Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-09-16

Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

AA Daily

16 Sept 1999 Thursday

CONTENTS

[01] DINI, ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: ''A NEW PAGE OPENS IN TURKISH-ITALIAN RELATIONS''

[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[03] HERCUS: ''THE SIDES DO NOT WANT CONFLICT IN CYPRUS''

[04] TURKISH-GREEK DIALOGUE - COOPERATION TALKS START ON TERRORISM ISSUE

[05] DINI, ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, IN ANKARA - FOREIGN MINISTERS OF TURKEY AND ITALY MEET DURING INTERDELEGATIONAL TALKS

[06] DETAILS OF PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT'S VISIT TO U.S. BECOME CLEAR

[07] PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION IN WASHINGTON - THE DELEGATION, COMPOSED OF 10 DEPUTIES, TO MEET WITH THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESS OFFICIALS

[08] TURKISH-GREEK DIALOGUE - SECOND ROUND SECOND STAGE TALKS END WITH A SESSION TITLED ''TERRORISM''

[09] GENERAL STAFF EVALUATION: - ''WITHDRAWAL OF SEVERAL PKK MILITANTS TO NORTHERN IRAQ, IS AN ACTIVITY TO WHICH THE ORGANIZATION RESORTS EVERY YEAR BEFORE WINTER''

[10] TURKEY-EU RELATIONS - VERHEUGEN, EU COMMISSION MEMBER: ''WE WANT TO GIVE CANDIDATE COUNTRY STATUS TO TURKEY DURING HELSINKI SUMMIT IN DECEMBER''

[11] EMERGENCY AID CREDIT OF IMF - IMF DELEGATION TO INCREASE ITS 330 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS QUAKE AID CREDIT AND PROPOSE IT AS 490 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS

[12] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES OF CENTRAL BANK INCREASE TO 24.2 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS

[13] 7.5 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS PAID IN FOREIGN DEBT SINCE JANUARY 1, 1999

[14] BALANCE OF PAYMENTS

[15] JOINT PRESS BRIEFING OF TURKISH AND ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS

[16] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''THE TURKISH SIDE IS OPEN TO DIALOGUE. HOWEVER, FIRST OF ALL, THE EXISTENCE OF THE TRNC SHOULD BE ACCEPTED''

[17] JOINT PRESS BRIEFING OF CEM AND DINI

[18] JOINT PRESS BRIEFING OF CEM AND DINI

[19] FM CEM: ''SOMETIMES TRAGEDIES MAKE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER BETTER'' - ''TURKEY HEARD THE OCALAN CASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH HER OWN LAWS AND THE INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS SHE SIGNED''

[20] TURKISH-GREEK DIALOGUE - TURKISH AND GREEK DELEGATIONS RELEASE JOINT STATEMENT

[21] IMF TO LEND NEARLY 500 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS EMERGENCY FUNDS

[01] DINI, ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: ''A NEW PAGE OPENS IN TURKISH-ITALIAN RELATIONS''

Dini, who left for Turkey on a two-day visit, told Italian official news agency Ansa that his visit to Turkey was a one to open a new page in relations between Turkey and Italy.

Dini said his visit was a willing test to overcome conflicts and disputes of the past.

Lamberto Dini, who also evaluated Turkey's candidacy status to European Union (EU), said ''although an official decision has not been issued, there is the hope to recognize Turkey's candidacy status.''

[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

MILITARY HELICOPTER CRASHES: THREE DIE
Captain Ersan Dag and Leman Akbas and Tulay Celik, the two nurses, died when a military helicopter carrying personnel assigned in Koprucay village in Pervari had crashed into ground at about 10:00 local time while trying to make an emergency landing near the village. Three soldiers were injured in the crash.

Officials said the helicopter belonged to the Seventh Army Corps and crashed due to a technical fault.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

QUAKE ADDED TAX
The government, which looks for a source to meet quake demolition, targets increasing rates of Value Added Tax two points and plans to get 560 trillion lira additional income from this.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

HARD DAYS IN TOURISM
The massive earthquake of August 17 hit the tourism sector which was hopeful for July, August and September after the crisis of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization. Cetin Gurcun, Chairman of TURSAB, said the quake had many negative effects, adding that ''nobody wants to come to a country which always shakes.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

IMF CALLS FOR ''POLITICAL DETERMINATION''
Carlo Cottarelli, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Turkey Desk Chairman, who stated that they were thinking of increasing 330 million U.S. dollars emergency loan to Turkey, pointed out that additional taxes should be issued and expenses should be limited to lift the burden occurred in the budget following the quake. Cottarelli said they began to think of increasing the amount of the aid after visiting the region, adding that they have observed that the quake was effective in a large area. Cottarelli said they were thinking of increasing the aid yet that this was not the duty of the delegation.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

WHY DID I FIRE THE GUN?
Hikmet Ulugbay for the first time briefed about his attempt to commit suicide which happened on July 6. Ulugbay said ''I was depressed as I could not discuss the problems with my friends in politics. I was offended with the IMF document of Mesut Yilmaz, leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP). I did not argue with my family or with Ozkan. I lost the hope of producing beneficial service.''

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

10 TERRORISTS KILLED
Security forces killed 10 terrorists from the PKK organization during operations carried out in rural parts of southeastern Hakkari province. It was reported that the terrorists were killed in a clash with security forces.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

REACTIONS INCREASE TOWARDS THE CAMPAIGN CARRIED OUT AGAINST BAKU-CEYHAN
Reactions increase against BP, which wants to destroy gainings of Turkey obtained to carry Azeri oil through Baku-Ceyhan pipeline. Ismail Aytemiz, Petroleum Employers Union Chairman, accused BP of not acting decently. Energy circles were amazed against this campaign of the BP against Turkey which earned money due to its investments in Turkey.

[03] HERCUS: ''THE SIDES DO NOT WANT CONFLICT IN CYPRUS''

Ann Hercus, who worked as the Cyprus Special Representative of the U.N. Secretary General for 15 months and who will leave the assignment at the end of this month due to personal reasons, gave a briefing in the Security Council.

Addressing the briefing, Hercus said Cyprus problem stemmed from the cultural conflicts between the two communities, one of which was Moslem and the other one is Christian and that both of the leaders look at the past, not the future.

She listed the problems in Cyprus as security, sharing of authority, property, and sharing of territory, the Special Representative underlined that good will and atmosphere that will contribute to the solution were required for solution.

Noting that the strong earthquake which occurred in Turkey on August 17 rapproached Turkey and Greece, Hercus said she expected positive reflections of this rapproachment.

It was reported that several Council members who share the view of Hercus that positive signals were coming from the European Union (EU), wanted this positive atmosphere to be used.

Also, diplomatic sources said Ann Hercus, during her briefing, said it was better not to hold any talks instead of negotiations that will fail.

Hercus also pointed out that Security Council may help solution of Cyprus problem with the meetings that will take place outside the Island.

Several members wanted last resolution of the Security Council 1250, envisaging direct talks between Denktas and Clerides, to be implemented.

Rauf Denktas, the President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), many times disclosed that he was not intended to participate in talks in case they are not state-to-state and officially conveyed this thought to Kofi Annan, the U.N. Secretary General, in New York last week.

[04] TURKISH-GREEK DIALOGUE - COOPERATION TALKS START ON TERRORISM ISSUE

Faruk Logoglu, Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary, heads Turkish delegation and Anastasios Skoperitis, Greek Foreign Ministry Political Director, heads Turkish delegation.

The first round of Turkish-Greek talks had started in Ankara between July 26 and 27, and ended with the talks held in Athens between July 29 and 30. The second tour of talks started in Athens between September 9 and 10. Environment, trade and tourism issues had been taken up in these talks.

In the second part of the second tour, cultural and regional cooperation issues were discussed.

[05] DINI, ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, IN ANKARA - FOREIGN MINISTERS OF TURKEY AND ITALY MEET DURING INTERDELEGATIONAL TALKS

Uluc Ozulker, Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary, Necati Utkan, Turkey's Ambassador to Rome, Vittorio Claudio Surdo, Italy's Ambassador to Ankara, and other high level diplomats of the two countries participated in the meeting.

Enlivening the relations between Turkey and Italy, which were tensed during the period when Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, stayed in this country.

Dini who arrived in Ankara on Wednesday evening, pointed out this issue and said the incidents experienced in the latest period seemed to harm relations, yet that there was the good will in both sides to strengthen the relations.

Foreign Ministers of the two countries will meet at lunch again following the interdelegational talks and will stage a news conference at 14:00 local time.

[06] DETAILS OF PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT'S VISIT TO U.S. BECOME CLEAR

Ecevit is expected to arrive at Washington D.C. on September 26 accompanied by a delegation composed of Cumhur Ersumer, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources; Recep Onal, Minister of State; Ismail Cem, Foreign Minister, high level officials, businessmen, and journalists.

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit will receive William Daley, the U.S. Trade Secretary, in Blair House, the state guest house. Textile products which Turkey exported to the U.S. and increasing the quota of other trade goods will be discussed. Madeleine Albright, the U.S. Secretary of State, during her short visit to Turkey on September 5, had promised that these quotas would be increased.

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, will officially meet with Bill Clinton, the U.S. President, on September 28 in the White House and the two leaders will have luch following their meetings. Ecevit and Clinton are expected to address the press the same day.

On the same day, Ecevit will also participate in a meeting which will be staged by The Washington Institute, one of the leading think thank organizations of the U.S.

Prime Minister Ecevit is expected to meet with Trent Lott, leader of Republican majority in the Senate, Jesse Helms, Chairman of Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Dennis Hasterd, Chairman of Representatives Assembly on September 29. During these talks, Ecevit will call for support from the congress leaders against anti-Turkish intiatives which appear from time to time in the Congress.

Ecevit is expected to meet with James Wolfenson, World Bank President, the same day.

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit who will participate in the opening of the annual congress of Turkish-American Associations Assembly on September 30, will later proceed to New York.

Ecevit will meet with the leaders of Jewish community here and will participate in the meeting of Turkish-American Associations Federation.

Ecevit, who is planned to meet with Henry Kissinger, former U.S. Secretary of State, on October 1, will participate in a conference that is jointly staged by Turkish American Council and Foreign Economic Relations Council. Ecevit will leave for Turkey after attending another meeting organized by Foreign Policy Association and Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TUSIAD).

During the contacts of Prime Minister Ecevit, the aid of the U.S. for the quake and Cyprus issues are expected to top the agenda.

All sides of Turkish-American relations, Iraq, democratic reform process in Turkey, arms sales, energy tenders, and Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline will be discussed during Ecevit-Clinton meeting.

[07] PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION IN WASHINGTON - THE DELEGATION, COMPOSED OF 10 DEPUTIES, TO MEET WITH THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESS OFFICIALS

Sema Piskinsut from the Democratic Left Party (DSP), Nesrin Unal and Oktay Vural from Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Abdullatif Sener and Mehmet Elkatmis, from Virtue Party (FP), Ufuk Soylemez, and Necati Cetinkaya from the True Path Party (DYP), and Yasar Topcu and Ilhan Akuzum from the Motherland Party (ANAP), arrived at Washington D.C. after concluding contacts in San Francisco.

The members of the delegation will meet with the officials of the U.S. State Department, Defense Department and Congress and will get information about the foreign, defence, legal and election policies of the U.S.

The delegation will also meet with Baki Ilkin, Turkey's Ambassador to Washington, and the officials of Turkish-American Association Assembly.

The delegation will return to Turkey after proceeding to New York on September 24.

[08] TURKISH-GREEK DIALOGUE - SECOND ROUND SECOND STAGE TALKS END WITH A SESSION TITLED ''TERRORISM''

The session which started in the Foreign Ministry at 10:00 local time and which lasted for nearly 3.5 hours, the two sides exchanged views regarding joint struggle of the two countries against terrorism, struggle, and organized crimes.

The delegations did not issue a statement to the press following the session. A statement is expected to be issued within the day regarding the results of the talks.

Faruk Logoglu, Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary, heads the Turkish delegation and Anastasios Skoperitis, Greek Foreign Ministry Political Director, heads Turkish delegation.

The first round of Turkish-Greek talks had started in Ankara between July 26 and 27, and ended with the talks held in Athens between July 29 and 30. The second tour of talks started in Athens between September 9 and 10. Environment, trade, and tourism issues had been taken up in these talks.

In the second part of the second tour, cultural, and regional cooperation issues were discussed.

[09] GENERAL STAFF EVALUATION: - ''WITHDRAWAL OF SEVERAL PKK MILITANTS TO NORTHERN IRAQ, IS AN ACTIVITY TO WHICH THE ORGANIZATION RESORTS EVERY YEAR BEFORE WINTER''

The ''Struggle Against Terrorism Evaluation for August 1999'' of the General Staff pointed out that ''stable success'' recorded in struggle against terrorism continued in August.

Stressing that terrorist acts decreased very much and that the number of terrorists who were rendered ineffective increased, the evaluation said the casualties of Turkish Armed Forces in this period decreased to a large extend.

According to the evaluation which also included several statistical information, the evaluation said armed attack of the terrorists in August decreased 86 percent in August when compared to the last year's same month.

A total of 64 percent decrease was recorded in this period in number of martyrs and wounded ones when compared to the August of last year. It was also reported that a total of 157 terrorists were rendered ineffective.

The statement said Turkish Armed Forces continued struggle against terrorist PKK organization with resolution and success, adding that this can be understood from the figures in question.

Noting that witdrawal of several PKK militants to Northern Iraq was an activity to which the organization resorted before every winter, the statement said, ''this year's change is that it took place earlier and it is tried to be presented in a different way.''

The statement said withdrawal of PKK to Northern Iraq or any other region does not lessen the existing threat. The only condition of eradication of terrorism is that all the terrorists should lay down their arms and benefit from Anti-Terrorism law, it said.

The statement said Turkish Armed Forces will continue to struggle against terrorism with the same belief and determination for the tranquility and security of the nation.

[10] TURKEY-EU RELATIONS - VERHEUGEN, EU COMMISSION MEMBER: ''WE WANT TO GIVE CANDIDATE COUNTRY STATUS TO TURKEY DURING HELSINKI SUMMIT IN DECEMBER''

Speaking to ''Die Welt'' newspaper, Verheugen said giving Turkey candidacy status will not mean starting of concrete negotiations immediately.

Verheugen who implicitly claimed that Turkey violated human rights, said that EU's bargaining with a country where human rights are violated was out of question, and added that ''firstly, there should be a change in this field.''

Verheugen said, ''Turkey will be treated equally with the other 12 candidate countries. Yet, a more specific strategy is needed for the rapproachment of this country to the EU.''

[11] EMERGENCY AID CREDIT OF IMF - IMF DELEGATION TO INCREASE ITS 330 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS QUAKE AID CREDIT AND PROPOSE IT AS 490 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS

It was reported that IMF delegation decided to increase the quota especially after visiting the quake region and noted that this new increase may be submitted to IMF Executive Board.

Meanwhile, it was also pointed out that this proposal for the new increase is one of the biggest proposals which the Organization proposed so far within the framework of emergency aid credit.

[12] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES OF CENTRAL BANK INCREASE TO 24.2 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS

The Central Bank data shows that the foreign exchange reserves, which climbed by 398 million U.S. dollars between September 3 and 10, increased to 24 billion 269 million U.S. dollars as of September 10.

The Central Bank's foreign exchange reserves were 23 billion 871 million U.S. dollars on September 3.

Meanwhile, according to the September 3-based statistics, Turkey's total international gross reserves decreased 292 million U.S. dollars to 35 billion 40 million U.S. dollars between August 20 and September 3.

The international gross reserves of Turkey were 35 billion 332 million U.S. dollars on August 20.

As of September 3, Turkey's international reserves were composed of 1 billion 12 million U.S. dollars in gold reserves; 23 billion 95 million U.S. dollars in the Central Bank's foreign exchange reserves; and 10 billion 934 million U.S. dollars in the commercial banks' foreign exchange reserves.

[13] 7.5 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS PAID IN FOREIGN DEBT SINCE JANUARY 1, 1999

The Central Bank data shows that the Treasury paid 6 billion 333.46 million U.S. dollars; the Central Bank repaid 299.85 million U.S. dollars; the Ministry of National Defense and the Defense Industry paid 557.03 million U.S. dollars; the Defense Fund paid 17.33 million U.S. dollars and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was repaid 344.77 million U.S. dollars in foreign debt between January 1 and September 15, 1999.

Meanwhile, a total of 610.55 million U.S. dollars of foreign debt was repaid between September 1 and 15.

The foreign debt payment was 432.01 million U.S. dollars in January; 765.75 million U.S. dollars in February; 770.55 million U.S. dollars in March; 836.41 million U.S. dollars in April, 680.99 million US dollars in May; 718.55 million U.S. dollars in June; 714.64 million U.S. dollars in July; and 1 billion 22.99 million U.S. dollars in August 1999.

[14] BALANCE OF PAYMENTS

The Central Bank released the developments in the balance of payments in the January-June 1999 period.

The 38 percent shrinkage occurred as the export revenues decreased 7.1 percent, shuttle trade reduced 59.5 percent and the Cost Insurance Freight (CIF) dropped 21.9 percent.

In the first six months of 1999, the net income from the unmet transfers fell 28.7 percent to 4.159 million U.S dollars while the deficit in balance of current transactions became 259 million U.S. dollars.

The deficit in the balance of current transactions had beer 1.296 million U.S. dollars in the same period in 1998.

[15] JOINT PRESS BRIEFING OF TURKISH AND ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS

Ismail Cem and Lamberto Dini, who is currently paying an official visit to Turkey, staged a joint press conference following their 3.5-hour meeting at the Foreign Ministry building.

Expressing his gratitude over the support that had been extended to Turkey by Italy after the devastating earthquake, Cem said they had decided to further improve the relations between Turkey and Italy.

The Italian Foreign Minister said that they wanted to open a new page in the relations between Turkey and Italy, and he believed that the activities of the committees which would be established to this end, would be beneficial.

[16] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''THE TURKISH SIDE IS OPEN TO DIALOGUE. HOWEVER, FIRST OF ALL, THE EXISTENCE OF THE TRNC SHOULD BE ACCEPTED''

Speaking to reporters, the Prime Minister answered the questions about the TRNC, Greece, and Italy.

When asked what Turkey's clear attitude would be towards the Cyprus question prior to his visit to the U.S., Ecevit said, ''The Turkish government's attitude and policy for the TRNC and generally for Cyprus are clear. This is the government policy, and at the same time, it is a state and national policy. I mean that all of the political parties, whether thay are in the power or in the opposition, agree that the TRNC is an independent state, and she should remain so. The whole world has started to understand this.''

''Thus, it is now comprehended that any kind of pressure on Turkey concerning the issue can't bring any result. The Turkish Cypriots have been governing themselves since 1964. Because, all of the rights of the Turkish Cypriots have been violated since early 1964, and their human rights have been violated. They were obliged to govern themselves for a decade under very difficult conditions,'' he said.

''Such a nation which deserves sovereignty and independence is rare in the world. As a result of the structure which was formed following the Turkish Peace Operation in 1974, Cyprus gained lasting peace for all Cypriots. The path for prosperity was opened. Powerful democracies were established both in the two sides of the island. Thus, the order, which was formed following the Turkish Peace Operation, is beneficial for both the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots. Any result can't be achieved from a dialogue without the acceptance of this reality. The Turkish side is open to dialogue, but first of all, the existence of the TRNC has to be accepted. The cruel economic embargo imposed on the Turkish Cypriots has to be lifted. It will be beneficial for all Cypriots if positions are adopted according to these requirements. Any change in Turkey's position is out of question,'' the Premier stated.

When reminded of the news claiming, ''the view that TRNC President Rauf Denktas should go to New York upon the call of the U.N. Secretary General, prevailed at the meeting at the Presidential Palace last night'', Ecevit said, ''an invitation has not been received, and the sort of invitation is uncertain. As I said, any change in Turkey's policy is out of question.''

When asked whether the problems between Turkey and Greece would be solved as a result of the warming relations after the quakes, Ecevit said, ''the important thing is the start of a productive and friendly dialogue. It can be considered that this dialogue has been started. Thus, there is not any problem that can't be solved. Of course, in fact, the problems about the Aegean Sea can be solved with dialogue. However, the current stage of the dialogue has not reached the level of discussing these issues. If the dialogue which started before the earthquakes continues, I hope that other problems will be solved as soon as possible.''

''Actually, the dialogue which started between the Turkish and Greek foreign ministers can be called the start of a dialogue. If the existence of the TRNC is accepted, all the economic problems, environmental problems, water shortage problem, and other problems can be solved with a peaceful and friendly dialogue, but the reality that the TRNC is an independent state should be accepted,'' he stressed.

When asked whether a new page in the relations between Turkey and Italy was being opened, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said, ''the atmosphere of tension between the two countries was over. Recently, the Italian government has been adopting a warmer approach towards Turkey. This is pleasing. Because, we had friendly relations for long years. The relations have seemed to be overshadowed for some time, but now it is improved.''

[17] JOINT PRESS BRIEFING OF CEM AND DINI

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and his Italian counterpart staged a joint press briefing following the meeting at the Foreign Ministry building.

When asked whether he still supported the policy that the Italian government had followed while the head of the terrorist organization stayed in Italy, Lamberto Dini said they had not created that problem.

Noting that neither Italy nor the Italian government had created the Ocalan problem, Dini said that the Ocalan problem was kind of a treanferred problem with which Italy had been obliged to concern within her judicial system.

Pointing out that they had interested in the problem in the way that was foreseen by the Italian judicial system, Dini said, ''you may not have the same opinion about the style of interest we had showed in the problem. These powerful feelings can be understood. However, that problem was left behind. We can understand the feelings of the Turkish people.''

Dini said that Ismail Cem and he discussed the issue of strengthening the relations between Turkey and Italy.

Expressing his pleasure over visiting Turkey, Dini said they discussed wide- ranging issues. Noting that they discussed bilateral and international issues including especially the European Union (EU), the European Security and defense Identity (ESDI) and Kosovo, Dini said that Turkey was an influential member of the NATO.

Stating that the development of the situation concerning Kosovo in the accurate direction was the target of both Turkey and Italy, Dini said, ''I want to say that our meetings were very productive. Opening a new page in our relations is our common will. We have the intention to open a new era especially in our political relations in addition to the field of economy.''

Stressing that the mechanisms mentioned by Ismail Cem would strengthen the relations between the two countries, Dini said they also discussed the process of Turkey's candidacy to the EU. Dini added that his opinions about the issue were parallel to the opinions of the Turkish authorities.

Emphasizing that the reforms that Turkey implemented in some fields would help her more powerful integration to the international community, Dini said Italy supported those reforms in economic and political fields.

Responding to a question about the situation of human rights in Turkey, the Italian Foreign Minister said both Italy and the international community had some expectations from Turkey about ''a change in the relations between the state and the public.''

''However, taking the necessary measures in this field depends on Turkey. Recently, there have been some initiatives that we totally support,'' he said.

When reminded of his opinion about the Cyprus question that ''the existence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) should be recognized,'' Dini said there was not a change in his opinion.

Stressing that there were some realities on Cyprus and they could not be denied, Dini said the problem concerns especially Turkey and Greece.

Dini added that Italy was in favour of a solution based on that reality.

[18] JOINT PRESS BRIEFING OF CEM AND DINI

Expressing his gratitude over the support extended by Italy after the devastating earthquake on August 17, Cem said, ''our Italian friends came to Turkey to help us with all facilities they have. In addition to the financial aid, the important thing was their moral support. They tried to save our lives by risking their lives,'' Cem said.

Ismail Cem and Lamberto Dini, the Foreign Minister of Italy, staged a joint press briefing following their meeting at the Foreign Ministry building.

Noting that the meetings were productive, and all issues concerning Turkey and Italy had been discussed, Cem said there had been some troubles in the relations between Turkey and Italy in the past, but the process of overcoming those problems had been started.

''We mutually believe that we have to improve our relations and open new pages. We have reached a consensus to strengthen our relations,'' he said.

Noting that they had decided to establish some committees which would undertake the mission of reviving the relations between the two countries, Cem said several committees in the fields of politics, economy and culture, and the international issues concerning both Turkey and Italy like the Balkans and Mediterranean would be set up.

Pointing out that they had also decided to form a group that would strengthen the Europen Union's (EU) Mediterranean dimension, Cem said the group in question would include not only the Foreign Ministry staff, but also the representatives all concerned units.

Stating that several international issues like the Balkans, Middle Eastern Peace Process, Kosovo, and Mediterranean had been discussed at the meeting, Cem said they had also taken up the new energy sources, transportation of these sources to the West, and control of the borders.

Recalling that Italy had suffered from this issue in the past, Cem said they had decided to set up a continuous contact between the Turkish and Italian interior ministries.

Noting that the issues like combatting organized crimes and drug trafficking, the EU, the European Security and Defense Identity had also been discussed, Cem said, ''we have understood that Turkey and Italy have parallel opinions about these issues to a specific extent. We made use of our opinions and experiences, and we will continue to do so.''

[19] FM CEM: ''SOMETIMES TRAGEDIES MAKE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER BETTER'' - ''TURKEY HEARD THE OCALAN CASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH HER OWN LAWS AND THE INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS SHE SIGNED''

Following his joint press briefing with Lamberto Dini, the Foreign Minister of Italy, Cem answered the questions of Italian journalists.

When asked whether the earthquake had provided a sympathy between Turkey and the European Union (EU), Cem said, ''not with the EU, but some tragedies make people understand each other better. This tragedy made the Western public opinion approached emotionally and more positively towards the issues that concern Turkey. As we witnessed, these countries and their peoples were more friendly then we thought.''

When asked whether there was a conection between the Turkey-EU relations and the Abdullah Ocalan case, Cem said, ''I don't think there is such a connection. Turkey carried out that case in accordance with her laws and the international agreements she signed. Thus I can't see any connection between these issues.''

[20] TURKISH-GREEK DIALOGUE - TURKISH AND GREEK DELEGATIONS RELEASE JOINT STATEMENT

Following the second-round second-stage talks in Ankara, the delegations released a joint statement.

The joint statement said that following their first round of talks in July, high level officials of the Foreign Ministries of Turkey and Greece had met for a second round in Athens and Ankara to discuss items related to tourism, environment, economic and commercial relations, culture, cooperation in the multilateral regional field and combatting organized crime, illegal immigration, drug trafficking and terrorism.

Noting that the meetings taken place in a ''friendly and businesslike atmosphere'', the statement said, ''the two delegations referred to the human suffering caused in Turkey and Greece by the recent earthquakes and noted the spontaneous reactions from all parts of respective socities. They also praised the friendly atmosphere created among the two countries after these events.''

''The two delegations elaborated the views and ideas expressed during their first round of talks. They decided to conclude framework agreements where necessary or make other arrangements to promote cooperation in these fields, '' it said.

''The two delegations are in agreement that the agenda of the next round of talks will include all these issues. Furthermore, they agreed on the methodology of the next round of talks which will take place in the second half of October 1999 with the respective delegations enlarged with participants from the compotent authorities,'' the statement added.

[21] IMF TO LEND NEARLY 500 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS EMERGENCY FUNDS

Staging a press conference with Carlo Cottarelli, the IMF's Turkey Desk Chief, Demiralp said, ''taking into account the high level of damage due to the earthquake, our emergency aid level was set at some 37.5 percent of our quota. This amounts to some 500 million U.S. dollars.''

Demiralp said foreign quake aid to Turkey, from various sources, amounted to more than 3 billion U.S. dollars which proved the trust in the Turkish economy.

''A letter of intent has to be sent to the IMF to obtain this loan. We reached a consensus on the draft letter. The letter will include the figures announced by the World Bank and the State Planning Organization about the quake damage. The letter will be discussed by the IMF Executive Board in October,'' he added.

A.A

Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article