Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-04-27

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

27 APRIL 1998

CONTENTS

[01] OZSOY, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO IRAN, MEETS WITH RAFSANJANI

[02] JOINT STATEMENT OF DEMIREL, SCHEVARDNADZE AND ALIYEV

[03] MILD QUAKE SHAKES TERCAN

[04] FOUNDATION-LAYING OF THE DERINER DAM - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''THE REGION NEEDS INVESTMENTS LIKE THE DERINER DAM'' - ''WE HOPE FOR PEACE IN THE CAUCASUS''

[05] AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT ALIYEV: ''WE NEED PERMANENT PEACE IN THE CAUCASUS''

[06] EU COUNCIL MEETING STARTS - TURKEY ON THE AGENDA

[07] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

[08] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

[09] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (3)

[10] TEMA FOUNDATION APPOINTS KEMAL SAHIN TO THE POSITION OF VOLUTEER REPRESENTATIVE IN GERMANY

[11] ELECTION DISCUSSIONS IN TURKEY

[12] TURKISH RESEARCH CENTER: ''TURKISH ELECTORS IN GERMANY WILL MAINLY VOTE FOR SPD''

[13] TOURIST PASSENGER SHIPS WHICH VISIT SOUTHERN CYPRUS, ARE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE PORTS IN TURKEY

[14] TURKEY IN BRIEF - APRIL 27, 1998

[15] RIZE FREE ZONE OPENED - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''WE WILL INCREASE THE NUMBER OF FREE ZONES AT THE BLACK SEA''

[16] IMF DELEGATION TO ARRIVE IN TURKEY ON TUESDAY

[17] GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER KINKEL'S POSSIBLE VISIT TO TURKEY

[18] GSM LICENCE TRANSFER AGREEMENTS TO BE SIGNED BY MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION, TURKCELL AND TELSIM ON MONDAY

[19] TURKEY INSISTS ON THE PRINCIPLE OF ''TWO EQUAL STATES'' CONCERNING THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS QUESTION

[20] GREEK GAME IN THE AEGEAN - ATHENS TRIES TO DECLARE ISLETS IN THE AEGEAN AS A ''NATURAL PROTECTION AREA'' - FM: ''THE EU SHOULDN'T BECOME A TOOL OF THE GREEK AIMS CONCERNING THIS SENSITIVE ISSUE''

[21] DONATION OF 848 THOUSAND US DOLLARS FROM THE US

[22] NUMBER OF HEZBOULLAH TERRORISTS DETAINED REACHES 130

[23] TRNC PRIME MINISTER EROGLU: ''WE ADOPT THE DECLARATION ANNOUNCED IN ANKARA''

[24] OPERATIONS IN ANTALYA - FOUR SEPARATIST TERRORISTS KILLED, FOUR OTHERS CAPTURED

[25] MEZARCI IMPRISONED FOR ONE YEAR FOR INSULTING THE MEMORY OF ATATURK, THE FOUNDER OF MODERN TURKEY

[26] TENDER FOR ''SILK RAILWAY'' - BIDS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE RAILWAY TO BE GIVEN ON TUESDAY

[27] MILITARY VEHICLE HITS A LAND MINE - ONE SOLDIER DIES, EIGHT SOLDIERS WOUNDED

[28] OECD MINISTERS' COUNCIL - MINISTER OF STATE CELEBI: ''PARTY LEADERS HAVE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT TODAY CONCERNING THE FUTURE''

[29] CELLULAR PHONES PRIVATIZED - MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS, TURKCELL AND TELSIM SIGN GSM CELLULAR PHONE LICENCE TRANSFER AGREEMENT

[30] 83 PAKISTANI AND BANGLADESHI IMMIGRANTS TRYING TO ESCAPE TO GERMANY ILLEGALLY CAPTURED

[31] TURKEY IN BRIEF (2)- APRIL 27, 1998

[01] OZSOY, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO IRAN, MEETS WITH RAFSANJANI

Addressing the meeting, Rafsanjani said that Turkey and Iran should use the existing foundations to improve the relations to serve the benefits of their nations.

Rafsanjani said, ''We expect that Turkey will accept herself as a part of the Muslim world and that the US and Israel will fail to create separateness among the Islam countries.''

Conveying President Suleyman Demirel's good wishes to Rafsanjani, Ozsoy pointed out that Turkey wants to avert the stagnation in the relations between the two countries which lasted for nearly a year.

Ozsoy noted that he is very pleased to see the development in the relations with the cooperation in framework of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and the D-8, stressing that strengthened relations between Turkey and Iran will help to provide peace and security in the region.

[02] JOINT STATEMENT OF DEMIREL, SCHEVARDNADZE AND ALIYEV

The leaders said in a joint statement following a meeting that, ''the Presidents noted that they are ready to develop friendly relations of cooperation among Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. They stressed that the regional problems should be solved in a short period within the framework of the protection of the sovereignty and territorial integrities of the countries, and a joint struggle should be realised against separatism and terrorism.''

-THE TRANSPORTS OF THE ENERGY SOURCES-
In the joint statement, it was said that President Demirel supports the realization of the elements in the peaceful Caucasus and Tbilisi Declaration signed by Demirel, Aliyev and Schevardnadze and added, ''the Presidents stressed the importance of the efforts for preparation and realization of the regional projects. They pointed out that they are ready for concrete steps on the projects of transporting the Azerbaijani oil via Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, and transporting the Caspian gas via Azerbaijan- Georgia to Turkey, stressing the importance of the realization of the eastern and western energy corridors via the Caspian and the Caucasus. The Presidents also noted that the transport corridor of the historical Silk Road and Eurasia should be developed and the construction of the Kars- Tbilisi railway should be accelerated.

Demirel, Aliyev and Schevardnadze emphasized the efforts to protect the environment, including the Black Sea, the Straits and the ecosystems.

The Presidents pointed out that the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) began a new era of development and became an international organization. They stressed that the Back Sea Economic Cooperation will contribute to the economic cooperation between the countries at the Black Sea basin. They accepted the steps which will make countries at the Black Sea basin closer and increase the trust and mutual understanding in the region.''

[03] MILD QUAKE SHAKES TERCAN

The officials from the Ataturk University Seismology Center told the A.A correspondent that the quake was measuring 3.2 on the Richter Scale and occurred at 5:49 a.m.

Officials said that the epicentre of the tremor was between the Cayirli District and Tercan County.

No casualties or financial damage were reported.

[04] FOUNDATION-LAYING OF THE DERINER DAM - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''THE REGION NEEDS INVESTMENTS LIKE THE DERINER DAM'' - ''WE HOPE FOR PEACE IN THE CAUCASUS''

The foundation-laying of the Deriner Dam was initiated in a ceremony where President Suleyman Demirel, Haydar Aliyev, the Azerbaijani President, Edouard Schevardnadze, the Georgian President and Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz participated.

Addressing the ceremony, President Demirel stated, ''the Coruh River is ready not only for Turkey, but also for humanity, starting from today. We will put a golden handcuff on the Coruh River. This a project costing 10 billion US dollars and it is one third of the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP).''
President Demirel pointed out that the Turkish-Russian and Swiss firms came together to construct the dam, adding, ''I encourage the government to construct five other dams on Coruh river.''

''The thing we are doing today is a start concerning the relations between Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia, this will continue with the Baku-Ceyhan project and the Kars-Tbilisi railway,'' Demirel said.

''The doors of Turkey and Georgia are open to each other, we will lift all the borders soon,'' said Demirel, adding ''Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan want the establishment of peace in the Caucasus more than anything.''

Stressing that Turkey knows the problems of Georgia and Azerbaijan, Demirel said they are launching all kinds of efforts to contribute to the peaceful solution of these problems.

''The 10 billion kilowatts of energy will not only be for Turkey, but also it will serve the entire Caucasus. We will use this energy together,'' added President Demirel.

[05] AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT ALIYEV: ''WE NEED PERMANENT PEACE IN THE CAUCASUS''

Addressing the foundation-laying ceremony for the Deriner Dam and hydroelectric power station, Aliyev stated that the ceremony brought the leaders of the three countries together, adding that Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia are the three big and strategic countries of the Caucasus and their friendship is very important from the aspect of peace in the Caucasus.

Noting that a permanent peace is needed in the Caucasus, Aliyev stressed that 20 percent of the Azerbaijani territory is occupied by Armenia, and recalled that one million Azerbaijani are immigrants.

''We would like to solve the conflict peacefully and we want the Minsk Group to continue its activities,'' said Aliyev.

Eduard Schevardnadze, the Georgian President said that Turkey and Georgia are in a different cooperation today, adding, ''the bilateral relations will improve in such a way that there will be no need for borders.''

Turkey may export the excess electricity which will be produced from a 670- megawatt hydroelectric power plant at the Deriner Dam to the Caucasus once the construction work is completed by 2010.

[06] EU COUNCIL MEETING STARTS - TURKEY ON THE AGENDA

Hans van den Broek, the EU Commissioner Responsible for Foreign Affairs will submit a report concerning the relations with Turkey to the 15 foreign ministers of the EU countries.

The Council of Ministers, which is expected to discuss and approve the strategy report of the EU Commission concerning Turkey, will also discuss the issue of giving financial assistance to Turkey by overcoming the Greek veto.

The EU Commission defends the view that the financial assistance should be extended to Turkey in order to improve relations with Turkey and implement the proposals offered in the report.

The EU determined a ''strategy that would prepare Turkey for full membership'' during the Luxembourg Summit and asked for the Commission to work on a proposal report.

The Commission conveyed its proposals to the Council of Ministers last month, which would expand the Customs Union and Ankara Agreement with Turkey.

The Turkish-EU Partnership Council is expected to be held on May 25 in Brussels. This date may be determined by the Council of Ministers during the meeting.

[07] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

FIFTH LARGEST CONCRETE DAM IN THE WORLD
President Suleyman Demirel laid the foundation of the Deriner Dam near the Black Sea town of Artvin yesterday which will produce 2.1 billion kw/h of energy annully. The Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev and the Georgian Head of State Eduard Shevardnadze, the Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, ministers and officials also attended the ceremony. It was reported that the Deriner Dam project will be the second largest project after the Baku- Ceyhan oil pipeline project. The construction of the dam will be realised by a joint consortium including the Turkish Erg Construction Company, the Russian Technostroyexport group, and Switzerland's ABB, Sulzer Hydro, Hydro Vevey and Stucky companies. It is estimated that the construction of the dam will cost 711 billion US dollars and be completed in seven years.

After the ceremony, Presidents Suleyman Demirel, Eduard Shevardnadze and Haydar Aliyev went on to Trabzon to discuss the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline, Turkmen natural gas and peace in the Caucasian region. After the meeting Demirel said that Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia aimed to establish peace in the region and also in the world. /Hurriyet/Sabah/

JOINT DECLARATION FROM TURKEY, AZERBAIJAN, GEORGIA
The Presidents of Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan have demonstrated their determination about implementing the projected Baku-Ceyhan pipeline. In a joint declaration yesterday after a summit held in Artvin where they came together for a dam foundation-laying ceremony, the three leaders once again confirmed that petrol and natural gas from the Caspian Sea reserves would be transported to the world market by the projected Baku-Ceyhan pipeline. Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resourdes, said yesterday that a joint working group, which will evaluate the feasibility reports, will convene between May 5-6 in Istanbul. /Cumhuriyet/

LABOUR MINISTER RETURNS HOME
Nami Cagan, the Minister of Labour and Social Security, arrived yesterday evening in Ankara after participating in a labour conference organized in Italy by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). In a statement after his arrival, Cagan said that the importance which should be given to local and domestic authorities was the main issue at the conference. /Cumhuriyet/

KINKEL TO VISIT TURKEY
Klaus Kinkel, the German Foreign Minister sent a message to Ankara over the weekend via Volkan Vural, the Turkish Ambassador to Germany, saying, ''Let's revive our relations and if you want I will come to Turkey''. Ismail Cem, the Turkish Foreign Minister gave a positive answer to this message and invited Kinkel to Turkey. Kinkel will visit Ankara in May. Meanwhile, Rita Sissmuth, the German Speaker of the Federal Assembly, will also pay an official visit to Turkey in June. /Milliyet/

WHERE DOES TURKEY STAND IN THE WORLD?
With privatization worth 3,135 billion US dollars in six years, Turkey ranked third following Hungary and Poland among the countries which realized the highest privatization in the world. A ''World Competition Yearbook'' published by the International Institute for Administrative Development based in Switzerland, notes that Turkey has further improved in the areas of globalization, finance and management. /Milliyet-Hurriyet/

INFORMATION NETWORK PROJECT FOR KOBIs

A project called KOBI-NET (Small amd Medium-Scale Enterprises Information Network), which constitutes one of the most important stages in Turkey's move into the information age, will soon be put into operation. With this project, it is expected that Turkey's integration with the world from the commercial standpoint will be consolidated and companies will be able to receive all information regarding their fields instantly. Meanwhile, seminars on ''Electronic Trade'' will continue today and tomorrow in Istanbul. Yavuz Ege, the Undersecretary of Foreign Trade and Peter Froehler from the UN will deliver speeches during the seminars. /Milliyet/

[08] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

AGREEMENT WITH TURKCELL AND TELSIM
A licence transfer agreement worth 500 million US dollars with Turkcell and Telsim, two mobile telephone firms, will be signed today in Ankara. Necdet Menzir, the Minister of Communications and Gunes Taner, the Minister of State will participate in the signing ceremony when Turkcell and Telsim will deposit licence transfer cheques worth 500 million US dollars each. With this agreement, the state will earn a total revenue of one billion US dollars and the privatization aims for 1998 will be achieved. /Milliyet/

FRENCH DIRECTOR OF THE ISTANBUL SUBWAY TAKEN INTO CUSTODY
Edmond Minosyan, the Istanbul Director of the French firm (Cegelec), which is carrying out the electro-mechanical work for the Istanbul subway construction project, was taken into custody at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport yesterday evening following claims that he was a militant member of the ASALA Armenian terrorist organization. However when it was discovered during questioning that the claims were unfounded, it was later reported that Minosyan would be released. /Milliyet/

TURKISH FIRMS TO PARTICIPATE IN 72 INTERNATIONAL FAIRS
Turkish firms will participate in 72 international fairs, scheduled to be held in various cities around the world including Moscow, Paris, Tokyo and Baghdad. The fairs will be held for various industries, from textiles to automotives, foods to marble. Meanwhile, it was reported that 283 fairs will be held by 54 firms in Turkey this year. /All papers/

CONSTITUTIONAL COURT MARKS 36 YEARS
The Constitutional Court, established under the 1961 Constitution, is marking its 36th year. The Constitutional Court is the only court which can open cases against Turkish officials. /All papers/

35 TERRORISTS KILLED IN THE SOUTHEAST
A total of 35 members of the PKK terrorist organization have been killed and seven others captured in the armed clashes that began during the operations of the security forces in the southeastern Anatolia region. Three security officials lost their lives during the operations. In searches carried out in the area, weapons and equipment belonging to the terrorists have been seized. In Siirt, a terrorist escaping from the PKK surrendered to security forces. Operations are reportedly continuing in the region. /Milliyet/

NEXT EU PRESIDENT SEEKS STRATEGY FOR TURKISH ACCESSION
Wolfgang Schuessel, the Austrian Foreign Minister said that he would seek agreement from his EU counterparts for a strategy to include Turkey in negotiations for membership in the bloc. Austria will use her Presidency of the EU starting on July 1 to find ways to rebuild trust and confidence with Turkey, both shattered by Turkey's exclusion from the current round of expansion talks. ''Turkey is an integral part of Europe and must be treated like the other candidate states and judged on the same objective conditions'' Schuessel said on Saturday after meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz at a gathering of European conservative leaders. ''We will discuss our strategy at a meeting of the EU foreign ministers on Monday'' Schuessel said. /All papers/

[09] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (3)

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

TCDD SPEEDS UP
The Turkish State Railroad Company (TCDD) is going to modernize the present rail transport system in Turkey, including improvement of the Ankara- Istanbul line. The modernization of the railroads will lower the transport time between Ankara and Istanbul, currently 7.5 hours, to 4.5 hours, not by shorthening the line but by improving the condition of the railroad lines. Officials stated that the project will be financed by foreign credits. /All papers/

HAMZI YERLIKAYA, EUROPEAN WRESTLING CHAMPION
Hamza Yerlikaya became the European wrestling champion in the 85 kg. weight class for the third time in the European Greco-Roman Wrestling Championship held in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. In his final match Yerlikaya beat his Russian rival four to zero. /All papers/

ADDITIONAL US EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES
The amount of Turkey's textile exports to the US has been increased in line with the agreement signed on 24 April in Washington, D.C., between Turkey and the US. With the agreement, an 18 percent additional export opportunity has been extended to Turkey. According to the written statement of the Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade, ''Turkey's textiles and ready-to-wear exports to the US have been increased and forced up the quota limits in recent years. Within this framework with the initiatives of Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, Don Johnson, the US textile negotiator and Yavuz Ege, the Undersecretary of Foreign Trade an agreement has been signed to lift the textile quotas, and ensure less red tape in the export of some other goods.'' /Hurriyet/

TEKEL PRODUCTS IN RUSSIA
Eyup Asik, the Minister of State, is still continuing his contacts in Russia, and has reached an agreement with Prime Minister Sergey Ling to update technologies in the cigarette, tea and sugar factories in Akbay, Minsk and Grodna. Asik noted that the agreement would be officially signed in June. He added that TEKEL 2000 cigarettes would be produced in Russia and Turkey would invest 80 million US dollars in Russia. Eyup Asik also said that 15 million kg of Turkish tobacco would be marketed in Russia. /Hurriyet/

[10] TEMA FOUNDATION APPOINTS KEMAL SAHIN TO THE POSITION OF VOLUTEER REPRESENTATIVE IN GERMANY

Gulay Yasin, the Promotion Coordinator of the TEMA Foundation, told the A.A correspondent that they aim to form a national policy on the struggle against erosion by making the Turkish people conscious about the dangers of erosion.

Yasin said that more than 1.5 thousand Turkish people living in Germany, became the volunteer members of the Foundation and 42 volunteer representatives are serving in several provinces of Germany.

Kemal Sahin pointed out that their aim is to warn both the German people and the Turkish people against the dangers of erosion and improve the relations between Turkey and Germany in the framework of the issue of environment. He noted that they will set up a bureau in Germany to carry out the activities and start to promotional activities.

[11] ELECTION DISCUSSIONS IN TURKEY

Responding to the questions of journalists, Bulent Ecevit stated, ''even the members of the CHP reacted to Baykal. I don't need to call Baykal to revise his views, because he will probably do what is necessary.''

Asked when ''the coalition partners oppose the elections. Do you think Baykal will take a step back and Prime Minister Yılmaz will re-evaluate their decision?'' Ismet Sezgin, the National Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister said, ''in fact this is a development between Mr. Yılmaz and Mr. Baykal, I don't know what they will they do. Neverthelees, I don't think there will be elections in 1998.''

[12] TURKISH RESEARCH CENTER: ''TURKISH ELECTORS IN GERMANY WILL MAINLY VOTE FOR SPD''

Responding to the questions of the A.A correspondent, Prof. Dr. Faruk Sen, the Chairman of TAM said that 1,300,000 out of 2,000,049 Turkish people living in Germany are of voting age, but only 220,000 people have German citizenship and 160,000 of these people of Turkish origin are German electors.

Sen pointed out that TAM made a poll among the Turkish electors and found out that 60 percent of these people will vote for the SPD, while 25 percent will probably vote for the Green Party. During the former elections, 49 percent of the same people voted for the SPD, while 11 percent voted for the Green Party.

''The decisions taken by the Kohl government played a significant role in increasing the votes of the Turkish people to the SPD and the Green Party. The two parties have a relatively more positive approach to foreigners and the issue of acquiring German citizenship,'' said Sen.

[13] TOURIST PASSENGER SHIPS WHICH VISIT SOUTHERN CYPRUS, ARE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE PORTS IN TURKEY

The Maritime Undersecretariat said in its written statement that yacht tourism will be allowed as well, and added, ''the yachts and passenger ships which don't fly the flag of Southern Cyprus, carry tourists, and whose shipowner isn't a Southern Greek Cypriot, will be allowed to enter ports in Turkey after visiting Southern Cyprus.

Ata Kuner, the member of the Board of Directors of the Antalya Association of Industrialists and Businessmen, told the A.A correspondent that this decision of the Maritime Undersecretariat is very positive. He described the ban which was applied to the passenger ships as a big mistake for Turkish tourism. He noted that they support the embargo applied to the cargo vessels. Kuner noted that with the lifting of the ban, many passenger ships will visit Turkey.

[14] TURKEY IN BRIEF - APRIL 27, 1998

Officials told the A.A correspondent that no one was injured, but financial damage was reported.

The investigation regarding the incident is underway.

WASHINGTON, D.C., - The Ataturk Society of America (ASA) granted Admiral William Crowe, the former US Chief of Staff, with the ''Ataturk Peace and Democracy Award'', it was reported on Monday.

Admiral Crowe will receive his award in a ceremony which will be organized in May.

He is being described as one of the most important military strategists of the US. He is currently serving as the US Ambassador to Britain.

BOSTON - The World Women Leaders' Summit will begin on Wednesday. Tansu Ciller, the Leader of the True Path Party, will represent Turkey at the Summit.

The main topic of the summit will be world problems and women's place in political life in the 21st century.

Ciller who came to the US, will attend a conference on ''Is Turkey a Rising Regional Power or a Country in Crisis?'' at the Boston Public Library.

ISTANBUL - Princess Anne Dorte of Rosenborg, Denmark and her daughter Countess Josephine of Rosenborg came on Monday to Istanbul to the attend the opening ceremony of the shop of Karim Fizzi, the Dutch fashion designer.

The opening ceremony will be held tomorrow.

ISTANBUL - The Oman Trade delegation which came to Istanbul to attend the Joint Economic Commission meetings (JEC) as the guest of the Istanbul Chamber of Trade, will hold talks in Istanbul, it was reported on Monday.

The Oman delegation will attend the seminar tomorrow on the ''Turkish-Omani Joint Investment Opportunities''. After the seminar the delegation will hold bilateral talks with the representatives of the Turkish firms.

[15] RIZE FREE ZONE OPENED - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''WE WILL INCREASE THE NUMBER OF FREE ZONES AT THE BLACK SEA''

Addressing the ceremony held upon the opening of the Rize Free Zone, Prime Minister Yılmaz stated that another free zone will be opened in Samsun Province.

''The population of the BSEC countries are more than the population of the EU countries. The Black Sea is the region which will benefit from the BSEC the most. However, we couldn't fully benefit from this potential before, we had deficiencies in the infrastructure. We will overcome these problems with the Black Sea Shore Motorway and the Rize Free Zone,'' said Prime Minister Yılmaz.

Stressing that 22 provinces benefit from the incentives valid for state of emergency region, Prime Minister Yılmaz said, ''we will increase these provinces to 27.''

''We have a problem of energy. We started with the Deriner Dam and 21 dams will be constructed on the Coruh River. We will transform the wasted waters at the Black Sea to energy, so the Black Sea will reach a position of contributing to the electric production in Turkey,'' said Yılmaz.

The Karteks Textiles Plant, which is expected to provide an annual export income of 12 million US dollars, started to work at the Rize Free Zone with 150 workers.

[16] IMF DELEGATION TO ARRIVE IN TURKEY ON TUESDAY

The delegation will hold contacts in Istanbul, will meet with the representatives of the Turkish private sector and finance world and evaluate the recent developments in the Turkish economy.

The delegation, which is expected to stay for two weeks in Turkey, will proceed to Ankara on April 30 to meet with the economy officials.

Gunes Taner, the Minister of State met with Michel Camdessus, the IMF Chairman, Stanley Fisher, the IMF Deputy Chairman and Johannes Lynn, the World Bank Deputy Chairman in Washington, D.C., in the middle of April.

Taner evaluated the Turkish economy and informed the IMF and the World Bank officials about the struggle against inflation.

[17] GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER KINKEL'S POSSIBLE VISIT TO TURKEY

Addressing a weekly press briefing, Atacanlı mentioned the news published in the press claiming that Klaus Kinkel, the German Foreign Minister will visit Turkey in May.

Stressing that he can't confirm such a visit at the moment, Atacanlı stated that they will be pleased to have the German Foreign Minister visit Ankara.

[18] GSM LICENCE TRANSFER AGREEMENTS TO BE SIGNED BY MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION, TURKCELL AND TELSIM ON MONDAY

A 25-year investment and operations right for the cellular phones will be given to Turkcell and Telsim with the agreements to be signed by the Ministry of Transportation and by these companies when Turkcell and Telsim will deposit licence transfer cheques worth 500 million US dollars each.

Turkcell and Telsim will transfer 15 percent of their gross-revenues to the Turkish Telekom every month. These companies will also make technological investments.

Turkcell and Telsim will continue the operations activities overseen by the Turkish Telekom.

[19] TURKEY INSISTS ON THE PRINCIPLE OF ''TWO EQUAL STATES'' CONCERNING THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS QUESTION

Atacanlı told a weekly press briefing that Turkey wants the Cyprus question to be solved, but a solution can only be possible if the existence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which is one of the two states on the island, is recognized.

When asked his views concerning the statements of the Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister, who said that if intercommunal talks started, then the S-300 missiles wouldn't be deployed on the island, Atacanlı said he can't confirm this news.

Noting that Richard Holbrooke, the US Special Representative to Cyprus will visit the island in May, Atacanlı said that the visit of Holbrooke to Ankara hasn't been determined.

[20] GREEK GAME IN THE AEGEAN - ATHENS TRIES TO DECLARE ISLETS IN THE AEGEAN AS A ''NATURAL PROTECTION AREA'' - FM: ''THE EU SHOULDN'T BECOME A TOOL OF THE GREEK AIMS CONCERNING THIS SENSITIVE ISSUE''

Addressing a weekly press briefing, Sermet Atacanlı, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman said that Turkey had earlier explained her view that the problem of the islets in the Aegean should be solved through negotiations together with the other problems in the Aegean.

Recalling that Turkey told the public opinion that she won't accept the unilateral actions of Greece in the Aegean and these kinds of attempts won't create any legal results regarding ownership, Atacanlı said ''in spite of this, Greece continues to manipulate the EU's environmental programmes for her own political aims.''

''The EU should act with common sense and not be a tool of the Greek aims concerning this sensitive issue,'' said Atacanlı.

Atacanlı, the Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman added that Turkey will draw the attention of the EU Commission and the EU countries and continue to launch initiatives against the Greek project in the Aegean.

[21] DONATION OF 848 THOUSAND US DOLLARS FROM THE US

The agreements regarding the donation are expected to be signed on Monday between the Turkish and the US Governments.

The Undersecretariat of the Treasury said in a written statement that 192 thousand 750 US dollars of the donation would be used for the feasibility study of the Diyarbakir Municipality's Project for Controlling Water Loss and 75 thousand US dollars of the donation will be used for financing the technical aid to be given for the preparation of a model energy purchase agreement to be used in the energy projects which will be implemented by the Turkish Electric Inc. (TEAS).

A total of 150 thousand US dollars will be allocated from the donation to finance the technical aid to be given within the scope of the central control and data system to update the tender documents to be improved for the Turkish Electric and Distribution Inc. (TEDAS) and a total of 430 thousand US dollars will be allocated from the donation for the feasibility study of the cement factory which is expected to be constructed at the Denizli Organized Industry Zone by the Turkish Birlik Cement Co.

[22] NUMBER OF HEZBOULLAH TERRORISTS DETAINED REACHES 130

During the operations launched against the illegal Hezboullah organization, 130 out of the 1,000 wanted members were captured and 45 of these people were arrested.

Operations are underway against the illegal ''Hezboullah'' organization, which takes the Republic of Islamic Iran as a model and which aims to establish a fundamentalist state.

[23] TRNC PRIME MINISTER EROGLU: ''WE ADOPT THE DECLARATION ANNOUNCED IN ANKARA''

Eroglu said after the meeting with Rauf Denktas that the declaration is a ''statement which rescues the Turkish Cypriot people.''

Noting that the Turkish Cypriot government and state showed to the world once again that they share the same views concerning the Cyprus question, Eroglu pointed out, ''we are also relieved concerning the future of our policies.''

Eroglu said that he discussed the Cyprus question with Rauf Denktas and exchanged views with him concerning the meetings that will be held with Richard Holbrooke, the US Special Representative to Cyprus.

''We insist on our decision to negotiate the Cyprus question on the principle of two-states,'' he added.

[24] OPERATIONS IN ANTALYA - FOUR SEPARATIST TERRORISTS KILLED, FOUR OTHERS CAPTURED

The Antalya Governor's Office said in a written statement that the security forces killed four separatist terrorists in the forested land in the Karagol region of Gebiz-Kocamehmetler Village in Serik County of Antalya Province.

The statement said that security forces also captured two people who came to Antalya from the southeastern provinces to join the separatist terrorist organization and two people who helped them to join the terrorist organization.

The statement recalled that security forces killed one separatist terrorist and captured one terrorist in the operation in the rural part of Bucak County of Burdur Province on April 23, 1998.

The operations in the mountainous parts of Antalya and Burdur are underway.

Security forces had killed seven separatist terrorists in the Gediz region of Serik County and three terrorists near Manavgat County on April 9, 1998.

[25] MEZARCI IMPRISONED FOR ONE YEAR FOR INSULTING THE MEMORY OF ATATURK, THE FOUNDER OF MODERN TURKEY

Hakan Argun, the lawyer of Hasan Mezarcı told the court session that Mezarcı can't be held liable for his speech in the Parliament under Article 83/1 of the Constitution, which mentions ''absolute immunity.''

Adil Kubat, the Prosecutor reiterated his view that Mezarcı's speech can't be considered within the framework of Parliamentary functions. Kubat demanded the imprisonment of Mezarcı for 4.5 years under Article 1/1 and 2 of Law No. 5816, which is concerned with the crimes committed against Ataturk.

Adnan Erol, the Judge said in his verdict that Mezarcı insulted the memory of Ataturk and sentenced him to one year in prison.

[26] TENDER FOR ''SILK RAILWAY'' - BIDS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE RAILWAY TO BE GIVEN ON TUESDAY

The ''Tekser, Akfen, Nurol-Yuksel Construction, Ata Construction, Bayindir, EMT, Philip Holzman, Alsim Alarko, Atila Dogan, Tepe Construction, Ircon, Makyol, Unal Akpinar, Aytin Construction, Turan Haznedaroglu and ABB'' companies are expected to bid for the tender.

The Treasury hasn't yet given the credit approval for the railway whose construction will be financed by loans. The 300 million US dollar tender may be delayed for the second time if the Treasury won't give approval for the tender on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the railway was decided to be brought to Trabzon by expanding the construction project for the railway which was foreseen to be constructed between Kars and Tbilisi within the framework of the agreement between the Turkish and Georgian governments.

In accordance with this decision, the railway will connect Tbilisi to the Trabzon Harbour via Kars, Erzurum and Gumushane.

The railway, which is planned to be financed with 100 percent foreign credit, is expected to be constructed within 30 months.

[27] MILITARY VEHICLE HITS A LAND MINE - ONE SOLDIER DIES, EIGHT SOLDIERS WOUNDED

The officials told the A.A correspondent that a military vehicle returning from an operation in the Amanos Mountains hit a land mine near the Topraktas high plateau early on Monday.

Bayram Gokmen, a soldier, died and eight others were wounded when the land mine exploded. The injured soldiers were taken for medical treatment at the Dortyol State Hospital.

Four of these soldiers, who were seriously injured, were then transferred to the Balcali Hospital at the Cukurova University, Faculty of Medicine.

Officials said that the land mine was believed to have been planted by the separatist terrorists.

[28] OECD MINISTERS' COUNCIL - MINISTER OF STATE CELEBI: ''PARTY LEADERS HAVE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT TODAY CONCERNING THE FUTURE''

Responding to the questions of the Turkish journalists, Isın Celebi said, ''Turkey shouldn't enter into a process of elections, this will disturb the positive signals seen in the economy. The economic programmes should be fully implemented.''

Addressing the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Ministers' Council, Celebi said that structural reforms are needed in the finance sector and the public sector in the entire world.

Noting that the distribution of income and the purchasing power played an important role in the emergence of the Asian crisis, Celebi added that the internal markets should be stimulated and importance should be attributed to small and medium-scale economies.

Celebi stressed that a similar crisis didn't occur in Turkey due to the power of the small and medium-scale industries.

Celebi participated in a working lunch held among the OECD ministers concerning the issue of the European Common Monetary Union (EURO).

Meanwhile, Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, who will address the OECD meeting, arrived in Paris the same day.

The multilateral investment agreements, globalization, sustainable development, liberalization of trade and investments, the banking sector and taxation will be discussed during the meetings.

[29] CELLULAR PHONES PRIVATIZED - MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS, TURKCELL AND TELSIM SIGN GSM CELLULAR PHONE LICENCE TRANSFER AGREEMENT

With the agreement, the investments and operations rights of the cellular phones were transferred to Turkcell and Telsim for 25 years.

Necdet Menzir, the Minister of Transportation and Communications, said in the signing ceremony that the privatization of mobile phones was an important step in the field of communications.

The two companies deposited 500 million US dollars each to the Treasury.

[30] 83 PAKISTANI AND BANGLADESHI IMMIGRANTS TRYING TO ESCAPE TO GERMANY ILLEGALLY CAPTURED

The officials from the Directorate of Smuggling-Intelligence in Istanbul said that the police acting on a tip off captured and took into custody Muhammet Islam, a Pakistani citizen and his partners Mustafa Gul, Ahmet Uzun and Recai Demirkol who vowed to help the immigrants in their escape to Germany for one thousand US dollars for one person.

Security forces then captured 83 illegal immigrants including 66 Pakistanis and 17 Bangladeshis who entered Turkey on illegal visas. The officials said that these illegal immigrants were trying to escape to Germany via Greece and Italy.

The investigation related to the incident is underway.

[31] TURKEY IN BRIEF (2)- APRIL 27, 1998

Gen. Karadayi said in the meeting that Turkey and Romania have good relations and that the two countries show the same approaches to the military and political events.

Recalling that the two countries signed a framework agreement including military, scientific, technical and defense industry cooperation agreements, Gen. Karadayi said that the mutual visits in every field were continuing.

Gen. Degeratu said that the year 1998 is an important year for the improvement of the relations between the Turkish and Romanian Armed Forces.

Later, Gen. Degeratu met with Ismet Sezgin, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense.

Sezgin said in the meeting that he believed the trade volume between the two countries would reach one billion US dollars in 1998 and that Romania would be Turkey's first economic partner in the Balkans and fourth in the world.

Gen. Degeratu later met with Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament.

ANKARA - President Suleyman Demirel received on Monday Beatrice Damiba, Burkina Faso's acredited Ambassador to Turkey, who resides in Rome.

Ambassador Damiba presented his letter of credence to President Demirel in the meeting.

ISTANBUL - The Omani trade delagation that came to Turkey to participate in the Joint Economic Commision (JEC) meetings will hold several contacts in Istanbul on Tuesday as the guest of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO).

ITO said in a written statement that the Omani delegation would attend a seminar on ''Turkish-Omani Joint Investment Opportunities''.

The guest delegation will then hold several bilateral contacts with the representatives of the Turkish firms.

MACKA - The foundations of the Atasu Dam, which will provide potable water for Trabzon and produce energy, and the hydroelectric power plant (HPP) were laid by a ceremony on Monday.

Addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said that the constructions of the dam and the HPP would finish on time.

Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, said that they would provide credits from several sources to conclude the constructions on time.

The constructions of the Atasu Dam and the HPP, which will be constructed on Galyan Stream in Macka County of Trabzon, will be concluded within four years.

ISTANBUL - The Turkish Airlines (THY) ordered two long-haul A340-300 Airbus jetliners from the Airbus Industrie, it was reported on Monday.

The number of Airbus A340 type airplanes of the THY will increase to seven with these jetliners that will be delivered in 1999 and 2000.

BIGA - Biga County of Canakkale province and Xanthi city in Western Thrace region in Greece became sister cities, it was reported on Monday.

Filipos Amiridis, the Mayor of Xanthi, who came to Biga County upon an official invitation from the Biga Municipality, said that Xanthi and Biga became sister cities.

''We have reinforced our friendship within local administrations. We want the Turkish and Greek high-ranking officials to solve the problems peacefully,'' Mayor Amiridis said.

Sukru Kemerli, the Mayor of Biga, said that they signed mutual cooperation protocol with the Xanthi Municipality.

''We want this good dialogue to be an example for our two governments to improve friendship between our two countries,'' Mayor Kemerli said.

Birol Akifoglu, the Deputy from Xanthi, also attended the signing ceremony.

The guest Greek delegation will hold contacts in Biga for further three days.

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