Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-04-21

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21 APRIL 1998

CONTENTS

[01] A MILD QUAKE SHAKES EASTERN ERZURUM PROVINCE

[02] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS RECEIVES MILLER, THE US SPECIAL COORDINATOR TO CYPRUS

[03] ERSUMER, MINISTER OF ENERGY, IN BAKU - ''AZERBAIJAN SUPPORTS THE BAKU- CEYHAN PIPELINE FOR ITS BEING THE MAIN OIL PIPELINE FOR EXPORTS'' - ''TURKEY AND AZERBAIJAN HAVE REACHED A CONSENSUS REGARDING THE ISSUE OF THE BAKU-CEYHAN PROJECT''

[04] EP DELEGATION'S CONTACTS IN ANKARA

[05] KARA, THE MINISTER OF STATE: - ''THE ISSUE OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IS NOT TURKEY'S FAULT''

[06] DEFENSE MINISTER SEZGIN STARTS HIS CONTACTS IN AUSTRIA

[07] TURKEY IN BRIEF - APRIL 21, 1998

[08] ITALIAN ARRESTED IN DIYARBAKIR - BATU, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO ITALY: ''SUCH AN INDIVIDUAL INCIDENT SHOULD NOT OVERSHADOW TURKISH-ITALIAN FRIENDSHIP''

[09] EARTH TREMOR SHAKES CYPRUS

[10] ANKARA POLICE SEIZES DOCUMENTS OF ''DOST'' INSURANCE COMPANY AND 20 BUSINESSMEN FOR FINANCING THE BANNED RP AND FP

[11] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

[12] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

[13] 90 TERRORISTS KILLED IN OPERATION IN THE SIRNAK-SIIRT-BINGOL TRIANGLE

[14] SALOMON SMITH BARNEY EVALUATES TURKEY'S FOREIGN TRADE STATISTICS - ''THE INCREASE IN EXPORTS IS ENCOURAGING''

[15] ERSUMER, MINISTER OF ENERGY, IN BAKU (2)... - ERSUMER: ''THE COOPERATION BETWEEN TURKEY AND AZERBAIJAN IN THE FIELD OF OIL PIPELINES WILL BE SUCCESSFUL''

[16] THE 42ND TURKISH-EU JOINT PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION MEETING STARTS - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: ''WE HAVEN'T CAST OUR ANCHOR IN LUXEMBOURG, WE TRUST IN THE FUTURE''

[17] THE US: ''THE TERRORIST PKK ENTERED INTO A PROCESS OF DISSOLUTION AND COLLAPSE''

[18] HAND-GRENADE EXPLODES: - ONE SHEPHERD DIES, TWO WOUNDED

[19] 10 MONTH TERM OF IMPRISONMENT FOR THE ISTANBUL MAYOR TAYYIP ERDOGAN

[20] GREEK CYPRIOT'S BID FOR WEU MEMBERSHIP - TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS, ''THE GREEK CYPRIOT'S APPEAL FOR WEU MEMBERSHIP IS A NEW ASSAULT'' - ''IT SHOULD BE KNOWN THAT WE WILL RETALIATE THIS''

[21] WATER SUPPORT TO THE TRNC - TEST FILLING OF THE FIRST BALLOON THAT WILL BE USED FOR WATER TRANSPORTS HAS STARTED

[22] TURKEY AIDS IRAQ WITH MEDICINES

[23] TURKEY IN BRIEF (2) - APRIL 21, 1998

[24] US SUPPORT TO TURKMEN NATURAL GAS PIPELINE

[25] BIRDAL AND KARAKOC ON TRIAL AT THE STATE SECURITY COURT

[26] THE POSITIVE FIGURES IN THE ECONOMY REFLECT THE BANK INTEREST RATES

[27] FORMER RP DEPUTIES TO APPLY TO EUROPEAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION NEXT WEEK

[28] PARLIAMENTARY INVESTIGATION AGAINST CILLER

[29] TURKEY IN BRIEF (3) - APRIL 21, 1998

[30] EGE-KOOP TO SOLVE THE HOUSING PROBLEM OF THE TRNC

[31] PROF. BERNARD LEWIS FROM THE US WINS THE 1998 ATATURK INTERNATIONAL PEACE AWARD

[32] AKCAEL, GENERAL DIRECTOR OF OIL AFFAIRS: ''TURKEY NEEDS A NEW REFINERY HAVING A CAPACITY OF FIVE MILLION TONNES BY 2001''

[33] PARLIAMENT DISCUSSES CYPRUS ISSUE - GUREL, STATE MINISTER: ''THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE WANTS TO SET TURKEY AND THE EU AGAINST EACH OTHER BY TURNING THE CYPRUS PROBLEM INTO A PROBLEM OF THE EU'' - ''THE EU'S DECISION THAT THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE CAN JOIN IN THE FULL MEMBERSHIP TALKS ON BEHALF OF WHOLE ISLAND DISREGARDS THE POLITICAL EQUALITY ON THE ISLAND'' - ''NEITHER THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS NOR TURKEY WILL PERMIT RETURNING TO THE DARK DAYS BEFORE 1974''

[34] THE TURKISH-MACEDONIAN BUSINESS COUNCIL MEETS IN BURSA

[35] PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSS CYPRUS

[36] THE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL EDUCATION OPENS TENDER FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW SCHOOLS

[37] COMPLAINT FROM GUL TO THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE

[38] ALIYEV, THE AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT: ''THE TIME HAS COME TO REALIZE THE BAKU-CEYHAN PROJECT''

[39] THE STATE OF EMERGENCY COORDINATION COMMITEE MEETING

[01] A MILD QUAKE SHAKES EASTERN ERZURUM PROVINCE

The officials from the Ataturk University's Earthquake Research Center and Department of Seismology said that the quake with a preliminary magnitude of 3.3 on the Richter scale occurred at 7:05 p.m. Officials said that the epicenter of the quake was between the Cat County of Erzurum Province and Karliova County of Bingol Province.

There were no reported casualties or damage.

[02] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS RECEIVES MILLER, THE US SPECIAL COORDINATOR TO CYPRUS

Responding to the questions of journalists at the end of the meeting, Thomas Miller said, ''I can't say anything about whether or not one should be pessimistic or optimistic. We are trying to help the two sides and the United Nations (UN) in its efforts concerning the Cyprus question.''

Noting that Bill Clinton, the US President very much wants a solution to the Cyprus question, Miller stated that the efforts will continue and Richard Holbrooke, the US Special Representative to Cyprus will visit the island soon.

Asked whether or not ''there is a change in his views at the end of the meeting'', Rauf Denktas said that there is no change in his views.

Meanwhile, Thomas Miller will arrive in Ankara on Tuesday.

The US, which has taken initiatives concerning the Cyprus question after the start of full membership negotiations between the European Union (EU) and the Greek Cypriot side, is sending Miller and then Holbrooke to the region.

William Cohen, the US Secretary of Defense, who visited Turkey last weekend, submitted a special letter from Bill Clinton to the Prime Minister to urge Yılmaz to receive Miller. Cohen had recommended Turkey to be calm concerning the Cyprus question and also asked Turkey to refrain from voicing harsh statements about the S-300 missiles which are planned to deployed on the Greek Cypriot side.

[03] ERSUMER, MINISTER OF ENERGY, IN BAKU - ''AZERBAIJAN SUPPORTS THE BAKU- CEYHAN PIPELINE FOR ITS BEING THE MAIN OIL PIPELINE FOR EXPORTS'' - ''TURKEY AND AZERBAIJAN HAVE REACHED A CONSENSUS REGARDING THE ISSUE OF THE BAKU-CEYHAN PROJECT''

Cumhur Ersumer, who is holding contacts in Azerbaijan, met with Natik Aliyev, the Chairman of the State Petroleum Company SOCAR, and then with Muslum Imanov, the Chairman of the Azerbaijani Energy State Company.

Ersumer after concluding his meetings with Aliyev and Imanov told the A.A correspondent that Azerbaijan accepted the Baku-Supsa and the Baku- Novorossiysk pipelines as the routes by which the early production of oil can be exported.

Pointing out that Turkey and Azerbaijan had reached a consensus regarding the implementation of the Baku-Ceyhan project, Ersumer said that the negotiations regarding the timing of the project and the studies related to the project would continue on Tuesday as well.

Ersumer, who will be received by the Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev, will meet with the Azerbaijani Prime Minister Artur Rasizade and Deputy Prime Minister Abid Sherifov on Tuesday.

[04] EP DELEGATION'S CONTACTS IN ANKARA

The delegation headed by Pieter Dankert met with Sukru Sina Gurel, the Minister of State and Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister the same day.

Addressing a statement after meeting with Foreign Minister Cem, Claudia Roth, the Deputy Co-Chairman of the JPC, said that she will try to visit Leyla Zana, who is a former deputy of the banned Democracy Party (DEP), although her request was rejected again by the Turkish officials.

Roth claimed that Zana, who won the ''Sakharov'' prize of the European Parliament, is an ''extraordinary person''.

Claudia Roth stated that they discussed the Cyprus question with Sukru Sina Gurel, adding that she was disappointed and didn't share Turkey's views as a citizen of an integrated country.

Pieter Dankert, the Co-Chairman of the JPC said that the Turkish-EU relations and the Cyprus question were discussed during the meeting with Cem.

[05] KARA, THE MINISTER OF STATE: - ''THE ISSUE OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IS NOT TURKEY'S FAULT''

Responding to a question during his visit to the Motherland Party's (ANAP) Provincial Chairmanship in Izmir, Kara said that they wouldn't allow the people to turn the shores of the country into a ''passageway'' for escaping to the Greek islands. ''We have several joint studies with the Coastal Security, Department of Security and the other concerned organizations and units. We have prevented illegal immigration in the southern provinces, but there have been some incidents from time to time on the Aegaen shores very close to the Greek islands. This isn't Turkey's fault. Turkey shouldn't be considered as the only responsible party for the illegal immigrants trying to escape to Greece via Turkey. Putting the blame on Turkey regarding this issue will be an unfair treatment and injustice. Turkey is a democratic country. You can't check and control the people and ask for their passports and identity cards every day. How can you determine whether or not those people are tourists and they have bad intentions, even if you make these controls every day?'' Burhan Kara added.

[06] DEFENSE MINISTER SEZGIN STARTS HIS CONTACTS IN AUSTRIA

Addressing a joint press briefing after meeting with Fasslabend the same day, Sezgin stated that they are in a concensus of opinion concerning many bilateral and regional problems.

Responding to a question about the membership of the Greek Cypriot side in the European Union (EU), Sezgin said ''in my opinion this won't come true soon. Cyprus can't join an alliance if the guarantor states aren't members of the same alliance under the 1959-60 Treaties. The EU violated international law by inviting the Greek Cypriot side to full membership negotiations. I believe that the EU will correct its mistake and I don't think that either Greece or the Greek Cypriot side will not deploy the S- 300 missiles on Cyprus, because this is craziness.''

Sezgin stressed that the two ministers accepted that the NATO has a significant role concerning the establishment of independence and stability in Europe, ''Austria, which has a geographical and strategic importance, should join in the enlargement process of the NATO,'' he added.

Sezgin said that his Austrian counterpart extends support to Turkey concerning the latter's struggle against terrorism and told him that Austria prevents the activities of the separatist terrorist PKK organization in Austria within the legal framework.

Recalling that the Austrian soldiers have worked in the UN peace forces on Cyprus for 30 years, Fasslabend stated that it is difficult to solve this problem without the active contribution of the US, ''the two ethnic groups on the island should be included in the solution process,'' he added.

Responding to a question of the A.A correspondent who asked whether or not concrete steps will be taken to prevent the activities of the PKK in Austria, Fasslabend said, ''the PKK is not officialy recognized in Austria and the Ministry of the Interior, rather than our ministry deals with these kinds of issues.''

Sezgin will meet with Wolfgang Schussel, the Austrian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister on Tuesday, then proceed to Romania on Wednesday morning and return to Turkey on Saturday.

[07] TURKEY IN BRIEF - APRIL 21, 1998

After meeting with Klaus Kinkel, Vural said that Kinkel expressed in the meeting his sorrow regarding the situation of the relations between Turkey and Germany.

Pointing out that Kinkel said in the meeting that the Turkish-German relations are actually strong, Vural said that the German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel stated that they are ready to launch every initiative to improve the relations between the two countries.

BANDIRMA - The European Union (EU) gave a loan of 100 thousand ECU (European Currency Unit) to the ''Project for the Manyas Bird Lake Ecological Risk Analysis and Management Planning Programme'' through the ''Life Third Countries Program'' (LTCP), it was reported on Monday.

The project was prepared by the General Directorate of National Parks and Protection of Hunting-Wildlife of the Ministries of the Environment and Forestry and the Department of Agriculture of the Ankara University.

The meeting during which the problems of the Manyas Bird Lake are being discussed, started on Monday in Bandirma County of Balikesir Province.

The project will be concluded within three years.

The meeting will continue until April 24.

ISTANBUL - The Jordanese military unit arrived at Istanbul late on Monday within the framework of the joint military training and cooperation agreements signed between Turkey and Jordan.

A 100-member Jordanese military unit then proceeded to the 26th Commandership of Armoured Brigade.

The Jordanese military unit will be trained at this Commandership until May 10.

The 99-member Turkish military unit left for the Jordanese capital of Amman the same day.

HANNOVER - A total of 31 Tukish firms are participating in the ''Industry and Trade Fair'' opened on Monday in Hannover, Germany.

The fair will remaim open until April 25.

A total of 7,519 companies from 70 countries have stands at the fair.

ANKARA - Sir Michael Hardie Boys, the Governor General of New Zealand, will pay an official visit to Turkey between April 21 and May 2 upon an invitation from President Suleyman Demirel, it was reported on Monday.

The Foreign Ministry said in a written statement that President Demirel and Governor General Boys would review the relations between Turkey and New Zealand and would exchange views on the international issues concerning the two countries.

[08] ITALIAN ARRESTED IN DIYARBAKIR - BATU, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO ITALY: ''SUCH AN INDIVIDUAL INCIDENT SHOULD NOT OVERSHADOW TURKISH-ITALIAN FRIENDSHIP''

Addressing a statement to the A.A correspondent, Batu, who was criticized by the leftist press and members of the Communist Party in Italy, stated that everybody should be aware of the fact that such an individual incident shouldn't overshadow the Turkish-Italian friendship and relations.

''I am here to further improve Turkish-Italian relations,'' said Batu, adding that he had earlier stated that the Foreign Ministry can't affect the decision given by the independent judiciary organs in Turkey, like in other democratic countries.

Meanwhile, Pierro Fassino, the Italian Deputy Foreign Minister claimed that the accusations brought against Dino Frisullo are baseless, adding that the Italian government is putting all kinds of pressure for the release of Frisullo.

The members of the Italian Communist Re-Foundation Party (RC) requested the Italian President not to accept the letters of credence of Inal Batu, the newly appointed Turkish Ambassador to Italy.

The Turkish Embassy in Rome told the Italian news agencies that the ERNK's office in Rome, which is the so-called political organization of the PKK, had changed the statements of Batu given to an Italian private TV channel.

Meanwhile, an official delegation from the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Italian Senate plans to visit Turkey to monitor the case of Frisullo, who will be tried on April 28.

[09] EARTH TREMOR SHAKES CYPRUS

The epicenter of the quake was ascertained to be the offshores on the Greek- Cypriot side.

The quake, which occurred at 8:35 a.m. was felt by the residents in the high-rise buildings in Lefkosa and Lefke.

There were no reported casualties or damage in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Meanwhile, the Greek radio said that a total of five mild quakes shook Limassol early the same day, but only two of them were felt.

[10] ANKARA POLICE SEIZES DOCUMENTS OF ''DOST'' INSURANCE COMPANY AND 20 BUSINESSMEN FOR FINANCING THE BANNED RP AND FP

The businessmen, including the owners of finance, tourism and textile companies, were being questioned on allegations of supporting political Islam.

The businessmen are linked with the Association of Independent Industrialists and Businessmen (MUSIAD) and it is claimed that they were ''giving financial support to the development of political Islam''.

Monday's raids, involving 80 policemen, were carried out on the order of Nuh Mete Yuksel, the Prosecutor of the State Security Court.

Authorities seized documents and froze one trillion Turkish Liras in bank funds belonging to the ''Dost'' Insurance Company.

The businessmen, who were taken into custody, will be interrogated at the Anti-Terror Office under the supervision of Nuh Mete Yuksel. The documents seized will be examined by the Finance Ministry, Commission for the Investigation of Financial Crimes.

Police officials said that the insurance company was established to launder the income collected abroad, which is claimed to be ''black money,'' adding that the operation will continue and the number of people who will be taken into custody will increase in the coming days.

[11] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

CAUCASUS SUMMIT
Following initiatives by the Turkish President Suleyman Demirel, Turkey is going through a period of intense foreign policy activity. Demirel, who met with the Presidents of Bulgaria and Romania during a recent Balkan Summit in Antalya, will now convene a Caucasus Summit in the Black Sea region. Demirel, who invited the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Georgia for the foundation-laying ceremony of the Deriner Dam in Artvin on 26 April, will meet with Aliyev and Shevardnadze and discuss on the same day the Baku- Ceyhan oil pipeline project, a natural gas pipeline and new cooperation issues in the Caucasus. A message will also be sent from the Caucasus Summit to the new administration in Armenia. /Milliyet/

BLACK SEA OLYMPICS
It was adopted at a meeting of the Council of Ministers yesterday, that the Black Sea Olympics should be held once every four years among the countries which have shores along the Black Sea. The Ministers from Russia, Romania, Moldova, Bulgaria, Georgia and Turkey will hold a meeting regarding the summer olympics to be organized in Turkey in May. If an agreement is reached, then the first olympics will be held in Turkey in May 1999. The committee centre for the olympics will be in Trabzon. /Milliyet/

HEALTH SERVICES IN EASTERN AND SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA
Halil Ibrahim Ozsoy, the Minister of Health, said yesterday that the government was giving priority to the development of health services in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia. Noting that in 10 months' time 42 provinces and 58 rural health centres had been equipped with the necessary medical equipment and trained health staff, Ozsoy stated that with a 2.2 trillion TL credit provided by the World Bank, standard polyclinic equipment was being sent to 796 health centres in the region.

Meanwhile, according to recent data issued by the World Bank, all the people living in Turkey can be assured that health services are fully competent. It is reported that Turkey's continuing success in this field was first realized in 1993. /Milliyet-Cumhuriyet/

[12] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

TURKEY-EU JOINT PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION MEETING
The 42nd meeting of the Turkey-European Union (EU) Joint Parliamentary Commission (JPC) starts today, after the EU parliamentarians began meetings in Ankara yesterday. The Turkish Co-Chairman of the meeting, Bulent Akarcali, earlier said that Turkish members of the JPC would convey the disappointment on Turkey's side about the Luxembourg decisions last December. /Cumhuriyet/

MILLER TO VISIT CYPRUS
The US is continuing her efforts to find a solution to the decades-long disputes on the divided island of Cyprus with its special coordinator to Cyprus Thomas Miller visiting the island for talks. Miller met with the Greek Cypriot Leader Glafkos Clerides and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas on Monday afternoon. Speaking to reporters earlier in the day, Denktas denied that a Dayton-like negotiation process had been proposed to solve the Cyprus problem. Miller is preparing the ground for the visit of the US Special Presidential Envoy Richard Holbrooke, who is expected to visit the island for the second time in a month at the beginning of May.

Necati Utkan, the Spokesman of the Turkish Foreign Ministry said yesterday that Holbrooke's visit would most probably take place on May 2. There was no definite information yet on whether he would visit Ankara as well, Utkan added. /All papers/

TURKISH DIPLOMAT ON ISRAELI STAMPS
This year stamps have been issued in the name of Selahaddin Ulkumen, a former diplomat who has been honoured by being counted among the select group of ''Internationally Honest People'' by the Yad Vashem Institute in Israel. This title is being given to non-Jewish people who devoted themselves to saving the lives of Jewish people during the genocide in the Second World War. Ulkumen saved 50 Jewish people from being sent to German work camps by saying that they were Turkish citizens. /Hurriyet/

FUNDAMENTALISTS ARRESTED
A total of 17 people were arrested during pro-fundamentalist activities in Batman and Bingol's Solhan District. A total of 158 people were taken into custody during the incidents, which occurred following the time for prayers on Friday. Meanwhile, Murat Basesgioglu, the Minister of the Interior, said that an operation was carried out against the outlawed fundamentalist Hezboullah organization over the last 10 days. He added that this was the largest operation against this organization carried out to date. /Hurriyet/

ERSUMER IN BAKU
Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, went to Azerbaijan yesterday to discuss the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline project. Before his departure Ersumer said at Ankara's Esenboga Airport that feasibility studies on the oil pipeline had been completed and that now the Azerbaijani officials would evaluate the studies. /Cumhuriyet/

VALDERAS IN TURKEY
General Santiago Valderas, the Spanish Chief of General Staff, is visiting Turkey. Valderas yesterday spoke with his Turkish counterpart General Ismail Hakki Karadayi. Karadayi said that the visit would contribute to strenghtening military relations between the two countries. /Cumhuriyet/

STARFISH-98 EXERCISES
Starfish-98 exercises of the Navy Forces High Command started yesterday. According to military sources, the exercises are being held in the Marmara Sea and the Black Sea. During the exercises, to which foreign observers have been invited, coordination and cooperation between the Navy and Air Forces will be tested. /Cumhuriyet/

[13] 90 TERRORISTS KILLED IN OPERATION IN THE SIRNAK-SIIRT-BINGOL TRIANGLE

Aircrafts bombed the shelters and caves of the terrorists in the Besta, Dereler, Ortabag and Cudi regions, which are near the border with Northern Iraq.

Officials stated that 90 out of 100-110 terrorists were killed and the remaining ones escaped to Herekol Mountain between the Siirt, Sırnak and Bitlis triangle, adding that operations are underway to capture them.

Officials added that with this operation, the separatist terrorist will not be permitted to stage actions in the spring.

[14] SALOMON SMITH BARNEY EVALUATES TURKEY'S FOREIGN TRADE STATISTICS - ''THE INCREASE IN EXPORTS IS ENCOURAGING''

The Salomon Smith Barney evaluated Turkey's foreign trade statistics, growth rate and their effects on the monetary policies.

The evaluation recalled that the foreign trade deficit, which was 1.25 billion US dollars in February 1997, increased to 1.76 billion US dollars in February 1998 and that the exports increased 6.2 percent, while the imports increased by 20.4 percent in February 1998 compared with the statistics in February 1997.

Pointing out that the statistics indicated a ''return'' from the stagnation in the last three months, the evaluation report stressed that the increased volume in the imports was even greater than the international price decrease.

Emphasizing that the rate of increase in the exports was encouraging, the evaluation report said that this was the proof that the foreign trade imbalance was remaining limited, although there was a rapid increase in the imports.

Noting that Turkey's growth rate may slow down due to the government's strict monetary policies and financial policies after the shrinking in the imports in January 1998, the report said that however, the industrial production statistics announced last week and the statistics of the imports in February 1998 didn't support that opinion.

The report said that consequently, Turkey's economic growth may not slow down, although the government had announced that it would slow down.

Pointing out that the high growth rate may put pressure on the Central Bank's monetary policy, the report said that the tough monetary policy together with high demand would restrict the decrease in the interest rates and would permit the interest rates to increase even more.

Noting that the statistics met with the pressure of the inclining imports in 1997, the report said that the Central Bank would continue for a few months its policy of devaluating to a slight degree the value of the Turkish Lira in a controlled manner.

[15] ERSUMER, MINISTER OF ENERGY, IN BAKU (2)... - ERSUMER: ''THE COOPERATION BETWEEN TURKEY AND AZERBAIJAN IN THE FIELD OF OIL PIPELINES WILL BE SUCCESSFUL''

Etrsumer, who is holding contacts in Baku, met with the Azerbaijani Prime Minister Artur Rasizade.

Recalling that a working group led by the Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Abid Sherifov was set up to hold negotiations regarding the main oil pipeline in Azerbaijan, Prime Minister Resizade said in the meeting that a working group should be established in Turkey as well and that the two working groups should solve the issues of taxes, land, law and security related to the main oil pipeline.

Ersumer later met with Deputy Prime Minister Abid Sherifov and Sherifov briefed Ersumer on the studies for the Baku-Supsa pipeline foreseen for the export of the early production of oil and the studies for the main pipeline.

Ersumer will be received by President Haydar Aliyev the same day.

[16] THE 42ND TURKISH-EU JOINT PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION MEETING STARTS - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: ''WE HAVEN'T CAST OUR ANCHOR IN LUXEMBOURG, WE TRUST IN THE FUTURE''

Addressing the meeting, Cem said that the Turkish government limited its relations with EU with its new status determined by the Luxembourg Summit, adding that in this regard Turkey didn't participate in the European Conference.

Pointing out that the EU has to fulfill its obligations towards Turkey stemming from the Customs Union, Cem stressed that this situation overshadows the credibility of the organization.

''We believe that it isn't easy to count on promises any more. However we wish to make further cooperation with the EU,'' Cem added.

David Logan, the British Ambassador to Turkey said that there is no reason not to improve the Turkish-EU relations and the participation of Turkey in the EU has been confirmed during the Luxembourg Summit.

Noting that Britain, which is the EU Term President, is sorry over the fact that Turkey decided not to discuss political issues particularly the Aegean and Cyprus question with the EU, Logan stressed that Turkey can make a significant contribution to solution of these problems.

Bulent Akarcalı, the Turkish Co-Chairman of the JPC, said that the EU Commission hasn't yet completed the final form of the Strategy Document concerning Turkey.

Pieter Dankert, the Co-Chairman of the JPC said that the result achieved at the end of Luxembourg Summit is disappointing.

Stressing that the most important problem is political, rather than economic, Dankert said that politicans should overcome these problems.

Dankert pointed out that the Turkish-EU relations are at a turning point, adding that the concerned sides should treat each other in a sensitive and careful manner.

[17] THE US: ''THE TERRORIST PKK ENTERED INTO A PROCESS OF DISSOLUTION AND COLLAPSE''

The same sources said ''the separatist terrorist PKK organization is gradually becoming marginalized.''

Emphasizing that the US officially declared the separatist PKK as a terrorist organization, the sources said the demands of the separatist terrorist organization for requests for so-called dialogue should be rejected and that this organization shouldn't be given support.

Yet, the same sources also said that the separatist terrorist organization preserved its structuring apart from Turkey and in Europe, adding that it continued its political existence. The US sources recalled that Turkey extended support to Turkey in its struggle against the terrorist organization, adding that the solution of the question couldn't only be through military means.

Sources said that the field of freedom of expression should be expanded and within this framework several cultural rights should be recognized, adding that it would be beneficial to take several economc measures in Anatolia.

The US administration last year declared the separatist terrorist PKK organization among the 30 terrorist foreign organizations and identifies the PKK as a bloody-handed and fierce terrorist organization. In the annual terrorism report of the US State Department, Syria, Iran and Iraq are shown among the countries extending support to the separatist PKK.

The recent report issued by the US Department of State said that Greece tolerated the separatist terrorist PKK.

This new report will be issued by the end of this month.

[18] HAND-GRENADE EXPLODES: - ONE SHEPHERD DIES, TWO WOUNDED

Madi Solmaz (aged 15) died and Erdal Solmaz and Yavez Aytekin, the other shepherds were wounded when the hand-grenade detonated.

The injured shepherds were taken to the hospital.

The investigation related to the incident is underway.

[19] 10 MONTH TERM OF IMPRISONMENT FOR THE ISTANBUL MAYOR TAYYIP ERDOGAN

''The defendant has been found guilty and punished with a sentence of 10 months in jail,'' the chief judge said, reading out a brief verdict.

The Court delegation while diclosing its decision said that Erdogan committed the crime of provocating people to hatred and enmity by considering religion and race and decided to sentence him to a one year term of imprisonment according to Article 312/2 of the Turkish Penal Code.

This punishment was later reduced to a 10 month term of imprisonment and fine.

Meanwhile, the lawyers of Erdogan said they would use their right of appeal.

The lawyers said it wouldn't be right to talk about the decision yet as they will use the right of appeal.

[20] GREEK CYPRIOT'S BID FOR WEU MEMBERSHIP - TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS, ''THE GREEK CYPRIOT'S APPEAL FOR WEU MEMBERSHIP IS A NEW ASSAULT'' - ''IT SHOULD BE KNOWN THAT WE WILL RETALIATE THIS''

Reacting harshly to this letter, Denktas said, ''this is a new example of the assaults which continue for 35 years against the consitutional rights, freedoms, and existence of the Turkish Cypriots.''

Denktas said that it is possible that the mistake made by the European Union by accepting the Greek Cypriot administration's appeal which they made with the title of (Republic of Cyprus) as if it is made on behalf of the whole island, will be reinforced by the WEU issue.

Pointing out that the participation of the Greek Cypriot side in the WEU on behalf of ''Cyprus'' will further strengthen the stalemate in the Cyprus problem, Denktas said, ''this means a military agreement between Cyprus and the WEU. It is not possible to accept this. It is not possible to bow to this. This will be a new and unacceptable blow of Europe to the Turkish Cypriots. It will be useful if it is known that we won't let this happen without retaliation.''

[21] WATER SUPPORT TO THE TRNC - TEST FILLING OF THE FIRST BALLOON THAT WILL BE USED FOR WATER TRANSPORTS HAS STARTED

The State Water Works officials told the A.A correspondent that test filling of the balloon had started within the framework of the project, which was initiated to meet the TRNC's need for water.

Officials said that the giant balloon was brought to the filling installations at the Soguksu region of Anamur, adding that the test filling of the balloon, having a capacity of 10,000 cubic meters, will last for 10 days.

Following the filling process, a ceremony will be staged in the first half of May for the first transport. If the system is found to be economic, then water will be transported to the TRNC, regional countries and touristic sites on the shores of the Mediterranean where there is a water shortage.

Officials said that with three balloons, three million cubic meters of water will be transported in the first year. The length of the special carriage bag, which is called a balloon, will be 116 meters and its width will be 26 meters. It will also be 8.5 meters in depth.

When the Manavgat project takes effect next summer, water could be sent from there.

The water will be collected in the depot installations constructed at the northern shores of the TRNC and will be sent to Gazimagosa via Guzelyurt- Lefkosa with the existing water network.

Officials said that seven million cubic meters of water will be transported to the TRNC in the next stage, adding that water tankers could be used if the balloon method is found to be inadequate.

Noting that an agreement was signed with a consortium composed of Turkish and Norwegian companies for the water transports with a balloon, officials said that one cubic meter of the water taken from the sea costs 1.28 US dollars and the water which will be sent to the TRNC will have a lower cost.

Meanwhile, it was reported that the cost, process and the money which will be spent for the filling areas will be met by the funds which the Ministry of State has allocated for the TRNC.

If this system works, then all the water that flows to the sea will be used in the same manner and Turkey will sell this water to countries which have a water shortage.

Besides the project to transport water to the TRNC with balloons or tankers, Alarko Holding has another proposal which is to transport 75 million cubic meters of water to the TRNC with pipelines that will be installed under the sea. This project will be implemented by a build-operate-transfer model.

[22] TURKEY AIDS IRAQ WITH MEDICINES

The Foreign Ministry statement said Turkey extended aids to Iraq for medicines and medical equipment to support the people who have been the victims of the UN embargo for eight years.

The statement said that the aid was made with the cooperation of the Ministry of Health and the Red Crescent General Directorate adding, ''Turkey, which sent medicines, foodstuffs and medical equipment to the Iraqi people earlier, hopes that the sufferings of the Iraqi people will end soon.''

[23] TURKEY IN BRIEF (2) - APRIL 21, 1998

Officials told the A.A correspondent that the fugitives were planning to proceed from Turkey to Greece.

IZMIR - Nearly 1,000 Turkish businessmen from different parts of the world, will come together at the ''Second Congress of the Turkish Businessmen'' which will be held between April 30 and May 1, it was reported on Tuesday.

President Suleyman Demirel, Mesut Yilmaz, the Prime Minister, and Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister will also attend the congress.

PARIS - The council of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) will meet at the ministerial level in Paris between April 27-28, it was reported on Tuesday.

Isin Celebi, the Minister of State, and Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, will represent Turkey at the meeting.

The economic crisis in the Asian countries and its influences on the members states of the OECD will be discussed during the meeting which will last for two days.

GOLCUK - Admiral Santiago Valderas Canestro, the Spanish Chief of Staff, said on Tuesday that his country is pleased to cooperate with Turkey.

Admiral Canestro visited the Navy Command and met with Admiral Ilhami Erdil, the Commander of the Navy.

Admiral Erdil said that the two countries have important places in the NATO because of their geopolitic positions.

EYLAT - It was reported on Tuesday that a number of F-16 war planes belonging to the Turkish Air Forces are holding training flights in Israel.

Israel's leading newspaper Haaretz reported that the training programme of the Turkish pilots, who came to Israel on Sunday, will continue until Friday.

The training programmes are being held three times annually, in the framework of the military education cooperation agreement signed between Turkey and Israel in 1996.

ANKARA - A cooperation protocol has been signed on Tuesday between the Ministry of the Environment and the GAP Chairmanship of the Regional Development Management for the ''determination of the environmental problems and the measures to be taken in the Southeastern Anatolia region''.

Salih Yildirim, the Minister of State, and Imren Aykut, the Minister of the Environment, signed the protocol.

AMSTERDAM - The Turkish Theatre Festival began on Tuesday in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. The festival will last for a week.

Musfik Kenter, Genco Erkal and Ferhan Sensoy are participating at the festival, which was organized by the Turkey-Netherlands Theatre Foundation, the Netherlands Ministry of Culture, the Amsterdam Municipality and Consulate of the Netherlands in Istanbul.

The festival will end on April 26.

ANKARA - Hakki Atun, the Speaker of the Parliament of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), came to Ankara on Tuesday to receive the award of ''The Statesman of the Year'', which was given to Rauf Denktas, the President of the TRNC by the Turkish Foundation of Industrialists and Businessmen (TUSIAV).

Atun will return to the TRNC on Wednesday.

[24] US SUPPORT TO TURKMEN NATURAL GAS PIPELINE

The Wall Street Journal newspaper mentioned the visit of Sapharmurat Niyazov, the Turkmen Head of State, to Washington, D.C., where mainly the issues of natural gas and oil transports would be discussed.

The news report emphasized that the US was opposed to the transports of the Turkmen natural gas via Iran and recalled that the Clinton Administration wanted the gas to be marketed via Turkey with a pipeline that will pass under the sea.

The newspaper said that the Clinton Administration requested a study to be made to prove the practicability of this alternative, adding that the US will extend 750,000 US dollars to Turkmenistan for the project study.

Stuart Eisentat, the US Assistant Secretary of State, earlier said that the administration was against the transports of Turkmen natural gas via Iran and pointed out that the most appropriate route for transporting the Turkmen energy sources was Turkey.

[25] BIRDAL AND KARAKOC ON TRIAL AT THE STATE SECURITY COURT

The defendant Birdal during the trial recalled that he participated at the conference staged by the Italian Peace Association and he spoke on the issue of human rights. Birdal said in the speech that he pointed out that human rights, democracy and peace were universal and that a problem occurring in Turkey should also be discussed in Turkey. Birdal said that he expressed regret that this discussion took place in another country.

Defending that his aiding and abetting to an armed organization was out of the question, Birdal said, ''as the Human Rights Association shall we call for weapons to talk or to shut up? In my speech I said that weapons should shut up.''

Birdal noted that defending human rights and democracy wasn't a crime, but a duty, adding that the trial of a defender of human rights on the 50th anniversary of the Charter of Human Rights, was unfortunate.

Ali Riza Konuralp, one of the Prosecutor's of the DGM, prepared a verdict and said that Birdal and Karakoc addressed a meeting on ''Peace in Turkey; International Conference for Dialogue on the Kurdish Issue'' held in Rome by the Italian Human Rights Association between April 18 and 19, 1997.

The verdict said that the speeches of the defendants were praising the armed activities of the separatist terrorist organization.

[26] THE POSITIVE FIGURES IN THE ECONOMY REFLECT THE BANK INTEREST RATES

Selcuk Demiralp, the General Director of the Ziraat Bank, told the A.A correspondent that the interest rates will decrease as inflation continues to fall.

Demiralp said that the public banks will follow them and after the public banks, the special sector banks will assess the situation.

Stressing that the decrease of the interest rates will reflect on the commercial loans only after the costs are decreased, Demiralp said that the changes in the deposit loans and in the commercial loans won't be occurring at the same time.

[27] FORMER RP DEPUTIES TO APPLY TO EUROPEAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION NEXT WEEK

Sevket Kazan, the former Minister of Justice, will come to Strasbourg next week and will make the application on behalf of the closed RP.

The application is expected to include the view that closure of the party violated the Charter of Human Rights and its Articles related to freedom of expression and in particular, the right to organize.

The Turkish United Communist Party, the Democracy Party (DEP), the People's Democracy Party (HADEP) and the Socialist Party, which were all earlier closed by the Constitutional Court, applied to the Human Rights Commission on grounds that Turkey violated human rights.

Meanwhile, it was also reported that all domestic legal means were ended for the Welfare Party when Oltan Sungurlu, the Minister of Justice, rejected on Tuesday a demand of the closed Welfare Party (RP) to be sent to High Court of Appeals Republican Chief Prosecutor's Office to change the decision regarding the closure of the party.

[28] PARLIAMENTARY INVESTIGATION AGAINST CILLER

According to the decision, a 15-person commission will make the investigation and a period of two months will be given to conclude the investigation.

[29] TURKEY IN BRIEF (3) - APRIL 21, 1998

Denktas described the meeting as ''short and routine'' and added that no statement will be made about the meeting.

ANKARA - Two separate working teams have been set up in the construction of the Technical Board of the Prime Ministry for the Public Computers Network Project which foresees the collecting of all the public computers network within a system.

The new teams, coordination and monitoring, will work on the issues of education and culture, health, security, economy, finance and trade, law, main information services.

CHICAGO - Muzaffer Gazioglu (aged 11) who lives in the famous ski center in Vail, Colorado, wins all the ski competitions, it was reported on Monday.

American ski experts describe him as the ''olympic skier of the future''.

Gazioglu says that he aims to join the Turkish National Ski Team and represent Turkey at the Olympic Games.

ANKARA - General Cevik Bir, the Deputy Chief of Staff, met with General Jack P. Nix, the Chief of Staff of the European Ally Forces.

General Nix said that this is his first visit to Turkey and he thanked General Bir for inviting him. He pointed out that the cold war was over and that unstability is the greatest enemy.

ANTALYA - Five members of the separatist terrorist organization have been captured in Antalya, on Tuesday.

The captured terrorists said in their questioning that the organization is on the point of collapse and the members of the organization started to escape.

The security forces destroyed the shelters of the terrorists in the rural areas.

TRABZON - The number of tourists who prefer mountain holidays and choose the Eastern Black Sea region, is increasing, it was reported on Tuesday. Experts pointed out that 33.8 percent increase in tourists was determined this year for the Uzungol District of Trabzon Province.

There are 18 tourism facilities at Uzunkoy which is famous for its natural beauties and the Basta Lake.

ANKARA - President Suleyman Demirel met on Tuesday with Blagoy Handziski, the Macedonian Foreign Minister. Addressing the meeting, Demirel noted that Turkey shares the same ideas with Macedonia concerning the fact that regional peace will accelerate the economic development in the region.

Demirel wanted Macedonia to use her influence on the Belgrade Administration to provide peace in Kosovo. Pointing out that Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, and Handziski also discussed the issues of Cyprus and Greece, Demirel said, ''Turkey wants to solve the problems with her neighbours.''

Handziski said that they want to develop relations in every field with Turkey, conveying the Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov's invitation to Demirel.

Noting that he had very useful talks with Cem concerning the joint production in the defence industry, Handziski said that Macedonia is pleased with the agreements signed between the two countries. He said that Macedonia wants Turkey's support for their full membership to the NATO.

ANKARA - Sir Michael Hardie Boys, the Governor General of New Zealand, came to Turkey with the invitation of the President Suleyman Demirel, on Tuesday.

Boys will hold talks about the relations between Turkey and New Zealand with Demirel, and will leave Turkey for New Zealand on May 2, after visiting the historical sites at Cappadocia.

MUGLA - Two parachutists, Canbolat Kurt (aged 16) and Sophia Holdt (aged 9) were wounded on Tuesday because of their parachutes didn't open, in Babadag in the Oludeniz District at Fethiye County of Mugla Province.

The injured parachutists were taken to the hospital.

The investigation related to the incident is underway.

DENIZLI - The foundation-laying ceremony of the new terminal building of the Denizli-Cardak Airport has been held on Tuesday. Necdet Menzir, the Minister of Transportation attended the ceremony.

The new terminal building will be completed in 2000.

[30] EGE-KOOP TO SOLVE THE HOUSING PROBLEM OF THE TRNC

Responding to the questions of the A.A correspondent, Aslan said that the Mass Housing Administration was positive about the project including 5,000 houses that will be constructed in the TRNC.

Aslan said that there was a housing problem in the TRNC, so we applied to this issue, as we have constructed 13,000 houses in 13 years.

Aslan said that in all projects they have realized they have created modern cities having a planned social and physical infrastructure and environment.

[31] PROF. BERNARD LEWIS FROM THE US WINS THE 1998 ATATURK INTERNATIONAL PEACE AWARD

Ahat Andican, the Minister of State noted in his written statement that President Suleyman Demirel approved the decision.

Andican pointed out that Prof. Dr. Bernard Lewis knows very well the history of Turkey and the Turkish peoples. He reminded that Prof. Dr. Lewis has a famous work named ''The Birth of the Modern Turkey'' along with many books concerning Ataturk and Ataturk's guiding leadership.

Andican added, ''Prof. Dr. Bernard Lewis has been granted with the Ataturk Peace Award because he has been defending Turkey's thesis on the international platform, engaging in positive academic research about Turkey, and serving with his thoughts which follow the Great Leader Ataturk's principle of 'peace in the country, peace in the world', for international peace, friendship, and understanding.''

[32] AKCAEL, GENERAL DIRECTOR OF OIL AFFAIRS: ''TURKEY NEEDS A NEW REFINERY HAVING A CAPACITY OF FIVE MILLION TONNES BY 2001''

Akcael stressed that refineries will not lose money after proceeding to the automatic pricing system.

Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Akcael said that despite the refinery capacity of 32 million tonnes, 28 to 29 million tonnes of oil were consumed annually.

Responding to a question if there was a study aimed at the establishment of refinery, Akcael said ''there will be from now on. There was no such initiative so far, because it was impossible to make an investment cost of two billion US dollars.''

[33] PARLIAMENT DISCUSSES CYPRUS ISSUE - GUREL, STATE MINISTER: ''THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE WANTS TO SET TURKEY AND THE EU AGAINST EACH OTHER BY TURNING THE CYPRUS PROBLEM INTO A PROBLEM OF THE EU'' - ''THE EU'S DECISION THAT THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE CAN JOIN IN THE FULL MEMBERSHIP TALKS ON BEHALF OF WHOLE ISLAND DISREGARDS THE POLITICAL EQUALITY ON THE ISLAND'' - ''NEITHER THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS NOR TURKEY WILL PERMIT RETURNING TO THE DARK DAYS BEFORE 1974''

Gurel told the Parliament that the Cyprus problem had come to a critical point and the Turkish Cypriots are being attempted to be cleansed by being considered to be a minority.

Reminding that the EU started full membership negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side, Gurel said that the Greek Cypriot side can't take part in these negotiations on behalf of the whole island, but the negotiations can start only after a solution and at the same time with Turkey.

Gurel said that the decision which is opposite to this reality will make the division on the island permanent and increase the tension in the Eastern Mediterranean.

''The Greek Cypriots see the EU membership as a means to fully control the island. They aim to set Turkey and the EU against each other by turning the Cyprus problem into a problem of the EU. We warn the EU once again. This situation will put the Cyprus problem into a deadlock,'' he said.

Blaming the EU officials for dictating politics to Turkey, Gurel said that Turkey will not give any concessions on her Cyprus policy. ''The EU's decision that the Greek Cypriot side can take part in the full membership negotiations on behalf of all the people of Cyprus disregards the political equality on the island,'' he said.

''It is neither Turkey nor the TRNC which is responsible for a failure to find a solution to the Cyprus problem,'' said Gurel, stressing that no incident can decrease the status of the Turkish Cypriots to that of a minority. ''Turkey won't let this happen,'' he said. ''Turkey won't give up her rights stemming from international agreements, and won't hesitate to show the determined attitude which she showed in the past.''

''The two states must establish the conditions to live side by side in peace on the island. The TRNC has struggled for 35 years for her rights and equality and has defended her freedom by paying a price of life and blood. Our government will take every measure against any initiatives which endanger the security of the Turkish Cypriots,'' he said.

Pointing out that Turkey is the guarantor of peace and stability on Cyprus, Gurel said, ''neither the Turkish Cypriots nor Turkey will permit returning to the dark days before 1974.''

Gurel said that the government expends efforts to develop the TRNC economically and a credit of 250 million US dollars was used with this aim in the last six months of 1997.

Gurel also briefed the parliamentarians about the incentives which will be given to the investments in the TRNC.

[34] THE TURKISH-MACEDONIAN BUSINESS COUNCIL MEETS IN BURSA

Macedonian Business Council has been held on Tuesday at the hall of the Bursa Chamber of Trade and Industry.

Addressing the meeting, Feridun Yesil, the Co-President of the Council, said that Turkey supports all kinds of initiatives for developing trade with Macedonia.

Yesil noted that the Turkish Eximbank and Macedonian Komercijalna Bank signed an insurance agreement for a total of 10 million US dollars, therefore a loan opportunity worth 10 million US dollars has been offered for the financing of the projects.

Jorgo Cuka, the other Co-President of the Council, said that the trade volume between Turkey and Macedonia was 107 million US dollars in 1997, and added that the trade is developing in Turkey's favour.

Inviting the Turkish businessmen to make investments in his country, Cuka said that just 540 thousand US dollars of the total 10 million US dollars commercial financing, was used last year.

[35] PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSS CYPRUS

In the meeting which was an unofficial one, Russia, acting in line with the demands of Athens and the Greek Cypriot side, advised the UN to start initiatives before waiting until June.

However, Diego Cordovez, the Special Representative of Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary General, was scheduled to go to the region in May and has planned to hold meetings with Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Glafcos Clerides, the leader of the Greek Cypriot side and hold contacts in Ankara and in Athens. Thus, the other members of the Council weren't positive about the Russian proposal. Meanwhile, the Turkish sides didn't want rush the Cyprus issue.

Aytug Plumer, the Representative of the TRNC to the United Nations, sent two letters to the UN Secretary General Annan and said that the allegations of the Greek Cypriot side had nothing to do with the facts, adding that it aimed at political propaganda.

In the letter Plumer pointed out that the Greek Cypriots, with the aim of Enosis, systematically destroyed the religious and cultural assets belonging to the Turks.

Noting that the same kind of policy was carried out today, Plumer said that the Greek Cypriots on one hand, destroyed the religious assets and symbols belonging to the Moslems and on the other hand, prevented the international credits with which the TRNC was in an effort to preserve its cultural assets.

Plumer also sent a letter to Annan related to the allegations of the Greek Cypriots that Turkish planes violated their air space. Plumer in the letter said that the Turkish planes didn't enter the Greek Cypriot air space, but the TRNC air space and that the TRNC knew this and stressed that the flights weren't in violation of air space.

[36] THE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL EDUCATION OPENS TENDER FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW SCHOOLS

The Ministry is planning to construct a total of 359 schools until 2000. Within this framework the regions were divided into four parts.

[37] COMPLAINT FROM GUL TO THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE

Speaking during the discussion of a report titled ''Democratic Operations of the National Parliaments'' in COEPA, Gul said that expression of people to tell about their will was the greatest power of democratic regimes, adding that the will of people aren't always respected in the world.

Noting that political parties needed a democratic working atmosphere, Gul said that laws related to political parties in several member countries, were contrary to the Charter of Human Rights.

Gul said, ''in several cases, laws are violated due to political reasons and that several civilian and military bureaucracies regarded the state as superior to the parliament and that this situation may damage the rights of citizens.''

[38] ALIYEV, THE AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT: ''THE TIME HAS COME TO REALIZE THE BAKU-CEYHAN PROJECT''

Aliyev received Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources who is currently in Baku to hold contacts.

Speaking during the meeting Aliyev said that the Azerbaijani state and he personally wanted the Caspian oils to be exported via the Baku-Ceyhan route.

Noting that a work group was established in Azerbaijan related to the main oil pipeline, Aliyev said ''Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan are foreseen to participate in this project. The US supports the transport of the Central Asian oil via Azerbaijan. This will also be beneficial for Turkey.''

Recalling that agreements were signed with Consortiums composed of foreign companies, Aliyev stressed that were planning to export the oil and natural gas that will be extracted from the beds via Ceyhan. Aliyev said that Turkey should actively participate in the studies.

Ersumer said he hoped the talks which he held with the Azeri officials related with the main pipeline will reach an outcome soon.

[39] THE STATE OF EMERGENCY COORDINATION COMMITEE MEETING

Addressing the State of Emergency (OHAL) Coordination Council meeting Basesgioglu said that the OHAL Regional Governorship was formed in 1987 to provide an effective struggle against separatist terrorist activities which escalated in 1984. He said recently, with a decision of the Parliament taken on March 24, the State of Emergency was extended for another four months in Southeastern Diyarbakir, Hakkari, Tunceli, Siirt, Sirnak and eastern Van Provinces.

Noting that demands of the people, who were forced to leave their homes upon the pressure of the separatist terrorists, increased recently to return to their homes, Basesgioglu said that measures which will facilitate the return of citizens are being taken.

Basesgioglu pointed out that cultural and socio-economic measures were taken to improve the situations of people in the OHAL region adding, ''there are great investments for national education, health and public affairs.''

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