|
|
|
Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-11-06
[01] AA Daily
06 November 1999 Saturday
[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN
[03] These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in
Turkey's press on November 6, 1999. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify
these stories and does not vouch for their occuracy.
[04] HURRIYET (LIBERAL) - ---------------- ONLY TECHNICAL DETAILS LEFT IN
BAKU-CEYHAN PROJECT Yurdakul Yigitguden, Undersecretary of Energy and
Natural Resources Ministry said negotiations on main points of Baku-Ceyhan
project were over. ''Technical teams are working on minor issues. We are
aiming at completing the agreements before the OSCE summit,'' he said.
Turkey while getting closer to finalize the Baku-Ceyhan, is now starting
another series of meetings to get the approval of the third parties on
Turkmenistan natural gas project.
[05] WOLF: ''YOU MUST PERSUADE GEORGIA'' While efforts continue to finalize
Baku-Ceyhan's agreements before the OSCE meeting, John Wolf, U.S. President
Bill Clinton's Special Advisor who is in charge of development of energy
resources said Georgia must be a full party to and partner in these
agreements. ''Georgia has its own unique characteristics, and the
agreements it signs must conform to Georgia's democratic practices and its
constitution,'' he said. Wolf also noted that he was pleased about the
progress made between Turkish and Azerbaijani teams over the pipeline.
[06] MILLIYET (LIBERAL) - ----------------- TAX POLEMIC IN FRONT OF
MINISTER Two businessmen quarreled in front of Finance Minister Sumer Oral.
When Husnu Ozyegin, the owner of the Finansbank, said, ''as the banks, we
earned a lot of money from high-interest. You have to collect Corporate Tax
also from us,'' Mustafa Suzer, the owner of the Kentbank, reacted saying,
''I think you are drunk. What else are they going to tax?''
[07] DRAFT ON RETURN BACK TO PIASTRE READY In accordance with the Central
Bank's ''money law'', zeros will be removed from the Turkish Lira (TL) when
the inflation decreases to ten percent. The currency will be again the
piastre (one hundredth part of a TL).
[08] SABAH (LIBERAL) - --------------- BIG INVESTMENT FOR GAP The giant
U.S. firm OSHKOSH which produces Hummer jeeps is getting ready to set up a
200 million U.S. dollar factory in Sanliurfa. Ted L. Henson, International
General Manager of OSHKOSH said their factory will be built on a 70,000
square meter land and will provide employment to 4,000 people. The annual
sales of OSHKOSH is 2 quadrillion TL. The factory is also expected to
attract other leading firms of the world to Southeast Turkey.
[09] KUTAN: ''THERE IS NO SECULARISM IN TURKEY'' Recai Kutan, the leader of
the Virtue Party (FP) who is continuing his contacts in New York claimed
that there was no secularism in Turkey and said they were against the
current secular system. Kutan had a meeting with UN Secretary General Kofi
Annan. Kutan said they weren't against the Republic but found it
inadequate. He also noted that his party was not enemies of Israel.
[10] CUMHURIYET (LEFT) - ---------------- ECEVIT: ''THE WALL OF REGIME HAS
BEEN REMOVED'' Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, who is currently paying an
official visit to Russia, met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
Turkey and Russia signed five documents including the declaration of
cooperation against terrorism. Putin defended that they had never supported
terrorism targeted Turkey. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said there had been
never a difference of regime between Turkey and Russia, adding, ''we have
the situation to cooperate in every issue.''
[11] PROSECUTOR: ''EVERYBODY IS A SUSPECT'' Hamza Keles, the Ankara State
Security Court (DGM) Republican Prosecutor, interrogated, within the scope
of the investigation yesterday a woman, who said she witnessed the
assasination of Ahmet Taner Kislali, journalist-author and former Culture
Minister. Keles said they needed time and everybody could be a suspect.
[12] RADIKAL (LEFT) - ------------- LATEST PRODUCT OF INFLATION The 10,000,
000 TL. banknotes have been put into circulation yesterday. The new note
which is worth of 21 U.S. dollars cost 25,000 TL. While Turkey is
discussing to delete the zeros from its money after the government
introduced a stability programme, 10,000,000 TL. notes were put into
circulation becaues of growing money volume. Aykut Ekzen, the deputy
chairman of the Central Bank noted that Turkey was the only country which
prints a banknote with seven zeros. Ekzen also stressed that the new
banknote would no negative effect on the inflation.
[13] THY TO TRANSPORT 12 MILLION PEOPLE IN 2000 Turkish Airlines (THY) is
targeting to transort 12 million people next year. Yusuf Bolayirli, General
Director of THY said they were expecting a 7 percent increase at the end of
1999 compared to last year. THY also carried 100,000 tons of cargo and mail
in 1999.
[14] TURKIYE (RIGHT) - --------------- NEGLIGENCE OF SUPPLEMENTARY TAX
LIKELY The government is now giving the signal of a backward step from the
supplementary tax due to reactions of the business circles. The government
seems indeterminate about the supplementary tax which was prepared to meet
the losses due to the strong quake but later suspended. Finance Minister
Sumer Oral said, ''at the moment, it is uncertain what will happen in the
future. I don't know what kind of a process it will follow.''
[15] COLD WAR IN ENERGY Turkey, Azerbaijan and the U.S. reached a consensus
about the issues concerning the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project at the talks
in Ankara. The sides are trying to finalize the agreement till the OSCE
Summit in Istanbul. Turkey also continues talks on the Blue Stream project
with Russia. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said the minor problems
won't be so important. Russia, who is acting in a lukewarm manner toward
the Baku-Ceyhan, made a last move and tried to persuade Azerbaijan
yesterday. Putin's assistant met with Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev
but failed to get a result.
[16] COOPERATION WITH MOSCOW IN COMBAT TERRORISM Turkey and Russia agreed
to cooperate in struggle against terrorism. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir
Putin, who signed the agreement on cooperation against terrorism with Prime
Minister Bulent Ecevit, said they never supported terrorism that targeted
Turkey.
[17] ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE) - ------------------ BAD RECORD The five million
Turkish Liras (TL) banknote, which was uttered on January 6, 1997, lost all
esteem and consideration. The ten million TL banknote, which is the last
outcome of the high chronic inflation, has been uttered. This new banknote
broke a world record being the note which has the most zeros. The new
banknote is equivalent to 20.4 U.S. dollars or 38.3 German Marks with the
current currencies.
[18] PROBLEM IN BAKU-CEYHAN Now Georgia raised difficuŝties in front of the
Baku-Ceyhan project, which is expected to be signed during the OSCE Summit
in Istanbul. A problem occurred when Georgia wanted Turkey undertake the
spendings on expropriation in her territories. U.S. President's Special
Representative John Wolf, who is currently in Ankara, said he was hopeful
that the agreements on the Baku-Ceyhan would be finalized in near future.
[19] TURKISH-GREEK DIALOGUE
[20] ANKARA, Nov 6 (A.A) - Greece welcomed on Friday the news saying that
the Turkish Armed Forces will not exercise some of its maneouvres to
contribute to the friendly atmosphere between Turkey and Greece. Ioannis
Corantis, the Greek Ambassador to Ankara, told the A.A correspondent that
they had earlier launched initiatives within this framework. They had
cancelled some maneouvres to decrease the tension in the region, Corantis
said. Corantis claimed that despite this, they could not see the similar
attitude from Turkey. If this news is correct, it could have positive
effects on the relations between the two countries, Corantis noted. The
newspapers had written that the Turkish F-16 war planes would not land on
Cyprus during the Toros Maneouvres which would be exercised between
November 25 and 26, 1999. The newspapers had also said that the
Determination Maneouvres, which were the joint maneouvres exercised by
Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), would not be
exercised this year.
[21] CONTACTS OF IMF DELEGATION
[22] ANKARA, Nov 6 (A.A) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation
continued its contacts in the Treasury Undersecretariat, Central Bank,
Finance Ministry and State Planning Institute (DPT) on Friday. The sources
said that the IMF delegation and the officials at the Treasury
Undersecretariat discussed the domestic borrowing policy for 2000. The IMF
delegation handled the performance criteria during its contacts in the
Central Bank, the sources noted. The sources stated that the IMF delegation
took on the growth and inflation issues in the DPT. A group of IMF experts
met with Fikret Sevinc, the Director General of Accounts Department of the
Finance Ministry, the sources stressed. The sources added that the IMF
delegation discussed the schedule of the public expenditures from the 2000
year budget during their meeting with Sevinc.
[23] TURKEY-EU - DUTCH AMBASSADOR SAYS IF TURKEY BECOMES CANDIDATE MEMBER
OF EU, THEY THINK OF INCREASING ECONOMIC RELATIONS
[24] IZMIR, Nov 6 (A.A) - Sjored Izaak Hendrik Gosses, Dutch Ambassador to
Ankara, said on Friday that his country thinks of increasing the economic
relations with Turkey if Turkey becomes a candidate member of the European
Union (EU). Gosses staged a press conference in Izmir. The trade relations
betweeen the two countries have been improving day by day for long years,
Gosses said. Gosses noted that the Netherlands has a trading volume of two
billion U.S. dollars with Turkey every year and Turkey has a trading volume
of one and a half billion U.S. dollars with the Netherlands. The Dutch
government has always said that Turkey should become a candidate member of
the EU and Turkey does her best about this issue, Gosses stated. Gosses
stressed that this is just a beginning and they believe Turkey will fulfil
all the responsibilities for the economic, social and human rights issues
as all the other candidates do. Significant developments are marked
regarding the Disaster Administration Quality Improvement Project (RADIUS)
which is carried out by the Izmir Municipality, Gosses emphasized. Gosses
pointed out that the Netherlands meets 45 percent of the project and Turkey
meets the rest of it. The Netherlands also supports Turkey in the education
field, Gosses said. Gosses noted that the Netherlands became the sponsor in
this giant project. This project puts forward a system which will provide
interference with emergency cases like the earthquake and accident, Gosses
added.
[25] FIFTH EU-MEDITERRANEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCILS' SUMMIT ENDS
[26] ANTALYA, Nov 6 (A.A) - The Fifth Summit of the European Union (EU)-
Mediterranean Economic and Social Councils ended on Friday. ''The Document
on Sustainable Development of the Mediterranean Countries'', ''The
Implementation of 1998-1999 Working Programme of the Follow-Up Committee''
and ''Draft Final Declaration'' were discussed in the last day of the
summit. After the summit ended, Husamettin Kavi, the Co-Chairmen of the
Turkey-EU Joint Consultation Committee, staged a joint press conference
with the chairmen of Italian, German and Spanish social councils. The Fifth
EU-Mediterranean Economic and Social Councils' Summit will lead to the
improvement of the peace and economic cooperation, Kavi noted. Kavi stated
that the meetings were held in a positive atmosphere. ''We represent the
economic and social councils in the EU and Mediterranean regions and the
social parties which are the members of these councils. To this end, those
who not only represent Turkey but also have an authority in the political
dimension of the commission, expressed their ideas in the meetings,'' Kavi
said. Kavi added, ''there will be more meetings in the following days.
There will be summits in Helsinki. We do not have the chance and power to
express our ideas about the political process.'' The world is moving from
representative democracy to pluralist democracy, Kavi stressed. Kavi
continued, ''the EU has expriences which go back to very old days in the
Mediterranean region. It has a new understanding which is reflected into
the Eastern Europe and Mediterranean region and even the whole world. The
pluralist democracy will be included in our lives rather than the
representative democracy. And, the biggest elements of pluralist democracy
will be economic and social councils.'' The importance of these platforms
which are shaped up by the compromise of different views including the
views of workers, employers, other social sectors, agricultural sector,
small and medium scale enterprises and the consumers, gradually increases;
Kavi emphasized. Kavi said, ''we contributed to this process with our
meetings. This process will improve gradually. The EU-Turkey joint economic
and social committee has been carrying out efforts for four years. We had
the eighth meeting in Trabzon. Since our first meeting in November 1995,
Turkey has always been in front of the political process in integration
with Europe.'' ''The councils expressed the problems faced in this process
to the commission and the other institutions of the EU. In this process, we
saw that we understand each other. We have told the Turkish authorities
what we wish and what we should do to make our wishes come true. We are in
cooperation with the authorities and this cooperation is improving day by
day,'' Kavi added. Kavi said that the EU Economic and Social Committee and
the representatives of the Economic and Social Committee who participated
in the fifth summit are not against Turkey's winning a EU candidacy status.
Kavi continued, ''the committees do their best for Turkey's EU membership.
But, this is a process. The commission took a non-binding decision in the
recent days for the Helsinki summit which will be held in December. The
commission said that it would be appropriate to consider Turkey within the
framework of the full membership status. Turkish Economic and Social
Committee will hold contacts with the representatives of the joint
committee which forms the European wing in Brussels at the end of November
or beginning of December, Kavi noted. Kavi added that they will try to
express what the social parties in Turkey think about the integration with
the EU and what they expect from the Helsinki Summit during their contacts
in Brussels.
[27] TUYGAN, TURKEY'S AMBASSADOR TO ATHENS, VISITS GREEK PM SIMITIS
[28] ATHENS, Nov 6 (A.A) - Ali Tuygan, Turkey's Ambassador to Athens,
visited Costas Simitis, the Prime Minister of Greece, on Friday. The
sources told the A.A correspondent that Tuygan submitted the good will
message of Premier Bulent Ecevit to Simitis. Ecevit said that he welcomed
the progress recorded in the dialogue process between Turkey and Greece,
the sources said. The sources noted that Ecevit also said he was pleased
that Simitis would participate in the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Summit in Istanbul. Simitis and Tuygan
emphasized that it would be useful to continue the bilateral relations in
this positive atmosphere during the meeting, the sources stated. The
sources added that Simitis and Tuygan expressed that lasting solutions
could be found for the problems between the two countries.
[29] ECEVIT LAYS FOUNDATION OF TURKISH TRADE CENTER IN MOSCOW
[30] ANKARA, Nov 6 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Saturday
that the Turkish businessmen were permanent in Russia because of their
faith in Russia's future. Ecevit and Moscow Mayor Yuri Lujkov laid the
foundation of the Turkish Trade Center in Moscow which will be built
through the partnership of the Union of Turkish Chambers and Commodity
Exchanges (TOBB), Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM) and Russia. Ecevit, at
the ceremony, said economic relations between Russia and Turkey reached
high levels in the recent years. ''Our government finds it hard to catch up
with the pace of Turkish enterpreneurs. This proves the dynamism of Turkish
nation,'' Ecevit said. Turkish businessmen did not leave Russia despite the
economic crisis and continued to invest for Russia's future, he reminded.
''Long live Turkish-Russian friendship,'' Ecevit concluded his speech.
[31] DEMIREL ADDRESSES ISEDAK MEETING ''WE REGARD GLOBALIZATION NOT AS A
THREAT BUT A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY IN TURKEY''
[32] ISTANBUL, Nov 6 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Saturday
that the Organization for Islamic Conference (OIC) was formed of very
different national economies. Addressing the 15th OIC Economic and
Commercial Cooperation Permanent Committee (ISEDAK) meeting in Istanbul,
Demirel said, ''we are all parts of a global economy and face similar
challenges. We have to act in accordance with the 21st century's economic
realities and strengthen the cooperation among us.'' Demirel started his
remarks by thanking all member nations for the moral and financial support
they offered after the quake disaster in Turkey. ''This solidarity gave us
strength to dream of a world in peace,'' Demirel said. Globalization left
its trace on the last period of the 20th century, Demirel said.
Globalization reshaped all relations between economies and people, and
relations multiplied between different cultures and societies, President
Demirel noted. Opening of national markets to free markets, withdrawal of
governments from economic and trade activities, the increasing share of
electronic business in the world trade speeded up the global integration
process, Demirel explained. Revolutionary developments in communication and
information technologies removed boundries between countries, Demirel said.
He also stressed that it would be hard to survive for the countries which
fail to meet the 21st century's globalization criteria. This could be made
up by getting better prepared for the 21st century and increasing the
international cooperation and solidarity between different countries, he
added. ''The Organization of Islamic Conference is formed by different
national economies. We are all parts of a global economy and face with
similar challenges. We have to strengthen the cooperation among us by
acting in accordance with the 21st century's economic realities,'' he said.
''We regard globalization not as a threat but as a golden opportunity in
Turkey. In the last decade, Turkey recorded important progress in
developing its market mechanism and integrating its economy with the global
economy. Turkey's acquisitions and experience is also a source of strength
for the Islamic world,'' Demirel said.
[33] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT IN RUSSIA
[34] MOSCOW, Nov 6 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit visited on Saturday
Yuri Lujkov, the Prime Minister of Moscow Government and Mayor of Moscow.
Lujkov, at the meeting, expressed his pleasure over seeing the
representatives of the Turkish contractor companies with which he had good
relations among the Turkish delegation. Lujkov said the Turkish companies
had important role in renewal of the power network in Moscow and
restoration of historical artifacts. Lujkov stated that they opened a
factory which would produce a 30 million litres beer a year together with
the Turkish Efes company a few months ago. ''What is so important is
creation of mutual confidence atmosphere in our relations. We attach great
importance to this. Your visit will contribute to further improvement of
the cooperation,'' he said. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said Lujkov is a
real friend of Turks. Ecevit said Lujkov expended great efforts to extend
facilities to the Turkish contractors making business in Moscow. Stressing
that the Turkish contractor companies did not withdraw from Russia during
the crisis in Russia, Ecevit said, ''because, they know the current
troubles are temporary. They trust in Russia's future.'' Ecevit thanked to
aid sent by Russia during the earthquake disaster.
[35] DEMIREL ADDRESSES ISEDAK MEETING ''THE FINANCIAL CRISIS HAD SEVERE
CONSEQUENCES ESPECIALLY IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ALTHOUGH IT AFFECTED THE
WHOLE WORLD''
[36] ISTANBUL, Nov 6 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Saturday
that the financial crisis which started in Asia in 1997 had very severe
economic and social consequences especially in developing countries, some
of which are the member countries, although it affected the whole word and
caused a global recession. Demirel mentioned the global crisis when he
addressed the 15th Organization for Islamic Conference (OIC) Economic and
Trade Cooperation Permanent Committee (ISEDAK) meeting on Saturday. ''The
financial crisis which broke out in Asia in 1997 has become an issue which
needs to be closely followed in the world economy,'' he said. The incident
which first started as a financial crisis became more severe and affected
real sectors and spreaded to other regions in the world. ''Evaluations made
in the international field indicate a significant recovery in financial
conditions but the world still need to act with caution. The world economy
is expected to grow 3 percent in 1999 and 3.5 percent in 2000. This will
also enable the member countries to get a bigger share from the world
trade. This last crisis showed that global developments closely concern
national economies. It is not always possible to predict these developments
in advance and take the necessary measures,'' he went on to say. ''For this
reason, the member countries must actively participate in the activities
started to recover the international economic and financial system while
taking structural and adaptation measures needed for their own economy,''
he said. ''Another important development in the world economy that took
place for the member coutnries is the formation of Developing-20 group.
This new group which brings together D-7 countries, the 11 growing
economies and Bretton Woods institutions will follow the developments in
world economy and seek ways to interfere with a possible crisis in time.
Turkey and Suudi Arabia were also invited to this group. We will reflect
the proposals and views that we produce at ISEDAK to D-20's activities,''
Demirel said.
[37] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT IN RUSSIA
[38] MOSCOW, Nov 6 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Moscow Mayor
Yuri Lujkov laid on Saturday the foundation of the Turkish Trade Center in
Moscow. Addressing the ceremony, Lujkov said, ''today, we are taking a very
important step here to realize one of my greatest dreams.'' Yuri Lujkov
recalled that the shuttle trade, which had a great part in the past, was
now nearly finished although the bilateral trade between Turkey and Russia
had a great volume. Noting that they did not want a shrinkage in the trade
volume, Lujkov said the system in bilateral trade had to be developed in
much more modern dimensions in spite of shuttle trade. Lujkov said they
expected the establishment of much more bigger wholesale business center
for the Turkish businessmen in addition to the Turkish Trade Center. Lujkov
said the Turkish businessmen could easily bring their products to the
Russian market through a giant wholesale business center to be set up in
Moscow. Fuat Miras, the Chairman of the Union of Turkish Chambers and
Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), said they were ready to give every kind of
support for further improvement of relations between Turkey and Russia, the
two biggest members of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC). ''A total
of 143 Turkish companies successfully undertook 570 projects in Russia.
This indicates the importance Turkey attaches to Russia,'' he said. The
Moscow Turkish Trade Center is in the city-center and five minutes from the
Kremlin Palace. The project, which is carried out by the TOBB Turkish
Exporters' Assembly International Trade Centers Inc and its Russian partner
JSC, will be constructed with turn-key delivery method. The project will be
concluded in the year 2001.
[39] IMF DISCUSSES MINIMUM WAGE
[40] ANKARA, Nov 6 (A.A) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation
which is currently holding meetings in Turkey to sign a stand-by agreement
asked for an appointment from the Minimum Wage Commission on Saturday. The
IMF which did not show interest in the minimum wage before now wants to be
influential while determining the minimum wage. The IMF does not support a
very high increase in the minimum wage. It also finds it dangerous to make
a reduction in the tax, premium or obligatory savings because it might
cause an income loss in the public. The Minimum Wage Commission headed by
Omer Benokan is formed by 15 people including the the Confederation of the
Turkish Labour Unions (Turk-Is) Secretary General Salih Kilic and the
Confederation of Turkish Employers' Unions (TISK). The commission is
working to fix a minimum wage which will take effect as of January 1, 2000.
The current minimum wage is 93,600,000 Turkish Liras (nearly 188 U.S.
dollars) for those who are over 16 years old and 79,000,000 (nearly 160
U.S. dollars) Turkish Liras for those who are under 16 years old. An
increase of 25 percent is expected in the minimum wage next year.
[41] DEMIREL ADDRESSES ISEDAK MEETING - ''DEVELOPMENT OF RELATIONS WITH THE
TRNC WILL CONSOLIDATE THE SOLIDARITY IN THE ISLAMIC WORLD''
[42] ISTANBUL, Nov 6 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel addressed on
Saturday the 15th Meeting of the Organization for Islamic Conference (OIC)
Economic and Trade Cooperation Permanent Committee (ISEDAK) in Istanbul.
Demirel said they attached great importance to the development of democracy,
supremacy of law, open regime and free market economy in Russia who played
an important role in peace, stability and prosperity in Eurasia. ''We
expect Russia to overcome all of the problems including the developments in
North Caucasia on this bassi and within the framework of respect to
supremacy of law and human rights,'' he said.
[43] Demirel said the threats and risks like terrorism, ethnic nationalism,
racism, xenophobia, intolerance continued to prevail while the humanity was
trying to come together around the common values and targets to make peace,
stability and cooperation dominant in the world. Demirel stressed that the
removal of obstacles in front of a better and just world order could be
possible only with the solidarity of all countries. Demirel said the
aggressive nationalism based on ethnic cleansing firstly in Bosnia-
Herzegovina and later in Kosovo could be prevented as a result of the
determined position of the international community and its intervention in
time. ''I found the opportunity to observe the situation during my visit to
Kosovo on October 15, 1999. The Kosovar Muslims are grateful to the
international community for its help. I believe that ss the sister Islamic
countries, we have to mobilize all of our facilities to heal the wounds of
our Kosovar brothers and sisters and meet their urgent requirements
especially including permanent residence. I think it will be more
beneficial if the OIC and the Islamic Development Bank expend more active
efforts. As the Islamic countries, our active contribution to the efforts
for reconstruction of Kosovo will play an important role concerning the
peace and stability in Southeastern Europe. With this respect, I want to
emphasize once again that it will be more beneficial if you continue your
active contributions increasingly to the efforts for reconstruction of
Bosnia-Herzegovina,'' he said. Demirel said the emergence of a golden
opportunity for the settlement of a lasting peace in the Middle East was
one of the most important developments which encourage optimism for
international security and stability on the eve of the 21st century.
Demirel stated that they wish a progress could be recorded in the process'
all parts including Syria and Lebanon. Demirel said the agreement, which
signed in Sharm el Sheikh a short time ago, proved that the blocked peace
process returned to its normal course, and it was a historic step. Demirel
stressed that Turkey's aim was to contribute to the settlement of an
atmosphere which would enable the people of different origins, cultures,
nations, religions to live together in pecae in the Middle East. ''We have
the chance to build together our common future. I believe that the leaders
in the Middle East will manage to give the message of cooperation instead
of enmity,'' he said. Demirel emphasized that settlement of a lasting peace
in Caucasia depended on the settlement of an international legality.
Demirel invited Armenia, which continues to occupy one-fifth of the
Azerbaijani territories, to abide by the international laws. Demirel
stressed that the settlement of a lasting and just peace in Caucasia is the
most natural right of Azerbaijan. ''Our support to sister Azerbaijan for
her good will steps for peace has to be continued in determination. With
this respect, I want to once again emphasize that continuation of our
humanitarian aid to more than one million Azerbaijani refugees is our debt
of brotherhood,'' he said. Demirel said as the Islamic countries, they have
to closely follw the incidents which happen in North Caucasia and reached
serious humanitarian dimensions. Demirel said the developments in question,
which create serious concerns for especially the civilians, have the
intention to threat the regional peace. ''We expect Russia to overcome all
of the problems including the developments in North Caucasia on this bassi
and within the framework of respect to supremacy of law and human rights,''
he said. Noting that the support given to sister Pakistan concerning the
Kashmir issue continues in determination, Demirel said they attach
importance to solution of the problem with dialogue between Pakistan and
India and on the basis of international legality. Calling on the Islamic
world to continue to support the rightful case of the Moslem Turkish
society on Cyprus, Demirel said, ''the continuation of the support given by
the sister Islamic countries to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus's
(TRNC) good will position toward the just and lasting solution on the basis
of two equal sovereign states on the island, and the development of
relations with the TRNC in every field will strengthen the solidarity
within the Islamic world.'' Demirel added that they appreciate the
comprehending position of sister Indonesia for the reasonable solution of
the East Timor problem on the basis of international legality.
[44] DEMIREL ADDRESSES ISEDAK MEETING
[45] ISTANBUL, Nov 6 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Saturday
that the Islamic world must take place in all fields in international
relations and become a part of the solutions. Demirel said the level of
human resources possessed by the countries would determine the wealth of
the nations. ''Investments made in education and health fields will pay
back more than ever in the next century. Investing in people will be the
key to effective employment and to decrease social and regional imbalances,
'' Demirel said. The human factor will have great importance in the 21st
century, Demirel continued. ''All established institutions are questioned
in international relations, and we as the Islamic world must take place in
these relations and become a part of the solutions,'' Demirel said. The
Organization for Islamic Conference which has a history of 30 years must
closely follow these tendencies and take the necessary measures,'' he went
on to say. ''The action plan which was accepted at the 7th Islamic Summit
in 1994 and the economic cooperation strategy is an important step taken in
this direction. We gained considerable experience and formed structural
mechanisms in economic cooperation. Despite all these undertakings and
example, the economic and trade cooperation among our countries are far
from our expectations. Therefore, I believe that reviewing this cooperation
and updating some agreements is necessary for our countries,'' Demirel
stated. The thirty year history of the Organization will be evaluated and
possible difficulties that might be faced will be discussed at Foreign
Ministers Special Meeting in Istanbul in March 2000. Demirel said this
meeting will have significant importance to form new strategies for the
future of the Islamic countries. ''The conditions of the new age makes the
economic cooperation a must among Islamic countries which share a common
history and culture. Turkey thinks that regional cooperation is the key to
international peace, stability and prosperity. In this regard, ISEDAK forms
an important milestone in economic and commercial cooperation among our
countries. Despite many problems that we confront, the future offers us
hope and many opportunities. I have full confidence that we will make use
of these opportunities in the best way. I wish you success in your works
and hope that you leave Istanbul with beautiful memories,'' Demirel
concluded.
[46] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT ADDRESSES ITAR-TASS: - ''IT IS EVEN OUT OF
QUESTION TO GIVE UP BLUE STREAM'' MOSCOW, Nov 6 (A.A) - Prime Minister
Bulent Ecevit said on Saturday that the cancellation of the Blue Stream
project was even out of question. Addressing to the Russian news agency
Itar-Tass before he left Moscow for Turkey, Ecevit said he was hopeful that
the ''Agreement for Prevention of Double Taxation'' and the ''Agreement for
Mutual Protection and Encouragement of Investments'', which were earlier
signed by Turkey and Russia, would be ratified by the Russian Parliament's
lower chamber the State Duma during the new legislative year. Ecevit
recalled, ''thus the obstacles in front of realization of the Blue Stream
will be removed. These two agreements in question were earlier approved by
the Turkish Parliament.'' Bulent Ecevit stated that the formalities
concerning the Blue Stream had to be fulfiled in Turkey. ''There can be
specific circles that apprach this project with concern. However, Turkey hs
a high level demand for energy resources so Turkey is trying to realize
several projects at the same time. This initiative also includes the
transportation of oil and gas from Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. We think
that there is a not a basis for conflicts and competition concerning the
Blue Stream,'' he said. Ecevit stated that the agreements on the Baku-
Ceyhan oil pipeline and the natural gas pipeline which will connect
Turkmenistan to Turkey via the Caspian Sea, will be signed during the OSCE
Summit to take place in Istanbul between November 18 and 19. Bulent Ecevit
added that there was not an obstacle preventing those agreements.
Responding to a question about the North Caucasia problem, Ecevit said,
''this is a specific problem and first of all, it directly concerns Russia.
We wished the solution of the clash in Caucasia in the shortest time-
frame.'' ''I want to emphasize once again that Chechenya issue is an
internal problem of Russia. We are in favour of the solution of this
problem in accordance with the principle of Russia's territorial integrity,
'' he said. The Prime Minister siad that the ''Joint Declaration for
Cooperation in Combat Terrorism'', which was initialed the day before,
completely reflects ''the general characteristics of the combat terrorism
and its intentions''. Ecevit added that terrorism constitutes a serious
problem for the whole world. Bulent Ecevit expressed his pleasure over the
results of his visit to Moscow. Ecevit said the global crisis also affected
the economic relations between Turkey and Russia but it did not lead to
radical changes in the relations. ''There was a 70 percent decrease in
exports to Russia from Turkey in the first five months of the year compared
to same period last year. However, we are sure that we will be able to
overcome these troubles in the near future. We discussed the methods to
overcome the current problems during my contacts in Moscow,'' he said.
Ecevit said he thinks the positive development of economic relations will
positively affect the political relations between Turkey and Russia. Noting
that very important processes have started recently in the world and Europe
and Asia started to gradually integrate with eacy other, Ecevit said,
''there are two key countries for the Eurasia process: one od these
countries is Turkey and the other one is Russia.''
A.A
|
