Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-10-20

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

20 OCT 1998

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] RICHARDSON, THE US SECRETARY OF ENERGY: - ''WE ENCOURAGE TURKEY'S RELATIONS WITH MEXICO'' - ''OUR RELATIONS WITH TURKEY IN THE ENERGY FIELD ARE EXCELLENT''

[03] PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ RECEIVES ALEKSANDIR LEBEDEV, RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY - LEBEDEV: - ''RUSSIA DOESN'T TOLERATE PERSONS LIKE ABDULLAH OCALAN, (THE LEADER OF SEPARATIST TERRORIST PKK ORGANIZATION)''

[04] KOSOVO - FM: ''THE ADDITIONAL PERIOD GIVEN TO THE SIDES SHOULD BE EVALUATED WELL''

[05] UPRISING IN GEORGIA - FOREIGN MINISTRY EXPRESSES CONCERN WITH THE ARMED MOVEMENT AIMED AT DAMAGING GEORGIA'S STABILITY

[06] FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''THE SECURITY MEETING WHICH STARTED BETWEEN TURKISH AND SYRIAN DELEGATIONS ON MONDAY WILL CONTINUE ON TUESDAY''

[07] TENSION BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA - SEZGIN, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE, DESCRIBES THE WORDS OF SYRIAN INFORMATION MINISTER CONCERNING HATAY AS ''NONSENSE''

[08] ERSUMER, THE MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES IN TURKMENISTAN

[09] CELEBI, THE STATE MINISTER: ''TURKEY CAN HELP THE EU TO OVERCOME CRISIS''

[10] EU-TURKEY - EU COMMISSION TRIES TO OVERCOME THE GREEK OBSTACLE IN ORDER TO GIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO TURKEY

[11] DEMIRTAS, CHAIRMAN OF IZMIR CHAMBER OF TRADE ASKS BUSINESSMEN IN HONG KONG TO INVEST IN TURKEY

[12] TURKEY IN BRIEF - 20 OCTOBER 1998

[13] TURKISH-RUSSIAN REGULAR POLITICAL CONSULTATIONS TO BE HELD IN MOSCOW BETWEEN 22-23 OCTOBER

[14] BSEC FOREIGN MINISTERS' MEETING TO BE HELD IN SOFIA

[15] TURKISH-SYRIAN TENSION - IRANIAN FM KHARRAZI CALLED CEM, FOREIGN MINISTER AND GOT INFORMATION ABOUT TURKISH-SYRIAN SECURITY MEETINGS

[16] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS TO MEET HERCUS ON WEDNESDAY

[17] FOREIGN TRADE DATA - TURKEY REALIZES 2.9 BILLION US DOLLARS IN EXPORTS AND 3.8 BILLION DOLLARS IN IMPORTS

[18] TURKISH-SYRIAN TENSION - ESTABLISHMENT OF CONTROLLING MECHANISM ON THE AGENDA FOR SYRIAN-TERROR LINK

[19] CFE CONTROL IN TURKEY - TURKEY IMPLEMENTS CFE EFFECTIVELY AND COMPLETELY

[20] ERSUMER, MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES IN TURKMENISTAN

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) IN ONE DAY, 700 TRILLION LIRAS WERE TRANSFERRED
Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz said ''the murder of Nesim Malki, a usurer, is a key murder. There is an unbelievable sum of money that is transferred from persons to other persons. In this regard, we exert efforts to find the killer and those who ordered the killing of Malki. In one night, 700 trillion Turkish Liras were transferred. We are monitoring the activities of Erol Evcil and Hayyam Garipoglu, a businessman who escaped abroad. All the Mafia incidents occurred in Turkey between 1993-1997.''

LAST WARNING TO ASSAD
President Suleyman Demirel warned Syria for the last time yesterday in the southern province of Hatay and said ''we've tried all the peaceful means, we are trying the last one. Everyone should understand Turkey well and shouldn't manipulate her peaceful attitude. We tell Syria that she has to end her support to the separatist terrorist organization.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

SABAH (LIBERAL)

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

RADIKAL (LEFT)

ANAP ADMINISTRATION EXTENDS FULL SUPPORT TO YILMAZ
The Motherland Party (ANAP) administration decided to extend full support to Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz who will meet with Deniz Baykal, the leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP) to determine the election date.

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

YILMAZ: APO ISN'T IN SYRIA
It is reported that Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz told his party yesterday that Syria deported Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization, due to the resolved initiatives of Turkey.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

SMALL SUMMIT IN ADANA
The small summit which started in the southern province of Adana brought Turkish and Syrian officials together. The summit will also continue today. Turkey was represented by the Deputy Foreign Minister at the summit and Turkey submitted a file to the Syrian officials concerning the demands of Turkey.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] RICHARDSON, THE US SECRETARY OF ENERGY: - ''WE ENCOURAGE TURKEY'S RELATIONS WITH MEXICO'' - ''OUR RELATIONS WITH TURKEY IN THE ENERGY FIELD ARE EXCELLENT''

Responding to a question about the energy cooperation between the US and Turkey and Turkey's relations with Mexico, Richardson noted, ''our relations with Turkey in the energy field are excellent.''

Richardson pointed out that they have been cooperating closely with Turkey on the issue of the Caspian energy sources and the other energy fields.

Mentioning the close relations and energy cooperation between Turkey and Mexico, Richardson stressed, ''the relations between the two countries are in the framework of free trade and open competition. We encourage the closer relations between Turkey and Mexico.''

Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz had paid an official visit to Mexico a few weeks ago. He was the first Turkish prime minister to visit Mexico in 70 years. Three agreements envisaging the development of economic and commercial relations between the two countries were signed during Yilmaz's visit to Mexico.

[03] PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ RECEIVES ALEKSANDIR LEBEDEV, RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY - LEBEDEV: - ''RUSSIA DOESN'T TOLERATE PERSONS LIKE ABDULLAH OCALAN, (THE LEADER OF SEPARATIST TERRORIST PKK ORGANIZATION)''

Addressing the journalists after the meeting that lasted for one and one half hours, Lebedev noted that they discussed the economic and political issues with Yilmaz. He added that the visit to Turkey of Prime Minister Evgeny Primakov of Russia in the near future was also discussed at the meeting. Lebedev stressed that Primakov will possibly visit Turkey at the beginning of November.

Responding to a journalist who reminded that Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the separatist terrorist PKK organization, is in Russia, Lebedev emphasized, ''Russia doesn't tolerate persons like Ocalan''.

Evaluating the tension between Turkey and Syria, Lebedev pointed out that the dialogue should be continued between the two countries and added that Turkey and Syria should avoid escalating tension in the region.

[04] KOSOVO - FM: ''THE ADDITIONAL PERIOD GIVEN TO THE SIDES SHOULD BE EVALUATED WELL''

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement ''we hope that the sides will fulfill their historical obligations in order to contribute to peace and stability in the region and we hope that they will solve their problems peacefully.''

The NATO Council decided on 13 October to start a limited air operation in various stages against the Yugoslavian Federal Republic if the sides don't abide by the UN General Assembly Resolution No. 1199 within 96 hours.

The Nato Council convened on 16 October and extended the time given to Yugoslavia until 27 October due to the progress recorded in the contacts held between Richard Holbrooke, the US Special Representative and Slobodan Milosevic, the Yugoslavian President.

The Foreign Ministry pointed out that Turkey welcomed the extension decision of the NATO and the negotiations between Holbrooke and Milosevic aimed at establishment of peace in the region by preventing the incidents in Kosovo.

''Turkey supports the agreements envisaging the implementation of the UN General Assembly Resolution No. 1199 by the NATO from the air and by the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on land,'' added the Foreign Ministry.

[05] UPRISING IN GEORGIA - FOREIGN MINISTRY EXPRESSES CONCERN WITH THE ARMED MOVEMENT AIMED AT DAMAGING GEORGIA'S STABILITY

The Foreign Ministry's written statement pointed out, ''we have learned with sorrow that an armed group began an uprising in Georgia. Turkey attributes great importance to peace and stability in the Causasus and Georgia's political union and territorial integrity. We want the uprising aimed at damaging the peace and stability in Georgia to be overcome immediately.''

An armed group lead by Colonel Akaki Eliava, who is known as the supporter of Zviad Gamsakhurdia, the former leader of Georgia who was ousted after Georgia became independent in 1991 and fought a short war in a bid to return to power, but died in mysterious circumstances in 1994, revolted on Monday, blocking roads in a western region with stolen tanks, trucks and machine guns.

Officials from the AIOC, one of the companies forming the international consortium which operates the Azerbaijani, Cırak and Gunesli oil beds in Azerbaijan, told the A.A correspondent that the uprising in the region affects negatively the oil pipeline projects. Rehabilitation activities of the Baku-Supsa oil pipeline have been ceased temporarily.

Giya Canturia, the Chairman of the Georgian International Petroleum Company, reminded that the agreement related with the Baku-Ceyhan projects will be signed by the presidents of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia on 29 October. He stressed that the developments can prevent it.

[06] FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''THE SECURITY MEETING WHICH STARTED BETWEEN TURKISH AND SYRIAN DELEGATIONS ON MONDAY WILL CONTINUE ON TUESDAY''

Turkey had requested Syria to end her support to the separatist terrorist PKK organization and not to permit the chief of the PKK to take shelter in Syria. On the other hand, Syria had claimed that she had prohibited the PKK in her territories and Ocalan, the chief of the PKK wasn't in Syria.

Security and foreign ministry officials from Turkey and Syria met on Monday in a place which wasn't officialy declared, to discuss the Syrian support to terrorism.

It was reported that the Turkish-Syrian security meeting was held in Seyhan County of the southern province of Adana on Monday.

[07] TENSION BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA - SEZGIN, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE, DESCRIBES THE WORDS OF SYRIAN INFORMATION MINISTER CONCERNING HATAY AS ''NONSENSE''

Responding to the questions of the journalists concerning the words of Salman who said, ''Hatay is a national matter for us and we will never give it up'', Sezgin said ''nonsense'' at the opening ceremony of a painting exhibition by military painters.

The exhibition was organized by the Vakifbank within the framework of the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of Republic of Turkey.

Hikmet Sami Turk and Metin Gurdere, the State Ministers, were also in attendance at the ceremony.

The exhibition will remain open until 30 October.

[08] ERSUMER, THE MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES IN TURKMENISTAN

Addressing a statement to the A.A correspondent on his arrival, Ersumer said that he came to Turkmenistan to initial the natural gas agreement.

Noting that the agreement will be signed on 29 October, Ersumer said that the final form of the agreement will be realized during the visit to Turkey of Saparmurat Turkmenbası, the Turkmen President.

''Our efforts which have been underway for one year will connect our countries to each other with natural gas and oil pipelines with an interconnected system,'' said Ersumer.

Cumhur Ersumer will be received by Turkmenbası, the Turkmen President on Tuesday.

[09] CELEBI, THE STATE MINISTER: ''TURKEY CAN HELP THE EU TO OVERCOME CRISIS''

Addressing a statement to the press members after the conference, Celebi said ''we've participated in this meeting because it is an economic and commercial meeting, rather than a political one.''

''The conference discusses the economic policy that has to be pursued by countries which have entered into the EU enlargement process. At this meeting, it has been observed that Turkey constitutes 35 percent of the total of the gross domestic product (GDP) of the 12 candidate countries and 25 percent of the EU's volume of trade with these 12 countries is with Turkey. The EU has to consider Turkey within the enlargement process. It's seen that the status of Turkey is different from the Central and Eastern European countries. Turkey has to pursue a policy which will benefit from that position.''

''Just as Turkey has an important place in the enlargement of the EU in an atmosphere of crisis, the EU process is also important for Turkey,'' said Celebi.

Referring to the financial protocol between Turkey and the EU, Celebi said that if the EU gives six billion US dollars to Poland in the coming five- six years and 20 billion US dollars to the candidate countries and if Turkey can't benefit from these kinds of technical assistance and financial opportunities, then the situation is disadvantageous for Turkey.

Noting that a serious signal has been given to the EU, Celebi said that he told the conference that a crisis in this region couldn't be overcome if Turkey was kept outside.

Celebi will return to Turkey on Tuesday.

[10] EU-TURKEY - EU COMMISSION TRIES TO OVERCOME THE GREEK OBSTACLE IN ORDER TO GIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO TURKEY

The EU Commission is expected to announce its technical formula this week which will free in 1999 a part of 375 million ECUs, envisaged to be given to Turkey within the framework of the ''special action plan''.

The EU Commission has developed a series of technical formulas to overcome the Greek and EP vetoes by taking the assistance that will be given to Turkey under the budget decisions which are decided by a majority rather than unanimously.

Last year, the EP decided to suspend the financial assistance to Turkey by showing human rights, international law, the Cyprus question, the Southeastern problem and Turkey's attitude towards the Customs Union as excuses.

Meanwhile, the draft budget of the EU for 1999 will be discussed in the EP this week.

[11] DEMIRTAS, CHAIRMAN OF IZMIR CHAMBER OF TRADE ASKS BUSINESSMEN IN HONG KONG TO INVEST IN TURKEY

Visiting the Chamber of Trade of Hong Kong, Demirtas said that if investors in Hong Kong cooperate with Turkey, then they can also reach the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Central Asia and the Balkan countries.

Noting that the US Department of Commerce shows Turkey among the 10 developing countries in the world, Demirtas said ''the investors in the finance circles in Hong Kong can enter into the Turkish Stock Exchange Market. Public investments are being privatized in our country and Turkey and Hong Kong can make joint investments in the European Union (EU). You can export iron, steel, construction equipment and foodstuffs from Turkey. The port of Hong-Kong is one of the important ports of the world. We have one port in Izmir, but it isn't sufficient to meet our demands. We can construct the second one together. We would like to welcome you in Izmir, soon.''

Chugh, the Deputy Chairman of the Chamber of Trade in Hong Kong said ''we can make joint investments with Turkey and we'll visit Izmir soon.''

[12] TURKEY IN BRIEF - 20 OCTOBER 1998

Harput stressed, ''subjects such as bank loans, the investments of the private sector in industry and its problems, investment policies, marketing problems, the animal husbandry sector and its problems, irrigation, problems of the social infrastructure, tourism, health, education and women's problems will be discussed at the symposium.

Salih Yildirim, the Minister of State Responsible for the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP), nearly 80 scientists and representatives of several sectors will participate at the symposium.

ANKARA - President Suleyman Demirel received on Tuesday Ivan Antonovich, the Foreign Minister of Belarus who is paying an official visit to Turkey.

Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister was also in attendance at the meeting.

Antonovich was also received by Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz. No information was given about the agenda of the meeting which lasted for 45 minutes.

ISTANBUL - Istanbul will host two international fairs in the near future, it was reported on Monday.

The First International Istanbul Marble and Natural Stones Fair will be opened at the TUYAP Fair and Congress Center on 22 October.

A total of 113 firms from Turkey, the US, Germany, China, Italy, Japan, Korea and Saudi Arabia will participate at the fair which will remain open until 25 October.

The 11th International Istanbul Telecommunications and Network Technology Fair will be organized at the Hilton between 5 and 8 November.

ANKARA - Gunes Taner, the Minister of State, met on Tuesday with Ivan Antonovich, the Foreign Minister of Belarus and the accompanying delegation who are currently in Turkey for an official visit.

No statement has been given about the meeting between Taner who is also the Co-President of the Turkey-Belarus Joint Economic Council, and Antonovich.

ANKARA - General Ding Wenchang, the Political Commissioner of the Chinese Air Forces, visited on Tuesday General Ilhan Kilic, the Commander of the Air Forces.

Addressing the meeting, General Kilic expressed gratification at hosting his Chinese colleague in Turkey. He stressed that they will discuss the issues of the defence industry and cooperation between the air forces of the two countries.

General Wenchang described Turkey as one of the best friends of China. He emphasized that his visit to Turkey aims at improving understanding, friendship and security between the two countries.

[13] TURKISH-RUSSIAN REGULAR POLITICAL CONSULTATIONS TO BE HELD IN MOSCOW BETWEEN 22-23 OCTOBER

The Foreign Ministry said that bilateral relations will be discussed at the meetings, which will be held between Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, the Undersecretary for Bilateral Political Affairs of the Foreign Ministry, and Victor Pasavalyuk, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister.

The previous regular consultations between the two countries were held between 12-13 September 1997.

[14] BSEC FOREIGN MINISTERS' MEETING TO BE HELD IN SOFIA

The Foreign Ministry said that Bulgaria will host the meeting, which chaired the BSEC term presidency for the past six months, adding that the Turkish delegation, presided by Sukru Sina Gurel, the Minister of State, will participate at the meeting.

A High Level Officials Meeting will be held between 20 and 21 October as a preparation for the BSEC meeting.

The Ministry statement said that during the BSEC Foreign Ministers' meeting, activities realized in the past six months and approval of the recommendatory decisions by the Ministers will be discussed.

Legal documents and texts of the BSEC Organization will be evaluated and facilities to improve cooperation between the BSEC member countries will be discussed.

Also, reviewing decisions of the BSEC Parliamentarian's Assembly, restructuring of the BSEC Business Council, applications to the BSEC for the observer status will also be evaluated.

The Term Presidency of the BSEC will be handed over to Georgia following the meeting.

[15] TURKISH-SYRIAN TENSION - IRANIAN FM KHARRAZI CALLED CEM, FOREIGN MINISTER AND GOT INFORMATION ABOUT TURKISH-SYRIAN SECURITY MEETINGS

Sermet Atacanli, the Deputy Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, told the A.A correspondent that Kharrazi, the Iranian Foreign Minister, called Cem on the phone on Monday and got information about the ongoing Turkish-Syrian security talks.

Meanwhile, the Teheran radio said that Kharrazi talked with Cem and Faruq al-Shara, the Syrian Foreign Minister, and was briefed about the meeting.

According to the radio, Kharrazi expressed pleasure about the Syrian- Turkish meeting during the telephone talks.

Kharrazi in the telephone conversations said, as the Chairman of Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), that he will try to reconcile the two countries for reaching a peaceful solution.

[16] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS TO MEET HERCUS ON WEDNESDAY

Denktas will meet with Hercus for the first time, who started shuttle diplomacy to find methods for the solution of the Cyprus question and to moderate the tension between the sides on Cyprus.

Hercus had started the shuttle diplomacy last week with a meeting with Glafcos Clerides, leader of the Greek Cypriot administration. Hercus is scheduled to meet again with Clerides on Thursday.

[17] FOREIGN TRADE DATA - TURKEY REALIZES 2.9 BILLION US DOLLARS IN EXPORTS AND 3.8 BILLION DOLLARS IN IMPORTS

According to this, exports regressed 2.2 percent when compared with the same month of last year and imports regressed 7.5 percent when compared with the figures of last year.

The State Institute of Statistics (DIE) statement said that exports became 16.9 billion US dollars and imports were 31.06 billion US dollars as of January-August period of this year.

Exports increased 1.4 percent and imports increased 1.7 percent in the period in question.

The foreign trade deficit increased to 14.1 billion US dollars with a 2.1 percent increase. The ratio of exports to imports was 54.6 percent.

[18] TURKISH-SYRIAN TENSION - ESTABLISHMENT OF CONTROLLING MECHANISM ON THE AGENDA FOR SYRIAN-TERROR LINK

Diplomatic sources said that the ongoing security meetings in southern Adana Province are underway with a single agenda article that is ''terrorism.''

Sources said that Turkey expects Syria to put an end to her support to the separatist terrorist PKK organization and to prove this to Turkey. Relations between the two countries can be normalized if the evidence which Syria presents to Turkey satisfies everyone.

Diplomatic sources said that Turkey is resolved to put an end to the activities of the separatist terrorist organization and stresses this determination very strongly with the policy that is being carried out.

Establishment of a controlling mechanism is on the agenda to control whether or not Syria really puts an end to this support.

Sources said that the military intervention of Turkey is still on the agenda as well as the ongoing talks.

[19] CFE CONTROL IN TURKEY - TURKEY IMPLEMENTS CFE EFFECTIVELY AND COMPLETELY

The General Staff General Secretariat statement said that the nine-member controlling team, with the participation of a Bulgarian inspector, arrived in Turkey from the Edirne Kapikule border gate on 5 October 1998.

The delegation departed from Turkey on 10 October 1998 after determining that Turkey implemented the agreement effectively and completely and that she fulfilled her responsibilities.

The CFE officially went into effect on 9 November 1992 after being signed in Paris during the European Security and Cooperation Conference Summit in Paris.

Implementations within the context of the CFE started in July 1992.

[20] ERSUMER, MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES IN TURKMENISTAN

Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, issued a statement for the initialing of the agreement and said ''the agreement in question is ready to be signed on 29 October''.

The agreement aimed at the purchase of the natural gas and transport of this natural gas to Europe via Turkey was initialed during the interdelegational talks presided by Cumhur Ersumer and Yolli Gurban Muradov, the Turkmen Minister of Foreign Trade.

Following the meetings, Ersumer said ''during the previous visit of Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz to Turkmenistan, the two sides reached a consensus of opinion for concluding the feasibility studies for bringing 16 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Turkey and to transport it to Europe via Turkey. The two sides also decided to start the construction of the pipeline following the solution of the problem in the Caspian.''

''We have initialed the intergovernmental agreements following the talks in Ashkhabad. The agreement is ready to be signed on 29 October'' he added.

Ersumer also expressed hope that the Baku-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline will result in a positive outcome and that thus Turkey will provide transport of oil reserves in the Caspian region to the Mediterranean.

Ersumer later left for Turkey.

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