Anadolu Agency: News in English, 97-12-02

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

02 DEC 1997

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TURKEY-OMAN - PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN OMAN - PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES TURKISH CITIZENS LIVING IN OMAN

[03] TURKEY-GERMANY-EU - SURPRISE DECLARATION FROM KINKEL: - ''TURKEY CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE EXPANSION COMMITTEE''

[04] TURKEY EU - STATE MINISTER ISIN CELEBI: ''EU'S RESTRICTIONS WORRY US''

[05] NATO-TURKEY-GREECE - HEAD OF NATO MILITARY COMMITTEE: ''PROBLEMS REGARDING NEW COMMANDING STRUCTURE OVERCOMED AT MILITARY LEVEL AND ISSUE HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO POLITICAL FLANK''

[06] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[07] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[08] TURKEY-ECONOMY - COUNCIL OF MINISTERS DISCUSSES NEW TAX REFORMS - STATE MINISTER ANDICAN: ''IMPRISONMENT IS FORESEEN FOR TAX-EVASION, RATHER THAN MONETARY FINES''

[09] CYPRUS - TV FREQUENCY FIGHT IN CYPRUS - TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS REACTS HARSHLY TO GREEK-CYPRIOT SIDE'S EFFORTS TO LAY AIR-FREQUENCY EMBARGO ON TRNC

[10] TURKEY-US - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM LEAVES FOR US

[11] TURKEY-OMAN - PRESIDENT DEMIREL MEETS OMANI SULTAN QABOOS BIN SAID

[12] TURKEY-EU - IMPORTANT STATEMENTS FROM EU TERM PRESIDENT - ''TURKEY IS A GREAT AND HONORABLE EUROPEAN''

[13] TURKEY-RUSSIA - RUSSIAN PREMIER DUE TO TURKEY

[14] TURKEY-TRNC - STATE MINISTER SUKRU SINA GUREL: ''CONTINUATION OF TRNC IN CYPRUS AS AN INDEPENDENT, SOVEREIGN, EQUAL, POLITICAL GOVERNMENT CARRIES VITAL IMPORTANCE FOR TURKEY''

[15] TURKEY-MILITARY EXERCISE - ''CEVIK PENCE'' MILITARY EXERCISE CANCELLED

[16] TURKEY-ISRAEL - ISRAEL WILLING TO IMPROVE COOPERATION IN DEFENSE FIELD

[17] CYPRUS - EU COMMISSIONER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS: ''WE WILL SUBMIT A PACKAGE WHICH WILL SATISFY TURKEY''

[18] TURKEY-ENVIRONMENT - INDUSTRIAL WASTE GOES TO SEA IN MARMARA REGION - FISH SPECIES IN MARMARA SEA DECREASED FROM 125 TO 10

[19] TURKEY-BULGARIA - PREMIER YILMAZ DUE TO SOFIA

[20] TURKEY IN BRIEF - DECEMBER 2, 1997

[21] TURKEY-EUROPEAN CONFERENCE - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''TURKEY'S WILLINGNESS TO PARTICIPATE IN EUROPEAN CONFERENCE CONTINUES DEPENDING ON THE CONTEXT OF THE CONFERENCE AND THE STATUS OF THE PARTICIPANTS''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HÜRRİYET (LIBERAL)

MİLLİYET (LIBERAL)

KINKEL SURPRISES
German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel, who addressed to the Western European Union (WEU) meeting, surprised us by saying that Germany wishes Turkey to participate both in ''EU Expansion Committee'' which is proposed by Germany and also in European Conference.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

CUMHURİYET (LEFT)

REACTION TO CENSUS INCREASES
The recent census which locked everybody in his/her houses was not successful. Many citizens called census offices saying that they were not counted. Particularly women reacted to the census, because their profession was not asked.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

RADİKAL (LEFT)

ALL EYES ON KOC HOLDING
After the decision of the government not to increase prices of public products, turned all eyes on Koc Group. President of Koc Holding Rahmi Koc had earlier said that they can give up their profits in order to struggle with the inflation. Koc Holding stated that these words were misunderstood, yet they would contribute to the necessary reconcilitation in the society in order to decrease the inflation.

ZAMAN (RELIGIOUS)

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

FİNANSAL FORUM (ECONOMY)

[02] TURKEY-OMAN - PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN OMAN - PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES TURKISH CITIZENS LIVING IN OMAN

President Demirel received Turkish citizens who settled and have been working in Oman.

Turkish citizens told President Demirel that they do not have any problems in Oman, adding that they are happy to live in this country.

''We wish to further improve our relations with Oman, particularly in the field of trade,'' President Demirel said.

Noting that Oman purchases many things and Turkey produces industrial products just like developed countries, President Demirel stressed that if the Iraqi Crisis did not take place, Turkey would have developed its relations with Oman.

Sultan Qaboos Bin Said later hosted a dinner in the honour of President Demirel the same day.

[03] TURKEY-GERMANY-EU - SURPRISE DECLARATION FROM KINKEL: - ''TURKEY CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE EXPANSION COMMITTEE''

Speaking in a meeting of Western European Union Assembly (WEU), Kinkel has not objected to invite Turkey to the Expansion Committee along with the European Conference.

In a former declaration, Germany wanted the expansion of European Union (EU) to be discussed within an Expansion Committee proposed by Bonn, not within the European Conference, and it objected inviting Turkey into this committee.

Proposing European Conference, France supported the issue of expansion to be discussed within European Conference and objected the establishment of a separate committee for this issue.

In his speech, Kinkel emphasized regional importance of Turkey and friendly relations between Turkey and Germany.

Kinkel also said EU has to fulfil its obligations under customs union with Turkey.

[04] TURKEY EU - STATE MINISTER ISIN CELEBI: ''EU'S RESTRICTIONS WORRY US''

In his speech at Canakkale Dardanel Tuna Fish Facilities, Celebi said that they definitely wanted the participation of Turkey in the expansion process of European Union.

''The Customs Union did not work in favour of Turkey for last two years. The fact that we are not included in the cummulation lists and also the obstacles brought by EU in supplying row materials and exports to EU worry us,'' he said.

''Institutions of customs union are not working adequately and they do not yield into results in favour of Turkey,'' he added, ''and these negative outcomes forces us to reevaluate the customs union.''

[05] NATO-TURKEY-GREECE - HEAD OF NATO MILITARY COMMITTEE: ''PROBLEMS REGARDING NEW COMMANDING STRUCTURE OVERCOMED AT MILITARY LEVEL AND ISSUE HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO POLITICAL FLANK''

Addressing a statement to the press at the end of the NATO Military Committee meetings held on the same day, General Nauman stated that Greece and Turkey have overcomed the impediments regarding Aegean and described this development as ''a great success.''

Noting that Aegean conflict is not a ''Turkish-Greek problem'', but rather an ''aliance problem'', Gen. Nauman stressed that NATO suffered a lot from this problem for the last 20 years, adding that ''both countries showed great flexibility towards each other and problems were overcomed.''

General Nauman stated that ''military officials can not solve political problems'', therefore the reconciliation that was reached at Military Committee will be taken up at Defense Ministers meeting on Wednesday and by Foreign Ministers on December 16.

Meanwhile, Turkish NATO officials said that ''an agreement was reached and Turkey and Greece are bound with it.''

Pointing out that ''only a model and concept have been accepted,'' officials said that the principle of multinationalism in sub-headquarters was adopted. Aegean is perceived as an ''Alliance region'' and its division into control areas is out of question, the officials said.

The officials said that the sub-headquarters, which are planned to be constructed in Turkey and Greece, will be linked to NATO Southern Regional Headquarter in Napoli, but the two countries will always have the right to state their views.

Turkish officials said that the model will be discussed and time is needed to reach an agreement on details.

[06] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

(Derived from Newsspot of Turkish Directorate of General Press and Information)

DEMIREL VISITS OMAN AND UAE
President Suleyman Demirel embarked on Monday on a four-day official visit to Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), aiming to boost cooperation between Turkey and the two countries, and discuss the disputes which are obstructing peace in the Middle East.

Speaking at the airport before leaving for Oman, the first stop of his visit, Demirel said that Turkey's stance during the latest crisis in the Gulf had solidified their already friendly relations with Oman and the UAE. He also stated that economic and commercial relations between Turkey and the two countries would be reviewed and new areas of cooperation outlined. After arriving in Oman, a banquet was given in Demirel's honour yesterday at the Palace. After spending two days in Oman, Demirel is scheduled to arrive in the UAE on Wednesday. /Sabah/

NATO'S TOP OFFICIALS MEET IN BRUSSELS
Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ismet Sezgin and Chief of General Staff Ismail Hakki Karadayi flew on Monday to Brussels to attend a series of high-level NATO meetings. The NATO-member countries' defense ministers and chiefs of general staff are gathering in the Belgian capital for four-day talks to discuss the adoption of proposed candidate members into the NATO alliance's structure. Official talks are to start on Tuesday. /Sabah/

GENERAL STAFF SENDS MESSAGE TO EGYPT
The army has assumed a balancing policy so that Arab tensions caused by the improved military relations between Turkey and Israel can be calmed down. In this context, Chief of the General Staff General Ismail Hakkı Karadayı is preparing to pay a visit to Egypt late in December. /Milliyet/

KINKEL VOICES SUPPORT FOR TURKEY
German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel said that Turkey should attend the European Conference and should be invited to the EU Expansion Committee to be set up following a proposal from Bonn. Observers were surprised by the change in German attitudes, because formerly Germany was against inviting Turkey both to the European Conference and to the Expansion Committee. /Hurriyet/

FOREIGN MINISTER CEM TO U.S.
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will go to the U.S. today upon the invitation of his American counterpart Madeleine Albright. It is expected that the two foreign ministers will discuss the Cyprus issue, Turkey-Greece relations, Turkey's EU membership, oil pipelines and the northern Iraq issue. /Sabah- Milliyet/

TURKEY AIMS FOR PUBLIC PRICE FREEZE IN FIRST HALF OF 1998
Turkey launched a fresh initiative to combat inflation on Monday with a pledge to freeze public prices for the first half of 1998. The plan, announced by Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, is part of a strategy to halve annual inflation and strengthen the economy. ''We aim not to raise prices of all products produced by the state sector in the first half of 1998'' Yılmaz told reporters. Turkey raised petroleum prices by an average nine percent yesterday. /All papers/

GREECE INSISTS ON ITS 'TURKEY VETO'
Greece is maintaining its veto on Turkey's invitation to the European Conference and on its becoming a full member of the European Union (EU). Costas Simitis, Greek Prime Minister, organized a press conference following bilateral meetings with French President Jacques Chirac and Prime Minister Lionel Jospin. Simitis, speaking at the press conference, stated that Turkey should agree to bring international problems to the International Court of Justice in the Hague and obey the rules on Cyprus set down by the UN Security Council.

Indicating that the EU member countries were far from reaching a compromise on the context and the targets of the European Conference, Simitis stated that Turkey's participation in the conference has not been clarified. Simitis added that Chirac had told him that inviting Turkey to the conference would be helpful in solving the problems. /Sabah/

BLAIR WANTS CLOSER CONTACT BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY
British Prime Minister Tony Blair urged Greece and Turkey on Sunday to promote closer communication and discuss long standing bilateral problems. ''I would like to see a much closer communication between the two governments and a greater effort to discuss differences honestly and calmy'' Blair was quoted in an interview with the Sunday newspaper To Vima.

''The tension between Greece and Turkey is not just a bilateral problem. It limits NATO's effectiveness. It consumes precious time in the EU and is a source of instability and concern in the area'' Blair said. He said Athens and Ankara should agree on a long-term plan to solve their disputes and approach problems with greater confidence.

(continues)

[07] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

(Derived from Newsspot of Turkish Directorate of General Press and Information)

SYMPOSIUM ON CYPRUS STARTS AT WAR ACADEMY
War Academy Commander General Necati Ozgen, speaking at the opening of a two-day symposium on Cyprus organized by the War Academy, said that as a result of events, Cyprus had become the stage for discussions and diplomatic initiatives which are an indispensable part of Turkish-Greek problems, security and stability in the northern Mediterranean.

Ozgen strssed that the Greek Cypriot and Greek governments have been attempting to bring the issue into the world arena for a long time and this attempt had recently achieved success. He said that the Greek Cypriot application for membership in the EU was political. /All papers/

''TURKEY PLAYS VITAL ROLE FOR MIDDLE EAST BALANCE''
In a meeting with Turkish journalists in Jerusalem, former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres stressed that terrorism should not be allowed to undermine the Middle East peace process. According to Peres, Turkey could assume an important role in establishing regional stability. Commenting on Turkey's rich water resources, the Israeli poltician said that water scarcity will emerge as a major problem in the Middle East adding that Turkey should not waste its water resources but turn them into a source of commercial profit. /Milliyet/

SYRIA WANTS TO IMPROVE RELATIONS WITH TURKEY
While Syrian Deputy Prime Minister Abdulhalim Haddam is pressing for a breakthrough in relations with Turkey, Syrian Defense Minister Mustafa Tlass has directed fierce criticism against Turkey. In a statement to El- Ahram newspaper published in Egypt, Minister Tlass claimed that ''Turkey has turned its back to the Arabs and was cooperating with the enemies''. The Syrian minister accused Turkey of trying to settle itself in Northern Iraq and gain control over oil reserves there. /Hurriyet/

TURKISH F-16 AIRCRAFT OVER THE AEGEAN SEA
Turkish Air Forces Commander, General Ilhan Kılıc said that Turkish F-16 aircraft started night flights 20 days ago over the Aegean sea to test Turkish Air Force capability. Adding that Turkish aircraft flew over the Aegean for 24 hours, Kılıc noted that F-16 fighter planes were equipped with special system which enabled them to fly at night and in any kind of weather. /Sabah/

TURCO-RUSSIAN RELATIONS GAIN ACCELERATION
Turkish and Russian relations have gained acceleration in line with the economic development between the two countries. State Minister Gunes Taner, who went to Moscow on 28 November, met with Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin, Russian Health Minister Tatyana Dimitriyev and Gazprom Chairman, Rem Vyahirev.

Taner noted that before Prime Minister Chernomyrdin's visit to Turkey between 14-16 December, Turkish deputation in Moscow had tried to eliminate differences in the contents of the agreements to be signed between the two countries. /Sabah/

INDIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY IN ANKARA
Indian Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Shri Nareshwar Dayal said that ''the present moment is the right one for giving a big push for developing Indian- Turkish relations'' in an address to an Indian-Turkish relations symposium in Ankara yesterday. Giving extra emphasis to democracy and secularism, milestones in both countries' relations, Dayal said: ''Democracy, secularism and opposition to terrorism provide a good foundation on which our two countries can build their ties''.

The Ankara component of the seminar will cover Indian-Turkish relations in the political, diplomatic and cultural fields whereas the second component of the seminar in Istanbul on December 4-5 will cover economic, commercial and technical exchanges.

[08] TURKEY-ECONOMY - COUNCIL OF MINISTERS DISCUSSES NEW TAX REFORMS - STATE MINISTER ANDICAN: ''IMPRISONMENT IS FORESEEN FOR TAX-EVASION, RATHER THAN MONETARY FINES''

Addressing a statement to the press regarding the Council of Ministers meeting, Andican said that Minister of Finance Zekeriya Temizel informed the Ministers about the tax reforms, adding that the draft will impose a new penal system on tax-evasion.

''Tax-evaders will pay the same amount as a punishment in real terms,'' said Andican, adding that new regulations are also foreseen for taxation system, the rate of Value Added Tax (VAT) will decrease, therefore this tax will be freezed at 15 percent in 1998.

Andican stressed that the draft law on taxation is based on four basic principles, it aims widening of tax base, taking unregistered economy under control, collecting all tax groups under one tax group called ''special consumption tax'' and fair distribution of tax burden in the society.

[09] CYPRUS - TV FREQUENCY FIGHT IN CYPRUS - TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS REACTS HARSHLY TO GREEK-CYPRIOT SIDE'S EFFORTS TO LAY AIR-FREQUENCY EMBARGO ON TRNC

President Denktas received the members of newly set up TRNC Hihger Committee for Broadcast.

Denktas said in the meeting that such efforts of Greek-Cypriot side will continue if world countries continue to recognize them as a ''legal government''.

Pointing out that there is not any other country which has faced illegal embargoes for 34 years, Denktas said that protest messages should be sent to the concerned international organizations by taking necessary measures with the mediation of government, public and other institutions.

[10] TURKEY-US - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM LEAVES FOR US

Addressing a statement at Ataturk Airport, Foreign Minister Cem said that he will propose US State Secretary officials to cooperate in the field of strategic issues.

Cem pointed out that he will make an inquiry in US regarding the possible contributions of Foreign Ministry to improve Turkish-American relations in the field of economy.

Ismail Cem said that he will also hold contacts in US concerning the political infrastructure of Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline.

Foreign Minister Cem added that he will make preparations regarding the visit of Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz to US in December.

[11] TURKEY-OMAN - PRESIDENT DEMIREL MEETS OMANI SULTAN QABOOS BIN SAID

State Ministers Mehmet Batallı and Metin Gurdere, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Korkmaz Haktanır and Turkish Ambassador to Oman Erdal Tumer also participated in the meeting.

President Demirel had earlier received Omani Trade and Industry Minister Maqbool bin Ali Sultan the same day.

Addressing a statement before the meeting, Omani Trade Minister said that bilateral relations will be speeded up by the visit of President Demirel to Oman.

[12] TURKEY-EU - IMPORTANT STATEMENTS FROM EU TERM PRESIDENT - ''TURKEY IS A GREAT AND HONORABLE EUROPEAN''

Speaking to press in Brussels, EU Term President Juncker said full membership negotiations of candidate countries of the EU should start all together and speaking about Turkey he said:

''Permanently European Conference was discovered in an effort to rapproach EU's relations with Turkey. Yet, the conference would not have any function regarding the expansion of EU. In fact, Turkey is not interested in the idea of the conference any more. We should discover another idea to form positive relations between Turkey and EU.''

Juncker said his recent contacts in Turkey could not be identified as ''failure'' adding that ''yet, we should think more deeply regarding the future of Turkish-EU relations.''

Juncker said ''soldiers in Turkey said EU would be out of the agenda if it fails to show a more serious approach to this country'' and stressed that ''in my opinion, EU would make a serious mistake if it fails to take Turkey into consideration which is on our continent.'' He said, ''Turkey is a great country, an honorable nation and a European. We should prepare a place to Turkey within European family.''

''I visited Rome and Lisbon after Turkey. I will meet Belgian Prime Minister Jean-Luc Dehaene and the Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok in the Hague today. I will also visit Madrid on Wednesday. I hope to find a good answer to confirm our ties with Turkey. I have a proposal. The ones whom I met agree with me that we should not give the impression that we isolated Turkey. Everybody is aware that the question which we have to respond is very important,'' Juncker said.

Juncker refrained from giving a concrete information about his proposal regarding Turkey.

[13] TURKEY-RUSSIA - RUSSIAN PREMIER DUE TO TURKEY

Foreign Ministry statement said bilateral relations between the two countries will be taken up in detail.

The statement also said facilities to add momentum to the rapid development process recorded in economic and trade relations between the two countries in the recent period, and steps to further improve this will be taken up and that the sides will exchange views on regional and international issues.

[14] TURKEY-TRNC - STATE MINISTER SUKRU SINA GUREL: ''CONTINUATION OF TRNC IN CYPRUS AS AN INDEPENDENT, SOVEREIGN, EQUAL, POLITICAL GOVERNMENT CARRIES VITAL IMPORTANCE FOR TURKEY''

Gurel evaluated the Cyprus issue in a meeting held in Military Academies. Gurel said that the foundation of a solution which is based upon geographical separation in Cyprus, has been layed until today and everybody should accept this in the international arena.

Pointing out that the sovereignty of two nations in Cyprus was accepted by a constitutional regulation set up by an international agreement signed in 1960, Gurel said, ''the political scenery in the island has become very complicated with the European Union (EU) issue.''

Emphasizing that the issue has not only political and legal dimensions but also human rights dimension, Gurel said that the countries, which always criticize Turkey regarding human rights, do not take into consideration 180- 200,000 people's rights living in TRNC.

Gürel also said that TRNC has a strategical importance for Turkey.

[15] TURKEY-MILITARY EXERCISE - ''CEVIK PENCE'' MILITARY EXERCISE CANCELLED

Responding to a question, Atacanli recalled that ''Cevık Pence'' was one of the planned military exercises jointly performed by Naval and Air Forces every year, adding that the maneuver in question was planned to take place in eight different region of the Aegean's international sea and air field.

Atacanli said ''Turkey has decided to cancel the planned exercises with the aim of making a contribution to the atmosphere of peace which it is striving to achieve in the Aegean.''

Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman said Turkey unilaterally implemented confidence building measures fully between July 1 and 15 which were proposed by NATO Secretary General, adding that Turkey sincerely called on Greece to participate in the implementation. Yet, he recalled that Greece failed to participate in the measures.

Atacanli said Turkey's good will intentions, showed by cancelling international military exercises, should be evaluated by Greece and stressed that it would be good if Greece contributes to the establishment of a confidence atmosphere in the Aegean.

[16] TURKEY-ISRAEL - ISRAEL WILLING TO IMPROVE COOPERATION IN DEFENSE FIELD

Turkish-Israel relations improve in defense field in particular. One of the recent examples of this is reflected in selling of Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle (UAV), produced by Israeli Aircraft Industry (AIA).

IAI's Marketing Deputy General Director Menashe Broder, evaluating Turkish- Israeli relations, said both of these countries have common problems in defense sector, adding that UAV's could be jointly used in this field. He said Turkish-Israeli relations improved rapidly in the recent 10 years.

''Our contacts are underway with Turkish government regarding UAV's,'' Broder said, adding that ''we are willing to share technology to this end.''

[17] CYPRUS - EU COMMISSIONER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS: ''WE WILL SUBMIT A PACKAGE WHICH WILL SATISFY TURKEY''

Addressing a news conference, Van Den Broek said ''we will submit a package that will satisfy Turkey during Luxembourg summit regarding relations with the EU and I hope this will be acceptable.''

Van Den Broek said existance of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) should be taken into consideration seriously even if it is not recognized. He drew an extremely positive picture regarding Turkey's full membership to European Union.

Van Den Broek said Turkish side have concerns regarding identity and security issues in Cyprus. ''We will try to overcome these,'' he said, adding that ''EU has to serve the interests of the two societies. EU will not reject the points where the two sides agree on. Both sides shold come together within the framework of bi-zonal, bi-communal federation and adjust their laws with the EU.''

Greek Cypriot reporters reacted to the statement of Van Den Broek. One of the reporters asked ''how can you talk about the laws of the two sides. Does not EU recognize only Greek Cypriots as the legal government of EU?'' Responding to this question, Van Den Broek said, ''I do not want to discuss legality with you. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) have laws de facto even if we do not recognize it.''

[18] TURKEY-ENVIRONMENT - INDUSTRIAL WASTE GOES TO SEA IN MARMARA REGION - FISH SPECIES IN MARMARA SEA DECREASED FROM 125 TO 10

The data gathered from the Ministry of Environment said that the number of fish species in Marmara Sea decreased from 125 to 10.

The data show that Marmara Sea is polluted by the industrial plants set up around the sea; Blacksea, by the chemicals coming from Tuna River; Aegean and Meditteranean Seas, by the lack of infrastructures, yatch tourism, touristic facilities, and agricultural activities.

There is no purification unit for toxic waste in 70 percent of the plants in Marmara region, which houses 50 percent of Turkey's industry.

And the Black Sea also faces pollution threat coming from Europe.

250,000 tons of nitrogen and 50 tons of phosphorus is deposited to Black Sea only from Tuna River in a year. This toxic waste effects great part of Marmara and Aegean Seas.

[19] TURKEY-BULGARIA - PREMIER YILMAZ DUE TO SOFIA

Foreign Ministry statement said this will be the first visit in Premier level from Turkey to Bulgaria, adding that State Ministers Rifat Serdaroglu and Isin Celebi, Interior Minister Murat Basesgioglu, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Cumhur Ersumer and Culture Minister Istemihan Talay will accompany Yilmaz.

The statement said facilities to give dynamism and perspective to bilateral relations, good neighbourhood, friendship and cooperation will be taken up during the visit.

Turkish-Bulgarian Business Council will take effect with the visit.

[20] TURKEY IN BRIEF - DECEMBER 2, 1997

Health Minister Halil Ibrahim Ozsoy opened the ''Dialysis Solution Factory'' set up by Turkish Baskent Holding and Swedish Gambro firm.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the factory in Sincan Organized Industrial Zone in Ankara, Ozsoy said that the health sector in Turkey has been in a reconstruction process.

Ozsoy said that the infrastructure studies of the health reform is expected to be concluded in 1998.

Stating that there is high-level transplantation technology and staff in Turkey but insufficient organ donation, Ozsoy called all Turkish citizens to donate their organs.

ANKARA - The first of two patrol boats, which will be used in coast guard services, will be delivered to Georgia on Tuesday with a ceremony within the framework of bilateral agreement between Turkey and Georgia.

Secreteriat General of General Staff said in a written statement that the patrol boat will be delivered in Hopa by a ceremony in which Turkish and Georgian officials will participate.

[21] TURKEY-EUROPEAN CONFERENCE - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''TURKEY'S WILLINGNESS TO PARTICIPATE IN EUROPEAN CONFERENCE CONTINUES DEPENDING ON THE CONTEXT OF THE CONFERENCE AND THE STATUS OF THE PARTICIPANTS''

Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman Sermet Atacanli, responding to a question, said Turkey wanted to participate in the conference under equal status with other candidate countries.

Atacanli said, ''Turkey is willing to participate in EU's scheduled expansion process in candidate country status.''

He also recalled that Turkey disclosed its intention to participate in intergovernmental conference.

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