Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-10-05

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

05 OCT 1998

CONTENTS

[01] ERSUMER, THE MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES HOSTS A DINNER FOR THE TURKMEN DELEGATION HEADED BY KURBANMURATOV, THE DEPUTY PRIME MINSTER OF TURKMENISTAN

[02] TURKEY CONTROLS TROOPS OF RUSSIAN FEDERATION IN RUSSIA AND GEORGIA WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF CFE

[03] TURKEY FIRST INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION SYMPOSIUM - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''FREE COMPETITION IS THE CONDITION FOR MARKET ECONOMY''

[04] CEM, THE FOREIGN MINISTER: ''WE BELIEVE THAT SYRIA BLOCKS THE WAY TO DIPLOMACY'' - ''EVERY SOCIETY, EVERY COUNTRY HAS THE RIGHT TO DEFEND HERSELF AGAINST TERRORISM. TURKEY WILL DO WHAT IS NECESSARY''

[05] EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT MUBARAK TO ARRIVE IN ANKARA ON TUESDAY - FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN UTKAN: - ''EGYPT IS NOT A MEDIATOR''

[06] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[07] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[08] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''WE SAY TO SYRIA THAT SHE SHOULDN'T PERMIT PKK TO TAKE SHELTER IN SYRIA, IF SHE DOES NOT ACCEPT THIS, THE TURKISH STATE, PARLIAMENT AND PEOPLE WILL REACT TO THAT''

[09] GUNES TANER, MINISTER OF STATE: - ''WE INSIST ON 50 PERCENT INFLATION TARGET FOR THE END OF THE YEAR''

[10] TURKISH-SYRIAN TENSION - PRESIDENT DEMIREL SAYS THAT HE WILL MEET WITH MUBARAK, THE EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT ON TUESDAY AT 14.00

[11] YILDIRIM, THE STATE MINISTER CALLS SYRIA AND IRAQ: ''LET'S TRANSFORM GAP PROJECT INTO A MESOPOTAMIAN PROJECT'' ''GAP PROJECT IS NOT A STRATEGICAL WEAPON, RATHER A PEACE PROJECT''

[12] PANEL DISCUSSION ON ''HISTORY, TODAY AND TOMORROW OF FOREIGN TRADE'' - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: - ''TURKEY IS OBLIGED TO INCREASE HER EXPORTS TO 50 BILLION US DOLLARS''

[13] TURKISH-IRAQI CRUDE OIL PIPELINE - BOTAS OPENS INTERNATIONAL TENDER FOR RENEWAL OF SCADA AND TELECOMMUNICATION LINKS, WHICH PROVIDE COMMUNICATION SECURITY AT PIPELINE

[01] ERSUMER, THE MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES HOSTS A DINNER FOR THE TURKMEN DELEGATION HEADED BY KURBANMURATOV, THE DEPUTY PRIME MINSTER OF TURKMENISTAN

Addressing a statement to A.A correspondent before the meeting,

Ersumer pointed out that the issues of transportation of Turkmen natural gas to Turkey and then to western markets by the pipelines which will pass under the Caspian Sea will be taken up during the meetings which will be held with Turkmen delegation.

Noting that agreements will be made with countries where Turkmen natural gas of 16 billion cubic meters will be transported to Turkey annualy, Ersumer said that the issue of amount and price will be determined by the end of these agreements.

Ersumer said that Turkish and Turkmen officials had signed a memorandum concerning the transportation of Turkmen natural gas via Turkey, recalling that an infrastructure already exists concerning the trasportation of natural gas.

Kurbanmuratov, the Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister visited Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources on Monday morning.

The Turkmen delegation includes Recep Arazov, the Turkmen Minister of Oil and Gas and Ahmet Calık, the Deputy Minister of Textile, who is a Turkish businessmen.

[02] TURKEY CONTROLS TROOPS OF RUSSIAN FEDERATION IN RUSSIA AND GEORGIA WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF CFE

General Secretariat of General Staff said that the Inspection Team of the General Staff examined two military troops in Russian Federation within the framework of CFE and 1998 Inspection Programme between September 7-12, while the multinational Inspection Team headed by Turkey checked another Russian troop in Georgia between September 21-24.

CFE was signed on November 21, 1990 during the Organization on Security and Cooperation (OSCE) Summit. Implementation of the agreement started on July 17, 1992 and 30 countries are parties to CFE.

CFE aims at setting up a balance in conventional armed forces in the region and improvement of stability and security in Europe by preventing the capability to start a wide-scale attack.

[03] TURKEY FIRST INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION SYMPOSIUM - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''FREE COMPETITION IS THE CONDITION FOR MARKET ECONOMY''

Addressing the ''Turkey First International Competition Symposium'' at the Ceylan Continental Hotal in Istanbul, Prime Minister Yilmaz said, ''today, the majority in the world adopted the free market economy and the countries are doing the necessary things.''

Pointing out that Turkey has been making efforts to implement the free market economy since 1983, Yilmaz said, ''competition, as an economic model, determines the market. The free competition in the condition for the market economy. The name of the system, which doesn't include competition or limits it, can't be the free market. Turkey earlier realized this reality but failed to carry out the necessary things at the right time.''

Noting that the exports of goods and services reached 135 countries in five continents when the obstacles in front of the Turkish entrepreneurs had been removed in last 15 years, Prime Minister Yilmaz said that the Turkish entrepreneurs better perceived the globalization and carried out its necessity.

''During next ten years, it is clear that there will be a great competition in the world. The key concept in this issue is the free competition,'' he stressed.

''Competition necessitates the work with the minimum cost, thus it brings productivity despite the less usage of sources. Speeding up the research- develop activities carry vital importance for Turkey who is preparing herself to the 21st century,'' Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz added.

[04] CEM, THE FOREIGN MINISTER: ''WE BELIEVE THAT SYRIA BLOCKS THE WAY TO DIPLOMACY'' - ''EVERY SOCIETY, EVERY COUNTRY HAS THE RIGHT TO DEFEND HERSELF AGAINST TERRORISM. TURKEY WILL DO WHAT IS NECESSARY''

Addressing a statement to journalists in central province of Kayseri, Foreign Minister Cem said that nothing can be an excuse for incidents of violence and terrorism. ''Every country has the right to defend herself against terrorism, Turkey will certainly do what is necessary, as she has the power, experience, belief and courage to do that,'' Cem said.

Noting that Turkey continues to take necessary diplomatic initiatives to make Syria stop giving money, weapons and logistics support to the separatist terrorist organization, Cem stated that ''I met with the Syrian Foreign Minister during the Islamic Conference in Doha, the capital of Qatar in February 1998. I told him that a diplomatic solution had to be found regarding the connection between Syria and the separatist terrorist organization's attacks to Turkey. I said that a common basis of understanding had to be formed and in this framework Turkey expects the end of terrorism. A high ranking official from the Foreign Ministry visited Damascus, the capital of Syria and held contacts there within the framework of this proposal and Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister came to Ankara. We explained them our proposal about a set up principles which are moderate, but resolved. Although other Arabic countries supported our initiatives, Syria didn't give any response.''

Pointing out that the diplomatic initiatives taken by Turkey towards Syria did not get a result in the past, Cem pointed out that Syria tries to connect the Turkish attitude to elements like Israel, therefore she attempts to mislead and provocate other Arabic countries.

''We can't wait for Syria, which blocked the way to diplomacy and didn't give a response to our proposal, while the attacks of the separatist terrorist organization supported by Syria continue. Turkey does not have the time and luxury to believe in vain promises which don't come true,'' said Cem.

Responding to a question, Cem said ''we tried all diplomatic ways and we conveyed our message to Syria in every platform. The world public opinion thinks that we are right. We can't stand this anymore, we saw that waiting does not bring any benefit to us.''

Noting that Turkey does not coperate with Israel concerning Syria, Cem said that Syria tries to bring the Israeli-Turkish cooperation to agenda in order to confuse the Arabic countries.

[05] EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT MUBARAK TO ARRIVE IN ANKARA ON TUESDAY - FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN UTKAN: - ''EGYPT IS NOT A MEDIATOR''

Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Spokesman Utkan said that the visit of Mubarak will be realized within the framework of the Turkish-Egyptian relations and this visit was not evaluated as an ''initiative to mediate between Turkey and Syria''.

''Of course, this visit has a connection with Syria. However, there is not a designation for mediator. For mediation, the two sides have to assign a mediator. Does Syria announce that Egypt is her mediator? Then why do we have to make such a statement?'' he said.

Stressing that the hope for overcoming the Turkish-Syrian tension by diplomacy has still not come to an end, Utkan said, ''we will listen to President Mubarak. We expect President Mubarak to bring us information or at least an impression.''

Utkan also didn't confirm the news about a tripartite summit among Turkey, Syria and Egypt in Cairo.

Responding to a question concerning the allgeations about the Turkish troops' setting up a military shield on the Syrian border against the infiltration of the separatist PKK terrorists, Utkan said that Turkey has always taken measures in the region against such infiltrations and the measures on the borders is not a new issue.

[06] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

TENSION BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA
Tension between Turkey and Syria which dominated the weekend continues. In an interview over the weekend, President Suleyman Demirel said that warnings to Syria about Turkish military action to finally end the support that Syria gives to PKK terrorism were ''serious'' and should be heeded not just by Syria, but also by the whole world. World reaction to Turkey's message that terrorism supported by Syria will be no longer be tolerated by Turkey has been positive. Egyptian leader Husnu Mubarak has initiated a mediatory process beginning with talks with Syrian leader Hafiz Esad. First reports suggest that Syria has ''grown weary'' of its war of attrition against Turkey. Diplomatic sources say that a diplomatic solution can be reached. Washington, which has long condemned the PKK organization, has already declared that the crisis must be resolved through diplomatic channels. The message from Turkey however remains unchanged: Syria has got to pay- and pay heavily- for its years of support for the terrorist PKK organization in its efforts to destabilize the southeastern regions of Turkey. The Arab states in the Middle East are also concerned that the fragile regional peace process could well be shattered by a confrontation between Turkey and Syria. This is something that Husnu Mubarek will discuss when he comes to Ankara today. Syria is not without support: Iraq has declared that it will side with Syria in the event that a clash breaks out. Turkey remains firm. Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said yesterday that the Syrian stance was unreasonable and obstinate. In the meantime Turkish military forces have massed on the Turkish border with Syria with plans already formulated and ready to put into operation. Turkish Air Force fighter planes are patrolling the border and it is expected that military exercises will follow. The PKK terrorist leader Abdullah Ocalan is said to be in Syria, where his presence adds fuel to Turkey's statements concerning that Syria supports terrorism. Turkish leaders point out that Turkey has endured enough at the hands of the PKK. President Demirel summed up the situation yesterday by saying that ''enough is enough. This has got to stop.'' /All papers/

TURKISH ECONOMY DELEGATION IN US
A Turkish economy delegation, headed by State Minister Gunes Taner, and including Treasury Undersecretary Yener Dincmen, President of the Central Bank, Gazi Ercel, Deputy Undersecretary of the Treasury Cuneyt Sel, Head of the Privatization Administration, Ugur Bayar and other high level officials responsible for the economy is representing Turkey at annual IMF-IBRD meeting. Taner is also holding bilateral meetings besides delegation meetings. The Turkish delegation met with the Head of the IMF, Stanley Fisher over the weekend and is expected to meet with high level representatives of US bank and credit and finance institutions in this week. /Milliyet/

CROSS-BORDER OPERATION IN N.IRAQ
Turkish Armed Forces are carrying out a cross-border operation in northern Iraq. The operation is aimed at seizing PKK members who fled from Turkey over to northern Iraq. Military sources report that ''There have been clashes between security forces and terrorists in southeastern Anatolia. PKK terrorists have tried to escape to northern Iraq over the border. Turkish security forces have followed them and seized PKK terrorists who have fled into northern Iraq during cross-border operations. ''Meanwhile it has been announced that an extensive operation has started in the triangle between the Iran-Iraq-Turkey borders. The operation is being conducted only inside Turkey's borders. /Sabah/

[07] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

DENOUNCING ITALY
The Association of Kemalist Idealists yesterday denounced the convention of the alleged Kurdish parliament under the roof of the Italian parliament. In a written statement the Association said: ''We believe and denounce that providing an opportunity for some terrorists, enemies of Turkey to convene under the guise of a so-called 'Kurdish parliament' under the roof of the Italian parliament, will be another black stain in Italian history already marked with facism in the past.''/Hurriyet/

TWO SHIPLOADS OF FUGITIVES
In the biggest operation realized in recent years, 435 people, including 275 Turks and 160 foreigners and 11 organizers, trying to illegally enter Italy were detained over the weekend in Canakkale. It was the first time so many Turkish citizens have been involved in illegal human transportation, and because a great majority of them were from Southeast Anatolia, it is suspected that the PKK terrorist organisation was involved. Security officials state that at a time when Turkish-Italian relations are tense due to a meeting of an alleged Kurdish Parliament in Italy, the PKK had planned a new refugee sensation but this plan was foiled when Turkish intelligence units stoped the operation in Canakkale when they raided the ships carrying the illegal immigrants. /Hurriyet/

TERRORIST ATTACKS IN TOKAT
A police unit was attack in front of a factory in Tokat last night. During the attack two police officials were seriously wounded. Military sources later announced that a search had already been started to find the attackers. /Sabah/

[08] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''WE SAY TO SYRIA THAT SHE SHOULDN'T PERMIT PKK TO TAKE SHELTER IN SYRIA, IF SHE DOES NOT ACCEPT THIS, THE TURKISH STATE, PARLIAMENT AND PEOPLE WILL REACT TO THAT''

Responding to questions at state-run television channel TRT, President Demirel stated that ''there is something going on. Turkey has been suffering from the separatist terrorist organization PKK since 1984 and she tries to protect her borders, people and territories. It is not easy to struggle with terrorism within democracy, first of all there is no target in front of us and everything is permissible. People are killed and it is not important who has been killed. Terrorism only tries to create fear. Terrorists killed 5000 of our citizens whose majority live in eastern provinces and who speak Kurdish to each other and 5000 of our soldiers and police officers who try to protect them.''

Recalling that the chief of the separatist terrorist organization is in Syria and the terrorist organization has camps in Syria, President Demirel stated that ''Syria knows all of these and does not accept this fact. I told Syrian President that Syria should not support them. He denied this, but I gave the address and the telephone number of the chief of the separatist terrorist organization who stays in Damascus. He took the address, but did not say anything.''

Pointing out that he explained the situation to Arabic countries, President Demirel said that he told the Arab League that if they stay indifferent, they will also become a partner in murders and crimes.

''All Turkish citizens who were killed by terrorists are moslem, I asked Arab countries the reason of their indifference to this terrorism which targets Turkey. We have never heard somebody in any place including the Iranian Conference asking 'why this terrorist organization kills these people in Turkey?' There is such an atmosphere in the region as if killing people is not that important,'' said Demirel.

Stressing that Syria can't say that Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization does not stay in Syria, President Demirel stated that ''because Ocalan's headquarter is in Syria. Those who expect benefits from terrorism, have to know that they will also suffer from terrorism in the future.''

''We say to Syria that she shouldn't permit PKK to take shelter in her territories, if she does not accept that, the Turkish state, parliament and people will react to that,'' said Demirel.

Noting that Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptian Head of State will visit Turkey on Tuesday to hold contacts concerning Turkish-Syrian tension, President Demirel said regarding the recent developments in Northern Iraq that ''the US officials have many times said that they are against establishment of a Kurdish state in Northern Iraq. The US is a big friend of Turkey and we can discuss anything with her. The US said that she does not have any intention to permit groups to establish a Kurdish state in Northern Iraq. There are various Kurdish groups and Turcomans in Northern Iraq, these groups sometimes clashed with each other. We told these groups that it is wrong to clash and we reconciled them. The US brought the leaders of Kurdish groups in Washington D.C. without consulting with us. Nevertheless I don't think that the US aims at establishing a Kurdish state in the region.''

[09] GUNES TANER, MINISTER OF STATE: - ''WE INSIST ON 50 PERCENT INFLATION TARGET FOR THE END OF THE YEAR''

Speaking to reporters, Gunes Taner said that the methods to solve the crisis in the global economy were being discussed in the meeting in Washington D.C.

Taner mentioned that the main topic of the meetings is ''setting up a mechanism for the solution of the trouble in the markets by changing the statutes of the IMF and the World Bank and by developing the fund sources of these financial organizations.''

Stressing that the world is discontented, Taner said that the Developed-7 countries are expected to put forward a plan. Taner said that all of the countries may face troubles if a solution is not found and if the crisis further deepens.

''Turkey has the most powerful economy among the developing countries. However, despite this, the disorder stemming from the global crisis has nearly reached a level which can affect the borrowing of Turkey. We can have difficulties in finding the source we want or the costs of the sources can increase. We are saying in every platform that Turkey has a different structure from other countries and that we established the economic balances on a concrete basis and they confirm these. This is a very good thing but does not have an effect on the solution of the problem. The rich countries should find solution to the problem. We are expecting a plan. Turkey is not experiencing a crisis and she is not a candidate country for crisis and this stems from her different economic structure,'' Taner stated.

State Minister Gunes Taner said that a delegation from the IMF will visit Turkey next week. In spring, Turkey and the IMF had reached an agreement for Staff Monitoring Programme.

[10] TURKISH-SYRIAN TENSION - PRESIDENT DEMIREL SAYS THAT HE WILL MEET WITH MUBARAK, THE EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT ON TUESDAY AT 14.00

Responding to questions of journalists about Turkish-Syrian tension, President Demirel said that he will come together on Tuesday with Mubarak, who will come to Turkey on Tuesday to hold contacts concerning the Turkish- Syrian tension.

[11] YILDIRIM, THE STATE MINISTER CALLS SYRIA AND IRAQ: ''LET'S TRANSFORM GAP PROJECT INTO A MESOPOTAMIAN PROJECT'' ''GAP PROJECT IS NOT A STRATEGICAL WEAPON, RATHER A PEACE PROJECT''

Noting that Turkey gives twice the amount of water she promised to give to Syria, Yıldırım stated that the average of the water amount that has been given to Syria concerning the last three years is 973 cubic meters in seconds, stressing that the basic problem of Syria with Turkey is not her water need and demand.

Pointing out that Turkey has a powerful status in water policy of the world and Dr. Olcay Unver, the Chairman of the GAP Administration is the chairman of the financial committee of the World Water Council, Yıldırım stated that ''I call Syria and Iraq to support GAP and to remove all the impediments they bring forth.''

Salih Yıldırım said that Turkey needs 880 trillion liras for completion of the first part of GAP, adding that the annual financial need of GAP is 1,8 billion dollars.

''No body can find any excuse for postponment of GAP, in this framework the part of GAP Action Plan for 1999 was prepared and it was submitted to the State Planning Organization. The same issue was taken up at National Security Council meeting four days ago,'' said Yıldırım.

Noting that GAP needs 1,8 billion dollars annualy, Yıldırım said that 650- 700 million dollars of this amount can be met by internal sources, but foreign source is needed to find 1-1,2 billion dollars.

[12] PANEL DISCUSSION ON ''HISTORY, TODAY AND TOMORROW OF FOREIGN TRADE'' - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: - ''TURKEY IS OBLIGED TO INCREASE HER EXPORTS TO 50 BILLION US DOLLARS''

Addressing the panel discussion on the ''History, Today and Tomorrow of Turkey's Foreign Trade'', which was organized within the context of the foreign trade week, President Demirel stressed that Turkey has recorded considerable progress in her economy since she was founded.

''At last, we are applying to 100 billion US dollars trade volume. Turkey should absolutely increase her existing exports of 28-30 billion US dollars to 50 billion US dollars,'' Demirel emphasized.

''I define the exports as the great artery of a country's independence. A country can't reach prosperity if it doesn't realize production. The prosperity level increases when a country competes with other countries in goods and services regarding prices, quality and marketing. Increasing this level is possible when the production increases,'' he stated.

Pointing out that producing a good, which doesn't receive demand, and selling it by subvention bring a burden for the nation and does not increase the prosperity level, Demirel said, ''competition is the most important problem of the producer. The conditions have shown that the state is not a good producer. For increasing the prosperity level in the globalized world, you have to stand up for competition. Turkey has the entrepreneurs to produce and sell 30 billion US dollars of export goods. Turkey is obliged to enable this growing tree to live. The state is obliged to establish the physical and legal infrastructure which will provide the participation of Turkish entrepreneurs in competition. The state can put up with losses but entrepreneurs can't stand. The state should create a competition atmosphere in general basis.''

Stressing that Turkey's foreign debt was not high but she had a biggest amont of domestic borrowing, Suleyman Demirel said, ''do not worry that the crisis is not the end of the world. The concerning sides are trying to find a solution for the crisis. The US and Europe will at last find a solution. The important thing is realizing investments, production and marketing. I define the exports as the great artery of a country's independence.''

[13] TURKISH-IRAQI CRUDE OIL PIPELINE - BOTAS OPENS INTERNATIONAL TENDER FOR RENEWAL OF SCADA AND TELECOMMUNICATION LINKS, WHICH PROVIDE COMMUNICATION SECURITY AT PIPELINE

The communication system, which was installed in 1987 by the Japanese firms, will totally be changed with the project to be carried out synchronously with the Iraqi side.

The BITAS will finance the 640 km portion in the Turkish territories while the two countries continue their initiatives for tye financing by several organizations of the 340 km portion in the Iraqi territories.

The system, which will completely be digital, will include a route reaching Silopi and Ceyhan.

It was also reported that the Nec, Bosch Telecom, Alcatel, Nokia, Ericsson, Siemens and Harris Farinon are expected to bid for the tender for which the Directorate General of the BOTAS will receive tenders by invitation.

BOTAS planned to renew the system with 13 million US dollars of expenditure while seven million US dollars of this cost will be spent for the links in the Turkish territories.

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