Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-03-30

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

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

30 MARCH 1998

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-TRNC - TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: - ''THE CRISIS WILL BECOME GREATER IF THE EU CONTINUES ITS INCLINATION TO INCLUDE THE GREEK CYPRIOTS IN THE EU'' - ''WE ARE NOT THREATENING ANYONE, BUT IT IS OUR RIGHT TO PROTECT OURSELVES AND OUR RIGHTS''

[02] NEW INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL AT THE ANTALYA AIRPORT TO BE OPENED ON TUESDAY - MENZIR, TRANSPORTATION MINISTER: ''TERMINAL WILL INCREASE FOREIGN TOURISTS TO TURKEY''

[03] THE EU AND THE TURKISH UNIVERSITIES - THE REPORT OF THE RECTORS

[04] THE US SECRETARY OF DEFENSE COHEN TO VISIT TURKEY BETWEEN APRIL 17-18

[05] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

[06] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

[07] TURKEY-BALKANS - TZOB SIGNS THE FIRST COOPERATION PROTOCOL WITH THE BULGARIAN CHAMBER OF AGRICULTURE

[08] TURKEY-ARCHAEOLOGY - TWO SHEPHERDS FIND A GOD STATUE IN ADANA - STATUE WILL BE EXHIBITED ON APRIL 5

[09] TURKISH BUSINESSMEN IN ISRAEL - HAYEK, CHAIRMAN OF THE ISRAELI EXPORT INSTITUTION: ''WE ATTRIBUTE GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE GAP AND WE WILL EVALUATE JOINT INVESTMENTS IN THE GAP WITH TURKISH BUSINESSMEN''

[10] TURKEY-BOSNIA - ERSUMER, THE MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES: - ''WE REACHED A CONSENSUS OF OPINION ON THE PURCHASE OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT FROM BOSNIA''

[11] TURKEY IN BRIEF - MARCH 30, 1998

[12] ''HUMAN RIGHTS'' CONFERENCE - MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR BASESGIOGLU: ''TURKEY WILL OVERCOME THE THREATS OF FUNDAMENTALISM AND SEPARATIST TERRORISM''

[13] FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN UTKAN: ''GREECE HAS MADE IT A NATIONAL POLICY TO CONTINUE TENSION IN THE AEGEAN''

[14] TURKEY STERNLY RESPONSES TO PANGALOS: ''STATEMENTS OF PANGALOS ARE IMPOLITE AND BASED ON LIES AND DEFAMATIONS''

[15] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM BLAMES THE EU FOR ENCOURAGING THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF S-300 MISSILES

[16] BOTAS TO SET UP NEW ''LOOP'' LINES

[17] FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN UTKAN: ''THE EXISTING ATTITUDE OF THE EU IS IN CONTRADICTION WITH ITSELF''

[18] HIJACK ATTEMPT - YOUNG MAN TRYING TO DIVERT THE TRNC AIRPLANE TO BONN CAPTURED

[01] TURKEY-TRNC - TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: - ''THE CRISIS WILL BECOME GREATER IF THE EU CONTINUES ITS INCLINATION TO INCLUDE THE GREEK CYPRIOTS IN THE EU'' - ''WE ARE NOT THREATENING ANYONE, BUT IT IS OUR RIGHT TO PROTECT OURSELVES AND OUR RIGHTS''

Addressing the journalists at the Ataturk Airport after his meeting in Geneva with Kofi Annan, the Secretary General of the United Nations, Denktas said that he explained to Annan that the unilateral application of the Greek Cypriots to the EU created a new situation on the island and this new situation would make the Turkish Cypriots take measures to protect themselves.

Denktas said, ''I told Annan that we will make state to state, government to government negotiations from now on. Annan said that he will convey this to the UN Security Council. The Security Council which has been assessing the Cyprus problem on the Greek Cypriots for 34 years, will accuse us, but if they want peace and reconciliation on the island, they should not set aside the principles of justice.'' Stressing that the crisis will become greater if the EU continues its inclination to include the Greek Cypriots in the EU, Denktas said that ''we are not threatening anyone, but it is our right to protect ourselves and our rights.'' Denktas left Istanbul for the TRNC after the press conference.

[02] NEW INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL AT THE ANTALYA AIRPORT TO BE OPENED ON TUESDAY - MENZIR, TRANSPORTATION MINISTER: ''TERMINAL WILL INCREASE FOREIGN TOURISTS TO TURKEY''

Necdet Menzir, the Minister of Transportation said that the construction of the terminal lasted for twenty months, which is earlier than the planned completion period that was two years. The terminal will be administered by a private company for the first time in Turkey.

''The Terminal will meet an important need and also increase the foreign tourist flow to Turkey,'' Menzir added.

The new International Terminal at the Antalya Airport, which is filled with high technology equipment, will be used by five million passengers annually.

[03] THE EU AND THE TURKISH UNIVERSITIES - THE REPORT OF THE RECTORS

The rectors who met with President Suleyman Demirel last Saturday and presented their suggestions in a report, stressed that the institutions such as the ''European Professorship'' and ''The EU Research and Applications Center'' should become prevalent at the universities.

Prof. Dr. Gunal Akbay, the Rector of the Ankara University, said that Turkish universities can contribute to the EU integration process by organizing scientific meetings.

Prof. Dr. Refet Saygili, the Rector of the Ege University, said that the universities have leading roles in the international cultural relations to be established. He said that they are making research studies on the local or national problems which have emerged from the integration of the developing economies with the world economy.

Prof. Dr. Kemal Alemdaroglu, the Rector of the Istanbul University, said that an ''EU-Permanent University Commission'' should be set up in Ankara or in Istanbul and the meetings of the universities with the other unitersities in Europe should be ensured.

Prof. Dr. Eyup Ispir, the Rector of the Firat University suggested that the Turkish universities should realize joint projects with the universities in Europe in the social, cultural, scientific and technological fields.

[04] THE US SECRETARY OF DEFENSE COHEN TO VISIT TURKEY BETWEEN APRIL 17-18

Cohen, who postponed his visit to Turkey until April due to the crisis in the Gulf, will review the American military troops at the Incirlik Base in Adana the first day. Cohen will hold various contacts in Ankara and discuss issues concerning the defense industry on the second day of his visit to Turkey.

Cohen is expected to give the message to Turkey that the US can give three more frigates to Turkey. The visit of Cohen to Turkey can be considered as a guarantee of the weapon sales from the US to Turkey.

The two sides are also expected to hold contacts regarding the F-15 aircraft, which have come onto the agenda in recent months.

Meanwhile, Cohen is expected to convey the desire of the US firms to participate in the tender of the Undersecretariat of the Defense Industry concerning 50 attack helicopters.

Besides the French, Russian and Italian firms, the American firms namely Bell Textron with its ''King Cobra'' helicopters and Boeing and Mc-Donnell Douglas Company with their ''Apache Long Bow'' helicopters will participate in the tender.

[05] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

ARSONISTS TORCH TURKISH EMBASSY CAR IN GREECE
Arsonists torched a car belonging to Turkey's military attach&eacute; in Athens early on Sunday, causing some damage but no injuries. The car was torched near Col. Ahmet Haluk Arabacibasi's home in the Paleo Faliro suburb south of the city centre. According to the fire department, the incendiary device caused about one million drachmas (3,000 USD) of damage to the vehicle. A leftist group known as the ''conscientious arsonists'' claimed responsibility for the attack with phone calls to the local media. /Sabah- Milliyet/

PARLIAMENT'S SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
Throughout this week, the Parliament will continue discussions on the bill concerning the unionization of civil servants. The parties in the government are expected to ask the Advisory Council to add extra working hours to the Parliament's schedule in order to facilitate passage of the 18 percent salary increase for teachers.

The Planning and Budget Commission will discuss a bill amending the Capital Market Law, while the Industry and Commerce Commission will deal with the restructuring of the fruit and vegetable markets. The Constitution Commission will debate amendment proposals to the Political Party Law aimed at conforming the law with the constitutional amendments. /Sabah/

INTERIOR MINISTRY HOLDS CONFERENCE ON HUMAN RIGHTS
The senior officials of the Ministry of the Interior are to participate in a conference on worldwide changes and developments concerning human rights. According to a statement released by the Ministry of the Interior, the Emergency Rule Region (OHAL) governor, governors of the 80 provinces and Ankara's security chief are attending the conference that starts on Monday and will last for two days. The opening speeches of the conference will be given by President Suleyman Demirel, Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, Minister of State Hikmet Sami Turk, Minister of the Interior Murat Basesgioglu and the Ministry's Research, Planning and Coordination Board (APK) Acting Chairman Ismail Ozdemir. /All papers/

CULTURE MINISTER IN MOSTAR
The Turkish Ministry of Culture is calling for aid from everyone, especially businessmen to restore the historical Mostar bridge, which was bombed in 1993 by the Serbs during the civil war in Bosnia. Istemihan Talay, the Turkish Minister of Culture, who visited Mostar over the weekend to this end, noted that 10 million US dollars was needed for the restoration of the Mostar bridge. Talay stated that the Turkish government has granted 1 million US dollars so far, however more was needed. /Milliyet/

SEPARATISTS ARE IN CHARGE IN GREEK CYPRUS
The Greek Cypriot administration no longer hides the fact that it harbors members of the PKK separatist terrorist organization within its territory, according to an AFP report. In the report published by the French news agency AFP and written by Refika Mahjoub, a separatist who claims to be the spokesman for 200 PKK militants now in Greek Cyprus introduces himself as ''Comrade Saint'' confesses that the cohesive factor between the PKK and the Greek Cypriots is a shared enmity for Turkey.

Comrade Saint, the alleged leader of the official agency of the PKK in Greek Cyprus, says that he is also the director of the Kurdish-Greek Cypriot Friendship Association, founded with the tolerance of the Greek Cypriot officials. Comrade Saint stated that the Greek Cypriots have shown solidarity with the PKK since the beginning of their activities. /Sabah/

EU ENLARGEMENT STARTS
The European Union (EU) formally launches its historical eastward enlargement on Monday as Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots -both out of the process- are determined in response to enhance their rapprochement. The EU formally opens its expansion process with 11 new candidates in Brussels on Monday. The following day, formal membership talks will begin with the so- called ''first wave'' countries: Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Slovenia and Greek Cyprus. The same day, the Turkey-Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Association Council, which is designed to be an effective mechanism for decision-making between the two countries, will hold its first meeting in Ankara, following a visit by Ismail Cem, the Turkish Foreign Minister to the TRNC on Monday.

''In response to the integration process of Greek Cyprus with the EU, we will do just the same with Turkey'', the TRNC President Rauf Denktas said on Saturday in Geneva before his meeting with the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. /All papers/

(To be continued)

[06] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE EXAM
The first step on March 29 of the university exams, the Student Selection Exam (OSS), brought out 1,359,579 candidates striving to obtain a place in the universities. Approximately 190,000 civil servants monitored the exam, which was held in 80 provincial and 64 district centres in Turkey and in Lefkose, in Northern Cyprus. The results of the OSS will be available via the Internet and the 900 telephone lines at the beginning of May. /All papers/

NEW ANTALYA AIRPORT TERMINAL OPENS TOMORROW
The Antalya Airport's new international terminal will be officially opened tomorrow at a ceremony which will be attended by President Suleyman Demirel and Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz. The new terminal will have a capacity to serve 15 million passengers annually and 22 flights per hour. The airlines and tour operators bringing tourists from Europe to Turkey are overjoyed by the opening of the new terminal. /Hurriyet/

CONSENSUS BETWEEN YILMAZ AND BAYKAL
The recent consensus between Prime Minister Mesut Yżlmaz and the Republican Peoples' Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal has calmed the political uneasiness in the country. Yilmaz and Baykal have reportedly agreed to meet during the Bayram Holiday to discuss the

CHP's participation in the coalition government, the date of the early elections as well as the amendments considered for the Election Law and the Political Parties Law.

Following the National Security Council (MGK) meeting last Friday, Yilmaz visited Baykal on Saturday and suggested that he become a partner in the coalition government in order to pass the bills required for economic measures and to struggle against fundamentalism. Baykal, whose party's support is vital for the survival of the government coalition, reportedly looked favourably on this proposal. /All papers/

BAYBASIN BROTHERS TO BE TRIED IN THE UK
The two brothers of Huseyin Baybasin, alleged drug gang leader who is thought to have good contacts with the Kurdish Med-TV and the Kurdish Parliament in-exile, are being tried by the Magistrate Court in the UK. Abdullah Baybasin and Sirin Baybasin who were arrested together with Mehmet Cetin on Friday in London, as part of the coordinated police operations against ''organized crime'' in Europe, were charged on Saturday with possession of firearms and drug-related crimes. /All papers/

GREAT SUCCESS IN BASKETBALL
The European basketball finals in 2001 will be held in Turkey. During the voting at the Federation of International Basketball (FIBA), while Turkey received 13 votes, Sweden received only three votes and Israel and Hungary didn't receive any votes. /Sabah-Hurriyet/

WORLD'S INTEREST IN BSEC
The number of the countries, which are interested in the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) established in 1990, is increasing. Following Italy and Austria, which gained the status of observer membership, it is reported that France is also starting initiatives to gain this status. /Milliyet/

TURKEY, ONE OF THE LARGEST COUNTRIES IN THE IRON-STEEL INDUSTRY
Turkey produced 1.3 million tons of steel in January. According to the Iron- Steel Producers' Association, Turkey became the 14th largest country in steel production in the world in January. /Hurriyet/

TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL
Necdet Menzir, the Minister of Transportation said that after 11 years they planned to gather at the 9th Transportation Council to discuss and evaluate transportation systems in Turkey. Menzir noted that they would re-evaluate the ''Transportation Main Plan'' and would establish a unit in the Ministry to maintain coordination between institutions. He added, ''We aim to decrease heavy traffic on highways but to benefit from railroads. We have already started the legal arrangements to conform with the EU norms.'' /Hurriyet/

[07] TURKEY-BALKANS - TZOB SIGNS THE FIRST COOPERATION PROTOCOL WITH THE BULGARIAN CHAMBER OF AGRICULTURE

The protocol signed between Faruk Yucel, the Chairman of the TZOB, and Todor Pandov, the Chairman of the Bulgarian Union of Chambers of Agriculture, foresees that the Balkan countries will begin to work on setting up a ''union'' to provide cooperation in the region. The union will probably be centered in Istanbul. The businessmen from Turkey and Bulgaria will be invited to a meeting which will be organized in Edirne in May or June.

Stressing that Bulgaria has productive lands, Yucel said that the products such as sunflowers, corn and durum wheat can be produced in Bulgaria and then imported to Turkey.

Yucel also said, ''Turkey will implement a quota to decrease the production of tobacco, but Bulgaria doesn't need such an implementation. Thus we will also cooperate on this issue with Bulgaria.''

[08] TURKEY-ARCHAEOLOGY - TWO SHEPHERDS FIND A GOD STATUE IN ADANA - STATUE WILL BE EXHIBITED ON APRIL 5

Officials from the Adana Museum started the archaeological excavation on the statue. The God statue which is based on a carriage pulled by bulls, is nearly 2.5 meters long.

The archaeologists told the A.A correspondent that they found the work from the late Hittite period for the first time and the statue is very important for Anatolian archaeology.

The statue has been prepared for display and officials said that a ceremony will be held on April 5 and the statue will be exhibited. Istemihan Talay, the Minister of Culture will also participate at the ceremony. The two shepherds and the owner of the farm will be awarded with a cheque.

[09] TURKISH BUSINESSMEN IN ISRAEL - HAYEK, CHAIRMAN OF THE ISRAELI EXPORT INSTITUTION: ''WE ATTRIBUTE GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE GAP AND WE WILL EVALUATE JOINT INVESTMENTS IN THE GAP WITH TURKISH BUSINESSMEN''

Addressing a meeting where 28 Turkish businessmen and 50 Israeli businessmen participated, Hayek stated that they favour improvement of trade with Turkey.

''We attach importance to the geopolitical status of Turkey and the GAP. We closely monitor the developments in the GAP and we aim to make joint investments there,'' he said.

Barlas Ozener, the Turkish Ambassador to Israel said that the trade volume between the two countries, which was 300 million US dollars two years ago, increased to 700 million US dollars this year. Ozener stressed that this volume should reach one billion US dollars.

Noting that many Israeli businessmen applied to the Turkish Embassy to get information about the GAP, Ozener added that the political relations will also increase the private sector investments between the two countries.

Bedrettin Karaboga, the Chairman of Consultation Council of Southeastern Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (GUNSIAD) said that the infrastructure for investments in the field of agriculture and industry has been completed in the GAP Region, adding ''many countries, particularly European countries want to invest in the GAP Region and we want to see Israel among them.''

[10] TURKEY-BOSNIA - ERSUMER, THE MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES: - ''WE REACHED A CONSENSUS OF OPINION ON THE PURCHASE OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT FROM BOSNIA''

Addressing the journalists after the meeting, Ersumer said that they dicussed the issue of energy cooperation between the two countries. Ersumer said that he has received an invitation from his Bosnian counterpart and will visit Bosnia Herzegovina in the near future.

Somun said that they want to develop relations with Turkey and wanted an agreement to be made about the purchase of equipment.

[11] TURKEY IN BRIEF - MARCH 30, 1998

The wounded soldiers were taken to the Hakkari Military Hospital.

AMASYA - Ersin Taranoglu, the Minister of Forestry said on Sunday that the forests will be transferred to the villagers.

Taranoglu who came to Amasya Province to make studies, has met with the muhtars (elected head of a village or neighborhood in a town or city) in Tasova County. Taranoglu said, ''We have prepared a law draft to give the forests to villagers which are on the borders of their own fields. The engineers who work at the ministry, will explain the fundamental basis of the control and operations. The cutting and selling of the trees will belong to the villagers. We will sell forest products for a total of 120 trillion Turkish Liras. Six trillion Turkish Liras of this amount will be given to the juristic person of the village. The investments such as roads, water, bridges and hospitals will be realized with this money.''

BITLIS - The Bitlis Stream overflowed and it flooded 35 offices, it was reported on Sunday.

The heavy showers which continued for three days caused the Bitlis Stream to overflow and flooded 35 offices in this eastern city.

Nobody died or was injured in the flood.

KONYA - The heavy snowfall which began overnight has caused nearly 100 village roads to be closed in Konya Province, it was reported on Monday. The works are continuing to re-open the roads.

Meanwhile 15 village roads have been closed because of the snowfall in Afyon Province.

ISTANBUL - Eight people who wanted to sell 600 cordless telephones and foreign cigarettes worth 250 billion Turkish Liras which were smuggled into Turkey, have been seized on Monday.

The investigation is still continuing.

BURSA - The ''Coast Seminar'' which is being held by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing will start in Bursa Province on Tuesday, it was reported on Monday.

The seminar will discuss the issues of the regular use of coasts, the planned development of coastal cities, benefitting from coastal areas by protecting their natural and historical values and implementation of the Law on Coasts No. 3621.

The first of the series of seminars was held in Antalya between February 20- 21, 1997 and the second one was held in Trabzon between July 1-2, 1997.

The third one will end on April 1.

[12] ''HUMAN RIGHTS'' CONFERENCE - MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR BASESGIOGLU: ''TURKEY WILL OVERCOME THE THREATS OF FUNDAMENTALISM AND SEPARATIST TERRORISM''

Addressing the ''Human Rights'' Seminar held by the Ministry of the Interior, Basesgioglu said that human rights are one of the most important issues in the world, they are not a domestic issue, because they have an international character.

Recalling that Turkey is a member of the United Nations (UN), Council of Europe (COE) and Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Basesgioglu pointed out, ''other countries claim that Turkey is faced with the problem of human rights, this is not true. Terrorism is also an international problem, which Turkey faces. Turkey does not give any concessions from human rights while struggling with terrorism. Actions contrary to human rights are immediately questioned and those who violate human rights are punished.''

''There are several elements which threaten our state and constitutional order, such as terrorism and fundamentalism. The security forces also have to struggle with fundamentalism, but we are well aware of the fact that we have to act within the framework of the principles of a democratic society and legal state as they are foreseen in the Constitution,'' he added.

President Suleyman Demirel, Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament, Ahmet Necdet Sezer, the Chairman of the Constitutional Court, Prime Minister Mesut Yżlmaz and Ismet Sezgin, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense participated at the meeting.

[13] FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN UTKAN: ''GREECE HAS MADE IT A NATIONAL POLICY TO CONTINUE TENSION IN THE AEGEAN''

Responding to a question during a weekly press briefing, Utkan stated, ''Turkey will never give concessions against the efforts of Greece to create a de facto situation in the Aegean, her unilateral solutions and her whims.''

Recalling that a negative response was given to the letter of Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, which was sent to Theodoros Pangalos, the Greek Foreign Minister on March 11, Utkan said that Pangalos thinks that there is only one problem and one method of solution in the Aegean.

Describing Pangalos' approach as ''irrational and contrary to realities,'' Utkan stressed that Greece ignores the other problems and their connections to each other in the Aegean.

Stressing that Turkey proposed such offers to Greece which are based on Article 33 of the UN Charter and the principles of international law and which can't be rejected by a peaceful country, Utkan added that Turkey will continue to show her political will aimed at solving the problems between the two countries.

[14] TURKEY STERNLY RESPONSES TO PANGALOS: ''STATEMENTS OF PANGALOS ARE IMPOLITE AND BASED ON LIES AND DEFAMATIONS''

Addressing a weekly press briefing to foreign journalists, Necati Utkan, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman said, ''Everybody, not only the Turkish people should curse the impolite statements of Pangalos which are based on lies and defamations.''

Noting that Turkey always seeks a lasting peace and atmosphere of cooperation, Utkan stated that Pangalos tries to exalt Greece by blackening Turkey, which is very wrong.

Noting that the demand of Pangalos to Turkey concerning the establishment of a Kurdish state is contrary to international law and the obligations of Greece stemming from agreements, Utkan pointed out that this demand of Greece has once again revealed her connection to the PKK, the separatist terrorist organization.

[15] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM BLAMES THE EU FOR ENCOURAGING THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF S-300 MISSILES

Cem who completed his contacts in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) left the TRNC for Turkey. Speaking to reporters prior to his departure, Cem said, ''if the EU would not encourage the Greek Cypriots, neither the S-300 missiles would be deployed nor the air bases for attack purposes would be built.''

Criticizing the Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos's statement on the American CNN television channel which defined the Turkish Cypriots as a minority, Cem said that he had informed all the NATO and UN Security Council member states about the statements of Pangalos.

Responding to a question concerning the deployment of the S-300 missiles at the Greek Cypriot side, Cem said, ''this is a matter for the Greeks and the Greek Cypriot side. We will also do what is necessary.''

[16] BOTAS TO SET UP NEW ''LOOP'' LINES

The natural gas transfer capacity will increase with the construction of the new sub-lines which are defined by the Pipelines Trade Inc. (BOTAS) as ''loops'' and foreseen to be constructed as subordinate lines to the existing pipelines between Turkey and Russia.

It was reported that the annual transfer capacity of the pipelines would increase to 10.5 billion cubic metres from the existing nine billion cubic metres with the construction of the ''loop'' lines.

The first of the routes, which was put into the BOTAS's ''Renewing and Expanding Project'', will be constructed between Istanbul-Hersek- Yumurtatepe and the Malkoclar-CS1 spot, the Russian natural gas pipeline's entrance point into Turkey on the Bulgarian border. The length of this line will be 100 km.

The second route whose length is planned to be 60 km will be constructed between Yumurtatepe and Inegol. The diameter of the pipes to be used for the construction of these lines will be between 24 and 36 inches.

After the international bidding, the BOTAS will have the domestic-foreign consortium purchase the pipes, do the assembly work and engage in several construction studies within the scope of the pipeline. The 30 million US dollars in financing for the 160 km of pipeline will be met from the loans to be given by the European Investment Bank.

[17] FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN UTKAN: ''THE EXISTING ATTITUDE OF THE EU IS IN CONTRADICTION WITH ITSELF''

Addressing a weekly press briefing, Necati Utkan, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman stated that Turkey is discriminated against by the EU.

Noting that the legal basis of the Association Agreement which constitutes the basis of Turkish-EU relations, has been ignored, Utkan said that the ignorance of the EU Commission's view, which confirms that Turkey is capable of full membership, reflects the contradictions within the EU.

Pointing out that the EU is responsible for correcting the decisions made at the Luxembourg Summit, Utkan added that the Turkish-EU relations will be carried out within the framework of the Association Agreement until the mistake is corrected.

Hoping relations with the EU will normalize, Utkan said, ''this will only be possible when the discrimination against Turkey ends and when the EU abides by the principle of pacta sunda servanda.''

[18] HIJACK ATTEMPT - YOUNG MAN TRYING TO DIVERT THE TRNC AIRPLANE TO BONN CAPTURED

It was reported that Mehmet Erturk (aged 20), one passenger on the airplane entered the plane's cockpit shortly after the plane's taking off from Girne at 12:05 p.m., saying to Soner Cabuker, the pilot of the airplane, ''I have a bomb. Divert the plane to Bonn.'' Then Mehmet Erturk returned back to the corridor and started to wait with a grenade-shaped small cigarette lighter.

The pilot did not take him seriously and informed the Girne Flight Control Tower about the incident.

Then the pilot briefed the Esenboga Airport when the plane entered into the Turkish air space. The plane continued its normal flight and landed at the Esenboga Airport.

The police captured and took into custody Erturk following the plane's landing.

Mehmet Erturk in his first questioning said that he was unemployed so he tried to get control of the plane in order to go to Germany to find a job there.

The plane had 92 passengers and 8 crew.

Meanwhile, Necdet Menzir, the Minister of Transportation, said that the investigation was underway and that Mahmet Erturk wasn't carrying a bomb. Menzir said that the airplane would make its next Ankara-Erzurum flight normally.

The interrogation of Mehmet Erturk continues at the Directorate of Anti- Terrorism.

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