Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-01-07

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

07 JAN 1998

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TURKEY-ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS - TURKISH POLICE CHIEF BILICAN LEAVES FOR ROME TO PARTICIPATE IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS MEETING

[03] TURKEY-OPERATION - ACTIVE PART OF TURKISH-ISRAELI-US JOINT MILITARY OPERATION STARTS

[04] TURKEY-ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS - POLICE ARRESTS 41 NORTHERN IRAQI IMMIGRANTS

[05] US-OPERATION - US ANSWER TO EGYPT: ''WE SUPPORT TURKISH-ISRAELI COOPERATION''

[06] US-CYPRUS - US PRESIDENT CLINTON: ''WE HAVE FREQUENTLY EXPRESSED OUR CONCERN OVER S-300 MISSILES''

[07] TURKEY-FOREIGN POLICY - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: ''WE DO NOT FORESEE TO JOIN WESTERN TRAIN BY THIRD CLASS TICKET''

[08] TURKEY-ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS - POLICE DETAINS 166 FOREIGNERS WHO ATTEMPTED TO PASS TURKISH BORDER ILLEGALLY

[09] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[10] TURKEY PRESS REVIEW (2)

[11] TURKEY-HEROIN - POLICE SEIZES 12 KG PURE HEROIN IN ESKISEHIR

[12] TURKEY-TOURISM - THE DUTCH TOURISTS PREFER TURKEY

[13] TURKEY-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION - 14 IRAQIS WHO ENTERED TURKEY ILLEGALLY ARRESTED IN VAN

[14] TURKEY-ISRAEL-US - TURKISH-ISRAELI-US JOINT MANEUVER - ACTIVE PART OF MANEUVER PERFORMED

[15] TURKEY-IRAQ - IRAQ RESTARTS TO PUMP OIL TO YUMURTALIK

[16] TURKEY-GREECE - FOREIGN MINISTRY SAYS 10-MILES AIR SPACE IMPLEMENTATION OF GREECE WILL NOT BE RECOGNIZED

[17] TURKEY-GREECE - FOREIGN MINISTRY SAYS GREEK PLANS TO OPEN DESERTED ISLETS IN THE AEGEAN TO SETTLEMENT ARE UNACCEPTABLE

[18] TURKEY-BRITAIN - ANKARA EXPRESSES THE UNEASINESS FELT OVER THE WORDS OF BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTER

[19] TURKEY-FRANCE - FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER VEDRINE'S VISIT TO TURKEY

[20] ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT PROBLEM - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''SECURITY DIMENSION OF THE ISSUE PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT''

[21] TURKEY-GREECE - FM SPOKESMAN UTKAN: ''GREEK ALLEGATIONS THAT FUNCTIONS OF WISE MEN COMMITTEE ARE LINKED WITH THE EU, IS AN APPROACH FAR AWAY FROM THE FACTS'' - TURKEY CALLS WISE MEN COMMITTEE TO CONVENE

[22] TURKEY IN BRIEF - JANUARY 7, 1998

[23] TURKEY-TELECOMMUNICATIONS - INSTALLATION OF MAIN FIBER OPTIC CABLE NETWORK BETWEEN TURKISH REPUBLICS, CHINA AND EUROPEAN COUNTRIES COMPLETED - TURKEY'S INTERNATIONAL TRANSIT TRAFFIC VOLUME WILL CONSIDERABLY INCREASE

[24] TURKEY-STRAITS REGULATIONS - 1994 STRAITS REGULATIONS RE-ARRANGED AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION VIEWS OF THE CONCERNED COUNTRIES

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HÜRRİYET (LIBERAL)

MİLLİYET (LIBERAL)

SABAH (LIBERAL)

NEW PRESIDENT OF CONSTITUTIONAL COURT
Ahmet Necdet Sezer was elected as the new president of the Constitutional Court after the former president Yekta Gungor Ozden retired. Sezer became the 14th president of the Supreme Court. Sezer, who was born in 1941.

CUMHURİYET (LEFT)

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

RADİKAL (LEFT)

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

FİNANSAL FORUM (ECONOMY)

[02] TURKEY-ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS - TURKISH POLICE CHIEF BILICAN LEAVES FOR ROME TO PARTICIPATE IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS MEETING

Bilican and his counterparts from Germany, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, andn Greece will participate in the meeting to discuss the issue of illegal immigrant movement and the measures that can be taken regarding this issue.

Necati Bilican will address the meeting concerning illegal immigrants and the activities of the separatist terrorist organization PKK.

[03] TURKEY-OPERATION - ACTIVE PART OF TURKISH-ISRAELI-US JOINT MILITARY OPERATION STARTS

The ships belonging to the navies of the three countries started to sail upon the calls for help of a fishing boat, which is likely to sink.

The ships, which try different emergency search and rescue methods in a coordinated way, began search activities in different regions of the sea. This part of the military operation which will last for 12 hours, is exercised in international waters and airspace of Eastern Mediterranean which is 20-30 miles away from Haifa port.

Yavuz and Zafer frigates, AB-212 type helicopter from Turkey, one destroyer called ''John Rodgers'' and two SH-60 type helicopters from US, two boats and one aircraft from Israel participate in the joint military operation.

There are liaison officers in every ship to maintain effective coordination among the three countries.

Jordan, who is represented by Jordanian Naval Forces Commander Real Admiral Hussein Ali Mahmoud Al-Khasawneh, participates in Reliant Mermaid as an observor state.

[04] TURKEY-ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS - POLICE ARRESTS 41 NORTHERN IRAQI IMMIGRANTS

Nothern Iraqis were picked up at homes and workplaces in Istanbul's Buyukcekmece district during the operations staged by police.

The Iraqis had either entered Turkey illegally or were working with permits that had expired.

[05] US-OPERATION - US ANSWER TO EGYPT: ''WE SUPPORT TURKISH-ISRAELI COOPERATION''

Responding to a question of a journalist concerning the criticisms of Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Musa, US State Department Spokesman James Rubin stated that exercising a joint military operation by these three countries is convenient.

These two countries are important allies of US, said Rubin, adding that the operation is a humanitarian one aiming search-rescue activities and it is not directed against any country.

As I told you yesterday there will be countries which will not be happy about these developments, yet this will have no effect on the operation, said Rubin.

[06] US-CYPRUS - US PRESIDENT CLINTON: ''WE HAVE FREQUENTLY EXPRESSED OUR CONCERN OVER S-300 MISSILES''

Describing the direct negotiations held between President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Rauf Denktas and the Greek Cypriot leader Glafkos Clerides as ''the success of US'' in his last Cyprus Report, Clinton stated that many US officials including US Special Coordinator to Cyprus Thomas Miller had told the concerned sides in Cyprus that US opposes the deployment of S-300 missiles during their visits to the island.

US opposes the deployment of S-300 missiles from the beginning, which will change the balance of power in the region and which constitutes a threat to the national security of Turkey.

[07] TURKEY-FOREIGN POLICY - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: ''WE DO NOT FORESEE TO JOIN WESTERN TRAIN BY THIRD CLASS TICKET''

Addressing a speech in the parliament regarding the criticisms forwarded to the government in foreign policy, Ismail Cem stated that ''we foresee a Turkey which aims full membership to European Union (EU) and launches serious efforts to achieve this aim. Yet, we do not want to get on the Western train from its last wagon just hoping for EU membership.''

''We foresee a Turkey which has 700 year-old history, cultural experience and owns the enlightment brought by Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkish Republic. Our government does not consider foreign policy as an internal consumption product. Our understanding of foreign affairs is directed to gain the honourable identity of Turkey which it deserves,'' said Cem.

[08] TURKEY-ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS - POLICE DETAINS 166 FOREIGNERS WHO ATTEMPTED TO PASS TURKISH BORDER ILLEGALLY

Police captured 140 Iraqi, 10 Moroccan, six Egpytian, two Indian and two Pakistani people in various military zones in Edirne province.

The illegal immigrants said that their aim was to pass Meric River and reach Greece.

[09] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

WASHINGTON DEFENDS JOINT TURCO-ISRAELI-US EXERCISES
The United States has assured Middle Eastern countries that there is nothing to worry about regarding the joint Turco-Israeli-U.S. military exercises being staged in the Mediterranean since they are not directed at any country in the region. ''The objective is to practice coordinated emergency search and rescue procedures. By working together we can learn much about each other's capabilities and lay a foundation for more effective humanitarian responses to actual maritime emergencies.''

Speaking at a joint press conference on Tuesday, Turkish, Israeli and American officials reiterated that the exercise did not target any country and were completely humanitarian. On the other hand, Jordanian Naval Commander Hussein Ali Mahmoud Al-Khasawnah, who participated as an observer, said that he believed the exercises were ''useful'' for all the Mediterranean countries.

Meanwhile, the exercises continued on into their second day on Tuesday in the Mediterranean off the Israeli shores. /All papers/

A NEW PERIOD IN THE MIDDLE EAST
The famous U.S. Middle East expert, Daniel Pipes has evaluated Turkish- Israel relations in National Interest magazine and the Washington Post Daily News. Pipes said that the two democratic allies would form the seed of a regional partnership. He added that Turco-Israel relations could for the first time provide the opportunity to establish a pro-U.S. alliance in the Middle East. Pipes said, ''Later Jordan and then Kuwait and other regional countries will enter this partnership. And that will help to establish a long-lasting peace in the region.''/Hurriyet/

POPE PRAISES RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN TURKEY
Leader of the Catholic world, Pope Jean Paul II has praised religous freedom in Turkey. In the letter of acceptance he gave to Altan Guven, appointed as the new Ambassador to the Vatican, the Pope said that relations between religions would strengthen relations between countries. The Pope also thanked Turkey which is preparing to host Christians for the 2000th birthday anniversary of Jesus within the framework of the ''Anatolia 2000 Belief Tourism Project''. He stressed that Turkey's rich historical and cultural heritage was a powerful reason for Turkey to integrate with Europe. /Hurriyet/

ORDU DEPUTY KOC JOINS DTP
Ordu independent deputy Mujdat Koc has joined the Democratic Turkey Party (DTP). Following this move the number of DTP seats in Parliament has increased to 22. /All papers/

COUNCIL OF MINISTERS TACKLES REFUGEE PROBLEM
The Council of Ministers convened yesterday in a move to find solutions to the flow of asylum-seekers from Asian and Middle East countries through Turkey to Europe. Minister of the Interior Murat Basesgioglu briefed the cabinet about related developments and blamed the PKK terrorist organization for the crisis. In a statement after the meeting, Government Spokesman Sukru Sina Gurel said that border controls will be intensified and added that legal regulations to cope with the problem will be worked out.

Turkey has emerged as a country with key importance in the illegal flow of Asian and Middle East asylum-seekers to Europe. In 1997 alone, more than 16 thousand foreigners trying to illegally cross the Turkish borders were apprehended by the security forces. Measures to control borders with Iran and Northern Iraq have been especially tightened Military units deployed in the region to prevent PKK infiltrations into the country will now have to keep close watch also on civilian traffic. /All papers/

(continues)

[10] TURKEY PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

TURKEY WARNS BRITAIN
A fresh diplomatic crisis has flared up between Turkey and Britain. Tensions escalated when British Foreign Minister Robin Cook said that Turkey's borders were to be debated and described Turkey as an ''unreliable country''.

Annoyed by this statement, Turkey officially warned London. British Ambassador to Ankara David Logan was summoned yesterday to the Foreign Ministry, and Turkish officials conveyed to him their disappointment over Cook's statement. Ambassador Logan was told that Britain's questioning of the borders of NATO ally Turkey was unappropriate and was asked for an official explanation. /Hurriyet/

NEW CONSTITUTIONAL COURT CHAIRMAN
Following the retirement of former Constitutional Court Chairman Yekta Gungor Ozden at the end of last month, Ahmet Necdet Sezer has been appointed as the new chairman of the Court. Sezer's mandate as Constitutional Court Chairman will end in 2002. /Hurriyet/

260 MILLION DOLLAR SATELLITE
The Council of Ministers has approved a USD 260 million project for the construction of a new satellite. The new satellite will be launched in 1999. This will be the third Turkish satellite in space. /Milliyet/

TURKISH PEOPLE IN GERMANY
There are 41.5 thousand Turkish enterpreneurs in Germany where 280 thousand foreign businessmen live. Turkish enterpreneurs create employment opportunities for 160 thousand people especially in the construction, tourism and transportation sectors. /Cumhuriyet/

NO DISCRIMINATION AGAINST KURDISH PEOPLE
In the French newspaper Le Monde, dated January 4-5, it was emphasized that European countries were responsible for the sufferings of Kurdish refugees, especially those from northern Iraq. Nevertheless, the paper also severely criticised Turkey's Kurdish policy.

The criticism has been taken seriously, in view of the influence of Le Monde newspaper, which also noted in the same commentary that the Kurdish people are not really under severe political oppression./Hurriyet/

TAX AGREEMENT BETWEEN US AND TURKEY
A tax agreement between the US and Turkey foresees that no tax will be received from the profits obtained from share dealing recorded in the stock exchanges. Deloitte Touche DRT tax partner Zeki Kurtcu said yesterday that this implementation went into effect with an international agreement published in the Official Gazette dated December 31, 1997, and noted that this would accelerate capital movement. /Sabah/

BAYAR AND SABANCI AMONG THE MOST SUCCESSFUL ADMINISTRATORS
Head of the Privatization Administrations, Ugur Bayar, and Member of the Executive Board of Akbank, Suzan Sabanci Dincer have been placed among the most successful 50 administrators of the world, in a survey made by Euromoney Magazine. /Sabah and all papers/

ALTERNATIVES IN IMF CREDITS INCREASE
It is reported that a new alternative put forward by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), ''Supplemental Reserve Facility'' (SRF) could come on the Turkish agenda. To date, financial SRF aid has been extended only to South Korea. The IMF provides SRF for economies able to recover balances of payments in the short term when strict economic measures are taken and necessary finance is ensured. /Sabah/

OPERATIONS IN ISTANBUL
During operations launched in Istanbul by the security forces following the current flare-up over Kurdish refugee flow via Turkey to Italy, 287 illegal refugees have been detained for questioning. Nine people suspected of illegally transporting refugees were taken into custody. Two ships ''Selen'' and ''790'' were also seized for carrying refugees to other countries. Meanwhile, 18 Iraqis, who were preparing to cross to Greece over the Meric River were also arrested.

On the other hand, German Interior Minister Manfred Kanther said in a statement on Sudwestfunk radio that they had taken every measure to prevent the illegal passage of refugees to Germany. Kanther noted that they would act jointly with countries, which are signatories of the Schengen Agreement. /Sabah/

GREEK GAME IS OVER
Greece, which has long tried to block the entry of Turkish citizens to EU countries by using the Schengen visa ploy, has not succeeded. The EU countries have drawn up a formula to exclude Greece when giving visas to Turkish citizens. According to this, EU countries within the Schengen system apart from Greece, will give a Schengen visa, which will not include ''Greek territories'', to Turkish citizens. A final decision regarding this issue will be taken on 14 January during a meeting of the Interior Ministers of EU countries using the Schengen system. /Hurriyet/

[11] TURKEY-HEROIN - POLICE SEIZES 12 KG PURE HEROIN IN ESKISEHIR

Addressing a press briefing, Eskisehir Chief Constable Aydın Genc said that police seized 12 kg of heroin during a series of operations staged in Eskisehir and Gaziantep provinces.

Mustafa Yuksel, Cebbar Gokbulut, Ilhami Gokbulut, Ahmet Akın and Aslan Ozden were arrested.

Aydın Genc stated that the market price of the heroin is 50 billion liras in Turkey, 90 billion liras in foreign markets and if the detained people had the chance they would sell the heroin abroad.

[12] TURKEY-TOURISM - THE DUTCH TOURISTS PREFER TURKEY

Public Opinion Research Firm named NIPO, which is centered in the Netherlands, said that many Dutch tourists prefer Turkey to spend their holidays and the share of Turkey in tourism market regarding the Netherlands increased from 2 percent to 3 percent.

NIPO points out that Turkey is among the most secure countries concerning holiday risks, only 18 percent of the Dutch people who participated in the survey said that they consider Turkey dangerous.

Tourism Consultant of Turkish Embassy in the Hague Emcan Yalman said that the number of the Dutch tourists who visited Turkey was 200,000 since 1990, but this number reached 260,000 for the first time in 1997. Yalman added that the target is 300,000 Dutch tourists in 1998.

[13] TURKEY-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION - 14 IRAQIS WHO ENTERED TURKEY ILLEGALLY ARRESTED IN VAN

Acting on a tip-off, Turkish gendarme arrested 14 Iraqis in Sırımlı village of Van province, which is near Iranian border.

Officials said that these people will be brought before the court as they violated the Turkish Passport Law and will then be expelled.

[14] TURKEY-ISRAEL-US - TURKISH-ISRAELI-US JOINT MANEUVER - ACTIVE PART OF MANEUVER PERFORMED

Yavuz and Zafer frigates, belonging to Turkish Naval Forces, the US destroyer John Rogers and two Israeli ships sailed into the sea early this morning. The ships were deployed in the region.

Later, according to the scenerio, calls for help came from two yachts and a fishing boat. Upon the calls, the ships sailed towards the spot and an Israeli sea research plane helped the ships to determine the point.

Helicopters, taking off the ships, specified the point of the accident with reconnaissance flights.

Rescue nets were thrown from the ships to the survivors and SAT teams saved the models representing the crew and the survivors.

Jordanian Naval Forces Commander Admiral Hussein Ali Mahmoud Al-Khasawneh covered the maneuver from Yavuz frigate.

Jordanian commander responding to the questions of reporters said the maneuver did not have any objectives forwarded to a third country.

He said Jordan has very positive relations with the US, Turkey and Israel, adding that ''participating in the maneuver as observer and covering it was important for us.''

[15] TURKEY-IRAQ - IRAQ RESTARTS TO PUMP OIL TO YUMURTALIK

Bota&thorn; officials told A.A that oil is pumped from one of the two pipelines between Kirkuk and Yumurtalik.

Authorities said that Yumurtalik was kept ready to get the oil, adding that there was not any problem.

In Yumurtalik facilities, 5 UN and 10 Iraqi officials are ''observing'' the oil sale.

[16] TURKEY-GREECE - FOREIGN MINISTRY SAYS 10-MILES AIR SPACE IMPLEMENTATION OF GREECE WILL NOT BE RECOGNIZED

Recalling the statement of Greek Foreign Ministry that Greek territorial waters were 10 sea miles, Utkan said ''wideness of Greek territorial waters were specified and declared as six sea miles with a law dated Oct 8, 1936. Continuation of implementation of 10-miles national air space is an absolute violation of international law.''

Utkan said national air space of Greece on sea was only six miles.

[17] TURKEY-GREECE - FOREIGN MINISTRY SAYS GREEK PLANS TO OPEN DESERTED ISLETS IN THE AEGEAN TO SETTLEMENT ARE UNACCEPTABLE

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Necati Utkan told a weekly news conference that changing status of geographical formations in the Aegean by Greece was unacceptable.

Utkan stressed that recent activities which Greece planned to carry out on several islets and rocky islands which were not left to them with agreements, had no legal validity. ''Greece can not claim rights on these formations today and in the future basing on these activities,'' Utkan added.

Utkan said Turkey's attitude about the issue was very open, adding that ''Turkey has no opposition to the islands, islets and rock islands in the Aegean which were given to Greece with the provisions arranged by international agreements.'' Utkan said geographical formations apart from these should be specified according to valid international agreements. Utkan also said recent initiatives of Greece contradicted with its commitment to ''avoid from unilateral activities'' foreseen in Madrid Agreement.

[18] TURKEY-BRITAIN - ANKARA EXPRESSES THE UNEASINESS FELT OVER THE WORDS OF BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTER

Addressing a weekly news conference, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Utkan said British Ambassador to Ankara David Brian C. Logan was summoned to Foreign Ministry on Tuesday to call for information from Britain on the issue and to convey Turkey's dissapointment.

Utkan said British Ambassador told them that he would convey the issue to London and that Turkish Ambassador to London Ozdem Sanberk would launch a similar initiative in British Foreign Ministry.

Utkan said they have a tape record of the interview Robin Cook made to BBC tv on Jan 4, adding that ''we have called on information after this. Both British Ambassador and Turkey's Ambassador to London will search for the tape. We will find the opportunity to make a more healthier evaluation after this.''

Utkan recalled that Cook in the interview said that what is important for Turkey is their evaluation with the candidate countries in the same standarts. Yet, Turkey should have these standarts, he said. There are reasons that Turkey would not be a serious candidate now and in the future, and these reasons are, human rights, uncertainty of eastern borders, Cook added.

[19] TURKEY-FRANCE - FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER VEDRINE'S VISIT TO TURKEY

Responding to a question in a weekly press briefing, Utkan said international and regional issues concerning the two countries could also be discussed but that bilateral relations would be taken up primarily.

Utkan said discussion of international and regional relations could not be interpreted as a contradiction to Turkey's attitude in cutting political dialogue on EU issue. He said ''we have wonderful relations with France stemming from history. Exchange of views and decisions which will further improve them were more important.''

Utkan said taking up other issues during this visit did not create an uneasiness or problem for Turkey. Utkan attributed to the words of French Foreign Minister which said ''I express regret that EU failed to make a wiser proposal to Turkey'' and said Vedrine will come to Turkey within this framework.

Vedrine is scheduled to meet President Suleyman Demirel, Parliament Speaker Hikmet Cetin, Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, Foreign Ministry Commission Chairman Murat Karayalcin and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem on Thursday and depart Turkey the same day.

[20] ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT PROBLEM - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''SECURITY DIMENSION OF THE ISSUE PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT''

Responding to a question during a weekly news conference, Utkan said a reasearch was underway about the organized crime and the networks which committed the crime.

Utkan said Turkish Police Chief Necati Bilican left for Rome on Wednesday morning to participate in Illegal Immigrants meeting that will be held on Thursday. He said a new evaluation may take place according to the outcomes of this meeting.

''An important step would be taken if organizations and institutions participated in this extremely grave crime are specified during this meeting. Thus, ways will be opened for a more broader comprehensive cooperation,'' Utkan said.

Utkan said an interview of Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz was published in one of Italian daily today, adding that Yilmaz's statements which said Turkey's cooperation would be carried out in the highest level was welcomed positively.

Responding to a question, Utkan said Turkish citizens may come to Turkey whenever they want and clarified an international implementation regarding the issue. According to the implementation, Turkish citizens may return to Turkey without a time limitation. He said when other citizens are in question, immediate return implementation is valid.

Utkan stressed that unwanted people who go to a country are immediately returned to the country where he came from by the same plane. ''But once he entered to this country, immediate return is out of question,'' Utkan added.

[21] TURKEY-GREECE - FM SPOKESMAN UTKAN: ''GREEK ALLEGATIONS THAT FUNCTIONS OF WISE MEN COMMITTEE ARE LINKED WITH THE EU, IS AN APPROACH FAR AWAY FROM THE FACTS'' - TURKEY CALLS WISE MEN COMMITTEE TO CONVENE

Addressing a weekly news briefing, Utkan said Greece did not want to give Wise Men Committee process an official dialogue and negotiation impression and prevented the convening of committee members and felt uneasy over the efforts of Turkey to give function to the process.

Utkan said Turkish members of Wise Men Committee sent a letter to their Greek interlocutors on Dec 25, 1997 and told them to send their letters to Turkey instead of EU Term Chairmanship. He said Greek press, recently, tried to exploit this letter of Turkish members and gave wrong messages to public claiming that Turkish side put an end to Wise Men Committee process.

He said ''Turkish side is willing to maintain the process with their Greek interlocutors. In fact, this approach is appropriate to the assignments of the Committee. There is no obligation that the process should take place under EU umbrella. Contribution of EU to this process was no more than to mediate in sending the letters of committee members to eachother.''

Utkan said Greece prefered the committee to be a mechanism functioning between the two countries and that Turkey favoured this approach.

He said Greece now claims that functioning of this committee was linked with the EU and that this was an approach away from sincerity and facts. Utkan said Turkey sincerely calls on the Committee to convene immediately and take up all problems.

[22] TURKEY IN BRIEF - JANUARY 7, 1998

Turkey's exports reached USD 27,145,500 US in 1997 with an increase of 14.4 percent compared to 1996 records.

TIM chairman Okan Oguz said that their aim for 1998 was to reach 32 billions US dollars.

ANKARA - Deputy Undersecretary of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Ministry Ilhan Bilgin said on Wednesday that big businesses would be supported by ''Turkish Livestock Development Project'' that is prepared by the ministry.

In his speech in ''Agriculture Week '98 Symposium'', Ilhan Bilgin said that new finance sources are needed for the new project because the subsidies provided by state are unadequate. 45 trillion liras are needed for the project. In turn, the contribution of the project to Turkish economy will be 156 trillion liras and employment of 50 thousand families.

[23] TURKEY-TELECOMMUNICATIONS - INSTALLATION OF MAIN FIBER OPTIC CABLE NETWORK BETWEEN TURKISH REPUBLICS, CHINA AND EUROPEAN COUNTRIES COMPLETED - TURKEY'S INTERNATIONAL TRANSIT TRAFFIC VOLUME WILL CONSIDERABLY INCREASE

A statement by Turk Telecom. Inc. said that efforts to put the network into service are underway.

China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Turkey, Ukraine, Poland and Germany had agreed on construction of this fiber optic cable network with the agreement signed in 1993, and after the participation of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, Romania, Hungary, Austria, Russia, Pakistan and Afghanistan, the number of members has reached to 20.

The statement said that one of the main routes of the system was the fiber optic cable network between Italy-Turkey-Ukraine-Russia (ITUR) and the other was the system between China, Kazakhistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Turkey and Black Sea (KAFOS).

Total cable length will reach almost 27 thousand kms., when other TAE countries are connected to the main routes. Turkey segment of the network starts from Gurbulak at Iran border and ends in Istanbul.

Communication is provided through 20 channels between Iran and Turkey since the opening of TAE connection between the two countries, on December 30, 1997 and number of channels will be increased soon. Turkey is ready to service on both TAE routes between Turkey and Germany. The statement also said that Shangay/China - Frankfurt-Main/Germany route will be opened to communication when the the tests between Iran and China are completed.

Turkey's international transit communication traffic volume will considerably increase when these facilities are connected to other fiber optic cable systems terminating in Turkey.

[24] TURKEY-STRAITS REGULATIONS - 1994 STRAITS REGULATIONS RE-ARRANGED AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION VIEWS OF THE CONCERNED COUNTRIES

The new Straits Regulations was prepared by taking into consideration the possibility of transporting Central Asian oil to Western markets through Straits. It was also reported that views of countries like Russia, which has shores in the Black sea was also taken into consideration. Maritime Undersecretary Resat Ozkan said preparation studies of the new regulation were concluded, adding that ''we have listened to the views of the countries by technical means who use the Straits while we prepare the new regulation.''

Maritime Undersecretary Ozkan said the new regulation was prepared with experiences and with the outcomes of observations, adding that the aim of the new regulations was to increase the passage standarts in the Straits, to provide necessary safety and to increase rantability by decreasing the risks. Ozkan said a detailed safety network was formed to serve this aim and that radars which will be installed to the Straits was only a part of this system.

Re-arrangement of passage traffic from the Straits was taken up during Russian Prime Minister Victor Chernomyrdin's visit to Turkey in the last days of 1997. Chernomyrdin conveyed Moscow's uneasiness over the limitation brought by the 1994 Regulation to the passage right.

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