Anadolu Agency: News in English, 97-12-24

Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

24 DEC 1997

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TURKEY-POLITICS - KARATEPE RESIGNS FROM RP

[03] TURKEY-GREECE - ANKARA CONDEMNS DECISION OF GREECE TO EXPEL A TURKISH CONSULAR OFFICIAL - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''EXCESSIVE AND ARBITRARY EXPULSION''

[04] TURKEY-US-HELICOPTER - US ALLOWS AMERICAN FIRMS TO BID FOR TURKISH HELICOPTER PRODUCTION PROJECT

[05] PKK-GREECE-IRAN LINK

[06] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW

[07] UN-CYPRUS - UN EXTENDS MANDATE OF PEACE FORCES IN CYPRUS TILL JUNE - SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS SUPPORT TO RESUMING OF TALKS BETWEEN LEADERS IN MARCH

[08] TURKEY IN BRIEF - DECEMBER 24, 1997

[09] US-TURKEY - US STATE DEPARTMENT: ''OUR CLOSE RELATIONS WITH TURKEY ARE CONFIRMED WITH THE VISIT OF TURKISH PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ''

[10] TURKEY-US - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ'S VISIT TO US - DECISION FOR THE PARTICIPATION OF US COMPANIES TO HELICOPTER BID OPENED BY TURKEY IS EVALUATED AS ONE OF THE CONCRETE OUTCOMES OF THE VISIT

[11] TURKEY-WATER - PEACE WATER TO FLOW IN 1998 - 95 PERCENT OF LAND STRUCTURES OF MANAVGAT WATER PROJECT CONCLUDED - 60 MILLION DOLLAR SPENT FOR THE PROJECT SO FAR

[12] TURKEY-GREECE - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''WE REITERATE OUR CALL FOR GREEK AUTHORITIES TO CONDEMN PKK TERRORISM OPENLY AND BY GIVING NAME''

[13] TURKEY-EGYPT - TURKEY RESPONDS TO EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER AMR MOUSA

[14] TURKEY-GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE - TURKEY RESPONDS TO GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''IF GREEK CYPRIOT FOREIGN MINISTER HAS AN IDEA TO HAVE A MEETING, HIS INTERLOCUTOR WILL BE TRNC FOREIGN MINISTER''

[15] TURKEY-EU - PARLIAMENT SPEAKER CETIN EVALUATES EU-TURKEY RELATIONS

[16] TURKEY IN BRIEF (2)- DECEMBER 24, 1997

[17] TURKEY-TURKMENISTAN - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ TO MEET TURKMEN PRESIDENT ON TURKMEN NATURAL GAS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HÜRRİYET (LIBERAL)

FUNDAMENTALIST CAPITAL REPORT IN NSC
Natıonal Securıty Councıl (NSC) held a meetıng on Tuesday and dıscussed sources of relıgıous capıtal whıch are out of record.

MİLLİYET (LIBERAL)

US SUPPORT IN ENERGY
Energy Mınıster Cumhur Ersumer saıd the US companıes who has the bıggest share ın Azerı oıl, extended full support to Baku-Ceyhan pıpelıne.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

FEB 18,98, Property: the fıle whıch was closed due to Welfare wıll be opened agaın.

CUMHURİYET (LEFT)

DIPLOMAT RETALIATION FROM ATHENS
Athens retalıated to Turkey's expellıng of a Greek dıplomat on grounds that he engaged in activities incompatible with his status and was asked to leave Turkey within seven days.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT) CLINTON KEEPS HIS PROMISE
Prıme Mınıster Yılmaz's vısıt to US resulted ın an outcome. Presıdent Clınton realızed hıs fırst promıse. Permıssıon was gıven to the US companıes for ''helıcopter bıd.''

RADİKAL (LEFT) THIS SHAME IS ALL OF OURS
Huseyın Korkut could not tell about the torture he receıved and wanted pen to wrıte. Upon thıs, the court decıded for a ''secret case.'' Korkut faınted whıle talkıng about the torture and sent to the hospıtal.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

CLOSURE CASE GROWS UP
Constıtutıonal Court Rapporteur Yusuf Ozturk submıtted new documents to the court about Melıh Gokcek, Tayyıp Erdogan and Abdullah Gul.

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL) THREE MONTHS SCENERIO
Attıtude of the government wıll be clarıfıed before sıx months. Fate of polıcy depends on decısıon on Welfare Party (RP), Susurluk case and Cıller.

MASSACRE LINKED WITH SUSURLUK
Inspectıon Commıttee Chaırman Kutlu Savas who prepare Susurluk gang report for Prıme Mınıster Yılmaz began to ınvestıgate the Edırne massacre where sıx people were kılled.

FİNANSAL FORUM (ECONOMY)

CELEBI: WE MAY HAVE STAND-BY WITH IMF
State Mınıster Isın Celebı saıd Turkey may sıgn every kınd of agreement wıth IMF ıncludıng Stand-by.

[02] TURKEY-POLITICS - KARATEPE RESIGNS FROM RP

Karatepe sent an application to RP Kayseri Provincal Chairmanship and said ''I am resigning from your party.''

Karatepe told A.A correspondent after his resignation that ''I unilaterally done what will will done a while after.''

Karatepe said Court of Appeal confirmed one-year imprisonment given by State Security Court No: 1 to him and this prevented him from actively involving in politics.

''I will not make a political speech from now on. Infact, I do not have the right to make policy,'' he added.

[03] TURKEY-GREECE - ANKARA CONDEMNS DECISION OF GREECE TO EXPEL A TURKISH CONSULAR OFFICIAL - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''EXCESSIVE AND ARBITRARY EXPULSION''

Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying there was documentation that Efstratios Haralambous ''was engaged in activities incompatible with his duties'' and that he was asked to be withdrawn so that ''severe actions would not have to be taken.''

The statement added that Greece called on Administrative attache Nedim Ozergin, serves at the Turkish consulate in the northern port city of Salonica to be withdrawn in retaliation to Ankara's decision to expel Haralambous, an administrative officer at the Greek consulate in Istanbul.

''Greece's demand to withdraw a Turkish official, who does not have an activity but his assignment in this country, was excessive and arbitrary,'' the statement said, adding that ''we condemn this attitude of Greece.''

[04] TURKEY-US-HELICOPTER - US ALLOWS AMERICAN FIRMS TO BID FOR TURKISH HELICOPTER PRODUCTION PROJECT

US State Department Deputy Spokesman James Foley said that several American firms wanted to bid for this international tender, adding that they reviewed the companies' request carefully together with Defense Department.

Announcing Albright's decision, Foley said ''we support this important NATO ally's efforts to meet its legitimate self-defense requirements and to fulfill its NATO commitments.''

Emphasizing that the permit was given to American companies only to compete with European firms, James Foley said that if an American firm wins the auction, a new permit will be given through the consultation of the Congress.

Deputy Spokesman Foley said, ''Turkey will decide on and choose the company to win the tender.''

The project foresees the co-production of more than 140 helicopters in Turkey. Turkey earlier announced the due date of application as December 31, 1997.

[05] PKK-GREECE-IRAN LINK

A high ranking security department official told A.A correspondent that Kilic surrendered to Turkish officials last week and was brought to Hakkari four days ago with a secret operation. He was later sent to Ankara after being interrogated.

Kilic said he was a student in Canakkale March 18 University and fled to Greece last year. Kilic later connected with Greece Intelligence Organization EYP and was given bomb training.

Kilic confessed that he got involved in several activities under the control of Iranian Secret Service SAVAMA. He also said there were lots of terrorists who want to surrender and that those will flee when they find the chance.

Officials said Kilic has information about the structuring of the organization in Greece and in Iran and relations of the PKK in Iran and Greece.

[06] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW

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

NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING
The National Security Council held yesterday its last meeting for 1997. During the five-hour meeting yesterday, the military wing of the Council presses for economic and social measures to boost development in the eastern parts of the country. These measures are expected to back the struggle against terrorism and enhance regional development. Turkey-EU relations and a recent diplomatic crisis in Turco-Greek relations were also taken up. /All papers/

TURKEY-ISRAEL TO PRODUCE MISSILES
Turkey and Israel held high-level talks on 22 December in Ankara to debate the production of Arrow missiles. Turkish and Israeli officials agreed in principle to joint produce, for defense purpose, 500-kilometer-range Arrow missiles, following recent concerns that Iran's and Syria's growing missile potential in the region has reached alarming levels. Deputy Chief of General Staff General Cevik Bir led the Turkish delegation, while David Ivry, the Israeli Defense Ministers' chief assistant responsible for strategic affairs, headed the Isreali delegation. /All papers/

NINE PKK TERRORISTS KILLED
One security official was murdered by terrorists and nine terrorists were killed by security forces in an armed clas in Bing&ouml;l province between security forces and terrorists from the outlawed PKK organization. /All papers/

THY REWARDS ITS PASSENGER
Turkish Airlines (THY) rewarded its 10,000,000th passenger this year, an 18 year-old American citizen, with a plate and a free round-trip ticket to any of the cities served by THY. /All papers/

ATHENS SEEKING 'SCHENGEN VISA' FORMULA FOR TURKS
Schengen countries are carrying on in the usual manner, that is to say not consulting Greece while giving Schengen visas to Turkish citizens, while Greece is trying coming up with a formula for Turkey. After the approval of Greece's Schengen application on the December 7, the Schengen embassies and consulates received new instructions and called their head offices to sak what will they do about Greece's reservation Turks, Albanians, Bulgarians and Macedonians, and had to halt visa procedures for one day. Meanwhile the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Turks who do business in Schengen countries and tourist organizations are trying to fight the new peculiarity they are facing about Schengen. /All papers/

SECRET OPERATION
PKK tetrorist Esref Kilic who was given military training in Greece and Iran, was kidnapped by Turkish agents four days ago with a successful operation in Urumiye, Iran. The terrorist was brought to Ankara in great discretion. Kilic was being prepared to stage bomb attacks against targets in Turkey. /All papers/

GREEK DIPLOMATIC REPRISAL
Greece, retaliating to Turkey`s expulsion of a Greek diplomat, has taken the decision to also expel a Turkish diplomat. Turkey's ambassador to Athens Ali Tuygan was called to the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday and asked to have Nedim Ozergin, an attache in the Thesaloniki Consulate returned to Turkey. Ankara has described Greece's demand for the expulsion of a Turkish diplomat as ''unjust, immoderate and arbitrary'' and has condemned this latest Greek initiative. /Cumhuriyet/

[07] UN-CYPRUS - UN EXTENDS MANDATE OF PEACE FORCES IN CYPRUS TILL JUNE - SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS SUPPORT TO RESUMING OF TALKS BETWEEN LEADERS IN MARCH

The draft resolution that was adopted in the UN Security Council extended support to the continuation of tete-a-tete negotiation process between Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas and Greek Cypriot Leader Glafcos Clerides starting from March 1998. The two leaders were called on to participate in the talks. They also supported to the idea that the talks should be maintained till a lasting solution is found to Cyprus question.

Also, in the resolution, the uneasiness felt over the deployment of S-300 missiles was voiced, despite Russian initiations to prevent it.

The text which was adopted stressed the deep concern felt over the entrance of developed weapons to the island and reiterated the call to withdraw foreign troops from the island and to reduce armament expenditures.

Security Council said ''security package'' prepared by UNFICYP was adopted only by TRNC.

Among the other Articles included in the resolution are as follows:

-Existing status quo in the island is unacceptable.

-Defense expenditures should be reduced and foreign troops should be withdrawn.

-The solution to Cyprus question should be based on sole sovereignity and international identity and sole citizenship principle. The federation which will be set up should be bi-zonal and bi-communal and should be set up by two politically equal community.

-Independence and territorial integrity of Cyprus will be preserved. Partial integration with another country would be regardless of question.

The text also stressed that European Union (EU)'s decision to start full membership negotiations with Cyprus was an important development.

Meanwhile, TRNC reacted to the resolution of Security Council on grounds that it attributed to the so-called ''Cyprus Republic government.''

TRNC's New York Representative Aytug Plumer told A.A correspondent that Greek Cypriot government was not the government of the whole island, adding that they had critized the resolution in question to this end.

Plumer said ''Nevertheless, we will continue to cooperate with UNFICYP within the framework of principles that will be determined by TRNC government.''

TRNC President Rauf Denktas sent a letter to Kofi Annan's Special Representative to Cyprus Diego Cordovez and said they would not lose time by participating in intercommunal talks after the decision of EU as future talks should be made by two units which are polically equal and sovereign.

[08] TURKEY IN BRIEF - DECEMBER 24, 1997

General Staff Secretariat General said in a written statement that the sides also exchanged views on regional security issues during the meeting.

Turkish side was headed by Deputy Chief of General Staff Cevik Bir and Israeli side was headed by Defense Industry Chief Advisor David Ivry.

ANKARA - State Railways (TCDD) Research, Planning and Coordination Department (APK) Chairman Feridun Akyuz said on Wednesday that they will put out to tender the rehabilitation project of Ankara-Istanbul railway in 1998.

Feridun Akyuz told A.A correspondent that the cost of the rehabilitation project will be 250 million dollar.

''We are planning to conclude the project within next three years,'' he added.

TRABZON - Several Turkish companies started to export anchovy to Europe, it was reported on Wednesday.

Turkish Denizeri Fishery Company's one share-holder Recep Denizeri told A.A correspondent that they exported 360 tonnes of freezed anchovy to Sweden, Germany, Holland and Belgium in this season.

ASHKABAT - The foreign trade volume between Turkey and Turkmenistan was 164 million dollar in first ten months of this year, it was reported on Wednesday.

Turkmenistan Statistics Committee officials said that Turkmenistan realized USD 37 million of exportation to Turkey while its importation from Turkey was USD 127.3 million.

ISTANBUL - Transportation Minister Necdet Menzir on Wednesday left for New York on a private visit.

Menzir is expected to return to Turkey on December 29.

[09] US-TURKEY - US STATE DEPARTMENT: ''OUR CLOSE RELATIONS WITH TURKEY ARE CONFIRMED WITH THE VISIT OF TURKISH PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ''

The statement said Yilmaz met the US President Bill Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, State Secretary Madeleine Albright, Defense Minister William Cohen, Minister of Energy Federico Pean and Minister of Commerce William Daley. It recalled that Yilmaz also met the IMF and World Bank Presidents Michel Camdessus and James Wolfenshon.

The statement said during the visit these two countries decided to cooperate on energy, trade, investment, regional issues, Cyprus and Aegean issues in the highest level and that the US State Secretary Albright will pay a visit to Turkey next summer. It said Yilmaz also invited Deputy Secretary of State John Shattuck, responsible for human rights, to Turkey.

The statement also recalled that a plane purchasing agreement worth of 2.5 billion dollars between Turkish Airlines and Boeing company was signed.

During the visit the US side conveyed its concerns to Turkey regarding human rights and Prime Minister Yilmaz said ''this issue has a priority for us.''

The statement said the sides agreed to continue cooperation to reach a solution in Cyprus and to defuse tension in the Aegean ''despite the disappointment felt over Luxembourg Summit, we have conveyed the support extended for the continuation of relations between Turkey and the EU.''

The US State Department Deputy Spokesman James Foley while responding to the questions with a written statement said they had encouraged Turkey to think long term. He said ''we have reiterated our view that Turkey has a Europe vocation and should be improved towards full membership. Yilmaz told us that he did not close gates to EU despite the disappointment.''

Foley said he also conveyed Yilmaz that they hoped that intercommunal talks would be resumed in the Island following the elections in Greek Cypriot side.

Foley also stressed that close relations between Turkey and Israel served to the peace and stability in the region.

[10] TURKEY-US - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ'S VISIT TO US - DECISION FOR THE PARTICIPATION OF US COMPANIES TO HELICOPTER BID OPENED BY TURKEY IS EVALUATED AS ONE OF THE CONCRETE OUTCOMES OF THE VISIT

Turkey announced deadline for the international bidding which will estimately cost 4.5 billion dollars as Dec 31, 1997.

The US State Department did not let the US companies to participate in the bidding due to the reactions of several organizations and anti-Turkish lobbies in the US congress and this created great uneasiness between the two countries.

High ranking officials came to Washington upon this and launched initiations to overcome the problem.

During Deputy Chief of General Staff Gen. Cevik Bir's visit to this country a while ago, important developments could be recorded to this end. The importance of the issue was also stressed during Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's visit.

The issue was brought to the agenda during Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz's contacts in this country. Yilmaz discussed the issue with the US President Bill Clinton, State Secretary Madeleine Albright and Minister of Defense William Cohen.

The US State Department preferred not to make an official announcement during Yilmaz's visit regarding the helicopters. Several political observers, upon this attitude, said companies would not be allowed to participate in the bidding.

Later, Albright disclosed that permission was given to the US companies to this end. Political observers said Yilmaz's statement that ''human rights and democratization issues were the prior aims of the government and that new steps will be taken on the issue'' played an important role.

The US Textron's sub organization ''Bell Helicopter'' will participate in the bidding, AH-1W with Super Cobra and AH-64 will participate with Apache helicopters.

Turkey is expected to announce the name of the company which won the bidding in 1999. Joint production will be realized in Turkey. 50 helicopters is foreseen to be produced at first and this number will be increased to 145 afterwards.

Besides the US companies, German, French, Italian and Russian companies will participate in this giant bidding which is within the framework of modernization of Turkish Armed Forces.

[11] TURKEY-WATER - PEACE WATER TO FLOW IN 1998 - 95 PERCENT OF LAND STRUCTURES OF MANAVGAT WATER PROJECT CONCLUDED - 60 MILLION DOLLAR SPENT FOR THE PROJECT SO FAR

State Water Works (DSI) officials of Antalya Regional Directorate told A.A correspondent that efforts are underway without intervals for the conclusion of the Project.

The regional director Bahri Ege said studies were underway concerning sea leg of the project which is the most difficult part. He said three km pipeline which will be implemented under water was exported and transported to the project region.

Ege said 60 million dollars were spent for the project so far.

The water which will be collected in the platforms will be sent to Israel, the Middle East and African countries and TRNC with balloons or ships.

[12] TURKEY-GREECE - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''WE REITERATE OUR CALL FOR GREEK AUTHORITIES TO CONDEMN PKK TERRORISM OPENLY AND BY GIVING NAME''

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Necati Utkan during a weekly news briefing responded to the questions of reporters about the PKK terrorist captured in Iran's Urumieh city who was claimed to have received training in Greece.

Utkan said the news reports appeared in the media regarding the issue was true in the ''core'' adding that ''if it is also true that this person received training in greece, this will be an evidence of the support Greece extended to the separatist terrorist PKK organization.''

Stressing that Turkey will closely cover the issue from this respect, Utkan said ''I am once more reiterating my call for Greek autroties to condemn PKK terrorism openly and by giving name.''

When recalled a call made by Greek Government Spokesman Dimitris Reppas to Turkey through EU Term Presidency on the issue of convening Wise Men Committee, Utkan said ''this is the first development recorded on the issue since April.''

Utkan pointed out that ''Wise Men Committee'' was on the agenda for a long time, adding that ''from our point of view, this process is one of the aspects covering the dialogue call Turkey extended to Greece. This should be functioned in bilateral plan and its framework should be drawn in this respect.''

Utkan said Turkey sincerely wanted the realization of the Committee within the framework in question.

Responding to a question about Greece's decision to expel a Turkish Consular official in retailiation of the expulsion of Greek Military attache Efstratios Haralambous assigned in Istanbul ''as he was engaged in activities incompatible with his duties,'' Utkan said necessary statement was issued on the issue, adding that Greece's attitude was evaluated as ''excessive and arbitrary.''

Utkan stressed that there was documentation that Efstratios Haralambous ''was engaged in activities incompatible with his duties'' and that he was asked to be withdrawn so that ''severe actions would not have to be taken.'' Utkan said ''the issue is closed for us at this point.''

Responding to questions about the demands Greece put forward for Schengen visa, Utkan said ''there are countries within EU who feel uneasy over this demand of Greece.''

Utkan said there was a ''consultation'' system for Schengen and that countries, out of EU, may call for the investigation of these demands.

Utkan said implementation of Schengen agreement this way may cause ''delays'', adding that ''of course we are uneasy over the attitude of Greece and we launched initiatives to this end.''

[13] TURKEY-EGYPT - TURKEY RESPONDS TO EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER AMR MOUSA

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Necati Utkan told a weekly news briefing that Turkish-Israeli relations were mentioned in the interview in question, adding that ''Turkey calls on Arab countries to consider its justified demands and expectations on issues regarding its vital interests.''

Utkan said, ''Arab solidarity excuses should not form an obstacle to this end,'' adding that it was many times told that Turkish Israeli cooperation did not have any objectives against a third country.

Utkan said ''even if interpretations that our relations with Israel may be against countries of the region come from Egyptian Foreign Minister whom we respect our relations, they are unacceptable.''

Utkan said military cooperation between Turkey and Israel could not be identified as a strategic military alliance as it was told in Mousa's interview in Al-Hayat newspaper, adding that such cooperationss were also existing between Turkey and other countries.

Utkan said Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Mousa also mentioned about the operations of Turkish Armed Forces realized in Northern Iraq, adding that ''it is very open that these operations which are limited in time and scope could not be identified as occupation.''

He said it was many times reiterated that the operations aimed at eradicating separatist terrorist PKK organization acting in Northern Iraq. Utkan also said Turkey was one of the main countries defending territorial integrity of Iraq.

[14] TURKEY-GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE - TURKEY RESPONDS TO GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''IF GREEK CYPRIOT FOREIGN MINISTER HAS AN IDEA TO HAVE A MEETING, HIS INTERLOCUTOR WILL BE TRNC FOREIGN MINISTER''

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Necati Utkan, when recalled that Greek Cypriot side news agency CNA announced that Kasulides had a demand to this end, said ''we have not received such a demand.''

Utkan said ''if this news is true, Greek Cypriot side foreign minister should specify his interlocutor well,'' adding that ''if he has an idea to have a meeting, his interlocutor should be Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Foreign Minister.''

French News Agency AFP, in its report issued on Tuesday evening, said Kasulides proposed to meet Foreign Minister Cem on the issue of solution of Cyprus question. AFP showed CNA as the source.

[15] TURKEY-EU - PARLIAMENT SPEAKER CETIN EVALUATES EU-TURKEY RELATIONS

Speaking in a businessmen meeting Cetin evaluated Turkish-EU relations.

Stressing that Europe made a very big mistake in ''Luxembourg Summit'', Cetin said Turkish people are offended by this decision. I do not believe that the reasons put forward are the real reasons.''

''Europe, with Luxembourg decision, revealed its double standard again,'' Cetin said, adding that ''for years, they have been telling us to solve problems with Greece, Aegean problem and Cyprus question. Why aren't they saying anything to Greece to this end? This is double standard.''

Cetin said EU failed to fulfil its obligations towards Turkey although they brought Turkey political and economic calls. ''In fact, EU is drawing a map and excludes Turkey from this map.''

Cetin said Turkey was a chance for the security of Europe and stressed that Turkey should continue its foreign policy after the recent developments with EU.

[16] TURKEY IN BRIEF (2)- DECEMBER 24, 1997

The project agreement, which foresees the organization and implementation of Information-Education-Communication programmes aiming to improve the reachable and qualified Family Planning and Reproductive Health services in urban areas which rapidly grow due to internal migration, was published in the Official Gazette on Wednesday.

These services are implementad by Health Ministry General Directorate of Family Planning and Mother-Child Care.

TRABZON - Turkey exported 108.9 thousand tonnes of hazelnut in return for 493.7 million dollar during 1997-1998 exportation season which started on September 1, 1997, it was reported on Wednesday.

Turkey exported nearly 100 thousand tonnes of hazelnut to European countries. Turkish Fiskobirlik's share in that exportation was only 20 tonnes.

ANKARA - Albanian Defense Minister Sabit Brokaj, who came to Turkey as the official guest of Deputy Prime Minister and National Defense Minister Ismet Sezgin, on Wednesday met Chief of General Staff Gen. Ismail Hakki Karadayi.

General Karadayi during the meeting said that there is a very good dialogue between Turkey and Albania.

Guest Minister Brokaj will leave Turkey on December 26.

SEMDINLI - Semdinli District Governor's Office of Hakkari province gave five billion lira of food, clothing and accommodation aid to 44 families who returned from Northern Iraq and settled in Semdinli township, it was reported on Wednesday.

Those families had left their Ormancik village in Semdinli township and escaped to Northern Iraq due to separatist terrorist organization's pressure, but they returned to their homeland last week.

[17] TURKEY-TURKMENISTAN - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ TO MEET TURKMEN PRESIDENT ON TURKMEN NATURAL GAS

Turkmen government sources said if the meeting between Yilmaz and Turkmenbasi resulted in an agreement, this will be the best solution for a country who has to sell energy on one side and for a country who is in need of energy on the other.

Turkmen officials say the best choice for Turkey will be Turkmen natural gas. They say both Russia and Iran will purchase Turkmen gas and sell Turkey for a higher price.

Meanwhile, it was reported that efforts of Turkmenistan are underway to reach international markets.

Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article