Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-02-24

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

24 FEB 1998

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TURKEY-FRANCE - FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT SIGNED DURING PRESIDENT DEMIREL'S VISIT TO FRANCE TO BE PUT INTO FORCE

[03] TURKEY-INTERNAL - EARTHQUAKE IN ERZURUM

[04] TURKEY-PARTY - GENERAL HEADQUARTERS BUILDING OF THE CLOSED RP LOCKED AND SEALED

[05] TURKEY-PARTY - VIRTUE PARTY IN PARLIAMENT - NUMBER OF DEPUTIES OF VIRTUE PARTY INCREASED TO 57

[06] TURKEY-INTERNAL - EARTHQUAKE IN BURHANIYE

[07] TURKEY-FOREIGN POLICY - PM YILMAZ ADDRESSES HIS PARTY GROUP MEETING

[08] TURKEY-TRNC - THE COOPERATION AGREEMENT CONCERNING SOCIAL SERVICES COMES INTO FORCE

[09] TURKEY-CFE - OBSERVATIONS OF THE MULTI-NATIONAL INSPECTION TEAM

[10] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

[11] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

[12] TURKEY IN BRIEF - FEBRUARY 24, 1998

[13] TURKEY-BSECPA - FIFTH FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY OF BSECPA

[14] TURKEY-RP - LIQUIDATION OF RP'S ASSETS

[15] TURKEY-PARTY - ''DEPAR'' IN POLITICAL LIFE - ''CHANGING TURKEY PARTY'', LED BY ANKARA DEPUTY CAPOGLU, GIVES FOUNDATION PETITION TO INTERIOR MINISTRY

[16] TURKEY-OPERATION - 20 TERRORISTS KILLED

[17] TURKEY-US - TRANSPORTATION MINISTER MENZIR LEAVES FOR THE US - MENZIR: ''MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION WILL REALIZE 50 PERCENT OF TURKEY'S PRIVATIZATION PROJECT IN 1998''

[18] TURKEY-INTERNAL - NUMBER OF DEPUTIES OF THE VIRTUE PARTY INCREASES TO 67

[19] TURKEY-INTERNAL - NUMBER OF DEPUTIES OF THE VIRTUE PARTY INCREASES TO 80

[20] TURKEY-HUMAN RIGHTS - PARLIAMENT SPEAKER CETIN: ''ONE CAN NOT IGNORE AND DENY THAT TURKEY HAS PROBLEMS ON THE SUBJECT OF HUMAN RIGHTS''

[21] TURKEY-TREMOR - EARTHQUAKE IN THE TOWN OF PULUMUR TOWN AT TUNCELI PROVINCE

[22] TURKEY IN BRIEF (2)- FEBRUARY 24, 1998

[23] TURKEY-GREECE - GREECE RESPONDS TO TURKEY'S CALL FOR PEACE

[24] TURKEY-INTERNAL - VIRTUE PARTY HAS THE RIGHT TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE OF 383 BILLION LIRAS FROM TREASURY

[25] TURKEY-HUMAN RIGHTS (2) - TUSIAD CHAIRMAN KAYHAN: ''TURKEY HAS TO ADMIT THAT VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS ARE IMPORTANT OBSTACLES TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT''

[26] TURKEY-OIL - TURKISH, AZERI, KAZAKH, GEORGIAN AND TURKMEN FOREIGN MINISTERS TO CONVENE FOR THE BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE

[27] TURKEY-POLITICS - DECISION TO CLOSE WELFARE PARTY SUBMITTED TO THE PARLIAMENT - FP DEPUTY KAMALAK CLAIMS CONSTITUTIONAL COURT DID NOT CLOSE THE WELFARE PARTY ''PERMANENTLY''

[28] TRNC-BRITAIN - TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''I WILL NOT MEET WITH THE BRITISH OFFICIALS UNLESS BRITAIN LIFTS ITS VISA AGAINST THE TRNC CITIZENS''

[29] TURKEY-WESTERN THRACE-AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL-GREECE - AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL WARNS ATHENS: - ''THE IMPRISONMENT DECISION FOR XANTHI MUFTI MEHMET EMIN AGA MEANS THAT AGA IS IMPRISONED FOR HIS BELIEFS''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) ERBAKAN CHALLENGES
Despite the Chief Prosecutor Vural Savas saying that he would open a court case if a mass transfer to another party occurs, a total of 57 deputies transferred to the Fazilet Party (Virtue Party) which was founded by Erbakan's lawyer.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL) MANISA SUPRISE
The prosecutor in the Manisa Case decided that 10 policemen who were accused of torturing high school students did not torture them but abused them. The prosecutor who wanted sentences of a total of 700 years imprisonment has now reduced them to three years.

SABAH (LIBERAL) SEVKI YILMAZ FLED
The former Welfare Party (RP) deputy Sevki Yilmaz who was searched for by the police has fled. He would be given a sentence of execution if he is caught.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT) ANNAN SOLVED THE CRISIS
President Clinton confirmed the agreement signed between the UN and Iraqi Administration with conditions.

Meanwhile Foreign Minister Ismail Cem who said he had made a very small contribution to the establishment of peace in the Gulf added that Turkey would act together with Jordan for a lasting compromise.

RADIKAL (LEFT) EARLY ELECTION SIGNAL FROM YILMAZ
Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said they may hold early elections and sent a message to the opposition. Yilmaz threatened that he would hold early elections if the social security and tax reforms do not pass in the Parliament.

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL) AUTHOR YASAR KEMAL FEELS OFFENDED BY PRESIDENT
DEMIREL
Author Yasar Kemal got angry over the words of President Suleyman Demirel in the French Le Figaro newspaper which said ''Yasar Kemal is a great author bu he has separatist views.'' Kemal said that those who think the same as Mr. Demirel aim to divide Turkey.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT) SIX GIANT MOBILIZATIONS
Important statements from Demirel and Yilmaz. The tube passage and third bridge to be constructed in Istanbul. Motorways will be rented. The Gulf bridge, Black Sea line and roads in the South will be completed at full speed.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE) FAZILET IN PARLIAMENT
Deputies of the Welfare Party (RP) who remained Independent proceeded to the Fazilet Party (Virtue Party). Ismail Alpetik is the leader of the new formation at the present.

FİNANSAL FORUM (ECONOMY) STRUGGLE AGAINST INFLATION SUSPENDED
The Coalition Government which said it has entered into an earnest struggle against inflation, but could not record any development so far. Failure to realize the performance which was included in the programs is a signal that the program has been suspended.

[02] TURKEY-FRANCE - FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT SIGNED DURING PRESIDENT DEMIREL'S VISIT TO FRANCE TO BE PUT INTO FORCE

The Foreign Ministry statement said the framework agreement signed between Turkey and France earlier was a sign indicating the importance attributed to the development of a Turkish-French partnership.

The statement recalled the three important points which the framework agreement aimed to reach:

-Intensifying the existing political cooperation and establishing a strategic dialogue between the Foreign Ministries.

-Improving bilateral economic and trade relations, preparing a basis for joint investments in third countries and cooperation for energy sources and oil and natural gas transports.

-Providing an understanding which is based on a wider perspective between the two countries and attributing importance to cultural and technical cooperation in a bid to improve opening to the foreign world by respecting each other.

The statement said a detailed action plan which will ensure putting a framework agreement into effect will be specified during negotiations which will be held in Ankara between the undersecretaries of the two countries.

[03] TURKEY-INTERNAL - EARTHQUAKE IN ERZURUM

Officials from the Ataturk University Seismology Center said that the earthquake occurred at 08:45 p.m and the epicenter of the quake was 10 kilometers to the south of Erzurum.

No casualties or financial damage were reported.

[04] TURKEY-PARTY - GENERAL HEADQUARTERS BUILDING OF THE CLOSED RP LOCKED AND SEALED

The Finance Ministry officials locked and sealed the building at 22:10 after making several observations.

Apart from the permanent fixtures and equipment, 65 million Turkish Liras was given to the Treasury.

Meanwhile, several party members took away their private belongings and threw the party documents into the wastebasket.

[05] TURKEY-PARTY - VIRTUE PARTY IN PARLIAMENT - NUMBER OF DEPUTIES OF VIRTUE PARTY INCREASED TO 57

The Malatya Deputy Recai Kutan, Corum Deputy Yasin Hatiboglu, Sivas Deputy Temel Karamollaoglu, Trabzon Deputy Seref Malkoc and Istanbul Deputies Mehmet Ali Sahin and Ali Oguz are among the deputies who transferred to the Virtue Party from the closed RP party.

The Manisa Deputy Bulent Arinc while responding to the question of the A.A correspondent if he would transfer to the Virtue Party said ''I am not thinking of transferring at the moment. I will continue my evaluation until the weekend.''

Sources close to the RP administration said that all the RP deputies who became Independent after the closure of the RP would transfer to the Virtue Party on Tuesday.

According to the Parliamentary Internal regulations, the Virtue Party gained the right to set up a group in the Parliament as it has more than 20 deputies.

Below are several deputies from the former RP Party who sent a petition to the Parliamentary Chairmanship saying that they had joined the Virture Party:

Yakup Budak (Adana), Sitki Cengil (Adana), Ahmet Celik

(Adiyaman), Zeki Ergezen (Bitlis), Bedri Incetahtaci (Gaziantep),

Sinasi Yavuz (Erzurum), Omer Ozyilmaz (Erzurum), Avni Dogan

(Kahramanmaras), Mikail Korkmaz (Kirikkale), Ali Oguz (Istanbul),

Yasar Canbay (Malatya), Fikret Karabekmez (Malatya), Fethullah Erba&thorn; (Van), Naci Terzi (Erzincan), Omer Naimi Barim (Elazig), Yasin Hatiboglu (Corum), Zulfikar Gazi (Corum), Nedim Ilci (Mus),

Husamettin Korkutata (Bingol), Mustafa Kamalak (Kahramanmaras), M.

Ali Sahin (Istanbul), Ahmet Dogan (Adiyaman), Ziyattin Tokar (Agri), Mehmet Aykac (Corum), Turhan Alcelik (Giresun), Hayrettin Dilekcan (Karabuk), Fethi Acar (Kastamonu), Hasan Huseyin Oz (Konya), Recai Kutan (Malatya), Huseyin Yildiz (Mardin), Sabahattin Yildiz (Mus), Huseyin Olgun Akin (Ordu), Mustafa Hasan Oz (Ordu), Ahmet Demircan (Samsun), Latif Oztek (Samsun), Musa Uzunkaya (Samsun), Temel Karamollaoglu (Sivas), Abdulkadir Oncel (Sanliurfa) and Seref Malkoc (Trabzon).

[06] TURKEY-INTERNAL - EARTHQUAKE IN BURHANIYE

The officials at the Kandilli Observatory Institute said that the epicenter of the quake was in the Aegean Sea.

No casualties or financial damages were reported.

[07] TURKEY-FOREIGN POLICY - PM YILMAZ ADDRESSES HIS PARTY GROUP MEETING

Speaking to reporters as the Motherland Party (ANAP) group meeting continued, Yilmaz said that they evaluated the general political situation.

Yilmaz expressed pleasure that the Gulf crisis reached a positive point according to Turkey's expectations but noted that the possibility of a war and hot clash has not yet been overcome.

Recalling that the agreement signed between the Iraqi administration and the UN Secretary General should be confirmed in the Security Council, adding, ''we hope that the US will give up the idea of the military operation it has announced earlier.''

Yilmaz said the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan went to Baghdad by taking into consideration the views of the US.

Prime Minister Yilmaz said Turkey incorporated a peaceful policy from the very beginning of this crisis and a policy that is appropriate to Turkey's own interests. He said Turkey's policy was confirmed by the attitude of the US and Iraq, adding that the US is an important ally of Turkey and Iraq is an important neighbor.

Yilmaz said, ''everybody has to accept that Turkey had a contribution, even if slight, to the overcoming of the tense atmosphere.''

Prime Minister Yilmaz recalled that Turkey, from the very beginning, told Iraq to abide fully by the UN Resolutions and also defended that the embargo imposed on Iraq should be diminished in return for Iraq's abiding by the resolutions.

Meanwhile, speaking about closure of the RP Yilmaz said that the new political situation erupting after the closure of the RP will be evaluated.

[08] TURKEY-TRNC - THE COOPERATION AGREEMENT CONCERNING SOCIAL SERVICES COMES INTO FORCE

January 17, 1997, between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has been published in the Official Gazette and came into force on Tuesday.

In the agreement, it is foreseen that the social services including personnel training and the establisment of the rehabilitation centers, will be improved in the TRNC and cooperation between the two countries will be developed.

Officials told A.A the correspondent that the two countries will prepare joint scientific research programmes.

[09] TURKEY-CFE - OBSERVATIONS OF THE MULTI-NATIONAL INSPECTION TEAM

The General Staff General Secretariat statement said the multi-national inspection team which was formed under the chairmanship of Bulgaria between Feb 18 and 20, 1998, made observations in Turkey.

The statement said the six-people team in question arrived in Turkey from the Edirne/Kapikule border gate on Feb 18, 1998, and made a CFE observation in a military headquarters with the accompanying General Staff team on Feb 19, 1998, and departed from Turkey on Feb 20, 1998.

It said the delegation in its observations specified that Turkey implemented the agreement effectively and abided by her responsibilities.

[10] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

NEW VIRTUE PARTY GROUP IN PARLIAMENT
Forty-one deputies of the now-defunct Welfare Party (RP) joined the Virtue Party (FP) on Monday, thus enabling this new party to form a parliamentary group. A Constitutional Court ruling, detailing its justification for the closure of the Welfare Party (RP), was published in the Official Gazette on Sunday, putting an end to the RP's 14-year-old political life. /All papers/

ANKARA WELCOMES UN-IRAQ DEAL
Turkey welcomed yesterday the deal over weapons inspections which the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan closed in Baghdad and signaled it would engage in regional cooperation for a permanent solution to the crisis with Iraq. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said he would visit Jordan on Thursday to propose regional cooperation for a permanent solution, noting: ''Turkey welcomes the agreement between Iraq and the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.'' In a press conference yesterday, Cem also gave a message to the whole world, saying that it was time to ease the embargo on Iraq.

Cem commented that Turkey had brought her own ''modest, but unique approach to the crisis'', bringing to mind his own diplomatic efforts to diffuse the crisis in Baghdad. Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz also affirmed cautiously, ''Turkey would be on the top of the list of countries that would be most happy if the crisis were over,'' noting that the deal was a great relief for Turkey. /Milliyet/

TURKEY EXPANDING ECONOMIC HORIZONS IN CHINA, VIETNAM
In line with its Silk Road 2000 project, which aims to strengthen Turkey's presence in the Far East, Turkey had laid the foundations for broader cooperation with China and Vietnam. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, who completed a trip to China and Vietnam last week, held a press conference on Monday, and evaluated the results of the high-level contacts he made in the two countries. Emphasizing that the political groundwork for further improvement in economic and political ties with China and Vietnam had been laid during his meetings, Cem said that Turkey had decided to increase mutual imports and exports, and undertake joint investment projects with China and Vietnam.

Cem said that these developments will enhance Turkey's role in the international arena and help to accelerate the Foreign Ministry's Silk Road 2000 project. Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Taiwan were the next Far Eastern countries with which Turkey will seek more intensive contacts, he added. /Hurriyet/

FORMER RP DEPUTIES WILL FACE TRIAL
Ankara State Security Court Prosecutor Nuh Mete Yuksel announced yesterday that a case will be filed against former Welfare Party (RP) deputy Sevki Yilmaz. The prosecutor will demand capital punishment for Yilmaz for his activities against the Constitution and against the secular democratic order. The parliamentary status of Yilmaz has been terminated in line with the Constitutional Court decisions. /Sabah/

MOTORWAYS DIRECTORS MEET IN ANKARA
President Suleyman Demirel, Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and Housing Minister Yasar Topcu attended a meeting of the directors of the 48th region of the motorways which was held in Ankara on Monday. In his opening speech, Demirel recommended that the government prepare a master transportation programme without delay. Housing Minister Yasar Topcu said they were preparing a plan to rent out motorways to private sector administration for periods of ten years, adding that the Ministry was trying to overcome the finance problem by applying the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model to transportation projects. /Sabah/

(To be continued)

[11] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

TURKISH MARKETS SHARPLY BOOSTED BY IRAQ DEAL
Turkish shares jumped nearly 10 percent on Monday morning as the Middle East's largest market gave an enthusiastic welcome to the new accord between the United Nations and Baghdad on weapons inspections, brokers said. The agreement secured by the U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan also sparked a buying spree on the bond market, sending yields tumbling by more than five percentage points. The rush of optimism was reflected in trading volume, which climbed 50 percent to 33.5 trillion Turkish Liras (147 million USD) from 22.3 trillion Turkish Liras on Friday morning. /Milliyet/

OIL PRICES TO BE INDEXED WITH WORLD OIL PRICES
The Cabinet yesterday decided to index oil prices with world oil prices as of May. Giving details about the decisions made in the Cabinet, the State Minister and Government Spokesman Sukru Sina Guven said that an indexed oil price mechanism would be set up to avoid price increases for a limited period. /Hurriyet/

THY COOPERATION BREAKTHROUGH
The Turkish Airlines (THY) General Director Yusuf Bolayirli noted yesterday that following Swissair, they had signed a letter of ''strategic intent'' with the Belgium Airlines (Sabena) and Austrian Airlines. Bolayirli said that their aim was to schedule flights to more places, reduce the cost and offer more alternatives to passengers. In a press conference, Bolayirli stated that the new agreements were completely commercial and did not envisage integration. /Milliyet/

TURKEY RANKS FIRST IN AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF TOURISTS
Turkey ranks first in an increase in the number of tourists coming to Turkey, when figures for 1997 are compared with 1996 and ranks 18th in the list of tourism income increases. According to details published in Le Figaro newspaper, Turkey earned 7 billion USD from tourism last year. /Milliyet/

MALAYSIAN MINISTER IN ISTANBUL
Malaysian Minister for International Trade and Industry, Seri Rafidah Aziz, will arrive in Turkey today to make contacts. Aziz, accompanied by a 20- person delegation, will first visit Istanbul and then proceed on to Ankara. The Malaysian Minister is expected to meet with Turkish businessmen and industrialists. /Milliyet/

ELEKDAG IN NEW YORK TIMES
The views regarding the recent Gulf crisis of Turkey's former Ambassador to Washington, Sukru Elekdag, have been given wide coverage in the New York Times newspaper. An article written by Stephen Kinzer, New York Times correspondent in Turkey, gives coverage of Elekdag's views on the effects of a possible operation against Iraq. Elekdag is quoted as saying that the US should be patient and notes that there was no indication that the situation was urgent, or that Saddam Hussein would use weapons. /Milliyet/

TURKISH MUSICIAN NOMINEE FOR A GRAMMY
For the first time, a Turkish musician has been nominated as a candidate for a Grammy, which is the highest music award in the world. Mustafa Gundogdu (30) will compete with four other candidates in the ''Best Remixer'' sessions in New York tomorrow. /Milliyet/

[12] TURKEY IN BRIEF - FEBRUARY 24, 1998

Addressing the promotion meeting at the Adapazari Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Prof. Dr. Necati Agiralioglu from the Istanbul Technical University said that they concluded the ''High Sakarya Project'' within eight months by nine academicians.

ADANA - The movement at the Incirlik Base continued on Monday although the UN and Iraq have reached an agreement.

A total of 12 F-16s, eight F-15s, two Tornadoes, one Awacs, four KC 135 planes and two C-5 planes took off from the base by mid-Monday.

These planes returned to the base after the 2:00 p.m.

Officials said that these planes undertook their routine patrol and monitoring flights at the northern part of the 36th parallel in Northern Iraq.

ANKARA - General Ismail Hakki Karadayi, the Chief of the General Staff, received on Monday Admiral Hristo Kontrov, the Chief Commander of the Bulgarian Naval Forces, who came to Turkey upon an official invitation from Admiral Salim Dervisoglu, the Chief Commander of the Naval Forces.

Defining the cold war period as the ''missed years'', Gen. Karadayi said in the meeting that the relations between the two countries have rapidly improved since 1992.

Later, Admiral Kontrov met with Ismet Sezgin, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense.

Sezgin said in the meeting that Turkey and Bulgaria agreed that the security, peace and stability in the Balkans mean the security, peace and stability in all of Europe.

ISTANBUL - Deniz Baykal, the leader of the Republican Peoples' Party (CHP), said on Monday that the relations between Turkey and the Crimean Autonomous Republic have improved but the authorities should establish closer relations with that region.

Baykal received Mustafa Abdulcemil Kirimlioglu, the Speaker of the Crimean Tatars Parliament, Ahmet Ihsan Kirimli, the General Director of the Crimean Turks Culture and Solidarity Association, Niyazi Elitok, the Association's Executive Board member and Zafer Karatay, the Crimean Tatars Parliament's Representative to Turkey at The Marmara Hotel.

ASHKABAT - The construction process of the Ashkabat Mosque was concluded on Monday. The Religious Foundation of Turkey started the construction of the mosque in Septemer 1993.

The mosque was constructed on a 27 thousand square metres plot of land in the Turkmen capital of Ashkabat with the donations collected from the the Turkish people.

[13] TURKEY-BSECPA - FIFTH FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY OF BSECPA

Addressing the ceremony staged in at the Ciragan Palace on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the foundation of the BSECPA Cindoruk said the negligence of the member countries and the conditions of the world influenced the BSECPA from becoming a productive organization ''I believe that in the future the BSECPA member states will initiate a study which will stress the importance of economic, social and cultural cooperation among themselves.''

Cindoruk said that the Black Sea countries which could not become a member of EU so far and the member countries of the EU should act in solidarity, adding that ''population of the Black Sea countries and their economic potential are so very important that they may form an alternative to the EU.''

Meanwhile, Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament said that the BSEC has taken important steps in the past six years, adding that ''we expect the BSEC to implement new concrete projects in the coming period.''

Cetin said that two important wars were experienced in the 20th century and a cold war erupted after this period. He said that globalization and regional cooperation began to gain importance at the end of these processes.

Cetin said that at this stage Turkey become involved in an effort to unite economically the countries located around the Black Sea and that the BSEC went into force on June 25, 1992, with the participation of the heads of states or governments of 11 countries. Cetin said that the BSECPA was founded in February 1993 with the efforts of Husamettin Cindoruk, the Speaker of the Parliament at that time.

''We expect the BSEC to implement new concrete projects in the coming period'' said Cetin, adding, ''there is a very big potential in the region as there are more than 300 million people living in this region.''

Responding to the questions of reporters Cetin said that developments in Armenia failed to give hope for compromise and peace, ''I hope that the persons who come to power will realize that Caucasia needs stability and peace.''

Cetin said that the Balkans, Middle East and Caucasia were the most troubled regions and that Caucasia, in particular, met with very important developments recently.

Cetin expressed hope that the BSEC, in the coming period, will contribute a lot to peace and stability in the region ''we should work very hard to turn the Black Sea into a sea of peace and stability.''

[14] TURKEY-RP - LIQUIDATION OF RP'S ASSETS

The notification of the Ministry of Finance related to the issue said that commissions and observation groups will be established soon in the provinces which will investigate the RP's assets. It said the studies will be concluded within 15 days and the reports which will be prepared within 20 days will be sent to the Ministry of Finance, General Directorate of National Estates in a week.

The notification said that all the accounts of the RP in banks and other financial institutions, including the rented safe deposits, were blocked.

The notification said that all subscriptions for services opened in the name of the RP such as telephones, electricity, water, natural gas, cable TV and the Internet will be cancelled.

In order to overcome any indecision and to solve conflicts during the liquidation, officials will apply to the Ministry of Finance.

[15] TURKEY-PARTY - ''DEPAR'' IN POLITICAL LIFE - ''CHANGING TURKEY PARTY'', LED BY ANKARA DEPUTY CAPOGLU, GIVES FOUNDATION PETITION TO INTERIOR MINISTRY

Capoglu, who came to the Ministry of the Interior along with founding members of the party, gave the petition to Ali Bilir, the Ministry Secretary General.

Capoglu said they founded DEPAR at a time when Turkey is passing through a very difficult period, adding that they will work with a very new perception of policy.

With the foundation of the DEPAR, number of parties founded in Turkey so far reached 95 and the active parties reached 35.

[16] TURKEY-OPERATION - 20 TERRORISTS KILLED

The Emergency Regional Rule Governor's office said that the security forces, carrying out operations without a break, confronted a group of terrorists on Monday evening. The clashes erupted in the Sinak Tepe region last evening and ended in the Yaylak Tepe region early this morning.

Two people from the security forces were killed by the first shots fired by the terrorists.

The Regional Governor's office said that there were severe winter conditions in the region, however the security forces, despite all these negative aspects, continued the operations without an interval.

[17] TURKEY-US - TRANSPORTATION MINISTER MENZIR LEAVES FOR THE US - MENZIR: ''MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION WILL REALIZE 50 PERCENT OF TURKEY'S PRIVATIZATION PROJECT IN 1998''

Necdet Menzir left for the US the same day to participate in the Turkish- American Business Council meetings that will be held in Washington.

Addressing a statement before his departure, Menzir stated that the Turkish delegation will explain the ''Bosphorus Railway Tunnel and Gebze-Halkalı Subway Project'' namely '' The Marmaray Project'' to the US business, finance and government representatives during the business meetings.

Menzir pointed out that they have made great efforts to implement the ''Marmaray project'' as soon as possible.

Menzir added that he will have contacts in the US regarding the railways and ports in Turkey, including the finance of the ''Ankara-Istanbul Fast Railway'' and also he aims to speed up the privatization of the Turkish Telecom.

[18] TURKEY-INTERNAL - NUMBER OF DEPUTIES OF THE VIRTUE PARTY INCREASES TO 67

Ten of the former deputies of the Welfare Party, which was closed by the Constitutional Court, joined the Virtue Party. The names of the deputies who joined to the Virtue party are as follows:

Ismail Yilmaz (Izmir), Ahmet Dokulmez (Kahramanmaras), Abdullah Ozbey (Karaman), Veysel Candan (Konya), Salih Katircioglu (Nigde), Cevat Ayhan (Sakarya), Abdullah Arslan (Tokat), Ahmet Feyzi Inceoz (Tokat), Maliki Ejder Arvas (Van) and Mustafa Bayram (Van).

[19] TURKEY-INTERNAL - NUMBER OF DEPUTIES OF THE VIRTUE PARTY INCREASES TO 80

Thirteen of the former deputies of the Welfare Party, which was closed by the Constitutional Court, joined the Virtue Party. The number of deputies who joined the Virtue Party the same day increased to 23 and among them are Abdullah Gul, Salih Kapusuz and Lutfu Esengun.

[20] TURKEY-HUMAN RIGHTS - PARLIAMENT SPEAKER CETIN: ''ONE CAN NOT IGNORE AND DENY THAT TURKEY HAS PROBLEMS ON THE SUBJECT OF HUMAN RIGHTS''

Speaking at a meeting held by the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), Cetin stated that Turkey signed many international agreements about human rights, adding that the thing which matters is putting them into practice.

Cetin stressed that every Turkish citizen should be sensitive and conscious on the subject of human rights. ''Human rights which is the basic value of democracy, should be protected,'' he said.

Noting that the Parliament should abrogate the legal and Constitutional obstacles that prevent human rights, Cetin stressed that the Constitution should be changed within this framework.

[21] TURKEY-TREMOR - EARTHQUAKE IN THE TOWN OF PULUMUR TOWN AT TUNCELI PROVINCE

The Earthquake Research Center at the Ataturk University noted that the epicenter of the quake was at a distance of 15 kilometers from Pulumur.

No casualties or financial damages have been reported.

[22] TURKEY IN BRIEF (2)- FEBRUARY 24, 1998

Aslan told the A.A correspondent that ''an ambivalence would re-emerge in the region and the region would again be thrown into the fire if the Habur Border Gate is closed.''

ANTALYA (A.A) - The people engaged in tourism in southeastern Antalya Province started their preparations for the tourism season that will begin in mid-March, it was reported on Tuesday. Modifications were made at the facilities in the region.

More than three million foreign tourists visited Antalya last year.

TRABZON - The Tajik Justice, Transportation and Finance Ministers came to Turkey on Tuesday to make several contacts.

Sakir Ozdikici, the Deputy Governor of Trabzon Province, welcomed Sevket Ismailov, the Tajik Minister of Justice, Nurettin Muhuttinov, the Tajik Minister of Transportation and Mouzafarov Anvarsho, the Tajik Minister of Finance at the Trabzon Airport.

Sevket Ismailov told reporters at the airport that they will attend several conferences in Istanbul and will meet with ministers in Ankara, adding that they want to improve cooperation with Turkay in the fields of finance and telecommunications.

ZONGULDAK - Landslides occurred at three settlements in Zonguldak Province affecting a total of 59 buildings, it was reported on Tuesday.

There were no immediate casualties, but there were reports of damage amounting to billions of Turkish Liras.

LEFKOSA - Dervis Eroglu, the Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), will visit Ankara on Wednesday as the official guest of Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, it was reported on Tuesday.

The TRNC Prime Minister Eroglu will be accompanied by Serdar Denktas, the TRNC Minister of State and the Deputy Prime Minister, Taner Etkin, the TRNC Foreign and Defense Minister, Salih Cosar, the TRNC Finance Minister and Erdal Onurhan, the TRNC Economy Minister.

During the visit of Eroglu, a Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement will be signed between Turkey and TRNC.

The TRNC delegation led by Eroglu will meet with President Suleyman Demirel; Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament; Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz; Gen. Ismail Hakki Karadayi, the Chief of General Staff; Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State; Ismet Sezgin, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense; Sukru Sina Gurel, the Minister of State and Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister during their visit to Ankara until February 28.

ANKARA - Israeli painter Shlomo Bovete, who was born in Turkey, will open an exhibition at the Ankara State Museum of Fine Arts between May 16-30, it was reported on Tuesday.

ANKARA - Hasan Gemici, the Minister of State said on Tuesday that his visit to the Sudan and Djibouti will contribute to the improvement of cooperation with these countries.

Addressing a press briefing, Gemici stated that several Turkish firms participated in his visit to the Sudan and Djibouti, adding that the issues, which were on the agenda of the Sixth Term meeting of the Turkish-Sudanese Joint Economic Commission, have been revised during his visit to the Sudan.

''Sudan and Djibuti are two important countries in Africa, I believe that my visit to these countries will be beneficial in this respect,'' said Gemici.

Gemici stressed that Turkey and Djibuti decided to hold the first term meeting of the Joint Trade, Economy, Technical Commission in Ankara this year.

Hasan Gemici added that he met the Sudanese Head of State Omer Hasan Al Besir and the President of Djibouti Hasan Gouled Aptidon and met several ministers in both countries.

ANKARA - The Council of Ministers approved on Tuesday the Free Trade Zone Agreement signed between Turkey and Hungary in January 1997. The agreement was published in the Official Gazette the same day.

The agreement will enter into force after the exchange of diplomatic notes between the two countries.

SOFIA - Tekin Enerem, the Chairman of the Turkish Group of the Organization on Security and Cooperation for Europe (OSCE) Parliament Assembly, said on Tuesday that the economic relations between Turkey and Bulgaria should be further improved.

The four-member Turkish parliamentarian delegation continues its contacts in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia. The delegation met with Yordan Sokolov, the Speaker of the Bulgarian Parliament and with the members of the Parliament Foreign Affairs Commission.

Pointing out that the relations between the two contries in every field were covered during the meetings, Enerem told the A.A correspondent that they reached a consensus on all of the issues.

Enerem said that the real intention of their visit was to set up a basis for cooperation between the Turkish and Bulgarian OSCE assemblies before the OSCE General Council to be held in Copenhagen in July.

The delegation will meet with Nade&ouml;da Mihaylova, the Bulgarian Foreign Minister.

[23] TURKEY-GREECE - GREECE RESPONDS TO TURKEY'S CALL FOR PEACE

Dimitris Nezeritis, the Greek Ambassador to Turkey met with Cem the same day and conveyed the proposals of Theodoros Pangalos, the Greek Foreign Minister in response to the call for peace from Turkey. Pangalos conveyed his proposals to Turkey in four topics, as stated below:

-Turkey has to recognize the compulsory legal authority of the International Court of Justice in the Hague regarding the problems between Turkey and Greece.

-Greece reiterates her proposal concerning the solution of the bilateral problems ''step by step.''

-Greece is ready to hold direct meetings with Turkey in order to apply to the International Court of Justice regarding the problem of the continental shelf.

-Greece is ready to hold a meeting between the two foreign ministers within the framework which was planned earlier.

Foreign Minister Cem called Greece for peace on Feb 12, presented five proposals to Greece and stressed that the bilateral problems should be ''defined together.''

Cem had proposed to Greece to change the Madrid Declaration into an agreement, to develop a Wise Men Committee mechanism, to implement ''Confidence Building Measures'' which are planned to be formed within the framework of NATO and lastly to hold a meeting between the high level officials of the two foreign ministries, rather than the foreign ministers, before the end of March.

[24] TURKEY-INTERNAL - VIRTUE PARTY HAS THE RIGHT TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE OF 383 BILLION LIRAS FROM TREASURY

The Treasury extends aid to the political parties which are represented in the Parliament by 3-10 deputies or more than 10 deputies, so that they can compete in elections under the Law on the Political Parties.

If the Virtue Party applies to the Treasury, then it will have the right to receive assistance which is equal to the amount paid to the Republican Peoples' Party (CHP).

[25] TURKEY-HUMAN RIGHTS (2) - TUSIAD CHAIRMAN KAYHAN: ''TURKEY HAS TO ADMIT THAT VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS ARE IMPORTANT OBSTACLES TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT''

Speaking at a discussion meeting held by the TUSIAD, Kayhan stated that ''reasons, including the struggle against terrorism and regional underdevelopment, will no longer be excuses for violations of human rights in the eyes of the international public.''

Kayhan warned the government that Turkey could be isolated abroad if she does not prevent the violation of human rights and establish a genuine democratic system.

Speaking at the same meeting, Prof. Dr. Ergun Ozbudun said that torture, violations of the freedom of expression and insufficient protection of minorities are the subjects which put Turkey into a difficult position in the international arena.

Prof. Dr. Bulent Tanor said that the thoughts and opinions of individuals should not be condemned in Turkey, adding that Turkey should be brave enough to repeal several articles in the Constitution and Anti-Terrorism Act which violate freedom of thought and expression.

[26] TURKEY-OIL - TURKISH, AZERI, KAZAKH, GEORGIAN AND TURKMEN FOREIGN MINISTERS TO CONVENE FOR THE BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE

The Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, which produce oil in the Caspian basin and of Turkey and Georgia which are on the transit route of the oil, will meet in Istanbul between March 1-2.

A high ranking official from the Foreign Ministry said that the aim of the meeting is to reach an agreement regarding the transportation of Central Asian oil via Turkey to the West through the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline. The same official said that a joint declaration could be announced to the public at the end of the meeting.

Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister will represent Turkey at the meeting.

[27] TURKEY-POLITICS - DECISION TO CLOSE WELFARE PARTY SUBMITTED TO THE PARLIAMENT - FP DEPUTY KAMALAK CLAIMS CONSTITUTIONAL COURT DID NOT CLOSE THE WELFARE PARTY ''PERMANENTLY''

After the decision was submitted to the General Assembly of the Parliament, the Virtue Party (FP) deputy Mustafa Kamalak told the Parliament that the Constitution defines the closure of political parties separately as ''to close, or to close permanently''.

Pointing out that the RP is ''closed'', but not ''permanently closed'', Kamalak claimed that for that reason, the parliamentary status of the 6 deputies mentioned in the decision cannot be removed. Kamalak also claimed that the decision to remove the parliamentary status of the 6 deputies is also against the Constitution.

Meanwhile the Virtue Party deputies put white carnations on the empty seat of ex-RP leader Necmettin Erbakan, whose parliamentary status was removed.

[28] TRNC-BRITAIN - TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''I WILL NOT MEET WITH THE BRITISH OFFICIALS UNLESS BRITAIN LIFTS ITS VISA AGAINST THE TRNC CITIZENS''

President Denktas stated that he will not also meet with Sir David Hannay, the British Special Envoy to Cyprus, who will visit the island on Thursday, because the British government tries to punish TRNC citizens by applying visa against them. Denktas stressed that the TRNC wishes Britain to lift this application, as the TRNC insists on this issue.

Noting that there are two equal populations on Cyprus, Denktas added that ''applying a visa to one side and not applying to the other side means that Britain does not recognize this equality. In fact, Britain is our guarantor state. Her mission is not only to recognize this equality, but rather to maintain and implement this equality.''

Rauf Denktas stressed that the Cyprus question can be solved if this equality is maintained between the two ''states'' on the island.

''In order to show to the world that the Greek Cypriots are not our state and government, we have to protect, support and strengthen the TRNC state and government until the end,'' he said.

Meanwhile, the British Foreign office expressed its sorrow over the fact that the TRNC President Denktas will not receive Sir David Hannay, who will arrive on the island on Thursday.

[29] TURKEY-WESTERN THRACE-AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL-GREECE - AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL WARNS ATHENS: - ''THE IMPRISONMENT DECISION FOR XANTHI MUFTI MEHMET EMIN AGA MEANS THAT AGA IS IMPRISONED FOR HIS BELIEFS''

The Amnesty International's Center in London said in a written statement that Greece would abuse human rights if the court sentences Mehmet Emin Aga with imprisonment, adding that it sent a letter to the Greek government saying, ''we want Mehmet Emin Aga to be released immediately and unconditionally.''

The statement said, ''the Amnesty International believes that the written message of the Xanthi Mufti Mehmet Emin Aga to the Muslims living in Xanthi means that he used his 'freedom of expression'.'' The statement said that a decision for imprisonment of Aga would be contrary to the European Convention on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and to international law.

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