Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-01-22

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

22 JAN 1998

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TURKEY-SPAIN - DEFENSE MINISTER SEZGIN RETURNS HOME

[03] TURKEY-IRAN - IRAN APPOINTS NEW AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA

[04] TURKEY-BRITAIN - BRITISH REPRESENTATIVE HANNEY'S REQUEST TO MEET DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT, FOREIGN MINISTER CEM AND STATE MINISTER GUREL IS REJECTED

[05] TURKEY-US - US MINISTER OF COMMERCE IN ISTANBUL - DALEY PARTICIPATES IN A DINNER HOSTED BY TURKISH-US BUSINESS COUNCIL

[06] TURKEY-NARCOTICS - 183 KG HEROIN SEIZED IN OPERATIONS - FOUR PEOPLE ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INCIDENT

[07] TURKEY-BOSNIA - DEMIREL RECEIVES BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA CO-CHAIRMEN - DEMIREL: ''PROCESS THAT STARTED WITH DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT IS A HISTORICAL RESPONSIBILITY''

[08] TURKEY-INVESTMENT - INVESTMENTS IN EMERGENCY RULE REGION TO BE EXEMPT FROM INCOME AND CORPORATE TAX FOR FIVE YEARS

[09] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW

[10] TURKEY-OIL PIPELINE - MAIN OIL PIPELINE - AIOC DEPUTY CHAIRMAN BRANAGAN: ''LOW TRANSIT FEE PROPOSED BY TURKEY WOULD INCREASE POSSIBILITY OF BAKU-CEYHAN OIL PIPELINE PROJECT''

[11] TURKEY-IMF-WORLD BANK - TALKS WITH IMF AND WORLD BANK

[12] TURKEY-GREECE - FOREIGN MINISTRY REACTS TO GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN REPPAS' STATEMENT

[13] TURKEY-OPERATION - OPERATION IN GABAR MOUNTAIN - CLASHES UNDERWAY IN GABAR MOUNTAIN WHERE TERRORISTS SHELTERED FOR WINTER

[14] TURKEY-TENDER - ATTACK HELICOPTER TENDER - RUSSIA AND ISRAEL EXPECTED TO GIVE JOINT OFFER FOR THE TENDER WITH K-50 HELICOPTERS - ISSUE OF PURCHASING THREE FRIGATES AND FOUR SEA HAWK HELICOPTERS FROM US IN THE AGENDA

[15] TURKEY-VIENNA - CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF KARADAYI DUE TO VIENNA

[16] TURKEY-BOSNIA - TURKISH EXIMBANK PROMISES TO EXTEND 80 MILLION DOLLAR SUPPORT TO BOSNIA - 20 MILLION DOLLAR OF THIS SUPPORT TO BE DONATION

[17] TURKEY-BRITAIN-EU - BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY LOGAN AND EU REPRESENTATIVE TO TURKEY LAKE HOLDS A JOINT PRESS BRIEFING - LOGAN: ''COOPERATION WILL BE MADE WITH TURKEY TO STRUGGLE WITH ORGANIZED CRIME'' - LAKE: ''CUSTOMS UNION HAS A POSITIVE IMPACT ON TURKISH-EU RELATIONS''

[18] TURKEY-ACCIDENT - ONE SOLDIER DIES, THREE OTHERS INJURED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENT

[19] TURKEY-ILLEGAL MIGRATION - 84 IRAQIS CAPTURED AT EDIRNE

[20] TURKEY-BULGARIA - STATE MINISTER ANDICAN: ''WORKING GROUP BETWEEN TURKEY AND BULGARIA WILL SOLVE PROBLEMS OF OUR KINSMEN WHO RETURNED TO BULGARIA AFTER COMING TO TURKEY''

[21] TURKEY-INVESTMENT - FIVE COMPANIES APPLY FOR THE CONSULTATION TENDER OPENED FOR THE SANLIURFA-HARRAN PLAINS FIELD AND VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

[22] TURKEY-EXPORTS - TURKEY REALIZES 31.7 MILLION US DOLLARS IN EXPORTS TO THE CIS AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES IN 1997

[23] TURKEY-INTERNAL - CONSTITUTION-JUSTICE JOINT COMMISSION TO DECIDE ON FILE BROUGHT AGAINST TRUE PATH PARTY (DYP) LEADER CILLER

[24] TURKEY IN BRIEF - JANUARY 22, 1998

[25] TURKEY-NSC - NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL (NSC) MEETING - NSC: ''WE ACCEPT THAT MEASURES SHOULD BE TAKEN TO REALIZE THE CASPIAN-CAUCASIAN ENERGY TRANSFER LINE PROJECT''

[26] TURKEY-AUTOMOBILE - OPEL TURKEY TAKES THE THIRD PLACE IN AUTOMOBILE SALES IN TURKEY IN 1997

[27] TURKEY-CROATIA - PARLIAMENT SPEAKER CETIN SAYS CONTRIBUTION OF CROATIA IS IMPORTANT FOR BOSNIA TO REMAIN A SOVEREIGN STATE

[28] TURKEY-BOSNIA - BOSNIAN MINISTER OF FOREIGN TRADE AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS KURTOVIC: ''OUR DOORS ARE OPEN TO TURKISH INVESTORS''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HÜRRİYET (LIBERAL)

MİLLİYET (LIBERAL)

SABAH (LIBERAL)

CUMHURİYET (LEFT)

The High Court in its meeting concluded a request to annul the temporary Article 1 of the ''Law Regarding the Change in the Law for the Encouragement of Tourism''. The Article foresees the closure of casinos in Turkey.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

RADİKAL (LEFT)

Susurluk report which revealed a lot of illegal acts of the gangs within state makes proposals for the solution of problems from now on.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

FİNANSAL FORUM (ECONOMY)

[02] TURKEY-SPAIN - DEFENSE MINISTER SEZGIN RETURNS HOME

Speaking at his arrival to Ankara's Esenboga Airport, Sezgin said the role of these two Mediterranean countries increased in installing regional and world peace in this globalizing world where cold war has ended.

Sezgin said security issues of NATO, Europe and the region were taken up during the meetings, adding that ''we have negotiated preserving of harmony within European Union (EU) and Western European Union (WEU) and providing a balance between these organization in expansion process and we have reached to a consensus of opinion.''

Sezgin said being two countries who suffered from terrorism, they have stressed that terrorism was a human tragedy and a threat forwarded to all humanity and that international cooperation was needed to struggle against terrorism.

''Being two ally countries, we have decided to further improve relations in defense industry field and to implement a memorandum of understanding related with reciprocal technical and defense industry cooperation,'' Sezgin said.

Sezgin said his visit was beneficial to improve bilateral relations and to confirm political will.

[03] TURKEY-IRAN - IRAN APPOINTS NEW AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA

According to Iranian official news agency (IRNA), Seyid Muhammad Hussein Lavasani was appointed as Iran's new Ambassador to Ankara.

Lavasani who was Iran's Ambassador to Canada before, was acting as the Adviser of Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Harrazi.

Due to a democratic crisis erupted between Turkey and Iran last February, these two countries had withdrawn their ambassadors reciprocally. Turkey, a while ago, appointed Sencar Ozsoy as Ambassador to Tehran.

Sencar Ozsoy will start his assignment by the beginning of March.

[04] TURKEY-BRITAIN - BRITISH REPRESENTATIVE HANNEY'S REQUEST TO MEET DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT, FOREIGN MINISTER CEM AND STATE MINISTER GUREL IS REJECTED

Hanney is expected to come to Turkey on a surprise visit Thursday evening as the ''special representative'' of British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Sources close to government said Hanney's requests for meeting was rejected as he comes to Ankara as the ''special representative'' of Blair.

Hanney, within the framework of his contacts in Ankara, will only be received by Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz on Friday.

[05] TURKEY-US - US MINISTER OF COMMERCE IN ISTANBUL - DALEY PARTICIPATES IN A DINNER HOSTED BY TURKISH-US BUSINESS COUNCIL

Speaking before the dinner, Daley said Turkey was in need of energy and that foreign entrepreneurs should come to Turkey to set up energy infrastructure.

Daley also said necessary legal changes should be done to attract foreign entrepreneurs to Turkey.

Daley said he had beneficial contacts in Turkey, adding that he would tell US businessmen when he returns to the US that they would profit from doing business in Turkey.

Daley said cooperation between the two countries provided a rapproachment not only between the companies but also between the peoples of the two countries.

[06] TURKEY-NARCOTICS - 183 KG HEROIN SEIZED IN OPERATIONS - FOUR PEOPLE ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INCIDENT

A written statement of the Commandership said the teams, acting on a tip off, seized the heroin which were buried into soil in jars in a raid to Gocbeyli village in Tuzla province.

Dastan Erez (56), Mustafa Yildirim (37), Ismail Yildirim (27) and Omer Sayar (24) were taken under custody in connection with the haul and two others were being sought.

[07] TURKEY-BOSNIA - DEMIREL RECEIVES BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA CO-CHAIRMEN - DEMIREL: ''PROCESS THAT STARTED WITH DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT IS A HISTORICAL RESPONSIBILITY''

A Presidential Press Center statement said President Suleyman Demirel reiterated the support of Turkey to Bosnia's independence, sovereignity and territorial integrity during his meeting with Bosnia-Herzegovina Council of Ministers Co-Chairmen Haris Sladzic, Boro Bosic and Neven Tomic.

Noting that it was hard to heal the wounds of past, Demirel said ''yet, succeeding in this is a must, future should be prepared without sticking to the past.''

Demirel said compensating financial damage caused by the war was the easiest and stressed that the hardest thing was to heal broken hearts. Demirel said leaders of the three communities have great responsibilities to this end.

Sladzic, Bosic and Tomic in their parts said President Suleyman Demirel played an important role in establishing peace in Bosnia and that the attitude of Turkey was an example to other countries.

Bosnian leaders said Dayton Peace Agreement was not a conclusion but a start, adding that three founding communities were in an effort to create a new country and that Turkey's support within this framework was very important.

Meanwhile, three agreements were signed between Turkey and Bosnia. ''Reciprocal Preservation and Promotion of Investments'', ''International Highway Transportation'' and ''Financing of a Project Foreseeing Renewal and Functioning Aggrocommerce Food Installations'' were signed between the two countries following interdelegational meetings.

Speaking after the signature ceremony, Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said peace and stability established in this country with Dayton Peace Agreement, would only be maintained with the preservation of this country's multi- ethnical, multi-cultural and multi-religious structure within recognized international borders.

Yilmaz stressed that differences of opinions between Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian aspects should be overcomed within a close cooperation.

Yilmaz said Turkey would continue to extend support to Bosnia in every field, adding that ''Turkey does its best to contribute to the efforts of international community for the re-construction of Bosnia.''

Prime Minister Yilmaz said Turkey promised 20 million dollar donation and 60 million dollar Eximbank credit to Bosnia-Herzegovina. He said one million dollar of the given 3.2 million dollar of the donation was to be used in mending of historical Mostar Bridge, adding that as to Eximbank credits, efforts were underway to finance two projects.

Prime Minister Yilmaz later hosted a dinner in honor of Bosnian delegation. Addressing the dinner Yilmaz said this was the first visit realized in this level after Dayton peace agreement.

[08] TURKEY-INVESTMENT - INVESTMENTS IN EMERGENCY RULE REGION TO BE EXEMPT FROM INCOME AND CORPORATE TAX FOR FIVE YEARS

Parliament approved the draft law regarding ''Creation Of Employment and Encouragement Of Investments In Emergency Rule (OHAL) Region and In Regions Having Priority In Development''. The draft was legalized by the majority of votes after an open vote in the parliament.

The government targets to implement tax incentives and to increase investments and employment opportunities in OHAL Region and in regions having priority in development by providing free public-lands for investments in accordance with the law. Batman, Bingol, Bitlis, Diyarbakir, Hakkari, Mardin, Mus, Siirt, Sirnak, Tunceli and Van provinces in OHAL Region will use directly the opportunities foreseen in the law.

Council of Ministers would take Adıyaman, Agri, Ardahan, Bayburt, Erzurum, Gumushane, Igdir, Kars, Ordu, Sanliurfa and Yozgat provinces into the content of the law through a decision. State Statistics Institution (DIE) had earlier announced that the Gross National Product (GNP) per person in those provinces was 1500 dollar or less and State Planning Organization (DPT) had earlier announced that the socio-economic development level in those provinces was -0.5 or less.

The premium Social Security Authority (SSK) insurances of employees will be exempt from income and corporate tax for five years, if the entrepreneurs will invest in provinces in OHAL region until the end of the year 2000 after the law will enter into force. The law also foresees the employment of at least ten personnel. The government will implement 40 percent reduction in income and corporate tax of investors who will employ ten personnel between December 31, 2000-December 31, 2007. The reduction in that tax will be 60 percent for the business places having 51 or more working staff.

The investors, who will make new investments and create new employment opportunities in the region after the law will enter into force, will not pay the premium for SSK insurances of the employees until December 31, 2002. The Treasury will meet that premium for insurances.

[09] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW

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

CEM LIKELY TO MEET KINKEL
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will meet numerous Turkish counsellors in Bonn to discuss the problems that Turks living in Germany and other surrounding European countries face. Cem will be meeting Turkish counsellors on January 26-27 in Bonn, where he is also likely to meet his German counterpart, Klaus Kinkel, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Necati Utkan told a press conference.

SECURITY FORCES KILL 45 SEPARATISTS
Turkish security forces have killed 45 militants from the PKK terrorist organization during several clashes in the southeastern part of the country. Eeight soldiers also lost their lives in the clashes in the southeastern provinces of Sirnak, Batman and Diyarbakir.

NSC TO MEET TODAY
The National Security Council (NSC) chaired by President Suleyman Demirel is to meet on Thursday to discuss recent developments, both at home and abroad. Among the most important items on the Council's agenda are possible measures to be taken by the security forces to prevent provocations following the Welfare Party (RP)'s closure by the Constitutional Court last week. Other critical issues to be discussed include the Aegean, Greece and Iraq. /Milliyet-All papers

CONSTITUTIONAL COURT APPROVES BAN ON CASINOS
The Constitutional Court rejected yesterday an appeal for the cancellation of the law ordering the closure of casinos by February 11, 1998. The high court rejected the applications, filed by certain civil courts in Ankara, Antalya and Silivri, for the annulment of an article in law No:4320, amending the Law on Encouragement of Tourism. In a statement following the court session, Judge Guven Dincer said that the unconstitutionally claim had been rejected nine to two. /All papers/

TURKEY, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA BOOST BILATERAL COOPERATION
Turkey and Bosnia-Herzegovina signed yesterday two cooperation agreements in Ankara and vowed to make further efforts to increase cooperation between the two countries. Visiting co-premiers Haris Sladzic and Boro Bosic and Deputy Co-Premier Neven Tomic held talks with Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz. The two parties signed agreements related to mutual protection and promotion of investments as well as international road transportation. Yilmaz and Sladzic reportedly discussed the procedures related to the $80 million which Turkey has pledged to grant to Bosnia-Herzegovina in the form of donations and loans. The donations constitute 25 % of the sum -$20 million- of which $10 million has been given out to date. The remaining $60 million will be given in the form of Eximbank loans during the next four to five years and will be utilized in the reconstruction of the war-torn country. Earlier in the day, the Bosnian delegation visited Anitkabir, Ataturk's Mausoleum, and held talks with President Suleyman Demirel, Deputy Parliament Speaker Hasan Korkmazcan, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem. Speaking after the meeting, Cem said that the two parties had decided to prepare mutual working plans and determine what could be done for the well-being of Bosnia by combining these plans. The meetings of the Bosnian delegation will continue today in Istanbul. /Cumhuriyet/

HANNAY TO RELAY BLAIR'S EU MESSAGE TO TURKEY
Britain's envoy to Cyprus, Sir David Hannay, will meet Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz on Thursday as British Prime Minister Tony Blair's "special envoy" to deliver a message, possibly on the country's troubled relations with the EU.

[10] TURKEY-OIL PIPELINE - MAIN OIL PIPELINE - AIOC DEPUTY CHAIRMAN BRANAGAN: ''LOW TRANSIT FEE PROPOSED BY TURKEY WOULD INCREASE POSSIBILITY OF BAKU-CEYHAN OIL PIPELINE PROJECT''

Speaking to A.A correspondent, Branagan said Baku-Ceyhan project, among the routes evaluated for main oil pipeline, was attractive to transport the oil to the Mediterranean without passing from the Straits. Branagan recalled that the negative aspect of the project was the expensiveness of the project stressing that there was a 1.5 billion dollar difference when it is compared with Baku-Supsa choice.

When recalled that Azerbaijan Administration favored Baku-Ceyhan project for the main oil pipeline and that Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and the US Minister of Energy Frederico Pena signed an agreement regarding cooperation on Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline, Branagan stressed that the preferrable route for international entrepreneurs should be appropriate economically.

AIOC Deputy Chairman Branagan said foreign companies regarded transition of Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline via Armenia as ''possible'' yet they did not know the attitude of Azerbaijan to this end.

Branagan said a choice which foresaw transition of oil from Straits to Greece via Bulgaria and Romania was also under evaluation and pointed out that they may negotiate with Ukraine, Greece, Bulgaria, Iran and other countries about the main oil pipeline.

Responding to a question, Branagan said AIOC expressed understanding to Turkey's concerns about the Straits and stressed that they have accepted this as problem.

He said Mediterranean and the Black Sea markets were of the same importance for the sale of the oil.

[11] TURKEY-IMF-WORLD BANK - TALKS WITH IMF AND WORLD BANK

Speaking about the contacts, Dincmen said they have not come to a point in talks so far yet, expressed hope to come by the end of this week.

Dincmen said delegations were divided to three or four groups and held talks with Turkish economy bureaucrats. ''We have evaluated tax reform with the participation of IMF and WB delegations. Meanwhile we have discussed banking and finance sector with the representatives of World Bank in another meeting with a separate group.''

Dincmen said the delegations were briefed about Social Security Reform and that a group from the World Bank was also briefed about the general situation in Ziraat Bank.

''We are also exchanging opinions. Each issue of economy can be discussed. We have a specific program, we have a claim to reduce inflation and we are resolved in this respect. Thus, we test our opinions by exchanging views and I think we are coming to a point.''

Responding to a question, Dincmen said IMF has proposals about the reforms.

[12] TURKEY-GREECE - FOREIGN MINISTRY REACTS TO GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN REPPAS' STATEMENT

Foreign Ministry reacted to the statements of Greek Government Spokesman Dimitri Reppas that Greece would use its right to extend its territorial waters to 12 miles whenever they want and that negotiation of sovereignity rights were regardless of question. A Ministry written statement said Turkey was threatened with fait accompli and stressed that this situation contradicted with an Article included in Madrid Agreement that these two countries would refrain from unilateral committments.

Foreign Ministry statement said Greek statements could not be evaluated within the framework of good neighborhood relations, adding that ''presentation of threats like the extending of territorial waters in the Aegean beyond six miles as a sovereignity right was a reflection of Greece's habit to mislead its own public and disinform third countries.''

The statement said such an act which Greece claimed, which is against the legal and vital rights of a neighboring country, could not be evaluated as sovereignity right by international law.

The statement called on Greece to respect law and to be calm, adding that statements of Greek government circles that led to an escalation of tension in the Aegean, negatively affected Turkish-Greek relations.

[13] TURKEY-OPERATION - OPERATION IN GABAR MOUNTAIN - CLASHES UNDERWAY IN GABAR MOUNTAIN WHERE TERRORISTS SHELTERED FOR WINTER

Operation which started against a group of terrorists who sheltered in Cudi Mountain in Northern Iraqi border region and later to Gabar Mountain still continues.

Eight people from security forces died in the first hot clash with the terrorists. Upon this, an air backed operation was launched killing 21 terrorists on Wednesday. Seven others were killed on Wednesday evening and this morning.

Meanwhile, it was also reported that separate operations underway in Kulp township in southeastern Diyarbakir province and in Genc township in southeastern Bingol province and the number of terrorists killed so far during the operations reached to 24.

[14] TURKEY-TENDER - ATTACK HELICOPTER TENDER - RUSSIA AND ISRAEL EXPECTED TO GIVE JOINT OFFER FOR THE TENDER WITH K-50 HELICOPTERS - ISSUE OF PURCHASING THREE FRIGATES AND FOUR SEA HAWK HELICOPTERS FROM US IN THE AGENDA

SSM extended the term of adjudication for submitting tender until the end of January 1998 after those countries' application for bidding for 3.5 billion dollars tender for 145 attack helicopters. The deadline for bidding was earlier scheduled as December 31, 1997.

Russian Kamov company is expected to attend to the bidding with its K-50 type helicopter and Israeli Aviation Industry (IAI) is expected to participate in the bidding with its high-technology avionic system equipment to be used in those helicopters.

American companies Bell Textron with its ''King Cobra'' helicopter and Boeing-Mc-Donnell Dougles Corporation with its ''Apache Long Bow'' helicopter and French, Russsian and Italian companies are bidding for the attack helicopter tender. SSM foresees maximum domestic contribution to the bidding.

US Secretary of Defense William Cohen and an accompanying delegation including Pentagon officials responsible for Turkish Desk will pay an official visit to Turkey in February.

Cohen is expected to bring a message concerning the sale of further three frigates to Turkey.

The US Congress decided to give Perry type three frigates to Turkey at the end of August 1997.

Meanwhile, Turkey ordered further four ''Sea Hawk'' helicopters from Skorsky. Turkey had purchased four ''Sea Hawk'' helicopters in February 1997 and the US Congress approved that sale on August 1997.

Turkey is expected to increase its ''Sea Hawk'' helicopter number to 28. Turkey allocated 150 billion dollars for defense expenditures for the next 30 years.

The issue of ''F-15 war planes'' is expected to be covered during Cohen's contacts in Turkey.

[15] TURKEY-VIENNA - CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF KARADAYI DUE TO VIENNA

High ranking commanders and civil strategy experts who would participate in the seminar will take up various military issues mainly set up by defense policies.

Recent Development in Europe's Security, International Military Cooperation Under the Light of Aspects Threatening Security, Multi-national Peace Operations and Reform and Re-Structuring Issues in Armed Forces will be taken up during the meeting.

Chiefs of General Staff of Turkey, US, Russia, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweeden, Italy and NATO Military Committee Chairman Klaus Naumann will participate in the meeting.

[16] TURKEY-BOSNIA - TURKISH EXIMBANK PROMISES TO EXTEND 80 MILLION DOLLAR SUPPORT TO BOSNIA - 20 MILLION DOLLAR OF THIS SUPPORT TO BE DONATION

Turkish Eximbank statement recalled that the finance support in question was officially declared during IInd Donors meeting held in Brussels in 1996. The statement went on as saying that efforts were underway between the two countries in project base.

''Projects on renewal of Agrocommerce Food Installations, which Bosnian authorities attributed a great importance, and the establishment of new product lines were evaluated and Eximbank extended 3.8 million dollars finance,'' it said.

The statement said an agreement signed between the two countries would contribute to the development of existing positive relations.

[17] TURKEY-BRITAIN-EU - BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY LOGAN AND EU REPRESENTATIVE TO TURKEY LAKE HOLDS A JOINT PRESS BRIEFING - LOGAN: ''COOPERATION WILL BE MADE WITH TURKEY TO STRUGGLE WITH ORGANIZED CRIME'' - LAKE: ''CUSTOMS UNION HAS A POSITIVE IMPACT ON TURKISH-EU RELATIONS''

Addressing a joint press briefing with EU Representative to Turkey Micheal Lake, David Logan stated that Britain is in continuous cooperation with Turkish officials concerning illegal migration.

Noting that Britain is aware of the disappointment Turkey feels over the Luxembourg Summit decisions, Logan stressed that the decisions should not be evaluated as negative as a whole and Turkey can benefit from these decisions.

Pointing out that EU will examine its relations with Turkey under three categories namely European Conference, special strategy envisaged for Turkey and political issues like Cyprus question and human rights during their term presidency, Logan said that they aim to improve Customs Union and deepen relations with Turkey, yet the Cyprus question is a sensitive issue.

Responding to questions regarding the contacts of British Prime Minister Tony Blair's Special Representative to Cyprus Sir David Hannay in Ankara, Logan stated that if Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz does not wish to discuss Cyprus question with Hannay, they will respect this.

Logan added that the number of Turkish Cypriot citizens who wish to migrate to Britain increases every year.

EU Commission's Representative to Turkey Micheal Lake in his part said that the customs union continues to have a positive impact in Turkey and on Turkey's trade relations with EU.

Noting that Turkey's foreign trade volume increases due to Customs Union, Lake stated that European Commission has given 103 million part of 375 million ecus which it committed to give to Turkey from MEDA fund.

Recalling that a team from Brussels visited Turkey a few days ago, Lake added that positive steps were taken regarding the MEDA fund during this visit. Lake added that a representative of the European Investment Bank will visit to Turkey in the first week of February.

[18] TURKEY-ACCIDENT - ONE SOLDIER DIES, THREE OTHERS INJURED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENT

The vehicle driven by Onur Aydın slipped off the road due to the ice on Van- Baskale motorway.

The injured soldiers were taken under medical treatment in Van Military Hospital.

[19] TURKEY-ILLEGAL MIGRATION - 84 IRAQIS CAPTURED AT EDIRNE

Officials said that the Iraqi people captured, who came to Turkey from the northern region of Iraq, wished to enter Greece illegally and they were taken under custody.

[20] TURKEY-BULGARIA - STATE MINISTER ANDICAN: ''WORKING GROUP BETWEEN TURKEY AND BULGARIA WILL SOLVE PROBLEMS OF OUR KINSMEN WHO RETURNED TO BULGARIA AFTER COMING TO TURKEY''

Ahat Andican received a delegation from the Balkan Turks Solidarity and Culture Association headed by Ismet Sever.

In his speech prior to the meeting, Andican recalled that Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz had made serious contacts during his visit to Bulgaria concerning the social and economic rights of the Turkish people who had to come to Turkey during the Jivkov period and had lost many of their rights in Bulgaria when they returned.

State Minister Andican stressed that the government continues to launch efforts to solve the housing problems of the Turkish people who came from Bulgaria.

Ahat Andican pointed out that a commission including seven ministers was set up to solve the problems of kinsmen who came to Turkey but could not acquire Turkish citizenship.

Later, Sever, the Chairman of the Balkan Turks Solidarity and Culture Association, briefed Andican about the problems of Balkan Turks to Ahat Andican.

[21] TURKEY-INVESTMENT - FIVE COMPANIES APPLY FOR THE CONSULTATION TENDER OPENED FOR THE SANLIURFA-HARRAN PLAINS FIELD AND VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

The Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) Regional Directorate of Development said in a written statement that the company to oversee the consultation services would be announced after the evaluation of the bids of the five eligible companies, ''Halcrow/Dolsar, Oklahoma State University/Water- Const., Tahal Consulting Eng/Antel-TSCIC, Tustas/ULG Consultants Ltd. and BRL Ingerierie/Const-Tech.''.

The evaluation commission including the representatives from the GAP Regional Directorate of Development, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the General Directorate of Village Services and the General Directorate of the Registration Office are expected to finalize the technical evaluation by mid-February.

[22] TURKEY-EXPORTS - TURKEY REALIZES 31.7 MILLION US DOLLARS IN EXPORTS TO THE CIS AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES IN 1997

In 1996, the region had realized 7.6 million US dollars in exports to the CIS countries and 7.3 million US dollars in exports to the Eastern European countries.

The Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union officials said that the region exported 5.7 million US dollars of grain-cereals, 114 thousand US dollars of dried fruits and 11.6 million US dollars of textile products to the CIS countries last year.

Officials said that the region exported one thousand US dollars of livestock, 3.3 million US dollars of grain-cereals, 1.2 million US dollars of dried fruits and 11.6 million US dollars of textile products to the Eastern European countries in the same period.

[23] TURKEY-INTERNAL - CONSTITUTION-JUSTICE JOINT COMMISSION TO DECIDE ON FILE BROUGHT AGAINST TRUE PATH PARTY (DYP) LEADER CILLER

Tansu Ciller, whose parliamentary immunity is under discussion as she earlier said that Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz acted like a ''dishonored corporal,'' will not attend the commission meeting, yet Ciller is expected to submit her written defense to the commission.

The decision of the delegation will later be discussed by the Constitution- Justice Commission. If they decide to lift the parliamentary immunity of Ciller, then a vote will be taken on this issue in the Parliament.

[24] TURKEY IN BRIEF - JANUARY 22, 1998

The Ministry of Culture said in a written statement that Talay will pay an official visit to Stuttgart as the guest of Klaus Von Trotha, Minister of Science, Research and Art for the city of Baden Würtemberg in Germany.

Talay will return to Turkey on January 26.

ANKARA - Hikmet Sami Turk, the Minister of State said on Thursday that they wanted to establish an ''ombudsman'' department in Turkey.

Hikmet Sami Turk received ombudsmen from the Swedish Parliament and Press and said after the meeting that the Human Rights Coordination Supreme Council had earlier decided to prepare a draft law concerning the establishment of an ombudsman department in Turkey.

ANKARA - World's second largest circus, the ''Azerbaijani Baku State Circus'' will open on January 24 at the Altinpark in Ankara, it was reported on Thursday.

The Ankara Municipality said that the circus will be performing at Altinpark's Anfa Hall for three months.

MUGLA - The Mugla Governor's Office said on Thursday that the number of foreign tourists who came to Mugla Province and the surrounding region by sea increased 18.4 percent to 196,340 in 1997.

Mugla Governor's Office said that 100,628 tourists had entered Turkey at the seaport of Bodrum, 85,643 at the Marmaris harbor, 6,758 at the Fethiye seaport and 3,311 foreign tourists at the Gulluk harbor.

[25] TURKEY-NSC - NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL (NSC) MEETING - NSC: ''WE ACCEPT THAT MEASURES SHOULD BE TAKEN TO REALIZE THE CASPIAN-CAUCASIAN ENERGY TRANSFER LINE PROJECT''

The NSC General Secretariat said in a written statement that the NSC convened under the leadership of President Suleyman Demirel.

Noting that Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State also participated in the meeting, the statement continued:

''The internal and external developments which affect the security of the country and the success of security forces in their struggle against the separatist terrorist organization were taken up during the meeting. The NSC evaluated the foreign political developments in the region and the world which affect the security of Turkey and reached a concensus on the continuance of the efforts undertaken by the government to improve relations with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) after the decision taken by the European Union (EU) at the Luxembourg Summit.''

''The Council also discussed the illegal human smuggling via Turkey to Italy and other European countries and reached an agreement that Turkey has to take measures to prevent Turkey from being used as a tool to this end and to prevent political campaigns carried out against Turkey.''

[26] TURKEY-AUTOMOBILE - OPEL TURKEY TAKES THE THIRD PLACE IN AUTOMOBILE SALES IN TURKEY IN 1997

The Opel Turkey said in a written statement that mostly the Vectra, Astra and Corsa models were demanded last year.

The statement said that the Opel Turkey had achieved a great and considerable success last year when taking into consideration its market share and amount of sale among 20 European countries, adding that the Opel Turkey had gained the tenth place among 20 European countries with its market share of 10,47 percent and its amount of sale.

The statement said that many European countries like Italy, France, Sweden, Denmark, Norwegia, Austria and Greece were behind the Opel Turkey when considering those statistics.

[27] TURKEY-CROATIA - PARLIAMENT SPEAKER CETIN SAYS CONTRIBUTION OF CROATIA IS IMPORTANT FOR BOSNIA TO REMAIN A SOVEREIGN STATE

Hikmet Cetin and the accompanying delegation proceeded to Dubrovnik, an historical and touristic city of Croatia, after concluding their contacts in Zagreb.

Evaluating his visit to Croatia, Cetin said that Turkey has launched efforts for bringing peace and stability to the region after the dissolution of Yugoslavia and particularly to end violence in Bosnia.

''Our relations with Croatia are very important and we also have to improve our economic relations. I had the opportunity to make contacts on this subject here in Croatia. Particularly the Bosnian-Herzegovinian Federation which was set up between Croatian and Bosnian people can contribute to protecting the Bosnian state as a sovereign one,'' said Cetin.

Cetin and the accompanying delegation will proceed to Bosnia the same day.

[28] TURKEY-BOSNIA - BOSNIAN MINISTER OF FOREIGN TRADE AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS KURTOVIC: ''OUR DOORS ARE OPEN TO TURKISH INVESTORS''

Turkish-Bosnian Business Council, which acts within the structure of Foreign Economic Relations Council (DEIK) convened the same day.

Noting that there is a capacity in Bosnia which was not used for five years, Kurtovic added that ''we expect Turkish businessmen to invest in infrastructure projects in Bosnia.''

Turkish-Bosnian Business Council Faruk Berksan in his part said that the foreign trade volume between Turkey and Bosnia which was 24,8 million dollars in 1996, is not enough.

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