Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-04-22

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

22 APRIL 1998

CONTENTS

[01] STATE MINISTER ISIN CELEBI IN CHINA - CELEBI MEETS WITH LI LANGIN, THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

[02] APPLICATION OF THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE TO THE WEU

[03] SIX POLICEMEN SENTENCED TO IMPRISONMENT TERMS OF FIVE YEARS SIX MONTHS RELATED TO THE CASE OF BAKI ERDOGAN, WHO DIED AFTER CUSTODY

[04] COHEN, THE US SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: - ''WASHINGTON IS READY TO HELP ANKARA AND ATHENS TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT OF TRUST BETWEEN THEMSELVES'' - ''THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE S-300 MISSILES ON THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE OF THE ISLAND IS A BIG MISTAKE''

[05] THE MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENCE SEZGIN IN AUSTRIA - SEZGIN MEETS WITH SCHUSSEL, THE AUSTRIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

[06] CILLER, THE DYP LEADER, RECEIVES MEMBERS OF THE TURKISH-EU JOINT PARLIAEMENTARY COMMISSION'S EUROPEAN FLANK

[07] GAP REGION - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''WE WILL OVERCOME THE POVERTY IN THE REGION WITHIN FOUR OR FIVE YEARS''

[08] MINISTER OF ENERGY ERSUMER'S MEETINGS IN BAKU

[09] ERKAYA, PRIME MINISTRY CHIEF CONSULTANT: ''WE ARE IMPROVING A SYSTEM THAT WILL TAKE THE STRAITS UNDER CONTROL''

[10] THE NEWS OF THE ANATOLIA NEWS AGENCY IN CENTRAL ASIA - A.A'S SATELLITE NEWS BROADCASTING SYSTEM COMES TO LIFE IN BAKU - THE MINISTER OF ENERGY ERSUMER: - ''THE ANATOLIA NEWS AGENCY IS READY TO PRESENT MORE THAN 500 TURKISH AND MORE THAN 70 ENGLISH NEWS ITEMS DAILY TO AZERBAIJAN''

[11] MILLER, THE US SPECIAL COORDINATOR TO CYPRUS CONTINUES CONTACTS IN ANKARA

[12] THE TOURISM TARGET OF THE TRNC - TOLUN, THE DIRECTOR OF THE TOURISM AND PROMOTION DEPARTMENT: ''WE AIM TO INCREASE TOURISM REVENUES UP TO ONE BILLION US DOLLARS''

[13] 145 YEARS OF WAR HISTORY KEPT IN THE ARCHIVES OF THE GENERAL STAFF

[14] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

[15] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

[16] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (3)

[17] D-8'S TO CONVENE IN ISTANBUL

[18] INTERROGATION PERIOD OF SAKIK, ONE OF THE SO-CALLED COMMANDERS OF THE SEPARATIST ORGANIZATION, TO END ON APRIL 24

[19] FOREIGN EXCHANGE INCOME FROM EXPORTS OF HAZELNUTS INCREASES TO OVER 781 MILLION US DOLLARS

[20] ''ENVIRONMENTAL APPRECIATION'' FROM THE UN TO TURKEY

[21] HAKTANIR, FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY IN WASHINGTON, D.C. - HIGH RANKING POLITICAL CONSULTATIONS TO START ON THURSDAY

[22] TURKEY IN BRIEF - APRIL 22, 1998

[23] 18 TURKISH FAMILIES ESCAPE FROM THE NINEVEH CAMP IN NORTHERN IRAQ

[24] PRESIDENT DEMIREL WELCOMES SIR BOYS, THE GOVERNOR GENERAL OF NEW ZEALAND

[25] CHINESE-TURKISH JEC MEETING... - CELEBI, MINISTER OF STATE,: - ''TURKISH AIRLINES WILL START ITS ISTANBUL-BEIJING-SHANGHAI FLIGHT IN 1999'' - ''WE CAN OPEN A FAIR IN WHICH CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT WILL BE EXHIBITED IN CHINA IN OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER 1998''

[26] TURKISH-EU JPC CO-CHAIRMAN DANKERT: ''DON'T EXPECT BIG CHANGES CONCERNING TURKISH-EU RELATIONS IN THE SHORT-TERM''

[27] TURKEY BECOMES A FULL-MEMBER OF THE OECD EXPORT CREDITS GROUP

[28] FM CEM HOLDS AN EVALUATION MEETING WITH THE TURKISH AMBASSADORS TO CENTRAL ASIA AND CAUCASUS AND HIGH RANKING FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIALS

[29] DERINER TO BE THE FIFTH LARGEST DAM IN THE WORLD - SHEVARDNADZE AND ALIYEV DUE TO COME TO TURKEY FOR THE FOUNDATION-LAYING CEREMONY OF THE DERINER DAM

[30] CYPRUS QUESTION - FM: ''QUADRIPARTITE CONFERENCE IS NOT ON THE AGENDA'' - ''WE DON'T OPPOSE INTERNATIONAL LAW, BUT OUR OPPOSITION IS IMPLEMENTATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW IN A SELECTIVE MANNER''

[01] STATE MINISTER ISIN CELEBI IN CHINA - CELEBI MEETS WITH LI LANGIN, THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Addressing the journalists after his meeting with Li Langin, Celebi, the First Deputy Prime Minister Responsible for the Economy, said that China wants to realise infrastructure investments for a total 750 billion US dollars, and added, ''I told Langin that Turkey can cooperate with China in many fields, including the banking sector and contracting services.''

Celebi told the reporters that the cooperation of the two countries has a great potential for the region, noting that the issue of the regular flights of the Turkish Airlines to China was also discussed during the meeting. He pointed out, ''China wants to revive the economy by increasing the internal consumption, meanwhile Turkey aims to revive the foreign requests. These will bring China and Turkey together.''

[02] APPLICATION OF THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE TO THE WEU

Diplomatic sources in Ankara confirmed that the Greek Cypriot side applied at the end of March to become an ''associate partner'' of the WEU.

Rauf Denktas, the President of the Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) harshly reacted to a letter of Yannakkis Kasulides, the Foreign Minister of the Greek Cypriot side, which was sent to the WEU to become an associate partner.

According to the rules, countries which aren't members of the European Union (EU) can't become a full member of the WEU, but can only establish an ''associate partnership.''

Diplomatic sources in Ankara said that the Greek Cypriot side was in an effort to gain effectiveness in the other European organizations after the starting of the EU full membership negotiations.

The WEU, which is wanted to be turned into the EU's defense organization, has 10 associate partners, namely Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. These countries have representatives who attend during the WEU meetings as candidates for participation in the EU.

Turkey, Norway and Iceland, which are members of the NATO, being associate members of the WEU, have the right for participation, but don't have the right to veto. So, Turkey will not be able to veto the application of the Greek Cypriot side.

If the application of the Greek Cypriot side becomes official, then the 10 countries which are full members of the WEU namely, Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Britain should decide unanimously.

The WEU sources in Brussels said that participation of the Greek Cypriot side in the WEU as an associate partner isn't on the official agenda at this stage.

The Foreign Ministers of the WEU will convene between May 11 and 12 on the island of Rhodes within the context of the regular spring meetings.

[03] SIX POLICEMEN SENTENCED TO IMPRISONMENT TERMS OF FIVE YEARS SIX MONTHS RELATED TO THE CASE OF BAKI ERDOGAN, WHO DIED AFTER CUSTODY

Turgut Yildirim, the Judge, while disclosing the decision said that the defendants were in solidarity, had abused Erdogan to make him talk about his crime and caused his death, so they were sentenced to terms of imprisonment of 5 1/2 years.

The court also decided that the defendants would be banned from public services and would be kept under legal restriction.

Relatives of the defendants reacted to the decision and attacked journalists and lawyers. Journalists of the Radikal Newspaper and Milliyet Newspaper received treatment at the Aydin State Hospital.

Baki Erdogan and 12 persons had been taken into custody on Aug 11, 1993, in an operation in Soke in western Aydin Province staged by the Aydin Anti- Terrorism Department, on grounds that he was responsible for the Mediterranean and Aegean Region of the extreme leftist DHKP/C organization. Erdogan was hospitalized on the 10th day of his custody and later died of respiratory failure 11 days after he was detained and beaten.

Necmettin Aydinkaya, Director of the Anti-Terrorism Department at the Aydin Security Department made the joint defense on behalf of the defendant policemen. He said Baki Erdogan's political identity should be known well and shouldn't be shown as an ''innocent person.'' Aydinkaya said ''we didn't go beyond the limits while interrogating Erdogan who didn't talk under the directives of the organization.''

Aydinkaya said they expended efforts to make him give up the decision to go on a hunger strike, but he continued with the insistence of the organization. He claimed that they didn't even flick him.

[04] COHEN, THE US SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: - ''WASHINGTON IS READY TO HELP ANKARA AND ATHENS TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT OF TRUST BETWEEN THEMSELVES'' - ''THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE S-300 MISSILES ON THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE OF THE ISLAND IS A BIG MISTAKE''

Addressing the press after the meeting with his Greek counterpart Akis Tsochadzopoulos, Cohen who has proceeded to Athens after visiting Turkey and the Middle East countries, said that the meeting focused on Turkish- Greek relations, the Cyprus problem and the regional developments, pointing out that Turkey and Athens couldn't benefit from the opportunities presented to them, such as the moratorium proposal of Kofi Annan, the Secretary General of the United Nations.

Cohen said, ''Turkey and Greece should solve the longstanding disputes without threatening each other, and should keep the doors open for negotiations.''

Stressing that he observed the Defense Ministers of Turkey and Greece discussed the problems with good intentions, Cohen noted that both countries are important members of the NATO.

Pointing out that the Turkish and Greek sides should come together and hold talks for finding a peaceful solution to the Cyprus problem, Cohen described the deployment of the S-300 missiles on the Greek Cypriot side as a big ''mistake''. Noting that the US places great importance on the protection of the peace and stability in the Balkans, Cohen stated that they are ready to help for the setting up of a multinational force.

Tsochadzopoulos said claimed the issue of the deployment of the S-300 missiles on the island is of interest only to the Greek Cypriot side.

[05] THE MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENCE SEZGIN IN AUSTRIA - SEZGIN MEETS WITH SCHUSSEL, THE AUSTRIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

Addressing the journalists after the meeting, Sezgin said that Schussel gave information about his visit to Cyprus last week, and added, ''I saw that we share certain opinions with Schussel, who held talks about Cyprus with Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and Glafcos Clerides, the Leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration.''

Sezgin thanked Schussel for the measures taken by the Austrian Government against the separatist terrorist PKK organisation, noting, ''We believe that there are economic, political, cultural, commercial and defence cooperation potentials between Turkey and Austria.''

Florian Krenkel, the Spokesman of the Austrian Foreign Ministry, told the A.A correspondent ''Schussel said clearly during the meeting that Turkey needs Europe, and Europe needs Turkey.''

Schussel said that Austria believes the misunderstandings at the European Union's Luxembourg Summit can be solved with mutual good intentions and bilateral meetings, and he added that the EU-Turkey Joint Council which will be held on May, can be a good opportunity for improving the relations. Meanwhile he noted that the representatives of both sides on Cyprus should join the full membership negotiations started between the EU and the Greek Cypriot side.

Sezgin will proceed to Romania on Wednesday as the guest of his Romanian counterpart Victor Babiuc.

[06] CILLER, THE DYP LEADER, RECEIVES MEMBERS OF THE TURKISH-EU JOINT PARLIAEMENTARY COMMISSION'S EUROPEAN FLANK

Ciller, speaking about the resolutions taken against Turkey during the Luxembourg Summit said ''we have told them that they missed an historical opportunity.''

Talking to reporters following the meeting which was closed to the press, Ciller said that she told the European Parliamentarians that Turkey was a great country where common sense should prevail in its foreign policy.

''I told them that this is an opportunity which the world and the world peace missed. Europe has made a grave mistake in missing this opportunity, '' Ciller said, adding that ''but we can't be obsessed by the past. Turkey should make studies for operating the financial protocol within the framework of the Customs Union.''

Noting that Turkey should discuss very seriously mobilization for democratization for integrating with the contemporary world, Ciller said that her party talked about the ''second democracy package'' with the guest parliamentarians.

[07] GAP REGION - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''WE WILL OVERCOME THE POVERTY IN THE REGION WITHIN FOUR OR FIVE YEARS''

Speaking to Kocali Yilmaz, the Chairman of the Association to Develop Southeastern Siverek County, Demirel said that he will inspect the GAP region on May 9 when he comes to the foundation-laying of the Sanliurfa Airport.

Noting that the airport will bring vitality to Siverek, Demirel said that when the airport is opened for operation, the products of the region will be transported rapidly to the world centers.

Demirel said that 16 billion US dollars was spent on the project and that another 16 billion US dollars will be spent.

Demirel also said that Siverek will be upgraded by the government to a province.

[08] MINISTER OF ENERGY ERSUMER'S MEETINGS IN BAKU

Addressing the journalists, Ersumer said that the results of the feasibility studies on the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline were presented to the Azerbaijani side last week, and added that his visit aims to receive the views of Baku concerning this feasibility study and to decide on the studies to be made.

Pointing out that the feasibility report is the first concrete step for the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline, Ersumer noted that the second concrete step is Aliyev's instruction for the negotiations to be started. He added that they planned to complete the studies concerning the project by October 1998.

Ersumer told the reporters that the feasibility studies comprise several alternatives for the pipelines and for the capacity of the pipeline. He said that the official delegations of both sides will come together and choose the most appropriate ones, and after choosing the alternatives they will discuss the government decisions, the legal issues and the other issues according to international principles. He noted that there are Turkish firms which want to undertake the financing of the project.

Stressing that the world public opinion accepts the possible dangers of the transports of the nearly 100 million tonnes of Caspian oils from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean via the Straits on the environment and on historical and cultural places, Ersumer said that therefore the luck of the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipelines increases day by day.

[09] ERKAYA, PRIME MINISTRY CHIEF CONSULTANT: ''WE ARE IMPROVING A SYSTEM THAT WILL TAKE THE STRAITS UNDER CONTROL''

Addressing a conference on the ''Turkish Straits'' which was staged at the social facilities of the AKSA Factory, Erkaya said that there wasn't any authority responsible for the Straits, so this created confusion about the authority.

Noting that no solution could be brought to the confusion experienced since 1936 up until the present and the Straits were left to their own fate, Erkaya said, ''Turkey isn't able to establish a serious controlling mechanism on the ships passing through the Straits and can't control them regularly. Normal trade transports had been made through our Straits in 1936, but now this has changed with oil and oil products. Ships which were 10 meters wide in 1936, have recently expanded to a length of 400 meters. This means that the capacity, modernization and rate of transportation has increased, but the necessary infrastructure for the new implementations and controls couldn't be realized.''

Erkaya pointed out that the increase in the accidents happening in the Straits stemmed from a failure to implement adequate measures and stressed that they were improving a project to put an end to all these problems.

Erkaya said that with this project, the maritime traffic will be organized for the security of Turkey and the Straits. ''With the implementation of this project, Turkey will further strengthen her jurisdiction and operations on the Straits.''

Mentioning that the project was prepared very seriously and at an international level, Erkaya said ''this project, which we hope to adopt by the government, will be appropriate for international standards. With this system, activities of the ships entering the Straits will be under control with cameras, computer systems and radar. Technical information will be given according to the requests of the ships passing through and if necessary, in case of a disagreement, Turkey will have the chance to present documents and evidence such as photographs and voices to the international courts.

Erkaya said that Russia also extended full support to Turkey at the international platforms for this project.

[10] THE NEWS OF THE ANATOLIA NEWS AGENCY IN CENTRAL ASIA - A.A'S SATELLITE NEWS BROADCASTING SYSTEM COMES TO LIFE IN BAKU - THE MINISTER OF ENERGY ERSUMER: - ''THE ANATOLIA NEWS AGENCY IS READY TO PRESENT MORE THAN 500 TURKISH AND MORE THAN 70 ENGLISH NEWS ITEMS DAILY TO AZERBAIJAN''

Addressing the cocktail party, Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, said, ''The Anatolia News Agency is ready to present more than 500 Turkish and more than 70 English news items daily to Azerbaijan.''

Mehmet Guler, the General Director of the Anatolia News Agency, said that the Anatolia News Agency, established by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Great Founder of the Republic of Turkey, to make known the Turkish peoples' rightful case to the world, has started satellite news broadcasting.

Guler said that the Anatolia News Agency, with 20 regional agents in Turkey and 20 offices abroad, excluding the main units in Ankara, and nearly 1,000 staff who are working in modern journalism, produces and broadcasts news 24 hours a day, just like the four largest news agencies in the world. He added, ''The Anatolia News Agency has undertaken the duty of making heard the voices of the sister Turkish Republics, which attained their independence after the dispersion of the Soviet Union. Therefore, we opened the first office in Azerbaijan where a 20 percent portion of the land is under occupation. The news agencies, television channels, newspapers and radio stations can make use of the Anatolia Agency's news. The Anatolia Agency has a news partnership with the world news agencies.''

[11] MILLER, THE US SPECIAL COORDINATOR TO CYPRUS CONTINUES CONTACTS IN ANKARA

Miller, who came to Turkey to take the pulse before Richard Holbrooke's visit to the region in May, is continuing his contacts.

Miller, who met with Gurel, said that the Cyprus question was a difficult one, adding that Turkey's constructive attitude was very important in the solution of the question.

Meanwhile, speaking before the meeting, Gurel said that he wanted the realistic approach of the US to continue.

Miller was received on Tuesday by Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister. Both of the meetings were closed to the press.

The US President Bill Clinton earlier sent a letter to Yilmaz with William Cohen, the Secretary of Defense, requesting him to receive Miller.

[12] THE TOURISM TARGET OF THE TRNC - TOLUN, THE DIRECTOR OF THE TOURISM AND PROMOTION DEPARTMENT: ''WE AIM TO INCREASE TOURISM REVENUES UP TO ONE BILLION US DOLLARS''

Responding to the questions of the A.A correspondent, Tolun said that the tourism sector is very significant for the TRNC, and that they had 200 million US dollars in tourism revenues last year, adding, ''Nearly 250 thousand tourists come to our country annually, but we have the potential to increase this number up to one million.''

Tolun said, ''In the meantime we have many problems. As we are an unrecognized country, there are no direct flights to the TRNC, we can't hire stands at the international fairs. The tourists who prefer the TRNC for a holiday or who want to proceed the TRNC from the Greek Cypriot side, are influenced by the negative propaganda against the TRNC.''

Noting that they have chosen Turkey as a goal market, Tolun invited the Turkish investors and tourism administrators to make investments in the TRNC.

Tolun also said that the TRNC can be a second Hawaii with her natural beauties.

[13] 145 YEARS OF WAR HISTORY KEPT IN THE ARCHIVES OF THE GENERAL STAFF

Major Nasir Yuceer, the Director of the Archives Department of the ATASE, addressing the First National Archives Meeting, briefed about the ATASE.

Yuceer pointed out that the ATASE has a special importance because of the number of documents it includes, their quality by period, adding that the documents in the archives were related to war history, in particular.

Yuceer said that 19 collections were compiled of the documents since 1916 on war, operations, information and logistic support issues and pointed out that most of the documents in the archives were written in Ottoman Turkish.

Yuceer said that the documents, which concluded their legal secrecy of 50 years, are presented for the services of native and foreign observers.

According to the information given by Major Yuceer, the collections existing in the ATASE Archives are as follows:

-The Ottoman-Russian War (1853-1856)

-The Ottoman-Serbian-Karadag War (1875-1877)

-The Ottoman-Russian War (1877-1878)

-The Ottoman-Greek War (1897)

-The Ottoman Period Domestic Incidents (1896-1914)

-The Ottoman-Italian War (1911-1912)

-The Balkan War (1912-1913)

-The First World War (1914-1918)

-The War of Independence (1919-1922)

-The Domestic Incidents of the Republican Period(1923-1938)

-The Korean War (1950-1953)

-The Cyprus Peace Operation (1974)

-The Atatürk Collection

-The Peace Activities

-The Political and Military Incidents of the Republican Period

-The Cento Private Archives

-The Gulf War (1991)

-Histories

-Maps and Albums

[14] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

DEMIREL RECEIVES MACEDONIAN DELEGATION AT THE CANKAYA VILLA
President Suleyman Demirel yesterday received the Macedonian Foreign Minister, Blagoy Handzinski and the delegation accompanying him at the Cankaya Villa. At the reception Demirel stressed that the Kosovo issue should be solved through dialogue and requested the Macedonian administration to use its influence on Belgrade.

Blagoy Handzinski and the delegation with him were also received yesterday by Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of Parliament. /Cumhuriyet/

GUREL WARNS EU REGARDING CYPRUS
Sukru Sina Gurel, the Minister of State, pointed out yesterday that there was no compromise to be made by Turkey regarding the Cyprus issue and said, ''we once again warn the European Union (EU). Turkey's relations with the EU can't be related to Cyprus. This stance will not contribute to a solution of the Cyprus problem''. A meeting on the Cyprus issue was held at the Turkish Parliament's General Council yesterday. Noting that Greece was trying to carry the Cyprus problem to the EU, Gurel stated that if the Greek Cypriot Administration's full EU membership was accepted, then Greece would make the Cyprus problem a problem of the EU. /Milliyet/

ATHENS: ''NO CONFERENCE ON CYPRUS''
Dimitri Reppas, the Greek Government Spokesman denied yesterday the news claiming that a quadripartite conference would be held following initiatives by the United States for a solution to the Cyprus problem. Reppas held a press conference yesterday and pointed out that Athens would support initiatives regarding Cyprus made within the framework of the decisions of the United Nations. /Milliyet/

'THERE WILL BE NO EUROPE WITHOUT TURKEY'
Wolfgang Schussel, the Austrian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said that there couldn't be a Europe without Turkey, and added that Austria was ready to extend every support to Turkey to take her place, which she rightly deserved, in Europe. During an official meeting between Ismet Sezgin, the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Schussel talked about his impressions of Cyprus and stated that during his contacts made towards finding a peaceful solution to the Cyprus problem, he listened to positive views from both leaders of the two communities.

Sezgin said in a statement to the journalists following the meeting that they had exchanged views with the Austrian Foreign Minister on European security and thanked the Austrian Minister for his efforts to prevent the PKK terrorist activities. Sezgin also noted that the Austrian Foreign Minister had said that Austria was ready to cooperate in the struggle against terrorism. Completing his official contacts in Austria, Sezgin will proceed on to Romania for an official visit today. /Milliyet/

CELEBI ARRIVES IN BEIJING
Isin Celebi, the Minister of State, and a delegation accompanying him arrived yesterday in the Chinese capital of Beijing where they will participate in the Joint Economic Commission meetings. After meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Isin Celebi made a statement in which he noted that Turkey was aiming to enlarge the trade capacity between Turkey and China. Celebi also said that one of the issues that must be tackled was the imbalance between imports and exports shown by Turkey's latest trade figures related to China. /Hurriyet/

US CLAIMS PKK TERRORIST ORGANIZATION IS COLLAPSING
The US administration claims that the PKK terrorist organization is collapsing in Turkey and that Turkish security forces are maintaining control in the region. Stressing that the PKK is a violent terrorist organization, the US officials said that it should not be supported by other countries. Officials also reported that Washington, D.C. always supported Turkey in its struggle against terrorism. However, the same sources pointed out that the PKK was continuing to maintain its political presence in Europe. /Sabah/

PKK SETS FIRE TO A RESTAURANT IN ANTALYA
Intending to discourage tourists from coming to Turkey, the PKK terrorist organization set fire to a restaurant in Antalya yesterday evening. The terrorists also robbed the people in the restaurant. /Hurriyet/

[15] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

PKK CAMPAIGN AGAINST TURKISH TOURISM
The Kurdish federation (KOMKUR) embodying more than 100 Kurdish organizations and associations has started a campaign against Turkey aimed at making tourists, who intend to have their summer holidays in Turkey, change their minds. They have printed posters in five languages in order to propagate their campaign. /Hurriyet/

PKK OPERATIONS IN THE SOUTHEAST
During the operations conducted in the Sirnak-Siirt-Bitlis triangle, 90 PKK terrorists were killed during the past week. Military sources reported yesterday that the main part of the Mehmet Isikkal operation had been completed and that the PKK shelters had been hit by Turkish air force planes. /Cumhuriyet/

LUXEMBOURG PM RESPONDS TO YILMAZ
In a statement to the German ''Stern'' magazine, Jean Claude Juncker, the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, answered a claim made by the Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz that Juncker himself, as the term president, had been preventing Turkey's membership in the European Union. He noted that it was an unreasonable claim. He also reacted to Yilmaz's suggestion that he was strictly obedient to the German Chancellor Helmut Kohl as if he were his ''superior officer'', by saying that Yilmaz's expression didn't fit the standards that a prime minister should actually care about. /Hurriyet/

ERSUMER IN BAKU
Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, is continuing his contacts in Baku. Ersumer met yesterday with Artur Rasizade, the Azerbaijani Prime Minister and said that cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan in building electrical distribution systems and oil pipeline projects would be very successful. At the end of the meeting, Ersumer and Rasizade decided to form a working group to conduct meetings on the main oil pipeline projects.

Ersumer was also received yesterday by the Hayday Aliyev, the Azerbaijani President. At the meeting Aliyev declared that he hoped the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline project would be accelerated and quickly brought into action. He noted that the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline was important, not only to transfer Azerbaijani oil, but also for tying-in the pipelines to transfer the Kazakh and Turkmen oil. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKISH F-16 AIRCRAFT IN ISRAIL
It was reported yesterday that the Turkish Air Force F-16 fighter planes would soon be making training flights in Israel. According to one of the leading Israeli newspapers, ''Haaretz'', the Turkish F-16 aircraft would be in Israel on 24 April. The paper added that the training programme was going to be held three times a year within the framework of the military cooperation agreement between Israel and Turkey in 1996. /Cumhuriyet/

MILLER IN ANKARA
Thomas Miller, the US Special Envoy to Cyprus came to Ankara yesterday, where he met with Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz. It was later announced that Miller will meet with Sukru Sina Gurel, the Minister of State responsible for Cyprus affairs, and Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister. Meanwhile, it is expected that Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), will come to Istanbul today. /Cumhuriyet/

[16] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (3)

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

THY TO BE SOLD
At the end of a Privatization High Board meeting yesterday it was announced that shares in the Turkish Airlines (THY), the national air carrier, will be sold off to the public. After the meeting Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said that the privatization of three subsidiaries belonging to Sumer Holding and Konya Chrome Works had been approved. He added also that shares in the Turkish Airlines would soon be available to the public. /Cumhuriyet/

MAYOR GETS 10 MONTH-SENTENCE FOR SPEECH
The State Security Court (DGM) in Diyarbakir has sentenced Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Mayor of Istanbul and a member of the Virtue Party (FP), to 10 months in jail and a heavy fine for an Islamist speech he made last year in the southeastern province of Siirt. The court also convicted Erdogan of ''inciting hatred'' in an address to Islamist supporters last month in Siirt.

Erdogan didn't appear at the hearing on Tuesday and is not expected to be sent to jail immediately. The case must now go through an appeals court which may approve the court decision. If the Court of Appeals upholds that decision, then Erdogan will be sent to jail and removed from office, losing the chance to run for election. /All papers/

TURKEY-EU JPC MEETING
The General Assembly of the Turkey-European Union (EU) Joint Parliamentary Commission (JPC) met yesterday in an atmosphere of tension, as the EU side asked to discuss political issues, including Cyprus, while the Turkish side refused to engage in any discussions apart from economic ones, sticking to a previous government decision to cut all political dialogue with the Union. Co-chairman Pieter Dankert insisted yesterday that the meeting's agenda should also include political discussions, in spite of the Turkish deputies' insistence on a restricted agenda, consisting mainly of Turkey's Customs Union (CU) agreement.

Addressing the JPC on Monday, Ismail Cem, the Turkish Foreign Minister said, ''we cannot get stuck in the past. Both sides have to work out a new understanding to improve ties''. However, Cem added that the EU had discriminated against Turkey at Luxembourg and employed double standards. Cem said that it was acknowledged by some EU representatives even in Luxembourg that the EU has failed to realize its responsibilities deriving from the CU agreement. David Logan, the British Ambassador and JPC Term- President addressed the group and said that the EU foresees the accession of Cyprus as a whole and that Turkish-Greek disputes have to be overcome. /All papers/

YILMAZ WELCOMES CHILDREN OF THE WORLD
Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said yesterday that the Children's Day, which Ataturk established, would be a bridge of love, peace and fellowship leading towards the world of the future. The Prime Minister received more than 900 children from 43 countries in the Prime Ministry building yesterday. Yilmaz said that Children's Day was a celebration which assured that humanity would live in love, fellowship and peace forever.

Yilmaz gave presents to the children, who gave him gifts from their own countries in return. Yucel Yener, the General Director of the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) and Cavit Kavak, the Minister of State, were also present at the gathering. /Milliyet/

KOC HOLDING PROVIDES EDUCATION FUNDING
The Koc group of companies yesterday donated funds to the Ministry of Education for 15 schools in 11 cities by means of the Vehbi Koc Foundation in support of eight-year basic education. Hikmet Ulugbay, the Minister of Health and Rahmi Koc, the Koc Chairman signed the protocol for this support at the Ministry. The protocol focuses on the construction of 15 schools, costing an estimated 15 million US dollars, which will be carried out according to a special World Bank project designed for the Ministry of Education. /Milliyet-Cumhuriyet/

PETKIM TO IMPORT 14,000 TONNES OF CHEMICALS
Turkey's petrochemicals producer Petkim announced a tender yesterday to import 14,000 tonnes of chemicals in two equal cargoes for its Aliaga PVC plant, the Official Gazette said. The tender will close on April 24.

Note: The Turkish Press Review won't be published on April 23 on the occasion of the Children's Day Festival.

[17] D-8'S TO CONVENE IN ISTANBUL

Ahat Andican, the Minister of State, will address the opening ceremony of the meeting which will start at The Marmara Hotel and will last for two days. The Deputy Foreign Ministers and high ranking bureaucrats of the member countries will participate at the meeting.

Improvements recorded on the projects since the establishment of the organization will be reviewed and decisions will be made for the future.

[18] INTERROGATION PERIOD OF SAKIK, ONE OF THE SO-CALLED COMMANDERS OF THE SEPARATIST ORGANIZATION, TO END ON APRIL 24

Interrogation of Sakik, who was captured together with his brother Arif, still continues.

Officials said that the legal interrogation period of Sakik will end on April 24 and that the Sakik brothers will be tried in the State Security Court on Friday night or Saturday.

Officials said that the Sakik brothers will be judged with a request for execution, on the grounds of being a member of an armed gang and holding armed activities in the direction of the aims of the gang.

[19] FOREIGN EXCHANGE INCOME FROM EXPORTS OF HAZELNUTS INCREASES TO OVER 781 MILLION US DOLLARS

The officials from the Black Sea Hazelnut Exporters' Union told the A.A correspondent that they exported 171.9 thousand tonnes of hazelnuts for a total of 781.2 million US dollars up until now during the 1997-98 export season which started on September 1, 1997.

Officials said they had exported 145.7 thousand tonnes of hazelnuts for a total of 539.4 million US dollars in the same period of the previous export season.

Pointing out that the export price of the hazelnuts preserved its stability, the officials stated that the price of the natural standard hazelnuts was nearly 431 US dollars.

The foreign exchange income from the exports of hazelnuts in the 1997-98 export season is expected to increase to over one billion US dollars.

The 1997-98 export season will end on August 31, 1998.

[20] ''ENVIRONMENTAL APPRECIATION'' FROM THE UN TO TURKEY

The appreciation was conveyed in a meeting staged by the UN where there were officials from the Ministry of the Environment and Foreign Ministry, State Water Works and the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) Administration.

The UN found Turkey worthy of appreciation due to the success Turkey has recorded in the implementation of the Ramsar agreement.

Manyas and Uluabat Lakes are among the marshy areas which Turkey has taken under protection.

Australia, Thailand and Britain were also appreciated due to their activities on the environment issue.

[21] HAKTANIR, FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY IN WASHINGTON, D.C. - HIGH RANKING POLITICAL CONSULTATIONS TO START ON THURSDAY

The Turkish delegation will be headed by Haktanır, while the American side will be headed by Thomas Pickering, an official at the US Department of State. Bilateral relations will be revised in all their aspects, and regional and international issues will be discussed during the meetings. The Cyprus question and the Turkish-Greek issues will be the most important items on the agenda.

Haktanır will meet with James Steinberg, the Assistant to the National Security Consultant at the White House, Jan Lodal, the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense, and Strobe Talbott, the US Department of State Undersecretary during his stay in the US.

Korkmaz Haktanır will also hold separate contacts with Martin Indyk and John Shattuck, the US Assistants to the Secretary of State.

[22] TURKEY IN BRIEF - APRIL 22, 1998

The new formats are as follows: former numbers new numbers

For Hello Country calls 8108004977190 8108001101090

For Global Card calls 8108004977090 8108001401090

ISTANBUL - Nami Cagan, the Minister of Labour and Social Security, went to Rome, Italy, to attend the Labour Ministers' Conference organized by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Italian Government.

Addressing the journalists at the Ataturk Airport before his departure for Italy, Cagan said that the issue of ''Management from the Work Places and Local Administrations of Labour Institutions'' will be discussed at the meeting which will held in Venice, between April 23-24.

MINSK - The Turkish National Wrestling Team, which will join the 45th European Greco-Roman Wrestling Championship arrived in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, on Tuesday.

Ahmet Ayik, the Chairman of the Wrestling Federation, said that the Turkish Greco-Roman National Wrestling Team became the second team at the Europe Championship last year.

ANKARA - The official welcoming ceremony will be held on Wednesday for Sir Michael Hardie Boys, the Governor General of New Zealand, who came to Turkey as the official guest of President Suleyman Demirel.

It is expected that Demirel will hold bilateral talks with Boys after the ceremony.

Sir Boy's visit will contribute to the development of the relations between Turkey and New Zealand.

ISTANBUL - Security forces captured on Wednesday a person trying to sell six kg of hashish and 130 grams of indian hemp.

Narcotics officials said that they seized Cengiz Bayrak (aged 22) with 25 grams of hashish.

Officials said that Bayrak confessed he had hidden 5 kg 975 grams of hashish and 130 grams of Indian hemp at a shop where he is working.

Officials said that Bayrak, a user and seller, brought the haul to Istanbul from Gaziantep and sold one kg of the haul, whose market price was five billion Turkish Liras.

[23] 18 TURKISH FAMILIES ESCAPE FROM THE NINEVEH CAMP IN NORTHERN IRAQ

The 18 families, who came to the Duhok region from the Nineveh camp, phoned their families who live in Uludere County of Sırnak Province and said that they want to return to Turkey with the help of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Noting that they can't bear the pressure of the separatist terrorist organization any more, the families said that they can enter Turkey from the Habur border gate on Thursday.

The families composed of 75 people escaped from Inceler, Tasdelen, Isıkveren and Ballı villages of Uludere County of Sırnak Province in 1992, due to the threat of the terrorist organization and then settled in the Atrush camp of Northern Iraq, which was controlled by the UN. However, the families moved into another camp called ''Nineveh'' near Mosul again in Northern Iraq after the UN curtailed its assistance to the Atrush camp last year.

[24] PRESIDENT DEMIREL WELCOMES SIR BOYS, THE GOVERNOR GENERAL OF NEW ZEALAND

Addressing the official ceremony held upon the visit of Sir Boys to Turkey, President Demirel said that bilateral relations will be revised during the visit.

Noting that Turkey is among the countries with which New Zealand is increasing her trade, Demirel stated that New Zealand is a country which has a rich experience in the fields of agriculture, forestry and animal husbandry.

''We have an extensive cooperation with New Zealand in the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region. In fact the government of New Zealand is closely interested in the GAP project and encourages private sector companies to invest in the GAP,'' President Demirel said.

Sir Boys said that New Zealand attributes great importance to relations with Turkey, adding that there isn't any problems between the two countries.

''It is very pleasing to set up respectful relations when one remembers that our bilateral relations started tragically at Gallipoli,'' said Sir Boys.

Noting that he will visit Gallipoli to participate in the ceremonies that will be held on April 25 to commemorate the landing of the Anzac soldiers 83 years ago, Sir Boys added that he will meet with the Mayor of Istanbul and businessmen in Istanbul on Thursday.

After the ceremony, an agreement was signed between the two countries concerning the joint publication of stamps to commemorate the Gallipoli (Canakkale) Battles.

[25] CHINESE-TURKISH JEC MEETING... - CELEBI, MINISTER OF STATE,: - ''TURKISH AIRLINES WILL START ITS ISTANBUL-BEIJING-SHANGHAI FLIGHT IN 1999'' - ''WE CAN OPEN A FAIR IN WHICH CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT WILL BE EXHIBITED IN CHINA IN OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER 1998''

Isin Celebi, who came to Beijing to attend the 12th Term Meeting of the Chinese-Turkish Joint Economic and Commercial Committee (JEC), also continued his contacts in Beijing the same day.

Celebi held meetings with the Chinese Minister of Construction, Civil Aviation, Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation.

Responding to the questions of reporters following the meetings, Celebi said that China planned to make 150 billion US dollars in investments annually, including the infrastructure and that she wanted to open 20 billion US dollars of it to forign investors.

Stressing that China is a huge and important market, Celebi said, ''we can engage in successful work here, but we should be patient.''

Recalling that Turkey imported 750 million US dollars of goods from China, Celebi said that the balance of trade was against Turkey and he believed that the trade volume between the two countries should be balanced.

Pointing out that the Chinese officials and he had reached an agreement for increasing the trade volume to one billion 250 million US dollars, Celebi said that Turkey would open a fair in Beijing in October or November 1998.

''We can exhibit the equipment for construction and contracting services at this fair,'' Celebi said.

Isin Celebi will meet on Thursday with Wu Yi, the member of Chinese State Council.

The negotiations of the technical delegations of the Chinese-Turkish JEC will conclude and a memorandum of understanding will be signed the same day.

After wrapping up his contacts in Beijing, Celebi will proceed to Shanghai.

Meanwhile, a 30-member delegation of businessmen, including the representatives from the Ram Foreign Trade Co., Barmek Holding, Turkish Ekonomy Bank, Yasar Holding and Alkatel continues their market research studies in China.

[26] TURKISH-EU JPC CO-CHAIRMAN DANKERT: ''DON'T EXPECT BIG CHANGES CONCERNING TURKISH-EU RELATIONS IN THE SHORT-TERM''

Addressing a joint press briefing with Bulent Akarcalı, the Turkish Co- Chairman of the JPC at the end of the 42nd JPC meeting, Dankert stated that they have taken important steps during this meeting and they reached an agreement concerning the use of the Customs Union as a means to improve Turkish-EU relations.

Noting that there are expectations concerning a big change in the Turkish- EU relations during the Brussels and Cardiff EU meetings, Dankert stressed that at least this won't come true during the EU term presidency of Britain.

Bulent Akarcalı said he told the JPC meeting that the membership of Turkey in the Customs Union had played a role in increasing inflation in Turkey.

Noting that the new strategy which was prepared for the membership of Turkey in the EU can't be implemented soon, Akarcalı pointed out that this period of implementation depends on the fulfillment of criteria by Turkey concerning her full membership and the internal political will of the EU.

Stressing that Turkey is uneasy about the fact that the EU puts human rights as a precondition in every agreement, Akarcalı said that the Turkish side will prepare a report concerning the problems of visas and submit it to the European Parliament.

[27] TURKEY BECOMES A FULL-MEMBER OF THE OECD EXPORT CREDITS GROUP

The Turkish Eximbank said in a written statement that the full membership application of Turkey, which had been an observer since July 20, 1994, was accepted by the OECD Export Credits and Credit Guarantees Group in its meeting in Paris on April 21.

The officials from the Turkish Eximbank made presentations regarding the Bank's officially supported export credits and export credit insurance.

Pointing out that Turkey had a regulation for the past two years including the decrees parallel with the OECD Consensus, the officials said in the presentation that the implementations of the Turkish Eximbank were carried out within this framework.

Meanwhile, the officials from the Turkish delegation said that the course for Turkey's being a party to the OECD Consensus was opened after two years with the approval of her full membership to the OECD Group.

-TURKEY AND AZERBAIJAN TO GIVE THE GO-AHEAD FOR THE BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE
-YIGITGUDEN, UNDERSECRETARY OF THE MINISTRY OF ENERGY,:
-''THE NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE MAIN OIL PIPELINE ARE EXPECTED TO START IN THE
COMING DAYS''
BAKU, April 22 (A.A) - Yurdakul Yigitguden, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, said on Wednesday that the negotiations between Turkey and Azerbaijan for the main oil pipeline were expected to start in the coming days.

Yurdakul Yigitguden told the A.A correspondent that Haydar Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, instructed the Azerbaijani Ministers to give the go-ahead for the negotiations as soon as possible.

Yigitguden said that the Turkish and Azerbaijani delegations would convene to evaluate the alternatives in the feasibility report presented to the Azerbaijani side last week and the further studies regarding the main oil pipeline and that these studies were targeted to finish by October 1998.

Yigitguden stated that Aliyev would also make observations on the issue of the Turkish Petroleum Corporation's (TPAO) ten percent share in the project related to the Kurdasi bed on the Azerbaijani side of the Caspian.

It is estimated that there is a reserve of 100 million tonnes of oil in this bed.

The Azerbaijani State Petroleum Company SOCAR has a 50 percent share, the Italian Agip has a 25 percent share and the Japanese Mitsui has a 15 percent share in the Consortium.

[28] FM CEM HOLDS AN EVALUATION MEETING WITH THE TURKISH AMBASSADORS TO CENTRAL ASIA AND CAUCASUS AND HIGH RANKING FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIALS

Addressing a statement before the meeting, Cem said that ''Central Asia and the Caucasus constitute a priority in our foreign policy, which is very comprehensive. Turkey was the first country which supported countries in Central Asia and the Caucasus after they gained their independence. We aim during this meeting to evaluate our efforts in these regions and to revise what can we do in the future.''

Noting that developments in the world show that the 21st century will be an Euroasian century, Cem added that the regions and countries which weren't mentioned in the past, will gain importance.

''Turkey, which has close economic, cultural and historical relations with Central Asia and the Caucasus, will be one of the leading countries with her position in the centre of Euroasia,'' said Cem, adding that the Foreign Ministry expends efforts to further improve relations with the regions and countries mentioned above and to establish the political infrastructure in order to develop economic cooperation with them,'' said Cem.

Pointing out that Central Asia and the Caucasus constitute the source and passing routes of the energy corridors, energy and communication lines, Cem added, ''Turkey will meet her energy needs with these energy corridors.''

Ismail Cem added that the final aim of Turkey is to protect and consolidate the stability in the region.

[29] DERINER TO BE THE FIFTH LARGEST DAM IN THE WORLD - SHEVARDNADZE AND ALIYEV DUE TO COME TO TURKEY FOR THE FOUNDATION-LAYING CEREMONY OF THE DERINER DAM

Necati Utkan, the Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, said in his weekly press conference that the Deriner Dam, which will have an annual capacity of 6.3 billion cubic meters, has been planned to be constructed within seven years.

An annual total of ten billion KWH of electricity will be produced at the Deriner Dam.

[30] CYPRUS QUESTION - FM: ''QUADRIPARTITE CONFERENCE IS NOT ON THE AGENDA'' - ''WE DON'T OPPOSE INTERNATIONAL LAW, BUT OUR OPPOSITION IS IMPLEMENTATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW IN A SELECTIVE MANNER''

Responding to a question about the claims saying that Thomas Miller, the US Special Coordinator to Cyprus brought a letter to Ankara, Necati Utkan, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman told a weekly press briefing, ''William Cohen, the US Secretary of Defense has brought the letter. That letter asked Turkey to support Richard Holbrooke's initiatives concerning the Cyprus question.''

Noting that the visit of Thomas Miller is not secret, Utkan pointed out that the contacts of Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in Ankara on Thursday are important. Utkan stressed that a ''joint declaration'' can be adopted during the visit of Denktas, who will address the Parliament.

Utkan said that a Foreign Ministry delegation will visit the TRNC on Saturday to put into effect the ''Partnership Council'', which was signed between Turkey and TRNC.

''We have to wait for the results of the contacts of Richard Holbrooke, the US President's Special Representative to Cyprus, on the island. Holbrooke will spend the first week of May on the island, however his visit to Ankara is not yet on the agenda,'' he said.

Stressing that the US is seeking a solution on the island and this solution can only come true if the negotiations between the two sides start, Utkan added that the conditions on which the negotiations will be held are also necessary.

Utkan said that William Cohen told the Greek side that the channels of dialogue should be kept open for negotiations, Utkan recalled that Turkey requested Greece to describe the problems in the Aegean and invited her to start a dialogue without any preconditions.

''We don't oppose international law, but our opposition is implementation of international law in a selective manner,'' he added.

Responding to a question, Necati Utkan said that the efforts of the Greek Cypriot side to become an associate member of the Western European Union (WEU) are not new and Turkey, which wants the issue to be examined from the viewpoint of international law, closely monitors the developments.

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