|
|
|
Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-10-26
[01] AA Daily
26 October 1999 Tuesday
[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN
[03] These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in
Turkey's press on October 26, 1999. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify
these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
[04] HURRIYET (LIBERAL) - ------------------ SHOCK ON HODJA The Treasury
Undersecretariat imposed precautinary measures to all the assets of
Necmettin Erbakan, the former leader of the banned Welfare Party (RP), and
his nine friends in the trial which was filed for the lost two trillion
Turkish liras. The court demanded the Treasury to take all of this money
from 10 former administrators of the banned RP, including Erbakan. Recai
Kutan, the former 'promotion chairman' of the RP Chairmanship Council and
the leader of the Virtue Party (FP), was excluded from the precautinary
measure.
[05] INTEREST RATES FALL, RECORD IN STOCK EXCHANGE The Istanbul Stock
Exchange (IMKB) broke a record when the interests of the bonds decreased
there to four points to 80 percent. The IMKB increased 242 points to 6,403.
The shares gained 3.9 percent in value. The transition volume in the stock
market reached 188.5 trillion Turkish liras.
[06] MILLIYET (LIBERAL) - ----------------- ATATURK'S ADVICE FROM BARAK:
''TURK, BE PROUD, WORK, BE CONFIDENT'' Ehud Barak, the Israeli Prime
Minister, said that he thinks that it was so natural to help Turkey which
is their close friend. Barak started his press conference following the
ceremony held for the handing over of the Israeli village which was
constructed in Adapazari with Ataturk's advice: ''Turk, be proud, work, be
confident.''
[07] ''STAND-BY WITH IMF WILL BE SIGNED'' Selcuk Demiralp, the Treasury
Undersecretary, said that the stand-by talks with the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) will be completed until December 15, 1999. Demiralp
noted that a draft agreement should be submitted to the IMF Executive
Directors Board after December 15. IMF delegation will come to Turkey on
November 2, 1999 to discuss the stand-by agreement.
[08] SABAH (LIBERAL) - -------------- KIRCI CRISIS The inclusion of Haluk
Kirci in the scope of amnesty, deteriorated the relations between the
Democratic Left Party (DSP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). The
MHP wants an arrangement which will unite the punishments of Kirci who was
sentenced to capital punishment for seven times. Hikmet Sami Turk, the
Justice Minister, accepted this demand when he was shaping up the draft
law. But, when the members of the DSP said that they will submit a motion
for exclusion of the Kirci article, the amnesty law was blocked.
[09] CLEAN PAGE IN EU AID Karen Fogg, the European Commission
Representative to Turkey, said that the European Union (EU) wants to open a
new page for the financial aid and support which it committed for Turkey,
but could not made. Fogg noted that she means that they should not look
behind. They should look forward to support a more dynamic and detailed
strategy.
[10] CUMHURIYET (LEFT) - ---------------- TERRORISM TO BE DISCUSSED The
dialogue process between Turkey and Greece which was started by the
personal initiatives of the foreign ministers of the two countries, reached
its last stage. The fourth tour of the meetings started in Athens
yesterday. The two sides will discuss the cultural, regional cooperation,
and terrorism issues.
[11] FOURTH INTERNATIONAL ATATURK CONGRESS THe Fourth International Ataturk
Congress will start in Kazakhstan today. The congress is being held with
the cooperation of Hodja Ahmet Yesevi Turkish-Kazakh University and Ataturk
Culture, Language, and History Supreme Board. The State Ministers
Abdulhaluk Cay and Ramazan Mirzaoglu; Dervis Eroglu, the Prime Minister of
the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), will participate in the
congress.
[12] RADIKAL (LEFT) - --------------- 'WE HOPE THEY UNDERSTAND' The Turkish
Armed Forces (TSK) which exhibited its reaction with some gestures after
Kislali's assassination, is very uneasy about the negative developments
after February 28. Huseyin Kivrikoglu, the Chief of General Staff, said
that he appreciates the government. ''We will see it in October. I guess
the remaining laws will be put onto the agenda then.'' October is ending.
Some say that the Motherland Party (ANAP) and the Nationalist Movement
Party (MHP) do not want the laws. Tomorrow, there is the National Security
Council (NSC) meeting. Be ready for rapid developments.
[13] CHIEF PROSECUTOR SAVAS TO STAGE PRESS CONFERENCE Vural Savas, Supreme
Court Chief Prosecutor, will stage a 'harsh' press conference today. Savas
will refer to Kavakci crisis and Kislali's assassination. He is expected to
criticize President Suleyman Demirel and Premier Bulent Ecevit.
[14] TÜRKİYE (RIGHT) - ---------------- WE ARE APPROACHING TO THE TARGET
The special team which interrogates Kislali's assassination, gained some
important information. The security forces, gendermarie forces, and the
National Intelligence Organization (MIT), do not leak information to solve
the assassination. A high-ranking security member said that they will make
significant statements about the assassination very soon.
[15] GIANT LEAP FORWARD IN SOUTHEAST The economic life in Southeastern
Anatolia Region is in the threshold of a giant leap forward. The
eradication of terrorism, the law on arbitration, the BP-Amoco's approval
of Baku-Ceyhan played an important role in this giant leap forward. The
U.S. started to closely pursue the region by the Caspian Finance Center she
opened in Ankara. The U.S. businessmen continue to hold contacts in the
region.
[16] ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE) - -------------------- VISA ON CONDITION FOR EU
FROM ATHENS Greece shed green light for Turkey's European Union (EU)
membership prior to the Helsinki Summit, but she thinks of squeezing
concessions out of Turkey. Greece started to change her negative stance
towards Turkey's position in the EU prior to the Helsinki Summit. The main
parameter of Athens' new policy is to make Turkey come face to face with
the EU. Greece thinks Turkey will have to make concessions on Cyprus when
she will be declared as the candidate country.
[17] ISRAELI VILLAGE OPENED BY CEREMONY The Israeli village in Adapazari
was opened by a ceremony to which Israeli and Turkish prime ministers
participated. The two prime ministers emphasized that the quake improved
the relations between the two countries. The Israeli village had been set
up by Israel which also participated in the works to haul away the rubble
and the rescue operations.
[18] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT'S STATEMENT TO WASHINGTON POST
[19] WASHINGTON D.C., Oct 26 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit gave a
statement on Monday to the Washington Post, one of the leading newspapers
of the U.S., on the issues of Cyprus question, relations between Turkey and
Greece, the European Union (EU), relations between Turkey and the EU,
Northern Iraq, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The questions
asked to Ecevit and his answers are as follows: ''Q: How do you see
Turkey's relationship with the U.S.? A: Our relations with the U.S.
improved in recent years. When the Cold War ended, most political circles
in Europe thought Turkey's influence had decreased. But the U.S. realized
that Turkey's importance would increase. But at the moment, our relations
are at a rather low ebb. Our trade volume with the U.S. is only 6 billion
U.S. dollars per annum. This year, it decreased. Tourism has become very
important for Turkey, but American tourists constitute only 5 percent of
those who come here. Joint investments are well below their potential.
However, there is increasing cooperation between our countries in the
military sphere. With the disappearance of the Warsaw Pact, NATO's field of
activities enlarged. Leadership of the U.S. and Turkey, made a considerable
contribution to this end. We cooperate with the U.S. on the issue of Iraq.
All these increased our military responsibilities, but the U.S.' military
aid to Turkey stopped. Q: You criticized the U.S. in the past. Did your
views change in years? A: The world has changed, and everyone has to keep
up with these changes. Q: Have you come to an agreement with President
Clinton on the issue of Cyprus question when you met with him at the White
House? A: We did not discussed the issue in detail. Mr. Clinton emphasized
that there could be no return back to pre-1974 conditions on the island. He
also expressed hope at that negotiations would start. Q: Do you believe
that Turkey would become a member to the EU at the Helsinki Summit? A: EU
membership is our right. I am sure that the EU would send an invitation
sooner or later without unacceptable political conditions. Q: Isn't it
necessary to start negotiations on Cyprus for Greece not to veto the
Turkey's membership to the EU? A: We do not believe that there is a serious
problem on Cyprus. There was continuing conflict on the island before
Turkish Army's peace operation in 1974. What about genocides on Turkish
Cypriots, and conflicts among diverse Greek Cypriot groups? Q: Do you want
to see solution on Cyprus? A: Certainly, but not only on Cyprus, I want to
see solution also in relations between Turkey and Greece. But we cannot
venture a genocide risk on Turkish Cypriots after witnessing tragedies in
Kosovo. Our proposal is recognition of existence of two independent states
on the island. There may not be a diplomatic recognition. But it is
necessary to recognize two autonomous existences. There can be indirect
negotiations, Rauf Denktas has already accepted indirect negotiations. Q:
Can negotiations start in New York? A: I propose Cyprus. It is a beautiful
island. Q: There was a big change in the atmosphere between Turkey and
Greece. Can problems between the two countries be solved? A: I hope so. I
always believed that a dialogue could resolve the problems between the two
countries. Of course, the quake disaster affected positively the dialogue
which has already begun between the two foreign ministers. It would be not
realistic to solve immediately the main issues such as Aegean dispute,
continental shelf, and territorial waters. Dialogue should be on the
economic and cultural issues, and it should lift psychological obstacles.
Q: Do you want to pay an official visit to Athens? A: It is too early to
think about it. But I hope that I will come together with Greek Prime
Minister Costas Simitis at the Summit of Organization for Security and
Cooperation (OSCE). Q: How hard it will be to meet the International
Monetary Funds (IMF)'s stringent requirements? A: We have already taken
serious and brave steps to put the economy on its foot, and to reduce
inflation and high interest rates. We have cut expenditures as much as we
can, and enacted constitutional amendments to introduce international
arbitration, privatization, social security reform, and banking law. Q: In
November, you will go to Moscow, and you will probably sign an agreement
for natural gas. What is Turkey's energy priority? Is it the trans-Caspian
pipeline supported by the U.S. or gas from Russia? A: Trans-Caspian
pipeline is certainly our priority. But he had signed an agreement with the
Russian Federation, and have to fulfil our engagements. Q: You have made
improvements in human rights, and have given journalists amnesty from all
sentences. Are you now going to change to the penal code that journalists
will no longer fear jail sentences? A: We have already taken some certain
steps. We need constitutional amendments to increase the scope of
expression, and we will take steps in that direction. We have been living
with separatist terrorism for 15 years which renders it difficult to take
steps in the freedom of expression. Q: Will there be more freedom of
expression for Kurds who want to use their own language? A: It is legal to
use the Kurdish language. There are periodicals in Kurdish, and cassettes
in Kurdish. Q: What about schools, TV, and radio? A: Terrorism should end
before we take certain substantial steps because the public opinion is very
sensitive in this regard. Q: How great is the threat from fundementalism?
A: Fundamentalism lost ground in Turkey during the last elections. There
was a substantial increase in votes for my party which has been in the
forefront of supporting secularism. The people are disturbed at the
exploitation of religion with political purposes. Q: It has been said in
the past that you were soft on Saddam Hussein? A: We are afraid of the
partition of Iraq. It would damage the balance in the region. We are afraid
that certain steps might lead to virtual partition. Q: Such as the U.S. aid
to the Iraqi opposition in the north? A: It is obvious that results cannot
be gained by giving support to the opposition diaspora. I do not think that
they can be influential. But the people in Northern Iraq contribute to the
relative democratization of Iraq, they establish an effective dialogue with
the Baghdad regime. Q: Saddam is not too interested in talking about
democracy? A: Few talks about democracy in the Middle East. We are
seriously disturbed at the possible effects of continuing this partition of
Iraq. It may increase the threat of separatism in Turkey. Q: Can Saddam be
overthrown? A: We have to live with the regime. You cannot forcefully
change the regime. Q: Why won't you meet with Iraqi opposition? A: I have
met with Jalal Talabani and Massoud Barzani, Kurdish leaders in Northern
Iraq. But we do not want to encourage the Iraqi opposition in the diaspora
to overthrow the regime in Baghdad. This was tried, but failed a few years
ago. Q: Turkey has Abdullah Ocalan in jail. Ocalan was convicted of treason
in June, and sentenced to die for leading a violent for 14-year campaign
against Turkey. You have always opposed capital punishment. What will
Ocalan's fate be? A: I cannot express any views because any view I express
would appear as trying to influence the court. Q: Is corruption a major
problem in this country? A: Not any more. We have enacted a new legislation
against corruption. Q: Do you see President Clinton's November visit to
Turkey as significant? A: Certainly, very significant. We will be glad to
welcome him, and we are proud that he will address the Turkish parliament.
It demonstrates Turkey's friendship with the U.S. Q: Turkey can supply
water to northern Israel. What are your plans? A: We can supply Israel with
water, and southern Greek Cypriot side too. We have already started
supplying water to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) with
balloons filled with fresh water launched from the Turkish cost to northern
Cyprus. Also, we have a pipeline project. Q: When you look ahead to the new
milennium, what do you hope to see for Turkey? A: Turkey will play a very
important role in the region, and the world, there is no doubt about it. Q:
How is your health? There are rumours about it. A: I have no health
problems, but some may wish I had.''
[20] ISRAELI PM BARAK SAYS TERRORISM IS A COMMON PROBLEM
[21] ANKARA, Oct 26 (A.A) - Ehud Barak, Israeli Prime Minister, said late
on Monday that terrorism is a common problem. Barak gave the message that
it is necessary to have cooperation in struggling against terrorism. A
diplomat from the Israeli delegation which paid an official visit to Turkey
on Monday told A.A correspondent that Barak was very pleased about his
visit to Turkey. The Israeli diplomat said that President Suleyman Demirel
received Barak and the accompanying delegation. Ismail Cem, the Foreign
Minister, had met with Farooq Al Shara, Syrian Foreign Minister, during the
United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly meeting in New York in September,
Demirel told Barak during the meeting. The Israeli diplomat noted that
Demirel said that Turkey can help the peace talks between Israel and Syria.
Israel did not give a clear response about this issue, the Israeli diplomat
stated. The Israeli diplomat stressed that they do not think of using
Turkey as a mediator during their bilateral meetings with Syria. They do
not think of including a third party in a two-country event, the Israeli
diplomat emphasized. The Israeli diplomat pointed out that Israel proposed
something like a ''Space Programme Cooperation''. The Israeli diplomat
noted that they proposed transmitting photographs via the Israeli
satellites. This proposal does not aim at giving intelligence, the Israeli
diplomat added. The Israeli diplomat quoted Barak as saying it is necessary
to take joint steps in struggling against terrorism. Nothing special about
the issue was discussed during the meeting, the Israeli diplomat stated.
The two sides only told that it is necessary to have cooperation in
struggling against terrorism which is the biggest problem of the regimes
and governments in the region, the Israeli diplomat stressed. The diplomat
emphasized that the two sides discussed the water issue during the
contacts. The two sides decided that the prime ministry consultants of the
two countries should detail this issue and conclude, the Israeli diplomat
pointed out. The Israeli diplomat said that some officials from the State
Water Works (DSI) and their directorate met each other about the water
issue. Not only the economic issues but also the military issues were
discussed during the meetings, the Israeli diplomat noted. The Israeli
diplomat stated that no concrete agreement was signed in the end of the
meetings and only the issues concerning the two countries were discussed.
Barak said that Israel is experienced about the modernization of the
military equipment, the Israeli diplomat stressed. The Israeli diplomat
emphasized that Barak hoped Turkey will choose Israeli tanks. Tanks, planes,
and every other issues were discussed during the meetings, the Israeli
diplomat pointed out. The Israeli diplomat said that Israel told Turkey
that she wants to submit bids for the tender. Turkish side said that they
are pleased to hear about Israeli projects and she will take into
consideration these plans, the Israeli diplomat added. An Israeli
delegation headed by Ehud Barak visited Turkey on Monday to open the
''Israeli village'' set up in Adapazari. Israel had constructed 320
prefabricated huts for the quake survivors in Adapazari. Following the
opening ceremony, Barak and the accompanying delegation had proceeded to
Ankara to hold some official contacts. Barak departed Turkey on Monday
night.
[22] SAVAS, REPUBLICAN CHIEF PROSECUTOR OF SUPREME COURT, STAGES A PRESS
CONFERENCE
[23] ANKARA, Oct 26 (A.A) - Vural Savas, the Republican Chief Prosecutor of
the Supreme Court, said on Tuesday, ''it is time to protect the Republic of
Turkey. If we delay it, it will be too late tomorrow.'' Savas told a press
conference that ''I am speaking not as a chief prosecutor, but as a Turkish
citizen whose life security is in danger. It is time to protect the
Republic of Turkey. If we delay it, it will be too late tomorrow.'' Savas
recalled that many illegal organizations such as Islamic Great Eastern
Raiders-Front (IBDA-C) which is posing threat against the regime, and the
integrity of the country, have taken him to the list of people who will be
killed soon. He said, ''they have broadcasted these lists in their web-
sites. Meanwhile, the Akit newspaper has been showing me as a target.''
Savas requested adoption of regulations of European Human Rights Court
which are described as the legal arrangements against terrorism. He added,
''our Criminal Procedure Law, and Police Regulation should be similar to
German Criminal Procedure Law, and Police Regulation. Also, parallelism
should be provided between Articles having criminal provisions of the Anti-
Terrorism Law, and the British Anti-Terrorism Law. Overall authorities
given to the British government should also be given to our government. We
cannot struggle against newspapers such as the Akit with current laws.
Provisions regarded with current issues in the Greek Press Law, should be
transfered exactly to our Press Law.'' ''Certain authorities given to some
state organs in Germany should also be given to our state organs to
determine armed-attacks against the republic, terrorist activities, drug
trafficking, and money laundering, and to take measures to prevent them,''
he said. Savas also requested execution of the punishments given to those
who were convicted of terrorist crimes, in military prisons. Stressing that
the last column of the Article 24 of the Constitution should be brought
into force again, Savas also defended that a similar provision to the
Article 163 of the Turkish Penal Code which was annuled, should be put in
the Penal Code. Savas said that there was an illegal interference with the
jurisdiction in the case of Merve Kavakci, adding that Nuh Mete Yuksel, the
Prosecutor, did not initiate any procedure against the laws.
[24] SAVAS, CHIEF PROSECUTOR OF SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS STAGES A PRESS
CONFERENCE
[25] ANKARA, Oct 26 (A.A) - Vural Savas, the Chief Prosecutor of the
Supreme Court of Appeals explained on Tuesday his views that should be
taken against terrorism. Savas pointed out that all the authorities
including the application of censorship recognized to the British
government regarding the British Anti-Terrorism Law should also be given to
the government in Turkey. Addressing a press conference, Savas said that
''I will speak today not as the chief prosecutor of the Supreme Court of
Appeals, but as a Turkish citizen whose life is under threat.'' Many
illegal organizations including fundementalist organization IBDA-C (Great
Eastern Islamic Raiders' Front) which are against the regime and
territorial integrity, took him to their hit list and listed these names in
internet, said Savas. Akit newspaper also publishes news which threatens
him, stated Savas, adding ''it is my right to explain measures against
escalating terrorist activities. '' Savas stressed that if something
happens to him, he wouldn't be able to speak, and writers, politicians,
associations, parties, and politicians of other countries, who extend
support to separatist activities, will shed ''crocodile tears'' and publish
messages condemning terrorism. ''They will produce plot theories and say
try to make everybody forget a mayor who told my name among the IBDA-C's
hit list to a crowd of people and ordered people to kill me in front of
television cameras. Those who permit persons like Sevki Yılmaz, and Ibrahim
Halil Celik, who told many times that they will set up a state order based
on religion by bloodshed; Sevket Kazan who defended the people who burned
alive our 37 persons in Sivas, and those who show Abdullah Ocalan and other
political criminals as real democracts; will slander those persons and the
institutions who claim ownership on our republic and they will distress my
family, relatives, and other patriot citizens,'' said Savas. Ahmet Taner
Kıslalı titled his last book ''I am not Democrat'' and he had a meaningful
aim in that, said Savas. Savas stressed that Turkey has to adopt the laws
and legal arrangements which modern and democratic countries have, in their
struggle with terrorism. Turkey should also adopt the law of the European
Court of Human Rights titled ''Legal Arrangements Taken Against Terrorism,
'' said Savas. ''Our Code of Criminal Procedure and Law on Police should be
made similar to German Code of Criminal Procedure and Law on Police,'' he
added. There should be a parallelism between the articles regarding
punishment provisions of Our Criminal Procedure Law and the Law for
Struggle Against Terrorism of Britain, Savas said. He added that all
authorities given to the British government including implementation of
cencorship should be given to Turkish government as well. Stating that they
cannot struggle with the newspapers such as Akit by using recent laws,
Savas said the articles regarding the issue in Greek Press Law should be
transferred to Turkey's Press Law as they are. Savas also said that the
authority for phone-tapping, and scrutinizing the letters without the
decision of a judge should be given to some state organs as in Germany to
be able to determine in time the dangers; i.e., armed attacks against the
republic and acts of terrorism, drug trafficking, and money laundering.
[26] SAVAS, CHIEF PROSECUTOR OF SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS, STAGES PRESS
CONFERENCE
[27] ANKARA, Oct 26 (A.A) - Vural Savas, the Chief Prosecutor of the
Supreme Court of Appeals, said on Tuesday that the execution of the
punishments of the criminals who were convicted of terrorism, should take
place in military prisons. Speaking in a press conference, Savas pointed
out that a similar article to the lifted Article 163 should be included to
the Turkish Penal Code. Savas also extended support to Nuh Mete Yuksel, the
Prosecutor of the Ankara State Security Court (DGM) regarding the
developments about Merve Kavakcı, a deputy of the Virtue Party (FP).
''Wards of terrorists which became 'terrorist schools' or bases from which
terrorist activities are directed, should be controlled without taking into
consideration the unjust reaction of certain professional institutions,
human rights associations, and foreign states which try to revive the
Serves Treaty. The justice of representation should be provided in our
parliament and our citizens living in big cities like Istanbul, Ankara,
Izmir, Bursa, and Adana should be freed from being second-class citizens.
One vote used by our citizens living in small cities in eastern Turkey is
equal to three votes of our citizens living in big cities today. This
difference will increase in the coming elections. This difference will also
enable People's Democracy Party (HADEP) and Virtue Party (FP) to have more
votes than they deserve. Article 24/5 of the Constitution should be
implemented,'' said Savas. Savas said, ''the Prosecutor of Ankara State
Security Court, Nuh Mete Yuksel didn't do anything against the law or
outside his authority. As the prosecutor who is in charge, is impeded from
doing his work, and Merve Safa Kavakcı, who is described as an agent and
provocator by President, will probably escape abroad like Sevki Yılmaz and
Ibrahim Halil Celik. Such kind of intervention in justice should not take
place.'' Savas noted that the parliament won't be able to take even one of
the measures he stated by its existing structure, said Savas, adding ''Our
politicians, human rights assocations, certain writers, and party leaders
will continue to change or lift Article 312 of the Turkish Penal Code and
provocate the issue of religious head scarf.'' ''They are trying to deceive
people by telling lies that 'we do these things to make individuals come
before the state.' In fact, it is the Republican administration founded by
Ataturk (which they don't like) that made our people become 'true
individuals.' They are fighting to destroy the successes of the Republic.
My dear citizens, it is the time to claim ownership over our Republic. If
you don't complete this mission now, believe me it will be very late
tomorrow,'' ended Savas, without responding to questions. Savas didn't
write his title of ''Chief Prosecutor of Supreme Court of Appeals'' in his
written statement.
[28] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT LEAVES FOR BULGARIA
[29] ANKARA, Oct 26 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit left on Tuesday
for Bulgaria to lay the foundation of a dam. Rahsan Ecevit, the wife of the
Prime Minister and the Deputy Leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP),
and Cumhur Ersumer, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Energy
and Natural Resources, are accompanying Ecevit. Speaking to reporters prior
to his departure, Ecevit said that the relations between Turkey and
Bulgaria have warmed in recent years. Noting the Turkish-Bulgarian joint
investments started to develop, Ecevit said the two countries recorded
progress in their economic relations. Ecevit said he would leave for
Bulgaria to lay the foundation of the dams and hydroelectric power plants
to be constructed on Arda River. ''These are very important facilities.
They will be beneficial for both Turkey and Bulgaria. Besides, they will be
beneficial for for our citizens and kinsmen living in that region. The
Turkish Ceylan Holding and its Bulgarian partners undertook the
construction. I believe it will be very successful,'' he said. ''Besides,
the Ceylan company undertook the construction of a 114-kilometer motorway
between Kapikule and Plovdiv,'' he said. When asked how he evaluated the
statements of Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor Vural Savas, Ecevit
said, ''Mr. Savas naturally can have concerns about his life. Mr. Devlet
Bahceli told me he would give the necessary instructions to the security
officials. Undoubtedly, the security of Supreme Court of Appeals Chief
Prosecutor Vural Savas will be further increased.'' Vural Savas made a
statement the same day saying that he was threatened. He requested revival
of Article 163 of the Constitution, and changes in the Anti-Terrorism Law,
the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Press Law. Responding to a question
about the assassination of Ahmet Taner Kislali, a journalist-writer,
professor and former Minister of Culture, Ecevit said it would not be true
to make any statement until the investigation reaches a specific level and
becomes clear.
[30] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT ARRIVES IN BULGARIA
[31] PLOVDIV, Oct 26 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit arrived on
Tuesday in Plovdiv, Bulgaria to attend the inauguration of the ''Gorna
Arda'' project of the Turkish Ceylan Holding. The ATA plane carrying Prime
Minister Ecevit and his wife Rahsan Ecevit, and the accompanying delegation
landed at the Kurumovo Airport in Plovdiv at 13:45 Turkish local time.
Ecevit was welcomed by Bulgarian Prime Minister Ivan Kostov and government
officials, and Tahsin Burcuoglu, the Turkish Ambassador to Sofia. Later,
Ecevit and Kostov held a tete-a-tete meeeting at the airport's VIP Lounge,
and discussed the current situation of relations between Turkey and
Bulgaria.
[32] TURKISH-GREEK TALKS IN ATHENS - TERRORISM TAKEN UP
[33] ATHENS, Oct 26 (A.A) - The last meeting of the Athens stage of the
third round of Turkish-Greek talks started on Tuesday. Faruk Lologlu, the
Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary and Anastasyos Skopelitis, the Greek
Foreign Ministry Political Director preside the two delegations. Ali Tuygan,
the Turkish Ambassador to Greece; Emin Aslan, Director of Smuggling
Department of Security; Judge Esin Ozbilgin from Justice Ministry and
Colonel Oguz Aydın from General Staff participate in the meetings. Besides
terrorism, issues of illegal immigration, organized crime, drug trafficking
and border security will be taken up in the meetings which will last today.
The first stage of the third round of Turkish-Greek negotiations were held
between 21-22 October in Ankara. Meanwhile Ta Nea, a Greek newspaper
claimed that the delegations decided on Monday to examine the textbooks of
the two countries. Ta Nea noted that Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister and
Yorgo Papandreu, the Greek Foreign Minister will come together in Salonica
during the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) foreign ministers meeting
and evaluate the progress recorded in Turkish-Greek negotiations.
[34] THIRD ROUND OF TURKISH-GREEK TALKS ENDS
[35] ATHENS, Oct 26 (A.A) - The third round of the Turkish-Greek talks were
concluded with a last meeting on Tuesday in Athens. The Turkish delegation
was headed by Faruk Lologlu, the Deputy Undersecretary of the Foreign
Ministry, and the Greek delegation was led by Anastasios Skopelitis, the
Political Director of the Greek Foreign Ministry. A joint communique was
released following today's meeting at which terrorism and the issues
related to terrorism were discussed. The joint communique stressed that the
talks on ''tourism, environment, economic and commercial relations, culture,
regional cooperation, joint struggle against illegal immigration, organized
crimes, drug trafficking and terrorism'' were held in a ''friendly''
atmosphere in Ankara between October 25 and 26. The joint communique said
the delegations decided to set up working groups to work on the draft
documents which were exchanged regarding the issues discussed at the talks.
It said the meetings of the working groups will take place in November 1999,
adding that the concerned authorities will also participate in those
meetings which will be held at ambassador-level. The joint communique said
the sides will discuss the reports of the working groups during the fourth
round talks in December, and convey the results to their Foreign
Ministries.
[36] CONTACTS OF WORLD-BANK-IMF DELEGATION
[37] ANKARA, Oct 26 (A.A) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF)-World
Bank delegation, which came to Turkey for financial sector reform,
requested on Tuesday a gradual decrease in the 100 percent state guarantee
for the bank deposits. Sources said the delegation, which carries out works
about the technical and financial aid necessary for a sound structure for
the financial sector, is composed of four IMF and four World Bank experts.
The delegation experts stressed that the Turkish financial system managed
to protect itself from the global financial crisis as it is more healthy
than the financial sectors of other developing countries. Experts emphasize
the importance of the establishment of a domestic and independent
supervision mechanism necessary to further strengthen the financial
structure. The delegation experts mention that the guarantee, which will be
given to the deposit at a specific rate, can be sufficient for the health
of the system together with an independent domestic and foreign supervision
mechanism. The delegation, which will stay in Turkey for nearly one week,
is expected to hold contacts at the Turkish Banks Union, Ziraat Bank, Halk
Bank, Emlak Bank, Capital Market Board besides the Treasury and Central
Bank. Turkey demands a 1.5 billion U.S. dolars sectoral loan from the World
bank within the framework of consolidation of the financial sector. Turkey
has to sing a stand-by agreement with the IMF to obtain a financial sector
loan. Meanwhile, sources said the delegation will discuss the issue of
establishment of a supreme board of banking with the concerned minister.
The experts of the World Bank and IMF and the officials at the Treasury are
working on the establishment of the infrastructure for the structural
adjustment loan. Regarding these works, a 750 million U.S. dollars loan is
foreseen at the first stage. The amount for the rehabilitation of the
financial system will become clear after completion of these works.
[38] TURKISH BUSINESSMEN IN ALGERIA
[39] ALGIERS, Oct 26 (A.A) - A delegation including the Turkish businessmen
started its contacts in Algeria on Tuesday. Within the scope of these
contacts, a seminar on ''Turkish-Algerian Bilateral Trade and Economic
Cooperation Opportunities'' was held in Algiers. Making the opening remarks
of the seminar, Kursad Tuzmen, the Undersecretary of Foreign Trade, said
the economic and commercial relations between Turkey and Algeria were at a
good and pleasing level. Stressing that the trade volume between the two
countries increased tenfold in last five years, Tuzmen said there was an
important potential in the cooperation between Turkey and Algeria in the
fields of economy and trade. Tuzmen said the contacts between the Turkish
businessmen and the representatives of the Algerian private sector should
be encouraged, and the mechanisms to ease those contacts should be
established. ''Because, integration into the developing world is the common
target of our two countries. Today, Turkey is preparing herself to play a
very active role in her region. All of the new states are the states with
whom Turkey shares common religion and language. This infrastructure
creates a powerful economic cooperation and a unique platform,'' he said.
''Besides, there will be great development in coming period in Central Asia
which possesses Caspian oil of which estimated value is almost four
trillion U.S. dollars, and natural gas resources. As a result of her
strategical position, Turkey is becoming an energy power plant which brings
rich sources of Eurasia into the world markets. Turkey pioneers in regional
cooperation,'' he said.
[40] AFTERSHOCKS CONTINUE
[41] ISTANBUL/KADIKOY, Oct 26 (A.A) - While aftershocks in the quake zone
following the strong earthquake on August 17 continue, some other quakes
happened in other regions. The Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory and
Sesimology Institute said on Tuesday an aftershock measuring 3.2 on the
Richer scale was recorded in Hendek county of Adapazari at 02:12 local time
on Tuesday while three small quakes measuring 2.8, 2.9 and 3.0 on the
Richter scale occurred in Erdek county of Balikesir, Gediz county of
Kutahya and the Marmara Sea at 09:07, 09:53 and 11:28 local time the same
day.
A.A
|
