Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-03-10

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

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

[01] AA News

10 March 2000 Friday

[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

OCALAN BECOMES RICH BY TERRORISM
Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, and his brother Osman Ocalan became rich by shedding blood, terrorism, collecting unjust money, drug and arms smuggling and foreign support. Abdullah Ocalan had deposited his money to the banks in Syria and Switzerland in 1998. Ocalan had deposited 5 trillion 800 billion Turkish liras (TL) in Commercial Bank of Syria. Osman Ocalan has 1 trillion 740 billion TL.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTION INCREASES 63 PERCENT
The increase in the automotive production increased 63 percent between January and February 2000 when compared with the figures of the same period in 1999. The production in the first two months of 2000 has been 51,516. This number was 31,561 in the same months last year.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

TWO NEW INVESTMENTS OF GERMAN METRO GROSSMARKET
German Metro AG increases its investments in Turkey. The Metro AG opened two new grossmarkets in Istanbul and Bursa. The Real Hipermarket in Bursa province and Practiker Do-it-Yourself (DIY) Market in Istanbul started to operate. The Metro AG had earlier opened Real grossmarkets in Ankara and Gaziantep.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

OPERATION AGAINST HEZBOLLAH IN MUS
Anti-terror teams captured 11 members of the terrorist organization Hezbollah in the eastern province of Mus. After their interrogation, the detainees were transferred to the court from where they were sent to Mus Maximum Security Prison. Security officials said operations are continuing against Hezbollah.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

CHP IS EP OBSERVER
The Republican People's Party (CHP) which did not manage to enter into the parliament, deserved to participate as an observer in all the meetings of the socialist group, which is the second biggest party of the European Parliament (EP). Thus, the CHP has the right to deal with the draft resolutions and financial support regarding Turkey, at first hand.

YENI BINYIL (LIBERAL)

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

GS QUALIFIES TO SEMI-FINALS
Galatasaray, a Turkish soccer team, drew with B. Dortmund team of Germany in Ali Sami Yen Stadium yesterday. Galatasaray had defeated B. Dortmund by 2-0 in the match which was played in Germany. Thus, Galatasary qualified to the semi-finals. Galatasaray's new rival is Mallorca soccer team of Spain.

[03] STATE MINISTER TOSKAY: - ''EU'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS TURKEY IS POSITIVE AND REALISTIC FOLLOWING THE HELSINKI SUMMIT''

Toskay met with Guenter Verheugen, the EU Commissioner for Enlargement.

Following his meeting, Toskay told reporters that they had a very beneficial meeting.

Toskay noted that Verheugen is visiting Turkey to form a strategy to prepare Turkey for full membership and that an ''Accession Partnership Document'' is planned to be prepared within this year.

''It is EU's obligation to prepare this document. But, the document should be prepared after Turkey's attitude is clearly understood. We told Verheugen that the contents of the document and the determination of the due date of the implementations carry importance for cooperation,'' Toskay said.

Toskay stated that they discussed the financial assistance, the operation of the customs union, and the initiatives that should be lauched in the direction of EU full membership.

Verheugen assumes a realistic and positive attitude to solve the problems and to reach a conclusion, Toskay stressed.

Toskay added that he thinks that the Accession Partnership Document will be prepared until this fall and that the framework of the full membership negotiations will shape up as the document is prepared.

[04] ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTER AND DEPUTY PREMIER ERSUMER SIGNS FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT WHICH MAKES TURKEY PART OF INEGATE

The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources said in a written statement that the framework agreement makes Turkey a part of INEGATE.

The agreement foresees establishment of ''interstate oil and natural gas transportation systems'' to bring natural gas and oil from Central Asia and Caucasus to European markets.

The accession of Turkey to the agreement carries importance for transportation of Central Asian and Caucasian gas and oil to Europe as Turkey has strategical importance in east-west energy corridor.

Turkey has taken important steps so far to put into practice the Baku- Tbilisi-Ceyhan crude oil pipeline and natural gas pipeline projects which pass via Caspian sea.

The active participation of Turkey in INEGATE program and the framework agreement will encourage development of this and such kind of projects.

The framework agreement developed within INOGATE has been signed so far by 16 countries from Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Central, and East European countries.

[05] EU COMMISSIONER VERHEUGEN MEETS WITH FM CEM

Cem and Verheugen who had a tete-a-tete meeting for nearly one hour, later presided the interdelegationary meetings.

Cem and Verheugen will stage a joint statement after the interdelegationary meetings and the lunch.

[06] PRIVATIZATION OF TUPRAS' 15 PERCENT OF SHARES ANNOUNCED ON FRIDAY

The nominal value of the privatization is 11 trillion 212 billion 800 million Turkish Liras. (TL). The interested account holders will inform the OIB about the amount of share certificates they want to buy.

In the ad, OIB categorized the account holders to four different groups as Tupras members, small account holders, individual investors who have high purchasing power and local institutional investors.

The account holders will apply to the OIB between March 22 and 29 and they will state the amount of share certificate they want to buy.

There will be promotion and marketing activities also abroad, therefore Turkish and foreign account holders will be able to apply at the same time.

OIB will determine the sale price of shares after the applications are over.

[07] NATO SECRETARY GENERAL ROBERTSON SAYS NATO ENTERED 21ST CENTURY STRONGER AND IT HAS ITS DOOR OPEN TO NEW MEMBERS,

Robertson spoke at the 10th International Antalya Security and Cooperation Conference in Antalya's Kemer township. Here, Robertson stressed that NATO had an important role in the Balkans and they aimed to bring peace and stability to the region.

NATO tries to overcome difficulties by expanding its military skills, Robertson said and added that therefore, it has become an extremely strong organization today. He also noted that some critics and analists were claiming that NATO is having troubles today and a cooperation based on trust between NATO and Russia was unlikely to happen.

These criticisms are important and they can't be denied, he said but stressed that NATO can overcome these troubles. ''NATO will bring real peace to the Balkans. But we must be a little patient,'' Robertson said.

NATO's success in Bosnia is a good sign indicating that it could also help Kosovo, Robertson went on to say. Despite all difficulties, he noted, there are glimpses of hope to maintain peace in Kosovo.

Albanian population in Kosovo are faced with pre-planned terrorism and massacre, he said but noted that there had been positive developments recently through NATO's initiatives. He said there was still hatred and violence in Kosovo and NATO needs more security forces and financing to deal with the situation. He stressed that they were determined to maintain peace in Kosovo no matter how long it takes.

Praising Turkey's efforts to bring security and stability in the Southeastern Europe, Robertson said Russia's cooperation with NATO was necessary.

Critics are claiming that cooperation between Russia and NATO was impossible since Russia will always be suspicious of the West and will not trust it, he noted. However, he said, Russia is a very big part of the solution in the region. Robertson said some disagreements that might emerge from time to time could be resolved.

Robertson stated that he dedicated himself to forming a cooperation between NATO and Russia. He also noted that during his recent trip to Russia, he told Russian authorities that NATO was not happy about Russia's tactics in Chechnya.

[08] ERBAKAN, LEADER OF BANNED RP, SENTENCED TO ONE YEAR IN PRISON

Erbakan didn't attend the court hearing heard at Diyarbakır State Security Court (DGM) No. 1, but his lawyers Mehmet Ener and Yasar Gurkan were present.

Lawyer Ener said that they submitted written defense regarding the merits of the case to the court for two times, adding ''an unknown tape was found after a meeting held at Bingol National Youth Foundation. Experts said that the tape was not an original one. Bingol governorship also told that they don't have such a tape.''

The other lawyer Gurkan said in his part that the suit was not filed depending on real documents, adding a video tape can't be accepted as an evidence in respect of law.

Claiming that the term of filing a suit is three months, but this suit was filed against Necmettin Erbakan after 3.5 years, adding ''my client didn't accept such a speech in his testimonies and in his defense. There is not any evidence in this case. Erbakan issued this speech in Bingol to strengethen peace, unity and solidarity among people. It is not correct to accuse my client who defends unitary state. The video tapes are not original. We request our client to be acquitted.''

The court delegation sentenced the suspect Erbakan under Article 312 of the Turkish Penal Code to one year in prison and to a fine of 220,000 Turkish liras. Erbakan can apply to the Supreme Court of Appeals.

[09] PRESIDENT DEMIREL MEETS WITH NATO SECRETARY GENERAL ROBERTSON

Demirel who came to Antalya's Kemer township to attend the 10th International Antalya Security and Cooperation Conference, had a meeting with NATO Secretary General George Robertson which lasted half an hour.

Following the meeting, Demirel told reporters that he and Robertson discussed NATO-Turkey relations as well as ESDI.

''Non-EU member countries cannot be asked to perform any tasks if they are not allowed to participate in the decision making mechanism of ESDI. This is Turkey's decision. During my meeting with Robertson, I highlighted these points one more time,'' Demirel told reporters.

Demirel also noted that he and Robertson also focused on the latest developments in Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Robertson who also spoke to the press, said he had a very fruitful meeting with President Demirel and exchanged views about what could be done in these regions.

[10] PRESIDENT DEMIREL SPEAKS AT 10TH ANTALYA SECURITY AND COOPERATION CONFERENCE: ''AN UNDIVIDED, DEMOCRATIC, PROSPEROUS EUROPE IS NO LONGER A DREAM''

Demirel said an ideologic division which lasted for centuries ended for the first time in Europe, when he spoke at Antalya Security and Cooperation Conference. He also noted that currently there are more people who are governed by democracy than those who live under dictatorship.

An undivided, democratic, prosperous Europe which enjoys peace is no longer a dream, Demirel said. ''This project is progressing towards its target and it is covering the whole Europe. On the other hand, expanding of democracy in the world's geography is a real security which embraces all nations in Euro-Atlantic region,'' Demirel said.

Following the Cold War a new political geography was formed which was named ''Eurasia'', Demirel went on to say. ''This news geography covers a vast area from the Balkans to Chinese Wall and embraces millions of people who had been desiring freedom for decades,'' he said.

New independent states in Eurasia emerged through the solidarity of democratic countries, Demirel stated and added that this area also possessed very rich oil and natural gas resources worth of trillions of U.S. dollars.

In this new century, one of the biggest problems that the international community is facing is to maintain sustainable peace, stability and prosperity in Eurasia.

Speaking about Turkey's role in this region, Demirel said Turkey's strategic importance increased after the World War ended. ''Turkish economy is the 16th biggest in the world and the biggest in our region. As a result of this Turkey has become a member to G-20's. Turkey, at the same time, is located on the center of transportation, communication webs as well as on the center of commerce and energy corridors. We are playing a vital role in integrating this region with global economy and developing sustainable cooperation models in Black Sea and Caspian basins. Finally, our EU candidacy, is offering new opportunities for peace, stability and prosperity not only in Europe but also in the regions surrounding Turkey,'' he stated.

''I believe that it is also time to concentrate on Caucasia, another friction zone,'' Demirel went on to say.

The countries in this region are suffering the consequences of the disagreements that they inherited from their history. ''Increasing instability, climbing refugee problems and freezing the conflicts in Caucasia rather than solving them, might have a negative effect on the security and stability in the whole Euro-Atlantic region,'' Demirel said. He also noted that Europe's borders no longer ended in Turkey's eastern border but extended to the Caspian Sea and the Middle Asia.

About the Caucasia Stability Pact which Demirel earlier proposed, he said the Pact can bring together the three Caucasian countries, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia around a cooperation mechanism.

Speaking about NATO's role in securing Europe's security, Demirel said NATO was founded to protect democratic values and ideals, and to strengthen solidarity among free, democratic and peace-loving nations.

Referring to NATO's two interferences in Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina, Demirel said this highlighted NATO's importance.

Touching on the subject of European Security and Defense Initiative (ESDI), Demirel said all allies should participate in the initiatives that are taken regarding security.

Before finishing his speech, reminded that Caucasian and Middle Asian partners could not have adequate participation in ''Partnership for Peace'' programme and stressed that the cooperation run with these countries needed more attention.

''Our children should grow up in a world where threats are replaced by cooperation and where peace and stability will prevail,'' Demirel ended his speech.

[11] PREMIER ECEVIT'S STATEMENTS : ''DELAYING THE ACCEPTANCE OF TURKEY IN MONITORING PROCESS ALSO DELAYS TURKEY'S FULL MEMBERSHIP PROCESS TO THE EU''

After receiving Gunter Verheugen, the EU Commissioner responsible for enlargement, Ecevit issued a statement at Prime Ministry building and said that he conveyed Verheugen the uneasiness of Turkey about certain issues.

The EU promised to help Turkey, but it couldn't put them into practice, said Ecevit and noted that ''I told Mr. Verheugen that in fact we don't need this aid. We can continue to develop without this aid, but it will recover our morale. I told him that this aid should not be delayed.''

Ecevit said that he also conveyed the complaint of Turkey about the European Security and Defense Initiative (ESDI), adding ''EU will use NATO's military units in certain circumstances by ESDI mechanism. However non-EU NATO countries won't be included in these decision mechanisms. EU will take decisions about military units of NATO, but non-EU countries won't take part in these decisions. This can't be accepted.''

The U.S. and Norway have the same status with Turkey about ESDI, said Ecevit and pointed out that the U.S. Assistant of State Secretary Mark Grossman also referred to the same issue in a speech he delivered at U.S. Senate.

Ecevit said that the U.S. also can't accept this application, and it defends the view that a common decision mechnasim should be set up.

Ecevit said that democratic western states tell Turkey that agriculture can't be supported in market economy, adding ''particularly IMF insists on this issue. However the U.S. gives material support to its agriculture sector. I reminded Mr. Verheugen the note of FAO Director General saying that the protectionalism applied by rich countries in their agriculture sector damages the agriculture of developing countries.''

Ecevit said he also summed up the steps taken by Turkey in human rights and democratization to Verheugen, adding ''I told him that Turkey is resolved to take these steps whether or not EU asks for them.''

Reminding that Verheugen evaluated the southeastern problem as ''Kurdish problem,'' in his speech at Bogazici University, Ecevit added that ''I told him that we don't share such a description. I told him that there is no tradition of discrimination in Turkish society. The problem in southeastern Turkey does not stem from race discrimination, but from the feodal structure of that region and the efforts of certain foreign powers to divide Turkey. I also told him that we prepared a law of encouragement to develop the region and EU countries can also benefit from this law to invest in southeastern Turkey.''

Ecevit said that he also referred to the Cyprus question and reminded that Verheugen used an expression in Istanbul saying that Clerides does not govern the Turkish Cypriots. ''Verheugen said this as Clerides was not elected by Turkish Cypriots. This is a very positive opinion. I thanked him for saying that,'' Ecevit noted.

Ecevit said that a solution to the Cyprus question can be found easily, adding the only condition of that is acceptance of the fact that there are two separate independent states on the island.

Ecevit added that he told Verheugen that if this reality is accepted, Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides can make cooperation in many fields.

[12] 80 KILOGRAMS OF HEROIN SEIZED ON TURKISH-BULGARIAN BORDER

General Kiril Radev, Chairman of Bulgarian National Department of Organized Crime said they seized 80 kilograms of heroin in a passanger bus owned by the Bulgarian company Globos 96 at the Captain Andrevo customs gate on Thursday.

Radev stated that the heroin was loaded to the bus in Turkey. They contacted the Turkish police and started joint operations in both countries, he said.

During the operations, 7 people including 2 Bulgarians were caught in Turkey and 2 others were arrested in Bulgaria totalling up to 9 people.

The members of the smuggling network had been smuggling drugs for a long time and they had been using Czech Republic as a distribution center for Western European countries.

Radev reminded that they seized about 106 kilograms of heroin since the beginning of this year which exceeds the total amount seized in 1999.

Radev also noted that they regarded Albanian mafia groups' smuggling activities as a serious threat.

[13] PREMIER ECEVIT'S STATEMENTS : ''VERHEUGEN IS VERY SENSITIVE ABOUT TURKEY'S PROBLEMS''

Speaking after meeting with Verheugen, Ecevit responded to questions of journalists.

''Does Verheugen have any complaints regarding the mayors from People's Democracy Party (HADEP) and former deputy Leyla Zana?'' asked journalists to Ecevit who said that ''no, he didn't complain about this issue.''

''Is the news saying that the EU will prepare an analytical report instead of monitoring process related to Turkey's candidacy to the EU, correct?'' was another question asked to Ecevit. Ecevit responded to that saying that ''no, he only said that even if this is the case, this does not have a great detriment. We didn't discuss the issue in details.''

Responding to another question, Ecevit said that he believes Verheugen will do his best to overcome the complaints of Turkey.

[14] JOINT PRESS BRIEFING OF FM CEM AND EU COMMISSIONER VERHEUGEN

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and Verheugen held a joint press briefing following a meeting on Friday.

Responding to a question about Erbakan's prison sentence, Verheugen said he just heard the news so he didn't have the chance to examine it, and therefore refrained from making a comment.

EU needs Turkey as an equal partner, Verheugen said and added that they wanted to encourage Turkey to continue its political and economic reforms.

[15] NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER SABAHATTIN CAKMAKOGLU: ''TURKEY IS AN ELEMENT OF PEACE AND BALANCE IN ITS REGION''

Cakmakoglu explained Turkey's role in NATO when he spoke at the 10th Security and Cooperation Conference in Antalya.

Towards the end of the 20th century, agressive and ultra nationalist trends rooted from separatism turned Europe into a ''gunpowder barrel'', he noted. Massacres of ethnic cleansing first in Bosnia-Herzegovina and later in Kosovo were terminated through NATO's determined attitude and interference, Cakmakoglu said.

Turkey is encouraged by the perfect security cooperation developed recently with Bulgaria and Romania, he noted. ''We also want friendship in Turkish- Greek relations. August 17 earthquake brought the two countries closer. This gives us hope to resolve our problems,'' Cakmakoglu said.

About the situation in Cyprus, Cakmakoglu stated that there are currently two separate nations and states living on the island and this has to be admitted in order to bring an urgent solution to the problem.

Touching the situation in Caucasia, he said ''I am sorry to say that hot clashes and human tragedies, which are similar to those which took place in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo, are currently happening in Caucasia. ''We are looking for a solution to the problems in Chechnya through a dialogue, not through arms. We don't want to witness the killing of civilians and crimes of humanity,'' Cakmakoglu noted.

Twenty percent of Azerbaijani land is under Armenian occupation which makes millions of Azerbaijani people refugees, he said and added that this was one of the biggest obstacles when talking about peace and stability in this region. ''The disagreements between Armenia and Azerbaijan should be resolved through a just and sustainable solution which is acceptable for both sides,'' he added.

Speaking about Turkey's relations with its neighbours, Cakmakoglu stated that Iraq's problems continued in the international community. He also noted that Turkey was still uncomfortable about the security problems caused by the authority vacuum in Northern Iraq.

''Nobody can guarantee that the countries which support terrorism will not be one day surrounded by the flames of terrorism,'' Cakmakoglu said.

''NATO and European Union are cornerstones of European Security and Defense Initiative. Therefore, it is important not to cause regional instability by holding a group of countries above others,'' Cakmakoglu said at the end of his speech.

[16] PREMIER ECEVIT'S STATEMENTS: ''TORTURE IS FORBIDDEN, BUT THERE CAN BE SOME INCONGRUOUS PRACTICES''

The thing that matters is to launch efforts to end these violations, said Premier Ecevit.

Premier Ecevit responded to questions of journalists related to internal politics after meeting with Guenter Verheugen, the EU Commissioner responsible for enlargement.

When a journalist asked him whether or not the constitutional amendment can be adopted without the support of the Virtue Party (FP), Ecevit said that ''I am very optimistic about this issue. In fact many signatures, over 400, have been collected about constitutional amendment.''

When asked whether or not Articles 69, 86 and 101 of the Constitution will be voted at the same time, Ecevit said that this depends on the decision of the parliament, adding he thinks a problem won't emerge regarding this issue.

When reminded about the news saying that a certain device of torture was found in a police station in Istanbul, Ecevit said that ''torture is forbidden in Turkey. The important thing is to take effective measures to prevent such practices, which are not much. Turkey does her best about this issue.''

Responding to a question about nuclear power station tender, Ecevit said that this issue is not an easy one to decide. ''The delay shows that we take the issue very seriously,'' said Ecevit.

Turkey does not have any political approach about the tenders of nuclear power station and helicopter, stressed Ecevit and added that the issue is a technical one.

Referring to the privatization of Petrol Ofisi Inc. (POAS), Ecevit said that ''this is the implementation of a decision which had earlier been taken. The Executive Board of the Is Bank has a clear decision about the issue. There are four members of the Republican People's Party (CHP) in that Executive Board, yet CHP opposses to the privatization. In the same way, the Turkish Confederation of Labour Uhnions (Turk-is) opposes to that. But as far as I know, the labour unionists who are within the administration of the Is Bank are also the members of the Turk-Is. In that respect I think the accusations against us are not fair.''

When asked whether or not an initiative will be taken at the level of U.N. about settling of Chechen refugees in Georgia, Ecevit said that ''our initiatives about the issue continue. I stated that the attacks on Chechen people are wrong and unacceptable and the whole Caucasus region will be restless due to that.''

Referring to the flood disaster in Mozambique, Ecevit said that a rescue team from Turkey went to this country to help in the rescue operations.

The voluntary search and rescue organization AKUT also prepares to leave for this country, said Ecevit and added that ''we also decided to send food and medicine in huge amounts to this country.''

[17] JOINT PRESS BRIEFING OF FM CEM AND EU COMMISSIONER VERHEUGEN

After a meeting which lasted 2,5 hours with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Verheugen and Cem held a joint press briefing.

Cem congratualted Cem and his colleagues for the close cooperation formed between Turkey and EU.

Verheugen stressed that they needed Turkey as an equal partner because of two strategical reasons. The first reason is Turkey's key role in maintaining peace and stability in Europe, Verheugen stated and said that the other reason was to make Europe strong enough to survive the competition in the globalizing world. Even industrialized countries like France and Britain are aware of this fact, he added. This is the reason why they need Turkey's close cooperation and integration with Europe, he explained.

During his meeting with Cem, they also discussed the steps that Turkey needs to take to become a full EU member, Verheugen told reporters.

[18] JOINT PRESS BRIEFING OF FM CEM AND EU COMMISSIONER VEREUGEN

After a meeting with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Verheugen told reporters that during the meeting they discussed the financial aid which was promised to be given to Turkey and monitoring Turkey's preparation for full membership.

Verheugen said during his contacts with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, he encouraged him to continue its economic and political reforms.

Responding to a question regarding the financial aid promised to be given to Turkey, Verheugen said there was a delay but they were working over the matter.

When asked when the EU will start monitoring Turkey's full membership preparations, Verheugen said it will begin in a few weeks.

About the leader of the Greek Administration, Glafcos Clerides, Verheugen said Clerides was not elected by the Turkish Cypriots, therefore the Turkish Cypriots did not see him as their representative.

Verheugen reminded that he will visit Cyprus soon and also added that no parallelism should be formed between the Cyprus problem and Turkey's EU membership.

Foreign Minister Cem who also spoke to the press, said Turkey was moving towards accession negotiations and added that this period was not easy for any candidate country.

[19] 9 TERRORISTS KILLED, 1 WOUNDED IN CLASH WITH SECURITY FORCES - 2 SECURITY OFFICERS ALSO DIE WHEN TERRORISTS OPEN FIRE

Emergency Rule Regional Governorship said one of the terrorists who died was Orhan Ilbay who was in charge of PKK's activities in Tunceli. One terrorist was wounded in the clash.

Two security officers also lost their lives when the terrorists opened fire at them.

Operations are continuing in the area.

[20] FM CEM'S STATEMENT TO BELGIAN MAGAZINE: ''DEATH PENALTY IS AN IMPEDIMENT FOR TURKEY'S MEMBERSHIP TO EU''

Reminding that no death penalty has been executed in Turkey since 1984, Cem said ''even if I can't say when, I am sure that we'll abolish death penalty.''

The description of minority is determined within the framework of Lausanne Treaty, said Cem and added that Kurds are not perceived as minority. ''We are not against freedoms of cultural, democratic rights, and the right to freedom of expression. Our Kurdish citizens can speak their own languages freely, publish books, newspapers, and broadcast. We have the intention of broadening these rights to reach the level of West European countries,'' said Cem.

The education in Turkey has to be in Turkish, said Cem and added that education in Kurdish is not considered, yet the issue of Kurdish television is being discussed in Turkey. He added that there exist certain Kurdish television channels in Turkey for few months even though they don't have legal basis.

Responding to a question about three mayors from the People's Democracy Party (HADEP) who were taken into custody first and then released, Ecevit said that ''the Turkish public opinion reacted against the Swedish Foreign Minister who got in contact with three mayors before meeting with the Turkish government officials, but launching an investigation about the mayors does not have any connection with this issue. It is normal for the Turkish justice to launch investigation against persons who are suspected of helping terrorist organizations even if they are elected. Like in other European countries, the decision after the investigation will be given by courts. If an elected civil servant in your country is accused of giving financial support to terrorism, won't this issue be investigated?''

''Even they are exaggerated for certain times, I consider the criticisms of European persons about us are mostly right except the criticisms about the Turkish Armed Forces,'' said Cem.

''I don't agree with the criticisms about the Armed Forces. The army has always represented 'modernity' in Turkey throughout the history. Today we can't say that it has a political role. The National Security Council (MGK) examines the general security issues of the country by the participation of civil and military representatives,'' Cem said.

The atmosphere between Turkey and Greece have changed, said Cem, adding he thinks there will be progress in search for solution of the problems between the two countries. The solution of Cyprus question depends on the negotiations between TRNC and the Greek Cypriot side, he noted.

Turkey is a part of the EU geography for the moment, said Cem and noted that the ''brave'' decision taken at Helsinki summit means that EU is secular. The Greek-Turkish problem changed nature by the official recognition of Turkey's candidacy, he added.

[21] A.A

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