Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-09-11

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AA Daily

11 Sept 1999 Saturday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] DENKTAS, TRNC PRESIDENT, IN THE U.S. - ''GREEK CYPRIOTS WANT THE WHOLE CYPRUS''

[03] EROGLU, TRNC PRIME MINISTER, SPEAKS TO A.A

[04] PRESS CONFERENCE OF PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT - ECEVIT: ''PREPARATIONS UNDER WAY FOR PERMANENT HOUSES FOR PEOPLE WHO REMAINED HOUSELESS DURING THE QUAKE''

[05] PREMIERSHIP CRISIS MANAGEMENT CENTER STATEMENT: - ''126,664 PEOPLE LIVE IN 101,444 TENTS IN 156 TENT SITES SET UP IN DISASTER ZONE''

[06] CAKMAKOGLU, MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE, LEAVES FOR BULGARIA

[07] F-16 WARPLANES PRODUCTION PROGRAM TO BE CONCLUDED NEXT MONTH

[08] SECOND STAGE IN SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM - OKUYAN, MINISTER OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY: ''STUDIES ON THE SECOND STAGE CONTINUE TO IMPROVE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

AKUT, Turkish rescue team, and EMAK, Greek rescue team, survived many people who were trapped beneath the debris in quakes which shook Turkey and Greece, and founded the basis of friendship between the two enemy countries. The world speaks about these two teams which made the two countries embrace each other. Stefanopulos, Greek President, received AKUT (Turkısh search and rescue team) on Friday and appreciated the efforts of AKUT.

600 MILLION EURO FROM EUROPE
It was reported that European Investment Bank (EIB) plans to extend 600 million Euro (approximately 283.5 trillion lira) to Turkey for the reconstruction of quake region. Brian Unwin, Chairman of EIB, said the aid proposal, which is like an appropriate condition credit, will be submitted to the confirmation of European Union finance ministers during an unofficial meeting that will take place in Turku city of Finaland.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

DESTRUCT ALL YOUR HOUSES IN THE DISASTER REGION
Kazuo Okayama, Chairman of Japanese Quake Center, who holds observations in Turkey, said ''I have hold observations in Adapazari, Yalova and Istanbul. The important part is soft soil. Either you strengthen the buildings here or destruct all of them and construct again.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

''WE ARE GRATEFUL TO YOU''
Greek President Stefanopulos, speaking to AKUT, Search and Rescue Team, headed by Nasuh Mahruki, said ''not only myself but our government and Greek people is grateful to you.'' He said ''you have saved lives, this is a priceless present.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT) QUAKE SHOOK ECONOMY
Orhan Guvenen, State Planning Institute (DPT) Undersecretary, pointed out the mistake in construction practice. Report of DPT revealed the destruction which the quake made on economy. According to the estimations of DTP, cost of the quake will be between 9-13 billion U.S. dollars.

DENKTAS-ANNAN MEETING
Kofi Annan, the U.N. Secretary General, said he will accelarate Cyprus issue in autumn, adding that they want to initiate consultations which are not limited with a framework between the sides in Cyprus. Annan said all the issues will be discussed on the negotiation table.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

COTTARELLI: ECONOMIC INDICATORS WILL NOT CHANGE
Carlo Cottarelli, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Turkey Desk Chairman, said they thought there will not be very big changes in economic targets of Turkey. Cottarelli said they will exchange views with all the rellated institutions, adding that he did not think that the quake will make a great economic change due to the economic indicators.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

TUSIAD REACTS
During High Consultation Committee meeting of Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TUSIAD), they wanted the government to show the performance, which it recorded in economy, also in democratic reforms. Bulent Eczacibasi, YIK Chairman, said ''Amnesty hit a blow on the credit of the politicians.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE) TUSIAD ALSO REACTS TO THE MISTAKES OF THE SYSTEM
Bulent Eczacibasi, Chairman of High Consultation Council of Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TUSIAD), said all sections of the community demanded improvement of democatic standarts, adding that nobody can stand against willingness for democracy, freedom and human rights.

BOMB ATTACKS ON STATE BUILDINGS
Bombs were planted in Labour and Social Security Ministry Istanbul Regional Directorate and Premiership Treasury Undersecretariat Building in Sisli district. 20 people were injured in explosion in Sisli. The other bomb was neutralized before it exploded.

[02] DENKTAS, TRNC PRESIDENT, IN THE U.S. - ''GREEK CYPRIOTS WANT THE WHOLE CYPRUS''

Addressing a reception hosted by Turkish-American Associations Federation, Denktas said ''we see a scenario to give Cyprus to Greek Cypriots. We will not be deceived by this.''

Reiterating that he will not attend the invitation of Kofi Annan, the U.N. Secretary General, to participate in tete-a-tete meeting with Clerides that will take place with the demand of G-8's and Security Council, Denktas said ''there is peace in Cyprus for 26 years. There is no hunger or unemployment. There is democracy. Suddenly people got into an action while everything was on the right path. They say they will bring peace to Cyprus. The peace which Greek Cypriots want is to take out Turkish soldiers from the island. They say 'we will live in peace if Turkey and Denktas withdraw'. We did not bow to Greek Cypriots even in 1963 and 1974 when we were imprisoned in 3 percent of the Island. Will we bow now? They began to take action to spoil the 26-year old peace.''

Denktas said Turkey and Turkish Parliament supported their state-to-state policy, adding that ''Greek Cypriots want the whole Cyprus. By entering to European Union (EU) they want to remove all rights of Turkey. Cyprus question continues and TRNC should be defended in every platform.''

TRNC President Denktas is scheduled to meet with Alfred Moses, the U.S. President Bill Clinton's newly appointed special representative to Cyprus, Thomas Weston, Cyprus Coordinator of State Department and Sir David Hannay, Britain's special representative to Cyprus.

Denktas, who is expected to depart New York on Monday, will meet with the members of Turkish government in Ankara and will brief them about his contacts in New York.

[03] EROGLU, TRNC PRIME MINISTER, SPEAKS TO A.A

Responding to the question of A.A correspondent, Eroglu said developments on Cyprus issue appreared with the recommendatory decision of G-8 group countries, noting that decision of the U.N. Security Council to start ''talks without precondition'' started an activity on Cyprus issue.

Eroglu said TRNC was not obliged to abide by this decision and pointed out that the invitation which is described as ''without precondition'', is in fact full of conditions.

Eroglu said ''the first condition is that Greek Cypriot administration comes to negotiation table as Cyprus republic, and we go as community. The second condition is that we find the U.N. Security Council resolutions in front of us. None of the resolutions was in favour of us, moreover, there were resolutions including calling for withdrawal of declaration of TRNC. This is giving up existence of TRNC State is a condition. There is another condition which says the solution you will find will have the name federation. Besides, they call our President as ''Mr. Denktas'' and Greek Cypriot leader as ''Mr. President.''

Eroglu underlined that when all these are taken into consideration, invitation which Kofi Annan, the U.N. Secretary General, plans to make, will be unfounded and untimely.

TRNC Prime Minister said one of the basic duties of Secretary General is to invite the sides to the negotiation table after preparing the appropriate base for consultation, adding that ''this base is not ready at the moment, and if Secretary General sends the invitation letter to the sides under these conditions, he will side Greek Cypriot side which is known as Cyprus republic and will create a reason to show Turkish side as the uncompromising.''

Pointing out that Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit will visit the U.S. soon and that one of the issues that will be discussed during this visit will be Cyprus, Eroglu said they closely follow the developments to this end.

Noting that he met with Donald Badler, the U.S. Ambassador to Lefkosa, and that Badler told him that the U.S. did not prepare a four or ten way plan on Cyprus issue, Eroglu said Washingon wanted Cyprus question to be solved and also wanted Turkish side on the negotiation table.

Eroglu said continuation of the existence of TRNC state is also for the benefit of Greek Cypriots, stressing that the two states may sit and look for ways to live in peace.

Eroglu said ''we have a political decision taken together with Turkish Republic Government basing on the two states. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit clearly pointed out that it was impossible for us to give up this decision.''

TRNC Prime Minister Eroglu said there is an intense Cyprus agenda waiting for them in the coming days.

Responding to a question how Presidential elections that will take place in the TRNC in the year 2000 will effect contacts related with Cyprus, Eroglu said elections will end end in the lives of democratic countries and that talks related with Cyprus has been interrupted.

Eroglu defined rapproachment between Turkey and Greece, which occured following the quakes in the two countries, as ''friendship between the two neighbouring countries.'' He said they wanted this friendship to be maintained without exploiting it for other aims.

[04] PRESS CONFERENCE OF PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT - ECEVIT: ''PREPARATIONS UNDER WAY FOR PERMANENT HOUSES FOR PEOPLE WHO REMAINED HOUSELESS DURING THE QUAKE''

Prime Minister Ecevit staged a news conference to brief about the studies of Council of Ministers related with the quake.

Disclosing the decisions taken in the meeting of Council of Ministers on Friday, Ecevit said the most urgent duty was to meet sheltering needs of quake victims.

Noting that Council of Ministers prepared three stage plan following the quake, Ecevit said the first stage was the distribution of tents to people whose houses were destroyed or establishment of tent sites.

Ecevit said this duty was fulfilled immediately and that 156 tent sites, including 34,000 tents, were established in the possible shortest time, adding that more than 80,000 people live in tent sites at the moment.

Ecevit said the second plan was establishment of tents resistent to rain and cold weather and the prefabricated houses, and thus to provide people pass winter months in a healthy way.

''Steps are begun to be taken to this end. Developed tents are erected in the disaster zone. At the same time required facilities were provided for the construction of prefabricated houses. Some of the people who remained housless were settled to ships and resort sites in the region. Also, 1000 Refugee Houses were opened to the service of quake victims.''

Prime Minister Ecevit said the third stage of the foreseen plan was to provide permanent houses for the quake victims, adding that preparations were also under way to this end. Ecevit said work on around 6,021 nearly built homes in cooperative housing projects would be completed at a cost of 10 trillion lira.

Those whose homes were damaged by the quake would be given up to 600 million lira to help with repairs. Those who manage to find rented accommodation, at a premium in the devastated area, would be given 100 million lira a month for a year to assist with rent payments.

Ecevit said the state will meet the costs of people who built their houses in the villages. Prime Minister said the donations coming from inside and outside the country will be used for the construction of permanent houses.

[05] PREMIERSHIP CRISIS MANAGEMENT CENTER STATEMENT: - ''126,664 PEOPLE LIVE IN 101,444 TENTS IN 156 TENT SITES SET UP IN DISASTER ZONE''

Premiership Crisis Management Center statement said there are a total of 3, 176 business vehicles in Golcuk, Kocaeli, Yalova, Sakarya and Bolu provinces. There are 711 buildings whose debris were shifted and 2,757 buildings which have to be destructed.

A total of 464 personnel in addition to health personnel assigned in disaster zone, 53 fully equipped ambulances and various medicine and medical equipment give health services.

Ministry of Settlement and Public Works said as a result of damage assessment work, there are a total of 55,349 seriously damaged buildings, 53,551 medium damaged buildings and 62, 150 slightly buildings in the disaster zone.

[06] CAKMAKOGLU, MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE, LEAVES FOR BULGARIA

Addressing a news conference before his departure from Etimesgut military airport, Cakmakoglu said Southeastern Europe Multinational Peace Forces targetted contributing to regional security and stability in Southeastern Europe and especially in the Balkans and improving neighborhood relations between the countries of the region.

Cakmakoglu recalled that an agreement related with this force was signed between Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Italy, Romania and Turkey on September 28, 1998 in Skopje.

Cakmakoglu said this unit which was activated since August 31, 1999, is formed to perform assignment with 100 percent cadre if duty is given to it in military exercises. ''A Turkish general commands this brigade. This assignment will be rotating between the participant countries once in two years. Headquarters of the brigade will also be rotating between Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Greece'' he added.

Cakmakoglu said they attributed great importance to this joint activity of these countries to reach similar targets, which had conflicts with each other in the past, and noted that they regarded these steps as a positive start to provide peace and stability in the region.

Minister of National Defense said ''we appreciate positive contribution of all participant countries to this initiative for the establishment of Southeastern European Multinational Peace Forces Brigade.''

[07] F-16 WARPLANES PRODUCTION PROGRAM TO BE CONCLUDED NEXT MONTH

TAI, which started the first warplane production program in 1987 with the licence of the U.S. General Dynamics company, produced a total of 232 planes within the context of Oncel-1 and Oncel-II projects so far.

A total of 152 f-16 warplanes were produced for Turkish Air Forces between 1987 and 1995. The first eight planes of the project, which covers 160 planes, were produced in installations of General Dynamics Fort Worth, and delivered to Turkish Air Forces.

TAI, within the framework of this project, realized 70 percent of the body of the plane as local production.

TAI, which realized the first project with success, started Oncel-II warplane production project with the need of Turkish Air Forces and with the financial support of Defense Industry Undersecretariat.

Most of the planes, which are included within Oncel-II project, that TAI started to produce in the year 1995, were delivered to Turkish Air Forces Commandership. The last two planes within the context of the second project, will be delivered to Turkish Air Fleet during the ceremonies which will take place on October 29, 1999.

TAI, which producted a total of 230 F-16 warplanes for Turkish Air Forces, also produced 46 planes within three years and delivered to Egyptian Air Forces.

[08] SECOND STAGE IN SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM - OKUYAN, MINISTER OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY: ''STUDIES ON THE SECOND STAGE CONTINUE TO IMPROVE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM''

Yasar Okuyan, Minister of Labour and Social Security, told A.A correspondent that the first stage, which include unemployment insurance, and retirement age took effect in September 8 after being published in the official gazette, adding that now they were working on six draft resolutions.

Okuyan stressed that several sub-commissions, formed by the ministry, continue efforts to this end, adding that they decided to submit these draft resolutions to the Parliament by the end of October or begining of November. He said social security will be based on a solid ground with the arrangements in the first and second stages.

Noting that they concluded studies on business assurance law and turned it into a draft law, Okuyan said they waited for the employers and employee to reach a consensus.

A.A

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