. Cindoruk said that geographical conditions in the Black Sea region were tough and noted that the Black Sea region should be chosen as the pilot region and a housing policy should be implemented in the region. /Sabah/

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN ISTANBUL
An international conference on ''Entrepreneurship'' organized by the Business Administration and Economy Club at the Bogazici

University started yesterday in Istanbul. In addition to students coming from the US, Morocco, Belgium, Canada, Ireland, Bulgaria,

Poland and Germany, 21 students from Turkey are attending the conference. Levent Eroglu, the Member of the Executive Board, pointed out that their aim was globalization and said, ''we want to make an exchange of views with the students coming from abroad and Turkey and share our experiences''. /Sabah/

ISRAEL PROTESTS TURKEY
Israel has protested to Turkey about a visit by Nazım Dumlu, the Ambassador to Lebanon, to Huseyin Fadallah, known as the spiritual leader of Hezbollah.

In a statement to the Hurriyet daily newspaper, noting Israel's uneasiness over the issue, the Israeli diplomatic sources said that they didn't approve the Turkish Ambassador's visit to such an illegal organization which also threatens Turkey. Necati Utkan, the Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, answering a question about the issue, said that ''the Turkish Ambassador visited the said person because his name was on the protocol list and he is the leader of the Shiah sect -one of the main sects in that country''. The Israeli diplomatic officials, however, haven't been satisfied with this statement.

Hezbollah is regarded as a terrorist organization in Turkey, but it is a political party in Lebanon which leads an anti-Israeli campaign with its seven parliamentarians in the Lebanese Parliament. /Hurriyet/

[13] PRIVATIZATION OF DENIZ NAKLIYATI T.A.S.

According to the OIB's announcement published in the Official Gazette, the bid bond for a 99.99 percent share in the Deniz Nakliyatı T.A.S. was specified to be two million US dollars.

The tenders related to the block-sale will be realized with sealed bids and bargaining.

The sale may be finalized by auction with the participation of the companies biffing if the Tender Commission deems it necessary.

The tender specifications are available at the Halkbank's Bakanliklar branch office in Ankara for 75 million Turkish Liras.

The bid should be submitted to the OIB by 5:00 p.m. on 14 September 1998.

[14] TURKISH-MACEDONIAN JOINT VENTURE

Coko Krays, the manager of the factory, said the imports of sunflower oil will decrease when the ''Al-Maks'' factory, which was constructed in one year, starts production.

Pointing out that the factory, at the first stage, will produce 15 tonnes of unrefined sunflower oil, Krays said they will make investments in 1999 to increase the capacity.

''We contacted the Al-Des Sunflower Oil Company as Turkey realizes a high- quality production. To construct such a factory in Macedonia, we cooperated and then we made the investment,'' he said.

The factory, which cost four million German marks, was equipped with hi- tech equipment by the Swedish Alfa-Lavel and the German Ketrin factories.

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