Anadolu Agency: News in English, 97-12-05

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

05 DEC 1997

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TURKEY-DIPLOMACY - GREEK AMBASSADOR NEZERITIS: ''WE ARE AMONG COUNTRIES CALLING FOR TURKEY'S FULL MEMBERSHIP TO EU''

[03] TURKEY-BULGARIA (1) - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ IN BULGARIA

[04] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[05] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[06] TURKEY-ISRAEL - ISRAELI DEFENSE MINISTER DUE TO TURKEY

[07] TURKEY-BULGARIA (2) - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ IN BULGARIA - YILMAZ ''TURKEY TO SUPPORT BULGARIA'S NATO FULL MEMBERSHIP''

[08] TURKEY-ARAB WORLD - PRESIDENT DEMIREL EVALUATES HIS VISIT - ''FOR SOMETIME THERE HAS BEEN GREAT PROPAGANDAS AND PROVOCATIONS IN ARAB WORLD AGAINST TURKEY''

[09] TURKEY-NATO - DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER SEZGIN RETURNS TO TURKEY

[10] TURKEY-ABROAD - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ DUE TO BRITAIN, US AND TURKMENISTAN BY THE END OF THIS YEAR

[11] TURKEY-US - US SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT: ''WE HAD A WONDERFUL MEETING WITH TURKISH FM CEM''

[12] TURKEY-NARCOTICS - 16 KG HEROIN SEIZED

[13] TURKEY-CONFERENCE - CONFERENCE: ''TURKISH-EU RELATIONS TOWARDS 2000''

[14] TURKEY IN BRIEF - DECEMBER 5, 1997

[15] TURKEY-US - FM ISMAIL CEM: ''A NEW PERIOD STARTED IN TURKISH-AMERICAN RELATIONS''

[16] TURKEY-BULGARIA (3) - TURKISH-BULGARIAN BUSINESS COUNCIL CONVENES - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ CALLS BULGARIAN BUSINESSMEN TO INVEST IN TURKEY

[17] TURKEY-EU - EU TERM PRESIDENT KASEL: ''TURKEY IS A PART OF EU EXPANSION PROCESS'' ''YILMAZ AND CEM WERE INVITED TO LUXEMBOURG''

[18] TURKEY-TRNC - TRNC PRIME MINISTER EROGLU VISITS DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER SEZGIN - SEZGIN: ''WE WILL NOT GIVE ANY CONCESSIONS FROM OUR AIMS, PRINCIPLES AND TARGETS''

[19] TURKEY IN BRIEF (2) - DECEMBER 5, 1997

[20] TURKEY-EU - EU COMMISSIONER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS HANS VAN DEN BROEK: - ''TURKEY WILL BE INCLUDED IN EU EXPANSION SUMMIT''

[21] TURKEY-NATO - CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF GEN. KARADAYI RETURNS TO TURKEY

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HÜRRİYET (LIBERAL)

PREVENT TORTURE CIRCULAR
Premiership on Thursday issued a circular which was prepared with the coordination of Justice, Interior and Foreign Ministries to prevent torture and abuse.

Under the circular which was sent to all police forces and public institutions giving the order that it should be implemented fully, legal rights will be told to the detainees, a doctor report will be arranged at the start and end of the period and audial and visual records will be make during interrogation.

MİLLİYET (LIBERAL)

GOVERNMENT'S HUMAN RIGHTS CIRCULAR
Premiership on Thursday issued a circular which was prepared with the coordination of Justice, Interior and Foreign Ministries to prevent torture and abuse.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

ELECTION WARNING FROM BOSSES
If there are people thinking that they will win an election should know that they will take over a ruin and that they will be smashed under this ruin.

CUMHURİYET (LEFT)

EYES TURNED TO PARLIAMENT FOR AGAR AND BUCAK
Parliamentary Constitution and Justice Joint Commission on Thursday decided to lift the immunities of True Path Party (DYP) Elazig Deputy Mehmet Agar and DYP Sanliurfa Deputy Sedat Bucak.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

AGAR: I WILL RESPOND EVERYTHING
True Path Party (DYP) Elazig Deputy Mehmet Agar said ''Wishes of political mechanism realized. I am waiting for the process which will be developed.''

RADİKAL (LEFT)

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

Agar's immunity was lifted with 27 votes to 16 and Bucak's immunity was lifted with 32 votes to six against votes.

DECEIVING FORMULA FROM EU
EU Term President Juncker will propose ''strengthened cooperation'' model not to offend Turkey. Juncker is in an effort to make other members accept this.

FİNANSAL FORUM (ECONOMY)

EP ALSO EXCLUDES TURKEY
European Parliament (EP) made a voting in its session on Thursday and adopted Agenda 2000 report prepared by European Commission. Thus, EP excluded Turkey from the EU's expansion.

[02] TURKEY-DIPLOMACY - GREEK AMBASSADOR NEZERITIS: ''WE ARE AMONG COUNTRIES CALLING FOR TURKEY'S FULL MEMBERSHIP TO EU''

Nezeritis participated in diplomacy correspondent's luncheon and responded to the questions of the reporters regarding recent developments between the two countries' relations.

Nezeritis said they would prefer full membership of a friendly and neighbor country to EU instead of coming face to face with a enemy country.

Nezeritis refrained from giving a clear answer to a question which said ''then, aren't you creating a conflict by continuing your veto against Turkey?''

Nezeritis said many problems between the two countries are theorical problems such as ''if there are continental shelves of the islands, if Greece has the right to extend its territorial waters from six miles to 12 miles, if Greek air space is 10 miles or not.''

Greek Ambassador said problems of the past should be left aside and underlined that he was individually hopeful about the future.

[03] TURKEY-BULGARIA (1) - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ IN BULGARIA

Following interdelegational meetings, Yilmaz and Bulgarian Prime Minister Kostov signed an agreement related with the border conflict in the region where Rezve River flow into the sea and specifying authority fields of the two countries in the Black Sea.

The two countries also signed a protocol foreseeing cooperation between Interior Ministries of the two countries, an agreement foreseeing cooperation and aid in customs affairs and a cooperation agreement on culture, education and science fields.

Culture Minister Istemihan Talay, State Minister Rifat Serdaroglu and Interior Minister Murat Basesgioglu signed the related agreements with their collocutors.

The two Premiers later made a joint statement to the press. Yilmaz in his part stressed the importance of the visit which took place after 19 years, adding that the meetings took place in a constructive atmopshere and within the framework of reciprocal understanding.

Recalling that four agreements were signed at the end of talks, Yilmaz mentioned about the agreement solving border question. Yilmaz said reaching an agreement on such a long term conflicted issue formed the concrete sign of reciprocal confidence and cooperation understanding prevailing between our governments.

Noting that the agreement signed would add momentum to the development of relations between the two countries, Yilmaz said an agreement related with free trade agreement will be signed on Friday.

Yilmaz said these two countries aimed at further improving the relations. Premier Yilmaz expressed Turkey's willingness to improve economic relations between the two countries, adding that he came to this country with 50 businessmen to this end.

He said Turkish-Bulgarian Business Council which could not convene since 1993 will be re-functioned.

Meanwhile, Bulgarian Prime Minister Ivan Kostov expressed pleasure over the positive outcome of the talks, adding that reciprocal words turned to concrete documents. He said Bulgarian government rapproached to the problems of separated families though humanitarian ways and expressed readiness to do their best in this respect.

He said Bulgaria respected to the rights of Moslem people living in his country and called on Turkey to extend efforts to take Bulgaria off the black list of Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).

Responding to the questions, the two Premiers said they solved border conflict question through reciprocal confidence, preserving of national interests and with the understanding of respect to the interest of the other side.

When asked if Bulgaria would take precautions against organizations acting towards to the aims of the separatist terrorist PKK organization, Bulgarian Prime Minister Kostov said ''they did not tolarate the activities of the terrorist organization on their territory.''

Yilmaz recalled that Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria decided to cooperate against organized crimes, terrorist activities and prevention of drug trafficking.

[04] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

CEM SATISFIED WITH BERGER AND PENA
Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem summarized the results of his first-day contacts in Washington as ''very satisfactory'' after meeting with Secretary of Energy Frederico Pena and National Security Adviser Sandy Berger. Cem said he called Berger's attention to Turkey's increased geostrategic importance in the region and the need to treat Turkey with more realism and less attention to very exaggerated human rights accusations directed at it. During his meeting with US Secretary of Energy Federico Pena, Cem said he believed ''certain developments will be realized in putting together the political structure of the Caspian energy lines.'' Foreign Minister Cem noted that his visit to Washington is going well in terms of ''preparing the ground'' for the upcoming visit of Prime minister Mesut Yilmaz. /Hurriyet/Sabah/

SECURITY FORCES CLEAR PKK BASES IN TUNCELI
Turkish security forces have launched a large-scale sweeping-out operation in and near the southeastern town of Tunceli in order to inflict heavy damage on the PKK separatist terrorist organisation. Following intelligence reports that the PKK has been preparing a base in the area for the winter season, security forces are engaged in an operation to prevent such attempts. The operation is especially intensive in the Tunceli-Ovacik and Pertek triangle. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKEY-ISRAEL-U.S. JOINT NAVAL MANEUVERS
High level military sources announced that the ''Reliant Mermaid'' joint naval maneuvers between Turkey, Israel and the United States will be held on 5-9 January. The military excercise will be held off the Israeli coast and in the international waters of the eastern Mediterranean and will start at Haifa port, north Israel, according to both Turkish and Israeli defense sources. Sources said that the details of the exercise will be discussed during Israeli Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai's trip to Turkey December 8 and 10. He is also expected to discuss Turkey's new request from Israel to buy more Popeye missiles. /Hurriyet/Sabah/

TURKEY AND BULGARIA SOLVE BORDER DISPUTE
Turkey and Bulgaria have solved the 33-year-old Rezve border dispute with two agreements signed on Thursday during the visit of Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz to Bulgaria. The agreements aim to overcome a longstanding animosity between the two countries and to give an extra boost as well as new energy to the already accelerating, positive Turkish-Bulgarian relations, the Foreign Ministry noted. ''The agreements, the Determination of the Boundary at the Mouth of the Mutludere/Rezovska River and the Delineation of Maritime Areas Between the Two States, define the point of the sea border between the countries and contemplate changes to be made to enable the river to run properly,'' the Foreign Ministry announced. Prime Minister met with his Bulgarian counterpart and he will be received by President Peter Stoyanov and Speaker of the Parliament Yordan Sokolov, along with the ethnic Turkish leader of the Rights and Freedom Movement Party, Ahmet Dogan, during the visit which will provide a platform for a meeting of a large delegation of businessmen from both countries. Interior Minister Murat Basesgioglu, who is also visiting Bulgaria, stated, ''Our neighbours should not use terrorism or their PKK card in solving their problems; otherwise they will not receive any concessions from us.'' /All papers/

AGAR AND BUCAK ONE STEP CLOSER TO COURT
During its sessions on Thursday, the Parliamentary Joint Constitutional and Justice Commission passed a decision in favor of lifting the immunity of True Path Party (DYP) deputies Mehmet Agar and Sedat Bucak. After the commission has prepared its report, it will be presented to Parliament for approval. /All papers/

RUSSIANS PRAISE TURKISH ARMED FORCES
The Krasnaya Zvezda publication of the Russian Defense Ministry praised the Turkish Armed Forces and described the Northern Iraq operations as ''wonderful''. An article in the journal dated 28 November, noted that the standing of Turkish soldiers in Turkish society was high. The article stated that operations carried out by the Turkish Armed Forces from May until July in northern Iraq were the biggest military operations during the past 10 years. It said: ''Experts qualify the operations as 'wonderful' from the standpoint of planning and organization''. /Hurriyet/

(CONTINUES)

[05] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

CEM WARNS EUROPE IN LE MONDE
In an article published in the French Le Monde newspaper, Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem has warned the European Union (EU). His article titled ''Turkey is a chance for Europe'' said: "The EU is at the level of making a decision regarding expansion. Which role will the EU give Turkey, which has historical, cultural and economic ties stretching between East and West? The choice at the Luxembourg summit is clear for the EU: Whether it will choose a vital bridge- or it will make a discrimination?'' /Hurriyet/

SPECIAL STATUS FOR TURKEY
At a meeting when the ''expansion process of the EU'' was discussed, the European Parliament proposed for Turkey a high-level ''special relation''. During the voting held yesterday at the General Council, the proposal of the groups of Greens and Radicals at the European Parliament was taken up. However, two different proposals submitted that proposed avoiding discrimination in connection with Turkey's candidacy were rejected. During the voting at the General Council, limited support extended by some of the deputies of the Greens, Radical and Socialist groups was not enough and the proposals were not approved. The part of the decision regarding Turkey noted that relations with Turkey were different from those with Eastern European countries and said:

''However Turkey is a very important country and deserves special

interest.'' /Hurriyet/

ECONOMIC SOLUTION FOR TERRORISM
The Turkish Parliament has put on its agenda the ''Law for the development of Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia'' to fully demolish terrorism. The draft law, which foresees big tax exemptions for investments made in the Emergency Rule regions, began to be discussed at the General Council of the Turkish Parliament yesterday. The draft aims to prevent unemployment and bring economic growth to the region. /Hurriyet/

GERMAN AMBASSADOR VERGAU MEETS ERBAKAN
German Ambassador Hans-Joachim Vergau yesterday held a 90-minute meeting with Welfare Party (RP) leader Necmettin Erbakan. After the meeting, Vergau told journalists that he conveyed to Erbakan German anxiety over the activities of Moslem associations in Germany. /Milliyet/

HUMAN RIGHTS CIRCULAR
Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz yesterday issued a circular calling for respect for human rights. The circular aims to improve Turkey's human rights record and prevent torture. The government has also launched a human rights training programme for administrators, security chiefs and Gendarmery officials. In a press conference yesterday, State Minister in charge of human rights, Hikmet Sami Turk, said that freedom of thought and freedom of press should be enhanced without jeopardizing national integrity.

Human rights courses will be included in school education programmes, and TV programmes will be produced and broadcast over the TRT state-owned TV channel. /All papers/

TAX REFORM IN THE OFFING
Finance Minister Zekeriya Temizel announced yesterday that a tax

reform to be put into effect at the start of the new year will be

debated by Parliament. According to the new system, everybody will be

assigned a tax number that will allow Ministry of Finance inspectors

to follow up tax payments. The tax number will be required in

commercial transactions and in dealings with banks. Finance Minister Temizel described the reform as a ''turning point in fiscal regulations.'' The new system will allow for fiscal inspections

through computers, and tax officers will be able to gather information from bank information systems by using the personal tax numbers. The new implementations are expected to be effective in fighting tax evasion. /All papers/

[06] TURKEY-ISRAEL - ISRAELI DEFENSE MINISTER DUE TO TURKEY

Mordechai will come to Ankara on Dec 8 and meet Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ismet Sezgin and will later participate in a briefing before visiting Chief of General Staff Ismail Hakki Karadayi and Parliament Speaker Hikmet Cetin.

Israeli Defense Minister will visit Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) installations on Dec 9 and will be received by Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz. He will visit historical and and touristic places after proceeding to Istanbul the same day.

Mordechai will depart Turkey on Dec 10.

[07] TURKEY-BULGARIA (2) - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ IN BULGARIA - YILMAZ ''TURKEY TO SUPPORT BULGARIA'S NATO FULL MEMBERSHIP''

Premier Yilmaz participated in the dinner hosted by Bulgarian Premier Ivan Kostov in his honor.

Addressing the dinner, Yilmaz said ''Bulgaria is on the way to welfare with radical, structural, economic measures.'' Yilmaz said Turkish minority in Bulgaria would continue to be a friendship bridge between the two countries. Noting that a new period started between Turkish-Bulgarian relations, Yilmaz said relations will be further improved in the coming days.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Kostov said Bulgarian public knew Yilmaz as a defender of peace, stability and cooperation in Europe and also thanked to Turkey's support extended to their efforts to participate in NATO.

He said Bulgaria attributed a great importance to bilateral relations as each of these countries were situated in a sensitive region and has an important situation.

Yilmaz later met Turkish businessmen acting in Bulgaria and called on the initiators to take place in Bulgaria's privatization program.

Speaking to businessmen Yilmaz said new measures were taken against suitcase trade which was critized on grounds that it negatively effected Turkey's image in foreign trade.

Premier Yilmaz said Turkey could not be so much active in Bulgaria in economic field due to its political structure yet added that today was very efficient to improve relations.

Mentioning about the agreements signed with Bulgaria, Yilmaz said ''our goal is to unite customs operations in Kapikule Border Gate.''

Yilmaz said Turkey, within the framework of Customs Union agreement, should sign free trade agreement with all its neighbors yet stressed that the agreement could not be realized speedily.

When the businessmen complained about the inadequacy of the Eximbank credits, Yilmaz said 50-million dollar credit which Eximbank opened for Bulgaria could be reviewed.

[08] TURKEY-ARAB WORLD - PRESIDENT DEMIREL EVALUATES HIS VISIT - ''FOR SOMETIME THERE HAS BEEN GREAT PROPAGANDAS AND PROVOCATIONS IN ARAB WORLD AGAINST TURKEY''

Briefing about the aim of his visit to Oman and United Arab Emirates (UAE), Demirel said the situation which appeared after the splitting of former Soviet Union could not be perceived in the World fully. He said Turkey was trying not to miss facilities and opportunities brought by this new world.

Demirel said Turkey was located in a strategically important place, adding that there were diffuculties to preserve this peace throughout the history.

Demirel said Turkey was a peaceful country in this sensitive region and preserved peace for 74 years, adding that Turkey was in an effort to solve its problems with the neighbors through peaceful ways.

[09] TURKEY-NATO - DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER SEZGIN RETURNS TO TURKEY

Addressing a news conference staged in the ministry, Sezgin briefed about the NATO Defense Ministers meeting which he participated in Brussels.

Responding to the questions of reporters, Sezgin said ''it was an important and successful meeting due to reaching a solution in principle in command structure, determination and development of NATO shown in Partnership for Peace and in Bosnia-Herzegovina and due to positive steps taken in NATO's expansion process.

Sezgin said an implementation decision will be taken during NATO summit scheduled to take place in Washington in April 1999 at the latest for the new command structure of NATO.

[10] TURKEY-ABROAD - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ DUE TO BRITAIN, US AND TURKMENISTAN BY THE END OF THIS YEAR

Yilmaz will pay a one-day work visit to London on Dec 9, following his visit to Bulgaria. Yilmaz is scheduled to meet British Prime Minister Tony Blair and stress that Turkey should be included in European Union's (EU) expansion process.

Premier Yilmaz will later pay an official visit to the US between Dec 17 and 21.

Yilmaz will also go to Turkmenistan in the last week of December.

[11] TURKEY-US - US SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT: ''WE HAD A WONDERFUL MEETING WITH TURKISH FM CEM''

US State Department Spokesman James Rubin issued a statement following 40- minute meeting of Cem and Albright.

Rubin said ''State Secretary Albright told me that her meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Cem was a wonderful one,'' and stressed that the talks aimed to set the agenda for President Bill Clinton's meeting on Dec. 19.

Rubin said importance of Turkish-American relations, oil and natural resources of Caspian Basin, transportation of these to the West, human rights and democracy, Iraq, Turkish-Greek relations and Cyprus question top the agenda of Cem-Albright meeting.

Responding to a question, Rubin said Caspian Basin region had important resources, adding that oil and natural gas should be transported to the West through more than one route. Rubin said ''Turkey is absolutely an actor within this process. We are closely interested with this issue being two NATO allies. The two ministers discussed the importance of working jointly.''

Answering another question, Rubin said the US wished the solution of conflicts between Turkey and Greece.

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, speaking to reporters after the meeting, said the US developed a strategy in a bid to create energy corridors related with the oil and natural gas resources of Central Asia and stressed that ''we called on a continous structural and strategic cooperation within this context.''

Cem said, ''I may say we agreed on a mutual base.''

[12] TURKEY-NARCOTICS - 16 KG HEROIN SEIZED

Istanbul Security Department told a statement that Narcotics officials, acting on a tip off, staged operations in Bayrampasa district and seized the heroin.

Fazli Balkan (58) was taken under custody being the owner of the heroin. Balkan was a deputy candidate in elections held in 1991. Salim Kutuk (43), Kemal Balkan (36), Lutfettin Saritas (60), Adem Ali (60), Huarrem Ayrullah (45), Sabani İsa (38), Osman Katikci (49) and H. Ferit Koc (42) were also taken under custody in connection with the haul.

Investigation underway into the incident.

[13] TURKEY-CONFERENCE - CONFERENCE: ''TURKISH-EU RELATIONS TOWARDS 2000''

Addressing a conference titled ''Turkish-EU Relations Towards 2000'' staged by Kocaeli Industrialists and Businessmen Association Lake said Turkey has a long but open way towards EU.

Noting that half of Turkey's foreign trade was made with the EU, Lake said ''last year, many people were complaining, saying that customs union caused a great trade deficit. In fact, expansionist economic policy of the time was the cause of it. Turkish industrialists imported large amounts of raw material and investment goods. As we estimated this importation would create more production capacity and exportation potential. This estimation is proved now.''

Lake said ''the important thing is that Turkey harmonized with customs union. This is a result to be proud of.''

[14] TURKEY IN BRIEF - DECEMBER 5, 1997

The law regarding the approval of the agreement came into effect and published in Today's Official Gazette. The law makes Council of Ministers liable of realizing changes in documents regarding the free trade agreement between the two countries.

ANKARA - Council of Ministers on Friday approved the ''Agreement Memorandum Regarding Principles of Customs Relations'' signed between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan on October 24, 1994.

The agreement, which foresees the protection and strengthening of traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries, was published in the Official Gazette on Friday.

The agreement aims to protect two countries' domestic markets and enliven two countries' economies by further improvement within customs relations based upon international law, mutual respect and understanding principles in accordance with national benefits and interests of two countries.

ANKARA - Turkish parliament on Thursday approved the draft law regarding the approval of ''Agreement for Installation of Culture Centers and Their Activities'' signed between Turkey and Romania.

A total of 300 parliamentarians attended to the voting. There were 299 votes in favour and one invalid.

ISTANBUL - The trial of four people, who were accused of swindling Netherlands based ABN-AMRO-Bank with 25 million Dutch Florin by accessing into the bank's computer network, was started on Thursday.

Unimprisoned defendants Bulent Kaptanoglu, Kudrettin Goren and Bedrettin Altuntas attended to the trial in Istanbul Court of First Instance no:9. Defendant Bilal Semerci did no participate in the hearing.

ISTANBUL - The presidency crisis in Pakistan caused the postponement of foundation ceremonies of Turkish Bayindir Holding's investments in that country, which were earlier scheduled to take place on December 12, it was reported on Thursday.

The foundation ceremonies of Islamabad-Pesaver part of Pakistani Motorway and Indus Bridge were delayed due to developments started after the resignation of Pakistani President Serdar Khan Farooq Leghari.

The Pakistani Motorway Project, which was the biggest tender won by a Turkish company alone within the international arena, will connect northern part of Pakistan to southern part via Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshaver. The cost of the project is USD 644 million.

The construction process of the project will be concluded within three years.

NEVSEHIR - Private sector in Cappadocia region, which meets one billion dollars of Turkey's total income from tourism, stated that the 1998 target is two billion dollars, it was reported on Friday.

Goreme Tourism Association Chairman Osman Tan told A.A correspondent that the number of tourists visiting the region increased over one million in last eleven months of this year.

ROME - Italian La Republica daily gave a place for the songs of Turkish famous pop singers Tarkan, Sezen Aksu, Mustafa Sandal and Yavuz Bingol in its ''CD of the Month'' that the daily put on the market in each month, it was reported on Thursday.

La Republica daily's weekly supplementary magazine ''Musica'' made its cover page with a headline of ''Turkey, pop music and Islam, Voices of East'' on Turkish flag. It also published the interviews with Tarkan, Sezen Aksu, Mustafa Sandal and Yavuz Bingol.

Musica, which defined Turkey as ''a country with rich music'', wrote that the Turkish pop music's famous singers were introduced to Italian people for the first time.

[15] TURKEY-US - FM ISMAIL CEM: ''A NEW PERIOD STARTED IN TURKISH-AMERICAN RELATIONS''

Responding to questions of journalists after wrapping up contacts in Washington, Foreign Minister Cem pointed out that US interests in the Caucasus and Central Asia are similar to those of Turkey in the region.

Ismail Cem stressed that Turkey constitutes an example with its 700 years old history, multinationalism, democracy, secularism and the equality between women and men among the countries having Islamic tradition.

Foreign Minister Cem said, ''Turkey's status in the region coincided with the strategical approach of US by our efforts launched to benefit well from our historical experience for the last five months.''

Noting that Turkey will enter into a strategical relation with

US regarding the Euroasian energy, communication corridors, oil and natural gas pipelines, Cem added that working groups will be set up with US concerning various issues.

Cem stressed that Turkey is not satisfied with the economic respect of Turkish-American relations and he told US side that Turkey wishes to improve bilateral trade volume and lifting of export quotas to Turkish textile products.

Foreign Minister Cem stated that Turkey is criticized regarding human rights and democratization in an unfair way compared to human right violations in other European countries.

Meanwhile Ismail Cem received Senator Paul Sarbanes, who is known for preventing several weapon sales from US to Turkey.

Paul Sarbanes described his meeting with Cem as a ''good exchange of views, '' adding that thex expect concrete steps to be taken regarding the solution of Turkish-Greek relations and if the tension diffuses in Aegean, this will also positively effect Turkish-American relations.

[16] TURKEY-BULGARIA (3) - TURKISH-BULGARIAN BUSINESS COUNCIL CONVENES - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ CALLS BULGARIAN BUSINESSMEN TO INVEST IN TURKEY

Turkish-Bulgarian Business Council convened in Sofia under the leadership of Prime Minister Yılmaz and Bulgarian Prime Minister Ivan Kostov.

Addressing a speech in the meeting, Prime Minister Yılmaz said that the trade volume between the two countries increased from 310 million dollars to 510 million dollars since 1993. Noting that the function of business councils is to encourage trade among countries, Prime Minister Yılmaz said that the number of Turkish firms acting in Bulgaria reached 1600, yet this is not enough.

Prime Minister Yılmaz stressed that the number of Bulgarian tourists who visit Turkey decreased recently and efforts are underway to increase this number.

Noting that Turkey liberalizes its economy and attributes importance to regional cooperation projects, Yılmaz added that Turkey also extends support to efforts which aims to realize political detente and economic cooperation projects in the Balkans.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Ivan Kostov in his part said Turkey has an important place among Bulgarian trade partners, however the two countries can not benefit well from the economic possibilities resulting from common border and geographical status.

Calling Turkish businessmen to invest in Bulgaria, Kostov stated that ''There are convenient conditions here in Bulgaria regarding investment. Turkish businessmen can also participate in privatization program of Bulgaria and therefore they can have the chance to enter into European markets.''

Later, two Prime Ministers signed a document regarding measures aiming to liberalize trade between Bulgaria and Turkey.

Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov received Prime Minister Yılmaz the same day.

Addressing a statement after the meeting, Yılmaz said that they took up the implementation of the agreement reached among Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey regarding struggle against drugs and terrorism during his meeting with Bulgarian President Stoyanov.

Prime Minister Yılmaz also met Bulgarian Parliament Speaker Yordan Sokolov.

''We wish improvement of relations between the two parliaments just like the good relations between the two countries,'' said Yılmaz.

Prime Minister Yılmaz also met the representatives of political parties represented in Bulgarian parliament.

[17] TURKEY-EU - EU TERM PRESIDENT KASEL: ''TURKEY IS A PART OF EU EXPANSION PROCESS'' ''YILMAZ AND CEM WERE INVITED TO LUXEMBOURG''

Addressing a press briefing in Brussels, Kasel stated that Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem were invited to the dinner which will bring the heads of states and governments of all candidate countries together on December 13 when the EU Summit ends the same day in Luxembourg.

''At this stage, we do not know exactly the recent concrete attitute of Turkey, but Turkey sent us some messages like the adoptation of regulations and orders aiming to improve human rights,'' said Kasel.

Noting that European Conference will be set up to integrate Turkey into EU expansion process, Kasel stressed that if Turkey does not accept to participate in the conference, the idea of conference will loose its meaning.

''If Turkey accepts, only 12 candidate states will participate in European Conference and the content of meetings and dialogue will be widened. Turkey has a different status which is close to full membership. A special rapproachment strategy will be put forward for Turkey. Financial aids will be updated and 'customs union plus' formula will be adopted. EU expansion is a whole process and European Conference is a part of it. Besides, we will make the Associate Council more dynamic to strenghten the relations with Turkey.''

EU Term President Kasel pointed out that participation in European Conference will be proposed to Turkey without any ''precondition,'' but if Turkey accepts the preconditions regarding Cyprus, human rights and relations with Greece, then Turkey will get its position among candidate states.

[18] TURKEY-TRNC - TRNC PRIME MINISTER EROGLU VISITS DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER SEZGIN - SEZGIN: ''WE WILL NOT GIVE ANY CONCESSIONS FROM OUR AIMS, PRINCIPLES AND TARGETS''

Addressing a speech at the meeting, Defense Minister Sezgin said that Turkey will not give concessions from its aims, principles and targets regarding Cyprus issue which it has been defending so far, adding that ''efforts of Greek Cypriot side to join European Union (EU) is meaningless, because Cyprus can not be a member of an institution, if the both countries, namely Turkey and Greece, are not members of it.''

Sezgin stressed that Turkey will continue to launch efforts in order to protect the peace and stability that continues in Cyprus since 1974.

TRNC Prime Minister Eroglu in his part said that TRNC launches efforts to stand on its feet, adding that ''the support of Turkish government encourages us to this end. We believe that Turkey will continue to do so.''

TRNC's Ambassador to Turkey Nazif Borman also participated in the meeting.

[19] TURKEY IN BRIEF (2) - DECEMBER 5, 1997

Automative Industry Association (OSD) officials said that motor vehicles production rose 25 percent to 38,359 each in November 1997 compared to same month last year.

Bus production rose by 54 percent, van production by 39 percent, truck production by 31 percent, minibus production by 23 and midibus production rose by six percent in November 1997 compared to same month last year.

Automobile production increased 26 percent to 22,973 each and tractor production rose 9 percent to 5,067 each.

ISTANBUL - State Minister Ahat Andican on Friday left for Iran to participate in the ''Ministers Meeting of Organization of Economic Cooperation (ECO) in Tehran beteen December 6-7.

Prior to his departure from Ataturk Airport, Andican said that the re- organization process, which had appeared on the agenda after the increase in the number of ECO member countries to ten, will be taken up and resolved in that meeting.

Andican stated that President Suleyman Demirel and he will participate the Islamic Development Organization meetings that will start on December 8 in Teheran.

SANLIURFA - A delegation from American Exxon Chemical U.S.A and Vinmar International will come to the GAP region to make observations, it was reported on Friday.

GAP Region Development Administration Directorate officials told A.A correspondent that the delegation including Exxon Chemical U.S.A Sales Manager Marwan Kawas, Vinmar International Ltd. Executive Board member Ziya Aydinalp and the Turkish ''Gulsan'' company Executive Board member Mustafa Topcuoglu on Saturday will proceed to southeastern Sanliurfa province from southeastern Gaziantep to visit Gap Administration.

The delegation, who will be briefed by Region Director Erkan Alemdaroglu, will then proceed to GAP GIDEM.

The delegation, who will make observations in Ataturk Dam, will leave Sanliurfa the same day.

Meanwhile, a Pakistani delegation will also come to Sanliurfa tomorrow to make observations.

DINAR-AFYON - A tour-bus carrying 26 Japanese tourists and a truck collided on Denizli-Dinar highway, injuring 12 Japanese tourists, it was reported on Friday. The bus was on its way to Cappadocia region from Pamukkale.

Six tourists: Suzuki Kumiko, Matano Kazue, Kajita Yoshiskisa, İnomoto Toshimitsu, İwashita Tomoe, Narazaki Kiruyo are in stable condition at Isparta State hospital and other seriously wounded tourists; Harada Yaeko, Hatazoe Sumiko, Makamitsu Keiko, Matsuda Yesut Mika, Matsuda Kei, Uwabu Motoko, were transferred to Suleyman Demirel University Medicine Faculty Hospital.

Gendarma officials took under custody the drivers of the bus and lorry.

JERUSALEM - Turkey and Israel agreed on signing ''Agriculture Cooperation Agreement'' in April 1998, it was reported on Friday.

The agreement document, which was signed by Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Mustafa Tasar and Israeli Agriculture and Rural Development Rafael Eitan yesterday in Tel Aviv, foresees the preparation of agriculture cooperation agreement.

Israeli milk production and feeding technologies, computer implementation in agriculture and genetics material will statr to be used in GAP region according to the agreement document.

The agreement also foresees the increase in trade of agricultural products, technology transfer and exchange of information.

Turkey and Israel will cooperate in new irrigation methods, seeds, diary products and fish farming.

Turkey and Israel also decided to set up technical committees regarding rural development, vegetables and live-stock trade.

[20] TURKEY-EU - EU COMMISSIONER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS HANS VAN DEN BROEK: - ''TURKEY WILL BE INCLUDED IN EU EXPANSION SUMMIT''

Addressing a statement to Belgian newspaper ''La Libre Belgique,'' Van den Broek said that ''Turkey has to pursue a different path because of its special status and I hope Luxembourg Summit will reflect the seriousness of EU regarding the capacity of Turkey to become a full member of EU.''

Noting that the approach of EU is linked with the steps taken by Turkey regarding human rights, Cyprus question and relations with Greece, Van den Broek stated that ''I hope the financial cooperation, which stems from Customs Union, will also be freed.'' Pointing out that there is a big unbalance against Turkey in the budget of customs union which reaches to USD 9-10 billion a year, Broek said, ''we have to see this.''

EU Commissioner Broek pointed out that EU can not stay indifferent concerning the political importance of Turkey which is encircled by the Middle East, Caucasus and the Balkans.

Recalling that Turkey is an associate member of EU since 1963 and its full membership right to EU has been confirmed many times, Broek stressed that EU will reiterate that Turkey is a part of ''European Conference, political dialogue and EU expansion process.''

[21] TURKEY-NATO - CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF GEN. KARADAYI RETURNS TO TURKEY

General Staff said in a written statement that General Karadayı participated in NATO-Russian Federation and NATO-Ukraine Joint Military meetings held within the framework of Partnership For Peace (PFP) Countries for the first time.

The statement noted that Bosnian issue, internal and external adoptation efforts of NATO and other issues concerning European security were taken up during NATO meetings and the most important issue among NATO's internal adoption efforts was pointed out as ''the new commanding structure'' of NATO.

The statement stressed that the recoinciliation reached among NATO countries that this issue is ''not a victory of several countries against others, but common success of the alliance.''

Noting that the Greek General Staff contributed to the meetings in a ''constructive way,'' the statement said that ''General Staff hopes to see the cooperation that exists between Turkish-Greek military officials also in other fields.''

General Staff stated that Gen. Karadayı had the opporturnity to hold bilateral contacts with high ranking officials of NATO and chiefs of general staff of other countries.

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