Anadolu Agency: News in English, 97-12-18

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

18 DEC 1997

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TURKEY-US - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ IN NEW YORK - YILMAZ: ''TURKEY TO PUT ITS STAMP TO NEXT CENTURY'' - YILMAZ RECEIVES STATESMANSHİP AWARD - YILMAZ MEETS HOLBROOKE

[03] TURKEY-DEMONSTRATION - 488 STUDENTS TAKEN UNDER CUSTODY DURING DEMOSTRATION IN KIZILAY SQUARE - FOUR POLICE AND NINE DEMONSTRATORS INJURED DURING INCIDENTS

[04] TURKEY-PARTY - VIRTUE PARTY (FAZILET) SET UP

[05] TURKEY-EU - REACTIONS TO PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ'S STATEMENT - JUNCKER: ''WE DO NOT WANT TURKEY TO WITHDRAW ITS FULL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION''

[06] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[07] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[08] UN-CYPRUS - DENKTAS SENDS A LETTER TO CORDOVEZ

[09] TURKEY-US-TRADE - US TRADE ATTACHE FLUKER: ''TURKEY IS A HEALTHY, RICH AND RAPIDLY IMPROVING MARKET. WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE USE OF THIS POTENTIAL''

[10] TURKEY-EU - DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''THERE IS NO NEED TO LINK TURKEY'S FATE TO ONLY WEST''

[11] TURKEY IN BRIEF - DECEMBER 18, 1997

[12] TURKEY-EGYPT - EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT HOSNI MUBARAK RECEIVES GENERAL KARADAYI - KARADAYI: ''WE HAVE SEEN THAT WE CAN FURTHER COOPERATE, TAKE FURTHER STEPS WITH EGYPT FOR INSTALLATION AND CONTINUATION OF STABILITY IN OUR REGION''

[13] TURKEY-PAKISTAN - PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR PAKISTAN

[14] TURKEY-EU - HANS VAN DEN BROEK: ''LET THE DUST SETTLE SOMEWHAT IN ORDER TO PICK UP THE LINE AGAIN'' - THE DUTCH FOREIGN MINISTER VAN MIERLO: ''EUROPE NEEDS TIME''

[15] TURKEY-ECONOMY - CENTRAL BANK'S FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES REDUCE TO 18.7 BILLION DOLLAR

[16] TURKEY-EU - EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT'S ADVISORY RESOLUTION: ''TURKEY SHOULD REVIEW ITS DECISION''

[17] TURKEY-ECONOMY - FOREIGN DEBT PAYMENTS - TURKEY PAYS 9.8 BILLION DOLLAR FOREIGN DEBT SINCE JANUARY 1997

[18] TURKISH CYPRIOTS-BRITAIN - TURKISH CYPRIOTS LIVING IN BRITAIN TO TAKE LEGAL STEPS IF BRITAIN SUPPORTS GREEK CYPRIOT'S FULL MEMBERSHIP TO EU

[19] TURKEY-ECONOMY - TOTAL AMOUNT OF STATE DOMESTIC DEBT INSTRUMENTS IN BANKS RISES BY 108,1 PERCENT IN FIRST 11 MONTHS OF 1997

[20] TURKEY-EU - NO AID TO TURKEY FROM EU BUDGET

[21] TURKEY-EU-OSCE - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: ''EU SHOULD FULFIL ITS OBLIGATIONS STEMMING FROM CUSTOMS UNION'' - ''TURKEY ATTRIBUTES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO OSCE''

[22] TURKEY-HUNGARY - DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER SEZGIN IN HUNGARY - TURKEY AND HUNGARY SIGN COOPERATION AGREEMENT ON MILITARY TRAINING

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HÜRRİYET (LIBERAL)

NO CREDIT TO BRIBEE
OECD banned extending World Bank credit to countries who give or take bribe in international tenders.

MİLLİYET (LIBERAL)

CONGRATULATIONS TO ROTH
Two European Parliamentarians Roth and Lalumiere who Ayvaz Gokdemir accused saying ''whore'' harshly reacted to European Union in European Parliament and said ''you behaved hypocritically to Turkey.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

''PRESENT DISCUSSION''
Finance Minister's ''ban on presents'' separates the government. Interior Minister Basesgioglu says ''there may be small presents to remember people. Giving presents is a tradition.''

CUMHURİYET (LEFT)

SNOW PARALYSES DAILY LIFE
Bad weather conditions paralyses life in the world and in Turkey. 53 people died in Russia and in Europe due to cold weather. Heavy snow badly effects life in Istanbul.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

''WE ARE AGAIN SAVED WITH LITTLE HARM''
Giant tanker loaded with fuel was driven aground in Yenikoy district. The Strait, which got rid of a very big danger, was closed to traffic.

RADİKAL (LEFT)

FROM US TO ANKARA: ''STRICT REACTION NOT NECESSARY''
US Administration says: ''We understand Turkey yet, we want it to change its strict attitude.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

TANER: ''WE WILL CONSULT TO IMF''
State Minister Guner Taner identified talks with IMF as ''only consultation, adding Turkey did not need a stand-by agreement with the IMF ''this is not on the agenda'' Taner also said.

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

FIRST PARTY FROM WELFARE (RP): FAZILET
Welfare Party (RP) set up its first reserve party with the name of ''Fazilet'' (Virtue). Documents of Fazilet Party was given by Muzaffer Onder to Interior Ministry.

FİNANSAL FORUM (ECONOMY)

EU COMMISSION CHAIRMAN SANTER: ''CONCRETE PROPOSALS MADE TO ANKARA''
Debates continue about Turkey within EU following Luxembourg summit where historical decisions were taken about Turkey. EU Commission Chairman Santer claims that EU followed a positive attitude towards Turkey and made concrete proposals.

[02] TURKEY-US - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ IN NEW YORK - YILMAZ: ''TURKEY TO PUT ITS STAMP TO NEXT CENTURY'' - YILMAZ RECEIVES STATESMANSHİP AWARD - YILMAZ MEETS HOLBROOKE

Addressing a reception hosted in his honor by Turkish-American Association Federation, Yilmaz said expectations of Turkish citizens abroad were the main goals of the government adding his government was open to every proposal and views.

Stressing that their main goal was to own Ataturk's principles, secular Republic and democracy, Premier Yilmaz said Turkey had problem as every country has.

Yilmaz said ''it is performance period now'' adding that they would follow eight years compulsory education, health, justice, tax and social security reforms.''

Yilmaz said the government focused on economic issues and that struggle against inflation and unemployment were the prior goals.

Meanwhile Yilmaz also received an award for statesmanship from the Jewish Anti-Defamation League for his efforts to promote democracy and religious tolerance in his country.

ADL National Director Abraham Foxman who gave the reward to Yilmaz said he presented the reward, a symbol of freedom, as the expression of gratitude of Jewish people.

Addressing a meeting staged Yilmaz said Turkey supported Israel's right of existance and thanked to ADL's support extended to Turkey's EU full membership.

''This award pays tribute to a few simple ideas deep in my nation's soul,'' Yilmaz said. ''The idea that intolerance anywhere should stir the conscience everywhere, that religous discrimination, whether against Jews, Muslims or Christians, has no place in a civilized society, and that the most effective way to unclench the fists of hate is to open minds and expand the human heart.''

Foxman praised Turkey's commitment to democracy, tolerance and secularism. ''The leaders and people of this Muslim country have demonstrated their tolerance and friendliness to the Turkish-Jewish community, no matter what regime holds power.''

Yilmaz also met the US President Bill Clinton's Special Envoy to Cyprus Richard Holbrooke.

During the meeting Holbrooke told Yilmaz that US President Clinton was sensitive on improving Turkish-American relations and Turkish-Greek relations and establishment of bi-zonal, bi-communal federation in Cyprus.

Holbrooke underlined that Clinton attributed a special importance to its meeting with Yilmaz and added that he did not bring a plan.

Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz is expected to have intense meetings in Washington today. He will meet with President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore IMF Presdient Michel Camdesus, World Bank President James Wolefenshon, high ranking administratiors of giant US Companies and have dinner with the US State Secretary Madeline Albright.

[03] TURKEY-DEMONSTRATION - 488 STUDENTS TAKEN UNDER CUSTODY DURING DEMOSTRATION IN KIZILAY SQUARE - FOUR POLICE AND NINE DEMONSTRATORS INJURED DURING INCIDENTS

Labor Unions, associations, and democratic mass organizations supported the demonstration of the students.

The police warned the students to disperse, and the students replied with slogans.

Meanwhile, it was also reported that four police and nine demonstrators were injured during incidents happened in Kizilay square. 50 students were taken under custody after the demonstration.

Police also took under custody 438 students who came from Istanbul to join the demonstration.

[04] TURKEY-PARTY - VIRTUE PARTY (FAZILET) SET UP

It was reported that party symbol was not included in the foundation application.

Five lawyers, two engineers, seven retired people, sixteen businessmen, one worker, one industrialist and two economists were included in the foundation list of Fazilet Party.

Meanwhile, Welfare Party (RP) Deputy Chairman Ahmet Tekdal said there was no relation between Virtue Party and Welfare Party.

Tekdal said he did not know Lawyer Muzaffer Onder and did not think that he has any relations with Welfare.

[05] TURKEY-EU - REACTIONS TO PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ'S STATEMENT - JUNCKER: ''WE DO NOT WANT TURKEY TO WITHDRAW ITS FULL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION''

Addressing a press conference in European Parlimanet Junker said ''we do not want Turkey to withdraw its full membership application.''

Juncker also said he did not want to think of Turkey to withdraw its application.

Juncker claimed that with the resolution taken during Luxembourg summit held between Dec 12 and 13, the gates were not closed to Turkey on the contrary it was opened.

[06] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

EU COMMISSIONER ASKS FOR MEETING WITH CEM
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem has agreed to have talks with European Union (EU) Commissioner resposible for Foreign Relation, Hans van den Broek, strictly on the subject of the government's Sunday announcement to freeze political dialogue with the EU. Cem, currently attending a NATO ministers meeting in Brussels agreed to meet Broek in Copenhagen on Friday, where he will attend an OSCE ministers meeting. /Milliyet and all papers/

PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ IN NEW YORK
Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz headed yesterday for New York together with a 200-person delegation for a five day visit. Yesterday Yilmaz met US President Bill Clinton's Special Cyprus Envoy Richard Holbrooke and Cyrus Coordinator Tom Miller. The Turkish Prime Minister was presented with an award by the Anti-Defamation League lobby group. The same ''Honorary Statesman'' award has also been presented to Richard Holbrooke, US State Secretary Madeleine Albright, German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel and other officials. Today Yilmaz will ring the bell at the Wall Street stock exchange to open the morning session, and then he will fly to Washington. Tomorrow Yilmaz is scheduled to meet US President Bill Clinton and other top level US officials. During his contacts in Washinton, Yilmaz will work out a number of agreements for bilateral economic cooperation. /Sabah/

ISTANBUL CLOSELY ESCAPES DISASTER
A 30,000 ton Norwegian tanker carrying early oil run aground yesterday morning near Yenikoy, Istanbul, paralyzing marine traffic through the Bosphorus Straits. Observers say that the tanker could have exploded and add that with the hazardous tanker traffic through the Bosphorus, the next time Istanbul citizens may not be that lucky. /Cumhuriyet and all papers/

BALANCE OF LATEST OPERATION IN NORTHERN IRAQ
The General Staff yesterday gave out details about the sweeping-up operation in Northern Iraq against the terrorist PKK organization sucessfully completed early this week. According to General Staff figures, 182 terrorists were killed in the clashes, and 807 tons of weapons, ammunition, medical and food supply worth TL 343 billion have been seized. A PKK training camp in Misalog was destroyed by the Turkish Armed Forces during the operation. /Milliyet/

(CONTINUES)

[07] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

US WILL DELIVER THREE TANKER AIRCRAFT TO TURKEY
Three U.S.-made KC-135R tanker aircraft will be delivered to the Turkish Air Force as a first package on December 19 under an earlier agreement for a total of seven aircraft. The next four aircraft will be delivered by May, 1998. An official ceremony marking the delivery will be held at the joint Turkish-American air base in Incirlik on Friday. /Cumhuriyet/

SEZGIN IN BUDAPEST
Defense Minister Ismet Sezgin yesterday began an official two-day visit to Hungary to sign a military training and cooperation agreement between Ankara and Budapest. Sezgin, who was greeted by his Hungarian counterpart, Ghorgy Keleti, at Budapest's Tokol Airport, will head the Turkish delegation during official talks between the delegations. The signing of a military training and cooperation accord will follow the meeting. During his visit to Budapest, Sezgin is expected to meet with Hungarian Parliamentary Speaker Zoltan Gal, Prime Minister Gyula Horn and the Hungarian Parliament's Foreign Relations Commission chairman, Istvan Szent- Ivanyi. He will return to Turkey on December 19./Cumhuriyet/

TRNC TO SEEK INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has decided to accelerate its efforts to obtain international recognition following the European Union's (EU) recent decision to invite Greek Cyprus to start accession talks next year. ''An official call for our recognition is now on the agenda. The steps to be taken have been determined,'' said TRNC Defense and Foreign Minister Taner Yetkin. The EU, at its December 12-13 summit in Luxembourg, invited five eastern European countries plus Greek Cyprus to start membership talks next year, preferably with a mixed delegation but if that proves to be politically impossible, with Greek Cypriots only. The Turkish Cypriot government has repeatedly rejected the proposal, saying that they can join the talks only as a separate but equal state. /Cumhuriyet/

SNOW PARALYZES LIFE
Thrace and Western Anatolia are in the grip of heavy snow, and severe winter storms continue in the southern parts of the country. Snow has paralyzed life in Istanbul. People who set out on their way back home yesterday evening were stuck on the road. Snow locked up the traffic, cut electricity supplies and caused dalays in mass transportation schedules. The Istanbul Governor's Office declared a one-day official holiday for primary and secondary schools. /Cumhuriyet and all papers/

TURKEY APPOINTS NEW AMBASSADOR TO LIBYA
Turkey and Libya have decided to mutually appoint ambassadors. Accordingly, Turkey has requested a letter of accredition for Ambassador Mufit Ozdes. Observers say that this move is an indication of Turkey's efforts to improve relations with Arab countries. /Cumhuriyet/ Milliyet/

TURKISH BUSINESSMAN CEM KINAY GIVEN AUSTRIAN AWARD
Trend, an economics periodical, and News, a weekly magazine in Austria, has presented Dr.Cem Kinay with the the Businessman of the Year award. The award was presented by Dr. Christian Rainer, the editor of Trend, in a ceremony where Minister of Internal Affairs, Karl Schogl, remarked his friendship with Kinay and expressed his admirations for Kinay's performance in the field of tourism organization. Dr.Kinay, in his reply, thanked his family and all the people working in his company for their support. Kinay underlined that with this award Austria was again giving support and encouragement to foreign businessmen. /Hurriyet/

[08] UN-CYPRUS - DENKTAS SENDS A LETTER TO CORDOVEZ

Denktas sent a letter to the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's Special Representative to Diego Cordovez and said ''intercommunal talks ended after EU's decision taken during Luxembourg summit'' and added that ''there could be talks from now only only among states which have equal status.''

UN was planning to bring the leaders of the two communities together in Cyprus after elections scheduled to take place in March 1998.

Meanwhile, UN Security Council held its first consultation meeting regarding Cyprus on Wednesday.

Russia rejected to an Article which was included in a draft resolution preparated by Britain to be presented to the Council which said ''deployment of S-300 missiles to the Island would negatively effect detente process and intercommunal talks.''

The draft resolution is expected to be voted on Friday.

[09] TURKEY-US-TRADE - US TRADE ATTACHE FLUKER: ''TURKEY IS A HEALTHY, RICH AND RAPIDLY IMPROVING MARKET. WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE USE OF THIS POTENTIAL''

Pointing out that the US had realized USD 158 million of investment in Turkey this year and this amount would be increased in future, Fluker said, ''commercial relations between Turkey and the US have increased to the highest level in recent years.''

''We extend intense efforts to introduce Turkey to American firms and to increase trade volume. I want Turkish companies to insist on setting up ties with our companies and not give up,'' Fluker added.

Responding to a question, US Consul to Adana Stuart Jones said, ''I believe Turkey will integrate into European Union (EU),'' adding that ''the US have supported Turkey's integration and membership to EU and will continue to support.''

''The US is Turkey's best ally country and its supporter. This support is not only resulted from Turkey's strategical importance. This showed itself in Baku-Ceyhan pipeline and EU memberhip issues. The US has realized quota- easiness implementation to Turkey. Turkish-American relations are based upon concrete basis and the existing situation of relations is in good level,'' Jones said.

[10] TURKEY-EU - DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''THERE IS NO NEED TO LINK TURKEY'S FATE TO ONLY WEST''

Responding to questions of journalists, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit stated that ''members of the Council of Ministers sometimes express their personal opinions, but when we come together we talk and reach an agreement. There is no question of a difference of opinion.''

Ecevit stressed that firstly the Council of Ministers should have to discuss the topic.

Noting that EU membership is a right of Turkey since 1963 Rome Treaty and Turkey is a member of NATO, Western European Union (WEU) and Council of Europe (COE), Ecevit said that this special status opens one door to Turkey while another one is closing.

Bulent Ecevit stated that Russia and Turkey took very important steps in economic and political field, therefore ''there is no need to link Turkey's fate to only Europe,'' he said.

[11] TURKEY IN BRIEF - DECEMBER 18, 1997

Responding to a question after the meeting with his Hungarian counterpart Keleti, Sezgin said, ''we see NATO as the symbol of democracy, supremacy of law, security, continuos stability and peace. Turkey as a NATO-allied country knows that the integrity and continuos stability and peace in Europe can be provided only under NATO umbrella.''

Pointing out that Turkey will not convey different statements in NATO's Madrid summit, Sezgin said that Turkey will support Hungary, Czech Republic and Poland in the expansion process of NATO.

Responding to another question, Sezgin said that Turkey continues its economic development despite EU, adding ''EU's exclusion will give harm to Europe rather than Turkey.''

Sezgin and Keleti will sign ''Military Training Cooperation Agreement'' on Friday.

CAIRO - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak received Chief of General Staff Ismail Hakki Karadayi currently holding contacts in Egypt.

Mubarak received Karadayi and the accompanying delegation in Presidential Palace in the morning.

PARIS - Member states of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and five other countries on Wednesday signed a convention to help eradicate bribery in international business in Paris. Justice Minister Oltan Sungurlu signed OECD-Bribery Accord on behalf of Turkey.

The accord makes bribery a criminal offense in some cases, but not all, depending upon national laws, and does not apply to foreign political parties or private individuals. But it makes bribery of foreign public officials an extraditable offense.

The agreement is to take effect by the end of 1998. Signing countries must first make it ratified by their national parliaments.

Under the convention, those who bribe public officials in foreign countries are acting illegally and are subject to criminal sanctions, or non-criminal sanctions if the laws of the country in question provide that.

[12] TURKEY-EGYPT - EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT HOSNI MUBARAK RECEIVES GENERAL KARADAYI - KARADAYI: ''WE HAVE SEEN THAT WE CAN FURTHER COOPERATE, TAKE FURTHER STEPS WITH EGYPT FOR INSTALLATION AND CONTINUATION OF STABILITY IN OUR REGION''

Egytian President Hosni Mubarak received Chief of General Staff Karadayı. Addressing a statement after the meeting, General Karadayı stated that ''I believe that face-to-face meeting is very important. We have agreed to hold further military contacts and set up further dialogue in order to prevent misunderstandings. We have to bring two brotherly countries closer.''

General Karadayı stated that he had the opportunity to explain Turkey's views to Egyptian President Mubarak and Defense Minister Hussein Tantavi regarding the problems that concern the two countries and the region.

Noting that the cooperation activities between Turkish and Egytian armed forces pleases Turkey, General Karadayı pointed out that ''I believe that there are more cooperation fields and potential between the two countries in the fields of military training and defense industry.''

After meeting with Mubarak, Egyptian Prime Minister Kemal al Ganzuri received General Karadayı.

[13] TURKEY-PAKISTAN - PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR PAKISTAN

State Minister Rıfat Serdaroglu and Minister of Industry and Trade Yalım Erez accompany President Demirel in his visit to Pakistan.

Addressing a statement at Esenboga Airport before leaving for Pakistan, President Demirel said that Turkish entrepreneur can compete in world markets easily today and it became famous in five continents.

Demirel stated that he will participate in a ceremony held regarding several important infrastructure projects which were constructed by Turkish contractors in Pakistan.

''The value of projects which were carried out by Turkish contractors abroad reached billions of dollars and this shows Turkey's economic power in the world,'' said Demirel.

Noting that the value of projects carried out by Turkish contractors in Pakistan reached 1,4 billion dollars, President Demirel added that ''I will participate in the ceremony where the foundation of Islamabad-Peshaver motorway project will be laid.

The project, worth of 640 million dollars, is the most expensive tender which Turkey won abroad by itself. Later I will attend signature ceremony of an agreement which foresees the construction of 80 million dollars Pehur Irrigation Canal project which will be carried out by a Turkish firm.''

President Demirel added that he will have the opportunity to meet Pakistani leaders during his visit.

[14] TURKEY-EU - HANS VAN DEN BROEK: ''LET THE DUST SETTLE SOMEWHAT IN ORDER TO PICK UP THE LINE AGAIN'' - THE DUTCH FOREIGN MINISTER VAN MIERLO: ''EUROPE NEEDS TIME''

EU Commissioner Hans van den Broek Responsible from European Affairs met Foreign Minister Ismail Cem.

Addressing a press briefing after meeting Cem, Hans van den Broek said that ''we do need some period of reflection and calm and let the dust settle somewhat in order to pick up the line again. I think we should try to stay away from anything that sounds like threats or trying to impress each other with firm and tough statements.''

Noting that Turkey and EU have reciprocal interests, Hans van den Broek pointed out that sensitive political issues can not be solved without dialogue.

Responding to questions of journalists, the Dutch Foreign Minister Hans van Mierlo, in his part said that Europe needs time.

Pointing out that all kinds of efforts should be launched to improve the relations between Turkey and EU, Van Mierlo stated that ''Several countries have to get used to the idea of Turkey's membership to EU, but also Turkey needs time to abide by the union criteria.''

Van Mierlo claimed that there are obligations, not conditions which are valid for every country to participate in European Conference, adding that these are not ''special for Turkey.''

German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel left the questions of journalists unresponded and said that he will not comment on anything about Turkey.

The proposals which foresee transfer of OSCE Term Presidency to Poland from Denmark and holding OSCE Summit in Istanbul in 1998 are the most important topics of the OSCE Meeting.

The preparation of European Security Convention and making the organization more functional and effective will be taken up during OSCE meeting.

The situations in Nagorno-Karabakh, Chechnia, Bosnia and Albania is also reviewed.

The OSCE meeting will end by the publication of a final declaration.

[15] TURKEY-ECONOMY - CENTRAL BANK'S FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES REDUCE TO 18.7 BILLION DOLLAR

Bank's foreign exchange reserves reduced 610 million dollar to 18.7 billion dollar on December 12 from 19.3 billion dollar on December 5, according to Central Bank's statistics.

Meanwhile, Turkey's international foreign exchange reserves reduced to 29.7 billion dollar with 574 million dollar decrease on November 30.

Turkey's international reserves were constituted of USD 384 million of gold, USD 19.5 billion of Central Bank's foreign exchange reserves and USD 8.9 billion of commercial banks' foreign exchange reserves, according to November 28-based statistics.

[16] TURKEY-EU - EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT'S ADVISORY RESOLUTION: ''TURKEY SHOULD REVIEW ITS DECISION''

''European Parliament calls Turkey to re-evaluate the real opportunities which were offered to itself for close cooperation with European Union (EU), '' noted the advisory resolution.

The advisory resolution stressed that it welcomed the decision of EU Council which gave a strategy to prepare Turkey for full membership.

The recent attitude of European Parliament, which did not mention extending full membership strategy to Turkey in its earlier resolutions, is evaluated as ''EP also becomes milder towards Turkey'' by diplomatic sources.

EP advisory recommendation stressed that ''Turkish Cypriot representatives should also be invited to full membership negotiations between EU and Cyprus'' and claimed that Turkey should refrain from taking unilateral steps that will curtail full membership process of Cyprus.

[17] TURKEY-ECONOMY - FOREIGN DEBT PAYMENTS - TURKEY PAYS 9.8 BILLION DOLLAR FOREIGN DEBT SINCE JANUARY 1997

Treasury paid USD 7.7 billion, Central Bank paid USD 504.7 million, Turkish Defense Fund paid USD 391 million and other public institutions and organizations paid USD 1.2 billion foreign debt between January 1-December 17, 1997, according to Central Bank's statistics.

According to the same statistics, Turkey paid USD 594.6 million of foreign debt between December 1-17, 1997.

The foreign debt payments between January-November 1997 are as follows:

Foreign Debt Payment Month (US Dollar) Jan. 449 million Feb. 668.4 million March 1.3 billion Apr. 727.1 million May 655.4 million June 1.2 billion July 771.3 million Aug. 776.9 million Sept. 678.3 million Oct. 744.8 million Nov. 1.2 billion

[18] TURKISH CYPRIOTS-BRITAIN - TURKISH CYPRIOTS LIVING IN BRITAIN TO TAKE LEGAL STEPS IF BRITAIN SUPPORTS GREEK CYPRIOT'S FULL MEMBERSHIP TO EU

The Chairman of Turkish Cypriot Associations Council Zeka Alsancak sent a letter to British Foreign Minister Robin Cook in the name of Turkish Cypriots living in Britain.

Noting that the support of Greek Cypriot side's full membership to EU by Britain means violation of British laws, the letter noted that ''the British government has to protect the interests of the two communities in the island under the Order in Council and Cyprus Constitution which were adopted both in 1960.''

Zeka Alsancak stressed in his letter that the unilateral application of Greek Cypriot side to EU is against the 1960 Cyprus Constitution, adding that the admission of Greek Cypriot side to EU will violate the rights of Turkish Cypriots living in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

The letter went on saying that if Britain supports the application, Turkish Cypriots will apply to court for annulement of this application.

[19] TURKEY-ECONOMY - TOTAL AMOUNT OF STATE DOMESTIC DEBT INSTRUMENTS IN BANKS RISES BY 108,1 PERCENT IN FIRST 11 MONTHS OF 1997

Central Bank officials told A.A correspondent that the state domestic debt instruments increased 903.2 trillion lira to 1.7 quadrillion lira on November 28 from 835.3 trillion lira on December 31, 1996.

Officials said that the state bonds in banks rose 562.6 trillion lira to 997.6 trillion lira on November 28 from 435.1 trillion lira at the end of 1996.

In the same period, the treasury bonds in banks increased 340.8 trillion lira to 741 trillion lira at the end of November 1997 from 400.2 trillion lira on December 27, 1996.

Meanwhile, banks' repurchase transactions during January-November 1997 period rose 267,7 percent to 2.5 quadrillion lira from 671.4 trillion lira at the end of last year.

[20] TURKEY-EU - NO AID TO TURKEY FROM EU BUDGET

European Parliament suspended the aid, worth of 53 million ECU, which would be given to Turkey for 1998 within the framework of ''special action plan, '' foreseen by EU Commission.

European Parliament considered human rights, international law, Cyprus question, Southeastern problem and attitude of Turkey regarding customs union as excuses for suspending aid to Turkey.

European Parliament decided to give aids to Turkey from Mediterranean Development and Cooperation Fund (MEDA) on condition and only for specific projects.

[21] TURKEY-EU-OSCE - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: ''EU SHOULD FULFIL ITS OBLIGATIONS STEMMING FROM CUSTOMS UNION'' - ''TURKEY ATTRIBUTES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO OSCE''

Foreign Minister Cem, who is in Copenhagen to participate in Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) meeting, held a press briefing regarding his bilateral contacts and meetings.

''Before meeting with EU Commissioner Hans van den Broek responsible from Foreign Affairs, I recalled our known government decision and told him that we can only discuss specific issues. Therefore we mainly discussed customs union with Broek,'' Cem said.

Noting that EU can not have any excuses for not fulfiling its obligations stemming from customs union, Cem said he told Broek that EU should solve problems like Greek veto within itself.

Foreign Minister Cem stressed that the statements of Prime Minister Yılmaz, who said that Turkey gives six months to EU, have been exaggerated by media.

Ismail Cem stressed that Turkey attributes great importance to OSCE and the latter represents a developing world namely Euroasia.

Cem added that efforts are underway to hold OSCE meeting in Istanbul next year.

[22] TURKEY-HUNGARY - DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER SEZGIN IN HUNGARY - TURKEY AND HUNGARY SIGN COOPERATION AGREEMENT ON MILITARY TRAINING

Sezgin met Hungarian Defense Minister Gyorg Keleti and later Turkish- Hungarian Cooperation Agreement on Military Training was signed.

Addressing a joint press briefing with Sezgin, Hungarian Defense Minister Keleti said that the agreement and the support of Turkey concerning entrance of Hungary to NATO were taken up in his meeting with Sezgin.

Ismet Sezgin in his part stated that Hungary and Turkey are two countries which share similar values and Turkey supports Hungary's inclusion in NATO enlargement process.

''Turkey welcomes the desire of Hungary which wishes to be included in southern flank of NATO within the framework of new command-control structure,'' said Sezgin.

Responding to a question of Hungarian journalist, Sezgin stressed that ''Turkey can not distance itself from Europe. Maybe there can be powers which wish to isolate us from Europe, but they will not succeed.''

National Defense Minister Sezgin will participate in a dinner which will be hosted by Turkish Ambassador to Ismet Birsel the same day.

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