Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-06-23

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AA Daily

23 June 1999 Wednesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] SCHOOLS OF FETHULLAH GULEN - BOSTANCIOGLU, NATIONAL EDUCATION MINISTER: - ''THERE IS NO PROBLEM IN OUR SCHOOLS. THERE ARE PROBLEMS AT HOMES''

[03] UMBILICAL COURD AND DNA TISSUE BANK FOUNDED AT HACETTEPE UNIVERSITY - BLOOD COLLECTED FROM UMBILICAL CORD OF NEW BORN BABIES WILL BE USED TO TREAT CHILDREN WITH LEUKHEMIA AND OTHER BLOOD RELATED DISEASES

[04] EU-TURKEY JOURNALISTS CONFERENCE - OZULKER, FM DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY: - ''TURKEY IS A EUROPEAN COUNTRY. NOBODY CAN CLAIM THE OPPOSITE''

[05] U.S. WELCOMES ARRANGEMENT IN DGMs

[06] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES GJINUSHI, ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER - DEMIREL: ''THE END OF THE TUNNEL IN KOSOVO IS SEEN''

[07] GREEK-CYPRIOT TEAMS WANT TO PLAY FRIENDLY SOCCER MATCHES WITH TRNC TEAMS

[08] NEW BANK LAW - DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL BANK, ERCEL SAYS THEY ARE PLANNING TO SIGN PROTOCOL WITH BANKING REGULATIONS AND INSPECTION BOARD

[09] TURKEY-EGYPT RELATIONS - MINISTER OF ENERGY, ERSUMER MEETS WITH HIS EGYPTIAN COUNTERPART

[10] TUSIAD MEETING - ECZACIBASI, CHAIRMAN OF TUSIAD SUPREME CONSULTATION COUNCIL: ''ATTENTION HAS TO BE PAID TO STRUGGLE WITH INFLATION''

[11] KOSOVAR REFUGEES RETURN TO THEIR COUNTRY - NUMBER OF REFUGEES PASSING FROM KAPIKULE BORDER GATE IS MORE THAN 1500

[12] 43 KOSOVAR CHILDREN IN KIRKLARELI GUEST HOUSE WHO DON'T HAVE FAMILIES WITH THEM, DESIRE TO MEET WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND RELATIVES

[13] TURKEY-UZBEKISTAN - ATACANLI, FM DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''WE ATTRIBUTE GREAT IMPORTANCE TO UZBEKISTAN''

[14] CYPRUS QUESTION IN G-8 STATEMENT - FM: ''TURKEY HAS CLEARLY SHOWED HER REACTION''

[15] CONTACTS OF IMF DELEGATION - BAYAR, CHAIRMAN OF OIB: ''WE FOCUSED ON PROGRAMME OF OIB AND PRIVATIZATION OF TELEKOM IN MEETING WITH IMF''

[16] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS CONVEYS TRNC'S REACTION TO BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER ABOUT G-8 STATEMENT

[17] CONTACTS OF IMF DELEGATION IN TURKEY - COTTARELLI, CHIEF OF IMF TURKEY DESK, VISITS DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF ZIRAAT BANK

[18] HUMANITARIAN AID FROM TURKEY TO KOSOVO - A DELEGATION TO PAY A VISIT TO KOSOVO TO DETERMINE URGENT NEEDS OF KOSOVARS

[19] NSC STATEMENT - NSC REVISES CONSEQUENCES OF STRUGGLE CARRIED OUT AGAINST SEPARATIST AND EVERY KIND OF TERRORIST ACTIVITIES, MAINLY FUNDAMENTALIST ACTIVITIES WHICH ARE AGAINST THE REGIME

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

The Prime Minister and the ministers will be given a series of intelligence reports on Gulen; the National Intelligence Organization's four-page report, which was prepared investigating 30 years of Gulen, and the ''scheme of organization''.

The major topic of the NSC meeting, which will be presided by President Suleyman Demirel, will be the Fethullah Gulen issue.

SPLENDID VICTORY
Turkey won her second victory in her second match in the 31st European Basketball Championship Group C by beating Crotia 70-63, and leads the group.

In the final matches today, Turkey will take on Italy while Bosnia will play with Crotia.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

OCALAN'S ONLY CONDITION IS TO LIVE
The trial of the head of the terrorist organization, Abdullah Ocalan will restart on Wednesday at 10 am on Imrali Island. Ocalan will read out its 25 page defense and answer the question of the court delegation about points that need clarification. The head of the terrorist organization is expected to tell the court that he has to live in order to solve the terrorism problem in East and South East Turkey.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

GULEN APOLOGIZES ON TV
Fethullah Gulen, during a telephone call from the US said ''I apologize from all people for pronouncing words that go beyond their purpose against Ataturk,'' and added that some of his statements in the video tapes were to soften the radical Islamists. ''I tried to rehabilitate those people. Sometimes conditions make you speak differently,'' he stated. ''I love Turkey but they wouldn't let me go because of my heart condition. If I die, I want to die in Turkey. I will come if they open an investigation. I believe that I am serving my country,'' Gulen added.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Emphasizing that the target of Gulen's followers is an ''Islamic dictatorship based on theocratic principles'', the report warned that the necessary measures should be taken as soon as possible to determine Gulen's investments of which sources are not known. The report said Gulen and his followers are trying to seem moderate to the army by opposing to the closed Welfare Party (RP) and its continuation the Virtue Party (FP).

COCA-COLA CRISIS SPREADS TO ISTANBUL
The ''Coca-Cola Crisis'' in the beverage sector in Europe spreaded to Turkey. Turkan Emin, 19, was taken to hospital with the complaint of nausea, dizziness, and stomach ache after drinking a Coca Cola product. Her parents are preparing themselves to open a lawsuit against the company.

ROCKET ATTACK ON POLICE IN OVACIK
As a result of a rocket attack on a police car patrolling around Ovacik county of eastern Tunceli province, one policeman was killed and another was injured. In another attack in Kiziltepe county of southeastern Mardin province, one policeman was killed.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

AND NOW VIDEO TAPES OF DILIPAK
The Islamist writer Abdurrahman Dilipak's videotape where he insulted Ataturk and resembled Kemalism to fascism was broadcast on tv on Tuesday night. Dilipak had read out an Islamist separatist poem to his listeners in Kayseri which was the reason for the former Istanbul Mayor Tayyip Erdogan's imprisonment. ''Our two thousand women wearing headscarves are still in universities. The stuggle of these girls will give us our Islamic identity back. We, the believers have to fight,'' Dilipak stated. In his videotapes, Dilipak claimed that Ataturk wanted to make Christianity the official religion of Turkey and killed many people to reform people's outfits. Dilipak also said the alphabet reform was done to break Turkey's ties with Islam.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

Nuh Mete Yuksel, the Prosecutor of the State Security Court (DGM), said the investigation into the Fethullah Gulen issue is being carried out in accordance with Articles 1 and 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Law.

ECEVIT: ''I STRUGGLED WITH FUNDAMENTALISM''
Responding to the questions about the ''Briefing on Fethullah Gulen'', Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said, ''I don't want to join these arguments. All through my political life, I made the most effective struggle against fundamentalism.''

YILMAZ: ''STATE DOES NOT LAY A TRAP''
Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP), said that it is very grave that the officials leaked a video-tape, which is against the state, to the mass-media at a time they wanted.

KUTAN: ''THIS IS AN EXECUTION WITHOUT TRIAL''
Concerning the Fethullah Gulen issue, Recai Kutan, the leader of the Virtue Party (FP), said, ''it is understood that not only Gulen, but also the believers were taken as the target.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Stressing that he is being exposed to movement of lynching and execution without trial with charges of setting up an organization within the state, Gulen said their aim was based on totally different calculations.

[02] SCHOOLS OF FETHULLAH GULEN - BOSTANCIOGLU, NATIONAL EDUCATION MINISTER: - ''THERE IS NO PROBLEM IN OUR SCHOOLS. THERE ARE PROBLEMS AT HOMES''

Responding the questions of the journalists about the schools of Fethullah Gulen, Bostancioglu noted that there is not a single school in the records of the National Education Ministry which is registered in the name of Fethullah Gulen and that the schools are registered in the name of foundations.

Stressing that the ministry carries out the necessary controls in the schools and the hostels, Bostancioglu stated that the governorship help the ministry in controlling the schools and the hostels.

Bostancioglu said, ''the ones which do not comply with the democracy and the principles of the Republic, are punished. There are not so many problems in schools. The mathematics, physics, and English courses are good at schools. There is no problem in schools, but there are problems at homes which are outside of schools.''

''I believe that the children are grown up well at schools. The children are successful in the university entrance exams. The schools follow the curriculum. I do not know the hidden targets of schools.''

[03] UMBILICAL COURD AND DNA TISSUE BANK FOUNDED AT HACETTEPE UNIVERSITY - BLOOD COLLECTED FROM UMBILICAL CORD OF NEW BORN BABIES WILL BE USED TO TREAT CHILDREN WITH LEUKHEMIA AND OTHER BLOOD RELATED DISEASES

The bank will collect blood obtained from new born babies' umbilical cord and use it for children who need bone marrow transplant as of August.

Prof. Murat Tuncer, the Head of Hacettepe University Children's Hospital told the A.A. correspondent that they will take blood from the umbilical cord of new born babies with the parent's permission and the blood will be kept under minus 196 degrees for years.

Prof. Tuncer stated that the blood could be used in children who have low immunities, or who suffer from leukhemia or other blood related diseases. The blood bank which has a power supply will keep ten thousand blood samples in the first stage and the hospital aims to increase this number to 40 thousand.

The tanks in which the blood will be kept already arrived and the blood bank will produce its own liquid nitrogen, he explained. Prof. Tuncer noted that more than 350 patients are diagnosed with leukhemia every year.

[04] EU-TURKEY JOURNALISTS CONFERENCE - OZULKER, FM DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY: - ''TURKEY IS A EUROPEAN COUNTRY. NOBODY CAN CLAIM THE OPPOSITE''

Addressing a speech about the ''Opinion of the Turkish Government'' in the closing session of the European Union (E.U)-Turkey Journalists Conference, Ozulker noted that the opinion of some circles saying that ''Turkey distances itself from the E.U.'' is not true and that Turkey is a part of Europe with her history and geography.

Stressing that Turkey realizes 50 percent of her trade with the E.U countries, Ozulker stated that it is inevitable to have cooperation with the Western Europe because of the geographical closeness.

Emphasizing that having some opposition with the Western Europe from time to time does not mean that Turkey is not European, Ozulker pointed out that Turkey is a member of the western and European organizations and that this makes Turkey a European country.

Reminding the customs union agreement between Turkey and the E.U, Ozulker emphasized that as long as this agreement exists, where Turkey belongs cannot be questioned.

Ozulker said that he does not accept that good decisions are taken about Turkey in the Luxembourg summit, adding that the decision taken in this summit prevents Turkey in political way.

Ozulker stressed that the E.U. firstly puts forward some conditions in front of Turkey and then thinks Turkey as a candidate member, but that the E.U firstly accepts the candidacy of the other candidate countries and then puts forward conditions for them.

Drawing the attention that the acceptance of Turkey to the E.U is not definite despite she realizes all the conditions, Ozulker said that when it is only interrogation and criticism, Turkey is considered a candidate country, but Turkey is forgotten when the E.U. is distributing aid or in the meetings.

Ozulker said, ''Turkey is a country which has some advantages and virtues. Is Turkey such a bad country that she is always criticized? Has Turkey come from outer space? We are ready for all kind of cooperation. But, this does not mean that Turkey is ready to make all kind of concessions.''

''The southeast problem is the domestic problem of Turkey. This problem can be solved without having any support. Turkey can live on her own feet in case she does not integrate with the E.U. Of course, she will exist,'' Ozulker added.

Ozulker continued, ''we have to talk to find a solution. Every country has a limit of patience. Turkey is at her limit. The southeast issue is not an issue about which Turkey can make concessions. This issue and the measures taken there, are not open to discussion. Turkey feels very sensitive about this issue.''

Meanwhile, Karen Fogg, the Representative of the European Commission in Turkey, said that they did not claim that the dialogue between Turkey and the E.U is a stable and balanced one.

Claiming that Turkey has some responsibilities to fulfil, but that she has not still fulfilled them, Fogg noted that Europe does not have an intention of seeing Turkey as a child pushed into crimes.

[05] U.S. WELCOMES ARRANGEMENT IN DGMs

The U.S. State Department statement said that the U.S. also welcomes the draft laws about the human rights which are prepared by the government headed by Premier Bulent Ecevit and that Washington D.C. expects the implementation of these laws.

The statement noted that the U.S. welcomed the acceptance of the constitutional amendmend which foresees the replacement of the military judges and prosecutors of the DGMs with the civilian personnel.

The statement recalled that the European Court of Human Rights earlier said that since the DGMs have military judges, the operation of these courts do not comply with the liabilities of Turkey in the Council of Europe.

The statement stated that the European Court of Human Rights also welcomed the passing of the new law on DGMs.

[06] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES GJINUSHI, ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER - DEMIREL: ''THE END OF THE TUNNEL IN KOSOVO IS SEEN''

Demirel said that the incidents which happened in Kosovo made the Turkish nation very sad; adding that Turkey did its best to prevent those bloody events, but that she could not prevent them. Demirel noted that displacement of one million people and the mass-killing of many Kosovar people is the shame of humanity.

Stressing that the NATO intervention to Kosovo was inevitable, Demirel stated that Turkey was among the countries which supported this intervention. Recalling that he visited Albania and Macedonia in April and defended in the NATO meeting held in Washington D.C. that the NATO intervention should continue until a solution is found, Demirel said, ''the NATO not only maintained its solidarity but also continued its determination. Thus, it becomes possible that the Serbians withdraw their soldiers from Kosovo, that the NATO forces enter in Kosovo and that the Kosovars who had leave their places can return to their homes. The refugees should return to their homes before the winter. They should not pass the winter in tents.''

Emphasizing that he had a phone talk with Rejep Meidani, Albanian President, and that Meidani told him that half of the refugees can return to their homes before the winter; Demirel said, ''that is very saddening. So, I wrote letters to NATO leaders, especially to Bill Clinton, the U.S. President. I told them that these people should return to their homes before winter. There are long days in front of us. We have to be fast.''

Pointing out that the Kosovo dispute negatively affected the Albanian economy, Demirel said that he defended the aid to Albania and Macedonia in the NATO meeting which was held in Washington D.C. Demirel said, ''the incidents indicated that both Albania and Macedonia should be taken under the umbrella of NATO. We hope that the problems will be solved as soon as possible. Turkey will help solving these problems. Our soldiers who will work in the Peace Force are ready for mission.''

''We are waiting for transition permission via Bulgaria. Our soldiers will be deployed near Prizren. Thus, we will make significant contributions to end the pain in Kosovo.''

Thanking Turkey for her contributions to the solution of Kosovo dispute, Gjinushi said that Turkey had an important role in the solution of this dispute. Emphasizing that the NATO intervention did not aim at violating the territorial integrity of Yugoslavia, but at bringing peace, Gjinushi noted that Slobadan Milosevic, Yugoslavian President, carried out an ethnic cleansing policy and that he is a war criminal.

Noting that his country supports the peace process, Gjinushi stated that the Serbian units should totaly leave Kosovo and that Kosovo should be under the protection of NATO until the stability is ensured. Pointing out the damages of the war, Gjunishi stressed that a Marshall Plan should be implemented in the region.

[07] GREEK-CYPRIOT TEAMS WANT TO PLAY FRIENDLY SOCCER MATCHES WITH TRNC TEAMS

Minister Unlu conveyed his proposal for organizing soccer matches between Turkey and the TRNC within the framework of the celebrations for the anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation, to the Football Federation.

The Football Federation is expecting a response from the FIFA for his application.

Recalling that the Sudanese National Team played a friendly match with the TRNC National Team, Fikret Unlu proposed the Football Federation to organize a friendly match in the TRNC between Turkey and the TRNC under 21.

Meanwhile, the Greek-Cypriots proposed to play a friendly match with the TRNC.

At the Executive Board Meeting of the Union of European Football Trainers (UEFT) in Athens, Greece, Andreas Mihailides, the former Coach of the Greek- Cypriot side team, said that they wanted to play a friendly match with a TRNC team.

Conveying the issue to Ismail Dilber, a member of the Football Federation Board, Mihailides said they will apply to the UEFA and FIFA to get the necessary permission.

John Calegeras, the Manager of Panathinaikos, a Greek First League team, said they support such an organization, stressing that they, as the Turkish and Greek football families, do not have any problems.

[08] NEW BANK LAW - DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL BANK, ERCEL SAYS THEY ARE PLANNING TO SIGN PROTOCOL WITH BANKING REGULATIONS AND INSPECTION BOARD

Ercel told the A.A. correspondent that the new regulation is parallel to ''modern and effective banking inspections and principles.''

The new Bank Law has four targets which are filling of the legal gaps, implemention of rules related to international inspection, inspection of banks by an independent institution, and making some changes over the founding and operation of banks.

The basic 25 principles of Effective Banking Inspection set out by the Bank of International Settlement (BIS) were taken into consideration while forming the Bank Law.

''Basle principles, in general, are a series of rules regulating the effective inspection of banks, inspection methods, information transfer, authority of the inspectors and international banking activities. Besides, some of the EU directives have also been adapted in the new Bank Law,'' Ercel explained.

''The implementation will be the reflection of these rules. Therefore, we, as the Central Bank which is the institution responsible for maintaining financial stability, are planning to start new regulations on this field. In this framework, we are planning to sign a protocol with the new founded Banking Regulations and Inspection Board,'' he continued. Ercel also said that a sub-commission will be formed by representatives of the Central Bank, Treasury and the Inspection Board which will systematically follow the developments in banking. Coordination with inspection board which is also implemented in Germany, Britain and even in the US is an important condition for the independence of inspection.

''The analysis of risk-taking situations of banks, besides other rules which the banks must obey, is internationally focused most in banking inspections. Especially, the credit, interest, currency, term, and market risk policies of banks and their situations in the system is the most discussed issue of inspection authorities. The computerized statistics and research techniques are very useful to measure the risks during inspections, '' Ercel stated.

Speaking of the independence of the Inspection Board, Ercel said ''to gain independence is difficult and it takes time. To keep it is another skill. I belive that this board will take positive steps and will teach us the meaning of independence in the coming years.''

[09] TURKEY-EGYPT RELATIONS - MINISTER OF ENERGY, ERSUMER MEETS WITH HIS EGYPTIAN COUNTERPART

Ersumer, after his meeting with his Egyptian counterpart, told reporters that they discussed cooperation in energy field between Turkey and Egypt. The Minister also reminded that the two countries signed an agreement last year on natural gas transfer from Egypt to Turkey through undersea pipelines. El-Banbi had visited Turkey last year during the former Energy Minister's administration, and signed another agreement for the expedition and development of the pipeline project.

State run oil company, TPAO, will speed up its activities in Egypt and a delegation from TPAO will visit Egypt in the coming days to have meetings to discuss the joint natural gas projects, Ersumer noted.

The Egyptian Minister El-Banbi stated that his meeting with Ersumer was very fruitful and briefed his meeting with his Turkish counterpart. El- Banbi also added that the relations between Botas and the natural gas companies in Egypt will be developed.

[10] TUSIAD MEETING - ECZACIBASI, CHAIRMAN OF TUSIAD SUPREME CONSULTATION COUNCIL: ''ATTENTION HAS TO BE PAID TO STRUGGLE WITH INFLATION''

In his speech issued at the opening of the TUSIAD YIK meeting, Eczacıbası pointed out that the Turkish economy has come to the point of this difficulty due to great mistakes that have been made for a long time, adding ''we can't follow the same path anymore. We don't even have the opportunity to postpone the problems unless we realize the structural reforms.''

Noting that the priority of the economic issues in the programme of the government stems from the seriousness of the situation, Eczacıbası pointed out that the usage of capacity is very low in the production of manufactured goods and the amount of investments recedes rapidly.

Stressing that people don't expect the inflation rate to decrease, Eczacıbası said that this is one of the main reasons of the increase in the interest rates and the continuation of the high public debts further increases the high interest rates.

He added that the reforms have to be undertaken without wasting time and the struggle with inflation should not be postponed.

[11] KOSOVAR REFUGEES RETURN TO THEIR COUNTRY - NUMBER OF REFUGEES PASSING FROM KAPIKULE BORDER GATE IS MORE THAN 1500

An official of Kapikule Directorate of Security Department told A.A correspondent that ''this number increased more after the signature of peace agreement especially after June 19. We expect this number to increase more.''

Meanwhile, Metin Corabatir, Turkey Spokesman of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), said they did not promote organized return of Kosovar refugees to their countries for now, adding that they waited for the conditions; ''providing security, and accommodation in the region they will return.''

Pointing out that they observed that Kosovar refugees have a tendency to return to their country, Corabatir said they wanted the return of the refugees to be programmed, safe, voluntarily and honorable.

Corabatir said, ''the U.N. wants three conditions to be provided for the returns. The first one is security. International Peace Force (KFOR) should disclose that security is provided in some regions. Our biggest fear is the land mines and similar traps.''

Corabatir said the second condition was that infrastructure and accommodations in places where refugees will return should be adequate. There is doubt that the devastated buildings will not meet sheltering needs of the refugees. He said the third condition was the existence of the U.N. in places where the refugees will return.

Corabatir said they distributed the brochures prepared by the U.N. for the ones who wanted to return their countries despite everything, adding that ''we don't prevent the ones who return despite everything, yet we also don't promote them. We give them brochures related with the land mines for their life security.''

Metin Corabatir pointed out that 109,000 refugees from Albania, 60,000 from Macedonia and 800 people from Montenegro returned to their countries.

[12] 43 KOSOVAR CHILDREN IN KIRKLARELI GUEST HOUSE WHO DON'T HAVE FAMILIES WITH THEM, DESIRE TO MEET WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND RELATIVES

These children who get courses in the school of the guest-house and who are successful in their courses, stay with their second degree relatives in the guest house.

Officials said that the fathers of some of these children fighted against Serbs, adding that ''sometimes we receive news saying some of them died.''

Parents of three of these children, mothers of three of them, and fathers of eleven of them were killed by Serbs.

Officials said they don't have any information about the whereabouts of the parents of the two children and fathers of the two.

Fathers of 20 of these children fighted against Serbs in Kosovo, said the officials and added that efforts are underway to bring these children with their families.

[13] TURKEY-UZBEKISTAN - ATACANLI, FM DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''WE ATTRIBUTE GREAT IMPORTANCE TO UZBEKISTAN''

Addressing to journalists in a weekly press briefing, Atacanlı said that ''we've installed deeply rooted and comprehensive relations between the two countries after Uzbekistan gained her independence.''

Noting that they are pleased with the statements of Uzbek officials who said that ''there is no problem in the bilateral relations,'' Atacanlı said that in spite of that, the relations have been ''overshadowed'' recently.

Stressing that this issue has to be positively resulted by the Uzbek officials, Atacanlı said that ''we hope that this issue will be overcome as soon as possible and the relations between Turkey and Uzbekistan return to its normal course.''

Sermet Atacanlı said that the extradition of the two Uzbek citizens; who were wanted for attempting to assasinate Islam Kerimov, the Uzbek President, to Uzbek officials, has been realized by the verdict of the court by taking into consideration the decisions of the Council of Europe and by taking assurances from the Uzbek officials.

Atacanlı said that no permission will be given to those people living in Turkey who try to carry out activities against Uzbekistan.

[14] CYPRUS QUESTION IN G-8 STATEMENT - FM: ''TURKEY HAS CLEARLY SHOWED HER REACTION''

Addressing to journalists in a weekly press briefing, Atacanlı stated that together with the statement issued by the Foreign Ministry about the G-8 Final Declaration, Premier Bulent Ecevit, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and officials of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) clearly explained their views about the issue.

Responding to a question asking the developments about the acceptance of the Northern Turkish Cypriot Press Council to the World Association of Press Councils (WAPC) as a full member, Atacanlı said that many things were ignored regarding the Cyprus question in the past, adding that they welcome this development.

Responding to another question, Atacanlı said they didn't receive an answer to the letter sent by Foreign Minister Ismail Cem to Yorgo Papandreu, the Greek Foreign Minister.

[15] CONTACTS OF IMF DELEGATION - BAYAR, CHAIRMAN OF OIB: ''WE FOCUSED ON PROGRAMME OF OIB AND PRIVATIZATION OF TELEKOM IN MEETING WITH IMF''

Responding to questions of journalists after the meeting with IMF, Bayar said that ''we submitted the IMF delegation the realization conditions of our programme belonging to the years of 1999 and 2000.''

Noting that they told the IMF delegation that the privatization of the Turkish Telekom has to be realized as soon as possible, Bayar said that the IMF shares their idea.

''The delegation asked us whether or not the privatization of the Telekom is dependent on a constitutional change and when it can be realized. They wanted to learn which one among the Laws on Banks, Tax, and Social Security has the priority. We explained our views to the IMF and told that the Law on Telekom should also be taken to the agenda before the parliament recesses,'' Bayar added.

Responding to a question Bayar said they gave the program, which they submitted to Supreme Board of Privatization (OYK), to the IMF delegation with all its details, and noted that they didn't much focus on the monetary dimensions ''We have worked on technical dimensions.''

Pointing out that OIB realized 2.2 billion U.S. dollars sale in the first six months of 1998, Bayar said ''the reason of this was that government of that period was seriously interested in the issue.''

Bayar said no serious activity could start till 7th month of 1999 as the program of 1998 was completely halted in the second six months of the year, adding that the only criterion for us was the support and the political determination of the government.

Responding to a question if international arbitration has come to the agenda, Bayar said, ''it has. We said international arbitration has nothing to do with our projects, yet that it was an issue actually prevailing in energy issues.''

Bayar said Turkey should soon discuss its projects soon transparently and complete successfully.

Responding to a question if IMF would extend a financial support, Bayar said he did not take financial support dimension into consideration.

[16] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS CONVEYS TRNC'S REACTION TO BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER ABOUT G-8 STATEMENT

In his speech at the meeting, Denktas said that the Turkish Cypriots can sit around a negotiation table with the Greek Cypriots only upon the basis of equality, and they can talk about bilateral problems only from state to state.

Clay said in his part that they discussed the reaction of the Turkish side to the decision of G-8 regarding the Cyprus issue in detail at the meeting, adding ''I've clearly taken the view of the Turkish side, and I suppose Denktas has clearly explained the response he immediately gave after the announcement of the G-8 statement.''

Noting that the G-8 group tries to encourage the position of the U.N. Secretary General and encourage him to bring the two sides for a negotiation, Clay said that he does not want to further evaluate on the issue.

Noting that the statement of G-8 about the Cyprus issue is very clear, Clay said that ''the issues are on the table and they are just like an official dinner. You can't eat all menu at one time. You wait, think and discuss first. However, the game is within the supervision of the U.N. Secretary General.''

[17] CONTACTS OF IMF DELEGATION IN TURKEY - COTTARELLI, CHIEF OF IMF TURKEY DESK, VISITS DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF ZIRAAT BANK

At his meeting with Selcuk Demiralp, the Director General of the Ziraat Bank, Cottarelli was informed about financial burden which will arise in case that Turkey will not realize the agriculture policy reform.

The IMF delegation also received informations about the periodic payments from the Bank to the Treasury.

Meanwhile, the Ziraat Bank has been given financial aid worth of 250 trillion Turkish Liras by the Treasury since the beginning of the year because of the losses which stemmed from its commitments.

The IMF delegation which visited the Council of Privatization Administration early today, came together with the officials of the Halk Bank.

[18] HUMANITARIAN AID FROM TURKEY TO KOSOVO - A DELEGATION TO PAY A VISIT TO KOSOVO TO DETERMINE URGENT NEEDS OF KOSOVARS

Addressing the weekly press conference, Sermet Atacanli, Deputy Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, recalled that representatives of related organizations and institutions had met under the chairmanship of Korkmaz Haktanir, the Undersecretary of Foreign Ministry.

Atacanli said that a delegation formed by officials from the Red Crescent, the Directorate General of Disaster Affairs, the Union of Contractors, and the Health Ministry, and representatives of other related institutions will leave for Macedonian capital Skopje, and then proceed to Kosovo on Thursday under the chairmanship Sukru Tufan.

Atacanli also added that Turkey will begin to send humanitarian aid to Kosovo following the delegation's visit to the region.

[19] NSC STATEMENT - NSC REVISES CONSEQUENCES OF STRUGGLE CARRIED OUT AGAINST SEPARATIST AND EVERY KIND OF TERRORIST ACTIVITIES, MAINLY FUNDAMENTALIST ACTIVITIES WHICH ARE AGAINST THE REGIME

NSC, aiming to prevent fundamentalist activites which are against the regime, decided to develop the measures taken so far due to strategical means, to implement them without giving any concession, and to realize legal arrangements on the issue soon.

The NSC Statement, related with the issues discussed during the meeting, is as follows:

''NSC held its regular monthly meeting on June 23, 1999 under the chairmanship of President Demirel and with the participation of Chief of General Staff, Ministers who are members of the Committee, Force Commanders, Gendarme General Commander and NSC Secretary General.

Devlet Bahceli and Husamettin Ozkan, Ministers of State and Deputy Prime Ministers, also participated in the meeting.

In the meeting, within the scope of the illegal activities forwarded to the security of the country, fundamentalist activites which are against the regime, separatist and every kind of terrorist activities, and consequences of the struggle carried out against organized crime organization, were revised.

It has been expressed by pleasure that tranquility and security have been provided in the country as a result of self-sacrificing efforts of security forces.

It has been decided in the meeting that; with the target of further improving and consolidating this tranquility and confidence atmosphere that has been provided, and under the light of recent developments, measures taken so far to prevent fundamentalist activities which are against the regime, should be further improved strategically and should be implemented without giving any concession. Also legal arrangements to this end should be realized soon.

It has been also decided in the meeting that struggle against separatist terrorism should be carried out with the same determination and effectiveness.''

The NSC statement said struggle against organized crime organizations which target weakening sovereignty of laws and the state, and creating an atmosphere of chaos, should be carried out with the same effectiveness and their internal and external links should be revealed, and that no opportunity should be given them to launch similar activities again.

The statement also expressed belief that 57th Republican Government and Supreme Parliament will show required sensitivity on issues which provide national security and continuation.

The NSC statement said Emergency Rule, currently carried out in Diyarbakir, Hakkari, Siirt, Sirnak, Tunceli, and Van provinces, was evaluated and found it appropriate to extend this application for another four months starting as of July 30, 1999 and decided to convey this to Council of Ministers.

The statement also said foreign political developments which closely concern Turkey's security, Cyprus, and latest situation in Kosovo within this context, were also evaluated.

A.A

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