Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-08-07

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

AA Daily

07 August 1999 Saturday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] CAKMAKOGLU, NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER, WATCHES SHOW FLIGHT OF TURKEY'S FIRST FIRE EXTINGUISHER PLANE

[03] INVESTORS WHO PARTICIPATE IN MEETINGS OF DEUTSCHE BANK IN TURKEY, HAVE POSITIVE IDEAS IN THE END OF MEETINGS

[04] POLITICAL PARTIES HAVE COMPROMISE - DISCUSSIONS ON CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE FORESEEING INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION TO BE HELD IN PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON TUESDAY

[05] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKEY HAS TO REVISE EVERTYHING, INCLUDING HER DEMOCRACY, HER REGIME, HER ECONOMIC INSTITUTIONS, HER JURISDICTION SYSTEM AND HAS TO IMPROVE EVERTHING WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF HARMONY''

[06] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES MAYORS FROM HADEP - DEMIREL: ''I THINK THE COUNTRY WILL NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS IF EVERYBODY LOOKS FOR HIS RIGHTS BY LEGAL MEANS''

[07] DEMIREL RECEIVES MAYORS FROM HADEP

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

MR. KOH, LEAVE SIRNAK, DEAL WITH UTAH!
Mehlika Seval, a Turkish citizen who works in tourism sector was put on hand cuffs and tortured on July 26 at Salk Lake City Airport of Utah, U.S. Seval, 51, was not allowed in the plane by the airport officials and missed her plane. Later she was approached by two policemen who dragged her to a room. She was very badly treated and physically hurt. The policemen declined to tell her what crime she committed. Later she was released on the condition of appearing at the court on August 11. Mr.Koh, the U.S. Deputy Foreign Minister has been travelling South East Turkey and preaching human rights.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL) TURKEY'S VICTORY
The U.S. announced that this victory won against the terrorism was a golden opportunity to bring stability in Turkey. ''We believe that majority of Turkish people want more democracy. The government can meet this demand more easily because the terrorism is on decline. Ankara gained strength,'' it was said. The U.S. is concerned about PKK's shifting to the Northern Iraq. ''It would be the best thing if PKK lays down arms both in Turkey and outside Turkey. But this is a process. Such things do not happen immediately,'' it was stated.

ECEVIT: ''I HAVE CHANGED''
Prime Minister Ecevit said consistency and conservatism were different things. ''The times have changed. Technology has changed. I learned that change was essential. There is nothing as natural as changing of a person and adapting to the new age,'' Ecevit noted and mentioned the criticisms against international arbitration. ''Those who do not know facts and have information criticize it without knowing what arbitration is,'' Ecevit said.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

SUPPORT OPERATION FOR TOURISM STARTS
A total of 6 trillion Turkish liras were sent from Central Bank to Eximbank to support tourism. The credit will have a one year term and an interest rate of 71. Before the end of the tourism sector, 14.5 trillion Turkish liras will be used in projects to promote Turkey. 40-50 firms are expected to be given credit for this purpose. Tour operators and plane companies will also benefit from Eximbank credits.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT) DENIZER KILLED
Semsi Denizer, Secretary General of the Confederation of Turkish Labour Unions (Turk-is) was shot and killed early Saturday. Cengiz Balik, who killed Denizer, has links with the underground world. Balik waited for nearly 10 minutes after he killed Denizer and did not let anybody to come near them. Later he was taken into custody.

ERBAKAN CONSESSION FROM THE GOVERNMENT
Coalition partners paved the ways of independent candidacy for Necmettin Erbakan in order to get the support of the opposition on the issue of arbitration. The government also accepted the demand of True Path Party (DYP) which wanted ''not going to arbitration in case of disagreement of local companies.''

RADIKAL (LEFT)

ECEVIT: ''I ALWAYS OPPOSED''
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit attributes importance to the issuing of reforms without changing their cores. When asked about the conditions put forward by the Virtue Party (FP) against the arbitration, Prime Minister Ecevit said ''I am warm towards lifting of political prohibitions and prevention of closure of political parties.''

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

PARTIES AGREED ON ARBITRATION
Political parties Harmonization Commission reached a compromise on Arbitration Draft Resolution and Political Parties Law in its third meeting. The government took into consideration the opposition of the opposition parties. Arbitration will get its latest shape with the proposals that will be given by the opposition parties.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

SUPREME COURT DISCLOSES: OCALAN'S APPEALS HEARING TO TAKE
PLACE TWO MONTHS LATER
Appeals hearing of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, who was sentenced to capital punishment by Ankara State Security Court (DGM) no:2, will take place on October 7, 1999. The invitation informing about the place and the date of the hearing was conveyed to lawyers of Ocalan.

[02] CAKMAKOGLU, NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER, WATCHES SHOW FLIGHT OF TURKEY'S FIRST FIRE EXTINGUISHER PLANE

Speaking in the ceremony, Cakmakoglu said that Turkey loses some of her lands because of erosion and loses her forests because of fire.

Cakmakoglu noted that he welcomes the upgrading of the planes of the Naval Forces Commandership by the TAI, Anadolu University and Turkish Foundation to Combat Erosion for Reforestation and for the Protection of Natural Habitats (TEMA); adding that he appreciates these institutions' converting the planes into fire extinguisher planes.

Later, Turkey's first fire extinguisher plane held its show flight.

[03] INVESTORS WHO PARTICIPATE IN MEETINGS OF DEUTSCHE BANK IN TURKEY, HAVE POSITIVE IDEAS IN THE END OF MEETINGS

The officials of the Treasury Undersecretary told A.A correspondent that the international investors had contacts with the representatives of the private sector and the economy bureaucrats of Turkey and that these investors had positive impressions during their contacts in Turkey.

The officials said that such meetings are held from time to time and that the participants discuss everyting about Turkey including economy and policy in these meetings and that the investors can receive information from the officials in these meetings.

The officials noted that the investors do not have special expectations from these organizations and that they set up their own ideas by these meetings; adding that these meetings target at finding the answers to some questions like what Turkey is, what Turkey's economic potential is, and where I can invest my money.

The officials stated that the investors return to their countries and that they will decide whether or not to invest in Turkey or how much they can make investments in Turkey.

[04] POLITICAL PARTIES HAVE COMPROMISE - DISCUSSIONS ON CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE FORESEEING INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION TO BE HELD IN PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON TUESDAY

The first discussions on the Constitutional Change which foresees the international arbitration will be held in the Parliamentary General Assembly on Tuesday and the second discussions will be held on August 13, 1999.

However, the discussions on the change in the Law on Political Parties will be held on August 11 and 12, 1999.

Speaking after the meeting which lasted for nearly three hours, Cumhur Ersumer, Deputy Prime Minister and the Energy and Natural Resources Minister, said that they reached a compromise on the constitutional change which will provide the applicability of the international arbitration institution in Turkey and that they will continue their studies within the framework of this reconciliation.

When asked whether or not a package except the arbitration was determined, Ersumer said, ''it is impossible to mention about a package. There are issues on the agenda of the parliament which are requested to be discussed by all the political parties. We have not had an agreement about those. Meanwhile, we decided to renew the Law on Political Parties and take it into the agenda of the parliament.''

Responding a question on whether or not the drawbacks of the True Path Party (DYP) about the arbitration were discussed during the meeting, Ersumer noted that they decided to apply national arbitration for the contracts which are signed by the sides which are Turk.

When asked whether or not the laws which will take effect before the parliament recesses are determined, Ersumer stated that they had a compromise on the international arbitration issue.

When asked whether they had only agreed upon the arbitration and the changes on the Law on Political Parties, Ersumer said that they should assume it as this.

Ersumer added, ''from now on, we, the ruling parties, will submit our proposals concerning the discussions of the Social Security Law and the other laws on the agenda to the parliament. If accepted and appreciated, we will start discussing them.''

Meanwhile, the representatives of the political parties accepted to make the arrangements on the internal arbitration as the proposal of the DYP foresees.

This proposal foresees the solution of the disagreements which result from the concession specifications and contracts of the public services by national or international arbitration. The international arbitration will only cover the disagreements which occur from the foreign contracts and disagreements.

The Council of Ministers will be authorized whether or not to send the concession specifications and contracts of the public services to the Council of State. The decision period of the Council of State will be limited with two months.

The text which was accepted in the interparliamentary harmony commission in the earlier legislation period, will be considered as a base for the arrangement on the political parties.

The sentence saying that ''a political party's being a focus for banned actions'' will be rearranged and the definition of ''focus'' will be made more concrete. The Article 68 and 69 of the Constitution will be considered as a base for this issue.

The proposal is expected to be discussed in the Constitutional Commission before Wednesday.

[05] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''TURKEY HAS TO REVISE EVERTYHING, INCLUDING HER DEMOCRACY, HER REGIME, HER ECONOMIC INSTITUTIONS, HER JURISDICTION SYSTEM AND HAS TO IMPROVE EVERTHING WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF HARMONY''

Demirel received Zeki Celiker, Chairman of Turkish Parliamentarians' Union, and the accompanying delegation at the Presidential Residence in Cankaya district.

Speaking in the meeting, Demirel said, ''it is impossible for the people to be pleased about a system and a democracy which cannot rule. That is, the most important thing is to please the people which we consider their will as the source of legality.''

Celiker said that the presidential and semi-presidential system should be discussed in Turkey and that the problems in the law on political parties should be overcome.

Recalling that the state, its institutions, the people and the will of people were discussed for many times in 50-year multi political party period; Demirel said, ''the basic rule is the supreme laws and supreme will. The supreme will in Turkey is the will of the nation. The will of the nation should be free. There is no other rule than these two rules. The parliament is the place where this supreme appears.''

Stressing that Turkey welcomed 1980 with crisis and the political parties could not have democracy and stability together in 1990s; Demirel stated that Turkey had ten governments between 1990 and 1999 and that none of these governments were lasting and strong governments despite the free elections and parliament.

Demirel stressed that the instability will not only deteriorate the society but also deteriorate the respect to the state authority; adding that it also leads to the dissatisfaction of the nation.

Demirel emphasized that a coalition occured in the end of the April elections and that the establishment of this coalition was not very difficult because those who serve for the country did not take into consideration their pleasures and desires.

Demirel said, ''Turkish democracy should be a ruling democracy. The government which has the confidence of the parliament, is only one of the institutions of this democracy but the most important institution of the democracy. The parliament is another important institution. The jurisdiction is another institutions. When all these institutions come together, the wheel turns. There are many things to do. Turkey should be ruled better. Turkey's system should be operated better. Turkey will think about the improvement of these institutions in the following days.''

Pointing out that the globalism, human rights, market economy, the security of the state and the security of the people are discussed today, Demirel emphasized that these concepts are not being discussed in Turkey at the moment but that Turkey will not be at the back of these issues.

Demirel said, ''we have to discuss these because if we have relations with civilized countries and if we will consider ourselves as European, we have to know the values of the era and learn how to live with them. This is a transition period for the 2000. Turkey has to revise everything, including her democracy, her reginme, her economic institutions, her jurisdiction system and has to improve everything within the framework of harmony in this period.''

Demirel added that Turkey should welcome the criticisms calmly and should search whether or not these criticism are true.

Demirel said that if the criticisms are true, the country should try to correct its mistakes; adding that if the criticisms are not correct, then those who criticise Turkey should be enlightened.

[06] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES MAYORS FROM HADEP - DEMIREL: ''I THINK THE COUNTRY WILL NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS IF EVERYBODY LOOKS FOR HIS RIGHTS BY LEGAL MEANS''

President Suleyman Demirel received Feridun Celik, Mayor of Diyarbakir, who is a member of the Peoples' Democracy Party (HADEP) and Mayors of Siirt, Batman, Van, Agri, Bingol and Hakkari.

Addressing to the members of the delegation Demirel recalled that he congratulated the mayors when they were elected.

Feridun Celik, Mayor of Diyarbakir, who was speaking on behalf of the delegation said people gathered in the outskirts of the country due to the clashes in the region. Pointing out that this became a social calamity, Celik said it was impossible to solve these questions with the unadequate facilities of the municipalities.

Celik pointed out that return to villages should be promoted, adding that special sources should be transferred to municipalities, their debts should be forgiven.

Celik said ''it is impossible to separate the problems of these provinces from the basic problems of Turkey. Clashes which continue for 15 years made the problems more serious. We are at a turning point. We are going through a very sensitive period. It is impossible for Turkey to overcome its problems with sensitive approaches. This term requires couragous steps to be taken. All people of the country, especially the people living in the region need peace. The bloodshed should be stopped.''

Celik said if the amnesty, which is in the agenda of the Parliament today, is turned into a general amnesty covering everybody, this will contribute to the providing of social peace. We hope you will show the necessary sensitivity to find a lasting solution to our problems.''

President Suleyman Demirel said he was pleased to see that the elected mayors were trying to find a solution to the problems of their regions.

Pointing out that Turkey was within a great development, Demirel said there were great differences with the situation that was 50 years ago and the existing situation.

Demirel said Diyarbakir was a part of Southeastern Anatolian Project (GAP), adding that 3-4 million acres field will be irrigated in Diyarbakir plateau within 3-4 years, and potable water need of Diyarbakir will be met. Demirel said a fair will be opened in this city in September 26 and foundations of new factories will be laid.

[07] DEMIREL RECEIVES MAYORS FROM HADEP

The Constitution binds everybody, he stressed and said that the Constituion defines the inseparable integrity of Turkish state and existence of Turkish nation.

''This is a Constitutional state. This is a Republic which was founded by everyone coming from east, west, north and south. And they all possess the same rights. Everyone is equal in front of the law and they all have equal opportunities. If there are indications of unbalanced opportunities, everybody has the right to reject these through legal ways. If we preserve this harmony, nothing would be left to destroy our peace,'' Demirel said.

''There are those who envy our improvements both in our region and outside it. Some people are almost bothered by peace in Turkey,'' Demirel noted.

The President stressed that it was not easy to continue a democratic administration. ''Democracy is a very difficult but a great thing. We will do better than this. I advise you to work to serve people in your regions. The state will be on your side. You should not worry,'' Demirel told the mayors of HADEP and assured them that they could call him anytime. ''My telephone is open for 24 hours,'' he said.

A.A

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