Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-01-27

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

27 JAN 1998

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TURKEY-INTERNAL - COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING ENDS - COUNCIL OF MINISTERS DECIDE TO TAKE INCENTIVE MEASURES FOR 11 ADDITIONAL PROVINCES

[03] TURKEY-PERU - TURKEY AND PERU SET UP POLITICAL CONSULTATION MECHANISM

[04] TURKEY-FOREIGN POLICY - FM CEM: ''WE ARE BOTH EUROPEAN AND ASIAN'' - CEM TO MEET GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER KINKEL

[05] TURKEY-OSCE - CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF GEN. KARADAYI: ''GREECE AND GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DIVISION OF CYPRUS''

[06] TURKEY-US-CYPRUS - US: ''WE CONCERN ABOUT INCREASING MILITARIZATION IN CYPRUS'' - ''TURKEY HAS A RIGHT TO TAKE ITS CONCERNS ABOUT THE BAF BASE TO THE UN''

[07] TURKEY-IMF-WORLD BANK - STATE MINISTER TANER: ''WE WILL COME TOGETHER AGAIN WITH IMF AND WORLD BANK IN FEBRUARY IN WASHINGTON'' - ''TURKEY WILL ATTRACT FOREIGN CAPITAL IN 1998''

[08] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[09] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[10] TURKEY IN BRIEF - JANUARY 27, 1998

[11] TURKEY-GREECE - FOREIGN MINISTRY RESPONDS TO PROPOSAL OF PANGALOS: ''THERE IS NO NEED TO BRING THE ISSUE BEFORE THE HAGUE IN ORDER TO CONFIRM THAT 10 MILES AIR SPACE IMPLEMENTATION OF GREECE IS CONTRARY TO INTERNATIONAL LAW''

[12] TURKEY-EU - BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTER COOK: ''BRITAIN WILL DO ITS BEST REGARDING PARTICIPATION OF TURKEY IN EUROPEAN CONFERENCE''

[13] TURKEY-GREECE - FOREIGN MINISTRY DENIES HARRASSMENT AND SHOOTING CLAIMS OF GREECE

[14] TURKEY-ISRAEL - ISRAELI PARLIAMENT SPEAKER TICHON TO VISIT ANKARA NEXT MONDAY - TURKISH-ISRAELI TRADE VOLUME REACHES 610 MILLION DOLLARS

[15] TURKEY-GREECE - HARASSMENT PROTEST FROM ANKARA TO ATHENS - FIRST UNDERSECRETARY OF THE GREEK EMBASSY IN ANKARA SUMMONED TO THE FOREIGN MINISTRY

[16] TURKEY-SERBIA - ANKARA PLEASED OVER THE CAPTURE OF WAR CRIMINAL

[17] TURKEY IN BRIEF (2) - JANUARY 27, 1998

[18] TURKEY-ACCIDENT - MILITARY BUS SLIPS OFF THE ROAD IN EASTERN ERZURUM PROVINCE - ONE SOLDIER DIES, 16 OTHERS INJURED

[19] TURKEY-OSCE - OSCE MILITARY DOCTRINES SEMINAR - TURKEY'S PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO OSCE ERALP CALLS ON GREECE TO ENGAGE IN DIALOGUE

[20] TURKEY-DEMOCRATIZATION - DEMOCRATIZATION PROPOSAL FROM THE PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE - REPORT PROPOSES CHANGES IN MANY LAWS

[21] TURKEY-BAF BASE - LAND FORCES COMMANDER GEN. KIVRIKOGLU: ''THE TURKISH ARMED FORCES HAS TAKEN ALL THE NECESSARY MEASURES'' - ''PRODUCTION OF HELICOPTERS WILL BE STARTED AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF TENDERS''

[22] TURKEY-ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS - 39 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAPTURED

[23] TURKEY-ECONOMY - FOREIGN TRADE DATA

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HÜRRİYET (LIBERAL)

Turkey is the only country which has the highest number of customs gates in the world. There are 13 gates in Turkish-Syrian border, but only two of them namely Oncupınar and Cilvegozu work. Corruption and bribery can take place in such an atmosphere.''

MİLLİYET (LIBERAL)

SABAH (LIBERAL)

CUMHURİYET (LEFT)

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

ONE COURT FOR SUSURLUK
The cases which were brought before the courts regarding the Susurluk scandal will be heard before one court. Justice Ministry will order one of the State Security Courts to try these cases.

RADİKAL (LEFT)

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

TURKISH SOLDIER BEATEN IN INCIRLIK
Three American soldiers beat one Turkish soldier in Turkish-American Joint Defense Installations. The three American soldiers were taken under custody.

FİNANSAL FORUM (ECONOMY)

[02] TURKEY-INTERNAL - COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING ENDS - COUNCIL OF MINISTERS DECIDE TO TAKE INCENTIVE MEASURES FOR 11 ADDITIONAL PROVINCES

Addressing a statement after the Council of Ministers meeting, State Minister and Government Spokesman Ahat Andican said that State Minister Isın Celebi informed ministers about recent developments in economies of the Far East and the world, their repercussions in Turkey and the measures that will be taken.

Noting that the reformation that will be made in Turkish Penal Code was also taken up during the meeting, Andican stressed that the draft law will be submitted to the parliament after it is approved by the Council of Ministers.

Andican pointed out that the Council of Ministers approved the credit which was taken from Citibank and Bahrain Investment Bank in order to provide additional fund for Tarsus-Mersin motorway.

State Minister Andican said that State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel informed the Ministers about the flood in Izmir, adding that ''the government has given 35,5 million dollars of assistance from Social Assistance Fund to meet the damages of citizens till today.''

State Minister Andican said that the parliament had earlier adopted a law to encourage investments and create employment in Emergency Rule Region, adding that ''the Council of Ministers increased the number of provinces from 11 to 22 by taking into account their gross national product and socio- economic development level. These new provinces are namely Adıyaman, Agrı, Ardahan, Bayburt, Erzurum, Gumushane, Igdır, Kars, Ordu, Sanlıurfa and Yozgat.''

Responding to questions of journalists about the crimes related with freedom of expression, Andican said that arrangements will be made within the Draft Law on Turkish Penal Code regarding this issue.

Andican stated that there is a serious lack of health personnel particularly in Eastern and Southeastern Turkey.

Responding to another question about Turkish economy, Andican pointed out that ''although inflation is high in Turkey, structural problems are not that much. If the crisis in tne Far East and the world does not widen, it is not expected to effect Turkey much.''

[03] TURKEY-PERU - TURKEY AND PERU SET UP POLITICAL CONSULTATION MECHANISM

Foreign Ministry said that Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Korkmaz Haktanir and Peruvian Ambassador to Vienna and also accredited to Ankara Cilbert Chauny de Porturas-Hoyle signed the Understanding of Memorandum regarding the establishment of consultation mechanism.

Foreign Ministry said the implementation of bilateral agreements, the results of high-level visits between two countries, the bilateral agreements in political, economic, consular, cultural, technological and scientific fields would be improved within the framework of consultations.

[04] TURKEY-FOREIGN POLICY - FM CEM: ''WE ARE BOTH EUROPEAN AND ASIAN'' - CEM TO MEET GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER KINKEL

Giving information about the foreign policy of Turkey, Cem said that ''we are both European and Asian.''

''We do not think that we will be European if we enter European Union (EU) and we do not need to take permission from EU regarding any issue,'' said Cem.

Noting that EU did not treat Turkey equally and objectively during the Luxembourg Summit, Cem stressed that ''EU tried to put pressure upon Turkey, but we did not accept it. If EU desires to improve relations with us, it should treat us equally with other states. The history of Turkey did not end in Luxembourg Summit.''

Foreign Minister Cem said that he will take up the problems of Turkish citizens living in Germany during his meeting with German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel on Tuesday. Cem added that Kinkel wished to meet him.

Foreign Minister Cem will receive the representatives of Federation of Western Thrace Turks and later return to Turkey.

[05] TURKEY-OSCE - CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF GEN. KARADAYI: ''GREECE AND GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DIVISION OF CYPRUS''

Greek Cypriot Permanent Representative to Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Petros Michelides accused Turkey of denying international principles and not abiding by United Nations (UN) resolutions during the OSCE Seminar on Defense Policies and Military Doctrines.

Responding to that accusation, Chief of General Staff Gen. Karadayı stressed that ''sovereignty and territorial integrity of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is inevitable just like the territorial integrity of Greek Cypriot side.''

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the session, Austrian Chief of General Staff Karl Majcen said that the Cyprus question is a problem that concerns the two sides and it is inappropriate for the Greek Cypriot representative to bring this issue before the OSCE.

[06] TURKEY-US-CYPRUS - US: ''WE CONCERN ABOUT INCREASING MILITARIZATION IN CYPRUS'' - ''TURKEY HAS A RIGHT TO TAKE ITS CONCERNS ABOUT THE BAF BASE TO THE UN''

Responding to a question about the BAF base, Rubin said, ''Washington agreed Turkey, as a member of the UN, has a right to raise issues of concern at the UN Security Council'', adding that it was not true to make a comment on the issue before evaluating it in detail.

James Rubin said that the US was the permanent member of the UN Security Council and that the US would show an attitude when the issue comes into the agenda.

''We remain concerned in general about the increasing militarization of Cyprus on both sides of the cease-fire line. We urge all parties to avoid taking actions or making statements that result in increased tensions in the region and that detract from efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace on the island,'' Spokesman James P. Rubin said.

[07] TURKEY-IMF-WORLD BANK - STATE MINISTER TANER: ''WE WILL COME TOGETHER AGAIN WITH IMF AND WORLD BANK IN FEBRUARY IN WASHINGTON'' - ''TURKEY WILL ATTRACT FOREIGN CAPITAL IN 1998''

Addressing a joint press briefing after meeting with IMF and World Bank delegations headed by IMF's Director to Turkey Martin Hardy and World Bank's Director to Turkey Ajay Chibber, State Minister Taner stated that the contacts that have been continuing for one week with IMF and World Bank delegations ended.

State Minister Taner pointed out that ''we, as the government, prepared an additional budget for 1997, a more disciplined budget for 1998, and an economic programme to decrease the inflation. Today we took up the possibilities of this budget, the content and contributions of structural reforms and privatization.''

Noting that Turkey will attract foreign capital in 1998, State Minister Taner stressed that the government attributes great importance to social security reform.

Recalling that World Bank gave credits for infrastructure projects of Turkey, Taner said that the World Bank also extended support to the eight years compulsory education.

''The World Bank officials said that if Turkey realizes these structural reforms by its new economic program, they will give program credit to Turkey within the framework of support credits,'' said Taner.

State Minister Taner pointed out that ''we will try to create such an atmosphere in order to reach an agreement in Washington. 1998 will be a powerful and disciplined year. We will try not to spend more than our expenditures.''

IMF's Director to Turkey Martin Hardy in his part said that the inflation should be decreased in Turkey, adding that ''yet, this is not easy. The government should take both long term and short term measures and it should make a reform in social security, which is not easy again.''

World Bank's Director to Turkey Ajay Chibber said that he held productive contacts regarding the economic structure of Turkey.

Responding to questions of journalists, State Minister Gunes Taner said that ''our aim is to decrease inflation in the first year and if the leader of Republican Peoples Party (CHP) Deniz Baykal extends support to our programme, we will complete this program within two weeks.''

IMF Director Martin Hardy is expected to leave Ankara next Wednesday, while World Bank Director Chibber will leave Turkey on Tuesday.

[08] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

US WORRIED OVER HEAVY ARMAMENT IN CYPRUS
US State Department Spokesman Jamie Rubin said that intensive armament in Cyprus was disturbing, and noted that Turkey had the right to apply to the UN Security Council to convey its anxiety over the establishment of a new military base in Baf, Southern Cyprus. The US State Department Spokesman urged both communities on the island to refrain from moves that could end in a new escalation of tensions on the island. /Hurriyet/

TURCO-EGYPTIAN CULTURAL COOPERATION
Culture Minister Istemihan Talay paid an official visit to Egypt on January 14-19. Commenting on his contacts with Egyptian officials, Minister Talay said that a number of important decisions for improving bilateral cultural relations had been taken. In line with these decisions, Turkish and Egyptian specialists will cooperate in researching archives as well as in the restoration of Turkish monuments in Egypt. /Hurriyet/

TANER MEETS WITH IMF
State Minister Gunes Taner had yesterday a one-hour meeting with IMF Chief of the Turkish Desk, Martin Hardy, and World Bank Deputy Chairman Ajan Chibber. In a press conference after the meeting, Taner gave details about the decisions reached during the discussions. The World Bank will continue to support ongoing infrastructural projects and education reforms in Turkey. At the same time, World Bank officials promised to extend programme credits if the Turkish government manages to carry out structural reforms. Commenting on relations with the IMF, Minister Taner said that Turkey needed no new stand-by agreements, but will instead cooperate with the IMF in the implementation of a stabilization programme. Late in February Taner is planning to pay a visit to Washington to work out details related to this programme with IMF officials. /Sabah/

TURKISH COMPANY SETS UP COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK IN BAKU
The Turkish Alcatel-Teletas company will undertake an ambitious project for the modernization of the Baku telephone system. Alcatel-Teletas general Director Lutfi Yener signed last Friday a related agreement with Azerbaijani Communications Minister Nadir Ahmetov. /Sabah/

COUNCIL OF MINISTERS APPOINTS AMBASSADOR TO LIBYA
At a meeting yesterday, the Council of Ministers decided to appoint Mufit Ozdes as Ambassador to Libya. Former Turkish Ambassador in Libya, Ates Balkan, has been called back to Ankara following a recent diplomatic crisis in bilateral relations caused by Libyan leader Muammer Kaddafi's controversial remarks about Turkey. /Sabah/

KARADAYI CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
Chief of General Staff Gen.Ismail Hakki Karadayi said yesterday that international terrorism and ethnic conflicts headed the list of new risks and threats faced by the world. Karadayi delivered a speech at the opening session of a Defense Policies and Military Doctrine Seminar held by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which began yesterday in Vienna. The seminar will deal especially with new balances and threats and call for more international cooperation. /Cumhuriyet/

WELFARE PARTY TOPS AGENDA OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE
The closure of the Welfare Party (RP) by the Constitutional Court topped the agenda of the Winter-Term General Council Meetings of the Parliamentarian Assembly of the Council of Europe. Political Committee Chairman of the Assembly, Hungarian Parliamentarian, Andreas Barsony, said that before a justification decision of the Constitutional Court is issued, it would be wrong to make a legal comment on the issue. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister of Britain, the current EU Term-President, Robin Cook, said that there was no pre-condition regarding the participation of Turkey in the European Conference. Cook said: "The doors of the European Conference are open to Turkey". He noted that he would be pleased with the participation of Turkey in this conference to be held on 12 March and said: "Our efforts to strengthen political dialogue with Ankara will continue". He stated that they would also establish a dialogue with Turkey regarding the refugee flow to Europe./Cumhuriyet/

(to be continued)

[09] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

TURKEY EXAMINING US DECISION
Turkey has begun to examine the US decision to cut military aid to Turkey and Greece. It is reported that the decision will be evaluated within the context of the Defense and Economic Cooperation Agreement and strategic cooperation between the two countries. Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ambassador Necati Utkan held a press conference yesterday and said that although no official statement had made by the US government regarding this issue, information had arrived through international news agencies. /Cumhuriyet/

CEM IN BONN
Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem delivered a speech at the Consuls- General Meeting, which began yesterday in Bonn and said that when Turks living in Europe join forces and become unified, they could provide a better future for themselves and their children. Ismail Cem will meet with German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel today. He will also come together with representatives of the Turkish associations which are active in Germany. /Milliyet/

ATHENS SAYS 'NO' TO ANKARA'S INVITATION
Greece has rejected an invitation made by Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit via Milliyet daily newspaper. Ecevit had said: "Let's come together in Ankara and start a dialogue". Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said: "We do not view this call as positive. Turkey has been extending this invitation for a long time. However we do not agree on this". Reppas claimed that Ecevit's call was against 'international law'. Repass said: "Turkey should accept the general authority of The Hague". /Milliyet/

TURKISH CULTURE IN FRANCE
Turkey will attend the "16th Expolangues '98-2 International French Culture Festival and show traditional "Karagoz" shadow theatre. Turkey will also participate in the marriage fair called "Marriage au Carrousel" by displaying Thracian wedding-dresses. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKEY PLANS NEW AIRPORT, TECHNO-PARK IN ISTANBUL
The Turkish government has decided to lay the foundations for an international airport and an advanced technology park in Istanbul's Kurtkoy district in order to take the first crucial steps to meet its 21st century needs. During a press conference, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ismet Sezgin yesterday revealed the plans concerning the USD 10 billion giant project, saying that the infrastructure will be constructed by the state, and the rest of the project will be carried out by the private sector. /All papers/

TURKEY TO BUY MORE ELECTRICITY FROM BULGARIA
Turkey will increase the amount of electricity it is currently buying from Bulgaria to 2.5 billion kilowatts/hours (kwh) per year, Turkish Energy Minister Cumhur Ersumer told reporters yesterday, following a meeting with Bulgarian Energy Minister Ivan Siliaski, in which the issue was discussed. Turkey is now buying 1.8 billion kwh of electricity from Bulgaria. In order to increase the amount of electricity, a new electricity line will be to Hamitabad, Ersumer continued. /All papers/

ANKARA CRITICIZES SYRIAN COMMENTS ON WELFARE PARTY
Ankara described the Syrian defense minister's words last Tuesday -that Turkey will become like Algeria due to the ban on Welfare Party -as wishful thinking, adding: "Turkey does not need to take any lessons from Syria, neither on democracy nor on religious tolerance". Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman Necati Utkan said: "The remarks are inappropriate and uncalled for", when addressing the weekly press conference yesterday. /All papers/

TURKEY HOLDS BEST INTERNET PROMOTIONAL WEB SITE
The Turkish Tourism Office in New York declared that Turkey's Internet web site, which aims to promote tourism opportunities and consists of more than 200 pages, has been chosen the best of its kind. The address of this web site is: http//www.turkey.org/turkey The Tourism Office also noted that the number of American tourists visiting Turkey increased by 11 percent in 1997 and reached 365 thousand. /Hurriyet/

[10] TURKEY IN BRIEF - JANUARY 27, 1998

Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union Chairman Abdulkadir Cikmaz told A.A correspondent that the region exported thread and fabric mostly to Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Belgium, Italy, Spain, France, Lebanon, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Romania, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Russia, Syria, Israel, Portugal, Britain, Germany and the US last year.

TRABZON - The foreign exchange income from the exportation of hazelnut and by-products from Black Sea Region in 1997 was 541 million US dollars, it is reported on Tuesday.

General Secretariate of Black Sea Exporters' Union officials told A.A correspondent that the total foreign exchange income from the exportation of various products was 777.4 million US dollars. Officials said the region exported hazelnut to European countries while it exported fresh fruits and vegetables, ready-wear products, construction equipments and alimentary produces to Russia and Commenwealth of Independent States (CIS) member countries.

ANKARA - Council of Ministers approved the free trade agreement signed between Turkey and Czech Republic on October 3, 1997 in Ankara, it is reported on Tuesday.

The law regarding the approval of the agreement was published in the Official Gazette and entered into force the same day.

[11] TURKEY-GREECE - FOREIGN MINISTRY RESPONDS TO PROPOSAL OF PANGALOS: ''THERE IS NO NEED TO BRING THE ISSUE BEFORE THE HAGUE IN ORDER TO CONFIRM THAT 10 MILES AIR SPACE IMPLEMENTATION OF GREECE IS CONTRARY TO INTERNATIONAL LAW''

Responding to a question, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Necati Utkan recalled in a written statement that Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos proposed Turkey to bring the implementation of 10 mile air space before the International Court of Justice in the Hague, adding that:

''The width of air space should be equal with that of territorial waters under the basic international agreements including the 1944 Chicago Convention and 1982 United Nations (UN) Convention on Naval Law.'' Greece is the only country which violates this principle of international law, because it has 6 miles territorial waters and implements 10 miles air space, Utkan said.

Criticizing the violation of this international law by Greece, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Necati Utkan said that one Greek national regulation can not be shown as an excuse for violation of international law. Utkan added that Greece had to adjust its laws with principles of international law when it became a party to the 1944 Chicago Convention.

[12] TURKEY-EU - BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTER COOK: ''BRITAIN WILL DO ITS BEST REGARDING PARTICIPATION OF TURKEY IN EUROPEAN CONFERENCE''

Addressing a press briefing, Cook said that ''European Conference will not be a simple ceremony, but a serious meeting.''

Cook attributed importance to Turkish-EU dialogue and said that extending support to Turkish political powers, which favour EU, is to the benefit of EU.

Noting that EU did not impose any condition for Turkey concerning participation in European Conference, Cook pointed out that ''the thing that matters is improvement of dialogue and relations with Turkey. We launch efforts to this end.''

''The doors of European Conference are open to Turkey,'' said Cook noting that he would be pleased with the participation of Turkey in this conference.

''Our efforts to strengthen political dialogue with Ankara will continue and EU will also establish a dialogue with Turkey regarding the illegal immigrant flow to Europe,'' said Cook.

[13] TURKEY-GREECE - FOREIGN MINISTRY DENIES HARRASSMENT AND SHOOTING CLAIMS OF GREECE

A high ranking Foreign Ministry official said that these Greek claims are completely unrealistic, adding that ''the claimed incident is completely incorrect.''

Greek Defense Ministry Spokesman claimed that two Turkish torpedo boats, which entered Greek territorial waters near Kardak island, opened fire.

[14] TURKEY-ISRAEL - ISRAELI PARLIAMENT SPEAKER TICHON TO VISIT ANKARA NEXT MONDAY - TURKISH-ISRAELI TRADE VOLUME REACHES 610 MILLION DOLLARS

Israeli Parliament Speaker Tichon will meet President Suleyman Demirel, Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Parliament Speaker Hikmet Cetin, Chairman of Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Commission Murat Karayalcın and members of Turkish-Israeli Friendship Committee.

Israeli Parliament Speaker Tichon and the accompanying delegation will proceed to Istanbul on Wednesday after wrapping up their contacts in Ankara.

Tichon will meet members of Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSEC) and Foreign Economic Relations Committee (DEIK) in Istanbul.

Responding to questions of A.A correspondent regarding the visit of Israeli Parliament Speaker Tichon to Turkey, officials from Israeli Embassy said that the visit will be mainly about economic issues.

Israeli officials stated that the two countries are expected to reach an agreement in many issues in order to increase the trade volume between them during Tichon's visit to Turkey.

Turkish-Israeli trade volume reached 610 million dollars in 1997 by an increase of 33 percent compared to 450 million dollars in 1996.

[15] TURKEY-GREECE - HARASSMENT PROTEST FROM ANKARA TO ATHENS - FIRST UNDERSECRETARY OF THE GREEK EMBASSY IN ANKARA SUMMONED TO THE FOREIGN MINISTRY

A high ranking official from the Foreign Ministry stressed that during January, Greece had many times violated the Turkish territorial waters and harassed Turkish planes.

The official said that the First Undersecretary of the Greek Embassy was summoned to the Foreign Ministry today to protest these incidents.

The same official said that the Greek Ministry of Defense Spokesman's allegations that two Turkish torpedo ships violated Greek territorial waters and opened gunfire on Monday was brought onto the agenda and that this Greek allegation was refuted and it was conveyed to the First Undersecretary that the incident was not true.

[16] TURKEY-SERBIA - ANKARA PLEASED OVER THE CAPTURE OF WAR CRIMINAL

Necati Utkan, the Foreign Ministry issued a written statement saying that Turkey, being a country supporting the Dayton Peace Agreement, expressed pleasure over the capture of a Serbian war criminal.

Utkan said that the capture of a Serbian war criminal, who was wanted by the Former Yugoslavian International War Criminals Court based in the Hague, was an important step in the securing of peace, justice, stability and compromise in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

[17] TURKEY IN BRIEF (2) - JANUARY 27, 1998

Several cooperation agreements will be signed with the Ukraine during Admiral Tezeren's official visit. These cooperation agreements are as follows:

- Fighting against smuggling,

- Fighting against the violation of laws regarding customs, finance, health and emigration,

- Fighting against pollution of the environment,

- Cooperation in the use of hot pursuit rights in accordance with the international norms to follow foreign ships which violate the related laws and regulations.

LONDON - Mehmet Emin Aga, the elected Mufti of Xanthi will arrive in London on Wednesday to participate in the activities to be held for the Western Thracian Turkish Society's ''January 29 National Resistance and Public Solidarity Day'', it was reported on Tuesday.

Mehmet Emin Aga will leave Britain on February 2.

ANKARA - Sukru Sina Gurel, the State Minister and Government Spokesman left for Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Tuesday to make observations and several contacts.

Gurel will meet the same day with the TRNC President Rauf Denktas, Olgun Pasalar, the TRNC Deputy Speaker of the Parliament and the TRNC Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu.

Gurel will sign the ''Loan Agreement for Investments'' and the ''Protocol Regarding the Use of Loans'' after the interdelegationary contacts in Lefkosa.

Gurel will return to Turkey next Sunday.

TBILISI - Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, the Foreign Ministry Deputy Underseretary arrived in Tbilisi on Tuesday to make several contacts.

Irtemcelik met with Mikail Ukleba and Malkhaz Kakabadze the Georgian Deputy Foreign Ministers.

Irtemcelik will meet the same day with Irakli Menagarishvili, the Georgian Foreign Minister.

Irtemcelik will also meet with the Consultant of the Georgian Presidential Foreign Policy and Research Department, the Chairman of the Georgian Parliament's Defense and Security Commission, the Minister of Transportation and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs during his contacts in Georgia.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz will pay an official visit to Georgia between March 11-12.

[18] TURKEY-ACCIDENT - MILITARY BUS SLIPS OFF THE ROAD IN EASTERN ERZURUM PROVINCE - ONE SOLDIER DIES, 16 OTHERS INJURED

Ayhan Calis, a Turkish soldier, died and 16 other soldiers were injured in the accident.

The soldiers were taken for medical treatment at the Marshal Fevzi Cakmak Military Hospital in Erzurum.

[19] TURKEY-OSCE - OSCE MILITARY DOCTRINES SEMINAR - TURKEY'S PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO OSCE ERALP CALLS ON GREECE TO ENGAGE IN DIALOGUE

Addressing the ongoing OSCE Defense Policies and Military Doctrines seminar in Vienna, Eralp stressed that the problems between Turkey and Greece could only be solved through dialogue.

It was reported that Eralp's call for dialogue came as a reply to the speech made at the morning session by Athanassios Coganis, the Greek Chief of General Staff.

Diplomatic sources told the A.A correspondent that in the morning session Coganis said, "Cyprus is the only divided country among the OSCE members" and defended that "spirit of compromise" has not yet reached there.

Meanwhile, Eralp told the A.A correspondent that he did not mention the Cyprus issue at this seminar as it was not included in the OSCE agenda and stressed that he wanted a closer dialogue between the two countries.

[20] TURKEY-DEMOCRATIZATION - DEMOCRATIZATION PROPOSAL FROM THE PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE - REPORT PROPOSES CHANGES IN MANY LAWS

The report was sent to the Parliamentary Chairmanship, the Ministries of Justice and the Interior, the Higher Education Institution Chairmanship, Prime Ministerial Press and Information General Directorate.

The report proposed a permanent commission to be set up in the Parliament to issue laws regarding the change of laws which prevent democratization and to preserve the basic rights and freedoms which are guaranteed in the Constitution. The report also foresaw changes in 60 laws.

The report said, ''although important steps have been taken in research, investigation and democratization process, there is a need for studies in the structural, political, social, economic, cultural and legal fields which are appropriate to contemporary state principles for the healthy development of this process and to attain a democratic state structure.''

The report said that Turkish democracy has several important problems when compared with the contemporary state norms and stressed that most of these problems were related to the legal and institutional structure. The report said that another problem area was execution.

The report said that the 1982 Constitution was not functional. "Although our Constitution is rich due to human rights and democratic institutions, with the conditions in usage for these rights and freedoms and the limitations to these freedoms forms an important obstacle for the democratization process." It said, ''as an outcome of changes in the Constitution, the Republic of Turkey, with a contemporary constitution, will more positively meet the needs of the contemporary state, human rights, supremacy of law, and a secular and social state.''

The report proposed the issuing of adjustment laws soon which is in parallel with the changes made in the Constitution in 1995.

The report stressed that democratization efforts should be made with discipline and continuously, adding that an effective unit should be established within Prime Ministry to further improve the effectiveness of studies carried out at the Prime Ministry and the Ministry of Justice.

In the part which proposed changes in the Political Parties Law, it was said that the Control Committee supported the view that a political party which was closed forever could not be established under another name and that the founder members, members and administrators who caused the closure of this party could not be the founder member, member, administrator and inspector of another party for five years after the resolution is issued in the Official Gazette.

Also, according to the proposal of the Ministry of Justice, political parties could not have these people as members, founder members and can not show them on their party lists as Independent candidates in elections.

[21] TURKEY-BAF BASE - LAND FORCES COMMANDER GEN. KIVRIKOGLU: ''THE TURKISH ARMED FORCES HAS TAKEN ALL THE NECESSARY MEASURES'' - ''PRODUCTION OF HELICOPTERS WILL BE STARTED AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF TENDERS''

Responding to the questions of the A.A correspondent, Kivrikoglu said that production of the helicopters will be started after the conclusion of tenders. The Defense Industry Undersecretariat opened a tender for the first party of 50 helicopters worth 3.5 billion dollars. A total of 145 helicopters will be purchased.

[22] TURKEY-ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS - 39 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAPTURED

The Gendarme teams, acting on a tip off, raided the ''Dalli'' hotel in Torba village and captured the illegal immigrants who were getting prepared to enter Greece illegally.

The Iraqi illegal immigrants entered Turkey on different dates and they did not have passports. It was told that they would be deported soon and an investigation was underway on the two Turkish people involved.

[23] TURKEY-ECONOMY - FOREIGN TRADE DATA

The State Institute of Statistics (DIE) said that there was a 10 percent increase in exports and 9.9 percent increase in imports in the Jan-Oct period.

In the period between Jan-Oct 1996, there were 18.5 billion dollars in exports and 34.4 billion dollars in imports.

The foreign trade deficit which was 15.9 billion dollars in the first 10 months of 1996 increased 9.7 percent last year and reached 17.4 billion dollars.

According to the DIE data, 2.3 billion dollars in exports and 4.2 billion dollars in imports were made last October.

In January exports increased 11.6 percent and imports increased 20.4 percent. Foreign trade increased by 33.3 percent and reached 1.9 billion dolars.

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