Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-12-17

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

17 DEC 1998

CONTENTS

[01] US GOVERNMENT: ''RELEASE OF OCALAN WILL BE A BLOW TO THE INTERNATIONAL FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM''

[02] SINAGRA, TURKEY'S LAWYER TO A.A: ''IF ITALIAN JUSTICE MINISTER DOES NOT TAKE SURVEILLANCE MEASURE ABOUT OCALAN, HIS POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITY WILL INCREASE''

[03] EXPORTS OF ANIMAL PRODUCTS FROM SOUTHEAST DECREASE TO 13 MILLION US DOLLARS

[04] TRIAL OF OCALAN, THE CHIEF TERRORIST - ITALY COULD NOT FIND THE SUPPORT SHE EXPECTED FROM THE COE

[05] AUSTRIA DISCONTENTED WITH POSSIBILITY OF OCALAN'S ARRIVAL IN HER TERRITORIES

[06] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS SENDS A LETTER TO ANNAN, THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL: ''THE PKK ACTIVITIES ON SOUTHERN CYPRUS ARE WORRYING''

[07] RICHARD MORNINGSTAR: ''THE ETUDES SHOWED THAT BAKU-CEYHAN PROJECT WILL COST 2.4 BILLION US DOLLARS''

[08] EU DECIDES TO GIVE 113 MILLION ECUS FINANCIAL AID TO TURKEY

[09] CEM, THE FOREIGN MINISTER: ''THE EMBASSY IN BAGHDAD IS IS BEING EVACUATED'' - ''KARAOSMANOGLU, THE TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ STAYS IN BAGHDAD UPON HIS OWN WILL''

[10] TURKEY-EGYPT - FIRST-ROUND NEGOTIATIONS FOR FREE TRADE AGREEMENT START

[11] CEM, THE FOREIGN MINISTER: - CEM: ''THE CHRONIC CRISIS BETWEEN IRAQ AND THE UN CAUSED SERIOUS SUFFERINGS IN THE REGION AND FOR TURKEY'' - ''NO US REQUEST FOR INCIRLIK BASE''

[12] A TOTAL OF 88 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAPTURED IN MERIC COUNTY OF EDIRNE PROVINCE

[13] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ ATTENDS FOUNDATION-LAYING CEREMONY OF THE SEYDISEHIR NATURAL GAS PIPELINE

[14] FINANCIAL AID FROM EU TO TURKEY - THE TURKEY REPRESENTATION OF EU COMMISSION: ''EU COMMISSION ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO ITS RELATIONS WITH TURKEY''

[15] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES OF CENTRAL BANK REDUCE TO 20.1 BILLION US DOLLARS

[16] FOREIGN DEBT PAYMENTS - 11.6 BILLION US DOLLARS PAID IN FOREIGN DEBT SINCE JANUARY 1, 1998

[17] NATO INCREASES ITS MILITARY AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL BUDGETS - TURKEY IS THE FIRST WHICH BENEFIT FROM NATO'S LIST OF MILITARY AIDS

[18] THE ENVIRONMENT MASTER PLAN PROTOCOL OF TRNC IS SIGNED

[19] FIGLIUZZI, CHIEF OF THE ROME COURT OF APPEAL: ''I HAVE NOT OFFICIALLY RECEIVED TURKEY'S WARRANT OF ARREST AND EXTRADITION DEMAND ON OCALAN''

[01] US GOVERNMENT: ''RELEASE OF OCALAN WILL BE A BLOW TO THE INTERNATIONAL FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM''

Responding to the questions about the issue, Spokesman James Rubin said that the reports that Germany had withdrawn an international arrest warrant for Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization, were disturbing, stressing that he should be tried.

''The US believes that Ocalan should be brought to justice for the terrorist crimes of which he is accused in a manner consistent with international standards,'' Rubin emphasized.

Rubin said the US had been in contact with the senior levels of the Italian, German and Turkish governments to express the view that Ocalan should not be set free.

The US government expresses frequently that Ocalan should be put on trial for his terrorist crimes of which he is accused.

The US Government defines the PKK as a ''bloodiest and merciless terrorist organization''.

The US officially announced two years before that the PKK is an ''international terrorist organization''.

[02] SINAGRA, TURKEY'S LAWYER TO A.A: ''IF ITALIAN JUSTICE MINISTER DOES NOT TAKE SURVEILLANCE MEASURE ABOUT OCALAN, HIS POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITY WILL INCREASE''

Sinagra told A.A correspondent that the recent verdict of the Italian court of appeal on the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK does not change things much, adding ''the thing which is important is not only my application to the Italian Ministry of Justice and the Court of Appeal in Rome, in fact the Turkish Minister of Justice should directly request his Italian counterpart to take new 'police surveillance' measures about Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization.''

Noting that the Italian Court of Appeal took a technical measure, Sinagra pointed out that ''after the German court in Karlsruhe city withdrew its arrest warrant regarding the extradition of Ocalan to Germany, the Italian court annulled the ''surveillance measures'' about Ocalan which necessiated compulsory residence of Ocalan, however Italian police still monitors Ocalan in order to prevent his escape.''

Sinagra pointed out that he will request Italian Minister of Justice to take new ''police surveillance measures for Ocalan and if this is not the case, the Italian minister will hold responsibility for that,'' adding that the procedure concerning the extradition request of Turkey will continue even if the chief terrorist is free.

[03] EXPORTS OF ANIMAL PRODUCTS FROM SOUTHEAST DECREASE TO 13 MILLION US DOLLARS

In the January-November 1997 period, a total of 47 million 302 thousand US dollars of animal products were exported.

As a result of that decline in the exports, the share of the animal products in the overall exports from the region in first eleven months decreased from 8 to 2.4 percent.

The officials at the Southeastern Anatolian Live-Stock and Aquacultural Products Exporters' Union said that they exported animal goods especially to Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Germany.

[04] TRIAL OF OCALAN, THE CHIEF TERRORIST - ITALY COULD NOT FIND THE SUPPORT SHE EXPECTED FROM THE COE

Diplomatic sources point out that the decision adopted by the Committee of Delegates of COE the same day is far from meeting the expectations of Italy.

The COE Committee of Delegates requested the European Committee on Crime Problems to launch efforts to complete the deficiencies of European Conventions concerning issues like struggle against terrorism, extradition of criminals and transfer of trials to third countries.

The same sources pointed out that the decision taken was very different from the one proposed by Italy.

Stressing that the Committee will examine the technical and legal aspects of European conventions, the diplomatic sources said that this committee which will convene between December 21-22, won't probably be able to present a report till June.

Referring to the statement of Massimo D'Alema, the Italian Prime Minister who said that COE would take a decision at the meeting which will take place between December 21-22, the diplomatic sources stress that ''D'Alema tries to gain time in front of the Italian public opinion.''

Massimo D'Alema had claimed that ''as Turkey does not favour putting Ocalan on trial outside her territories, this constitutes a very serious obstacle against efforts aiming to find a solution to this problem. Nevertheless COE launches efforts to find a response to the proposal of Italy and it will give its decision on December 21-22.''

[05] AUSTRIA DISCONTENTED WITH POSSIBILITY OF OCALAN'S ARRIVAL IN HER TERRITORIES

The Rome Court of Appeal ruled on Wednesday to free chief terrorist Ocalan as Germany had withdrawn an international arrest warrant for this terrorist.

Die Presse said that the Austrian authorities were seeking ''what should be done?'' if that possibility becomes fact.

The newspaper said there were not any obstacles preventing the arrival of chief terrorist Ocalan in Austria in accordance with the Schengen Agreement, thus the high-level bureaucrats had already now felt discontent.

A spokesman of the Austrian Interior Ministry who declined to be identified, said that they would have trouble if Ocalan arrives in Austria, rejecting giving response when asked whther or not chief terrorist would be arrested if he arrives in Austria.

Expressing his concern by saying, ''I hope he won't make us get involved in the issue,'' the Austrian Interior Ministry spokesman said that Italy was still evaluating terrorist Ocalan's request for political asylum so he can't make a second application to Austria.

On 1 April, Austria lifted all of her customs border gates with Italy and Germany by totally bringing into force the Schengen Agreement.

In accordance with the Schengen Agreement, not only the citizens of European Union (EU) member countries but also the foreigners, who have legal rights to stay in one of the nine countries signed the Schengen Agreement, can easily move among those countries.

Germany, Austria, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg and Portugal signed the Schengen Agreement.

[06] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS SENDS A LETTER TO ANNAN, THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL: ''THE PKK ACTIVITIES ON SOUTHERN CYPRUS ARE WORRYING''

Denktas stressed in his letter that the relations between the terrorist PKK and the Greek Cypriot side should end, adding that the Greek Cypriot side which expresses the hatred against the Turkish nation by extending support to the separatist terrorist organization PKK should prefer to come to an agreement with TRNC and accept the confederation proposal of TRNC.

Denktas also said in his letter that Turkish Cypriots are concerned about the increasing activities of the separatist terrorist organization PKK on the Greek Cypriot side after the arrest of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the terrorist PKK in Rome.

Noting that the maternal and spiritual support of the Greek Cypriot side to the PKK terrorist organization has been known for a long period of time, Denktas pointed out that this cooperation has improved recently. Denktas stressed that nearly all the members of the so-called Kurdish parliament have relations with the members of the Greek Cypriot deputies and exchange views with them.

Denktas said that Greek Cypriots has recently provocated the terrorists to hold protests at TRNC border, adding that this should end.

Meanwhile, the senate of Dokuz Eylul University in western province of Izmir condemned the negative attitude of the Greek Cypriot side and Greece towards the good willing confederation proposal of TRNC.

[07] RICHARD MORNINGSTAR: ''THE ETUDES SHOWED THAT BAKU-CEYHAN PROJECT WILL COST 2.4 BILLION US DOLLARS''

Addressing a press conference in Baku, Morningstar stated that the talks with the Turkish side would be related with the assurances it will give concerning the cost of the project.

Stressing that the price per barrel might be decreased under to three US dollars if the cost is accepted as to be 2.4 billion US dollars, Morningstar stated that both Turkey and the US believe the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline, which is the most appropriate and economic project in the region, should be realized.

Morningstar pointed out that they hope the talks concerning the project will be concluded within one month.

Responding to question, Morningstar said that the US wants to cooperate with Russia, adding that they supported the Caspian Pipeline Project which was foreseen for the transportation of the Central Asian oil via Russia.

[08] EU DECIDES TO GIVE 113 MILLION ECUS FINANCIAL AID TO TURKEY

The EU Commission Turkey Representation said in a statement that the EU would finance 75 percent of the cost of three important programmes, ''Women, Health and Safe Motherhood'', ''Vocational Training and Education'' and ''Rehabilitation of Balat and Fener Districts in Istanbul'' of which national coordination are carried out by the Treasury Undersecretariat.

The total cost of these programmes are 152.3 million ECUs (nearly 180 million US dolars).

[09] CEM, THE FOREIGN MINISTER: ''THE EMBASSY IN BAGHDAD IS IS BEING EVACUATED'' - ''KARAOSMANOGLU, THE TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ STAYS IN BAGHDAD UPON HIS OWN WILL''

Addressing a press briefing at Foreign Ministry after the air strikes launched by the US against Iraq, Foreign Minister Cem stated that Selim Karaosmanoglu, the Turkish Ambassador to Iraq and several embassy officials stay in Baghdad ''upon their own will.''

''Turkey which attributes great importance to protection of territorial integrity and political unity of Iraq, thinks that the latter should fully abide by the UN Security Council resolutions and her obligations, and she also defends the view that Iraq, which is an important member of the international society should gain her place again and the sanctions on Iraq should end,'' said Cem.

''Turkey also requests the end of the pain and sufferings of the Iraqi people who pay the heaviest price of the crisis,'' Cem added.

[10] TURKEY-EGYPT - FIRST-ROUND NEGOTIATIONS FOR FREE TRADE AGREEMENT START

The trade volume between the two countries will increase to one billion US dollars in 2000 and to two bilion US dollars in 2005 when Turkey and Egypt bring into force the Free Trade Agreement.

The trade volume was 703 million US dollars in 1997 and 588 million US dollars in the first nine months of 1998.

Meanwhile, it was stated during Egyptian Hosni Mubarak's visit to Turkey between 5-6 December that the free trade agreement should be signed as soon as possible.

The memorandum of understanding, which was signed following the talks between State Minister Isin Celebi, Egyptian Economy Minister Ghali and Egyptian Trade and Supply Minister Goueli, mentioned that the necessary studies for the conclusion of the agreement in 1999 would start in near future.

The Turkish-Egyptian Free Trade Agreement Draft Document, which was prepared in parallel to the European Union's (EU) European-Mediterranean Partnership Agreements, was entrusted by Egypt in November 1997.

[11] CEM, THE FOREIGN MINISTER: - CEM: ''THE CHRONIC CRISIS BETWEEN IRAQ AND THE UN CAUSED SERIOUS SUFFERINGS IN THE REGION AND FOR TURKEY'' - ''NO US REQUEST FOR INCIRLIK BASE''

Evaluating the air strike against Iraq last night in a press briefing, Cem said that Turkey is concerned about the occurance of hot clashes near Turkey's borders. Cem pointed out that Turkey is taking the necessary measures against these negative developments.

Responding to a question, Cem stated that Madeleine Albright, the US State Secretary phoned President Suleyman Demirel at 22.30 (local time) on Wednesday and conveyed him the message of US President Bill Clinton about the air strike.

Cem stressed that the US did not request to use Incirlik base in southern province of Adana, adding that he will meet with Mark Parris, the US Ambassador to the US upon the request of Parris on Thursday afternoon.

Responding to a question asking whether or not the infrastructure of a Kurdish formation in Northern Iraq has been prepared, Cem emphasized that Turkey evaluates all kinds of possibilities, adding ''whatever the interests of Turkey are, they will be done.''

[12] A TOTAL OF 88 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAPTURED IN MERIC COUNTY OF EDIRNE PROVINCE

There are 41 Pakistanis, 3 Iraqis, 15 Lebaneses, 14 Iranians, 12 Bangladeshis and 3 Palestinians among the captured immigrants.

They were later taken into custody for violating the Turkish borders and the passport law.

Officials said that the immigrants will be deported once the legal proceedings are completed.

[13] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ ATTENDS FOUNDATION-LAYING CEREMONY OF THE SEYDISEHIR NATURAL GAS PIPELINE

Addressing the ceremony, Yilmaz stressed that Turkey's natural gas consumption which is currently 10 billion cubic meters, is expected to increase up to 50 billion cubic meters within next ten years.

Reminding that the construction of the Erzurum-Kayseri natural gas pipeline has also begun one months ago, Yilmaz pointed out that they have also signed agreements with Bulgaria, Russia, Turkmenistan and Iran to meet Turkey's increasing natural gas need.

Yilmaz added that the pipeline of 340 km will be completed in 2000 and will cost about 100 million US Dollars.

Meanwhile the foundation-laying ceremony of the Izmir-Bursa natural gas pipeline will be held tomorrow.

[14] FINANCIAL AID FROM EU TO TURKEY - THE TURKEY REPRESENTATION OF EU COMMISSION: ''EU COMMISSION ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO ITS RELATIONS WITH TURKEY''

The Turkey Representation of EU also said in a statement that the EU decided to give a financial aid of 113 million ECUs (135 million US dollars) and that Turkey was the only country among the 12 candidate countries which is in the Customs Union.

The ''European Strategy for Turkey'' foresees the deepening of the Customs Union and that a firm cooperation in the fields such as services, agriculture, macro economy, dialog, telecommunication, science and technology, environment, energy, justice and internal affairs, education, social issues and consumer policy, said the statement.

The EU Commission Turkey Representation said in the statement that the EU would finance 75 percent of the cost of three important programmes, ''Women, Health and Safe Motherhood'', ''Vocational Training and Education'' and ''Rehabilitation of Balat and Fener Districts in Istanbul'' of which national coordination are carried out by the Treasury Undersecretariat.

The Representation also pointed out thet the EU would finance 55 million ECUs to the ''Women, Health and Safe Motherhood'', 75 million ECUs to the ''Vocational Training and Education'' and 375 millions ECUs to the ''Rehabilitation of Balat and Fener Districts in Istanbul. programs''

The Representation noted that high-quality services, information, educational and communication works are the basis of the ''Women, Health and Safe Motherhood'' program and that cooperation within the public and non-governmental institutions and the capacities of the institutions will be increased.

The EU Turkey Representation stressed that re-structuring of the private sector is foreseen in the ''Vocational Training and Education'' program and that the program will share the responsibilities and tasks of both the public and the private sectors in the planning, implementation and the evaluation of the educational facilities.

The Representation emphasized that the ''Rehabilitation in Balat and Fener Districts in Istanbul'' program aimes at rehabilitating the buildings, environment and the social standarts of the people living in the districts and that the infrastructural services such as the water, electricity and gas networks of the districts will be modernised and that social fields in the districts will be increased.

[15] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES OF CENTRAL BANK REDUCE TO 20.1 BILLION US DOLLARS

The Central Bank data shows that the foreign exchange reserves, which climbed to 20 billion 417 million US dollars in 4 December, reduced 255 million to 20 billion 162 million US dollars as of 11 December.

The Central Bank's foreign exchange reserves were 31 billion 870 million US dollars on 20 November.

Meanwhile, according to the 27 November-based statistics, Turkey's total international gross reserves decreased 681 million US dollars to 31 billion 189 million US dollars between 20-27 September.

As of 27 September, Turkey's international reserves were composed of 1 billion 125 million US dollars in gold reserves; 19 billion 701 million US dollars in the Central Bank's foreign exchange reserves; and 10 billion 363 million US dollars in the commercial banks' foreign exchange reserves.

[16] FOREIGN DEBT PAYMENTS - 11.6 BILLION US DOLLARS PAID IN FOREIGN DEBT SINCE JANUARY 1, 1998

The Central Bank data shows that the Treasury paid 9 billion 641.8 million US dollars; the Central Bank repaid 346 million US dollars; the Ministry of National Defense and the Defense Industry paid 1 billion 272.6 million US dollars and the Defense Fund paid 183 million US dollars in foreign debt between January 1 and December 16, 1998.

Meanwhile, a total of 675.5 million US dollars of foreign debt was repaid between December 1 and 16.

The foreign debt payment was 1 billion 346.7 million US dollars in January; 916 million US dollars in February; 785.8 million US dollars in March; 765.8 million US dollars in April; 621.1 million US dollars in May; 1 billion 165.9 million US dollars in June; 1 billion 242.8 million US dollars in July; 860.9 million US dollars in August; 897.6 million US dollars in September; 1 billion 396.3 million US dollars in October and 1 billion 13.2 million US dollars in November 1998.

[17] NATO INCREASES ITS MILITARY AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL BUDGETS - TURKEY IS THE FIRST WHICH BENEFIT FROM NATO'S LIST OF MILITARY AIDS

The non-governmental budget of NATO in 1999 is declared as 180 million dollars, which accounts for the salaries and the costs of the 1200 officials.

The US stands at the top of the list of the countries which contribute to the non-governmental budget with 23 percent. Britain with 19 percent and France with 16.5 percent follow the US. The contribution of Turkey is only 1.59 percent.

The military budget of NATO will be about 790 million dollars in 1999. This amount will meet the costs of the general headquarters of NATO, the and international offices. The military maneuvers and the budget of 17 radar planes (Awacs) will also be met by this budget.

All members of NATO excluding France, Iceland and Britain will contribute to the military budget.

The financial bloc titled ''infrastructural credits'' and ''security investments'' changes between 700 and 800 million dollars.

Turkey stands at the top of the countries which benefit from the infrastructural credits the most with a share of 17-18 percent. These credits are used in the purchase of weapons, repair and the modernization of the installations and the equipment.

Meanwhile, it is reported that Turkey, Britain, Norway and the US are the countries which contribute to the military aids the most, whereas Luxembourg and Belgium are the countries which contribute to them the least.

[18] THE ENVIRONMENT MASTER PLAN PROTOCOL OF TRNC IS SIGNED

Speaking in the ceremony held on ITU Campus, Ertugrul Hasipoglu, TRNC Health and Environment Minister, said that they aimed at carrying TRNC, which has a potential of tourism, to the twenty-first century as a country without environmental problems and as a developed country.

Hasipoglu noted that they would take the necessary precautions depending on the results of the Environment Master Plan.

Emphasizing that the Island faced a significant water problem, Hasipoglu stressed that this problem would be solved as water is carried from Manavgat river of Turkey to TRNC.

The Environment Master Plan will be carried by a group of expert engineers and 13 academicians under the presidency of Derin Orhon, the Dean of the ITU Constructive Faculty.

The Environment Master Plan will be completed on December 31, 1999.

[19] FIGLIUZZI, CHIEF OF THE ROME COURT OF APPEAL: ''I HAVE NOT OFFICIALLY RECEIVED TURKEY'S WARRANT OF ARREST AND EXTRADITION DEMAND ON OCALAN''

Figliuzzi added that Turkey's extradition demand and warrant of arrest was verbally conveyed to him.

Figliuzzi stressed that they did not have an official knowledge on Turkey's extradition demand and that they would re-evaluate the issue in case they received the documents from Turkey.

Figliuzzi also pointed out that they could not extradite Ocalan to Turkey due to the death penalty, but could evaluate the extradition for his crimes which did not require death penalty.

Figliuzzi emphasized that they had no other choice than setting Ocalan free, since Germany Federal Court cancelled the warrant of arrest of the chief terrorist.

The Chief of Rome Court of Apeeal said, ''if we did not free Ocalan, a law- suit could be filed against us.''

Meanwhile, it is reported that the Italian Justice Ministry sent the extradition dossier on Ocalan and the documents regarding his terrorist acts to the Rome Chief Prosecution Office. The Rome Court of Appeal under the presidency of Figliuzzi is expected to have a decision regarding Turkey's extradition demand on Ocalan.

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