Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-09-19

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

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

19 SEPT 1998

CONTENTS

[01] STRUGGLE WITH ORGANIZED CRIME ... - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''AFTER THE SUSURLUK ACCIDENT, IT HAS BEEN UNDERSTOOD THAT TURKEY IS UNDER A NEW THREAT WHICH IS ORGANIZED CRIME'' - ''WE HAVE TO RECONSTRUCT OUR POLICE ORGANIZATION''

[02] STRUGGLE WITH ORGANIZED CRIME ... - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''THERE IS NO RELATION BETWEEN THE STATE AND THE GANGS, BUT THERE IS ALSO THE FACT THAT SEVERAL PUBLIC EMPLOYEES JOINED THE ORGANIZED CRIME MOVEMENTS''

[03] STRUGGLE WITH ORGANIZED CRIME ... - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''WE HAVE TO SET UP A NEW SYSTEM TO STRUGGLE WITH ORGANIZED CRIME''

[04] STRUGGLE WITH ORGANIZED CRIME ... - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS DURING THE PRESS BRIEFING: ''A SPECIAL WORKING GROUP INCLUDING MEMBERS OF MIT AND POLICE HAS BEEN SET UP''

[05] DEFENCE MINISTERS OF SOUTHEASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES TO COME TOGETHER IN MACEDONIA ON 26 SEPTEMBER

[06] TURKISH ECONOMY SUMMIT IN LONDON - GUNES TANER, THE STATE MINISTER: ''THE TURKISH ECONOMY IS EFFECTED FROM THE NEGATIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE WORLD, BUT AT THE MINIMUM LEVEL''

[07] FM CEM LEAVES FOR NEW YORK TO PARTICIPATE IN 53RD UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS AND TO HOLD BILATERAL CONTACTS

[08] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: - ''TURKEY AIMS AT BEING A DISTINGUISHED COUNTRY IN EUROASIA'' - ''TURKEY HAS ALREADY BEEN EUROPEAN FOR 700 YEARS. WE DO NOT NEED THIS POSITION TO BE CONFIRMED BY OTHERS'' - ''A NEW POLITICAL ORDER WILL BE ESTABLISHED ON CYPRUS IF THE S-300 MISSILES ARE DEPLOYED AT THE SOUTHERN CYPRUS''

[09] THE US EMBARGO ON AZERBAIJAN ... - GULUZADE, AZERI PRESIDENT'S CONSULTANT ON FOREIGN POLICY: - ''WE WILL MAINTAIN OUR STRUGGLE TO LIFT THE EMBARGO IMPOSED ON US''

[10] TURKEY'S APPLICATION TO BE A PERMANENT OBSERVOR IN OAS IS ACCEPTED

[11] IRISH PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION, MEMBERS OF THE NORWAGIAN FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMISSION AND THE KUWAITI-TURKISH FRIENDSHIP GROUP DUE IN TURKEY AS GUESTS OF CETIN, SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT

[01] STRUGGLE WITH ORGANIZED CRIME ... - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''AFTER THE SUSURLUK ACCIDENT, IT HAS BEEN UNDERSTOOD THAT TURKEY IS UNDER A NEW THREAT WHICH IS ORGANIZED CRIME'' - ''WE HAVE TO RECONSTRUCT OUR POLICE ORGANIZATION''

Addressing a press briefing on the ''struggle with the organized crime,'' Prime Minister Yılmaz said that ''the feature that discriminates organized crime from other crime organizations is the fact that several administrative, judicial, commercial and politic elements have participated in this movement and helped these gangs.''

Noting that Turkey faces with a movement of organized crime, Yılmaz stated that the organized crime was interested in smuggling from 1960s to 1980s, adding that the character of organized crime groups has changed in 1990s.

Stressing that various public employees are behind the organized crime groups, Yılmaz said that the power and the money which these groups acquired made them go too far.

Prime Minister Yılmaz said that the police organization has to be reconstructed, a new system has to be set up to struggle with the organized crimes and the state should continue to respect the legal order.

[02] STRUGGLE WITH ORGANIZED CRIME ... - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''THERE IS NO RELATION BETWEEN THE STATE AND THE GANGS, BUT THERE IS ALSO THE FACT THAT SEVERAL PUBLIC EMPLOYEES JOINED THE ORGANIZED CRIME MOVEMENTS''

Addressing a press briefing on the ''struggle with organized crime,'' Prime Minister Yılmaz said that ''organized crime includes many crime types, it aims at getting unfair profits and it has an organizational hierarchy. Today organized crime movements have an international character. The European Working Group on Organized Crime described in March 1996 the basic criteria that distinguish organized crime groups from other crime organizations as having a hierchical structure to get unfair profits, a continuation of committing crime, a sanction system which is implemented in the existing organized structure, methods used such as violence and threats, influence on public or private sectors and launder of black money.''

Stressing that Turkey faces with an organized crime movement in its full meaning today, Yılmaz said that ''Turkey is not the only country which faces with organized crime groups. We can show Italy and the US which launched efforts and became successful in coping with these organized crime groups. Firstly a public opinion which is sensitive to the issue has been formed in these countries, and then the media started to be sensitive about this issue, too. The political authority behaved in a resolved manner and the people supported the political authority in its struggle with the organized crime groups. The political authority started to work by cleansing the extensions of the organized crime formations within the state. It has been understood that the existing security organization can't cope with them, therefore the security forces were reconstructed in order to effectively cope with the organized crime formations. The laws were changed because it was also seen that it is important to get information from the people who involved in these groups, but later who became regretful. It has also been seen that the existing punishments foreseen by the laws are not deterrent.''

Prime Minister Yılmaz stated that the organized crime groups aimed at seizing the control of the state administration, adding that ''several public employees who involved in these crime organizations also involved in drug trafficking and other illegal affairs.''

''Just before the Susurluk accident, the target of the organized crime organizations have been the state administration, the gangs collected members who were working at important positions of the state and started to be institutionalized by increasing their power within the state. There is a direct connection between terrorism, unemployment, ethical corruption and organized crime movements,'' said Yılmaz.

Noting that the existance source of some of these organizations is the separatist terrorist PKK organization, Yılmaz stressed that several public employees who work for these organizations involved in drug trafficking and other illegal affairs under the image of the struggle with terrorism.

Pointing out that the organized crime groups have acquired great amounts of black money, Yılmaz added that the balances of the economy were upset by using this money.

[03] STRUGGLE WITH ORGANIZED CRIME ... - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''WE HAVE TO SET UP A NEW SYSTEM TO STRUGGLE WITH ORGANIZED CRIME''

Addressing a press briefing on ''struggle with organized crime,'' Yılmaz stated that the infrastructure of the police organization has to be reconstructed.

Stressing that the Law on Repentance has to adopted as soon as possible, Prime Minister Yılmaz said that ''our state has to respect the principle of legal state in its struggle with all kinds of crimes.''

''We have to recognize equally the right of our concerned citizens to examine official documents, which don't have secret information,'' said Yılmaz.

''When we came to power we found that organized criminal groups had moved inside the state and were in fact in occupation of the country,'' he added.

A review of passport procedures has been ordered, Yilmaz said, after a Turkish diplomatic passport was found on alleged mafia boss Alaattin Cakici arrested on the French Riviera last month. Intelligence agents are also being investigated, he added.

Yılmaz said gang members, ''using the possibilities of the state,'' had obtained ''sweet'' profits in every criminal area from robbery to smuggling.

The prime minister said he had set up a special police unit to crackdown on the gangs.

Turkish police had seized 54 percent of all the heroin captured in Europe in the last year, Yılmaz said.

Yılmaz stressed that 723 people were captured in 124 operations carried out against organized crime in 24 provinces in Turkey and 579 of these people were arrested.

Noting that the government carries out an effective and systematic struggle against drug trafficking, Yılmaz said that ''security forces captured 5909 suspects in connection with 2595 incidents and 13,6 tonnes of drug were seized within the last one year.''

Turkish police had seized 54 percent of all the heroin captured in Europe and 38 percent of all the heroin seized in the world the last year, Yilmaz said.

Lastly Yılmaz called all the political parties in the parliament to extend support to the draft laws prepared by them concerning the struggle with the organized crime.

[04] STRUGGLE WITH ORGANIZED CRIME ... - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS DURING THE PRESS BRIEFING: ''A SPECIAL WORKING GROUP INCLUDING MEMBERS OF MIT AND POLICE HAS BEEN SET UP''

Responding to questions of journalists at the press briefing on the ''struggle with organized crime,'' Prime Minister Yılmaz said that ''investigations are underway concerning seven or eight members of the National Intelligence Service (MIT) and 31 people working in General Directorate of Security.''

Prime Minister Yılmaz stressed that the disconnection between the police and MIT has been overcomed, adding that a new administrative reconstruction started in the General Directorate of Security.

''A special working group, which aims to capture the chiefs of the organized crime groups, was established. All the successful operations are the success of this joint group which composes of four police and four MIT officials,'' said Yılmaz.

Responding to another question about Mahmut Yıldırım, who is known as ''Yesil (Green)'' by the public opinion, Yılmaz said ''the name of this person was frequently seen after the Susurluk accident. Police and MIT try to capture this person, too.''

[05] DEFENCE MINISTERS OF SOUTHEASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES TO COME TOGETHER IN MACEDONIA ON 26 SEPTEMBER

Defence ministers of Turkey, the US, Italy, Albania, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia and Macedonia will be in attendance at the meeting.

Ministers are expected to the sign the document foreseing a peace keeping force to be set up in the Balkans at the meeting.

According to the plan, troops from Turkey, Macedonia, Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Italy and Greece will take part in the peace keeping force.

William Cohen, the US Secretary of Defence will represent the US which joins the meeting as the initiator country.

Meanwhile Slovenia will participate at the meeting as observer.

Three countries, Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania, are expected to apply for being the headquarter of the new military formation. The place of the supreme military command headquarters will also be determined at the meeting.

[06] TURKISH ECONOMY SUMMIT IN LONDON - GUNES TANER, THE STATE MINISTER: ''THE TURKISH ECONOMY IS EFFECTED FROM THE NEGATIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE WORLD, BUT AT THE MINIMUM LEVEL''

Addressing a seminar on ''Capital Markets and Investment in Turkey'' which was held by Turkish-British and Turkish-American business councils, Gunes Taner stated that the Istanbul Stock Exchange Market (IMKB) index decreased by a considerable extent due to the last economic crisis in the world.

Noting that the government refrains from intervention in IMKB, Taner said that Turkey will come into a position to help Russia, which is under a economic crisis, by the end of three years, adding that annualy 20-25 billion dollars are needed to overcome the crisis in Russia and no country or institution can give that amount of money to any country.

Calling British and American investors to invest in Turkey, Taner said that ''we wish you to take more risks in Turkey, because we deserve better and we'll prove this to you.''

Noting that Turkey plays the role of being ''the first among equals,'' among the developing countries, Taner said that Turkey is successful in playing such a role by pursuing her economic policies.

Taner stated that they have cancelled interventions in the economy and made the system operate, adding that the foreign exchange reserves of the Central Bank is 22-23 billion dollars.

Pointing out that the agreement signed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is being implemented, Taner said that IMF officials will come to Turkey within a few weeks and examine the recent situation in Turkey. Taner said that the privatization is implemented in parallel with the programme and Turkey expects a big income from privatization in the first quarter of 1999.

Stressing that Turkey's target is to exceed the developing markets, Taner said ''but this is difficult, as long as the inflation rate is two-digit number and the tax proportion does not increase to 27-28 percent of the Gross National Product (GNP).''

Reiterating his view that Turkey has been succesful in being leastly effected from the economic crisis seen in the world by taking the necessary measures, Taner said that the government will continue to take tough measures if necessary.

[07] FM CEM LEAVES FOR NEW YORK TO PARTICIPATE IN 53RD UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS AND TO HOLD BILATERAL CONTACTS

Foreign Ministry said that Ismail Cem will also hold bilateral contacts and participate in various meetings other than the UN General Assembly meetings during his stay in New York.

The statement said that Cem will hold bilateral contacts with Russian, the Dutch, Austrian, Albanian, Yugoslavian, Algerian, Brazilian and Bangladeshi Foreign Ministers and meet with Richard Holbrooke, the former US Special Representative to Cyprus, Thomas Miller, the US State Department's Special Representative to Cyprus and Hans van den Broek, the EU Commissioner for Foreign Affairs in New York.

Ismail Cem will host a working dinner for foreign ministers of D-8 countries and participate in Foreign Ministers' meetings of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), Southern Europe and Organization for Islamic Conference (OIC) Bosnia-Herzegovina Contact Group.

Cem, who will also address the American Foreign Affairs Council and Business Council, will also meet with representatives of various American institutions.

Foreing Minister Cem will proceed to Canada on September 27.

[08] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: - ''TURKEY AIMS AT BEING A DISTINGUISHED COUNTRY IN EUROASIA'' - ''TURKEY HAS ALREADY BEEN EUROPEAN FOR 700 YEARS. WE DO NOT NEED THIS POSITION TO BE CONFIRMED BY OTHERS'' - ''A NEW POLITICAL ORDER WILL BE ESTABLISHED ON CYPRUS IF THE S-300 MISSILES ARE DEPLOYED AT THE SOUTHERN CYPRUS''

Addressing the meeting organized by the Young Managers and Businessmen Association (GYIAD), Cem stressed that a powerful foreign policy in Turkey can only be possible with an accurate definition of the country. He described Turkey as a significant country that contributes to the world's culture and art with her past of more than a thousand year.

Pointing out that Turkish people attribute great importance to being European, Cem noted, ''Turkey has already been European for 700 years. We do not need this position to be confirmed by others. Turkey has the special privilege of being both European and Asian. These two dimensions of our identity is extremely positive for our foreign policy and our relations with the other countries.''

Stressing that elements such as economy, democracy and military power, determine the foreign policy, Cem told the businessmen that the geography surrounding Turkey has the biggest economy and military power of the world, and at the same time it has the oldest and most rooted democracy of the world.

Noting that the 21st century will be the century of the Eurasia, Cem said, ''the main characteristic of the 21st century will be the unification of Europe and Asia. Both Europe and Asia will profit this unification. Turkey, of course, aims at becoming a full member of the European Union, but at the same time her purpose is not limited with Europe, she also targets at becoming the central country of the geography that is being formed in Eurasia.''

Describing himself as a lucky foreign minister, Cem emphasized that Turkey has no obstacles which she cannot overcome on taking steps in the issues of democracy and human rights; which can't be overcomed by her taking steps in the issues of democracy and human rights; bringing the concepts of productivity and rationalism into life; and struggling against inequality.

Referring to the relations between Turkey and Israel, Cem pointed out, ''allegations claiming that there is a strategical and military treaty between Turkey, Israel and the US, do not reflect the reality. Several Arab countries put forward such allegations. They do not appreciate Turkey's recent role in the Middle East. Turkey will benefit from the cooperation with Israel and the US. An agreement and a framework will be formed in order to ease the economic relations between Turkey, Israel and the US in coming days.''

Cem reminded that he will also hold talks concerning the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline during his contacts in New York where he will attend the United Nations General Assembly's 53rd term activities.

Responding to a question on ''What will be the Turkey's reaction in case of deployment of the Russian made S-300 missiles on the Southern Cyprus?'', Cem stressed, ''S-300 missiles have caused great trouble to Greece and the Greek Cypriot side. They have been harsly criticized by the international society. Russian technicians will operate the missiles in the Greek Cypriot side for one year. NATO's most important information will be taken by the radars of the S-300 missiles and the Russian technicians. It is a terrible event as you can imagine. Their mistake has not only annoyed us, but also damaged the security of the NATO. A new political order will be established on Cyprus if the S-300 missiles are deployed on the island. All military necessities will be taken in that case. I hope that Greece and the Greek Cypriot side will not act that madly.''

Cem stressed that several neighbouring countries give support to the seperatist terrorism targeting Turkey. He noted that they have been trying to solve this problem by diplomacy, adding that the existing water problem with Syria constitutes one of the most serious problems of Turkey.

[09] THE US EMBARGO ON AZERBAIJAN ... - GULUZADE, AZERI PRESIDENT'S CONSULTANT ON FOREIGN POLICY: - ''WE WILL MAINTAIN OUR STRUGGLE TO LIFT THE EMBARGO IMPOSED ON US''

The US Congress approved the ''Declaration on Support for Independence'' which includes the article No. 907 prohibiting the humanitarian aid to Azerbaijan, in 1992.

Guluzade reminded that the issue was brought to the agenda of the congress. A total of 231 members voted for the article to remain valid, and 182 others have voted for the article to be lifted, said Guluzade, stressing that 36 votes are needed for the annulment of the embargo.

Pointing out that the number of the supporters of the Azerbaijan in the US Congress has never been that much, Guluzade added that the Armenian lobby in the Congress launch efforts for the article to remain valid.

[10] TURKEY'S APPLICATION TO BE A PERMANENT OBSERVOR IN OAS IS ACCEPTED

Foreign Ministry stated that the OAS Permanent Council accepted on September 16 the application made by Turkey on July 7.

The statement pointed out that ''our participation in OAS as an observor state constitutes an important step of our policy aiming to improve relations with the Latin American countries.''

OAS which was established on April 30, 1948, is an important regional organization having 30 member states excluding Cuba. The organization aims at installation of regional peace and security and contributing to the economic and social development.

Countries which are outside the region can only join the organization as observors. The number of permanent observor states in OAS increased to 45 by the participation of Turkey.

[11] IRISH PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION, MEMBERS OF THE NORWAGIAN FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMISSION AND THE KUWAITI-TURKISH FRIENDSHIP GROUP DUE IN TURKEY AS GUESTS OF CETIN, SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT

The Irish delegation is scheduled to meet with Cetin and Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State, on 23 September and with Yalim Erez, the Industry and Trade Minister, on 24 September. The members of the delegation will leave Turkey for Ireland the same day.

Haakon Blankenborg, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Norwegian Parliament, and the accompanying delegation will visit Turkey between 21 and 24 September.

Blankenborg and the Norwegian delegation will come together with Ecevit and Sukru Sina Gurel, the State Minister, on 22 September. The guest delegation will be received by Cetin on 23 September. They will leave Turkey the following day.

The parliamentary delegation lead by Ghanam Ali El-Jamhour, the Chairman of the Kuwaiti-Turkish Friendship Group, will also pay a visit to Turkey between 22 and 28 September.

The members of the delegation will hold talks with the chairmen of several commissions in the parliament. The delegation is expected to proceed to Istanbul on 25 September and leave Turkey on 28 September after visiting touristic and historical places in Istanbul.

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