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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-09-29
AA Daily
29 Sept 1999 Wednesday
CONTENTS
[01] 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ESTABLISHMENT OF REPUBLIC OF CHINA - DEMIREL
ISSUES A STATEMENT TO XINHUA, CHINESE OFFICIAL NEWS AGENCY
[02] ANKARA. Sept 29 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel issued a statement
to Xinhua, Chinese Official News Agency, on the occasion of the 50th
anniversary of the establishment of Republic of China, on Tuesday. The
Presidential Press Center statement said that Demirel noted that China is
celebrating the 50th anniversary of her establishment and that China have
marked important developments in this 50 years. Stressing that China
realizes ten percent annual growth rate as a result of the economic reforms
implemented in the last two decades and the opening abroad policies,
Demirel stated that thus, China has become a respected and efficient
country which has global importance and power in Asia. Noting that China
which exhibited serious and determined policies to prevent the spread of
negative effects of the financial and economic crisis whih started in the
Southeastern Asia in 1997, indicated that China has undertaken all the
responsibilities of being a world country, Demirel stressed that Turkish
and Chinese people have deep cultural relations and friendship whose roots
go back to thousands of years ago. Stating that pleasing developments are
marked in the Turkish-Chinese relations in the recent years, Demirel
emphasized that this positive development will continue in the following
years and that he believes the cooperation between the two countries will
improve. Demirel added that he sincerely celebrates the 50th anniversary of
the Republic of China which is welcoming the 21st century as a strong and
respected country in the international arena under the presidency of Jiang
Zemin, Chinese President.
[03] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''OUR RELATIONS WITH CHINA WILL IMPROVE''
[04] ANKARA, Sept 29 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Tuesday
that Turkey and China have good relations and that the relations with China
will improve day by day. Speaking in the reception given on the occasion of
the 50th anniversary of the Republic of China, Demirel noted that the
successes of China in 50 years are magnificent. Recalling that Jiang Zemin,
Chinese President, will visit Turkey in 2000, Demirel stated that this
visit will make the relations between the two countries better. Yildirim
Akbulut, the Parliament Speaker, said that the relations between Turkey and
China go back to very old days and that they want to improve the relations.
Stressing that Chinese contribution to the global peace is very much,
Akbulut wished for the continuation of the good relations between Turkey
and China. Devlet Bahceli, Acting Prime Minister, General Edip Baser,
Deputy Chief of General Staff, General Atilla Ates, Land Forces Commander,
Korkmaz Haktanir, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary, and the representatives
of many foreign missions in Ankara participated in the reception.
[05] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF TRNC EXPRESSES SATISFACTION OVER MEETING BETWEEN
PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT AND U.S. PRESIDENT CLINTON
[06] LEFKOSA, Sept 29 (A.A) - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) described on Wednesday the decision
which was taken at the meeting between Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and
U.S. President Bill Clinton, to send Alfred Moses, Special Representative
of Clinton to Cyprus, to the island, as a positive development. Responding
to questions of journalists, President Denktas said, ''I am pleased that at
the meeting, Mr. Ecevit and Mr. Clinton agreed on not to allow Cyprus to
return back to the situation before 1974.'' Noting that Moses' visit to
Cyprus will be very useful, Denktas stressed, ''I am sure that when Mr.
Moses sees the facts, he will change opinion.'' President Denktas also
added, ''The decision of not allowing Cyprus to return back to the
situation before 1974, also means not to give opportunity to the Greek
Cypriots to repeat the incidents in 1963. The agreement which was signed in
1960, in fact had put forward a guaranteed regime not to allow the Greek
Cypriots to do the things which they did between 1963 and 1974. The
agreement had brought a partnership system. It had charged three
guarantors. Despite the agreement, incidents occured in 1963. The decision
of not allowing Cyprus to return back to the situation before 1974, also
means to change the system in 1960 into another one which will prevent the
homicides committed in 1963.'' Stressing that there are two republics, two
communities, two cultures, and two democracies on the island, President
Denktas said that having regard to this fact, they cannot return back to
the situation before 1974. Meanwhile, the TRNC Council of Ministers will
convene later today to evaluate the meeting between Prime Minister Bulent
Ecevit and U.S. President Bill Clinton.
[07] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT IN THE U.S. - ECEVIT RECEIVES WOLFENSOHN,
PRESIDENT OF WORLD BANK
[08] WASHINGTON D.C., Sept 29 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit who pays
an official visit to the U.S. as the guest of U.S. President Bill Clinton,
received on Wednesday James Wolfhenson, President and Chairman of Executive
Directors of the World Bank. Responding to questions of journalists
following the meeting which lasted for nearly 40 minutes, Ajay Chibber, the
Chief of the World Bank's Turkey Desk, said that talks focused on usage of
the quake loan worth of 3 billion U.S. dollars. Chibber told reporters that
the issue of a new bank loan which will be used for structuring the banking
sector, was also taken up at the meeting.
[09] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT STAGES PRESS BRIEFING
[10] WASHINGTON D.C, Sept 29 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on
Wednesday that Turkey has a powerful and fundamental state order, stressing,
''there is not racial segregation in Turkey. Many citizens of Kurdish
origin have become a part of Turkish families and they have never been
exposed to discrimination. We don't feel the need for searching the origin
of people.'' On the third day of his visit to the U.S., the Prime Minister
staged a press briefing at the Willar Intercontinental Hotel in Washington
D.C. Addressing the press briefing which was organized by the National
Press Club, Ecevit said they had discussed comprehensive issues and the
economic and commercial relations in detail at his meetings with U.S.
President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore. Prime Minister Bulent
Ecevit answered the questions about Turkey's political and economic
structure during the press briefing which was also attended by Cumhur
Ersumer, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Energy and Natural
Resources, and Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister. Expressing his pleasure
and gratitude over the aid sent by the U.S. people and over the U.S.
President's personal efforts regording the strong earthquake on August 17,
Ecevit said U.S. President Bill Clinton and he had discussed the earthquake,
lifting of the textiles quotas, ''Trade and Investment Frame Agreement'',
''establihment of a Free Zone'' in the southeast, Caspian Sea natural gas
pipeline, Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline, Bosnia, Kosovo, relations between
Turkey and the European Union (EU), and Greece, and the European Defense
Identity. Ecevit said Clinton and he were of the same opinion that the
European Defense Identity should be developed within the framework of NATO.
Ecevit stressed that Clinton and he had reached a consensus that the Cyprus
qeastion can't be solved with bringing it before 1974. Recalling that more
than 15 thousand people were killed and more than 20 thousand others were
injured in the earthquake which affected nine provinces in Turkey, Ecevit
said, ''up until now, a total of 112 thousand tents have been distributed
but it is still insufficient. Also I mentioned the contributions of the
World Bank and international organizations.'' Emphasizing that Turkey has a
secular democracy, and she constitutes an example for the Islamic countries
with her contemporariness, Ecevit said the non-governmental organizations
had gradually increased their activities in Turkey. Stressing that the
Turkish state has a powerful ahd fundamental order, Ecevit said the women's
rights had been given in 1920s and 1930s before most of other contemporary
countries. Ecevit recalled that women were working at high levels also in
the army and police department. Noting that Turkey, who had witnessed a
cruel terrorism in last 15 years, lost her 37 thousand citizens most of who
were the people of Kurdish origin due to the PKK terrorist organization,
Bulent Ecevit said, ''there is not a racial segregation in Turkey. Many
citizens of Kurdish origin have joined Turkish families and they have never
been exposed to discrimination. We don't feel the need for asking the
origin of people. I learned later that the ministers of the cabinet which I
formed are of Kurdish origin.'' ''The citizens of Kurdish origin became the
Prime Minister, minister and general in Turkey,'' he added.
[11] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT'S VISIT TO THE U.S. - ECEVIT EVALUATES HIS
CONTACTS IN A PRESS CONFERENCE
[12] WASHINGTON D.C., Sept 29 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on
Tuesday that Turkey was not obliged to make a promise regarding
democratization and human rights issues. Ecevit said the U.S. officials
knew determination of Turkish government to this end. When a journalist
asked under which subject human rights and democratization were brought to
the agenda during his meeting with Bill Clinton, the U.S. President, Ecevit
said ''they knew that our government took important steps on that issue in
the short period of Parliamentary studies. To this end, they take into
consideration the concessions given by us related with the future.'' When
asked what kind of promises were made on this issue, Ecevit said ''we are
not obliged to make a promise. We have no such obligation to anybody. We
have said what we want to do and we did not meet any insistency for
details. Because they saw that the government was resolved to this end.''
Responding to another question on Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project, Ecevit said
''there are the oppositions of several companies. We have seen a
determination in the U.S. administration to overcome the resistances.''
Responding to the question which asked if the economic loss Turkey suffered
stemming from the de facto situation in Iraq, Ecevit said Clinton promised
to look for a solution to this question. When asked what kind of a message
he will give during his meeting with the World Bank and International
Monetary Fund (IMF) Presidents, Ecevit said ''our friends carry out
technical talks. I will express the pleasure we felt over the close
interest shown by IMF and the World Bank during the quake disaster.'' When
asked if Turkish-Greek relations were brought to the agenda during his
meeting with Clinton, Ecevit said ''Mr. Clinton asked my views regarding
the issue. I have told him that the dialogue, which started between our
foreign ministers were fruitful, yet noted that it would not be convenient
to expect discussion of basic problems suddenly. I have conveyed my views
related with Turkish-Greek relations and my opinion why several problems
could not be solved still, although there should be a mutual interest
between the two countries. I especially focused on the psychological and
historical reasons of it.'' Ecevit said starting of such a dialogue is
positive because if reciprocal suspicions can be overcome, I wish ways will
be opened for the solution of several basic problems like the Aegean
problem. Responding to another question Ecevit said military cooperation of
Turkey and the U.S. reached new dimensions, Ecevit said NATO widened
outside its former field of assignment and that thus Turkey's military
expenses increased. When a journalist asked if 100 million U.S. dollar
increase in textile quotas satified him or not, Ecevit said ''no result can
be obtained on this issue so far. Talks continue.'' Responding to another
question Ecevit said he has learned on his way to the U.S. that Greece will
limit its military exercises, adding that he could not learn the views of
General Staff and National Defense Ministry to this end. Prime Minister
Ecevit said all the manoeuvres in the Aegean or in some other places did
not have connection with Turkish-Greek relations, adding that most of them
generally aimed at training. Ecevit said ''some of them should take place.
This is a technical problem. Sometimes it may have political dimensions,
yet, most of the time it is a technical issue. Views of General Staff
should be determined to this end.'' Responding to another question Ecevit
said the death penalty given to Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist
organization, was not brought to the agenda during his meeting with Bill
Clinton, the U.S. President.
[13] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT'S VISIT TO THE U.S. - ECEVIT EVALUATES HIS
CONTACTS IN A PRESS CONFERENCE
[14] WASHINGTON D.C., Sept 29 (A.A) - Premier Bulent Ecevit said on Tuesday
that the ward system eases the prisons to become the centers of terrorist
training. Staging a press conference, Ecevit responded the questions of the
Turkish journalists. When recalled that he earlier said that the military
assistance decreased and that a U.S. official said that they have to
reconsider this issue, Ecevit noted that on one side, the military
relations between Turkey and the U.S. reach a very developed situation but
when the cooperation improves, the U.S. stops all kind of military aid to
Turkey. He added that he earlier said that this was a contradiction. When
asked whether or not the extreme fundamentalism was discussed during the
meetings, Ecevit said, ''it was discussed in some circles. This was
discussed as a daily problem in the world. I said that the solution of the
extreme fundamentalism is the secularism, democracy and modernity. I also
said that Turkey is a state which pioneers these in the world.'' Responding
a question about the riots in the prisons, Ecevit said, ''some regulative
measures should be taken for this issue. The constructive measures should
also be taken. The ward system eased the prisons to become the centers of
terrorist training. The terrorists who use the prisons for this aim and who
know some new arrangements for the prisons are carried out, want to prevent
themselves from being transfered to some other prisons. Because the order
they set up, will be deteriorated when they are transferred.'' When asked
whether or not they discussed the intellectual issues during his meeting
with Clinton, Ecevit noted that they only discussed the international
political issues. Stressing that he informed Clinton about his ideas
concerning some of the historical features of the Turkish society, Ecevit
stated that he told Clinton that the Turkish culture does not include a
concept of 'race discrimination.' When a journalist requested Ecevit detail
the G-7 group to be converted into G-20 group, Ecevit stressed that this is
a development which puts forward that Turkey is an important country in
respect of economy and some other aspects. We have just learned about this
issue. This is a new development. I could not have the time to examine the
details. We received this information after meeting Clinton.'' When asked
about a question concerning his health, Ecevit said that the journalists
can make diagnosis about his health. Later, Ecevit went to the Blair House.
Rahsan Ecevit, Premier Ecevit's wife and the deputy leader of the
Democratic Left Party (DSP), Cumhur Ersumer, the Deputy Prime Minister and
the Energy and Natural Resources Minister, Recep Onal, the State Minister,
Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, Kenan Tanrikulu, Industry and Trade
Minister, and some bureaucrats and businessmen participated in the press
conference.
[15] YALOVA, STATE MINISTER, SAYS HE SEES BRITISH BUSINESSMEN AND
ORGANIZATIONS ARE WILLING TO MAKE JOINT INVESTMENTS IN TURKEY AND TURKISH
REPUBLICS
[16] LONDON, Sept 29 (A.A)- Yuksel Yalova, State Minister responsible for
privatization, said on Tuesday that he saw that the British businessmen and
organizations were willing to make joint investments in Turkey and Turkish
Republics during his contacts in Britain. Yalova met with the officials of
the organizations which have experiences about privatization and with the
high-ranking bureaucrats of the Treasury. Starting his contacts with the
officials of the Customs Relations Committee of the Thames Water Works
Institution, Yalova exchanged views with the Thames officials who are the
economic regulators of the privatized water companies in Britain and Wales.
Visiting the British Airlines Group, Yalova was briefed about the
privatization processes and programmes of the airports in Britain. Later,
Yalova met with the officials of the British Water, an institution to which
all the British water and sewage companies are bound to. Yalova also met
with the high-ranking officials of the British Ministry of Environment. In
the evening, Yalova went to the Treasury and met with Harry Bush, who is
known as an important name in privatization in Britain and who is working
in the Treasury at the moment. Following his meeting, Yalova evaluated his
contacts in Britain to the A.A correspondent. Pointing out that he saw that
all the institutions and real persons were willing to invest in Turkey,
Yalova said that he observed that the mentioned British circles consider
Turkey and Turkish Republics as an efficient partner in realizing joint
ventures. Emphasizing that this is a very important development, Yalova
noted that he had the opportunity to listen to the experiences of the
persons or institutions which carried out privatization efforts in Britain
and thoroughout the world during his two-day contacts. Stressing that he
tried to find the answer of ''how could Britain surpassed Turkey in
privatization efforts which were launched at the same time (in 1983) in the
two countries?'', Yalova stated that they are trying to benefit from the
British experiences at this stage. Yalova reiterated that he understood
that the dimensions of the privatization strategy of the 57th government
which attributes importance to people, was right when he observed the
British experiences. Yalova will leave for New York on Wednesday afternoon.
[17] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT STAGES PRESS BRIEFING
[18] WASHINGTON D.C, Sept 29 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on
Wednesday that Turkey has a powerful and fundamental state order, stressing,
''there is not racial segregation in Turkey. Many citizens of Kurdish
origin have become a part of Turkish families and they have never been
exposed to discrimination. We don't feel the need for searching the origin
of people.'' On the third day of his visit to the U.S., the Prime Minister
staged a press briefing at the Willar Intercontinental Hotel in Washington
D.C. Addressing the press briefing which was organized by the National
Press Club, Ecevit said they had discussed comprehensive issues and the
economic and commercial relations in detail at his meetings with U.S.
President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore. Prime Minister Bulent
Ecevit answered the questions about Turkey's political and economic
structure during the press briefing which was also attended by Cumhur
Ersumer, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Energy and Natural
Resources, and Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister. Expressing his pleasure
and gratitude over the aid sent by the U.S. people and over the U.S.
President's personal efforts regording the strong earthquake on August 17,
Ecevit said U.S. President Bill Clinton and he had discussed the earthquake,
lifting of the textiles quotas, ''Trade and Investment Frame Agreement'',
''establihment of a Free Zone'' in the southeast, Caspian Sea natural gas
pipeline, Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline, Bosnia, Kosovo, relations between
Turkey and the European Union (EU), and Greece, and the European Defense
Identity. Ecevit said Clinton and he were of the same opinion that the
European Defense Identity should be developed within the framework of NATO.
Ecevit stressed that Clinton and he had reached a consensus that the Cyprus
qeastion can't be solved with bringing it before 1974. Recalling that more
than 15 thousand people were killed and more than 20 thousand others were
injured in the earthquake which affected nine provinces in Turkey, Ecevit
said, ''up until now, a total of 112 thousand tents have been distributed
but it is still insufficient. Also I mentioned the contributions of the
World Bank and international organizations.'' Emphasizing that Turkey has a
secular democracy, and she constitutes an example for the Islamic countries
with her contemporariness, Ecevit said the non-governmental organizations
had gradually increased their activities in Turkey. Stressing that the
Turkish state has a powerful ahd fundamental order, Ecevit said the women's
rights had been given in 1920s and 1930s before most of other contemporary
countries. Ecevit recalled that women were working at high levels also in
the army and police department. Noting that Turkey, who had witnessed a
cruel terrorism in last 15 years, lost her 37 thousand citizens most of who
were the people of Kurdish origin due to the PKK terrorist organization,
Bulent Ecevit said, ''there is not a racial segregation in Turkey. Many
citizens of Kurdish origin have joined Turkish families and they have never
been exposed to discrimination. We don't feel the need for asking the
origin of people. I learned later that the ministers of the cabinet which I
formed are of Kurdish origin.'' ''The citizens of Kurdish origin became the
Prime Minister, minister and general in Turkey,'' he added.
[19] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM SENDS A LETTER TO COE - CEM EXPLAINS HIS VIEWS
ABOUT ''LOIZIDOU CASE'' WHICH UNEASIES TURKEY FOR LONG TIME
[20] STRASBOURG, Sept 29 (A.A) - Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister said on
Wednesday that Turkey can't abide with the verdict of the European Court of
Human Rights about ''Loizidou Case'' which caused a big problem in Turkish-
Council of Europe (COE) relations during the last two years. Sending a
letter to Halldor Asgrimson, the Foreign Minister of Iceland, the Term-
President of COE, Cem explained the views of Turkey about ''Loizidou
Case.'' The European Court of Human Rights took a decision last year,
condemned Turkey and requested Turkey to pay nearly 500,000 dollars to
Liliana Loizidou, a Greek Cypriot citizen as a compensation. Foreign
Minister Cem briefly said in his letter that: ''-Turkey had earlier
informed that she wouldn't take responsibility regarding an incident which
took place out of her territories. Therefore she can't pay compensation. -
Turkey recognized the authority and decisions of the European Court of
Human Rights after January 21, 1990. Turkey had earlier noted that a court
decision about an application regarding an event which took place before
the mentioned date can't be binding for her. - Cyprus question is an issue
which is at the agenda of U.N. Security Council. Thus other international
institutions can't take decisions which concerns this issue. The
application of the Greek Cypriot citizen has a political content, rather
than legal. - Turkey considers the proposal of Rauf Denktas, the President
of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to set up a common
commission aiming at finding a solution to the problem of those who lost
their houses in both sides of the island, as the most logical way.
Meanwhile the issue of Turkey's payment of material compensation to
Loizidou came to the agenda again in the COE Committee of Delegates meeting
held at the level of ambassadors in Strasbourg. COE member countries said
that the decision of the European Court of Human Rihgts had to be
absolutely abided and Turkey had to fulfil her obligations. Alev Kılıc,
Turkey's Permanent Representative to the COE reiterated the views explained
by Cem in his letter. The Committee of Delegates will take up the issue
once again between 5-6 October. Diplomatic sources say that the draft
resolution which urges Turkey to abide by the decision of the Court is
expected to be approved in that meeting. COE has the right to suspend the
membership of countries who don't abide by the decisions of the European
Court of Human Rights.
[21] A.A
[01] 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ESTABLISHMENT OF REPUBLIC OF CHINA - DEMIREL
ISSUES A STATEMENT TO XINHUA, CHINESE OFFICIAL NEWS AGENCY
[02] ANKARA. Sept 29 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel issued a statement
to Xinhua, Chinese Official News Agency, on the occasion of the 50th
anniversary of the establishment of Republic of China, on Tuesday. The
Presidential Press Center statement said that Demirel noted that China is
celebrating the 50th anniversary of her establishment and that China have
marked important developments in this 50 years. Stressing that China
realizes ten percent annual growth rate as a result of the economic reforms
implemented in the last two decades and the opening abroad policies,
Demirel stated that thus, China has become a respected and efficient
country which has global importance and power in Asia. Noting that China
which exhibited serious and determined policies to prevent the spread of
negative effects of the financial and economic crisis whih started in the
Southeastern Asia in 1997, indicated that China has undertaken all the
responsibilities of being a world country, Demirel stressed that Turkish
and Chinese people have deep cultural relations and friendship whose roots
go back to thousands of years ago. Stating that pleasing developments are
marked in the Turkish-Chinese relations in the recent years, Demirel
emphasized that this positive development will continue in the following
years and that he believes the cooperation between the two countries will
improve. Demirel added that he sincerely celebrates the 50th anniversary of
the Republic of China which is welcoming the 21st century as a strong and
respected country in the international arena under the presidency of Jiang
Zemin, Chinese President.
[03] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''OUR RELATIONS WITH CHINA WILL IMPROVE''
[04] ANKARA, Sept 29 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Tuesday
that Turkey and China have good relations and that the relations with China
will improve day by day. Speaking in the reception given on the occasion of
the 50th anniversary of the Republic of China, Demirel noted that the
successes of China in 50 years are magnificent. Recalling that Jiang Zemin,
Chinese President, will visit Turkey in 2000, Demirel stated that this
visit will make the relations between the two countries better. Yildirim
Akbulut, the Parliament Speaker, said that the relations between Turkey and
China go back to very old days and that they want to improve the relations.
Stressing that Chinese contribution to the global peace is very much,
Akbulut wished for the continuation of the good relations between Turkey
and China. Devlet Bahceli, Acting Prime Minister, General Edip Baser,
Deputy Chief of General Staff, General Atilla Ates, Land Forces Commander,
Korkmaz Haktanir, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary, and the representatives
of many foreign missions in Ankara participated in the reception.
[05] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF TRNC EXPRESSES SATISFACTION OVER MEETING BETWEEN
PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT AND U.S. PRESIDENT CLINTON
[06] LEFKOSA, Sept 29 (A.A) - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) described on Wednesday the decision
which was taken at the meeting between Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and
U.S. President Bill Clinton, to send Alfred Moses, Special Representative
of Clinton to Cyprus, to the island, as a positive development. Responding
to questions of journalists, President Denktas said, ''I am pleased that at
the meeting, Mr. Ecevit and Mr. Clinton agreed on not to allow Cyprus to
return back to the situation before 1974.'' Noting that Moses' visit to
Cyprus will be very useful, Denktas stressed, ''I am sure that when Mr.
Moses sees the facts, he will change opinion.'' President Denktas also
added, ''The decision of not allowing Cyprus to return back to the
situation before 1974, also means not to give opportunity to the Greek
Cypriots to repeat the incidents in 1963. The agreement which was signed in
1960, in fact had put forward a guaranteed regime not to allow the Greek
Cypriots to do the things which they did between 1963 and 1974. The
agreement had brought a partnership system. It had charged three
guarantors. Despite the agreement, incidents occured in 1963. The decision
of not allowing Cyprus to return back to the situation before 1974, also
means to change the system in 1960 into another one which will prevent the
homicides committed in 1963.'' Stressing that there are two republics, two
communities, two cultures, and two democracies on the island, President
Denktas said that having regard to this fact, they cannot return back to
the situation before 1974. Meanwhile, the TRNC Council of Ministers will
convene later today to evaluate the meeting between Prime Minister Bulent
Ecevit and U.S. President Bill Clinton.
[07] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT IN THE U.S. - ECEVIT RECEIVES WOLFENSOHN,
PRESIDENT OF WORLD BANK
[08] WASHINGTON D.C., Sept 29 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit who pays
an official visit to the U.S. as the guest of U.S. President Bill Clinton,
received on Wednesday James Wolfhenson, President and Chairman of Executive
Directors of the World Bank. Responding to questions of journalists
following the meeting which lasted for nearly 40 minutes, Ajay Chibber, the
Chief of the World Bank's Turkey Desk, said that talks focused on usage of
the quake loan worth of 3 billion U.S. dollars. Chibber told reporters that
the issue of a new bank loan which will be used for structuring the banking
sector, was also taken up at the meeting.
[09] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT STAGES PRESS BRIEFING
[10] WASHINGTON D.C, Sept 29 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on
Wednesday that Turkey has a powerful and fundamental state order, stressing,
''there is not racial segregation in Turkey. Many citizens of Kurdish
origin have become a part of Turkish families and they have never been
exposed to discrimination. We don't feel the need for searching the origin
of people.'' On the third day of his visit to the U.S., the Prime Minister
staged a press briefing at the Willar Intercontinental Hotel in Washington
D.C. Addressing the press briefing which was organized by the National
Press Club, Ecevit said they had discussed comprehensive issues and the
economic and commercial relations in detail at his meetings with U.S.
President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore. Prime Minister Bulent
Ecevit answered the questions about Turkey's political and economic
structure during the press briefing which was also attended by Cumhur
Ersumer, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Energy and Natural
Resources, and Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister. Expressing his pleasure
and gratitude over the aid sent by the U.S. people and over the U.S.
President's personal efforts regording the strong earthquake on August 17,
Ecevit said U.S. President Bill Clinton and he had discussed the earthquake,
lifting of the textiles quotas, ''Trade and Investment Frame Agreement'',
''establihment of a Free Zone'' in the southeast, Caspian Sea natural gas
pipeline, Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline, Bosnia, Kosovo, relations between
Turkey and the European Union (EU), and Greece, and the European Defense
Identity. Ecevit said Clinton and he were of the same opinion that the
European Defense Identity should be developed within the framework of NATO.
Ecevit stressed that Clinton and he had reached a consensus that the Cyprus
qeastion can't be solved with bringing it before 1974. Recalling that more
than 15 thousand people were killed and more than 20 thousand others were
injured in the earthquake which affected nine provinces in Turkey, Ecevit
said, ''up until now, a total of 112 thousand tents have been distributed
but it is still insufficient. Also I mentioned the contributions of the
World Bank and international organizations.'' Emphasizing that Turkey has a
secular democracy, and she constitutes an example for the Islamic countries
with her contemporariness, Ecevit said the non-governmental organizations
had gradually increased their activities in Turkey. Stressing that the
Turkish state has a powerful ahd fundamental order, Ecevit said the women's
rights had been given in 1920s and 1930s before most of other contemporary
countries. Ecevit recalled that women were working at high levels also in
the army and police department. Noting that Turkey, who had witnessed a
cruel terrorism in last 15 years, lost her 37 thousand citizens most of who
were the people of Kurdish origin due to the PKK terrorist organization,
Bulent Ecevit said, ''there is not a racial segregation in Turkey. Many
citizens of Kurdish origin have joined Turkish families and they have never
been exposed to discrimination. We don't feel the need for asking the
origin of people. I learned later that the ministers of the cabinet which I
formed are of Kurdish origin.'' ''The citizens of Kurdish origin became the
Prime Minister, minister and general in Turkey,'' he added.
[11] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT'S VISIT TO THE U.S. - ECEVIT EVALUATES HIS
CONTACTS IN A PRESS CONFERENCE
[12] WASHINGTON D.C., Sept 29 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on
Tuesday that Turkey was not obliged to make a promise regarding
democratization and human rights issues. Ecevit said the U.S. officials
knew determination of Turkish government to this end. When a journalist
asked under which subject human rights and democratization were brought to
the agenda during his meeting with Bill Clinton, the U.S. President, Ecevit
said ''they knew that our government took important steps on that issue in
the short period of Parliamentary studies. To this end, they take into
consideration the concessions given by us related with the future.'' When
asked what kind of promises were made on this issue, Ecevit said ''we are
not obliged to make a promise. We have no such obligation to anybody. We
have said what we want to do and we did not meet any insistency for
details. Because they saw that the government was resolved to this end.''
Responding to another question on Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project, Ecevit said
''there are the oppositions of several companies. We have seen a
determination in the U.S. administration to overcome the resistances.''
Responding to the question which asked if the economic loss Turkey suffered
stemming from the de facto situation in Iraq, Ecevit said Clinton promised
to look for a solution to this question. When asked what kind of a message
he will give during his meeting with the World Bank and International
Monetary Fund (IMF) Presidents, Ecevit said ''our friends carry out
technical talks. I will express the pleasure we felt over the close
interest shown by IMF and the World Bank during the quake disaster.'' When
asked if Turkish-Greek relations were brought to the agenda during his
meeting with Clinton, Ecevit said ''Mr. Clinton asked my views regarding
the issue. I have told him that the dialogue, which started between our
foreign ministers were fruitful, yet noted that it would not be convenient
to expect discussion of basic problems suddenly. I have conveyed my views
related with Turkish-Greek relations and my opinion why several problems
could not be solved still, although there should be a mutual interest
between the two countries. I especially focused on the psychological and
historical reasons of it.'' Ecevit said starting of such a dialogue is
positive because if reciprocal suspicions can be overcome, I wish ways will
be opened for the solution of several basic problems like the Aegean
problem. Responding to another question Ecevit said military cooperation of
Turkey and the U.S. reached new dimensions, Ecevit said NATO widened
outside its former field of assignment and that thus Turkey's military
expenses increased. When a journalist asked if 100 million U.S. dollar
increase in textile quotas satified him or not, Ecevit said ''no result can
be obtained on this issue so far. Talks continue.'' Responding to another
question Ecevit said he has learned on his way to the U.S. that Greece will
limit its military exercises, adding that he could not learn the views of
General Staff and National Defense Ministry to this end. Prime Minister
Ecevit said all the manoeuvres in the Aegean or in some other places did
not have connection with Turkish-Greek relations, adding that most of them
generally aimed at training. Ecevit said ''some of them should take place.
This is a technical problem. Sometimes it may have political dimensions,
yet, most of the time it is a technical issue. Views of General Staff
should be determined to this end.'' Responding to another question Ecevit
said the death penalty given to Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist
organization, was not brought to the agenda during his meeting with Bill
Clinton, the U.S. President.
[13] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT'S VISIT TO THE U.S. - ECEVIT EVALUATES HIS
CONTACTS IN A PRESS CONFERENCE
[14] WASHINGTON D.C., Sept 29 (A.A) - Premier Bulent Ecevit said on Tuesday
that the ward system eases the prisons to become the centers of terrorist
training. Staging a press conference, Ecevit responded the questions of the
Turkish journalists. When recalled that he earlier said that the military
assistance decreased and that a U.S. official said that they have to
reconsider this issue, Ecevit noted that on one side, the military
relations between Turkey and the U.S. reach a very developed situation but
when the cooperation improves, the U.S. stops all kind of military aid to
Turkey. He added that he earlier said that this was a contradiction. When
asked whether or not the extreme fundamentalism was discussed during the
meetings, Ecevit said, ''it was discussed in some circles. This was
discussed as a daily problem in the world. I said that the solution of the
extreme fundamentalism is the secularism, democracy and modernity. I also
said that Turkey is a state which pioneers these in the world.'' Responding
a question about the riots in the prisons, Ecevit said, ''some regulative
measures should be taken for this issue. The constructive measures should
also be taken. The ward system eased the prisons to become the centers of
terrorist training. The terrorists who use the prisons for this aim and who
know some new arrangements for the prisons are carried out, want to prevent
themselves from being transfered to some other prisons. Because the order
they set up, will be deteriorated when they are transferred.'' When asked
whether or not they discussed the intellectual issues during his meeting
with Clinton, Ecevit noted that they only discussed the international
political issues. Stressing that he informed Clinton about his ideas
concerning some of the historical features of the Turkish society, Ecevit
stated that he told Clinton that the Turkish culture does not include a
concept of 'race discrimination.' When a journalist requested Ecevit detail
the G-7 group to be converted into G-20 group, Ecevit stressed that this is
a development which puts forward that Turkey is an important country in
respect of economy and some other aspects. We have just learned about this
issue. This is a new development. I could not have the time to examine the
details. We received this information after meeting Clinton.'' When asked
about a question concerning his health, Ecevit said that the journalists
can make diagnosis about his health. Later, Ecevit went to the Blair House.
Rahsan Ecevit, Premier Ecevit's wife and the deputy leader of the
Democratic Left Party (DSP), Cumhur Ersumer, the Deputy Prime Minister and
the Energy and Natural Resources Minister, Recep Onal, the State Minister,
Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, Kenan Tanrikulu, Industry and Trade
Minister, and some bureaucrats and businessmen participated in the press
conference.
[15] YALOVA, STATE MINISTER, SAYS HE SEES BRITISH BUSINESSMEN AND
ORGANIZATIONS ARE WILLING TO MAKE JOINT INVESTMENTS IN TURKEY AND TURKISH
REPUBLICS
[16] LONDON, Sept 29 (A.A)- Yuksel Yalova, State Minister responsible for
privatization, said on Tuesday that he saw that the British businessmen and
organizations were willing to make joint investments in Turkey and Turkish
Republics during his contacts in Britain. Yalova met with the officials of
the organizations which have experiences about privatization and with the
high-ranking bureaucrats of the Treasury. Starting his contacts with the
officials of the Customs Relations Committee of the Thames Water Works
Institution, Yalova exchanged views with the Thames officials who are the
economic regulators of the privatized water companies in Britain and Wales.
Visiting the British Airlines Group, Yalova was briefed about the
privatization processes and programmes of the airports in Britain. Later,
Yalova met with the officials of the British Water, an institution to which
all the British water and sewage companies are bound to. Yalova also met
with the high-ranking officials of the British Ministry of Environment. In
the evening, Yalova went to the Treasury and met with Harry Bush, who is
known as an important name in privatization in Britain and who is working
in the Treasury at the moment. Following his meeting, Yalova evaluated his
contacts in Britain to the A.A correspondent. Pointing out that he saw that
all the institutions and real persons were willing to invest in Turkey,
Yalova said that he observed that the mentioned British circles consider
Turkey and Turkish Republics as an efficient partner in realizing joint
ventures. Emphasizing that this is a very important development, Yalova
noted that he had the opportunity to listen to the experiences of the
persons or institutions which carried out privatization efforts in Britain
and thoroughout the world during his two-day contacts. Stressing that he
tried to find the answer of ''how could Britain surpassed Turkey in
privatization efforts which were launched at the same time (in 1983) in the
two countries?'', Yalova stated that they are trying to benefit from the
British experiences at this stage. Yalova reiterated that he understood
that the dimensions of the privatization strategy of the 57th government
which attributes importance to people, was right when he observed the
British experiences. Yalova will leave for New York on Wednesday afternoon.
[17] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT STAGES PRESS BRIEFING
[18] WASHINGTON D.C, Sept 29 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on
Wednesday that Turkey has a powerful and fundamental state order, stressing,
''there is not racial segregation in Turkey. Many citizens of Kurdish
origin have become a part of Turkish families and they have never been
exposed to discrimination. We don't feel the need for searching the origin
of people.'' On the third day of his visit to the U.S., the Prime Minister
staged a press briefing at the Willar Intercontinental Hotel in Washington
D.C. Addressing the press briefing which was organized by the National
Press Club, Ecevit said they had discussed comprehensive issues and the
economic and commercial relations in detail at his meetings with U.S.
President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore. Prime Minister Bulent
Ecevit answered the questions about Turkey's political and economic
structure during the press briefing which was also attended by Cumhur
Ersumer, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Energy and Natural
Resources, and Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister. Expressing his pleasure
and gratitude over the aid sent by the U.S. people and over the U.S.
President's personal efforts regording the strong earthquake on August 17,
Ecevit said U.S. President Bill Clinton and he had discussed the earthquake,
lifting of the textiles quotas, ''Trade and Investment Frame Agreement'',
''establihment of a Free Zone'' in the southeast, Caspian Sea natural gas
pipeline, Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline, Bosnia, Kosovo, relations between
Turkey and the European Union (EU), and Greece, and the European Defense
Identity. Ecevit said Clinton and he were of the same opinion that the
European Defense Identity should be developed within the framework of NATO.
Ecevit stressed that Clinton and he had reached a consensus that the Cyprus
qeastion can't be solved with bringing it before 1974. Recalling that more
than 15 thousand people were killed and more than 20 thousand others were
injured in the earthquake which affected nine provinces in Turkey, Ecevit
said, ''up until now, a total of 112 thousand tents have been distributed
but it is still insufficient. Also I mentioned the contributions of the
World Bank and international organizations.'' Emphasizing that Turkey has a
secular democracy, and she constitutes an example for the Islamic countries
with her contemporariness, Ecevit said the non-governmental organizations
had gradually increased their activities in Turkey. Stressing that the
Turkish state has a powerful ahd fundamental order, Ecevit said the women's
rights had been given in 1920s and 1930s before most of other contemporary
countries. Ecevit recalled that women were working at high levels also in
the army and police department. Noting that Turkey, who had witnessed a
cruel terrorism in last 15 years, lost her 37 thousand citizens most of who
were the people of Kurdish origin due to the PKK terrorist organization,
Bulent Ecevit said, ''there is not a racial segregation in Turkey. Many
citizens of Kurdish origin have joined Turkish families and they have never
been exposed to discrimination. We don't feel the need for asking the
origin of people. I learned later that the ministers of the cabinet which I
formed are of Kurdish origin.'' ''The citizens of Kurdish origin became the
Prime Minister, minister and general in Turkey,'' he added.
[19] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM SENDS A LETTER TO COE - CEM EXPLAINS HIS VIEWS
ABOUT ''LOIZIDOU CASE'' WHICH UNEASIES TURKEY FOR LONG TIME
[20] STRASBOURG, Sept 29 (A.A) - Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister said on
Wednesday that Turkey can't abide with the verdict of the European Court of
Human Rights about ''Loizidou Case'' which caused a big problem in Turkish-
Council of Europe (COE) relations during the last two years. Sending a
letter to Halldor Asgrimson, the Foreign Minister of Iceland, the Term-
President of COE, Cem explained the views of Turkey about ''Loizidou
Case.'' The European Court of Human Rights took a decision last year,
condemned Turkey and requested Turkey to pay nearly 500,000 dollars to
Liliana Loizidou, a Greek Cypriot citizen as a compensation. Foreign
Minister Cem briefly said in his letter that: ''-Turkey had earlier
informed that she wouldn't take responsibility regarding an incident which
took place out of her territories. Therefore she can't pay compensation. -
Turkey recognized the authority and decisions of the European Court of
Human Rights after January 21, 1990. Turkey had earlier noted that a court
decision about an application regarding an event which took place before
the mentioned date can't be binding for her. - Cyprus question is an issue
which is at the agenda of U.N. Security Council. Thus other international
institutions can't take decisions which concerns this issue. The
application of the Greek Cypriot citizen has a political content, rather
than legal. - Turkey considers the proposal of Rauf Denktas, the President
of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to set up a common
commission aiming at finding a solution to the problem of those who lost
their houses in both sides of the island, as the most logical way.
Meanwhile the issue of Turkey's payment of material compensation to
Loizidou came to the agenda again in the COE Committee of Delegates meeting
held at the level of ambassadors in Strasbourg. COE member countries said
that the decision of the European Court of Human Rihgts had to be
absolutely abided and Turkey had to fulfil her obligations. Alev Kılıc,
Turkey's Permanent Representative to the COE reiterated the views explained
by Cem in his letter. The Committee of Delegates will take up the issue
once again between 5-6 October. Diplomatic sources say that the draft
resolution which urges Turkey to abide by the decision of the Court is
expected to be approved in that meeting. COE has the right to suspend the
membership of countries who don't abide by the decisions of the European
Court of Human Rights.
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