|
|
|
Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-12-01
[01] AA Daily
01 December 1999 Wednesday
[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN
[03] These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in
Turkey's press on December 1, 1999. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify
these stories and does not vouch for their occuracy.
[04] HURRIYET (LIBERAL) - ---------------- GOOD NEWS The Moody's, a leading
U.S. rating organizations, announced that it has changed the outlook on
Turkey's B1/B2 country ceilings for foreign currency bonds and bank
deposits from ''stable'' to ''positive''. Moody's, in its written statement,
said the outlook on the Turkish government's B1-rated foreign currency
bonds and notes has also been changed from ''stable'' to ''positive''.
Moody's said that the change in outlook was prompted by recent developments
in Turkey's political and policy environments that could eventually bring
about a long-overdue correction of the severe pressures bearing on the
fiscal accounts and on the real economy.
[05] ECEVIT: ''BLUE STREAM PROJECT WILL END NATURAL GAS DIFFICULTY'' Prime
Minister Bulent Ecevit said that Blue Stream Project would put an end to
problems arising from lack of natural gas in Turkey. Ecevit held a meeting
with Cumhur Ersumer, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and
Natural Resources, and with directors of several public institutions.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Ecevit said that current natural
gas problem was discussed at the meeting. Recalling that Russian natural
gas was being transported to Turkey with a pipeline passing via Ukraine,
Moldova, Romania, and Bulgaria, Ecevit said that these countries sometimes
consumed more natural gas than envisaged.
[06] MILLIYET (LIBERAL) - ----------------- FRANCE AND GERMANY SUPPORT
TURKEY'S CANDIDACY President Jacques Chirac of France and German Chancellor
Gerhard Schroeder met at the Elysee Palace prior to the European Union's
(EU) Helsinki Summit. Turkey's candidacy to the EU was brought onto agenda
of the meeting. Chirac and Schroeder said that they expected Turkey's
candidacy to be announced at Helsinki summit.
[07] DUTCH FOREIGN MINISTER AARTSEN'S MESSAGES Jozias van Aartsen, the
Dutch Foreign Minister, said that they supported Turkey's candidacy to the
European Union (EU). Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, and his Dutch
counterpart staged a joint press conference after inter-delegationary
meeting. Addressing the press conference, Aartsen noted that the main goal
of his visit was to further improve relations with Turkey. Recalling that
Turkey had recorded significant progress in the field of human rights,
Aartsen said they believed that Turkey should also continue to progress on
the issues of minority problem, the army's role in policy, and human rights
after Helsinki Summit.
[08] SABAH (LIBERAL) - --------------- DIE ANNOUNCES GROWTH RATE IN Q3 AS -
6.6 PERCENT The State Institute of Statistics (DIE) announced that the
growth rate in third quarter of 1999 was -6.6 percent. DIE said the growth
rate in first three quarters was -6.1 percent. DIE announced that the Gross
National Product (GNP) with current prices was 26 quadrillion 21 trillion
382 billion Turkish Liras (TL) and the GNP with fixed prices was 36
trillion 26 billion TL in the third quarter. The growth rate with current
prices was 48.1 percent and the growth rate with fixed prices was -6.6
percent in third quarter of 1999 when compared with the same period in
1998.
[09] CUMHURIYET (LEFT) - ---------------- GOVERNMENT WAITING The officials
expressed their ideas about the precautionary measure taken by the European
Court of Human Rights (ECHR) foreseeing the delay of the execution of
Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization. President Suleyman
Demirel said that the government is the interlocutor of the European Court
of Human Rights (ECHR). Premier Bulent Ecevit said that the government will
evaluate the developments when the judicial decision arrives at the
parliament.
[10] CUMHUR ERSUMER: ''BLUE STREAM WILL END THE PROBLEMS'' The government
will discuss the problems in energy sector in the leaders summit which will
be held tomorrow. Cumhur Ersumer, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Energy
and Natural Resources Minister, said that the arbitration law will increase
the foreign contribution to the investments. Ersumer noted that the Blue
Stream Project will end the problems resulting from natural gas. Ersumer
added that Turkey will have difficulties in natural gas and electricity
whole winter.
[11] RADIKAL (LEFT) - ------------- PREFABRICATED HUTS HANDED OVER BUT...
The prefabricated huts which were promised to be handed over on November 30,
1999; were handed over to the quake survivors yesterday but most of the
huts lacked of infrastructure, water, electricity. Only 8,624 out of 26,672
huts were constructed. Premier Bulent Ecevit said that 24,000 out of 25,314
prefabricated huts were completed. Ecevit added that they have reached the
target in a very short time. Ecevit reiterated that the public facilities
were allocated for the quake survivors.
[12] ISRAELI 'CARAVANS' POLITELY TURNED DOWN The government turned the
Israeli proposal saying that they want to give Turkey caravans. The
officials said that the Israeli caravans were old and the repair of each
caravan will cost 4,000 U.S. dollars. Turkish Embassy in Tel Aviv requested
assistance from Israel following August 17, 1999 quake. Israel told the
embassy that they can sell 145 caravans to Turkey. After the Crisis Desk
saw that the transfer and the repair of the caravans would cost too much,
Turkey turned down the Israeli proposal.
[13] TURKIYE (RIGHT) - --------------- FRIENDSHIP VISIT TO UKRAINE
President Suleyman Demirel attended oath ceremony of his Ukranian
counterpart Leonid Kuchma who was re-elected for the second time. The
Ukranian people showed great interest in President Demirel during his one-
day official visit to Ukraine.
[14] ECEVIT: ''WE REACHED OUR TARGET'' Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said
that the government had reached its target to assemble prefabricated huts
for quake survivors under extremely difficult conditions and in a short
period of time. Ecevit noted, ''our target was to assemble 25,314
prefabricated huts. 24 thousand of them were finalized. In fact, the Public
Works and Housing Ministry has carried out the infrastructure of
prefabricated huts that were erected by private sector and foreign
countries. Having regard to this fact, we went beyond our target.''
Recalling that Turkey was hit by a second earthquake just three months
after the 7.4-magnitude earthquake had devastated Marmara Region on August
17, Ecevit told reporters that 5 thousand prefabricated huts were assembled
in Bolu province.
[15] FOUR MORE AFTERSHOCKS Aftershocks continue to shake disaster area in
the wake of 7.2-magnitude earthquake which devastated Bolu province on
November 12. Officials at the Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory said
that four aftershocks with magnitudes ranging from 3.5 to 3.0, were
recorded in Bolu province on Tuesday.
[16] ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE) - ------------------ PERMANENT DARKNESS Turkey,
which made herself dependent on Russia for the purchase of natural gas
since 1987, faces electricity cuts because she did not impose sanctions
regarding this situation in the agreements she had signed and because she
did not construct enough number of warehouses. The Pipeline Transportation
Incorp. (BOTAS) said that sanctions are not imposed on Gazprom if Turkey
cannot receive enough natural gas. The countries through which the gas
passes, cut 30 percent of the gas and Gazprom only apologizes for this
situation.
[17] ECHR: ''DON'T HANG AND WAIT'' The European Court of Human Rights
(ECHR) took precautionary measure foreseeing the execution of the capital
punishment given for Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist
organization. The decision envisages the delay of the execution since the
final verdict is announced. The officials said that the legal process for
the final verdict can last for two years.
[18] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''TURKISH SIDE CANNOT BE MADE TO ACCEPT
ANYTHING BY BLACKMAIL, TERROR, OR PRESSURE''
[19] ISTANBUL, Dec 1 (A.A) - Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), said on Tuesday that the Turkish side
cannot be made to accept anything by blackmail, or pressure. Denktas gave a
conference in Istanbul regarding the Cyprus question. The Cyprus question
was created by the Greek Cypriot and Greek sides, Denktas noted. Denktas
stated that an agreement was signed to establish a federation which was
based on the principle of having two sides and two nations in Cyprus, in
1977. But, the leaders of the Greek Cypriot side did not implement the
agreement, Denktas stressed. Denktas emphasized that Glafcos Clerides, the
leader of the Greek Cypriot side, wants a multi-national power in Cyprus
rather than the guarantorship of Turkey. Clerides also wants to indirectly
unite Cyprus to Greece by the European Union (EU), Denktas said. Denktas
recalled that he met with Clerides for many times. He added that they
reached a position to starting the talks from state to state rather than
international talks today. The TRNC will have talks from state to state and
have cooperation agreement from state to state but she will not give up
Turkey's guarantorship; Denktas said. Denktas noted that the world started
to realize that there are two states in Cyprus. Turkey had brough peace to
Cyprus 26 years ago, Denktas reminded. The Turkish government gives the
message to the whole world that she recognizes the TRNC, Denktas stated.
Denktas stressed that Turkey told the whole world that she will not turn a
blind eye to the efforts of Greeks or Greek Cypriots to usurp whole Cyprus.
Cyprus question is a national matter of Turkey, Denktas added. When asked
about the attitude of U.S. towards Cyprus question, Denktas explained the
U.S attitude as ''the island should be given to Greece and Turkey should be
compensated'' and added that this mentality has not changed. Pointing out
to the power of the Greek lobby in the U.S., Denktas said that to this end,
the U.S. cannot reach the point that the TRNC wants. They want to take the
sovereignty out of the hands of TRNC but the Turkish Cypriots will continue
their struggle and will make their sovereignty be accepted; Denktas noted.
Denktas continued, ''they cannot make us accept anything by blackmail,
terror, or pressure because we protect and maintain our sovereignty. We
cannot make any concessions regarding our sovereignty.'' Denktas added that
he will not meet with Clerides during the proximity talks in New York.
[20] PREMIER ECEVIT: ''JUDICIAL PROCESS CONTINUES''
[21] ANKARA, Dec 1 (A.A) - Premier Bulent Ecevit said on Wednesday that the
judicial process regarding Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist
organization, continues. Prior to his departure to southeastern Adana
province, Ecevit responded to the questions of the journalists about the
precautionary measure taken by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
When asked about how long the waiting period will last in Ocalan case,
Ecevit noted that the lawyers of Ocalan has the right to apply for the
correction of the verdict within a month and they will wait for this
process. Responding to a question whether or not Turkey will wait for the
decision of the ECHR, Ecevit stated that Turkey will also wait for ECHR
decision. Ecevit stressed that they will discuss the precautionary measure
taken by ECHR, but the legal procedures have not been concluded yet. When
they receive the final jurisdiction, they will evaluate the developments;
Ecevit emphasized. When asked what will happen if it will take for one or
two years for the announcement of the final verdict, Ecevit pointed out
that they will discuss this issue later. Ecevit said that he had made a
statement last night after meeting the coalition partners and there is
nothing more to tell about this issue. The judicial process continues and
whatever they say will affect the judicial process, Ecevit noted. Ecevit
added that to this end, they do not want to say anything that can affect
the process.
[22] SEEBRIG-99 MANEOUVRES TO BE EXERCISED IN BULGARIA BETWEEN DECEMBER 8
AND 10
[23] ANKARA, Dec 1 (A.A) - The ''SEEBRIG-99 Maneouvres'' will be exercised
in Bulgaria between December 8 and 10, 1999. The General Staff said on
Wednesday that the SEEBRIG-99 Maneouvres, a concerted maneouvres of the
Southeastern Europe Multi-national Peace Force Brigade, will be exercised
in Plovdiv city of Bulgaria between December 8 and 10, 1999. The maneouvres
are being staged to improve the good neighbourhood relations among the
Southeastern Europe countries and to contribute to the regional peace and
security, the General Staff noted. The General Staff stated that the aim of
the maneouvres is to test the methods of encouragement of peace, to
increase the opportunities for possible operations and to improve the
military relations and cooperation among the member countries. Turkey,
Albania, Bulgaria, Italy, Macedonia, Romania, Greece will participate in
the maneouvres, the General Staff stressed. The General Staff emphasized
that the U.S. and Slovenia will participate in the maneouvres as observers.
Turkey joins the maneouvres with 27 personnel, the General Staff pointed
out. General Hilmi Akin Zorlu, the Commander of Southeastern Europe Multi-
National Peace Force Brigade, will command the maneouvres; the General
Staff added.
[24] IN FIRST TEN MONTHS, 460.8 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF AGRICULTURAL,
ANIMAL AND INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS EXPORTED FROM GAP REGION
[25] GAZIANTEP, Dec 1 (A.A) - The exports of agricultural, animal and
industrial products to 108 countries from the Southeastern Anatolia Project
(GAP) region in the first ten months of 1999 decreased to 460 million 816
thousand U.S. dollars. In the same period last year, the region exported
490 million 809 thousand U.S. dollars of agricultural, animal and
industrial products to 82 countries. Abdulkadir Cikmaz, the Chairman of the
Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union, told the A.A correspondent that in
the first ten months of the year, they exported 283 million 53 thousand
U.S. dollars in textiles; 85 million 523 thousand U.S. dollars in fresh
fruits and industrial products; 76 million 298 thousand U.S. dollars in
grain-cereals; 48 million 950 thousand U.S. dollars in dried fruits; and 11
million 992 thousand U.S. dollars in livestock. ''The majority of the goods
were exported to Iraq, Italy, Syria, the U.S., and Saudi Arabia, and the
Turkish goods in greatest demand were carpets, synthetic thread, cotton
thread, dried apricot, and textiles,'' he noted. Cikmaz added, ''in the
January-October 1999 period, Turkey entered into new markets like Iceland,
Norway, Bahrain, Serbia, Slovakia, Benin, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ivory Coast,
Ghana, Guinea, Cameroon, Kenya, Malavi, Mauritus, Mauritania, Nigeria,
Sierre Leone, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Uruguay, Costa Rica,
Venezuela, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan and New Zeland while
she lost the Croatia, Letonia, Namibia, Senegal, and Bangladesh.'' ''We
realized 140.3 million U.S. dollars to Europe in exports; 138.2 million
U.S. dollars in exports to the Middle East; 31.6 million U.S. dollars in
exports to the Turkish Republics; 9.2 million U.S. dollars in exports to
the Commonwealth of Independent States; 9.9 million U.S. dollars to Africa;
31.2 million U.S. dollars to the American continent; 3.6 million U.S.
dollars to Asia and 96.4 million U.S. dollars in exports to other countries
in the first ten months of 1999,'' Cikmaz added.
[26] RECONSTRUCTION AFTER QUAKE SYMPOSIUMS
[27] ISTANBUL, Dec 1 (A.A) - ''Reconstruction in Istanbul After Quake
Symposium'' which was organized by the U.S. Trade Development Agency (TDA)
started in Istanbul on Wednesday. The symposium aim at informing people
about preparation for the earthquakes, speedy response, and recovery after
quakes. The TDA issued a written statement saying that the symposiums would
take place in Istanbul on December 1 and in Ankara on December 6. It said
the officials and experts of the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA), U.S. Geological Researches Center, U.S. Foreign Disasters Aiding
Organization would attend the symposium. It said the role of municipalities
in preparing for quakes, reviewing critical infrastructural measures,
creating confidence among public in management would be discussed in the
symposiums. The statement added that the officials from the Turkish
government, municipalities, university professors, and representatives of
vocational and financial organizations were invited to the symposiums.
[28] HANNAY, BRITISH SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO CYPRUS: - ''TURKEY'S
INTERESTS ON CYPRUS SHOULD BE PROTECTED''
[29] LEFKOSA, Dec 1 (A.A) - Sir David Hannay, the British Special
Representative to Cyprus, said on Wednesday that Turkey's interest on
Cyprus should be protected in efforts to find a peaceful solution to the
Cyprus question. Addressing a radio programme on the Greek Cypriot Radio,
Hannay said he was sure that Turkey which seized the opportunity of a
future in Europe, would set up dialogue with all concerned sides on the
issue of the Cyprus question. Sir David Hannay is scheduled to attend the
proximity talks which will start in New York, the U.S., on December 3.
[30] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM ARRIVES IN SKOPJE
[31] SKOPJE, Dec 1 (A.A) - Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, arrived in
Macedonian capital Skopje on Wednesday. Aleksandar Dimitrov, the Macedonian
Foreign Minister, and Fazli Kesmir, the Turkish Ambassador to Macedonia,
welcomed Cem at the airport. Cem is scheduled to attend the inauguration of
the Harabati Baba Dervis Lodge Fountain. Later, he will partake in luncheon
which will be hosted by his Macedonian counterpart Dimitrov.
[32] TURKEY-GREECE JOINT TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION CONVENES IN ATHENS
[33] ATHENS, Dec 1 (A.A) - The Turkey-Greece Joint Transportation
Commission convened in the Greek capital Athens on Wednesday. The meeting
presided by Sureyya Yucel Ozden, the Undersecretary of the Transportation
Ministry, and Ioannis Maniatis, the Secretary General of the Greek
Transportation Ministry, will end on Thursday. The meeting is expected to
focus on highway and railway transportations. Meanwhile, projects aiming at
improving cooperation between two countries in the field of transportation,
will also be evaluated at the meeting.
[34] XANTHI MUFTI AGA SENTENCED TO SIX-MONTH IMPRISONMENT
[35] LAMIA, Dec 1 (A.A) - Mehmet Emin Aga, the elected Mufti of Xanthi, was
sentenced to six-month imprisonment on Wednesday. Aga applied to the appeal
court after he was sentenced to imprisonment on charges of illegally using
official title. The judicial organs had filed a lawsuit against Aga on
charges of using the title 'Xanthi Mufti' in the message he issued in 1998
on the anniversary of ''the Night of Power'' when the Koran was revealed.
Although Aga is elected by the Turkish minority in Western Thrace in
conformity with the international agreements signed by Greece, he is not
recognized by Athens. Aga has been sentenced to a total of 102-month
imprisonment in the lawsuits which were filed against him on the same
crime. Sema Piskinsut, the Chairman of the Turkish Parliament Human Rights
Commission; Sebgatullah Seydaoglu, M. Mail Buyukeren, Mehmet Bekaroglu,
Mehmet Gozlukaya and Osman Muderrisoglu, the members of the commission,
also attended the court session.
[36] OKYAY, CHIEF JUDGE OF ANKARA DGM: ''NOBODY CAN INTERFERE WITH MY OWN
AFFAIRS''
[37] ANKARA, Dec 1 (A.A) - Turgut Okyay, the Chief Judge of Ankara State
Security Court (DGM) No:2 which sentenced the head of the terrorist
organization Abdullah Ocalan to capital punishment, said on Wednesday that
nobody can interfere with his own affairs. Okyay; Huseyin Eken and Mehment
Maras, the members of the Ankara DGM; expressed their ideas about the
precautionary measure that the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) took
regarding Ocalan case. Okyay noted that nobody can interfere with his own
affairs and he cannot interfere with other's affairs. Eken stated that the
Ankara DGM had fulfilled its responsibility. The rest is the politicians'
responsibility, Eken stressed. Eken emphasized that the politicians should
do the requirements of Turkey's interests. Mehmet Orhan Karadeniz, the
Chief Judge of Ankara DGM No:1, said that they should investigate the
decisions that the ECHR took regarding Turkey. He cannot say anything at
this stage because he has not read the decision yet; Karadeniz added. Nuh
Mete Yuksel, the Republican Prosecutor, said that the jurisdiction gave the
decision and there is nothing he can do at this stage. Talat Salk, the
Republican Prosecutor, said that the government will do the best.
[38] SELCUK, CHAIRMAN OF SUPREME COURT: - ''WHATEVER LAW SAYS WILL HAPPEN''
[39] ANKARA, Dec 1 (A.A) - Sami Selcuk, the Chairman of the Supreme Court,
said on Wednesday, ''whatever the law says, will happen'' concerning the
European Court of Human Rights' (ECHR) precautionary measure decision about
Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization. Selcuk visited
Sinan Aygun, the Chairman of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO).
Addressing the meeting, Aygun said, ''the ECHR's decision should be
scrutinized. The terrorist organization gave both material and spritual
damage to Turkey.'' Selcuk said that the necessary arrangements should be
done to prevent the recurrence of the earlier mistakes. Selcuk reiterated
his statements which said that Turkey needs a new Constitution and there is
a Constitution problem in Turkey. Since various circles do not agree in the
common points to form a new Constitution, the current Constitution takes
its power from disagreement; Selcuk pointed out. Pluralism in Turkey should
also be improved, Selcuk noted. Selcuk stated that the pluralism is the
requirement of democracy and the powers should be equal. However, the
equality of powers was deteriorated in respect of the judiciary, but it is
necessary to equalize the legislative, executive, and judicial organs;
Selcuk stressed. Selcuk emphasized that when these three organs are not
equalized, then the organs will have difficulty in controlling the others.
Despite everything, Turkey has marked significant improvement in
democratization; Selcuk said. Selcuk noted that Turkey will integrate with
the European Union (EU) and the Ocalan case or any other thing will not
prevent this integration. Responding a question about the precautionary
measure taken by the ECHR, Selcuk said that the whatever the law says will
happen.
[40] FM: ''TURKEY'S CANDIDACY SHOULD NOT BE HANDLED TOGETHER WITH OTHER
ISSUES''
[41] ANKARA, Dec 1 (A.A) - The Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that
Turkey's candidacy to the European Union (EU) should not be handled
together with other issues. Sermet Atacanli, the Deputy Spokesman of the
Foreign Ministry, staged a weekly press conference. Turkey'S EU candidacy
should be taken up on its own ground, Atacanli said. The necessary
evaluation will be made if Turkey's candidacy is based on a condition or
taken up in connection with another issue, Atacanli noted. When asked
whether or not there will be another contact between Turkey and Finland,
the EU Term President; Atacanli stated that they welcome the efforts of
Finland which takes positive steps regarding Turkey. Atacanli stressed that
it is so natural that the contacts increase prior to the Helsinki Summit,
but they have not planned another contact between Turkey and Finland prior
to the summit at this stage. Responding a question whether or not there are
countries beside Greece, Atacanli said, ''this issue is out of the scope of
our evaluations. Many countries said that they support Turkey. We will see
the result of this support at the Helsinki Summit.''
[42] GAZPROM ASSURES TURKEY THAT NATURAL GAS PROBLEM WOULD BE SOLVED IN A
FEW DAYS
[43] MOSCOW, Dec 1 (Nov 30) - The Russian natural gas company Gazprom
assured the Turkish Embassy in Moscow that the recent drop in the amount of
natural gas Turkey receives will not last long and Turkey would start
getting sufficient natural gas in a few days. The Russian authorities
confirmed that the problem was caused by Ukrania's getting too much gas. A
Gazprom personnel who spoke to A.A on the condition of anonymity said ''one
of the causes was that Ukrania failed to pay its debts to Gazprom.'' The
same person noted that ''the documents which were signed in Istanbul about
the trans-Caspian Turkey-Turkmenistan natural gas pipeline might also be a
factor,'' but declined to give details. Ukraine which is experiencing an
energy shortage claimed that the gas amount it gets from Russia were
granted by the agreements it earlier signed with Russia. Anatoli Kinaf, the
Deputy Prime Minister of Ukrania told Novi Izvestiya newspaper published in
Russia, that ''their actions regarding natural gas were all guaranteed by
contracts with Russia.'' ''Therefore, Gazprom cannot impose any financial
sanctions against us,'' Kinaf said. All these explanations suggest that
Ukrania failed to pay its debts to Russia and Russia who couldn't collect
money from Ukraine lowered the natural gas amount it gives to this country.
As a result, Ukraine made up for this loss by getting natural gas from
lines which carry natural gas to Turkey. Turkish diplomatic circles said
this was Russia's problem. ''We are only concerned about the amount Russia
promised to give us. Other things must be resolved between Russia and
Ukraine,'' they stressed.
[44] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: - ''PUBLIC FACILITIES WHERE QUAKE SURVIVORS
STAY, HAVE GOOD CONDITIONS''
[45] MERSIN, Dec 1 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Wednasday
that there were many empty beds in these facilities, and asked people who
stay there to inform their relatives in the quake area about the good
conditions they were offered to draw more survivors to these places. Ecevit
visited the public facilities which were assigned to quake survivors.
Ecevit came from Adana to Mersin where he examined the education and
recreation facilities owned by the Interior Ministry in Mezitli hamlet.
''Those who are in the quake area don't know about the good conditions in
these places. Please let them know so that they would come to the
facilities in Antalya, Izmir and other places. There are more beds in these
facilities than the quake survivors,'' Ecevit said. Prime Minister Ecevit
also noted that there were no good areas to build dwellings in Golcuk
therefore the authorities were searching for a suitable area in its
surrounding. ''We must know what you need so that we can serve you well,''
Ecevit responded when people conveyed their requests to him through
representatives they chose among themselves. People who are hosted at
public facilities live in satisfactory conditions but others also must be
informed about this opportunity by printing informative brochures and
distributing them among the survivors for better communication, Ecevit
said.
[46] FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''TURKEY ASKED RUSSIA TO DO WHAT IS NECESSARY ABOUT
PKK'S ACTIVITIES IN HER TERRITORY''
[47] ANKARA, Dec 1 (A.A) - The Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that
Turkey had asked Russia to do what is necessary about the activities of the
terrorist organization PKK in Russian territory. Sermet Atacanli, the
Deputy Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, staged a weekly press conference.
Responding to a question about the initiatives Turkey launched for the
activities of the terrorist organization in Russia, Atacanli noted that
they had informed the concerned Russian authorities about the activities of
the terrorist organization in Russian territory. When recalled the Russian
claim that Chechen camps exist in Turkey and asked about Turkey's
initiatives regarding this issue, Atacanli stated that the institutions of
the two countries work together and the Turkish side fastidiously examines
every information. Atacanli stressed that Turkey told the Russian side that
she will not permit any activities in her territory which are against
Russia. When asked whether or not the Foreign Ministry launched initiatives
about the natural gas problem, Atacanli recalled that this issue concerns
the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry, Pipeline Transportation Incorp.
(BOTAS) and Russia. Atacanli added that they hope the problem will be
solved as soon as possible.
[48] FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''DOCUMENTS REGARDING TURKISH-GREEK DIALOGUE ARE
EXPECTED TO BE SIGNED IN DECEMBER''
[49] ANKARA, Dec 1 (A.A) - The Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that the
documents which will be prepared in the end of the initiatives carried out
by the Turkish and Greek working groups, are expected to be signed in
December. Sermet Atacanli, the Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman, staged a
weekly press conference. The report on the initiatives of the two working
groups will be submitted to the ministers of the two countries, Atacanli
noted. When asked whether or not George Papandreu, the Greek Foreign
Minister, will come to Ankara and the agreement will be signed then,
Atacanli stated that Papandreu can visit Ankara in December. But,
Papandreu's visit and its schedule are not made clear yet; Atacanli added.
[50] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF TRNC LEAVES FOR THE U.S.
[51] ISTANBUL, Dec 1 (A.A) - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic
of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) left on Wednesday for the U.S. to attend
proximity talks which will begin in New York on December 3. Addressing a
press conference at the Ataturk Airport prior to his departure, Denktas
said that he would meet with Kofi Annan, the Secretary General of the
United Nations, and then proximity talks would begin on December 6.
Describing the proximity talks as a new opportunity, President Denktas said,
''we hope that the opinion which has been rejecting equality and
sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriots for the past 36 years, will change
during the proximity talks.'' When asked why the Cyprus question could not
be resolved for 36 years, Denktas said, ''the solution is in the hands of
the third sides, including the U.S., Britain, and the United Nations
Security Council. We have been detained for 36 years with the aim of
reconciling the Greek Cypriot side under the title of a legal Cyprus
government. We have proposed confederation which is a realistic formula
defending equality and sovereignty of both sides. We want to set up good
neihbourhood relations with the Greek Cypriot side. We want to set up
bridges in the common issues. Turkey has undeniable geopolitical rights on
Cyprus. The Greek Cypriots should abandon their 36-year struggle to
eradicate Turkey's guarantorship.'' He pointed out that it was a big
mistake to promise the Greek Cypriot side full membership to the European
Union (EU) prior to Helsinki Summit. Denktas said, ''we hope that the EU
would not give a time-frame to the Greek Cypriot side as the government of
whole island at Helsinki summit. If it happens, this will be the end of
proximity talks in New York. No one should attempt forgery for solution of
the Cyprus question. It is not possible to unite Cyprus by eradicating our
sovereignty. We want a solution which will make peace permanent on the
island.''
[52] EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS RECEIVES 21 APPLICATIONS TO TAKE
CAUTIONARY MEASURE AGAINST TURKEY SINCE 1987
[53] STRASBOURG, Dec 1 (A.A) - The European Court of Human Rights received
21 applications to take cautionary measure decisions against Turkey since
1987. The Court accepted to take a cautionary meausure decision in ten
cases while rejecting 11 of the applications. A majority of these
applications came from Iranian and Iraqi immigrants who faced extradition.
Turkey, so far, obeyed all cautionary meausure decisions of the European
Court of Human Rights. The most recent case was when the Court took a
cautionary decision against Turkey about an Uzbek citizen who faced
extradition. Turkey agreed to extradite him after the Uzbek government
assured Turkey that this person would not be executed. The European Court
of Human rights which accepted the application of Ocalan's lawyers for a
cautionary measure, asked Turkey to postpone Ocalan's death penalty until
the procedures were finalized at the Court. The Article 39 of the European
Human Rights Agreement covers regulations regarding the cautionary measure
decision. The article is mainly used to prevent the extradition of
immigrants.
[54] FM SAYS THEY CAN EVALUATE WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS A MISTAKE RESULTING
FROM PROCEDURES AFTER WRITTEN DECISION IS SENT TO TURKEY
[55] ANKARA, Dec 1 (A.A) - The Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that they
can evaluate whether or not there is a mistake resulting from the
procedures in the decision given by the European Court of Human Rights
(ECHR) after the written decision is sent to Turkey. Sermet Atacanli, the
Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman, staged the weekly press conference. When
asked whether or not there is a mistake resulting from procedures because
the ECHR took precautionary measure before the judiciary procedures in
Turkey end, Atacanli noted that they will evaluate the developments after
the written decision is sent to Turkey. Responding a question on how they
evaluate the ECHR decision which asks for the delay of the execution of the
head of the terrorist organization Abdullah Ocalan, Atacanli stated that
the Foreign Ministry is not the interlocutor of this issue. He added that
the interlocutor is the government. Atacanli recalled that the coalition
partners convened last night and discussed this issue. Ecevit also told
that although the Supreme Court gave the final decision, the legal process
continues; Atacanli added.
[56] NATO DEFENSE MINISTERS TO START DPC AND NPG MEETINGS ON THURSDAY
[57] BRUSSELS, Dec 1 (A.A) - The Defense Planning Committee (DPC) and
Nuclear Planning Group (NPG) meetings of NATO will start on Thursday. A
total of 19 defense ministers of the countries which are the members of
NATO, will participate in DPC and NPG meetings. Seventeen European members
of the NATO will meet each in a dinner on Wednesday evening and will
discuss the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI). Sabahattin
Cakmakoglu, the National Defense Minister, represents Turkey in the
meetings. The participants will firstly meet each other in NPG meeting.
Later, the DPC meeting will be staged. Later, the ministers will convene
within the framework of North Atlantic Council. The Europe Atlantic
Partnership Council will be held by the ministers and representatives of 45
countries which are the members of NATO and Partnership For Peace (PFP) on
Friday. Cakmakoglu will have a bilateral contact with George Robertson, the
Secretary General of NATO on Friday. Cakmakoglu is expected to accept the
calls of Armenian and Georgian ministers who wanted to hold bilateral
meetings with Cakmakoglu. The main items of the agenda of the meetings are
the ESCI, the position in the Balkans, Northern Caucasus and cooperation in
armament. A joint declaration will be issued in the end of the meetings.
The meetings will end on Friday.
[58] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM IN SKOPJE
[59] SKOPJE, Dec 1 (A.A) - Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister who is in
Macedonian capital Skopje for an official visit, attended on Wednesday
inauguration of the Harabati Baba Dervis Lodge Fountain. Dimitar Dimitrov,
the Macedonian Culture Minister; Adnan Cail, the Macedonian State Minister,
and representatives of two Turkish political parties in Macedonia, were in
attendance at the inauguration. Addressing the inauguration, Cem underlined
the friendly relations between Turkey and Macedonia. Later, Cem partook in
luncheon hosted by his Macedonian counterpart Aleksandar Dimitrov in his
honor. Cem will proceed to Romania later on Wednesday.
[60] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER AKBULUT:''TURKEY REGARDS EUROPEN HUMAN RIGHTS
AGREEMENT AS VALUABLE AS LONG AS IT DOES NOT HURT OUR SOVEREIGNTY RIGHTS''
[61] ANKARA, Dec 1 (A.A) - Yildirim Akbulut, the Parliament Speaker said on
Wednesday that Turkey signed the European Convention of Human Rights and
regards its values as highly important, but added that ''this is valid as
long as it does not hurt our sovereignty rights and independent justice''.
When a reporter asked if the head of the terrorist organization Abdullah
Ocalan would be tried again as dictated by the European Court of Human
Rights, Akbulut said this issue concerns the government and the
jurisdiction, therefore he cannot comment. ''Since we signed the European
Convention of Human Rights, there are certain values that we regard as a
legal norm. But this should be never interpreted as something that could
harm our sovereignty. The world is globalizing and integrating. We wish to
do anything that respects the human honour, but not only because Europe
wishes so. This is something that exists in Turkish traditions,'' Akbulut
responded.
[62] AGREEMENTS ON 90 MILLION U.S. DOLLAR LOAN FROM SPAIN SIGNED
[63] ANKARA, Dec 1 (A.A) - The agreements regarding the 90 million U.S.
dollar Spanish loan to be given to Turkey to heal the wounds of the quake
disasters, were signed. A statement of the Treasury Undersecretary said on
Wednesday that the Spanish and Turkish delegations had meetings in Madrid
between November 29 and 30, 1999 to provide loan to Turkey to meet the
finance needs of the Turkish enterprises and to overcome the losses of the
quake disaster. Within this framework, Turkey and Spanish official finance
organization signed the loan agreement which foresaw that 30 million U.S.
dollar of the loan should be used by the enterprises, on November 30, 1999;
the statement noted. The statement stressed that the agreement regarding
the allocation of 60 million U.S. dollar resource from the Spanish
government to meet the finance of the projects that are carried out in the
quake zone, was also signed. The 30 million U.S. dollar loan was of 12-year
maturity and the 60 million U.S. dollar loan was of 35-year maturity, the
statement added.
|
