Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-05-08

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

AA Daily

08 May 1999 Saturday

CONTENTS

[01] CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF RETURNS TO TURKEY

[02] COE CALLS ON TURKEY TO ANNUL CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

[03] VERGAU, GERMANY'S AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA: ''RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND GERMANY ENTERED INTO A PERIOD OF QUIESCENCE''

[04] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[05] DENKTAS, PRESIDENT OF TRNC: ''BRITAIN LOST HER RIGHT OF GUARANTORSHIP'' - ''ALLOCATION OF MILITARY BASE TO GREECE BY GREEK-CYPRIOTS IS A PROVOCATION''

[06] HASANOV, AZERBAIJANI LABOR MINISTER, AND DADASHOV, CHAIRMAN OF AZERBAIJANI CONFEDERATION OF LABOR UNIONS, IN TRNC

[07] POINT OF VIEW OF U.S. ABOUT HEADSCARF: ''OATH WITH HEADSCARF IS TURKEY'S INTERNAL PROBLEM''

[08] AKTAS, MINISTER OF ENERGY: ''RUSSIAN AND INANIAN NATURAL GAS PROJECTS WILL BE FROZEN TILL REALIZATION OF TURKMEN NATURAL GAS''

[09] PRENDERGAST, DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL OF U.N.: - ''THE CYPRUS ISSUE TO BE SOLVED WHEN THE SIDES WANT IT''

[10] TURKEY TO JOIN CANNES FILM FESTIVAL

[11] 98 PERCENT OF U.S. FIRMS READY TO BUY TURKISH PRODUCTS, SURVEY SAYS

[12] TURKISH NAVAL FORCE TO PURCHASE 6 FRIGATES, 12 CORVETTES AND 28 HELICOPTERS IN NEXT DECADE

[13] PRESIDENT DEMIREL MEETS WITH TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS

[14] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''NOBODY SHOULD FOLLOW ANYTHING THAT CONTRADICTS WITH THE REPUBLIC''

[01] CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF RETURNS TO TURKEY

The General Staff issued a statement saying that General Kivrikoglu paid an official visit to Ukraine between May 3 and 5 before the ceremony in the Belgian capital of Brussels.

The statement said General Kivrikoglu met with Valery Pavlovic Pustvoytenko, the Prime Minister of Ukraine; General Oleksandr Kuzmuk, the Defense Minister of Ukraine; General Volodimir Skidcenko, the Chief of the Ukranian General Staff; and other high-level officials within the framework of his official visit to Ukraine.

The issues of the Partnership for Peace activities, cooperation in the defense industry and other common issues concerning Turkey and Ukraine were discussed at those meetings.

General Kivrikoglu also visited several military facilities, headquarters, the Academy of defense and the Darnitsa Tank Repair Factory.

[02] COE CALLS ON TURKEY TO ANNUL CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

When asked whether the COE will shelve Turkey's full-membership if the terrorist chief is sentenced to capital punishment at the lawsuit to start on May 31, during a press conference he staged following the COE Ministers Committee meeting, Tarchys recalled that the moratorium preventing the execution of death penalty in Turkey has been continuing since mid 1980s.

Pointing out that they expect Turkey to continue the moratorium till the approval of the agreement annuling the death penalty, Tarchys stated that the capital punishment was lifted in 32 members while the moratorium still continues in other nine members.

[03] VERGAU, GERMANY'S AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA: ''RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND GERMANY ENTERED INTO A PERIOD OF QUIESCENCE''

''Now, the relations entered into a period of quiescence. We have to feel concern about this period. Doesn't Turkey want to be a member of the European Union (EU)? Does Turkey have the concern of being excluded from Europe? Even the pools on April 18 didn't diffuse this concern,'' Vergau stated.

Addressing the opening remarks of the seminar on ''Scientific Research and Cooperation in Field of Education'' which was organized by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) at the Istanbul Technical University, Vergau recalled that he has been in Turkey for four years and some ''storms'' have broke out in the relations between Turkey and Germany.

Noting that Turkey is an ally of Germany, and cooperates with Germany also in the Kosovo issue, Vergau said, ''Mr. Prime Minister of Germany stated that Turkey is a candidate for EU membership. He brought clarity to the issue on the basis of principle. Turkey has to expend efforts to fulfil some conditions for EU membership. The issue of whether Turkey desires to realize raproachment with the EU is one of the issues that should be taken up by the new Turkish government.''

Pointing out that the EU Term President Germany is hopeful from the EU Summit to take place in Koln, Vergau stated that Germany doesn't differantiate Turkey from the EU member countries.

[04] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

KAVAKCI PLANS TO RESIGN AND LIVE IN U.S.
Following the case opened to close her party by Chief Prosecutor Savas, Merve Kavakci stepped back. It was reported that Kavakci, after realizing that she cannot enter the Parliament wearing a headscarf, started planning to resign and go to the U.S. to live there. She is expected to take her two daughters and settle in Texas where her father, Prof. Yusuf Ziya Kavakci is the 'spiritual leader' of the Muslim community. Kavakci said before her resignation she will try one more time to take oath in the Parliament wearing her headscarf and she will resign if her request is declined.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

FP: IT IS ILLEGAL
Recai Kutan, leader of Virtue Party (FP), critized the closure case and said ''the indictment is illegal, it is like a political text. We will struggle for basic rights and freedoms.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

MENDERES: ''CENTRAL RIGHT WAITS FOR DEMIREL''
Aydin Menderes says re-construction of central right was a must, adding that one of the most important roles belongs to President Suleyman Demirel.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

ADDITIONAL EVIDENCES TO BE SUBMITTED
Virtue Party (FP) is the 38th party which a file was suited with a call for closure. Constitutional Court Chairman assigned a rapporteur immediately after the indictment related with FP reached to the Constitutional Court. The written report related with the indictment will be sent to FP so that it can make its pre-defense.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

ANNOYANCE IN VIRTUE PARTY
The Virtue Party (FP) deputies started blaming the party administration in the aftermath of the shock caused by the case opened by the Chief Prosecutor Savas to close their party. It was reported that Erbakan will respond to allegations at a press conference in the next few days. ''Why haven't we been informed about such a possibility if they knew this could happen? Some of our friends haven't even heard about the case. If we had known about such a possibility, we would have held a group meeting and discuss what could be done. Now, it's too late. We have no party, no Chairman. Nobody knows what to do,'' the FP members complained.

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL) JIHAD REHEARSAL
After the Friday prayer in Malatya, a crowd of fundamentalists was joined by their women supporters and started protesting the ban on headscarf. Police intervened the crowd which started chanting slogans. The protesters retaliated with stones and sticks. The police used tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Necdet Akboga, Kanal 7 correspondent and Yurt News Agency Malatya representative was taken into custody for visiting the shops in the area one by one and called the sellers to close their shops and join the protests.

OPERATIONS EXPANDED AGAINST PKK
The Security Forces killed 41 terrorists during the operations started following the killings of nine soldiers in the rural area around Bingol. Ten PKK members were also killed in Diyarbakir and Hakkari. The operations are expanding in the Tunceli, Bingol and Elazig and are supported by cobra and sikorsky helicopters which bomb and destroy the PKK shelters from the air. The authorities said a crowd of terrorists leaked into the region and the operations will continue until the area is completely cleared off from the terrorists.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

DEMIREL: I DID WHAT IS REQUIRED
President Suleyman Demirel speaking about the closure case opened by Vural Savas, chief prosecutor of Supreme Court, said ''Turkey's Courts are free. Speaking about Merve Kavakci, Demirel said ''I did my duty with my statements which I did in the first day.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[05] DENKTAS, PRESIDENT OF TRNC: ''BRITAIN LOST HER RIGHT OF GUARANTORSHIP'' - ''ALLOCATION OF MILITARY BASE TO GREECE BY GREEK-CYPRIOTS IS A PROVOCATION''

Responding to the questions of reporters about Britain's guarantorship in the Cyprus issue, the TRNC President Denktas, who arrived in Ankara for a private visit, said that Britain can't fulfil guarantorship, emphasizing, ''every step taken by London has been in favor of Greek-Cypriots. We always protested this, and we'll continue to do so.''

When asked whether Britain will again take a role in talks on the Cyprus issue, Denktas said, ''God forbid. Britain has never fulfiled guarantorship. Because, she, as a guarantor, has always taken wrong steps since the beginning. She recognized Makarios and his government as a legal state. Makarios and his government, which oppressed us for eleven years, were responsible of collapse of partnership republic which was guaranteed by London.''

When asked what he thinks about the Greek warplanes' attempt to land in the Baf airbase in the Greek-Cypriot side, Denktas said he was pleased with the sensitive approach of the Turkish public opinion to the developments about the Cyprus issue, but such kind of incident should be named as hot developments.

Noting that Turkey and TRNC have the right of taking necessary measures against every kind of movement tried to be made by the Greek-Cypriot administration against the TRNC, Denktas stated that those measures will always be taken.

Stressing that allocation of a military base to Greece by Greek-Cypriots was illegal, Denktas stressed, ''this is a provocation. This indicates that they are not in favor of compromise.''

Emphasizing that Greek-Cypriots continue to move on their wrong way in 1963, Denktas said, ''I hope they can understand that they are on the wrong way.''

[06] HASANOV, AZERBAIJANI LABOR MINISTER, AND DADASHOV, CHAIRMAN OF AZERBAIJANI CONFEDERATION OF LABOR UNIONS, IN TRNC

The guest delegation was received by Ertugrul Hasipoglu, the Acting President of the TRNC and the Speaker of the TRNC Parliament; Ertugrul Apakan, Turkey's Ambassador to Lefkosa; Mustafa Akinci, the Deputy Prime Minister of the TRNC; and Mehmet Albayrak, the Minister of Labor, Housing and Social Security of the TRNC.

Addressing the meeting, Ertugrul Hasipoglu said as the TRNC, their aim is to develop the cooperation between the Turkish Republics and to be officially recognized by the world as a Turkish Republic.

Mehmet Albayrak said they wish cooperation and mutual solidarity among sister countries in every field.

Albayrak said that the Azerbaijani delegation arrived in the TRNC to hold contacts over the Workers' Health and Labor Security Week.

The guest Azerbaijani delegation will leave the TRNC on May 9.

[07] POINT OF VIEW OF U.S. ABOUT HEADSCARF: ''OATH WITH HEADSCARF IS TURKEY'S INTERNAL PROBLEM''

Speaking to the A.A correspondent, the source said, ''also we have dressing rules. The oath with headscarf is Turkey's internal problem. However, we hope that the issue won't turn into a new social dispute between the secularists and fundamentalists.''

The source stressed that the oath with headscarf at the parliament is not an ''issue of human rights''.

[08] AKTAS, MINISTER OF ENERGY: ''RUSSIAN AND INANIAN NATURAL GAS PROJECTS WILL BE FROZEN TILL REALIZATION OF TURKMEN NATURAL GAS''

Addressing the Strategical and International Works Center, a think-tank organization in Washington, D.C., Aktas said, ''energy is the state policy in Turkey. President Suleyman Demirel makes a considerable contribution to this policy and Turkey will implement the same state policy.''

Recalling that Turkey is planning to purchase natural gas from several coutries especially from Russia and Iran, Aktas said, ''however, we give strategical priority to the Baku-Ceyhan and Turkmen gas projects. The Russian gas project namely 'Blue Stream' and the Iranian gas project will wait till the realization of the Turkmen gas project.''

Aktas said that the draft of the trade agreement will come out following the talks with the Turkmen delegation next week, and most probably, the final agreement will be signed before the end of May 1999.

Aktas stated that Turkey will feel the need for other gas projects after the Turkmen gas is concluded, thus Turkey didn't cancel the Russian and Iranian gas projects.

''We have the capacity to purchase the natural gas of all of these countries. However, the problem lies on the precedence. We gave priority to the Turkmen gas,'' he said.

Stressing that there were positive developments also in the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline, Ziya Aktas mentioned that the documentation related to the Baku- Ceyhan was planned to be finalized in July 1999 within the framework of the protocol which was signed in April 1999 in Istanbul.

Aktas noted that in addition to the Azerbaijani oil, a part of the Kazakh oil was also foreseen to flow through the Baku-Ceyhan as Turkey and Kazakhstan signed an agreement in principle.

When asked whether Turkey's energy projects will be damaged in case of a rapproachment between the U.S. and Iran in forthcoming period, Energy Minister Aktas said, ''I don't think so. Also the countries having oil will prefer Turkey. A rapproachment between the U.S. and Iran will ease our job in naural gas.''

When asked what he thinks about the objections of the consortium to the Baku-Ceyhan, Aktas said, ''the oil prices were very low few months ago. They said those prices constitute an obstacle in front of the Baku-Ceyhan. Now, the oil prices increased. I hope these issues will be overcome.''

Stressing that the Baku-Ceyhan and Turkmen gas projects are not only the issues of energy but also strategical matters, Minister Aktas said, ''as a result of these projects, the Caucasian countries and the Central Asian republics will integrate with the West.''

[09] PRENDERGAST, DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL OF U.N.: - ''THE CYPRUS ISSUE TO BE SOLVED WHEN THE SIDES WANT IT''

Addressing the CNN's World Report programme, Prendergast said the Cyprus issue was prolonged, and it stemmed from the ''lack of will of the sides for solution'', not from the U.N. Security Council's lack of will to have its resolutions be implemented.

Noting that the two sides should reach an agreement for a solution, Prendergast said that not only the political will but olso the inclination of tho two sides for an agreement play a role in solution.

Sir Kieran added that the Cyrus issue will be solved one day.

[10] TURKEY TO JOIN CANNES FILM FESTIVAL

Mustafa Altioklar's ''Agir Roman'', Tunc Basaran's ''Kaciklik Diplomasi'', Reis Celik's ''Hoscakal Yarin'', Sinan Cetin's ''Propaganda'', Biket Ilhan's ''Kayikci'', Omer Vargi's ''Hersey Guzel Olacak'', Turgut Yasalar's ''Leopar Kuyrugu'' and Kudret Sapanci's ''Laleli'de bir Azize'' will be enjoyed by the viewers and the distributors.

Kadri Yurdatap, Chairman of Movie Owners Union (SESAM) said they wanted to host the distributors at the next Istanbul Film Festival. During this year's festival, Turkey hired a good size stand, twice as big as Greece's, Yurdatap said, to promote Turkish cinema. In the previous years, Turkey had limited financial resources for the promotional activities.

Yurdatap also pointed out that Turkey's ads will appear in festival magazines to open to foreign markets.

[11] 98 PERCENT OF U.S. FIRMS READY TO BUY TURKISH PRODUCTS, SURVEY SAYS

Turkey's export to the U.S. increased by 30-40 percent in clothing compared to last year. There are four main causes of this increase, the report listed: the U.S. economy is growing; Americans are becoming more aware of Turkish products; Turkish exporters are in search of alternative markets after the shrinking of Russian and European markets, and Turks noticed the potential in the U.S. market.

The IEF report stresses that leather clothing is popular in the U.S. and Turkey can benefit from the export of leather outfits, shoes, as well as various sports products, food and beverages.

The demand for car spare parts is also big, the report pointed out and added that they expected a decline in the exportation of livestock, steel, alcoholic drinks and certain food products from Turkey to the U.S.

Turkish businessmen should present brief and simple sales letters and promotion brochures to the U.S. firms and should contact them directly without any mediators, the IEF report suggested. Turkish businessmen should use internet more often and sustain high standards in their products, it was also noted in the report.

[12] TURKISH NAVAL FORCE TO PURCHASE 6 FRIGATES, 12 CORVETTES AND 28 HELICOPTERS IN NEXT DECADE

The six frigates will be built at Turkish shipyards with the contributions of a foreign firm, it was said in the Defense Group meetings of ''Turkish- American Relations'' conference in Washington D.C. The total value of the project which will be coordinated by the National Defense Ministry is expected to cost 1.5 billion U.S. dollars. A tender will open officially this year.

The corvettes, on the other hand, are estimated to cost one billion U.S. dollars and this project will be handled by Defense Industry Undersecretariat (SSM). First eight and then four corvettes will be constructed with a foreign partner in Turkish shipyards.

Six regular helicopters and 22 sea helicopters will also be purchased to be used by the Naval Force Commandership. Last year an agreement was signed with the U.S. Sikorsky Aircraft company for the purchase of six Sea Hawk sea helicopters. The new helicopters are expected to be the same type. The helicopters will cost a total of 700 million U.S. dollars.

[13] PRESIDENT DEMIREL MEETS WITH TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS

Speaking before his meeting with Rauf Denktas, President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Demirel said Cyprus question was Turkey's national case, adding that ''We have been saying this to the world for years. Turkey, being a country in peace, wants its kinsmen in Cyprus to live safely and be in welfare.''

Noting that there was a de facto situation in Cyprus and that there were two states there, Demirel said ''the issue is the relations of these countries on this island. Turkish Cypriots suffered a lot, former conditions can not be created again.''

Demirel said ethinc cleansing, which was made in Bosnia in the past and in Kosovo today, was tried in Cyprus. The ones who evaluate Cyprus question politically should not forget this.

Meanwhile, Denktas, TRNC President, said they could not accept any pressure, adding that there were some activities related with the issue. Denktas said he was pleased to discuss these with Demirel.

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and Nazif Borman, TRNC's Ambassador to Ankara were also present at the meeting.

[14] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''NOBODY SHOULD FOLLOW ANYTHING THAT CONTRADICTS WITH THE REPUBLIC''

Demirel received Karabuk Economic Development and Social Aid Foundation delegation composed of Hamit Cepni, its Chairman and other members.

Mehmet Cetinkaya, one of the members of the delegation mentioned about the incident caused by Merve Kavakci, Istanbul Deputy of Virtue Party (FP) who entered the Parliament with headscarf, and thanked to Demirel as he took the matter seriously.

Demirel said he wanted peace, unity and integrity to be preserved in Turkey and added that the only condition for this was to protect Republic.

Pointing out that it was said that ''we want a free Turkey'', Demirel said ''Yes, Turkey is free, yet it is natural that the state will be careful if you want to spoil order in Turkey, damage its inseparable integrity and domestic peace.''

Mentioning about tourism sector Demirel said ''the difficulties in tourism sector experienced this year stemmed from political conjuncture, not the deficiencies in promotion. There is no need for panic, required measures have been taken.''

Demirel said despite all the problems experienced in tourism, 10 million people visited Turkey last year, adding that the target for this year will be 25 million people.

''We are following the issue. Required measures will be taken. There are provocations in Europe to prevent people from coming to Turkey. All these difficulties are transitory. We will support the institution who are engaged in tourism'' Demirel pointed out.

Demirel said Turkey, througout his 75 years old republic, developed positive relations with all the countries of the world, adding that today's problems were inherited from the Ottoman Empire. Demirel said efforts were exerted to solve these problems yet that was not so easy. Demirels aid ''Turkish Republic is a deterrent power and a peace force.''

Demirel, who also recevied Ardahan Province Development Foundation Executive Board, said Aktas Border Gate will be opened and that contacts were underway with Georgia to this end. Demirel said ''Aktas Border Gate will be opened and deficiencies of Turkgozu Border gate will be overcome.''

A.A

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