Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-04-24

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

24 APRIL 1998

CONTENTS

[01] JOINT STATEMENT BY TURKEY AND THE TRNC (1) - DENKTAS: ''IF EQUALITY IS ACCEPTED, THEN THE CYPRUS PROBLEM CAN BE SOLVED IN THREE MONTHS''

[02] JOINT STATEMENT BY TURKEY AND THE TRNC (2)

[03] JOINT STATEMENT BY TURKEY AND THE TRNC (3)

[04] CLINTON DISCUSSES THE ISSUE OF THE BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE WITH TURKMENBASI

[05] HAKTANIR CONTINUES CONTACTS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

[06] PRESIDENT DEMIREL EXPRESSES HIS CONDOLENCES CONCERNING THE DEMISE OF FORMER GREEK PRESIDENT KARAMANLIS

[07] RUSSIAN PASSENGER PLANE BLAZES - NO ONE INJURED

[08] A WOMAN MEMBER OF THE TERRORIST PKK ORGANIZATION IS PUT ON TRIAL IN GERMANY

[09] KUZNETSOV, RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY: ''THE S-300 MISSILES ARE FOR DEFENSE AIMS AND DON'T ENDANGER THE SECURITY OF TURKEY''

[10] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

[11] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

[12] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (3)

[13] SUKRU KARATEPE IN YAHYALI PRISON

[14] EXPORTS FROM SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY TO THE TURKISH REPUBLICS

[15] TASAR, THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS: - ''WITH THE BEGINNING OF IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE, THE PLANT COVER WILL CHANGE IN THE GAP REGION''

[16] 95 KG OF HEROIN SEIZED IN EASTERN VAN PROVINCE

[17] IMF DELEGATION DUE IN TURKEY

[18] WATER SUPPORT TO THE TRNC

[19] CYPRUS SUMMIT AT ANKARA... - TURKEY STARTS NEW DIPLOMATIC MOBILIZATION TO CONVEY THE FACTS ON CYPRUS QUESTION

[01] JOINT STATEMENT BY TURKEY AND THE TRNC (1) - DENKTAS: ''IF EQUALITY IS ACCEPTED, THEN THE CYPRUS PROBLEM CAN BE SOLVED IN THREE MONTHS''

The TRNC President Denktas told reporters while the joint declaration was issued, ''we are integrating with Turkey and we are going to integrate. The basis of the balance is the existence of two states. This is the way to protect stability in the Mediterranean Sea.''

Stressing that neither the Greek Cypriot side nor the Turkish Cypriot side is superior to one another, Denktas said that Turkey has been given the responsibility of preventing Cyprus from becoming a part of Greece, and Greece has been given the responsibility of preventing Cyprus from becoming a part of Turkey. Stating that Britain is in her place on the island, but the existence of the Turkish Cypriots and the rights of Turkey have been assaulted, Denktas said, ''if the Greek Cypriots are a state, then I am also a state. The Cyprus problem couldn't be solved for 34 years because equality isn't accepted. If equality is accepted, then the problem will be solved in three months.''

Emphasizing that the Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides won the elections with his propaganda, ''Cyprus and Greece are an integrated whole, '' Denktas said, ''Not Cyprus, but Southern Cyprus can be integrated with Greece.''

Later President Demirel made public the joint statement of Turkey and the TRNC. The statement is as follows:

1. Up until today, Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus have shown every constructive effort in order to find a peaceful and lasting solution to the Cyprus question. In contrast, the Greek Cypriot administration of Southern Cyprus, with the encouragement of Greece, has never abandoned its objective of converting Cyprus into a Hellenic island, and by exploiting in the international area the status it has unjustly usurped has undermined all processes and proposals for a solution. Greece is blocking efforts for a political solution with the integration process it has put into practice with the Greek Cypriot administration of South Cyprus in the military, economic, and political fields.

2. The EU has disregarded international law and the 1959-1960 Agreements on Cyprus by deciding to open accession negotiations with the Greek Cypriot administration of Southern Cyprus, and has dealt a blow to the efforts for a solution. In any event, the accession negotiations that the Greek Cypriot side will conduct in contravention of international law can't create obligations for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and won't, in any way, affect the rights and obligations of Turkey arising from the 1959-1960 Agreements.

[02] JOINT STATEMENT BY TURKEY AND THE TRNC (2)

The joint statement of Turkey and TRNC is as follows:

3. The EU has demonstrated that it totally disregards the balance between the two peoples on Cyprus and between Turkey and Greece, which has been guaranteed by the Agreements of 1959-1960, by opening accession negotiations with the Greek Cypriot administration which is acting on behalf of ''the whole Cyprus''. It has also destroyed the parameters for a solution established during the Cyprus negotiation process. The EU has turned the Luxembourg Summit into an historic mistake by continuing its mentality and approach of attempting to ascribe a minority status to the Turkish Cypriot people.

4. As one of the two co-owners of the island of Cyprus and based on their separate rights to self determination, the Turkish Cypriot people became the co-founder partner of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960. After the destruction of this Republic by the Greek Cypriot side in 1963, the Turkish Cypriot people have never recognized the title of the ''Cyprus Government'' that the Greek Cypriot administration of Southern Cyprus had illegally usurped and established their own administration and subsequently their own state through their own sovereign will.

5. After the Luxembourg Summit, participation of the Turkish Cypriot side in any negotiation process as a ''community'', or its taking part in the Greek Cypriot delegation which is conducting accession negotiations with the EU, will amount to the abandonment of its equal political status and sovereignty rights emanating from the 1959-1960 Agreements.

6. Currently, any negotiation process aimed at finding a solution to the Cyprus question can have a chance of success, only if it is conducted between two sovereign equals. Today, there are two separate equal peoples, states, and democratic governments on Cyprus, As long as these realities on Cyprus and the rights of sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriot people aren't accepted, no lasting solution can be found. The two equal sides must first resolve the fundamental issues between them, and create the conditions of living side by side on the island in peace and stability.

7. Turkey has rights and responsibilities for Cyprus emanating from the international agreements. Turkey, in line with her strategic interests, has always been a quarantee for peace and stability on Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean. The 1960 Treaties of Guarantee and of Alliance will continue to be valid and in force under all circumstances.

The erosion of these agreements, either directly or indirectly, will not be allowed. The Turkish-Greek balance established by the 1960 Agreements on Cyprus and in the region will be protected.

[03] JOINT STATEMENT BY TURKEY AND THE TRNC (3)

The joint statement of Turkey and TRNC is as follows:

8. In line with the above mentioned principles, the parties have declared that they will evaluate and support any constructive efforts for a solution which keep in mind these realities pertaining to Cyprus. Turkey and the TRNC have made it known that they are open to substantive and meaningful negotiations which will be started on this basis.

9.In the context of its ''joint military doctrine'' with Greece, the Greek Cypriot administration is continuing its purchases of heavy and high technology weapons. The activity concerning the deployment of the S-300 missile system in Southern Cyprus is continuing. The construction of the Paphos air force base allocated to Greece's fighter planes has been completed. Those responsible for the escalation of tension on Cyprus and in the Eastern Mediterranean are Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration. Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, without departing from a sense of responsibility and reason, are taking the necessary measures in order to protect the balance on Cyprus and the eastern Mediterranean and to render ineffective all policies threatening peace. The parties have already demonstrated their determination in this regard through the Joint Declaration of 20 January 1997, signed between the Presidents of the Republic of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

All steps taken by the Greek Cypriot side and Greece aimed at upsetting the peace and stability in the region will be evaluated on the basis of the threat that they are creating; the use of these developments for bargaining purposes at the political level won't be allowed.

10. The continuation of the existence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as an independent and sovereign state is fundamental. To this end, the ties between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will be strengthened and the special relations which have been established in all fields will be deepened within the framework of the Joint Declarations of 20 January 1997, and the Joint Statement of 20 July 1997. In this direction, the work of the Association Council between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which has been started, will be advanced further.

11. In line with the joint economic area that has been created between the two countries, and in accordance with the conditions of free trade, common economic and financial policies based on the free circulation of goods, services and capital, and the flow of investments, as well as strategies on development and economic expansion, will be put into practice rapidly.

12. The parties will continue to expand their joint efforts in order to strengthen the standing of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on the international platform.

13. Contacts at all levels will be increased and intensified with the resolve and determination to protect the common interests of both countries. Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, has invited President Suleyman Demirel to pay an official visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The invitation has been accepted.

[04] CLINTON DISCUSSES THE ISSUE OF THE BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE WITH TURKMENBASI

Clinton told Turkmenbasi that the US takes the side of the ''Western'' line for the pipeline, which tranports the Turkmen gas via the Caspian Sea to Ceyhan, pointing out that the US is worried about the relations between Iran and Turkmenistan.

Mike McCurry, the Spokesman of the White House, noted that the Western line is safe, and would also encourage Turkmenistan to realise more cooperation with the Western democracies.

The US Trade and Development Agency (TDA) stated that it will contribute 750 thousand US dollars for the feasibility studies of the Western line. The company which will undertake the feasibility study, will be choosen by Turkmenistan.

The US rejects the Iran line, which is known as the Southern line, for the Turkmen gas. Therefore, she developed an idea which foresees a line under the Caspian Sea.

Turkmenbasi reminded that there are several choices for the pipeline, but he hesitated about giving the name of any pipeline.

[05] HAKTANIR CONTINUES CONTACTS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

Haktanir held separate meetings with James Steinberg, the White House National Security Council Assistant Advisor, Thomas Pickering, the US Department of State's ''number three man'' and Jan Lodal, the US Assistant Secretary of Defense.

Turkish-US relations were discussed in detail during the contacts of Haktanir and cooperation in the energy field and on issues of the Caspian oil and natural gas pipelines were taken up as well.

Cyprus, the Aegean issues, terrorism and the support expended by Syria and Greece to the separatist terrorist PKK organization were also discussed.

Haktanir submitted information to the US about the recent developments regarding the dissolution of the leader cadre in the separatist terrorist PKK organization.

Haktanir said that the separatist terrorist PKK gave the impression that it was an organization depending on Syria, adding that Greece's support to this bloody-handed organization was ''unacceptable.''

Modernization of the Turkish Armed Forces was also discussed during his contacts.

Haktanir is scheduled to meet with Strobe Talbott, John Shattuck and Martin Indyk, the US Assistant Secretaries of State.

[06] PRESIDENT DEMIREL EXPRESSES HIS CONDOLENCES CONCERNING THE DEMISE OF FORMER GREEK PRESIDENT KARAMANLIS

The Presidential Press Center statement said that in the message sent Demirel expressed his deep sorrow felt concerning the demise of Karamanlis.

''He was a statesman having broad perspectives, a bold politician, a great democrat, a respectable and wise servant of peace'' Demirel said, adding, ''we will always appreciate the determination of Karamanlis to establish peace and friendship between our countries in the real sense.''

He said that history will record the name of Karamanlis on its golden pages due to his services to democracy and faithfulness to peace. His life and his successes will be a source of inspiration for future generations.''

''I express my condolences to you, his family and to the Greek nation concerning the demise of Karamanlis on behalf of myself and the Turkish nation,'' Demirel added.

[07] RUSSIAN PASSENGER PLANE BLAZES - NO ONE INJURED

Gurbuz Akdemir, the Director of the Ataturk Airport, said that the 64 passengers and 9 crew abroad were evacuated with the announcement of the pilot and the engine exploded shortly after the 73 people left the plane.

Akdemir said that the quick intervention of the fire-brigade prevented 50 tonnes of fuel from burning. The cargo hold of the plane and four engines received great damage during the incident.

No one was injured and the investigation regarded the incident is underway.

[08] A WOMAN MEMBER OF THE TERRORIST PKK ORGANIZATION IS PUT ON TRIAL IN GERMANY

The Federal Chief Prosecutor based in Karlsruhe, stated that Aygul B. is accused of being a member of a terrorist organization, participating in the acts of instigation and causing financial damage. Aygul B., who was captured in Dortmund on February 12, 1998, and taken into custody, was first captured in 1995, but released on October 31 1995, because of ''the lack of evidence.''

It was reported that Aygul B. became the member of the PKK terrorist organization responsible for the ''Westfalen region'' which includes the towns of Essen, Dortmund and Duisburg in Germany, between November 1995 and April 1996.

[09] KUZNETSOV, RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY: ''THE S-300 MISSILES ARE FOR DEFENSE AIMS AND DON'T ENDANGER THE SECURITY OF TURKEY''

Responding to the questions of reporters, Kuznetsov claimed that S-300 missiles were for defense aims, adding that the missiles will be abolished from the agenda in case a decision is made to demilitarize the island. Noting that endangering Turkey's security with the missiles was out of the question, Kuznetsov claimed that the agreement signed with the Greek Cypriot administration was commercial.

Noting that there was an important race going on in the international weapon markets, Kuznetsov said that there was no meaning for Russia to leave her place to another country in this market and pointed out that Turkey has similar military ties with other countries.

The Russian Ambassador said that the US has contacts with Turkey on Cyprus issue, but that everything was uncertain to this end. Kuznetsov said, ''We think that steps that will be taken under the UN umbrella would be more appropriate than the initiatives of one country on the Cyprus issue.''

Responding to a question that several officials from the Greek Cypriot side were trained in Russia, Kuznetsov confirmed this and said ''Turkey has similar ties. The US technicians came to Turkey for the frigates which were purchased from the US. The training Russia gave to the Greek Cypriot side isn't different from this.''

Kuznetsov said that activities were underway for the visit of Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz to Moscow, pointing out that implementation of agreements which were earlier signed between the two countries in energy field was in question. Kuznetsov recalled that these agreements were signed by the former Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin in December during his meeting with Yilmaz.

Kuznetsov also said a new cooperation agreement will be signed between the two countries by the end of this month in the fields of science and education.

Kuznetsov said that Russia approached the Baku-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline issue not politically but realistically and pragmatically ''Russia doesn't oppose this project for political reasons. Other choices are under observation and the best economic way is being sought.'' He said that Turkey and Russia in the recent years had established direct lines of communication, as there is a necessity for an exchange of view on many issues.

Responding to a question that Turkey has drawbacks regarding the passage of oil tankers through the Straits, Kuznetsov said he wasn't of the opinion that Turkey has an approach accusing Russia.

Pointing out the concerns of Turkey with the dangers of the oil tankers, Kuznetsov claimed there was the required potential for the security of sea traffic in the Straits.

Kuznetsov said that there are 25 million people in Caucasia having historical, economic, political and cultural ties, and speaking Russian after the collapse of the former Soviet Union. He said that Russia never left these countries alone and that they had border security agreements with these countries.

Kuznetsov noted that Russia played a role providing stability in the Caucasia and mentioning the Nagorno-Karabakh problem between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Kuznetsov said that Russia was the country providing the cease- fire in April 1994.

[10] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

PM YILMAZ GOES TO AUSTRIA
Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz went yesterday evening to the Austrian city of Salzburg where he will participate in the 18th Party Leaders' Summit of the European Democrats' Union (EDU). /Cumhuriyet/

CHILDREN'S DAY CELEBRATED
The April 23 International Children's Festival brought the world's children together. More than 1,200 children from 44 countries asked for peace. They enjoyed their one-day festival in Ankara as they sent their best wishes to the world. /All papers/

POLLS IN MARCH '99, ELECTION GOVERNMENT IN OCTOBER
An election government will be set-up this October and Turkey will go to the early polls on the last Sunday of March 1999. Deniz Baykal, the leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP) told a news conference following a working lunch with Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz that he and the Prime Minister had reached a consensus to hold local and parliamentary elections on March 28, 1999. The CHP leader also disclosed that he and the prime minister were in full agreement to establish an election government headed by an independent deputy. He said that at a date to be decided after October 1, the coalition government would be replaced with a cabinet headed by an independent. This, Baykal said, would be a guarantee that there would not be an election economy in the country from October to March.

Following the Yilmaz-Baykal meeting, Yilmaz met with Bulent Ecevit, the leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) and Deputy Prime Minister in his office at the Parliament to convey to him the results of his meeting with Baykal. After his meeting with Ecevit, which lasted for 20 minutes, Yilmaz stated that he and his colleagues would establish a study group with the parliamentary group deputy chairmen, and that they would reach an agreement on bills which were to be passed in Parliament before the summer recess. /All papers/

TURKEY AND THE TRNC REAFFIRM DETERMINATION ON CYPRUS
Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) yesterday declared that they would maintain their firm stance on a solution to the Cyprus problem and would further enhance rapprochement and cooperation between themselves. A joint declaration was issued yesterday at the end of a meeting between the Turkish and TRNC delegations, headed by Presidents Suleyman Demirel and Rauf Denktas. The declaration stressed that the TRNC would continue to exist as an independent and sovereign state, adding that all relations between Turkey and the TRNC would be further deepened and strengthened.

The declaration harshly criticized the European Union's (EU) decision to start accession talks, which it deemed illegal, with Greek Cyprus, dubbing the EU Luxembourg Summit at which the decision was taken as an ''historic mistake''. It stressed that the consequences of this process would in no way influence the TRNC or affect Turkey's rights and obligations on the island, stemming from the 1959-1960 founding treaties. /Hurriyet- Cumhuriyet/

KARADAYI: ''THE PKK HAS ALMOST BEEN DESTROYED''
Responding to the questions of journalists during a cocktail held yesterday to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the opening of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Gen. Ismail Hakki Karadayi, the Chief of the General Staff said that he was confident that the PKK terrorism would soon be brought to an end. Karadayi told a group of journalists that the PKK terrorist organization had almost been destroyed and that members of the organization were in a panic trying to save themselves. /Cumhuriyet/

[11] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

HAKTANIR: ''SYRIA, GREECE, GREEK-CYPRUS SUPPORT TERRORISM''
The recent increase in diplomatic traffic between the US and Turkey continues this week with the visit to Washington, D.C., of Korkmaz Haktanir, Turkish Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs. In the light of new information provided by one of the PKK terrorist organization's leaders Semdin Sakik, there is no question that Syria provides not only logistical but operational support to the PKK, Haktanir told the Turkish press on Wednesday. The PKK is a Kurdish terrorist group which received heavy blows recently from the Turkish military and has been listed as a ''foreign terrorist group'' by the US Department of State.

Besides Syria, Greece and Greek Cyprus also give support to the PKK, Haktanir said, and he further emphasized that the unprecedented and well- documented support for terrorism by a NATO-member neighbour country will be brought to the attention of the US officials during his meetings with them. Haktanir has already met with the National Security Council's Jim Steinberg. In the days ahead, he is scheduled to hold talks with State Department officials including Strobe Talbott and Haktanir's counterpart Thomas Pickering. /Milliyet-Sabah-Hurriyet/

OPERATIONS CONTINUE IN THE SOUTHEAST
The Turkish Armed Forces operations are continuing in the southeast of Turkey. Following the Mehmet Isikal operation in the Sirnak-Hakkari-Van region, a new operation has been started in the Saggoze region of the Diyarbakir-Mus-Bingol triangle. Almost 10,000 members of the security forces are involved in the operation.

Military sources report that the operation has been set-up in line with information revealed in the interrogation of Semdin Sakik, a PKK terrorist. It was also noted that the Air Forces is supporting ground forces. /Sabah/

FINANSBANK OPENS OFFICE IN RUSSIA
Turkey has been strengthening her place in the financial market in Russia. Finansbank, which is the fourth Turkish bank operating in Russia, has opened a branch in Moscow. The opening ceremony was attended by Gunes Taner, the Minister of State.

After the opening ceremony, Gunes Taner was given an honorary doctorate by the Plehanov Institute of Economics. Today, Taner will meet with the Chairman of Gazprom, Rem Vyahirev, and tomorrow he will attend a foundation- laying ceremony for a second outlet of the Ramstore supermarket chain, constructed by the Turkish Koc-Enka partnership. /Milliyet/Hurriyet/

MORE AMERICAN TOURISTS IN TURKEY
According to the Union of Turkish Travel Agencies (TURSAB), the number of American tourists visiting Turkey has increased in recent years. It has reported that America was in 10th place in the Turkish tourism market in 1990, but has moved up to fifth place in 1996. TURSAB also noted that the American tourists visiting Turkey had high level incomes and that they preferred cultural tourism, instead of the classic sea-sun-sand holiday and that they visited historical places.

Talha Camas, the Chairman of TURSAB, said that Turkey realised a 14 percent growth in tourism last year and had reached its targets in tourism revenues. /Milliyet/

ALIYEV: TIME TO REALIZE BAKU-CEYHAN PROJECT
Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, said that Haydar Aliyev has given instructions to realize the Baku-Ceyhan project. Speaking to the press members about his Azerbaijan visit last week, Ersumer said that the results of feasibility studies on the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline had been presented to the Azerbaijani side. He said that official delegations from both sides would discuss the most beneficial alternatives shown in the feasibility studies. Ersumer also noted that there were Turkish firms prepared to undertake the financing of the project. /Sabah/Hurriyet/

[12] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (3)

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

RESEARCH INSTITUTION INDICATES REDUCTION IN NUCLEAR WEAPONS
An extensive survey carried out in Sweden by the International Institute for Peace Research reveals that the number of nuclear weapons have been vastly reduced in the world. The research also reports that the US nuclear missiles in Turkey have been reduced from 467 to 15, while there are only 10 US nuclear missiles in Greece. /Cumhuriyet/

BRAIN OLYMPICS TO BE HELD IN TURKEY
Turkey will host an important olympics this year. The International Intelligence Olympics Committee has decided that the ''World Intelligence Games Championship and Congress'' will be held in Istanbul between 22-27 September. The Turkish Brain Team ranked third during the championship held in the Netherlands in 1966. /Hurriyet/

PROTOCOL BETWEEN TURKEY AND CHINA
A 12th term protocol of the Turkey-China Joint Economic and Trade Committee has been signed in Beijing. Isin Celebi, the Minister of State signed the protocol on behalf of Turkey, while Shi Guangsheng, the Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation signed on behalf of China. Prior to the signing of the protocol, Celebi met with Chinese State Council member Wu Yi and received information from her about the Chinese economy. Celebi noted that China had succeeded in reducing her domestic rate of inflation from 21 percent to 3 percent.

According to the protocol signed between Turkey and China, the trade volume between the two countries will be increased to 1.2 billion US dollars. Exports from Turkey to China will also be increased. Chinese investors will make investments in Turkey and Turkish banks will open branches in China. A fair, in which Turkish construction materials and contracting services will be exhibited, will be opened in China in early 1999. Completing his contacts in Beijing, Celebi proceeded on to Shanghai, which is the industrial and trade centre of China. /Hurriyet-Sabah/

SEALS TO BE DELIVERED TODAY
Turkish businessman, Nezih Erdem, who has purchased the personal seals, worth 22 billion TL, which once belonged to Abdulhamit II, during a public auction held in Paris, will deliver the seals to the Topkapi Palace Museum with a ceremony to be also attended by Istemihan Talay, the Turkish Minister of Culture today. Meanwhile, within the framework of the activities for the 700th anniversary of the foundation of the Ottoman Empire, an exhibition in which Ottoman historical treasures will be presented, will be held at the Versailles Palace in Paris in 1999. /Hurriyet/

D-8 OFFICIALS DISCUSS MORE COOPERATION
Senior foreign ministry officials of the Developing 8 (D-8) nations met in Istanbul yesterday to discuss areas of cooperation, including the development of a joint project for the production of special crop-dusting agricultural aircraft, Ahat Andican, the Minister of State said. The D-8 countries include Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Egypt and Nigeria. Andican noted that more cooperation among the eight nations was necessary to accelerate economic development. The meeting will end today. /Milliyet/

TURKCELL SIGNS 500 MILLION US DOLLAR CREDIT ACCORD FOR LICENSE
The Turkish mobile phone service operator Turkcell said yesterday that it has signed a 500 million US dollar credit agreement to finance the purchase of a 25-year operating license. Turkcell said its partners signed an accord along with a banking consortium led by Bankers Trust and also including JP Morgan and Deutsche Morgan Grenfell. /All papers/

ISRAELI PAPER CLAIMS TURKEY, ISRAEL PLANNING MISSILE PROJECTS
Though not based on official sources, the Israeli ''Haaretz'' newspaper reported yesterday that Israel and Turkey had signed an accord to work jointly in a project aimed at determining whether or not Turkey should be protected against ballistic missiles. Furthermore, Turkish sources in Israel noted that although this issue was on the agenda of last month's meetings in Ankara, no agreement had yet been signed. /Cumhuriyet/

[13] SUKRU KARATEPE IN YAHYALI PRISON

Karatepe was removed from his job by the Council of State due to his speech made on Nov 10, 1996 in the group meeting of the Welfare Party (RP) which was earlier closed by the Constitutional Court. Karatepe was put in prison after the expiry of the four month postponement which he had requested.

Karatepe was brought to the Yahyali closed prison after he surrendered to Republic Chief Prosecutor's Office.

Karatepe who refrained from responding to the questions of reporters showed the Turkish flag in front of the prison and said, ''the Turkish flag is also waving here. This place is a part of the country. I will serve my sentence and leave.''

Karatepe will stay in prison for four months and 26 days.

Karatepe, addressing the party group meeting on Nov. 10, 1996, said ''I am participating in this ceremony reluctantly in a period when they don't respect our beliefs. Moslems should never give up ambition, enmity and hatred...''

[14] EXPORTS FROM SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY TO THE TURKISH REPUBLICS

Officials from the Southeastern Anatolia Unions of Exporters told the A.A correspondent that 3.3 million US dollars in grain and seeds, 28 thousand US dollars in dried fruits and 12.5 million US dollars in textiles were exported to the European Union countries during the January-March period.

The products exported the most were composed of dried apricots, synthetic fibres, plastic sacks, pistachio nuts, textiles, towels and cotton fibres.

[15] TASAR, THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS: - ''WITH THE BEGINNING OF IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE, THE PLANT COVER WILL CHANGE IN THE GAP REGION''

Tasar told the A.A correspondent that irrigated agriculture will be realised on nearly 1.7 million hectares of land with the GAP development project, one of largest projects in the world, he added that this will cause a great increase in production.

Pointing out that the region will become an area of agro-industry with the planting of industrial plants and fodder crops, Tasar said that the textile, oil and fodder and food industries should be set up in the GAP region.

[16] 95 KG OF HEROIN SEIZED IN EASTERN VAN PROVINCE

The haul was seized when narcotics teams, acting on a tip off, raided a house belonging to Kemal Demirhan in Ortayol Village.

Also, 30 kg of acid anhydride was seized in the operation launched against a house belonging to Selim Demirhan.

Kemal Demirhan (34), Abbas Demirhan (37) and Kinyas &Ouml;zerler (24) were taken into custody in connection with the heroin.

Officials said that the drug was brought from Iran through the mountains and would have been marketed after being processed in the village.

During the interrogation those who were taken into custody claimed that they didn't know that these items were drugs.

[17] IMF DELEGATION DUE IN TURKEY

The Undersecretariat of the Treasury told the A.A correspondent that the IMF delegation, headed by Hardy, will come to Istanbul on April 28 to hold regular evaluation studies.

The delegation will hold meetings with the representatives of the Turkish private sector and financial world for two days and will evaluate the recent developments experienced in the Turkish economy.

The delegation will proceed to Ankara on April 30 and will meet with the bureaucrats of the economy.

Gunes Taner, the Minister of State, during his visit to Washington, D.C., to hold meetings with the IMF and World Bank officials, met with Michael Camdessus, the Chairman of the IMF and his Assistant Stanley Fisher and Johannes Lynn, the Deputy Chairman of the World Bank.

[18] WATER SUPPORT TO THE TRNC

The first balloon will leave on April 28 with a ceremony that will be staged in southern Antalya Province.

Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources will participate in the ceremony and the participants will accompany the water balloon with ships for a period of time.

Ersumer is expected to stage a news conference.

The test filling of the balloon has 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.

[19] CYPRUS SUMMIT AT ANKARA... - TURKEY STARTS NEW DIPLOMATIC MOBILIZATION TO CONVEY THE FACTS ON CYPRUS QUESTION

Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister, and Sukru Sina Gurel, the Minister of State convened on Friday to discuss the Cyprus question.

Speaking after the meeting Ecevit said that Turkey would convey the facts on the Cyprus question, the reasons causing this problem, the Peace Operation and the following developments to the ''young diplomats'' such as Klaus Kinkel, the German Foreign Minister and William Cohen, the US Secretary of Defense.

Asked if Turkey initiates a new diplomatic mobilization, Ecevit said ''yes'' adding, ''when the EU decided to start full membership negotiations with the Greek Cypriots, the federation solution which we supported lost validity. The only fact that can't be rejected is the existence of the Turkish state on Cyprus.''

Noting that the Turkish-TRNC Joint Declaration, disclosed on Thursday was a new stage, Ecevit said, ''the world should realize the determination of the TRNC and Turkey.''

Ecevit pointed out that there was a continious clash on Cyprus before the Turkish Peace Operation and that the island was in poverty, adding that now an atmosphere of lasting peace prevails on the island. Ecevit said that the Greek Cypriot side was enriched with the generous aid and the Turkish side was impoverished with the embargoes.

Ecevit said, ''this order brought peace and welfare on Cyprus as well as security.''

Noting that now the world will de facto recognize the TRNC, Ecevit said, ''they don't recognize this state, but at the same time they send their children to the island to get education.''

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