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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-10-16

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

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

16 OCT 1998


CONTENTS

  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN
  • [02] BATU, TURKEY'S AMBASSADOR TO ROME RETURNS TO ITALY
  • [03] COUNCIL OF EUROPE DISCUSSES STRUGGLE AGAINST TERRORISM
  • [04] ERSUMER, MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES, MEETS WITH MARK PARRIS, THE US AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY
  • [05] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)
  • [06] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)
  • [07] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (3)
  • [08] CAKICI-YIGIT MEETING - BUSINESSMEN YIGIT: ''MR. ECEVIT'S SLANDEROUS WORDS WITHOUT ANY LEGAL EVIDENCE GIVE ME DAMAGE THAT CAN'T BE COMPENSATED''
  • [09] PRESIDENT DEMIREL HOSTS DINNER IN HONOR OF ESTONIAN PRESIDENT
  • [10] INVESTIGATION INTO DYP LEADER CILLER'S ASSETS - CILLER: ''MY ASSETS CAN'T BE DISCUSSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF LAW''
  • [11] SECOND RELIGION CONGRESS - 32 RELIGIOUS LEADERS FROM 25 COUNTRIES TO PARTICIPATE AT CONGRESS
  • [12] TURKISH-SYRIAN TENSION - ANKARA RESPONDS TO PROPOSAL OF DAMASCUS FOR CONVENING OF JOINT COMMITTEES
  • [13] RATIFICATION FROM COMPETITION BOARD - BOARD GIVES CONDITIONAL PERMISSION FOR TRANSFER OF OPERATING RIGHTS OF TEDAS'S ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION FACILITIES IN 17 REGIONS FOR WHICH TEDAS IS RESPONSIBLE
  • [14] RATIFICATION FROM COMPETITION BOARD - BOARD PUTS FORWARD FOUR CONDITIONS FOR TRANSFER OF OPERATING RIGHTS
  • [15] CAVIT KAVAK, MINISTER OF STATE: - ''MASS-MEDIA AND INFORMATION ARE THE MOST EFFECTIVE POWERS IN THE METAMORPHOSES AND VARIATIONS OUR WORLD IS EXPERIENCING TODAY''
  • [16] POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF EURO - CEM, FOREIGN MINISTER: ''ECONOMIC AND MONETARY UNITY IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE OF THE COMING PERIOD''
  • [17] EUROPEAN CONFERENCE SEMINAR OF THE MINISTERS OF TRANSPORTATION
  • [18] CETIN, PARLIAMENT SPEAKER, MEETS WITH ZIMMERLI, SPEAKER OF SWISS CANTONS ASSEMBLY

  • [01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

    These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on 16 October 1998. The Anadolu Agency doesn't verify these stories and doesn't vouch for their accuracy. You will find more detailed summaries of the main stories in the Turkish press in a few hours.

    HURRIYET (LIBERAL) EVIDENCE IN THE RED BULLETIN
    The Interpol started working on the news reports that Apo was expelled from Syria. The Interpol sent messages to all the countries saying that Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the separatist terrorist organization, may enter into your country with his red passport.

    MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

    VERY URGENT ELECTIONS
    Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State, who said ''the Parliament is bottlenecked'', met with Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz. The Prime Minister said ''we will evaluate if necessary.''

    SABAH (LIBERAL)

    CILLER SPEAKS ABOUT HER WEALTH: ''ASK MY MOTHER''
    Tansu Ciller, the leader of True Path Party (DYP), for the first time was questioned in the commission which investigated her wealth. Speaking about the wealth of her mother Ciller said ''you should have talked to my defunct mother. I wish she was living to answer your question.''

    CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

    SHARIAH WITH THE MONEY OF DRUG TRAFFICKING
    The annual report of the Drug Geopolitics Observatory for the years 1997- 1998 said that several administrators and intelligence officials have close relations with drug gangs and extreme rightest organizations and it was claimed that they protected them. The report claimed that Turkey was the main base of the drug transports to Europe, adding that millions of US dollars in income was laundered in Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries.

    RADIKAL (LEFT)

    THREAT TO YILMAZ
    The recent tape reflecting the conversation between Alaattin Cakici, the notorious Mafia boss and Erol Evcil, include preparations of them for blackmail and threats to Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz. Cakici said ''if I die, Mesut's (Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz) brother and son will also die.''

    YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

    US: THE ONLY ROUTE FOR OIL PIPELINE IS BAKU-CEYHAN
    Richard Morningstar, the US President Bill Clinton's Special Consultant for the Caspian Region Energy Policies, said that it would be a surprise for him if the International Consortium, which will drill and market the Azerbaijani oil, choses the Baku-Supsa route on 29 October.

    Morningstar stressed, ''there isn't any other alternative except the Baku- Ceyhan. Ankara should solve the issue with the companies.''

    TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

    COMPROMISE PROPOSAL FROM ANAP TO DYP
    Agah Oktay Guner, the second man of the Motherland Party (ANAP) said ''the incidents have proved that the central right should act as a whole. I am calling on the True Path Party (DYP) to come together to make an agreement. This isn't a requirement of our parties, but for Turkey.''

    ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

    YSK: ''IT CAN'T BE HELD IN DECEMBER''
    The High Election Board (YSK), which convened urgently on Thursday evening following the ''early elections'' discussions by Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister, said ''preparation of the required documents can't be in December. We could only publish 40 percent of them so far.''

    [02] BATU, TURKEY'S AMBASSADOR TO ROME RETURNS TO ITALY

    ROME, Oct 16 (A.A) - Inal Batu, Turkey's Ambassador to Italy, who was called back as a reaction to Italy, returned to his post on Thursday.

    Batu was called back to Turkey in September due to the activities of a group of separatist terrorists held in the Italian Parliament under the name of the so-called Kurdish Parliament in Exile with the support of several Italian deputies.

    Speaking to the A.A correspondent Batu said ''we have reacted to Italy for friendship. This friendship won't receive a great damage.''

    Batu said ''during my contacts in Ankara I have observed with pleasure the interest shown at the highest level to Italy's friendship, alliance relations and the importance of mutual interests as two nations living in the same region.''

    Noting that as two democratic countries, relations between the Parliaments of Turkey and Italy aren't so intense and close as required, Batu said ''I will expend efforts to this end, to the extent to which domestic developments in Italy pave the way.''

    Batu also said that he would convey a message from Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament, to Luciano Volante, the Italian Speaker of the Parliament.

    Batu pointed out that initiatives regarding the draft resolution, related to the so-called genocide on Armenians were stalled due to the last incidents. ''We will continue from where we left off'' Batu added.

    [03] COUNCIL OF EUROPE DISCUSSES STRUGGLE AGAINST TERRORISM

    STRASBOURG, Oct 16 (A.A) - The Council of Europe member countries, the US and Israel announced on Thursday that the struggle against terrorism is impossible without international cooperation, addressing the conference on ''the European Democracies Against Terrorism''.

    The issue of ''punishment of the countries supporting and protecting terrorism'' also came onto the agenda of the conference which will constitute the infrastructure for the European Agreement for Struggling Against Terrorism being prepared at the Council of Europe.

    The experts participating at the conference stressed that drug trafficking, which supports terrorism, the laundering of black money and arms smuggling should be prevented for achieving success in the anti-terrorism programme.

    Turkey, in Wednesday's session of the conference, had lodged an official complaint to the European countries about Syria's support to the separatist terrorist PKK organization, stating that the relations between Turkey and Syria can't be normalized if Damascus doesn't put an end to her support to the terrorist PKK.

    At the conference, which was organized by the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, the experts are discussing the issues of the ''definition of terrorism'', ''methods for struggling'' and ''international cooperation against terrorism''.

    Almost 200 experts from the 40 member countries of the Council of Europe, from the US and Israel are attending the conference.

    The Conference on Struggling Against Terrorism will conclude on Friday.

    [04] ERSUMER, MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES, MEETS WITH MARK PARRIS, THE US AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY

    ANKARA, Oct 16 (A.A) - Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, met on Thursday with Mark Parris, the US Ambassador to Turkey.

    The officials from the ministry told the A.A correspondent that the meeting, which was held upon the request from the US Embassy in Ankara, started at 19:00 local time and lasted one hour.

    Yurdakul Yigitguden, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, didn't give information about the content of the meeting while he said that conveying any message was out of the question.

    Stressing that Turkey and the US had common policies, Yigitguden said, ''this common policy necessitates holding meetings frequently. Earlier, a total of five joint working group meetings had been held within 8-9 months. Thus, we have to hold frequent meetings with Mr. Parris and the US administrators.''

    Recalling that Ambassador Richard Morningstar, the US President Bill Clinton's Special Consultant for the Caspian Region Energy Policies, will hold contacts in Ankara between 27-29 October, Yigitguden said, ''most probably, Bill Richardson, the US Secretary of Energy, will pay a visit to Turkey at the end of October or mid-November.''

    Cumhur Ersumer had also met the same day with the Russian, Japanese and Bulgarian Ambassadors to Turkey.

    [05] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

    These are brief summaries of some of the leading stories in Turkey's press on 16 October 1998. The Anadolu Agency doesn't verify these stories and doesn't vouch for their accuracy.

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

    ESTONIAN PRESIDENT VISITS TURKEY
    Lennart Meri, the Estonian President, arrived in Ankara yesterday for a three-day official visit aimed at boosting political and economic cooperation between Turkey and Estonia. Speaking at the welcoming ceremony, President Suleyman Demirel praised the current state of Turco-Estonian relations, emphasizing that Turkey was one of the most determined supporters of Estonia's efforts to join the Euro-Atlantic institutions. Demirel stressed that a free trade agreement signed between Turkey and Estonia would contribute to an increase in bilateral trade volumes and the establishment of a free trade zone covering the region between the Baltic and the Black Seas. After completing his programme in Ankara, President Meri is expected to meet with Turkish businessmen in Istanbul to explore opportunities for improving trade and economic relations between Turkey and Estonia. /All papers/

    TURKEY TO CELEBRATE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF REPUBLIC
    Turkey will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Republic with military and civilian parades, concerts, folklore performances, dancing, ballet, fireworks and general festivities, Cavit Kavak, the Minister of State, said yesterday. Kavak said that celebrations will be held in all the provinces, including Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, where major parades will be held and concerts will be given. The Foreign Ministry will hold festivities in other countries. Turkey, Kavak said, has set aside 10 million US dollars for the celebrations. The presidents of 16 nations and senior government officials from 21 countries will attend the celebrations, Kavak added. /Hurriyet/

    TURKEY'S PRIVATIZATION DRIVE SUCCESSFUL
    Turkey will have privatized 7.5 billion US dollars of state assets by the end of this year, including the energy industry tenders, just below the 12 billion US dollar target, in spite of the global financial crisis, the Syrian crisis and all the other negative conditions, Ugur Bayar, the Chairman of the Privatization Administration Chairmanship (OIB) has said. /All papers/

    FP DEPUTY ATAOGLU QUITS
    Kazim Ataoglu, the Virtue Party (FP) Bingol Deputy, quit his party yesterday. With his resignation, the number of the FP's seats in Parliament dropped to 144. /Hurriyet/

    DRUG OPERATIONS IN ANTALYA
    During operations held in Antalya this year, 46.5 kilograms of hashish have been seized, according to a statement made by the Head of the Narcotic Department of the Antalya Security Office. The statement noted that during operations carried out in Antalya and its counties in the first nine months of this year, 46.5 kilograms of hashish, the market value of which totalled nearly 18.5 billion TL have been confiscated./Hürriyet/

    765 PIECES OF HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS SEIZED
    During an operation carried out in Bolu, 765 pieces of historical artifacts worth 5 trillion TL have been seized. Five smugglers have been taken into custody regarding the incident. During another operation carried out by members of the Security Office in Ankara, 825 pieces of historical artifacts have been confiscated. /Hurriyet/

    [06] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

    These are brief summaries of some of the leading stories in Turkey's press on 16 October 1998. The Anadolu Agency doesn't verify these stories and doesn't vouch for their accuracy.

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

    STATE SUMMIT IN HATAY
    A state summit will be held in Hatay in the upcoming days. President Suleyman Demirel will warn Syria again in the border county of Samandag of Hatay. A visit to be paid by Demirel to Hatay on Monday will also be attended by Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament; Kutlu Aktas, the Minister of the Interior; Hikmet Ulugbay, the Minister of Education, and Yasar Topcu, the Minister of Public Works. /Hurriyet/

    US: ''WE ARE AGAINST A KURDISH STATE''
    The US government noted that concerns regarding the establishment of a Kurdish state in Northern Iraq were unnecessary and they were against every initiative to that end. The US government officials said that they were against the establishment of a Kurdish state in Northern Iraq or anywhere else. The US Embassy officials in Ankara held a tele-conference for Turkish journalists yesterday to express Washington's views regarding the issues on the agenda. /Hurriyet/

    TWO TURKS IN UNION OF LATIN NOTARIES
    Two Turks have been elected to the Permanent Council of the International Union of Latin Notaries. According to a statement made by the Union of Turkish Notaries, the 22nd Ordinary General Council of the International Union of Latin Notaries, which has 67-member countries, was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, yesterday. /Hurriyet/

    FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES INCREASE
    The Central Bank foreign exchange reserves have reached 22,311 billion US dollars. According to the Central Bank data, the foreign exchange reserves, which increased by 291 million US dollars between 2-9 October, rose to 22, 311 billion US dollars on 9 October. Turkey's total international gross reserves increased by 855 million US dollars in one week and reached 33,765 billion US dollars according to the data on 25 September 1998. Gold reserves amounted to 1,125 billion US dollars, while foreign exchange reserves in the commercial banks totalled 11,162 billion US dollars as of 25 September. /Hurriyet/

    RUSSIA: ''WE CAN'T FORGET TURKISH SUPPORT''
    Dr. Arthur Chilingarov, the Acting Speaker of the Duma, the lower chamber of the Russian Federal Assembly, who visited the Turkish stand at the International Fashion Fair held between 12-15 October in Moscow, noted that they couldn't forget the support extended by Turkish businessmen to Russia during the crisis period. Chilingarov said, ''we will also support Turkish businessmen''. Nabi Sensoy, the Turkish Ambassador to Russia, also visited the Turkish firms at the fair and requested the Turkish businessmen to continue with their investments in Russia. /Hurriyet/

    FINANCING OF THE TURKSAT-2A SATELLITE
    Turkish Telecommunications, a joint stock company which established EURASIASAT S.A.M. with the French company Aerospatiale with a start-up capital of 20 million US dollars, will be the guarantor of the Turksat-2A satellite's 51.62 million US dollar short-term debt. This decision was announced in the Official Gazette yesterday. /Hurriyet/

    [07] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (3)

    These are brief summaries of some of the leading stories in Turkey's press on 16 October 1998. The Anadolu Agency doesn't verify these stories and doesn't vouch for their accuracy.

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

    ISTANBUL CANDIDATE FOR WORLD PETROLEUM CONGRESS
    Istanbul will be a candidate to host the 17th World Petroleum Congress, to be held in 2003, according to an announcement from Sitki Sancar, the Chairman of the Turkish National Committee of the World Petroleum Congress (WPC) and the President of the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO). Sancar stated that the national committees representing members of the WPC will meet in January 1999 to choose the location for the 2003 congress.

    CONFERENCE ON KEMALISM
    Within the framework of celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey, the Faculty of Social Sciences of the Ankara University will organize a conference between 22-23 October on Kemalism. A total of 81 scientists from 46 countries will attend the conference, on ''Kemalism and Modern Turkey''. /Sabah/

    WORLD BANK DONATION TO GAP PROJECT
    Salih Yildirim, the Minister of State, said that the World Bank donated 300, 000 US dollars for the development of investments in the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region. Yildirim added that the donation would be used for the ''Sanliurfa-Harran Plains and Village Improvement Project'' prepared for the improvement of the infrastructure of rural areas. He noted that with the coordination of the GAP Regional Development Administration, an initial report has been prepared by the Turkish SU-YAPI Engineering and Construction Company and the US Oklahama State University about the project. /Sabah/

    CONFERENCE ON TURKEY IN LAUSANNE
    Within the scope of the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic a conference titled the ''Republic of Turkey from 1923 to 2023'' will start today in Lausanne, Switzerland. Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament, is going to make an opening speech at the conference, which is organized by the Turkish-European Academics Union. At night Taner Baytok, the Turkish Ambassador to Switzerland, will give a reception at the historical Rumine Palace, where the Lausanne Treaty discussions were made. /Milliyet/

    ''TURKEY SHOULD BE MORE ACTIVE IN THE BALKANS''
    Adem Demaci, the Representative of the Kosovo Independence Front (UCK) and leader of the Kosovo Parliament Party, said that Turkey had an important role in the Balkans, adding that they wanted Turkey to be more active in the region. Demaci noted that they welcomed the Southeastern European Countries' Summit held last week in Antalya with the initiatives of Turkey and said that they need more support from Turkey. Adem Demaci wanted Turkey to be a leader in the Kosovo issue in front of America and Europe. /Cumhuriyet/

    TEHERAN AND BAGHDAD SUPPORT THE PKK
    The second man after Ocalan in the PKK Semdin Sakik, said in his statement he gave to the State Security Court in Diyarbakir that Syria, Iran and Iraq were in agreement concerning the PKK. Sakik said, ''they want the PKK to carry on with the conflict. The price of Ocalan's stay in Damascus is to continue shedding blood.'' Noting that so long as he continued killing, Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the PKK, would live like a king in Damascus, Sakik added that the terrorist organization was also supported by Iran and Iraq. Sakik claimed that the PKK guarded the western frontiers of Iran and the reason why Iran supported the PKK was to establish an Islamic state in Turkey by deteriorating her republic. Syria, Iran and Iraq were always in agreement in supporting the PKK''. /Milliyet/

    SCHROEDER KEEPS HIS WORD
    The Social Democrat Party (SPD) and the Union/90 Greeens have taken an important step which would relieve foreigners in Germany and close to a million Turkish citizens. They have agreed for a reform in the Citizenship Law and accepted their becoming German citizens without abandoning their original citizenship. Herta Daeublir Gmelin on behalf of the SPD and Kersin Muller on behalf of the Greens in a joint press conference stated that they would work for the foreigners to have equal rights. /Milliyet/

    [08] CAKICI-YIGIT MEETING - BUSINESSMEN YIGIT: ''MR. ECEVIT'S SLANDEROUS WORDS WITHOUT ANY LEGAL EVIDENCE GIVE ME DAMAGE THAT CAN'T BE COMPENSATED''

    ISTANBUL, Oct 16 (A.A) - Korkmaz Yigit, a businessman, speaking about the statements of Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister, said ''Ecevit's statements which slandered me and my commercial activities without any legal evidence won't only give damage that can't be compensated, but also damage the state and Ecevit himself.''

    In a written statement Yigit said that Bulent Ecevit made unjust and baseless allegations targeting himself and his commercial activities.

    Claiming that the state officials don't have the right to make accusations against people after they opened tenders and after concluding all the pre- studies and investigations.

    Yigit recalled the reasons why he participated in the Turk Trade Bank tender and stressed that he fulfilled all the legal conditions related with the tender. ''It is impossible to say that disorders were made in the tender in such a case. The bank was sold for 600 million US dollars following the public auction.''

    Yigit said that everyone knows that Alaatin Cakici, the notorious Mafia boss was interested in this bank, adding that he worked very hard not to include Cakici in this tender. Yigit pointed out that the Parliamentary investigation will vindicate him in the end.

    [09] PRESIDENT DEMIREL HOSTS DINNER IN HONOR OF ESTONIAN PRESIDENT

    ANKARA, Oct 16 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel on Thursday hosted a dinner in honor of Lennart Meri, the Estonian President and his wife.

    Addressing the dinner Demirel said that relations between Turkey and Estonia were founded in the 1920s, adding that Turkey and Estonia were in solidarity in the past years.

    Demirel noted that rapid steps were taken in bilateral relations after Estonia declared her independence and expressed the belief that relations will be further improved from now on.

    Demirel pointed out that the visit of Meri, the Estonian President, was important as it coincides with a period where important political and economic developments were recorded in the region and in Europe. Demirel also said that Turkey, just like Estonia, closely follows the recent economic and political troubles in Russia.

    President Demirel said, ''Turkey and Estonia have great interests for the preservation of the stability of the Russian Federation, for which we are ready to work together as a strategical partner for the brilliant future of Eurasia.'' Demirel also expressed belief that Russia will overcome this crisis soon and stressed that Turkey is ready to help the Russian Federation during this difficult period.

    Noting that Turkey appreciated the comprehensive reforms realized aimed at the integration with the European institutions, Demirel said, ''Estonia is included among the five countries which will participate in the full membership negotiations with the European Union (EU) and I believe that Estonia will be a full member of the EU soon.''

    Demirel also said that Turkey is one of the leading countries which supports the readiness and efforts of Estonia to participate in the NATO, adding that Turkey also supports the continuance of the expansion process.

    President Demirel said that the Turkish-Estonian Free Trade Agreement which took effect in July will play an important role in the development of trade relations. ''If similar agreements are signed with the other countries in our region, then a new free trade zone uniting the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea will be established naturally.''

    Demirel said that the Turkish-Estonian Business Council, which is envisaged to be established will create important facilities to accelerate the trade relations.

    He said, ''cooperation and friendly relations between the two countries will contribute to the construction of a new peace and welfare basin extending from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.''

    Lennart Meri, the Estonian President, said that important steps were taken during the visit to improve relations.

    Meri stressed that Turkey, which they followed in her courageous security policy, is the unbending post of democracy and stability in its region.

    Meri said, ''Turkey has always been a country which supports peace and stability in the region. We can't ignore the role of Turkey played in the making of the decisions in the NATO and within the framework of the NATO about the Balkans.''

    [10] INVESTIGATION INTO DYP LEADER CILLER'S ASSETS - CILLER: ''MY ASSETS CAN'T BE DISCUSSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF LAW''

    ANKARA, Oct 16 (A.A) - Tansu Ciller, the leader of the True Path Party (DYP), submitted on Thursday a written response to the Parliamentary Investigation Commission, which was established to launch an investigation into Ciller's wealth on charges of owning them through unjust profit, saying, ''there wasn't any unreal subject or wrongdoing in my declarations of property which I have presented to the Parliamentary Chairmanship since 1991.''
    Ciller gave testimony at the Investigation Commission and submitted a written response.

    Ciller said in her written response that her assets such as immovable and movable properties, rights and receivables mentioned in the declarations of property between May 1993 and May 1998 and before May 1993, now became ''fixed assets'' which can't be discussed in accordance with the ''applicable provisions of law'' which can't be claimed that they were obtained by corruption or by unjust profit.

    ''The commission can't inquire about the assets of the companies in which my husband and I have shares. It can only investigate the shares, profit share, receivables and debts of these companies, because the commercial companies of which we are the shareholders, are judicial bodies having licensed rights and activities independent from their shareholders.''

    ''Due to the same reason, the commission can't investigate the assets of my father and mother and my son.''

    ''Contrary to the claim, there wasn't any wrongdoing or unreal subject in the declarations of the property I have submitted to the Parliamentary Chairmanship since 1991,'' the DYP leader Ciller stated in her written response.

    [11] SECOND RELIGION CONGRESS - 32 RELIGIOUS LEADERS FROM 25 COUNTRIES TO PARTICIPATE AT CONGRESS

    ANKARA, Oct 16 (A.A) - The Second Religion Congress, staged by the Department of Religious Affairs, will be held in Ankara between 23-27 November 1998.

    Improvement of unity and solidarity with the Islamic countries, problems related with religious services, interreligious tolerance and providing of dialogue will be discussed during the congress.

    A total of 204 religious leaders composed of 32 religious leaders from 25 countries and 172 from Turkey will participate at the Congress.

    Religious leaders from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Pakistan, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Russia, Bulgaria, Western Thrace (Komotini-Xanthi), TRNC, Malaysia, Singapore, Tajikistan and Bosnia will participate at the meeting.

    [12] TURKISH-SYRIAN TENSION - ANKARA RESPONDS TO PROPOSAL OF DAMASCUS FOR CONVENING OF JOINT COMMITTEES

    ANKARA, Oct 16 (A.A) - The Foreign Ministry said on Friday that ''the only issue on the agenda of Turkey is the support given to the separatist terrorism of the PKK'' in response to the statements of Damascus that they were waiting for a reply from Ankara for the re-convening of the joint committees which were established aimed at finding a solution to the problems between Turkey and Syria.

    The Foreign Ministry statement said ''at the moment Turkey wants to see absolutely whether or not Syria puts an end to her support to terrorism''.

    The Syrian officials earlier proposed to Turkey to reconvene the joint committees which were established in 1992 aimed at discussing the questions paving the way to the tension between Turkey and Syria.

    Syrian officials said they were expecting a reply to their proposals, but Turkey isn't positive towards the meeting of the joint committees as Syria hasn't yet cut her support to terrorism.

    [13] RATIFICATION FROM COMPETITION BOARD - BOARD GIVES CONDITIONAL PERMISSION FOR TRANSFER OF OPERATING RIGHTS OF TEDAS'S ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION FACILITIES IN 17 REGIONS FOR WHICH TEDAS IS RESPONSIBLE

    ANKARA, Oct 16 (A.A) - The Competition Board gave on Friday permission for the transfer to several firms of operating rights of the Turkish Electricity Distribution Corp.'s (TEDAS) electricity distribution facilities in 17 regions, for which the TEDAS is responsible, on the condition of fulfilling the provisions which were specified by the Board.

    The conditions, which the Competition Board wants to get fulfilled, are collected under four articles in accordance with the decision made by the unanimous vote of the Board.

    The names of the companies to which conditional permission was given for the transfer of the operating rights of the electricity distribution facilities in those 17 regions are as follows:

    1- Cukurova Corp.

    2- Kepez Electricity Turkish Corp.

    3- Tekas Electricity Distribution Trade Corp.

    4- Buryal Energy Distribution Ltd. Co.

    5- Kocatepe Electricity Distribution Trade Corp.

    6- Ceylan Electricity Production Distribution Industry Corp.

    7- Sakarya Bolu Electricity Distribution Corp.

    8- Ankara Kirikkale Electricity Distribution Industry Corp.

    9- Parkur Electricity Distribution and Trade Corp.

    10- Anadolu Electricity Distribution and Trade Corp.

    11- Kizilirmak Electricity Distribution and Trade Corp.

    12- Zigana Electricity Distribution and Trade Corp.

    13- GAP Electricity Distribution Industry Trade Corp.

    14- Adiyaman-Kahramanmaras Distribution Corp.

    15- Suredas Electricity Distribution Trade Corp.

    16- Bati Karadeniz Electricity Distribution Trade Corp.

    17- Istanbul Electricity Distribution Trade Corp.

    [14] RATIFICATION FROM COMPETITION BOARD - BOARD PUTS FORWARD FOUR CONDITIONS FOR TRANSFER OF OPERATING RIGHTS

    ANKARA, Oct 16 (A.A) - The Competition Board gave on Friday permission for the transfer to several firms of the operating rights of the Turkish Electricity Distribution Corp.'s (TEDAS) electricity distribution facilities in 17 regions, for which the TEDAS is responsible, on the condition of fulfilling the provisions which were specified by the Board.

    The conditions, which the Competition Board wants to get fulfilled, are collected under four articles in accordance with the decision made by the unanimous vote of the Board.

    Within the scope of the conditions, the fixed price implementation will be removed in the agreement to be signed between the TEDAS and the companies, and in spite of this implementation, the lowest and highest price limits will be determined and the price will fluctuate between these limits.

    In accordance with this, the distribution companies will have the right to implement their own prices in their regions.

    [15] CAVIT KAVAK, MINISTER OF STATE: - ''MASS-MEDIA AND INFORMATION ARE THE MOST EFFECTIVE POWERS IN THE METAMORPHOSES AND VARIATIONS OUR WORLD IS EXPERIENCING TODAY''

    ISTANBUL, Oct 16 (A.A) - Cavit Kavak, the Minister of State, said on Friday that the mass-media and information are the most effective powers in the metamorphoses and variations the world is experiencing today.

    Addressing the dinner prior to the International Press Institute Executive Board Meeting at the Ceylan Intercontinental Hotel, Cavit Kavak said, ''Turkey and our press community have always attached importance to your institute.''

    Recalling that Turkey had faced some criticisms regarding the freedom of expression and press, Cavit Kavak said, ''the most intense criticisms were raised within Turkey. I don't want to apply to the thesis that every country has deficiencies in the fields of democracy or human rights and basic freedoms and even one country couldn't reach the perfect. On the contrary, I want to state that we don't give up our insistence on further development of our democracy, human rights and basic freedoms despite the evil terrorism, which is supported by a well-known neighbour country and which has killed almost 40 thousand people in the last 15 years.''

    Stressing that the government counts the provision of the Turkish people's democratic demands and expectations as a basic duty, Kavak said, ''we are determined to abide by the standards of the European Charter of Human Rights. In accordance with this understanding, we are working on the provisions regarding the ''freedom of expression'' of the Turkish legal system within the framework of a project which started recently. We are preparing a press draft law concordant to today's requirements. Meanwhile, our government has prepared a draft law for the right of receiving information which is very important for the freedom of press. When the draft goes into effect, the state administration will be more transparent and its control by the public opinion will be easier.''

    Recalling that Turkey had faced some criticisms that some journalists were kept in prisons, Kavak said, ''I have to state that some organizations and publications have pitilessly exaggerated this issue. Very different results are brought to light when most of these claims are inspected by the government or neutral organizations. It was determined that most of the prisoners, who are claimed to be kept in prison due to their journalistic activities, were sentenced on charges of being the active members of the terrorist organizations, helping them to shelter or carrying out illegal activities. Everyone who wants to make research on these issues, can obtain the reports prepared regarding the illegal activities of these people.''

    [16] POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF EURO - CEM, FOREIGN MINISTER: ''ECONOMIC AND MONETARY UNITY IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE OF THE COMING PERIOD''

    ISTANBUL, Oct 16 (A.A) - Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, said on Friday that economic and monetary unity will be a very important issue in the world, not only in Europe.

    Cem pointed out that ''the European Union (EU) will be a more effective actor on the international platform from now on.''

    Addressing a conference on ''Economic and Monetary Unity: Possible Effects and Expectations'' prepared by the EU Counseling and Investment Services, Cem recalled that this will be the first time that many countries will come together and mint currency, adding that the EU will for the first time prove its identity.

    Cem noted that if this minting of currency continues, then the EU will come to a point that is beyond the functions we have ever known ''the EU will be a more effective actor on the international stage from now on. When we take into consideration the EU as a whole, there is a deficiency in strategical dimensions and strategical depth'' he added.

    Cem pointed out that the economic and monetary unity, aimed at the coming century, will bring a change in strategic view with the change of identity, adding that the EU will turn into an organization which can include and affect great changes in the world.

    [17] EUROPEAN CONFERENCE SEMINAR OF THE MINISTERS OF TRANSPORTATION

    ANKARA, Oct 16 (A.A) - Turkey will host the European Conference Seminar of the Ministers of Transportation which will be held in southern Antalya Province between 21-22 October 1998.

    The statement of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said that nearly 150 Turkish and foreign organizations will participate in the seminar on ''New Trade Flows in the Black Sea Region: New Transport Demands.''

    New developments in the past 10 years and the new tendencies which the trade gained in the Black Sea region will be discussed.

    The competitive power of regional trade, importance of transports, new transport corridors and financial and environmental dimensions will be discussed.

    Also, the Fourth Pan-European Transport Corridor Directive Committee meeting will be held on 23 October 1998 in the same place.

    [18] CETIN, PARLIAMENT SPEAKER, MEETS WITH ZIMMERLI, SPEAKER OF SWISS CANTONS ASSEMBLY

    BERN, Oct 16 (A.A) - Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament, said on Friday that Turkey was trying to bring democracy to the highest level together with its all dimensions, stressing, ''but, especially our western friends' giving direct or indirect support to the separatist terrorist PKK organization is an unacceptable situation.''

    Cetin met with Ulrich Zimmerli, the Speaker of the Swiss Cantons Assembly, at a breakfast meeting.

    Erdal Inonu, a former Foreign Minister; Taner Baytok, the Turkish Ambassador to Switzerland; Filiz Dincmen, Cetin's Consultant for Foreign Affairs; Ruth-Gaby Vemond Mangold, a member of the Socialist Party National Assembly; and Anton Cottler, a member of the Cantons Assembly, also attended the meeting at the Bellevue Hotel.

    Speaking to reporters following the meeting which lasted one hour, Cetin said that Zimmerli and he discussed the relations between Turkey and Switzerland.

    ''I told Mr. Zimmerli that the consideration of struggle against terrorist organizations as a human rights issue was affecting the relations between our two countries and these should absolutely be overcome. Mr. Zimmerli told me that he was also sensitive on that issue,'' Cetin said.

    ''We stated that the struggle against terrorist organizations is our own issue, it isn't a human rights issue and that we have some responsibilities for our nation. We stated that we are trying to bring the democracy to the highest level together with all its dimensions. But, especially our Western friends' giving direct or indirect support to the separatist terrorist organization is an unacceptable situation while we are carrying out this process. The attitudes of some politicians regarding the issue are badly affecting our relations,'' Cetin stressed.

    Noting that some deputies, who attended the meeting, asked him some questions, Cetin said, ''they said that the terrorist organization declared a ceasefire. I said as a response that they may have declared a ceasefire if they want; they started and we won't sit at a negotiation table with them; this won't bring a result.''

    ''The Syrian issue came onto the agenda following a question. However, I had briefed Mr. Zimmerli on this issue. I told them that we can't accept the support of our neighbors or other countries to the separatist PKK organization. We have always been in favor of solving the problem with Syria by diplomacy. Now our aim is to solve it through diplomacy. But Turkey can't be tolerant about the issue,'' Cetin emphasized.

    Following the meeting, Cetin and the accompanying delegation proceeded to Lausanne from Bern.


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