Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-09-12

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

AA Daily

12 Sept 1999 Sunday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] CAKMAKOGLU, MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE: ''SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE MULTINATIONAL PEACE FORCE TO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN PROTECTION OF PEACE AND STABILITY IN THE REGION''

[03] SEEBRIG AND TURKISH-GREEK DIALOGUE - CAKMAKOGLU, MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE: ''WE HAVE SEEN HOW MUCH WE NEED EACH OTHER''

[04] MEASURES AGAINST LIVESTOCK SMUGGLING - GOKALP, MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, SENDS CIRCULAR TO EMERGENCY RULE REGIONAL GOVERNORSHIP AND BORDER GOVERNORSHIPS TO ABIDE BY THE MEASURES

[05] MORALI, TURKEY'S NEW AMBASSADOR TO TEHRAN, PRESENTS HIS LETTER OF CREDENTIALS

[06] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM TO MEET WITH ALBRIGHT AND PAPANDREU

[07] AID EXTENDED BY ITALY FOR QUAKE DISASTER

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

APPLAUSE TO SOLDIERS, SALUTE TO PEACE
Southeastern Europe Multinational Peace Forces Bridage, which will take action against a possible crisis in the Balkans, started to work with a ceremony staged in Bulgaria.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL) SCHOOLS TO BE OPENED ON MONDAY WITH DAMAGES AND
SUSPICIONS
A total of 72 schools, which were damaged or have the danger of collapsing, were closed. Many schools in the Marmara region and its surroundings have medium or slight damage. There are thousands of schools which did not recieve resistance test. 25 prefabricated schools will be set up in Kocaeli, Golcuk, Yalova and Adapazari. It is also reported that the students may have panic in ongoing aftershocks.

LOSS IN TOURISM IN THE QUAKE IS 2.5 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS
Erkan Mumcu, Minister of Tourism, said the loss in tourism sector due to the quake was 2.5 billion U.S. dollars. Noting that 30 percent growth had been targetted in tourism in 1999 when compared to 1998, Mumcu said this was not realized due to the terrorism actions in various cities of Europe since February. Mumcu stressed that the massive quake in Marmara region caused loss in potential of Istanbul, adding that ''yet, we did not have loss in southern regions and coastal regions. We can close the season with 20-25 percent loss.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

MESSAGE FROM ISMAIL CEM TO EU
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem who will go to Brussels upon the invitation of European Union (EU) Foreign Ministers, will give the message that ''Helsinki Summit is the last chance on candidacy issue. EU should not miss this chance.'' Cem will also stress that if candidacy is given to Turkey in Helsinki, democratization and improvement in human rights will be accelerated. Foreign Minister Cem will also say that Turkey will do what is required after the confirmation of official candidacy.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

600 MILLION LIRA TO BE GIVEN FOR THE DAMAGE
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit briefed about the decisions taken in Council of Ministers meeting. 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.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

''ACADEMIC JUSTICE'' TO COME
Justice Ministry initiated an effort for the establishment of Justice Academy to provide judges, prosecutors, lawyers and other jurists to follow the new developments in the laws. Hikmet Sami Turk, Minister of Justice, said the Academy will also have the function of an information and documentation center.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

400 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS FROM THE GULF
The Gulf Cooperation Council decided to extend 400 million U.S. dollars for the development and reconstruction of the regions which were affected by the massive earthquake which shook Marmara region.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

THE WASHINGTON TIMES
The Washington Times, one of the leading newspapers of the U.S., said Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) should be recognized as a state and that Turkey and TRNC should be accepted as members to the European Union (EU) to solve Cyprus question. The comment of the newspaper said recognition of the independence of the two republics in Cyprus will be a good start for the solution of the problem.

[02] CAKMAKOGLU, MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE: ''SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE MULTINATIONAL PEACE FORCE TO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN PROTECTION OF PEACE AND STABILITY IN THE REGION''

Cakmakoglu participated in a ceremony held for inauguration of the headquarters of SEEBRIG.

Speaking to reporters Cakmakoglu said SEEBRIG was created due to a regional arrangement need, adding that ''conflicts and disputes are intensely seen in our region. We all remember the incidents in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo. Measures should be taken before incidents erupt. SEEBRIG is formed to fill this gap.''

Turkey, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Albania, Romania and Macedonia attend as participant countries, Slovenia and the U.S. participate in as observer countries.

The force will work in peacekeeping or humanitarian operations under the umbrella of international bodies including the United Nations, OSCE, NATO and the Western European Union.

-CYPRUS LETTER FROM CLINTON TO THE CONGRESS ''G-8'S CALL FOR DENKTAS-
CLERIDES MEETING IS POSITIVE''
WASHINGTON D.C., Sept 12 (A.A) - The U.S. President Bill Clinton in a letter he sent to Congress leaders related with Cyprus question gave full support to a meeting between Rauf Denktas, President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Glafcos Clerides, Greek Cypriot leader, it was reported on Saturday.

In the letter Clinton sent to Dennis Hastert, Representatives Assembly Chairman, and Jesse Helms, Senate Foreign Relations Commitee Chairman, he mentioned about the developments on Cyprus issue last June and July.

The U.S. President said Cyprus was one of the issues discussed in G-8 summit held in Koln last June, adding that his counterparts agreed that Kofi Annan, the U.N. Secretary General should issue a statement calling the leaders of the two sides to a meeting in 1999 autumn.

The U.S. President said this was a positive step to overcome legal concerns of the two sides and to find a just and lasting solution for the Cypriots.

TRNC President Rauf Denktas who is currently in Washington D.C., last week opposed to the efforts to meet with Clerides before the formation of a ground and wanted Kofi Annan, the U.N. Secretary General not to make such a call.

Diplomatic sources in Washington pointed out that oppositive views which Denktas and the U.S. side defended on Cyprus issue was once again revealed with this letter of Clinton.

The letter is also found as meaningful because it came before Denktas's scheduled meeting with Tom Weston, the U.S. State Department's newly appointed Coordinator for Cyprus.

Clinton in the letter mentioned about the visits of William Cohen the U.S. Defense Secretary to Turkey and Greece, and pointed out the importance of the roles of Turkey and Greece in Southeastern Europe region. Clinton also recalled the promise which the U.S. gave to reach a solution in Cyprus.

[03] SEEBRIG AND TURKISH-GREEK DIALOGUE - CAKMAKOGLU, MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE: ''WE HAVE SEEN HOW MUCH WE NEED EACH OTHER''

Sabahattin Cakmakoglu, Minister of National Defense, and Akis Chohacopulos, Greek Defense Minister, who went to Bulgaria to attend opening ceremony of Southeastern Europe Multinational Peace Force (SEEBRIG), came together and gave friendship messages.

Responding to a question of a reporter related with Turkish-Greek dialogue, Cakmakoglu said ''the tragic earthquake which we suffered showed hom much we need mutual help and cooperation.''

Noting that Turkey expected the positive dialogue which started with the quake disaster to be further improved, Cakmakoglu said ''We are optimists, and we are convinced that we'll solve all existing problems in peace and mutual understanding.''

Cakmakoglu said he wanted this cooperation to continue in hapiness and in peace as it happened in concern and in sorrow.

Akis Cohacopulos, Greek Defense minister, said in his part that ''cooperation in bilateral relations will continue.''

Cohacopulos said Turkey and Greece experienced tragic incidents in the past three weeks, adding that ''this experience has brought people closer. Neighbors need to cooperate, and need to support each other against risk, wherever it comes from.'' the Greek defense minister said.

[04] MEASURES AGAINST LIVESTOCK SMUGGLING - GOKALP, MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, SENDS CIRCULAR TO EMERGENCY RULE REGIONAL GOVERNORSHIP AND BORDER GOVERNORSHIPS TO ABIDE BY THE MEASURES

Gokalp sent a circular to Emergency Rule Regional Governorship and governorships of Sirnak, Hakkari, Van, Agri and Igdir related with the measures to prevent livestock smuggling.

The circular stressed that livestock smuggling from borders of Iran and Iraq increased gradually, adding that this raised fears of disease and undermined domestic breeding sector which is going through narrow straits.

Agriculture Minister Husnu Yusuf Gokalp ordered governors in the southeast to close open-air markets where animals are bought and sold, temporarily halt inter-city transportation of animals and introduce health controls.

Gokalp said livestock smuggling created annual tax losses of around 400 trillion lira.

[05] MORALI, TURKEY'S NEW AMBASSADOR TO TEHRAN, PRESENTS HIS LETTER OF CREDENTIALS

Addressing the meeting Khatemi said Iran always attributed a great importance to relations with Turkey.

Khatemi said in every level of the country administration, there was a consensus of opinion to improve relations with Turkey.

Expressing his deep sorrow again due to the massive quake which shook Marmara region, Khatemi said ''Iranian government and people share the sorrows of Turkish republic and people.''

IRNA news agency reported that Khatemi stressed the importance Iran attributed to cooperation and friendship with Turkey.

Khatemi said he regarded Tehran-Ankara cooperation as the reason of tranquility and development in general in the region, pointing out that several circles did not want these friendly relations between the two countries and that they were after creating crisis. Khatemi said interests of Turkey and Iran are linked with each other, adding that concerns can be overcomed and problems can be solved with logic and good will.

Pointing out that Iran and Turkey were the centers of spreading and deepening of Islam civilization throughout the world, Khatemi said ''we should fulfil our roles near each other at a time when intercivilization dialogue is mentioned.''

Morali in his part said he will do his best to improve bilateral relations during his term of office.

Morali had arrived in Tehran on August 2 and presented a copy of letter of credentials to Kamal Kharrazi, Iranian Foreign Minister, on August 25.

Morali thanked for the aid extended by Iran during the quake disaster and noted that he will work in a determined way to improve relations between the two countries.

Morali said there was a lack of confidence in Ankara regarding the attitude of Iran towards Turkey and noted that the belief preveails that there was not a consensus in Iranian administration related with good neighborhood relations with Turkey.

''Many people in Turkey believe that fluctuations in our relations cause loss of time'' Morali said, adding that fruitful results may be obtained through existing mechanisms.''

Morali stressed that the two countries were located in a strategic region and that several incidents happened as a result of misunderstandings, adding that latest High Security Commission meeting held in Ankara was a positive initiative.

''Border crisis solved and reciprocal good will prevailed'' said Morali and noted that Turkey expected the mechanisms to be activiated effectively to prevent eruption of such incidents again.

Morali said Turkey respected, appreciated and expected positive results for ''leadership of Khatemi and the role he chose for Iran in the threshold of the new century'', and pointed out that ''a strong Turkey and Iran may have valuable contribution to the creation of a region full of welfare and stability.''

Moralı said Turkey was sure that the things which Khatemi wanted for Iran will be realized and that a consensus will be formed that Turkey is a real partner.

[06] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM TO MEET WITH ALBRIGHT AND PAPANDREU

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, who is expected to come to New York on September 18, will address the General Assembly on September 23. Cem is expected to stress main targets of Turkish foreign policy and reveal views of Turkish government related with various problems of the world.

It was also reported that Glafcos Clerides, Greek Cypriot leader, will address the morning session of the U.N. General Assembly meeting on September 23. Yorgo Papandreu, Greek Foreign Minister, will address the General Assembly on September 22.

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will hold bilateral contacts with the foreign ministers of nearly 20 countries during his stay in New York.

Ismail Cem will proceed to Washington D.C. on September 26 to accompany Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit who is scheduled to start his official visit to the U.S. on September 27.

Cem will come back to New York again together with Prime Minister Ecevit on September 29. Prime Minister Ecevit and Foreign Minister Cem are expected to return to Turkey on September 30.

[07] AID EXTENDED BY ITALY FOR QUAKE DISASTER

A written statement of Foreign Ministry listed the aid as:

-Rescue devices and equipment airlifted by 13 military planes belonging to Italian Air Forces Pissa Air Brigade.

- A 73-people team from Prime Ministry Civilian Defense Department participated in search and rescue efforts.

-A total of 160 tonnes of fire extinguishing foams airlifted by two military planes to participate in efforts to put out the fire in TUPRAS refinery.

-Two planeloads of medical equipment sent from Foreign Ministry Cooperation Funds.

-''San Giorgio'' amphibious support ship, belonging to Italian Fleet, which included a hospital, medical equipment and device, transfered to Golcuk.

-Italian Premiership Civilian Defense Section set up field kitchen in Izmit which still gives meal to 10,000 people.

-Italian CARITAS sent 33 tents.

-FIAT company donated 10 ambulances. IVECO company sent 10 dumper trucks, and ASTALDI company extended medical aid worth of 60,000 U.S. dollars.

-Equipment aid from Italian non-governmental organizations sent to Red Crescent.

The statement also said Prime Ministry Civilian Defense Department will also ferry 250 tents, equipment for 10 prefabricated houses, and aid equipment including water, clothing, shoes, blankets, toys, cleaning device, baby clothing with TURKON LINES/ANDON ship.

The statement said 50,000 U.S. dollars aid which was collected in aid accounts of Turkey's Rome Embassy and Milano Consulate General was transferred to the aid account opened in Turkey.

A.A

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