Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-06-27

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

27 JUNE 2001 Wednesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: ''TURKEY'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FUTURE OF EU ARE IMPORTANT''

[03] TRNC FOREIGN AND DEFENSE MINISTRY REACTS THE LOUIZIDOU DECISION OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE COMMITTEE COMMITTEE OF DELEGATES

[04] STATE MINISTER DERVIS: ''WE HAVE SOLVED TELEKOM ISSUE''

[05] STATE MINISTER DERVIS (2): ''ONE SHOULD NOT CONFUSE REQUESTING SUPPORT TO PROGRAM WITH MAKING POLITICS''

[06] FOREIGN MINISTRY: -''TURKEY IS DEEPLY CORCERNED WITH SERIOUS DEVELOPMENTS IN MACEDONIA''

[07] STATE MINISTER DERVIS (3): ''MARKETS ARE VERY SUPERFICIAL. A 20-30 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF TRANSACTION HAS A GREAT EFFECT''

[08] IZTO CHAIRMAN DEMIRTAS: -''WE WILL SET UP A PARTNERSHIP WITH LIBYA IN MARITIME TRANSPORTATION''

[09] PARLIAMENT RESPONDS TO ALLEGATIONS ON SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE WITH A BOOK NAMED ''THE ARMENIANS IN THE LATE OTTOMAN EMPIRE''

[10] NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER CAKMAKOGLU SAYS SEEBRIG IS READY FOR MISSION

[11] JPC MEETINGS END

[12] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM ADDRESSES TURKEY-EU JPC: -''I REGARD CONVEYING MY CONCERNS OVER CYPRUS QUESTION AS MY DUTY''

[13] TRNC PARLIAMENT SPEAKER HASIPOGLU WARNS FINNISH PARLIAMENTARIAN LAAKSO: -''IF YOU USE THE EXPRESSION OF OCCUPIED REGION, I WILL NOT PERMIT YOU ENTER INTO TRNC''

[14] AIR FORCES COMMANDERSHIP SAYS F-16 PLANE CRASHED INTO GROUND WHEN IT STARTED LANDING

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

THEY GAVE OPPORTUNITY TO STATUS QUO
Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz said that closure of a political party was a shame of democracy. Stressing that what was done was not contrary to the laws, Yilmaz warned the banned Virute Party (FP) deputies by saying, ''if you enter a transverse road and start struggling against basic principles of the regime, you give opportunity to the status quo which has already laid an ambush.'' Yilmaz said, ''there is also closure of political parties in the constitutions of the European Union countries. For example, this has been implemented in Germany since 1958. However, it should be the nation's will to create and close political parties.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT POSTPONED TO SEPTEMBER 17
Coalition partners decided to call on the parliament to have an extraordinary meeting on September 17 to discuss the constitutional amendments package. During his meeting with Association of Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen (TUSIAD) delegation, Yilmaz said, ''it was understood that there are some points that necessitate some works regarding the amendment package. So we will form an inter-party working group, first of all among the coalition partners and later with participation of the opposition.'' He said, ''a working group will prepare a final report on the constitutional amendment package by September. The important thing for us is finalization of this package by October and inclusion of these in the progress report which will be released in November.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

THREE EXTRA TAXES IN EACH INVOICE
A new tax is put in the invoices in every search for supplementary source. This time, the government puts extra taxes on everything from motor vehicles to telephone in order to recover salaries of civil servants. In this way, the number of taxes excluding the value added tax on everything will rise to three.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

TUSIAD: PARTIES SHOULD BE TRANSPARENT
Mustafa Koc, the deputy chairman of the Turkish Businessmen and Industrialists Association (TUSIAD), said a Political Parties Law in the coming legislation year, which is prepared with the compromise of all the political parties, will prodive a transparent party structure.

Koc said this transparency will build confidence of people in the political parties, and noted that, ''bottlenecks in political parties accumulated in years, and laid the foundation for the economic crisis.''

RADIKAL (LEFT)

EU: ''THE IMPORTANT THING IS REFORMS''
European Union (EU) officials who brought closure of the Virtue Party (FP) onto the agenda of the EU Partnership Council meeting, said that they were expecting Turkey to make democratic reforms. EU conveyed its uneasiness over the closure of the FP to Foreign Minister Ismail Cem at the meeting. EU Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen said, ''I am sure that this decision is in line with the Constitution. However, the problem is the Constitution, itself.'' EU Term President Sweden's Foreign Minister Anna Lindh and Verheugen said that they were expecting Ankara to make reforms appropriate to the Copenhagen criteria.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

Responding to the questions of reporters, Dervis said there were very pleasing developments in current accounts, noting that, ''I hope those will continue in summer.''

Dervis said he would go abroad after 10 days, noting that, ''I will stop by Brussels and the European Union (EU). The program has not been set yet. European Investment Bank will give a 480-million U.S. dollars resource to Turkey in Luxembourg. We will discuss how the resource will be used. I will meet the World Economic Institution. We will sign a loan agreement with the World Bank in Washington, which will be the biggest one in Turkish history.''

LEADERS AGREED FOR SEPTEMBER
Leaders of the parties, which are the partners of the coalition government, reached a consensus to discuss Constitutional Amendment Package on September 17.

Mesut Yilmaz, the State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, who addressed the Motherland Party (ANAP) Group before the leaders' meeting, described the 37-article Constitutional amendment package as a ''civilian reform.''

Yilmaz said realization of this would overcome the non-confidence of people to the politics to a great extend, and will add confidence and esteem to the politicians and respectibility to the parliament.

Yilmaz, who spoke to journalists following the leaders's summit, pointed out that they agreed to discuss the Constitutional Amendment Package on September 17.

Yilmaz said it was understood that there were some points which they should work on regarding the amendment, noting that a working group between the parties would be set up in this respect. He said the working group would prepare the final text regarding the Constitutional Amendment till September.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

FIRSTLY TAX, AFTER PRICE INCREASE
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit who had said on March 29, ''news stories about taxes are nothing but imaginary scenarios. We don't have a work on supplementary taxes'' told reporters yesterday, ''we did not promise that there would not be supplementary taxes'' but he announced that the leaders agreed on suplementary taxes.

[02] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: ''TURKEY'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FUTURE OF EU ARE IMPORTANT''

Addressing a meeting entitled, ''Perspective of the Candidate Countries in EU's Integration Process,'' which was staged in Belgium that will take over EU Term Presidency from Sweden on July 1, and which brought together the prime or foreign ministers of the candidate countries, Cem said Turkey attributed importance to the Term Presidency of Belgium which played an important role in EU's integration process.

Pointing out the importance of Turkey's contributions to the future of Europe with its geography, civilization, culture and strategic position as well as its 700-year old history, Cem focused on the idea of ''Europe close to people.''

The participants discussed future of EU and the contributions of the candidate countries at the meeting in which Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt attended. It was pointed out that those contacts were important for the Leaken Declaration which will be issued at the end of Belgium's Term Presidency. The Leaken Declaration, which will also bear the signatures of the candidate countries, will put the discussions toward the future of the EU into a framework and clarify the parameters.

The Turkish delegation, led by Foreign Minister Cem, distributed a four- page view document at the meeting, and pointed out that Turkey's views were reflected in detail.

Foreign Minister Cem will address the meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Commission (JPC), which is the dialogue organ between the Grand National Assembly and the European Parliament, and will later return to Turkey.

[03] TRNC FOREIGN AND DEFENSE MINISTRY REACTS THE LOUIZIDOU DECISION OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE COMMITTEE COMMITTEE OF DELEGATES

A written statement issued by TRNC Foreign and Defense Ministry, pointed out that Turkish Cypriot people and the TRNC government expressed indignation and did not accept the attitude of the Council of Europe in continuing to take Turkey as the interlocutor pertaining to Louizidou case, although it was known the there was not the facility to implement related decision.

The statement said, ''the third provisional decision, which the Council of Europe Committee of Delegates took regarding implementation of the Louizidou case, is announced today. The provisional decision criticizes Turkey as it did not fulfil its commitments stemming from Louizidou case, and voices the determination of the Council of Europe to provide Turkey to abide by the decision. Our views, regarded with the Louizidou case, were brought to the attention of the members of Council of Europe and the world public with various reasons. We think it will be beneficial to disclose our views once again following the third provisional decision accepted by the committee.''

The statement said, ''northern Cyprus is not a region under Turkey's control and jurisdiction power. The territories which are in the northern part of the buffer zone, set up by the U.N. decisions on Cyprus island, are under the sovereignty of the TRNC, which the Turkish Cypriot people founded under its free will. Even if the Council of Europe accepts or not, laws and administration of the TRNC prevail on this territory. Existence of the Turkish soldiers on those territories depends on Turkey's guarantor country status. The Turkish Cypriot people considers the existence of the Turkish soldiers as the guarantee of their existence at a time when Greek Cypriot side day by day reveals its desire to turn the island into a Greek island.''

The statement pointed out that Cyprus was not a normal member of the Council of Europe, noting that it was represented in the Council with a false government. It said, ''The Partnership Republic, which had been set up by the peoples of the two sides in 1963, was destroyed by the Greek Cypriot side by force of weapon, Turkish Cypriot people lived in the horror of ethnical cleansing for 11 years, a military coup had been made by Greece in 1974 to annex the island to Greece, Turkey had to make a military intervention by using its guarantorship rights to save its kinsmen, and a voluntary exchange of population had been made in 1975 with an agreement that was implemented under the U.N. supervision.''

Underlining that there were two separate states and a 180-km buffer zone between the two countries under the U.N. control, the statement said, ''evaluation of the Louizidou application of European Court of Human Rights as a human rights violation experienced in a normal country, and its attitude in giving provisions, going beyond its authorities on issues which should be solved through political negotiations, casted a shadow over the respectibility of the ECHR, and increased intransigent attitude of the Greek Cypriot side, and became one of the reasons of the deadlock in efforts to find a solution to Cyprus question that is experienced today.''

The statement said it was impossible to abstract human rights dimension of the Cyprus issue from the political framework of the issue.

In a decision which the Council of Europe had taken recently two weeks ago, and which was officially announced on Monday, Turkey was called to pay material compensation to a Greek Cypriot woman Titiana Louizidou.

[04] STATE MINISTER DERVIS: ''WE HAVE SOLVED TELEKOM ISSUE''

Dervis said he made a joint work with Transportation Minister Enis Oksuz on Telekom issue, and noted that they formed the administration together.

Dervis, who spoke the journalists, pointed out that they would allocate 200 million U.S. dollars source from the World Bank loan to Eximbank.

Noting that source could be transferred to Eximbank from the borrowing that Turkey would make when it had the opportunity to apply to foreign markets, Dervis said that Eximbank required a 700-800 million U.S. dollars source.

(to be continued)

[05] STATE MINISTER DERVIS (2): ''ONE SHOULD NOT CONFUSE REQUESTING SUPPORT TO PROGRAM WITH MAKING POLITICS''

Dervis answered questions of journalists about politics at the Central Bank's Social Facilities in Ankara.

Stressing the importance of explaining the economic program, Dervis said that, ''when making politics comes into my mind, I tell myself that I even do not have time to think about it.''

''It is impossible to think as a technocrat without a membership to a political party in long term. Responsibility should absolutely be taken under political cover in long term. It should be like this also in parliamentary systems. I sincerely say that I don't have a position to think about making politics. We will consider it after Turkey feels relieved. I will be at ease if I say that I won't make politics but I will write books. ''

Responding to a question, Dervis said that he had not received the dossier about former Director General of Halkbank Yenal Ansen as of yesterday.

[06] FOREIGN MINISTRY: -''TURKEY IS DEEPLY CORCERNED WITH SERIOUS DEVELOPMENTS IN MACEDONIA''

Releasing a statement, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski's scheduled visit to Turkey was postponed due to negative developments in Macedonia.

''Turkey is deeply concerned about incidents in Macedonia which have been continuing for months and reached a serious level when a group of demonstrators stormed the parliament on June 25, 2001,'' it said.

Noting that Turkey was in favor of finding a political solution to the problem, the statement said that first of all, a cease-fire should be declared for the success of process.

''Within this framework, it is essential to protect civilians in operations against the militants, to secure people's support for these operations aiming at rendering ineffective the militants,'' it said.

The statement added, ''Turkey thinks that any kind of attitudes that could pave the way to clashes among different groups in the country, should be prevented. It also thinks that both Macedonian and Albanian political leaders would have a great responsibility to this end. Turkey will continue to support peaceful efforts to find an immediate solution to the problem.''

[07] STATE MINISTER DERVIS (3): ''MARKETS ARE VERY SUPERFICIAL. A 20-30 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF TRANSACTION HAS A GREAT EFFECT''

Dervis said that U.S. dollars gained in value against Euro and British pound and this affected the market.

Dervis answered questions of journalists at the Central Bank's Social Facilities in Ankara.

Stressing that U.S. dollar currency was very high, Dervis said that U.S. dollar gained in vaule not only against Turkish lira (TL) but also against Euro and British pound, and that high U.S. dollar currency at foreign markets affected the domestic market in Turkey.

Recalling that domestic debt swap was a necessity, Dervis said that it should not be exaggerated.

Emphasizing that it was not necessary to realize everything with U.S. dollar, Dervis said that everybody should return back to TL.

Recalling that most of the reforms had been legalized, Dervis said that those who followed Turkey did not appreciate Turkey sufficiently.

Stressing the importance of Parliament's performance in process of legalization of reforms, Dervis said that it was important to stay behind reforms.

Noting that some arguments during the process of adoption of reforms caused serious damage, Dervis said, ''a few people say that reforms failed to bring sufficient yield for the market but it is better to give the message that they do not appreciate it.''

Recalling that November 2000 and February 2001 crises were not expected to create such serious effects, Dervis said, ''there are question marks as they created serious effects. People are waiting within pessimism. When we observe the figures, we see that everything is on track. There will be an important increase in current accounts. The current deficit which was almost 10 billion U.S. dollars last year is expected to become positive this year and estimations about this is ranging between 1 and 6 billion U.S. dollars. Meanwhile, situation of the Virtue Party contributes to uncertainty.''

Noting that there would be serious difficulties in implementation of the agricultural reform, Dervis said that experts in Turkey determined and put forward the laws, adding, ''it is not a thing that was put forward by some experts in Washington. It is the desire of our friends who completely observe the economy. There won't be a serious problem in Aegean due to tobacco matter. There may be a problem in the southeast. World Bank loan will focus on this region.''

When asked whether or not there could be a new economic crisis, Dervis said that it was not on the knife edge any more and it was a little relaxed.

Dervis said that IMF's and World Bank's support to the economic program was important.

Stressing that there was a need also for works on solution to micro problems, Dervis said that investments in Turkey could not be made due to insufficient source.

Noting that foreign investments should be drawn into Turkey, Dervis said, ''I don't want a great amout of hot money. Actually, this is a wrong thing. Investors are in dispute regarding Turkey. London is very important for this matter and it is still reluctant about Turkey.''

[08] IZTO CHAIRMAN DEMIRTAS: -''WE WILL SET UP A PARTNERSHIP WITH LIBYA IN MARITIME TRANSPORTATION''

Demirtas told A.A correspondent that they exerted utmost efforts to enable a Libyan boat named Toletela to bring 145 passengers to Izmir on June 14 and that they will set up a maritime transportation company to make these cruises permanent.

This boat will bring tourists to Izmir every 20 days until mid-September, Demirtas said.

Demirtas noted that the cruises will be ended after mid-September because of winter conditions and that to this end, the businessmen from Izmir and Libyan government will set up a partnership in maritime transportation.

They will hire boats and carry passengers for 12 months, Demirtas stated.

Demirtas pointed out that officials of Libyan government will come to Izmir in July to discuss this partnership.

They target at setting up another company to attract tourists from North African countries whose main purpose is shopping, Demirtas said.

Demirtas noted that they want to put to implementation their project of floating fair in North African countries.

''It is very hard to attract North African people to shopping and fairs in our city. To this end, we will attract them by floating fairs. This will be a fair in which products of the Aegean Region will be displayed, ''Demirtas stated.

Demirtas added that they expect companies in their region to support and participate in the floating fair.

[09] PARLIAMENT RESPONDS TO ALLEGATIONS ON SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE WITH A BOOK NAMED ''THE ARMENIANS IN THE LATE OTTOMAN EMPIRE''

Speaking at the ceremony, Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi said, ''Turkey has been accused unfairly with baseless allegations of an Armenian genocide for a period of time. Although these allegations are unilateral and deprived of historical and scientific data, world public opinion have been affected by them. Some circles having benefits from Armenian society, harshly accused Turkey, and adopted resolutions by using these allegations for their own political purposes. They can blame a great nation with such allegations which do not have any scientific basis.''

''When historical, legal and scientific dimensions of Turkish-Armenian relations are examined, one can easily see that these allegations were totally baseless. We are extremely uneasy about some circles' expending efforts to exploit an issue which can be evaluated only by historians. The book which was prepared in cooperation with the parliament, responds to many questions about allegations of so-called Armenian genocide. It is the result of fastidious works carried out by scientists in some state archives, '' he emphasized.

Describing genocide as a crime against humanity, Izgi said, ''in today's world, being a scientist entails courage. If scientists have the adequate courage to resist threats againts humanity and history, those who are trying to slander others cannot exist any longer. Circles aiming at drawing a political conclusion from campaigns of lies and slanders, are dreaming. No one can reject scientific data in this book. The book reveals that Turks have never committed a genocide against Armenian community.''

Prof. Dr. Turkkaya Ataov who has edited the book, said, ''foreign publications on Armenian issue include extreme exaggerations and serious contradictions. Armenian issue is a part of the Ottoman history. Therefore, Ottoman documents are of vital and indispensable importance. The problem does not only consist of pains of Armenian families. There are many reliable documents about what Turkish and Muslim families were exposed to. There is not any mistake in this 373-page book. Using history for political purposes will lead international community to a serious chaos.''

Prof. Dr. Ilber Ortayli who has acted as an adviser during preparation of the book, said, ''people started to use history for distortion and advertisement in the 20th century. There is a harsh accusation against Turkey which was put forward by using history. This accusation is genocide against Armenian community. Some circles are trying to create a joint state and nation with dark historical figures. Our individuals will be accused of being members of a criminal society.''

''Clashes between Armenians and Muslims following nationalist uprisings in the Ottoman Empire turned into a mutual slaughter. Uprising changed into a bloody relocation. It was inevitable. The most distressing situation is that Armenian and Turkish historians cannot come together. The third side acting on behalf of Armenians distorted the issue with some exaggerations and incitements. Armenian and Turkish historians should come together as soon as possible. This book is just a beginning. We expect Armenian historians to put forward their thesis,'' he added.

The book was given its last shape with the support and encouragement of the Parliament Speaker's Office.

The book aims at informing the world public opinion on historical facts in a period when some tragic incidents during the last years of the Ottoman Empire were distorted and used against Turkey.

The book published by the Turkish History Institution, includes cultural, political and legal dimensions of the Turkish-Armenian relations.

The book written in English, will be distributed to world parliaments, universities and libraries, and to international institutitons through the Parliamentary Culture, Art and Publication Board.

Deputy Parliament Speaker Murat Sokmenoglu; Deputy Parliament Speaker Nejat Arseven; General Cumhur Asparuk, the Secretary General of National Security Council (NSC); State Minister Kemal Bal; Transportation Minister Enis Oksuz; Nuri Alan, the Chairman of Council of State; chairmen of parliamentary groups of political parties; deputies and scientists were in attendance at the ceremony.

[10] NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER CAKMAKOGLU SAYS SEEBRIG IS READY FOR MISSION

Cakmakoglu, who is in Bulgaria for Seven Stars-2001 exercise, attended the VIP day of the exercise together with his Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Noev, Deputy Chief of Greek General Staff Dimosthenis Rapazikos, Deputy Chief of Albanian General Staff Aryan Zaimi, Chief of Romanian General Staff Korneli Rudensu, and other military officials.

General Sehmi Akin Zorlu, the commander of SEEBRIG, briefed the participants.

Following the briefing, Cakmakoglu made a brief press statement together with his Bulgarian counterpart Noev.

Responding to questions about possibility of sending SEEBRIG to Macedonia, Cakmakoglu said, ''SEEBRIG was set up by seven countries. Its mission is to maintain the current peace. There is not any article in the agreement on SEEBRIG regarding maintenance of peace by force. But, SEEBRIG is ready for mission.''

Noev said that they are uneasy about developments in Macedonia but that they think that this problem should be solved through peace.

Asked about possibility of sending SEEBRIG to Macedonia, Noev said that this decision can be given by political authorities.

Cakmakoglu, who later visited the exercise area, told A.A correspondent that this year's exercise was more successful than last year's and that SEEBRIG proves that it is ready for mission.

Touching on developments in Macedonia, Cakmakoglu said that Macedonia should solve this problem by itself through peaceful methods.

Cakmakoglu noted that Macedonian authorities should remove different implementations among people living in the country and that Turkey is ready to help Macedonia.

The Balkans are settled on very sensitive balances, Cakmakoglu said.

Cakmakoglu stressed that what is important is the principle of unchangable status quo and borders and non-intervention in internal affairs.

Turkey is connected with the Balkan countries in many fields, Cakmakoglu said.

''To this end, we are closely interested in the developments in this region, '' Cakmakoglu also said.

Cakmakoglu noted that tension in Macedonia tend to escalate and that Turkey can make military contribution to international formations as it did before in case developments reach serious dimensions.

It is important that the incidents in Macedonia do not spread to neighbouring countries, Cakmakoglu said.

Cakmakoglu added that to this end, regional countries, Europe and the U.S. have some sensitivities.

A total of 2065 military personnel from Turkey, Macedonia, Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece and Italy take part in the exercise.

Turkey is represented by 2435 military personnel.

[11] JPC MEETINGS END

Kursat Eser and Daniel Cohn-Bendit, the Co-President of JPC, held a joint press conference at the end of the meetings.

They stressed that the dialogue between Turkish parliament and European parliament were improving positively.

Eser said, ''we held meetings within framework of mutual understanding. Concrete issues were taken up during the meetings. We are trying to understand each other. Normalization process has been progressing in our relations.''

Meanwhile, Bendit said that the Cyprus question would be high on the agenda in coming months.

Noting that they could not reach a concensus of opinion on the Cyprus question, Bendit said that it was understood that the Cyprus question would became the most important problem in relations between Turkey and the European Union (EU).

Pointing out that they wanted to hold a meeting within structure of the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Commission, Cohn Bendit said that they planned to invite Turkish and Greek foreign ministers, leaders and representatives of Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities in Cyprus, and non-governmental organizations to the meeting.

Upon a question on, ''Turkey's messages about Cyprus question are clear. How does the European Parliament (EP) perceive them,'' Bendit said that a report on Cyprus was prepared by socialist Jacques Poos from Luxembourg within the framework of European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Commission and that the discussions are under way.

Bendit noted that European parliamentarians have not reached a compromise yet and that there are many different views and approaches.

A parliamentary delegation was invited to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Bendit said.

Bendit said that they want to pay this visit without being in a situation as if they recognized this country and that this visit will be interesting.

They are ''impatient'' about Turkey's constitutional reforms, Bendit stated.

Bendit said that the Virtue Party (FP) would not have been closed down if these reforms had been made.

As Bendit used an expression that ''they give priority to reforms which will end the imprisonment of politically convicted people in Turkey including Leyla Zana'', Kursat Eser said that almost 2,500 people have benefitted from conditional release and that those who are still in prison are people who actually support terrorist activities.

Eser noted that the criticisms of prison conditions in Turkey are unfair and that the Turkish parliamentary delegation which visited two prisons in Belgium and Germany this week observed more negative conditions in these prisons.

Responding to a question, Bendit said that they debated the economic crisis in Turkey and what kind of support the EU can provide.

Bendit claimed that they are not insensitive to this issue.

Next meeting of the JPC will be held in Turkey in November.

[12] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM ADDRESSES TURKEY-EU JPC: -''I REGARD CONVEYING MY CONCERNS OVER CYPRUS QUESTION AS MY DUTY''

Speaking at the Turkey-European Union (EU) Joint Parliamentary Commission (JPC), Cem said that relations between Turkey and EU have started to be developed.

Cem noted that the EU has fulfilled its responsibilities and duties except some financial issues in Turkey's path for full membership and that Turkey's responsibility is to fulfil its duties.

Cem said that focusing on human rights in Turkey and assuming an exaggerated attitude as if there were not human rights problems in the EU member and candidate states is wrong and explained the reasons for delays in Turkey.

Turkey has undertaken a role as a front and castle against Soviet block for 50 years and it has sacrificed itself, Cem noted.

Cem stated that Turkey has struggled against separatist terrorism for 15 years and that all these caused obstacles in front of development of democracy and led to loss of time.

Reminding the JPC the international agreements, Cem said that Cyprus cannot join an international organization of which guarantor Turkey and Greece are not members.

Cem stated that the EU membership application of Greek Cypriot administration is a breach of agreement and that such a development may harden solution of question.

It may cause difficulties for everybody, Cem said and noted that it may also hit economic relations between Turkey and the EU.

Cem pointed out that a confederation can be founded within the framework of a plan which takes into consideration the realities on Cyprus.

Cem called on European parliamentarians to deal with the issue more carefully and not to turn a blind eye to the rights and responsibilities of guarantor countries.

They protect the rights of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and sovereignty rights of the Turkish Cypriots and they want equality, Cem said.

Referring to incidents which occured in Bosnia, Kosovo and Macedonia, Cem said that they should take as seriously their concerns that such developments may occur in Cyprus.

Cem noted that the mistakes which were made in the Balkans should not be reiterated.

Cem said, ''not only Turkey, but everyone should give the message that a solution is required in Cyprus. The EU's attitude diverted Greek Cypriots to gain time by refusing to reach a compromise.''

''It is wrong to think that Turkey and Turkish Cypriots would remain silent in case of the Greek Cypriot side's full membership to the EU. Both Turkey and Turkish Cypriots will react harshly, and relations will be jeopardized. Such a development will cause damage not only to Turkey, but to everyone,'' he said.

Giving information about Turkey's attitude about the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI), Cem said, ''the contradiction between decisions taken at NATO's Washington Summit Meeting and decisions taken at the EU's Nice Summit Meeting should be removed.''

Responding to a question, Cem said, ''Turkey has a different approach on the issue of minorities. In Western countries, definition of minority is based on differentiation of race. Turkey does not adopt this approach.''

Responding to a question about the National Security Council (NSC), Cem said, ''west Europeans think that all orders of the soldiers were being done in Turkey. It is not correct. I have been a member of the NSC for four years. There is not any difference between civilians and soldiers. Everyone put forward his own view, and the NSC explains the government its advisory opinion. As a democratic leftist politician, I consider myself more conservative than soldiers at the NSC.''

Noting that parliament would start working on constitutional amendment package in September, Cem said, ''I am in favor of that the package should be taken up in June or in July.''

''I consider it my duty to convey our concerns about the Cyprus question to the European parliamentarians, and to inform them,'' he added.

The Constitutional Court's decision to ban the Virtue Party (FP) was not brought onto agenda during the meeting.

Foreign Minister Cem is expected to return to Turkey tomorrow.

[13] TRNC PARLIAMENT SPEAKER HASIPOGLU WARNS FINNISH PARLIAMENTARIAN LAAKSO: -''IF YOU USE THE EXPRESSION OF OCCUPIED REGION, I WILL NOT PERMIT YOU ENTER INTO TRNC''

Harsh discussions were made on Cyprus question at the meeting of the the Immigrants and Demography Commission of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (COEPA).

Hasipoglu harshly criticized the presentation of the report prepared by Finnish parliamentarian Laakso under the title ''demographic developments in the occupied region of the island.''

Hasipoglu asked the parliamentarian to include demographic developments in the Greek Cypriot administration in his report and said that they will not accept the usage of expression ''occupied region'' in the title of the report.

TRNC Parliament Speaker Hasipoglu told Finnish parliamentarian, ''if you use the expression of occupied region, I will not permit you enter into TRNC.''
The TRNC parliamentary delegation also attended the meetings of the Cultural and Human Rights Commission and expressed its views about the reports on Cyprus question.

Hasipoglu said that the report on protection of cultural heritage in Cyprus disproved the Greek Cypriot allegations that the cultural heritage had been damaged in TRNC and that this report was generally positive.

During the discussion of the report on the situation of Greek Cypriots living in the territory of TRNC, Hasipoglu said that they demanded the situation of Turks living in the south of the island be inspected and that their demand was accepted.

[14] AIR FORCES COMMANDERSHIP SAYS F-16 PLANE CRASHED INTO GROUND WHEN IT STARTED LANDING

A statement of the Air Forces Commandership said that a F-16 plane commanded by captain Tunc Sozen crashed into ground when it started landing after a training flight at 2.30 p.m.

The statement noted that the health condition of the pilot was stable and that the accident was being investigated.

Meanwhile, sources said that the plane crashed into ground at the beginning of the fence of Akinci Air Base in Yenikent, Ankara.

Sources noted that there were not anly settlement in that region.

Some citizens said that they did not hear any explosion and that they thought that wheat field was burning when they saw the smoke.

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