Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-10-24

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

24 OCT 1998

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY WELCOMES THE AGREEMENT REACHED BETWEEN NETANYAHU AND ARAFAT

[02] ANOTHER RESOLUTION FROM DUMA, SUB-FLANK OF RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT, SUPPORTING THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION

[03] INCIDENTS IN PRISONS - ACTIVITIES OF PRISONERS END

[04] LEBEDEV, RUSSIA'S AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY: - ''IF OCALAN IS REALLY IN RUSSIA, RUSSIA WOULD NOT ALLOW HIM TO HOLD ACTIVITIES AGAINST TURKEY ON HER LANDS''

[05] NEW NEGATIVE ACTIVITIES AGAINST TURKEY IN ITALY - DRAFT RESOLUTION REGARDED WITH THE SO-CALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS BROUGHT INTO AGENDA AGAIN

[06] SEZGIN, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENCE: - ''RUSSIA IS ONE OF OUR FRIENDS. I DO NOT SUPPOSE THAT RUSSIA WILL DAMAGE SUCH A FRIENDSHIP FOR A WORTHLESS PERSON LIKE APO''

[07] YILMAZ-BAYKAL MEETING - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''WE COULD NOT REACH TO AN AGREEMENT WITH BAYKAL''

[08] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''MESSAGE OF RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER THAT HIS COUNTRY WILL NOT ALLOW THE ACTIVITIES OF THE LEADER OF THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION IN RUSSIA, IS A POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT''

[01] TURKEY WELCOMES THE AGREEMENT REACHED BETWEEN NETANYAHU AND ARAFAT

Foreign Ministry's written statement pointed out, ''we have learned with satisfaction that the peace talks between Netanyahu and Arafat, with the participation of US President Bill Clinton, concluded successfuly in the Queenstown, the US.''

Statement noted, ''Describing the Middle East peace process as a historical opportunity in order to protect peace and stability in the region, Turkey expresses gratification over the agreement which she believes in that it will overcome the deadlock in the peace process.''

[02] ANOTHER RESOLUTION FROM DUMA, SUB-FLANK OF RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT, SUPPORTING THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION

The resolution that was adopted by the approval of 303 deputies of the DUMA formed by 450 deputies, described the event as the ''Kurdish problem'' and called the United Nations, and the leaders of the governments and parliaments of several countries to organize an international conference on the issue.

Resolution named ''Fragile Situation in Border Between Turkey and Syria'' adopted by the initiatives of International Relations Committee and the Geo- politic Affairs Committee that employ the separatist terrorists as ''adviser'', claimed similarities between the situations in Turkey and Kosovo.

It also accused Turkey of threatening Syria, and stressed that it is ''unacceptable''.

[03] INCIDENTS IN PRISONS - ACTIVITIES OF PRISONERS END

A delegation, composed of four lawyers went to Umraniye E-type prison to get information about the recent situation.

Muharrem Kopur, one of the lawyers, speaking after the meeting with the prisoners said an agreement could be reached between the officials and Prison Central Coordination in Umraniye E-type Prison and that with this agreement the incidents in all the prisons ended and that all the hostages were released.

Kopur said according to the agreement, administrative investagation will not be opened for the prisoners and that the prisoners will be sent to their own cells. Kopur said prisoners in Umraniye and other prisons started these activities to voice their reactions to the incidents in Ceyhan and Buca prisons.

Kopur also said hunger strikes carried out in some prisons will continue three more days adding that the hunger strike did not have relations with the riot.

Seven guardians who were taken as hostage by the prisoners of terror crime in Bergama prison were released. Also four guardians who were taken as hostage in Bursa prison were also released. Prisoners ended their activities in these two prisons.

The prisoners caused fire in Bergama prison, two soldiers and a fireman were wounded in the fire.

It was also reported that a group of prisoners caused incidents in Umraniye E-Type prison and Bayrampasa prison. A total of 32 guardians and two prison directors had been taken hostage.

A group of prisoners also caused incidents in Canakkale E type and Buca prisons. The prisoners, on Friday evening, closed the doors and prevented nine guardians to go out and officials to go in. The prisoners set some goods into fire.

A group of 51 prisoners in Cankiri E-type prison broke the doors of the prisons.

Similar incidents happened in Ankara Central Prison and Umraniye E-type prisons on Friday evening where political prisoners are kept. The prisoners wounded a guardian from the head and took eight guardians as hostage.

[04] LEBEDEV, RUSSIA'S AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY: - ''IF OCALAN IS REALLY IN RUSSIA, RUSSIA WOULD NOT ALLOW HIM TO HOLD ACTIVITIES AGAINST TURKEY ON HER LANDS''

Giving a statement to the Russia's Itar-Tass News Agency, Lebedev stressed that they have no certain informations on whether Ocalan is in Russia or not.

Pointing out that Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov of Russia has started an investigation with the request of his Turkish counterpart Mesut Yilmaz, Lebedev noted that they will inform Turkey about the results of the investigation whenever it is concluded.

Lebedev emphasized, ''But if it is confirmed that Ocalan is in Russia, Turkey should take into account that there is no agreement between Turkey and Russia envisaging the extradition of criminals.''

Aleksander Lebedev also denied the news reports saying that Russia will extradite Ocalan although there is no existing agreement between the two countries related with the exradition of criminals.

[05] NEW NEGATIVE ACTIVITIES AGAINST TURKEY IN ITALY - DRAFT RESOLUTION REGARDED WITH THE SO-CALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS BROUGHT INTO AGENDA AGAIN

The draft resolution signed by nearly 130 deputies and presented to the parliament, could not be taken up at the parliament because of the government crisis in Italy, but it is expected to be discussed by deputies, in coming days.

Inal Batu, Turkey's Ambassador to Italy who has started initiatives and held talks with senior officials from government and opposition parties, is scheduled to meet with Luciano Vlolante, Speaker of Italian Parliament, next week.

Meanwhile Kani Yilmaz, one of the leaders of the separatist terrorist PKK organization in Europe, is expected to organize a press conference in ''Red Hall'' of the Italian Senate at the beginning of next week.

Sources close to the Italian parliament told the A.A correpondent that Maurizio Pieroni, Group Chairman of tpe Greens Party at the Italian Senate, supported Yilmaz for the press conference.

[06] SEZGIN, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENCE: - ''RUSSIA IS ONE OF OUR FRIENDS. I DO NOT SUPPOSE THAT RUSSIA WILL DAMAGE SUCH A FRIENDSHIP FOR A WORTHLESS PERSON LIKE APO''

Addressing the meeting, Sezgin stressed, ''Ocalan is not a person who can be used as a trump-card on the issues of the Central Asian Republics and the project of Baku-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline.''

Sezgin added, ''Turkes is the biggest economic and commercial partner of Russia. We have important exportation and importation connections. Turkish contractors re-build Moscow. Our social and political relations with Russia improve rapidly. I do not suppose Russia will overshadow these relations for a terrorist.''

[07] YILMAZ-BAYKAL MEETING - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''WE COULD NOT REACH TO AN AGREEMENT WITH BAYKAL''

Speaking to reporters following the meeting Baykal said they will continue to support the protocol which was signed between the leaders of the Motherland Party (ANAP) and the CHP on June 5.

Baykal, leader of CHP said he did not think that holding general elections earlier than the planned date would not be for the benefit of the country. Recalling that the protocol which was signed on June 5 by the two leaders foresaw to hold elections on April 18, Baykal said ''Prime Minister Yilmaz has several problems stemming from the government. So, he is seeking for a new calander.''

Baykal said nobody should expect him to contribute to a new election discussion adding that he would contribute to the studies of the Parliament if Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz abides by the protocol.

CHP leader Baykal said they were not happy of being a party that is supporting the government. ''We have supported the establishment of the government not to cause a crisis.''

Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz in his part said CHP failed to give the required support to the issuing of the laws envisaged in the protocol they had signed adding that CHP caused bottleneck in the Parliament since Oct 1 by supporting the investigation motions with the other opposition parties.

Recalling that the protocol forsaw nine laws to be issued in the Parliament, Yilmaz said only four laws could be issued so far adding that CHP gave very little support to this issuing of this four laws.

Yilmaz pointed out that there were only nine days for the issuing of five other laws before the budget talks adding that if CHP gives support to the issuing of these laws, he would abide by the protocol and resign at the begining of the new year. ''Otherwise, he added the protocol will not be depending.''

Yilmaz said ''If necessary, I will meet with my partners to bring a motion bringing the elections in a date which is earlier than April 18.''

[08] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''MESSAGE OF RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER THAT HIS COUNTRY WILL NOT ALLOW THE ACTIVITIES OF THE LEADER OF THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION IN RUSSIA, IS A POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT''

Addressing a TV program Yilmaz said when they determined that Ocalan, leader of the separatist terrorist organization was in Russia, he talked to Lebedev, Russian Ambasssador to Ankara and wanted him to convey this information to his government and wanted Russia to extradite Ocalan.

Yilmaz said Lebedev, after talking to Russian Prime Minister Primakov, brought a message of Primakov which said that Russia will not allow the leader of a separatist terrorist organization to hold activities in Russia. Yilmaz ''this is a very positive attitude.''

Mentioning about the agreement reached between Turkey and Syria, Yilmaz said this separatist terrorist organization lost activity potential when there is no foreign support. Yilmaz noted that Syria had to step back against this determined attitude of Turkey to this end adding that Turkey will return to this positive development.

Yilmaz said ''Russia will either extradite this person to Turkey as a terror criminal or will try to use this issue against Turkey as a trumph card. I do not think the possibility of this. I hope that the message of Primakov is an encouraging step taken towards the right way. I hope this positive attitude will continue, or, a crisis will erupt between us.''

Yilmaz pointed out that sheltering of Apo in Syria gave damage to us because he was administering the terrorists from the headquarters of Syria which we have borders. Leaving of Apo from Syria is a positive development for us.

''Will this problem be over with the destruction of its leader? no, because separatist terrorist organization PKK is a fly, what is important is to dry the marsh. Now, we begin to dry it, this is the real blow on the separatist terrorism'' Yilmaz said.

Yilmaz pointed out that links of the leader of the separatist terrorist organization continue with Turkey, yet he did not give details to this end.

Responding to a question Yilmaz said Ocalan would not dare to enter Northern Iraq because he knew what Turkey would do in such a case. Yilmaz said Turkish state will be following him whereever he goes in the world.

Yilmaz said Turkey, with its policy forwaded to Syria, will contribute to the adjustment of Syrian-Israeli relations which are regarded as the biggest obstacle preventing the success of the Middle East peace process. Prime Minister Yilmaz pointed out nothing will help like this to the US, who attributes ımportance to the peace in the Middle East.''

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