Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-04-30

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

30 APRIL 1998

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRUS... - EXPERTS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.: ''US DAYTON FORMULA WON'T WORK ON CYPRUS''

[02] IMF DELEGATION IN ANKARA

[03] ''START'' GIVEN FOR THE RESTORATION OF HISTORICAL SILK ROAD

[04] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

[05] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

[06] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (3)

[07] CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE CERAMICS EXHIBITION IN TRADITIONAL STYLE

[08] TURKEY AND SLOVAKIA SIGN CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM

[09] TURKISH-OMANI JEC PROTOCOL SIGNED

[10] CONTACTS OF IMF DELEGATION - SUPPORT FROM THE FUND TO TURKEY

[11] BOLUDAGI TUNNEL TO BE OPENED TO SERVICE IN 2000

[12] THE ''MURAT OPERATION'' UNDERWAY IN EASTERN AND SOUTHEASTERN REGION

[13] ECEVIT, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: ''NOBODY HAS THE RIGHT TO PLAY WITH THE ECONOMY AND THE TRANQUILITY OF THE COMMUNITY''

[14] TURKEY IN BRIEF - APRIL 30, 1998

[15] THE SECOND WORLD TURKISH BUSINESSMEN'S COUNCIL - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: ''OUR DISTINCTIVE FOREIGN POLICY AND STRONG ECONOMY GIVE RESULTS'' - ''TURKEY IS NOT A PERIPHERY COUNTRY OF EUROPE, BUT RATHER SHE IS A CENTRAL EUROASIAN COUNTRY''

[16] 90 IRAQI IMMIGRANTS TRYING TO ESCAPE ILLEGALLY TO GREECE ARE CAPTURED

[17] REPAYMENTS OF THE FOREIGN DEBTS

[18] TURKISH-GREEK RELATIONS - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''THE STRATEGICAL AIM PURSUED BY THE GREEK GOVERNMENT IS TO PREVENT THE MULTIDIMENSIONAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES OF TURKEY AND ALSO TO UPSET AND DISTANCE TURKEY'S RELATIONS WITH THE WEST AND THE EU'' - ''THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE FACT BY GREECE THAT HER EXPANSION PROCESS, WHICH HAS EXPANDED 400 PERCENT AGAINST TURKEY SINCE SHE WAS ESTABLISHED, HAS ENDED IN 1922 AND 1974, AND WILL PROTECT THE TURKISH-GREEK RELATIONS FROM DANGERS''

[19] TURKEY AIDS IRAQ WITH MEDICINES

[20] FIRST BALLOON FILLED WITH WATER, IN GIRNE

[21] THE SECOND TURKISH BUSINESSMEN'S COUNCIL - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''THERE ARE DIFFICULTIES IN THE TRANSITION TO A LIBERAL ECONOMY''

[22] TENDER PROGRAMME OF THE TREASURY

[23] CHANGE IN THE POLITICAL PARTIES LAW - CITIZENS WHO ARE OVER 18 CAN BE MEMBERS OF POLITICAL PARTIES - POLITICAL PARTIES CAN SET UP WOMEN'S AND YOUTH BRANCHES AND CAN ORGANIZE ABROAD''

[24] TURKEY IN BRIEF (2) - APRIL 30, 1998

[01] CYPRUS... - EXPERTS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.: ''US DAYTON FORMULA WON'T WORK ON CYPRUS''

Experts who are closely concerned with the Cyprus question in Washington, D.C., say that those who are interested in the Dayton approaches for the solution on the island and that the solution would be similar, didn't consider the ''very serious'' aspects.

Recalling Bosnia before Dayton, the experts said that the power of the US brought together the three communities in Dayton, exhausted by war and lacking international support, with bombs and pressures and persuaded them to an agreement.

The key name at Dayton was Richard Holbrooke, who is now the Special Representative of the US President.

Experts said that the conditions and the actors were different on Cyprus, adding that the two important allies of the US in the NATO, Turkey and Greece, are included in this picture.

The experts emphasized that the Greek Cypriot side was provided with recognition on the international platform and got a full membership guarantee from the EU, ''which side had this opportunity in Bosnia?'' they asked.

It was also reported that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) carried out her de facto existence by being isolated and suffered a lot for years because of the embargoes. The experts said that the TRNC didn't get any financial and material support from any international institution.

The experts said that the US may try to put pressure on Ankara instead of the TRNC. Political observers said that the conditions of today were not similar to the 1960s or 1970s, adding that Turkey was now at a very important point due to the US interests. They said that Ankara now has several trump cards.

An observer said, ''the conjucture has already changed and didn't let the US put pressure on Turkey. At various points where Turkey's interests are affected, the US interests are also affected.''

Another political observer said that the US felt concern about the Aegean problem as well as the Cyprus question and pointed out that this affected the future of the NATO. The same observer said ''if it were so easy to solve the question by putting on pressure, then the US would force Ankara and Athens to sit at the negotiation table at a military base and solve the question.'' He also said, ''why couldn't they solve the problem and that the sides came to the edge of a war on the Kardak rock islets issue?''

Meanwhile, it was reported that Richard Holbrooke would be on Cyprus on Friday. Reliable sources emphasized that the special representative of the US President Bill Clinton would go to the island with new ideas. But, it is not clear what are these new ideas.

Sources said that Holbrooke would shuttle between the two sides on the Island and stressed that he would make an effort to bring the two leaders together.

Holbrooke's initiative coincides with the Greek Cypriots' efforts to deploy the Russian made S-300 missiles on the island and the European Union (EU) decision to start full membership negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side.

The US administration earlier voiced its opposition to the deployment of the S-300 missiles on the Island to the Greek Cypriot side and the Russian government.

[02] IMF DELEGATION IN ANKARA

The IMF delegation proceeded from Istanbul to Ankara and arrived at the Undersecretariat of the Treasury at 10:00 a.m. Responding to the A.A correspondent's questions, Hardy said that they came to Turkey to make ''consultation'' evaluations.

Hardy refrained from making a comment regarding the recent politial developments in Turkey.

The IMF delegation later started contacts with the Turkish economy delegation headed by Cuneyt Sel, the Deputy Undersecretary of the Treasury.

The IMF delegation arrived in Istanbul at the beginning of the week and held meetings with the representatives of the TUSIAD, the Union of Turkish Banks, the Istanbul Stock Exchange and the private sector.

The contacts of the International Monetary Fund delegation is expected to last 10 days.

[03] ''START'' GIVEN FOR THE RESTORATION OF HISTORICAL SILK ROAD

Responding to the questions of the A.A correspondent, Keten said that they were resolved to revive the Silk Road that had been neglected for a long period of time.

Pointing out that they would implement the method of ''restore-hire-operate- transfer'' for these historical sites on the Silk Road that would be opened for tender in the near future, Keten said that these seven caravanserais would be secured for the Turkish economy by the study on the ''First Silk Road Project''.

''We will open tenders for the restorations of the inns and caravanserais on the Silk Road by the method of 'restore-hire-operate-transfer' for 49 years. The companies winning the tenders won't deposit any money for the first five years,'' Keten said.

Keten said that they would open for tender for the Second Silk Road Project in July 1998.

[04] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

US: PKK IS A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION
The US administration has again declared that the PKK is ''one of the most dangerous international terrorist organizations'' and that Syria is supporting the PKK. Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, North Korea and Cuba are also among the countries supporting international terrorism. In an annual report now published by the US government, it is pointed out that Greece shows tolerance to the PKK terrorist organization. /Cumhuriyet/

ELECTIONS AFTER MAY 1999
Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister and Husamettin Cindoruk, the Chairman of the Democratic Turkey Party (DTP) convened yesterday at the residence of the Prime Minister. Husamettin Ozkan, the Minister of State from the Democratic Left Party (DSP) and Ismet Sezgin, the Deputy Prime Minister also attended the meeting. They agreed that ''early general elections will not be held before May 1999 and that there will be no new election government''. /Cumhuriyet/

NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL CONVENES
The National Security Council, chaired by President Suleyman Demirel, convened yesterday for its usual monthly meeting in which the issue of the measures to be taken against Islamic fundamentalism topped the agenda. After the meeting Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, Bulent Ecevit, the Chairman of the Democratic Left Party and Husamettin Cindoruk, the Chairman of the Democratic Turkey Party (DTP), who are the top level representatives of the parties constituting the coalition government, proceeded on to the official Prime Ministry Residence where they discussed suggestions put forward by Deniz Baykal, the Chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP) who had proposed an early election. /Hurriyet/

ROBIN COOK TO VISIT TURKEY
European Union Term President, and British Foreign Minister Robin Cook will visit Turkey prior to a planned meeting on May 25 of the Cooperation Council in order to revive the Turkish-EU Cooperation Council which could fold-up because Greece still vetoes the economic support that the EU had promised to Turkey. Meanwhile, a Turkish delegation in London, headed by Uluc Ozulker, a Foreign Ministry official, has started contacts with the British officials concerning Britain's EU term presidency and the EU- Turkish Cooperation Council. /Hurriyet/

US EXPANDS IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILES QUOTA
The US has expanded implementation of the textiles quota for Turkey. This expansion will include five product categories and last for seven years. Isın Celebi, the Minister of State noted yesterday that this expansion will create an additional 80 million US dollars in exports in 1998. /Cumhuriyet/

FOREIGN MINISTRY EVALUATES SAKIK'S REVELATIONS
The latest alleged revelations by Semdin Sakik, the second leader of the PKK terrorist organization, stating that the PKK was responsible for the 1986 assassination of Olaf Palme, the Swedish Prime Minister, are being evaluated by the Turkish Foreign Ministry officials. Ambassador Necati Utkan, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman, held a press conference yesterday and said that the questioning of Sakik has been completed and that Sakik has been transferred to the State Security Court (DGM). Utkan noted that a number of state institutions were involved in the enquiries into Sakik's statements. /Cumhuriyet/

MILITARY CLAMPS DOWN ON PKK
Thirty-eight people have been killed since the renewal on Aprıl 25 of the security operations in the Southeast by the nearly 40,000-strong security forces against the remaining members of the PKK terrorist organization. Military officials say that security forces have surrounded 400 armed terrorists in a mountainous, triangular area located between the provinces of Diyarbakir and Bingol, in the largest operations against the PKK since 1984. Military spokesman and operations division commander Brig.Gen.Hayri Kivrikoglu briefed reporters, saying that the main purpose of the operations was to destroy one of the largest PKK strongholds in the Southeast.

The general said that the military had so far killed 35 terrorists and captured eight, adding that there had been three military casualties. The current operations are being supported by gunship helicopters and Air Force jets. /All papers/

ISRAEL: ''TURKEY IS IMPORTANT''
Eli Shaked, the Israeli Consul to Turkey, said that the close relations between Turkey and Israel benefit the region. Shaked added that Turkey was very important for Israel, celebrating her 50th anniversary today. The current agreement between Turkey and Israel, two democratic countries in the Middle East, share common denominators with the US, which is beneficial for the Middle East. /Milliyet/

IMF DELEGATION IN ANKARA
Martin Hardy, the Chief of the Turkish desk of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the delegation accompanying him met yesterday in Istanbul with Ekrem Keskin, the General Secretary of the Banks Union. After the meeting Hardy evaluated the meeting as being ''very useful'' and added that they had exchanged information about bank structuring and technical details about the financial sector. Completing their contacts in Istanbul, the delegation flew on to Ankara the same day. /Sabah/

[05] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

CETIN IN US
Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament, continues his visit in the US. Today, Cetin will be given an honorary doctorate by the Florida Atlantic University in Florida. Later, he will attend a ceremony for handing over the Turkish flag which was sent into space during a NASA project. /Milliyet/

''MODERN TURKEY''
Hans Bergstrom, the Editor of the Swedish Dagens Nyheter newspaper, has accused the European Union (EU) of making big mistakes in its relations with Turkey. In an article published yesterday Bergstrom said, ''Turkey is a modern country. The EU Luxembourg decision has deeply hurt Turkey. The EU applies double standards and takes the side of Greece. How can the EU member countries easily pardon Greece, which continuously attacks Turkey and treats with injustice the Turkish minority in Western Thrace?''

In his article Bergstrom also criticised the Swedish government because of its anti-Turkish attitudes. /Sabah/

'BOSPHORUS MEETING' IN LONDON
Turkey and Russia will meet at an International Maritime Organization (IMO) meeting in London on 11 May to discuss the Bosphorus issue.

Guven Erkaya, the Government Advisor on the Bosphorus issue and former Navy Forces Commander and a delegation will represent Turkey at the meeting. The Turkish delegation will try to win approval for the Bosphorus Regulations which were put into effect in July 1996. /Milliyet/

TURKISH-JAPANESE BUSINESS COUNCIL IN ANKARA
The Turkish-Japanese Business Council, acting under the Foreign Economic Relations Committee, will hold its 11th meeting in Ankara on May 4. The Foreign Economic Relations Committee said the sides will evaluate the joint business visit of Business Council and its interlocutor organization KEIDANREN to Central Asia and Caucasia. Also cooperation facilities aimed at Russia and the Balkan countries and potential areas of cooperation between Turkey and Japan will be evaluated during the meeting. Nearly 150 businessmen from each country will participate at the meeting. Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and Gunes Taner, the Minister of State, will speak at the opening ceremony of the meeting.

ANKARA: PANGALOS' REMARKS ABOUT ISLANDS RAISES TENSION
Turkey said yesterday that the recent remarks of Theodoros Pangalos, the Greek Foreign Minister about some islands in the Aegean were a distortion of historical realities which only serves to further exacerbate Turco-Greek relations. ''Greece cannot claim sovereignty over those geographical formations in the Aegean, which are not accorded to Greece in the international agreements,'' the Foreign Ministry Spokesman Necati Utkan said yesterday. /All papers/

CILLER IN BOSTON
Tansu Ciller, the leader of the True Path Party (DYP) made a speech about Turkey's political problems at the World Women Leaders' Summit in Boston, Massachusetts, yesterday. Ciller said, ''I believe the Islamic vote in Turkey is below 10 percent. But the Welfare Party (RP) got 20 percent in the 1995 elections because of domestic economic hardships''. Ciller also noted that the anti-terror struggle would continue because of Turkey's neighbours. /All papers/

JAPANESE ROYALTY TO VISIT TURKEY IN MAY
One of the top figures in the Japanese royal family, Prince Tomohito, will pay a visit to Turkey in early May on the occasion of the opening of a Turco-Japanese Cultural Centre in Ankara. Prince Tomohito will arrive in Ankara on May 2 and will stay in Turkey until May 5, a Foreign Ministry statement said yesterday.

DEMIREL OPENS PRIMARY SCHOOL IN ISTANBUL
President Suleyman Demirel opened the Enka Primary School in Istinye, Istanbul, yesterday and urged private companies and businessmen to help finance new schools in Turkey. President Demirel, accompanied by Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, later laid the foundation for the second phase of construction of a new culture and convention centre in Maslak, Istanbul. /All papers/

[06] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (3)

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

TURKEY HOSTS ''GLOBAL CHILDREN'S WALK''
On April 27, Turkey staged her own part of the ''global children's walk'' which protects and endorses the rights of child workers. A total of 40 children from different countries joined in a walk to Ankara. The global children's walk began in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines on October 17, and will end on June 2 in Geneva.

CB CANCELS SHORT-TERM OPEN MARKET OPERATIONS
The Turkish Central Bank said yesterday that it will cancel short-term open market operations due to a policy change in daily liquidity management. ''The Central Bank is changing its daily liquidity management policy and as of May 4, 1998, the bank is refraining from overnight repo and reverse repos unless an extraordinary volatility in the short-term interest rates emerges'' the bank said in a statement. /Cumhuriyet/

PHILOSOPHY OLYMPICS
During the ''International Philosophy Olympics'' held in Romania, Cevat Yildirim from the Ankara Private Tevfik Fikret High School and students from Saint Benoit High School, Istanbul, who represented Turkey, ranked third. Poland ranked first and Romania came in second. /Cumhuriyet/

AWARD FOR TURKISH LECTURER
Prof.Cigdem Kagitcibasi, a lecturer from the Koc University's Psychology Department, will be given the ''1998 High Scientific Contribution Award'' by the International Psychology Association for her contributions to science. The award will be presented to her at a ceremony at the 24th International Psychology Seminar to be held in San Francisco on August 9, 1998. /Cumhuriyet/

GALLEY OF ABDULAZIZ GOING TO LISBON
A galley belonging to the Ottoman Sultan Abdulaziz has been sent to Portugal to be exhibited in the EXPO '98 Fair to be held in Lisbon between 22 May and 30 September. In addition to the galley, 93 works of art will also be sent to Lisbon. /Cumhuriyet/

TURK WINS DUTCH AWARD
Adnan Dalkiran, chairman of the Culture and Arts Foundation in Amsterdam, has been awarded the ''Royal Dutch Medal'', presented to individuals who contribute services to society. Dalkiran, who is working as a ''social advisor'' in Amsterdam, was a member of the Assembly of the Amsterdam Municipality between 1994-1996. /Sabah/

BARZANI: ''PKK TERRORISTS CONTINUE TO SHELTER IN NORTHERN IRAQ''
In a statement to the ''Al-Sharq Al-Awsat'' newspaper, Mesut Barzani, the head of the Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (IKDP) said that about 500 terrorists of the PKK terrorist organization were sheltering in Northern Iraq. He noted that the PKK terrorists continued to seek shelter in Northern Iraq without being discouraged by the latest operation that was carried out by the Turkish forces to apprehend the PKK leader Semdin Sakik who had surrendered earlier to the IKDP. /Hurriyet/

ANKARA FILM FESTIVAL OPENS
The 10th Ankara International Film Festival will start tomorrow. During the festival, which will last until 10 May, both short and full length films and animations will be screened. A national full-length films contest has also been organized at the festival. /Hurriyet/

NEW WORK ON CANAKKALE MONUMENT
Istemihan Talay, the Minister of Culture, has initiated new work to complete the Canakkale Monument project which started to be constructed in 1992. The work on this monument, for those who died at the Canakkale (Dardanelles) Battle in the First World War, will be financed by the Istanbul Stock Exchange. /Hurriyet/

[07] CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE CERAMICS EXHIBITION IN TRADITIONAL STYLE

The exhibition which was staged by the Japanese Cultural Affairs Agency in Asian countries since 1996 to improve bilateral relations with Asian countries, also targets further strengthening of Japan's international cultural relations by exhibiting the cultural works of art.

Atsuko Toyoma, Japan's Ambassador to Turkey, Hayashida, the Chairman of the Japanese Cultural Affairs Agency and high ranking representatives of the Ministry of Culture will participate at the opening that will be held at the Ankara State Museum of Fine Arts.

A total of 80 important works of art of 62 artists called ''living national values'' and representing civilized Japan will be displayed at the exhibition.

[08] TURKEY AND SLOVAKIA SIGN CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM

The signatories of the program were Metin Goker, the General Director of Cultural Affairs of the Foreign Ministry and Jan Lisuch, Slovakia's Ambassador to Turkey. The program foresees cooperation between the two countries in the fields of culture, education, science and sports.

Speaking after the signing ceremony Goker recalled that negotiations related to the program were concluded in February, adding that Slovakia had accelerated cultural activities with many countries following this.

Lisuch, the Slovakian Ambassador said that the program was based on the cultural agreement signed between the two countries last year and pointed out, ''Turkey and Slovakia should strengthen cooperation in the political and economic fields as well as the cultural fields.''

[09] TURKISH-OMANI JEC PROTOCOL SIGNED

Addressing the signing ceremony, Metin Gurdere said that the meetings were held within the framework of mutual cooperation and good intentions.

Pointing out that it was proved in the meetings that there was a large scale potential between the two countries in the fields of trade and economics, Gurdere said that the protocol would contribute to the evaluation of that potential and to the relations between Turkey and Oman.

Bin Tarıq, said that the meetings had reached their goal.

''We will prepare and thus conclude the infrastructure for the economic and commercial relations. We have engaged in an important exchange of opinions at the meeting. Besides, the relations started between our private sectors are another important development,'' Bin Tarıq said.

According to the protocol, the sides have reached an agreement on the document of the Agreement for Prevention of Double-Taxation that will make considerable contributions to the economic and commercial relations between the two cointries. The parties decided to sign that agreement as soon as possible.

Other issues of cooperation are as follows:

- several mutual visits of the trade delegations will be held in the next period to bring the bilateral commercial relations to the highest level,

-a fair at which the Turkish export goods will be exhibited will be organized in Oman,

-the Omani government will let the Turkish exporters make use of the facilities for the imports of fresh vegetables and fruits,

-the parties have reached an agreement to give the start to the negotiations to improve the air and sea transportation between the two countries and to sign the Agreement for Encouragement and Protection of Investments,

-the parties decided to give the start to studies to set up the necessary infrastructure at the Omani Stock Exchange and Istanbul Stock Exchange to have the shares of the local companies in the two countries mutually quoted.

[10] CONTACTS OF IMF DELEGATION - SUPPORT FROM THE FUND TO TURKEY

The IMF delegation, currently in Turkey to hold half year evaluations, met with the Turkish delegation headed by Cuneyt Sel, the Deputy Undersecretary of the Undersecretariat of the Treasury.

Responding to the questions of the A.A correspondent if IMF would expand its support to Turkey after all of these, Hardy said that they regarded the recent developments recorded in the Turkish economy as very positive, adding that it would be better to ask this question to the government.'' I don't think that the government intends to ask for more support from us'' he added.

Nothing that the aim of his visit was to hold the semi-annual consultations within the contacts of the IMF agreement, Hardy said ''we will evaluate the economic program of the Turkish government implemented this year and we will discuss with the government the economic developments and the targets related to the future of the economy. We will take up structural reforms, but at the same time discuss a plan aimed at decreasing inflation.''

Hardy said they would prepare a report regarding their contacts in Turkey, adding that the report will be disclosed by Michel Camdessus, the IMF Chairman, in the second half of July. He said that the IMF aimed at establishing a positive dialogue with the Turkish government.

Responding to a question, Martin Hardy said that there were signals that inflation has a tendency to decrease in the Turkish economy adding, ''these are encouraging for Turkey to become indebted in the international markets and for her credibility. With the entrance of foreign capital, an increase may be recorded in the international reserves.''

Hardy said that he met with the high level administrators of the Turkish private sector in Istanbul and got their views regarding the Turkish economy.

Cuneyt Sel, the Deputy Undersecretary of the Treasury said that the IMF delegation came to Turkey to hold annual evaluations, adding that they would prepare two separate reports after their contacts.

Sel said that the IMF delegation would stay in Turkey until May 12 and that the reports would be submitted to the IMF Supreme Committee in the second half of June and to the Executive Board in the second half of July.

[11] BOLUDAGI TUNNEL TO BE OPENED TO SERVICE IN 2000

Turan Gokten, the programming engineer of the Italian Astaldi company which assumed responsibility for the construction of the Boludagi Tunnel, said that the 93 km section of the 114 km motorway was concluded.

Gokten said that one kilometer of the motorway cost 5.4 million US dollars, adding that 487 million US dollars were spent for the 90 km section of the motorway which was concluded.

Noting that they had to make several changes in the project due to the ground conditions during the excavations of the Bolu mountain tunnel, Gokten said that despite all the negative aspects, the tunnel would be concluded by June 18, 2000 as it had been mentioned previously.

[12] THE ''MURAT OPERATION'' UNDERWAY IN EASTERN AND SOUTHEASTERN REGION

A total of 24 generals are personally participating in the operation and managing the operation. The soldiers are trying to narrow the circle around the separatist terrorists to provide a hot clash.

One of the three important centers of the operation is Topraktepe, in the Bingol-Lice-Mus triangle. Colonel Baskin Ozbalci, the commander of this Tactical Command Center said that there are nearly 120 terrorists in the Saggoze region and that the soldiers were trying to engage in a hot clash with the terrorists. Ozbalci said they are continously advising the terrorists to surrender.

The reporters who came to the region to cover the operation were brought to Care and Tokmaktepe regions to see the Saggoze region where the terrorists who infiltarated to Turkey are being sheltered.

Gen. Necdet Demiralp, Commander of the 7th Brigade, told the journalists that there were hot clashes in Caretepe at the start of the operation, adding that one terrorist was killed and another was captured in the first clashes where three soldiers died.

[13] ECEVIT, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: ''NOBODY HAS THE RIGHT TO PLAY WITH THE ECONOMY AND THE TRANQUILITY OF THE COMMUNITY''

Responding to the questions of reporters about early elections, Ecevit said that the people didn't want elections.

Noting that the government was interested in many basic problems and in producing solutions to them one after the other, Ecevit said ''everybody, who wants to make a policy of compromise and accord with the people, should perceive this.''

Responding to a question of a reporter related to the statement of Deniz Baykal, the leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP) on a TV program, ''the government created the crisis,'' Ecevit said, ''I don't want to be involved in such meaningless debates. People got bored with such arguments.''

[14] TURKEY IN BRIEF - APRIL 30, 1998

The decisions approved by President Demirel according to the written statement of the Presidential Press Center are as follows:

-the decision regarding putting the Afsin-Elbistan C Thermal Power Plant (including the construction of the ventilation shaft) Project into the 1998 Programme of the General Directorate of the Turkish Electricity Inc. (TEAS) on the occasion of financing the project with foreign credits and with the equity capital of the TEAS,

-the decision regarding the approval of a 50 million 520 thousand US dollars loan agreement signed between the government and the European Council Social Development Fund on December 19, 1997 in Paris,

-the decision regarding the establishment of a municipality with the name of ''Ovacuma'' by uniting the Ovacuma, Ovakoseler, Tintin, Hacihasan and Danisment Villages in Safranbolu County of Karabuk Province.

WASHINGTON, D.C., - Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament, started on Wednesday his contacts in the US in Florida.

Cetin met with the officials from the Florida Atlantic University in the city of Fort Lauderdale. Hikmet Cetin will be granted with the ''Honourary Doctorate'' of the Florida Atlantic University on Friday.

Cetin also met with the representatives of the Turkish-American associations in the region and with a group representing the Turkish students.

After receiving the honourary doctorate, Hikmet Cetin will make observations on Saturday at the John F. Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral and will receive the Turkish flag which was sent into the space and returned.

Cetin will proceed to Washington, D.C., on Sunday and meet with Marc Grossman, the US Assistant Secretary of State and former Ambassador to Turkey.

The same day, Hikmet Cetin will also meet with Bob Livingston, the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the US House of Representatives, and with Newt Gingrich, the Speaker of the US House of Representatives.

Cetin will attend a meeting and give an speech at the Washington Institute and later will meet with the representatives of the Turkish associations and students.

Hikmet Cetin will proceed to New York on May 6 and will meet with the representatives of the Turkish-American associations.

Hikmet Cetin will return to Turkey the same day.

GAZIANTEP - The exports of woven cloth and thread from the Southeastern Anatolia Region in the first quarter of 1998 increased 49 percent to 62 million 475 thousand US dollars, it was reported on Thursday.

The region had exported 41 million 914 thousand US dollars in woven cloth and thread in the same period in 1997.

Officials said that the woven cloth and thread were exported to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Romania, Azerbaijan, Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Italy, Jordan, Spain, France, Lebanon, the US, Israel, Portugal, Greece, Algeria and Russia.

ZONGULDAK - The officials from the Zonguldak Border Gate didn't allow on Thursday a total of 26 immigrants of Bulgarian origin to enter Turkey.

The officials said that these immigrants came to Zonguldak from the Ukraine by sea and wanted to go to Bulgaria via Turkey, but they prevented these immigrants from entering to Turkey as they didn't have any official documents like passports.

ANKARA - Turkey and Slovakia signed on Thursday a ''Cultural Exchange Programme''.

The programme, which was signed by Metin Goker, the General Director of the Foreign Ministry's Department of Cultural Affairs, and Jan Lisuch, the Slovakian Ambassador to Ankara, foresees cooperation between the two countries in the fields of culture, education, science and sports.

ATHENS - A total of 79 illegal immigrants trying to escape to Greece from Turkey in two boats were captured in the Aegean Sea, it was reported on Thursday.

The officials from the Greek Coastal Security said that most of the illigal immigrants are Northern Iraqi citizens and there is a Turkish human smuggler among the captured people.

ANKARA - A ''Tax Instruction'' course will be given for the tax experts from the Central Asian Republics, Caucasus Republics, Central and Eastern European countries, Russia, the Baltic Republics, China and Vietnam at the Ankara OECD Tax Centre, which was set up with the cooperation of the Ministry of Finance and the OECD, it was reported on Thursday.

A total of 30 tax experts from 30 countries will attend the course on ''Taxation in Agriculture'' to be given between May 4-8.

The course on ''Tax Systems in the Small-Scale Enterprises'' will be given for 32 experts from 10 countries between May 11-15.

[15] THE SECOND WORLD TURKISH BUSINESSMEN'S COUNCIL - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: ''OUR DISTINCTIVE FOREIGN POLICY AND STRONG ECONOMY GIVE RESULTS'' - ''TURKEY IS NOT A PERIPHERY COUNTRY OF EUROPE, BUT RATHER SHE IS A CENTRAL EUROASIAN COUNTRY''

Addressing the World Turkish Businessmen's Council meeting held in Izmir, Ismail Cem said that Turkey isn't satisfied with being a periphery country of Europe, but she prefers to be a ''central country'' of Euroasia.

Noting that Turkey enters into the 2000s as a ''world country,'' Cem stated, ''Turkey's function as a bridge between Asia and Europe is being forgotten, because she has started to function as a terminal station. In the 2000s, Turkey will be a country which will consume, re-produce and sell the energy, products and raw materials, which she purchases.''

''Turkey has the strongest economy, the strongest armed forces and the most rooted democracy in spite of several deficiencies in the region from the Balkans to the Caucasus, to Central Asia and to the Eastern Mediterranean. Besides that, Turkey has the historical privileges and opportunities of being both European and Asian,'' Cem said.

Pointing out that Turkey is ready for the 21st century, which is described as the ''Euroasian Century,'' Foreign Minister Cem stressed that Euroasia will be the global development center of the 21st century with its new energy sources, energy and communication corridors and trade opportunities.

''Turkey is the most rapidly developing country among the 29 countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Our economic growth increased 8 percent in 1997 and today, Turkey is the 17th country in the world concerning purchasing power,'' said Cem.

''Turkey's demand to be an European Union (EU) country continues, but she doesn't have the aim of being a periphery country. Turkey, which provides the transportation between East and the West, becomes a central country, which will produce peace and prosperity,'' Cem stated.

Recalling that the most important foreign policy experts and politicians in the world say, ''the 21st century will be the Euroasian century,'' Cem said that the European and Asian continents will integrate with each other, thus the importance of Euroasia will be much greater in the coming century.

''We know that our claims are right, an important part of our foreign policy is economic diplomacy and the Foreign Ministry works on policies which develop Turkey's economic relations in the world,'' added Cem.

Pointing out that Latin America will be open for Turkish enterpreneurs in 1999, Cem stressed that the per capita national income in Turkey will be 25, 000 US dollars in 2010 and it will reach 30,000 dollars in 2020.

[16] 90 IRAQI IMMIGRANTS TRYING TO ESCAPE ILLEGALLY TO GREECE ARE CAPTURED

Officials told the A.A correspondent that the immigrants were left in a woodland near Copkoy Village by the 2 Turkish people who vowed to help the immigrants in their escape to Greece for one thousand US dollars per person, and stayed 3 days in the woodland. The investigation related to the incident is underway.

[17] REPAYMENTS OF THE FOREIGN DEBTS

Officials from the Central Bank told the A.A correspondent that

2.7 billion US dollars was repaid for the Treasury, 101.3 million US dollars for the Central Bank, 775.2 million US dollars for the documentation, book, publishing and membership payments of the administrations with an added budget and for the payments of the National Defence Ministry and Defence Industry and 45.8 million US dollars for the Turkish Defence Fund since April 29.

[18] TURKISH-GREEK RELATIONS - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''THE STRATEGICAL AIM PURSUED BY THE GREEK GOVERNMENT IS TO PREVENT THE MULTIDIMENSIONAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES OF TURKEY AND ALSO TO UPSET AND DISTANCE TURKEY'S RELATIONS WITH THE WEST AND THE EU'' - ''THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE FACT BY GREECE THAT HER EXPANSION PROCESS, WHICH HAS EXPANDED 400 PERCENT AGAINST TURKEY SINCE SHE WAS ESTABLISHED, HAS ENDED IN 1922 AND 1974, AND WILL PROTECT THE TURKISH-GREEK RELATIONS FROM DANGERS''

The Prime Ministry Press Center said that the statement of Prime Minister Yılmaz about Greece is as follows:

''It will be beneficial for everybody like us to take into consideration and think about the initiatives and propaganda efforts of the Greek government concerning the Turkey-EU relations, the Aegean problems and the issues that concern Turkey's internal affairs. On the one hand, Greece extends support to the PKK terrorism, which aims to destroy Turkey's territorial integrity, stability and peace and on the other hand, she launches systematic efforts to keep alive the tense Turkish-Greek relations, which result from the problems in the Aegean. Otherwise, it isn't possible to explain the attitude of Greece, which rejects the examination of the proposals of our government aimed at solving the Aegean problems and which denies the existence of many problems in the Aegean, which the whole world accepts.''

Prime Minister Yılmaz stressed that while the proof concerning the support of Greece extended to the PKK terrorism is increasing, Greece also states concern about human rights in Turkey, adding that this is a tragicomic contradiction.

''Certainly Greece is a sovereign country and her policies will be determined by the Greek government. However, it is our neighbourly right and one of our peaceful foreign policy traditions to point out the dangers of the hostile mentality and policy of Greece, which she seems to be resolved to pursue towards Turkey. We wish to warn Greece to stay away from the heavy responsibility for the possible negative developments caused by her hostile policy. Turkish-Greek relations, our region and Europe urgently need the Greek administrators to refrain from their obvious choice of continuing the tension observed in the Turkish-Greek relations. If this basic need is met, if the Greek government starts to approach the bilateral relations in a friendly manner and with the principles of a good neighbour and with cooperation, then all the world and the Turkish and Greek nations, which we have no doubt are friendly towards each other, will see that there won't be any bilateral relations that will remain unsolved. It is very clear that such a qualified improvement of the Turkish-Greek relations will also have positive repercussions on the Cyprus question,'' said Yılmaz.

Calling on the Greek government once again to a perception of peace and cooperation which should govern the bilateral relations and which won't change the status of the two countries in their neighbourhood relations, Prime Minister Yılmaz said, ''the acceptance of the fact by Greece that her expansion process, which has expanded 400 percent against Turkey since she was established, has ended in 1922 and 1974, and will protect the Turkish- Greek relations from dangers and constitute a good start which will set up the positive atmosphere needed for the interests of our nations. Certainly, it will be useful to benefit from the resolved attitude and suggestions of our common allies and partners to change the mentality of the Greek government.''

[19] TURKEY AIDS IRAQ WITH MEDICINES

Addressing the journalists at the Habur border gate during the delivery of the medical aid, Melih Ulueren, the Undersecretary of Iraqi Embassy, said, ''this aid from Turkey will help the Iraqi people, who have suffered from the embargo implemented by the United Nations, after Iraq's occupation of Kuwait in 1990.''

Ulueren described the medical aid as an expression of the friendly feelings of the Turkish government and the Turkish people for the Iraqi people.

[20] FIRST BALLOON FILLED WITH WATER, IN GIRNE

The tugboat has returned again to Mersin with the balloon, since the construction of the water depot installation is still continuing.

The project foresees the annual transfer of seven million cubic meters of water to the TRNC. The balloons are provided by the Norwegian firm, Nordic Water Supply and the Turkish Alarko firm.

[21] THE SECOND TURKISH BUSINESSMEN'S COUNCIL - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''THERE ARE DIFFICULTIES IN THE TRANSITION TO A LIBERAL ECONOMY''

Addressing the Second World Turkish Businessmen's Congress held in the western province of Izmir, President Suleyman Demirel stated, ''if the businessmen were powerful in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s like today, such meetings would have been held in those times and Turkey would have developed quickly.''

Stressing that Turkey had a mixed economy in those years and there wasn't sufficient capital, President Demirel pointed out that Turkey has always been in a struggle for civilization during the history of the Republic.

Noting that the world competes in the market economy, President Demirel said that Turkey is included in this competition and she needs information to survive in this competition.

President Demirel added that important investments are being made all over Turkey, noting that these investments will increase in the future.

Mentioning the green passport demand of businessmen, President Demirel added that the necessary procedures will be made concerning this issue, because the mission of the Republic of Turkey is to make Turkish businessmen equal with the businessmen of other countries.

In this framework, Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister will give green passports to 100 businessmen and 100 journalists, who will be determined by Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB).

Meanwhile, the stand of the Anadolu Agency, which presents the ''News Broadcasts by Satellite'' has interested many foreign businessmen.

A total of 500 businessmen from 42 countries are participating at the Congress.

[22] TENDER PROGRAMME OF THE TREASURY

The first tender will be opened on May 12 with one-year term bonds. It is expected that the bonds for a total of 180-250 trillion Turkish Liras will be sold. The value date of the tender is May 13, 1998 and the date of redemption is May 12, 1999.

The Undersecretariat of the Treasury will open another tender on May 18 for a total of 420-490 trillion Turkish Liras with a nine-month term.

The value date of the tender was announced as May 20, 1998 and the date of redemption as February 17, 1999.

The third tender with a one-year term will be held on May 22.

Officials say that they expect to sell bonds for a total of 300 trillion Turkish Liras. The tender's value date is May 27, 1998 and its date of redemption is May 26, 1999.

Meanwhile, the Undersecretariat announced that the total of the domestic debt service which will be made in May, is 1.3 quadrillion Turkish Liras and 840.8 trillion Turkish Liras of it is in principal and 496.3 billion Turkish Liras is in interest.

[23] CHANGE IN THE POLITICAL PARTIES LAW - CITIZENS WHO ARE OVER 18 CAN BE MEMBERS OF POLITICAL PARTIES - POLITICAL PARTIES CAN SET UP WOMEN'S AND YOUTH BRANCHES AND CAN ORGANIZE ABROAD''

The draft law foresees that citizens who are over 18 can be members of political parties and the political parties can set up women's and youth branches and they can organize abroad. Those people who cause the closure of any political party won't engage in politics for five years.

The commission headed by Atila Sav wrapped up its work on the draft law the same day. The draft law, which was prepared by the Interparliamentary Accord Council headed by Hasan Korkmazcan, will be discussed in the Parliament.

The draft law also lifted the prohibition on university teachers being members of political parties.

Professional institutions, associations, foundations and cooperations can extend financial assistance and make donations to political parties under the draft law.

Real and legal persons can't make a donation of more than 50 billion Turkish Liras to political parties within the same year.

Political parties can't receive assistance and donations from foreign countries, international institutions and foreign real and legal persons.

The draft law also prohibits the political parties being involved in trade and empowers the Constitutional Court to control acquisition of property and income and expenditures of the political parties.

Those who give illegal donations to the political parties and party administrators who illegally accept the donation will be imprisoned from six months to one year.

[24] TURKEY IN BRIEF (2) - APRIL 30, 1998

Metin Kilavuz, the lawyer of Juhnke, claimed that his client was subjected to torture, and requested that the responsible person be punished, but the judge refused the demand for investigating the torture allegations.

The court decided that the imprisonment of Jhunke should be continued and the trial to be posponed for the investigation of the defence.

SOFIA - The Bulgarian customs officials captured on Thursday 13 immigrants who were hiding in a lorry to escape illegally to Germany.

Officials from the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry told the A.A correspondent that the 13 immigrants including 10 Turkish and 3 Iraqi people, paid five thousand German marks per person to escape to Germany.

The investigation related to the incident is underway and the Hungarian driver of the lorry has been taken into custody.

BOSTON - Tansu Ciller, the Leader of the True Path Party, who is currently in the US to attend the First Annual Summit of the World Women Leaders Council, claimed on Thursday that the state applies pressure on the religious issues in Turkey, adding that if Turkey overcomes this problem, she will become one of the super powers of the 21st century.

Addressing the Summit organized at the Harvard University in Boston, Ciller called for a limitation of the government's powers which abuse the individual rights in her speech named ''religion and policy''.

ZONGULDAK - Security forces captured on Thursday 13 Ukranian immigrants trying to escape illegally to Bulgaria via Turkey at Zonguldak custom gate.

Officials told the A.A correspondent that the immigrants were not allowed to enter Turkey and deported for Ukraine.

ANKARA - The Western Germany wind instrument group will come together with the Turkish listeners in framework of the 15th International Ankara Music Festival, on Thursday.

Turkish oboe player Taskin Oray also takes part in the group.

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