Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-06-19

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AA Daily

19 June 1999 Saturday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] ARGUMENT BETWEEN VILLAGERS OF XANTHI AND GREEK SOLDIERS - ATACANLI, FM DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''THE ARGUMENT CAUSED BY THE INDISCIPLINED AND INTENTIONAL BEHAVIOURS OF GREEK SOLDIERS''

[03] ''KOSOVO MEETING'' ENDS - ATACANLI, FM DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: - ''TURKISH DELEGATION WHICH WILL INVESTIGATE THE LATEST SITUATION IN THE REGION WILL GO TO KOSOVO IN THE BEGINNING OF NEXT WEEK''

[04] MEETING OF NATO DEFENSE AND FOREIGN MINISTERS ENDS - FM ISMAIL CEM: ''TURKEY SHOULD BE AS EFFICIENT AS THE INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES IN THE DECISIONS TAKEN ABOUT THE KOSOVO QUESTION''

[05] TURKISH-IRANIAN ''SUPREME BORDER COMMISSION'' MEETING HELD IN ANKARA

[06] NATO DEFENSE AND FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING ENDS - FM CEM: ''TURKEY SHOULD PARTICIPATE MORE EFFECTIVELY IN THE POLITICAL DECISION TAKING PROCESSES IN NATO''

[07] EU GETTING READY FOR A SECOND RETALIATION AS REACTION TO TURKEY'S BAN ON MEAT AND LIVESTOCK IMPORT

[08] NATURAL GAS SEARCHING IN THE BLACK SEA - TPAO AND ARCO TO DIG TWO WELLS IN WESTERN BLACK SEA TO FIND NATURAL GAS

[09] BUDGET DEFICIT IS 9.2 QUADRILLION LIRA - CONSOLIDATED BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS INCREASED TO 27.266 QADRILLION LIRA

[10] RESPONSE FROM DENKTAS TO CLERIDES: ''YOU ARE A SENSIBLE MAN. QUIT THE DREAMS OF VICTORY OF HELLENISM''

[11] BLACK SEA ECONOMIC COOPERATION ORGANIZATION CHARTER ADOPTED IN PARLIAMENTARY FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMISSION

[12] ECEVIT SAYS TURKEY CAN EXPORT INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS INCLUDING SHIPS TO DEVELOPED COUNTRIES

[13] EU-TURKEY JOURNALISTS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN GAZIANTEP

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

RETIREMENT AGE RAISED TO 57 FOR WOMEN AND 60 FOR MEN
The Ministers Council raised the retirement age to 57 for women and to 60 for men following a three hour meeting on Friday. Yasar Okuyan, the Minister of Labour and Social Security explained the stagnation of Social Security at the meeting. Minister Okuyan stated that the Social Security will never got out of its present impasse if the current retirement age is not changed. ''If we keep the current retirement system, the Social Security deficit will be 25 billion US dollars in 2025,'' Okuyan said. The Council, after the economy commission, formed three separate commissions for social security, tourism and Turkey's promotion.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL) CIVIL DGM TO OCALAN
The law which foresees change the structure of State Security Court (DGM) was adopted in the Parliament with 423 votes. President Demirel quickly approved the decision. A civil delegation will try Ocalan, head of terrorist organization, in the court session that will take place on June 23.

ADDITIONAL TAX TO WHATEVER TO BUY
Autority is given to Council of Ministers to increase 400 percent the tax on luxurious goods. According to the draft on which the government works, Special Consumption Tax (OTV) will be paid by the producer or importer.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

TAX DISCUSSIONS IN GOVERNMENT
President Suleyman Demirel pointed out that some Articles of the tax law locked up the economy and gave a clear answer to the government: ''If you do not put the gear in reverse, you cannot park the car''. ''Everything will be taken care of in ten days once the law passes. The markets will relieve,'' Demirel told the businessmen who complain about advance tax and financial resource investigation.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

The military members of the DGMs will be replaced by the civilian personnel. Deputies of True Path Party (DYP) and Virtue Party (FP), expended support in the voting which took place for the Constitutional change. Thus, there was no need for a referendum. President Suleyman Demirel said the Parliament removed an important problem of the country.

TAX LOBBY PUTS PRESSURE
Business world puts pressure on the Parliament and the government on the issue of Tax Law, by showing economic crisis as the reason. Required majority is found in the Parliament to change the law with the support of True Path Party (DYP). Coalition partners discuss which demands of the businessmen will be met.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

NO CONCESSION ON RETIREMENT AGE
Bayram Meral, the Chairman of the Turkish Trade Unions Federation (Turk-Is), said an agreement was earlier reached on the age of retirment (50-55), adding that they could not explain increasing of this to the workers.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

WORLD BANK TO EXPEND 155 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS CREDIT
Credit taps will be opened which will relieve economy. World Bank accepted to give 155 million U.S. dollars credit (64.7 trillion Turkish liras) to Turkey.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] ARGUMENT BETWEEN VILLAGERS OF XANTHI AND GREEK SOLDIERS - ATACANLI, FM DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''THE ARGUMENT CAUSED BY THE INDISCIPLINED AND INTENTIONAL BEHAVIOURS OF GREEK SOLDIERS''

Responding a question, Sermet Atacanli, Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman, mentioned about the news reports which appeared in the newspapers on June 18, related with the incidents which happened in Gokcepinar village on June 7.

Atacanli said that two Greek soldiers of the Greek Fourth Army Corps. in Xanthi drank alcoholic beverages in front of the coffee-house of the village at 7.00 p.m.

Atacanli said, ''when the soldiers sweared at a kinsman who was passing by, the young people there reacted. Some Greek soldiers were provocated by the words of the Greek sergean major. In the end, an argument between the villagers and Greek soldiers erupted.''

Atacanli noted that the sergeant major went to the fourth army corps. headquarters and took a high-ranking officer to the village, adding that the sergeant major told the high-ranking officer that the Greek soldiers caused the argument and that the soldiers should apologize from the villagers.

Atacanli said, ''the villagers said that the Greek soldiers should apologize from the municipality rather than themselves. Later, the soldiers went to the municipality and apologized from the mayor.''

Stated that the two soldiers wanted to visit the municipality on June 10, 1999; Atacanli stressed that within this framework, Mustafa Aga, the Mayor of Xanthi, and Ahmet Kuscu, Deputy Mayor, visited General Georgios Antonakopulos.

Atacanli stated that Antonokopulos said in this visit that the reactions of the villagers were correct and promised that such incidents will not occur again.

[03] ''KOSOVO MEETING'' ENDS - ATACANLI, FM DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: - ''TURKISH DELEGATION WHICH WILL INVESTIGATE THE LATEST SITUATION IN THE REGION WILL GO TO KOSOVO IN THE BEGINNING OF NEXT WEEK''

The meeting which was held by Korkmaz Haktanir, the Foreign Ministry Undersecretary, for the contributions of Turkey in the establishment of peace in Kosovo and for the execution of the long-term activities in cooperation and coordination, ended.

Sermet Atacanli, the Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman, said that they evaluated the latest situation and developments and that the meeting was very useful.

Atacanli said, ''we revised how Turkey can contribute to Kosovo in this new period. We discussed an action plan and we decided to send a delegation to Kosovo in the shortest time as a first step. This delegation will be headed by Sukru Tufan, the Coordinator of our ministry, and will include the representatives of the other institutions.''

Atacanli noted that the delegation will include the officials of the Red Crescent, Directorate General of Disasters, Union of Contractors, and the Healt Ministry and some academicians from some universities who know the region.

Stressing that the delegation will be send to the region in the beginning of next month, Atacanli said, ''the delegation will firstly go to Pristina and Prizren. They will determine how we will contribute in these regions.''

Stressing that they will make another meeting after the delegation return to Turkey and that the ones who joined today's meeting will also join the meeting they make then; Atacanli stated that they will evaluate the reports of the Turkish delegation in that meeting.

When asked a question about the amount and the quality of the aid which Turkey will realize in the region, Atacanli stressed that they did not agree upon the amount of the aid but that Turkey will make the financial aid as much as she can.

Responding a question on how the refugees staying at Kirklareli camp and the camps in Albania and Macedonia can return to their country; Atacanli emphasized that they will cooperate with the United Nations (U.N.) High Commissioner of Refugees as they did when the refugees started to leave their places.

[04] MEETING OF NATO DEFENSE AND FOREIGN MINISTERS ENDS - FM ISMAIL CEM: ''TURKEY SHOULD BE AS EFFICIENT AS THE INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES IN THE DECISIONS TAKEN ABOUT THE KOSOVO QUESTION''

The ministers only evaluated the developments in Kosovo during the meeting and they could not have a resolution in the end of the meeting since the U.S. defense and foreign ministers could not join the meeting because they had to participate in the Helsinki meetings.

Addressing a press conference in the end of the meeting, Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, said that he reiterated and insisted that Turkey should be efficiently included in the political resolution processes of NATO.

Emphasizing that Turkey should be as effective as the industrialized countries which are known as ''G-8 countries'' in the decisions taken about the Kosovo question; Cem noted that they said in the meeting that Turkey should have the same political and constitutional rights in the decisions given about the future of Kosovo.

[05] TURKISH-IRANIAN ''SUPREME BORDER COMMISSION'' MEETING HELD IN ANKARA

A Foreign Ministry statement pointed out that the commission, which was established within the framework of an agreement dated 1937 related with the solution of border incidents and conflicts between Turkey and Iran, held its 19th meeting between June 15 and 17 after five year intervals.

The statement said the delegations discussed the incidents happening in borders of the two countries, issues related with cross border waters, and holding regular dialogues.

The statement said: ''within this framework, the sides exchanged views related with Protection, Maintenance, Repairment, and Control of Border Stones and the application of the protocol dated 1927. The talks, which took place within the framework of good neighbourhood, resulted in agreement.''

Also, during the meeting, the sides decided to hold ''Supreme Border Commission'' Meetings every year and to hold 20th term meeting in Tehran in the year 2000.

A statement issued by Ankara Embassy of Iran said the meeting was a sign that relations between the two countries improved and developed in a positive way.

The statement pointed out that implementation of the agreement will prepare an atmosphere to overcome problems in border issues between the two countries.

[06] NATO DEFENSE AND FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING ENDS - FM CEM: ''TURKEY SHOULD PARTICIPATE MORE EFFECTIVELY IN THE POLITICAL DECISION TAKING PROCESSES IN NATO''

Addressing at a news conference following the meeting, Cem said they insistently voiced that Turkey should participate more effectively in the political decision takıng processes in NATO.

Cem said they had pointed out that Turkey should participate in effectively at least like the industrialized countries, known as ''G-8'', adding that they regarded obligatory that Turkish kinsmen should have equal political and constitutional rights in decision concerning the future of Kosovo.

Cem said Sabahattin Cakmakoglu, Minister of National Defense, clearly voiced what Turkey has done so far by military means for the solution of Kosovo question and what it can do in the future.

Cem said the most important result for Turkey was the confirmation of NATO Council that will be given to the ''NATO-Bulgaria''Agreement which provides transit passage facilities to Turkish units that will be deployed in Kosovo, and noted that they met with unexpected suprises. Cem said France opposed and wanted extra time till Tuesday to make technical observations before the end of five minutes ''silence process'', which meant the confirmation of the agreement. Cem said this problem was overcome after intense contacts carried out between Ankara, Paris and Brussels, yet this time Greek obstacle appeared. Foreign Minister Cem said Greece wanted ''silence process'' till Monday before the starting of Ministers Council meeting.

Cem said upon this development they held intense contacts with Javier Solana, the NATO Secretary General, and representatives of several countries and voiced that serious problems may erupt between the two countries if this problem is not solved.

''This problem was also solved upon intense contacts of Turkey'' Cem said, adding taht Turkish units, which will be assigned in Kosovo, will be deployed within the framework foreseen by NATO Military Committee yet that their deployment places were not determined. Recalling that this issue was under the responsibility of NATO Allied Forces Chief Commandership (SHAPE), Cem said Turkish units will leave for Kosovo after confirmation process of NATO-Bulgaria Agreement is concluded and announced to NATO.

Cem said Turkey had applied to NATO on May 17 for transition from Bulgaria. He said alternative roads apart from Bulgaria were not preferred as they were not appropriate.

[07] EU GETTING READY FOR A SECOND RETALIATION AS REACTION TO TURKEY'S BAN ON MEAT AND LIVESTOCK IMPORT

The EU prepared regulations on May 27 to suspend concessions which was granted to Turkey on tobacco, pickles and tomato paste import. The regulations are expected to appear on the EU's official gazette soon. As a result of this suspension, Turkey's export which is worth of approximately 200 million US dollars will be under risk.

If these regulations takes effect, Turkey will have to pay 15 percent tax in tomato paste, 11.7 percent in tobacco, and 18.3 percent in pickles.

Turkey imported 41 thousand tons of tobacco to the EU in 1996, 48 thousand tons in 1997, and 31 tons last year. Turkey's export figures of pickes, on the other hand, were 73 thousand tons in 1996, 70 thousand tons in 1997, and 63 thousand tons in 1998.

The EU regulation also suggest the stopping of this implementation provided that Turkey suspends its ban on livestock and meat import.

Meanwhile, discussions continue on Turkey's ban on livestock and meat import. It is debated if Turkey should keep the ban or suspend it to prevent the EU's second retalitation.

It was reported that Turkey plans the import 17 to 20 thousand livestock as included in Development of Livestock in Turkey Project but the project may not be implemented this year because of insufficient funds in the budget. During the budget discussions in the beginning of this year, 10 trillion TL was planned to be allocated for the project which dropped to one trillion TL at the last budget discussions. Turkey doesn't want to allow livestock and meat import which is not included in this project.

On the other hand, Turkey had given concessions to import 19 thousand tons of meat and 3,500 livestock through the agrigulture agreement she signed with the EU.

[08] NATURAL GAS SEARCHING IN THE BLACK SEA - TPAO AND ARCO TO DIG TWO WELLS IN WESTERN BLACK SEA TO FIND NATURAL GAS

A statement of TPAO Directorate General said the first well, which will be digged with the name Limankoy-1, will have a total driling dept of 2.700 meters.

The second well will have a total driling dept of 3.300 meters. Both of the driling points will be within economic borders of Turkey.

The statement said driling process will start by mid July and noted that Limankoy-1 well will be opened within 35 days and that Limankoy-2 will be opened approximately within 40 days.

[09] BUDGET DEFICIT IS 9.2 QUADRILLION LIRA - CONSOLIDATED BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS INCREASED TO 27.266 QADRILLION LIRA

Budget of Finance Ministry accepted in Parliamentary Planning and Budget Commission with several changes.

Consolidated budget appropriations increased 3.6 quadrillion lira in the commission and reached to 27.2 quadrillion lira. Meanwhile, incomes decreased 100 trillion lira and forseen as 18.3 quadrillion lira.

Personnel subsidies increased 825 trillion lira to meet increase in salaries, and appropriation allocated to Turkish Pension Fund increased 105 trillion lira to meet the increase in salaries of retired people.

Also a total of 1.1 trillion lira was allocated from the budget to expend aid to 65 foundations, associations and unions.

[10] RESPONSE FROM DENKTAS TO CLERIDES: ''YOU ARE A SENSIBLE MAN. QUIT THE DREAMS OF VICTORY OF HELLENISM''

Denktas said efforts of Greek Cypriots for the victory of Hellenism were the reason of the incidents experienced in Cyprus so far. Denktas called on Clerides to quit this dream.

Addressing a meeting with administrators of Commemoration of Martyrs Association, Denktas responded to the statement of Clerides which said there was no force that will make him sign a solution which envisage confederation. TRNC President said they revealed confederation proposal to establish a state to state cooperation bridge between TRNC and Greek Cypriot side.

Denktas stressed that there were two states in Cyprus even if Greek Cypriot side accepts or not, adding that ''Clerides may not want confederation. Yet, there are two states in Cyprus and these two sides will live. They are not able to prevent this.''

Denktas said Clerides, with his statement that Hellenism will win victory, began to disclose his main target and intention, and that he was further encouraged after its candidacy to European Union (EU) under the name of false ''Cyprus government'' was accepted.

[11] BLACK SEA ECONOMIC COOPERATION ORGANIZATION CHARTER ADOPTED IN PARLIAMENTARY FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMISSION

The Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization Charter, adopted in the Commission, had been signed in Yalta in June 5, 1998.

Kamran Inan, Chairman of Foreign Affairs Commision, pointed out that the draft should be consulted in General Assembly before the budget talks start, adding that the commission convened urgently to this end.

Inan noted that Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will brief about targets of Turkish Foreign Policy on June 24 if his program will be suitable, and added that a general meeting will take place regarding foreign policy after the budget talks.

[12] ECEVIT SAYS TURKEY CAN EXPORT INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS INCLUDING SHIPS TO DEVELOPED COUNTRIES

The Prime Minister and Rahsan Ecevit, the Deputy Chairwoman of the Democratic Left Party, attended the ceremony where Mar Rocio chemical tanker which was built on behalf of Spain at IMO II standard, was launched to the sea. The tanker is a source of pride for Turkey not only because of its good craftsmanship but also with the highest technology it was equipped with, Ecevit stated.

''Our ship building industry is very important for Turkey's opening to the world and also for our national security. Unfortunately, the global financial crisis which shook the whole world also affected Turkey and the ship building industry in Turkey. During this crisis, both in the 55th and 56th government periods, we tried to provide as much financial sources as we could for the ship building industry to protect it against the effects of the crisis,'' the Prime Minister explained.

Ecevit stressed that the economic stability depended on the political stability. ''Thank God, we left the instability behind,'' he added. The Prime Minister also noted that the Parliament, recently, has been working with a very fast pace which was never observed in its history.

Mentioning the Banks Law, Ecevit said the contribution of banks to production and foreign sales will increase considerably, the banks will regain their real functions, and they will be inspected more closely. Among the new legal regulations that are waiting to be passed from the Parliament, there are social security reform, International Arbitration, Customs Law and accreditation laws, he reminded.

''We started seeing indications of a movement in economy. These are modest developments, but we see that the road has opened. The stability in the government will strengthen the economic stability. This will not be a static stability, but a dynamic one. As a government, we are aware that Turkey cannot tolerate economic recession and we are determined to do whatever is necessary to revitalize economy in the earliest future,'' Ecevit concluded.

[13] EU-TURKEY JOURNALISTS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN GAZIANTEP

''The conference aims to discuss important problems regarding EU-Turkey relations and create solidarity among journalists coming from different countries,'' he explained.

''It is not a coincidence that the conference is being held in Gaziantep this year. It was chosen because of its striking economic growth, high private investments, and active role in the South Eastern Anatolia Project (GAP). The foreign journalists will also have the chance to see Gaziantep, he added.

Olcal said Turkey will host two important meetings, the European Security and Cooperation Organization (AGIT) which will be held in Istanbul in September and the EU-Turkey Journalists Conference in Gaziantep.

Murat Belge, Mehmet Ali Birand, Nilgun Cerrahoglu, Ilnur Cevik, Zulfikar Dogann, Fikret Ertan, Taylan Erten, Zeynep Gogus, Semih Idiz, Orsan Kunter Oymen, Yavuz Tolun, Emine Usakligil, and Cuneyt Ulsever from Turkey and several journalists from Spain, the Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Germany, Greece, France, Romania, Hungary and Poland will attend the conference.

The guests, during their visit, will be briefed about the GAP and see the GAP investments.

A.A

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