Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-05-01

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

01 MAY 1998

CONTENTS

[01] STRUGGLE AGAINST SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION

[02] TURKISH-FRENCH COOPERATION - OCIFT WHICH WILL BE RECONSTRUCTED WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE KOSGEB, WILL HELP THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMMERCIAL RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND FRANCE

[03] ''OFFICIAL BUREAU'' OF THE SEPARATIST PKK IN ATHENS - ATHENS BUREAU OF THE PKK GIVES RISE TO A REACTION IN ANKARA

[04] TURKISH-JAPANESE ECONOMIC RELATIONS - JAPANESE CONSUL GENERAL TO ISTANBUL ISHIDO: - ''WE AIM TO BALANCE THE EXPORTS AND IMPORTS WITH TURKEY''

[05] MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS - SAHINOGLU, THE MAYOR OF ANKARA, SAYS THAT THE REQUIRED SECURITY MEASURES TAKEN

[06] GEORGIAN-TURKISH JOINT NAVAL MANEUVER

[07] TELEPHONE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TRNC AND THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE

[08] MACEDONIAN JOURNALISTS IN THE TRNC

[09] CONFERENCE IN BAKU ON THE ''TURKISH-ARMENIAN RELATIONS AND HISTORICAL FACTS''

[10] OZULKER, THE FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY IN ROME

[11] THE ISSUE OF ''MISSING PERSONS'' ON CYPRUS - NO RESULT COULD BE REACHED AT YESTERDAY'S MEETING

[12] PROJECT OF THE NATIONAL MONITOR SYSTEM COMES INTO FORCE - MINISTER OF TRANPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS MENZIR DUE TO SIGN THE APPLICATION PROTOCOL TOMORROW

[13] STRAITS BRIEFING TO EMBASSY REPRESENTATIVES

[14] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

[15] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

[16] THE ISSUE OF STRENGTHENING THE TURKISH KOBIs FOR WORLD COMPETION

[17] NEW TERRORISM REPORT OF THE US DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[18] SECOND WORLD TURKISH BUSINESSMEN'S CONVENTION - GUREL, MINISTER OF STATE: ''THE GOVERNMENT WILL SUBMIT A STRATEGIC PLAN TO THE EU''

[19] EARTH TREMOR IN CANKIRI

[20] SECOND WORLD TURKISH BUSINESSMEN'S CONVENTION - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''TURKEY IS A WORLDWIDE ECONOMIC CENTER''

[21] FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE TRNC - MINISTER OF STATE GUREL: ''A TOTAL OF 48.3 TRILLION TURKISH LIRAS IN FINANCIAL SUPPORT WILL BE GIVEN TO THE TRNC IN 1998''

[22] CONTACTS OF IMF DELEGATION - IMF DELEGATION CONTINUES CONTACTS IN ANKARA ON A TECHNICAL LEVEL

[23] FOREIGN MINISTRY SAYS KOSOVO PROBLEM MAY THREATEN THE SECURITY OF EUROPE IF AN URGENT SOLUTION CAN'T BE FOUND

[24] FIFTH INTERNATIONAL BELIEF CONGRESS TO TAKE PLACE IN TURKEY

[25] MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS (2)

[26] DEATH TOLL OF TERRORISTS INCREASES AT THE MURAT OPERATION

[27] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM DUE IN STRASBOURG

[01] STRUGGLE AGAINST SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION

Addressing the journalists who came to Diyarbakir for the ''Murat'' military operation, the military official noted that the most powerful aspects of the PKK are ''propaganda'' and ''organization'', and added that the terrorist organization is providing new militants from Istanbul and Izmir Provinces. He stressed, ''A political party works for providing militants to the PKK. There is no participation of the organizations from the region. The Turkish Armed Forces's efforts for uniting with the people living in the region has started to be effective.''

The Military officials told the reporters that the press has important roles to break down the PKK's propaganda activities, adding ''There are newspapers which are financed by the terrorist organization''.

Pointing out that the PKK is trying to gain political ground in Europe, the official stressed that the activities which were held during last July and August, are as follows:

''-efforts for forming an airline company in Europe,

-initiatives for giving a censure concerning the Kurdish problem to the European Parliament,

-initiatives for preparing a report about the human rights abuses in Turkey to the European Parliament,

-efforts for bringing a delegation from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), to Turkey,

-organizing a cultural conferance in Finland,

-organizing a Kurdish festival in Europe,

-propaganda of the journey of the Peace Train on the Brussels-Diyarbakir line through the Internet,

-conference in Hamburg concerning ''war and health in Kurdistan'' which will be organized by the Kurdish Red Crescent, -distribution of the communique, ''the terrorists aren't the PKK, but the Republic of Turkey'' in the Baveria Province of Germany,

-membership application of the Kurdistan Union of Journalists to the International Federation of Journalists,

-the broadcasting of the MED-TV with the name of Denge Med through the 25th transponder on the EUTELSAT satellite which was vacated by Slovakia, with the intervention of the British CTV company.''

[02] TURKISH-FRENCH COOPERATION - OCIFT WHICH WILL BE RECONSTRUCTED WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE KOSGEB, WILL HELP THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMMERCIAL RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND FRANCE

KOSGEB pointed out in its written statement that the Turkish- French Investment and Development of the Cooperation Center (OCIFT) will be reconstructed, and the services of joint investments, trade, industry and technology will be provided for the small enterprises, in framework of the cooperation. The cooperation agreement will be signed by Aziz Akgul, the Chairman of the KOSGEB, and Pierre Crettiez, the Director General of the CFME ACTIM, on May 5.

OCIFT will work for providing the necessary information for the Turkish and French companies and bringing businessmen together to improve the opportunities for cooperation.

[03] ''OFFICIAL BUREAU'' OF THE SEPARATIST PKK IN ATHENS - ATHENS BUREAU OF THE PKK GIVES RISE TO A REACTION IN ANKARA

Necati Utkan, the Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, told the A.A correspondent that the investigation regarding the nature of the event is underway, noting, ''this first news marks very serious developments.''

Pointing out that ''Turkey will do what is necessary,'' Utkan reminded that Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz stressed Greece's support to the PKK in his statement concerning the relations with Greece.

ERNK, the branch of the PKK, already has offices in several European countries including Greece.

[04] TURKISH-JAPANESE ECONOMIC RELATIONS - JAPANESE CONSUL GENERAL TO ISTANBUL ISHIDO: - ''WE AIM TO BALANCE THE EXPORTS AND IMPORTS WITH TURKEY''

Ishido who came to Bursa to attend the First International Tulip Festival, visited Orhan Tasanlar, the Governor of Bursa.

Addressing the journalists during his meeting with Tasanlar, Ishido said that they are pleased with the good relations between Turkey and Japan, noting that the balance of imports and exports is against Turkey and they are trying to rebalance it.

The Japanese Consul General told the reporters that the Turkish-Japanese Business Council will meet in Ankara on May 4 with the aim of finding a solution to the balance of imports and exports.

[05] MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS - SAHINOGLU, THE MAYOR OF ANKARA, SAYS THAT THE REQUIRED SECURITY MEASURES TAKEN

Sahinoglu said in a written statement that the governorship allowed the open air meeting and demonstration march staged by a committee established by Tayfun Gorgun and his six friends.

Sahinoglu said that illegal groups aimed at sabotaging this meeting, which will strengthen unity, integrity and feelings of brotherhood for Turkey, adding ''the security forces have taken all the required measures to this end.''

This year the May 1 activities in Istanbul have been organized jointly by four unions, namely Turk-Is, Hak-Is, the Confederation of Progressive Labor Unions (DISK), and the Confederation of Public Workers' Unions (KESK).

Activities are also planned in the other large cities.

[06] GEORGIAN-TURKISH JOINT NAVAL MANEUVER

Otar Ckartisvili, the Georgian Naval Forces Commander, Burak Gursel, Turkey's Ambassador to Georgia, and Ali Ozturk, Turkish Armed Forces' Military Attach&eacute; are currently in the region to cover the maneuvers.

The maneuvers which will be participated in by four ships and helicopters from each of the two countries, will last for three days.

Meanwhile, it was reported that Eduard Shevardnadze, the Georgian President, said that military cooperation between his country and Turkey, Russia, the US, the Ukraine and Greece should be further improved.

Shevardnadze also said that joint maneuvers between the naval forces of Turkey and Georgia would be beneficial for his country.

[07] TELEPHONE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TRNC AND THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE

The system which will be established with the contribution of the UN Peace Forces on Cyprus, will take effect on Monday. Telephone numbers will be given by the Peace Forces.

Roger De Wiver, the Communications Director of the Peace Forces, said that this system will provide service 24 hours per day and that so far it had a total cost of 80,000 US dollars.

De Wiver said that the system was financed by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

[08] MACEDONIAN JOURNALISTS IN THE TRNC

The journalists who met with the State and Government officials also signed agreements foreseeing exchange of personnel and news reports with several press organizations.

The Macedonian journalists who came to the TRNC as the guest of Cyprus Union of Turkish Journalists, will depart from the island on Sunday.

[09] CONFERENCE IN BAKU ON THE ''TURKISH-ARMENIAN RELATIONS AND HISTORICAL FACTS''

Students and scientists from both Turkey and Azerbaijan attended the conference which was organized by the Union of Turkish World Culture and the Baku Social Management and Political Science Institute.

Addressing the opening of the conference, Kadri Ecvet Tezcan, Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan, said that the Armenians organized genocides against the Turkish people throughout history and invaded the Turkish lands, noting that world kept silent about these abuses.

Remarking that Armenians used the parliaments of several countries where they are living as a minority to issue resolutions concerning the so-called Armenian genocide by using different methods, Tezcan noted that the Armenians should justify for the genocides they committed against the Turkish people.

Speeches concerning the ''Armenian terror and Turkish-Muslum Genocide after the War of Independence'', ''Land Claims of the Armenians following the War of Independence'', ''Azerbaijan's Place in the Foreign Policy of Ottoman Turkey in 1918'', and the ''So-called Armenian Genocide'', were also given at the conference.

[10] OZULKER, THE FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY IN ROME

Speaking to the A.A correspondent Ozulker said that Fassino, who was expected to visit Turkey in the previous weeks, had to postpone this visit due to a reason related to domestic policy and that they planned to meet in Rome as this was an important period when developments for Turkey are expected in EU.

Noting that Italy was a close country to Turkey among the other European countries, Ozulker that said this meeting which took place before the Partnership Council meeting and the Cardiff Summit aimed at reconciling the attitudes of the two countries.

Ozulker said that Fassino, presented a very open and constructive attitude during the meeting, adding ''we have discussed what could happen before the Partnership meeting and the summit meeting. I have relayed to him the basic principles of Turkey's policy.''

Ozulker said that Italy would expend efforts to remove the Greek vetoes put on the financial aid that will be given to Turkey within the context of the Customs Union and the MEDA project.

[11] THE ISSUE OF ''MISSING PERSONS'' ON CYPRUS - NO RESULT COULD BE REACHED AT YESTERDAY'S MEETING

Addressing the journalists after the meeting, Rustem Tatar pointed out that the burial places of the people who were killed during the Greeks' and Greek Cypriots' coup against Macarios in July 15, 1974, should be found first to put forward the agreement concerning the missing persons. He noted that his proposal was rejected by the Greek Cypriot's representative.

Each side assigned a representative to conclude the missing persons issue in the framework of the agreement which was reached on July 31, 1997, between the leaders of the two comunities living on the island.

Tatar and Hristopulos exchanged the reports concerning the places of the missing persons at the previous meeting.

[12] PROJECT OF THE NATIONAL MONITOR SYSTEM COMES INTO FORCE - MINISTER OF TRANPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS MENZIR DUE TO SIGN THE APPLICATION PROTOCOL TOMORROW

An opening ceremony with the participation of Necdet Menzir, the Minister of Transportation and Communications, will be held at the Congress and Culture Center of the Middle East Technical University (ODTU), for the project which was prepared by the General Directorate of the Radio.

Menzir will sign the protocol at the ceremony, which has been arranged by ASELSAN and the General Directorate of the Radio and will start the application of the project.

[13] STRAITS BRIEFING TO EMBASSY REPRESENTATIVES

Kara briefed the representatives of embassies in Ankara of the 16 countries on the studies carried out about the Straits.

Kara said that the VTS system studies are underway rapidly to reduce the cruising risk related to the Straits, adding ''studies of rules and regulations continue rapidly on an escort system equipped with developed modern equipment to prevent accidents, evacuation of people and property, emergency intervention systems to fight against fires, to plan the course of ships and a reporting system. Our government attributes importance to studies directed at the infrastructure services. Studies have been concluded to this end. The specifications which will be prepared in parallel with the studies will be opened for international tender soon.''

Kara said that the friendly and neighboring countries should take into consideration that the Republic of Turkey regards the Straits issue because of the security of life, property and the environment, not the economic or political issues. Turkey believes in the importance of cooperation with the neighboring and other countries in this respect. The Turkish Straits have a vital importance for Turkey. Each country which uses our Straits has a responsibility in the implementation of the measures.''

Kara said significant changes have been observed in the number of accidents after the implementation of regulations in the Straits. Kara also said that Turkey, being a member of the international community, respects the laws and considers the rights of her neighbors as her own rights and expends every effort to provide safety of uninterrupted progress in the Straits.

Wadim Igorevich Kuznetsov, the Russian Ambassador to Turkey, speaking to the A.A correspondent before the meeting said that he believed in the cooperation between countries on what could be done on the Straits issue.

Representatives of Russia, the US, Germany, France, Italy, Romania, Georgia, Egypt and the Ukraine participated at the meeting.

[14] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

TURKISH ARMY OPERATIONS AGAINST THE PKK
In operations carried out in the region surrounded by the southeastern cities of Diyarbakir, Bingol, Mus, Tunceli and Elazig, the places where the PKK terrorists are known to be hiding are being blasted by 40,000 soldiers. In the last three days, 77 PKK members have been killed, and weapons and ammunition have been seized. /Milliyet/

THE IMF STARTS CONTACTS IN ANKARA
A delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), headed by Martin Hardy, held contacts in Istanbul where they met with the representatives of some private companies before they moved on to Ankara yesterday. They discussed technical issues concerning economic bureaucracy at the Undersecretariat of the Treasury. The delegation is also due to meet with Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and Gunes Taner, the Minister of State. /Milliyet/

YILMAZ: GOVERNMENT CONTINUES WITH DETERMINATION
Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz noted yesterday that the government would continue with determination to meet its commitments. Yilmaz attended an opening ceremony yesterday at the new Bodrum-Milas Airport. Delivering a speech at the ceremony, Yilmaz expressed the importance attached to tourism by the government. /Hurriyet/

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES INCREASE
The Central Bank foreign exchange reserves have reached 23 billion US dollars, breaking all records. According to the Central Bank data, the foreign exchange reserves, which totalled 22,185 billion US dollars on 17 April increased by 819 million US dollars and reached 23,004 billion US dollars on 24 April. Meanwhile, Turkey's international reserves rose to 31, 353 billion US dollars on 3 April. As of 3 April, gold reserves reached 1, 124 billion US dollars and commercial bank foreign exchange reserves totalled 8,132 billion US dollars. /Hurriyet/

LETTER FROM CLINTON TO DENKTAS AND CLERIDES
Bill Clinton, the US President will send letters to Rauf Denktas, the Turkish Cypriot President and Glafkos Clerides the Greek Cypriot Leader via Richard Holbrooke, the US Special Cyprus Envoy, who will visit the island today. According to the news on the Greek Cypriot Radio, Clinton's letters include these messages:

* Be flexible at negotiations regarding the Cyprus issue,

* Act within the spirit of cooperation,

* Be ready for uninterrupted meetings to be held under UN control, * Avoid activities and statements which could adversely influence the atmosphere of the meetings, and

* Keep in mind that the solution will be a federation consisting of two regions and two communities.

/Hurriyet/

BOSPHORUS BRIEFING TO AMBASSADORS
Turkey has launched diplomatic initiatives regarding the Bosphorus Straits prior to a meeting of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to be held in London on 11 May. Burhan Kara, the Minister of State will head the Turkish delegation at the IMO meeting. Kara and Guven Erkaya, the former Commander of the Naval Forces gave a briefing on the ''Free passage through the Bosphorus and measures to be taken'' yesterday to ambassadors in Ankara. Vadim Kuznetsov, the Russian Ambassador to Turkey also attended the briefing. Kara said in his statement that Turkey would take every measure to protect people's lives, property and the environment. /Hurriyet/

GLOBAL TURKISH BUSINESSMEN'S CONGRESS BEGINS
The Second Congress of Global Turkish Businessmen, which is gahering together 1,500 Turkish and foreign (from 43 countries) businessmen, began yesterday in Izmir with an opening ceremony attended by President Suleyman Demirel, Ministers of State Isin Celebi, Rifat Serdaroglu and Isilay Saygin, Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, Erol Cakir, the Governor of Izmir, Burhan Ozfatura, the Mayor of Izmir, Sakip Sabanci, the Turkish businessman and many bureaucrats.

President Demirel said, ''All of us must learn to compete with the world's businessmen, because the world has become a global village, thanks to the rapidly developing communications and computer technologies''. Mentioning that countries in the Balkans, the Caucasus and Central Asia were taking modern Turkey as a leading example for themselves, Demirel gave some figures: ''As a 75 year-old Republic, Turkey today is a country whose foreign trade is nearly 100 billion US dollars. At the moment we have 71 universities all over the country''. The President also gave detailed information about the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) and invited Turkish businessmen to invest in this region. /All papers/

[15] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

TIGHT MAY DAY SECURITY
Police have been put on alert in all of Turkey's large cities in anticipation of possible trouble on May 1. Some 10,000 police officers will be on duty in Istanbul in case of any violent incidents. /All papers/

CILLER SPEAKS AT HARVARD UNIVERSITY
Five women, once prime ministers in their countries, were at Harvard University on Wednesday to discuss how to get more women into a nation's highest office. Tansu Ciller, the leader of the True Path Party (DYP) said that 70 percent of Turkish women wear headscarves, but only 10 percent of this 70 percent have political intentions. Four other former prime ministers are expected to take part in the meeting that ends today. They are Pakistan's Benazir Butto, Dominica's Dame Eugenia Charles, Nicaragua's Violeta Chamorro and Lithuania's Kazimiera Prunskiene. /All papers/

US: DEPLOYMENT OF THE S-300s ON CYPRUS COULD DESTABILIZE THE REGION

Michael McCurry, the White House Press Secretary said on Wednesday that the introduction of the Russian-made S-300 missiles in Greek Cyprus would have a destabilizing effect on the region. McCurry added that the Greek Cypriot idea of purchasing such wepaons was a step in ''the wrong direction at a time when we are trying to promote reconciliation and dialogue'' on the island.

Meanwhile, Madeleine Albright, the US Secretary of State, said yesterday that she was troubled by Russia's plan to push ahead with the delivery of the advanced air-defense missiles to Greek Cyprus. /All papers/

PKK OPENS OFFICE IN ATHENS
The PKK terrorist organization has officially opened an office in Athens, Greece. High level representatives of the ruling socialist PASOK Party, the New Democracy Party and the Left Coalition attended the opening ceremony yesterday. PKK members said at the ceremony that this was their first ''official'' office in Europe and that they aimed to open new offices in other European centres.

Ankara has reacted strongly to the PKK's opening of its first official office in Europe. While Necati Utkan, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman evaluated the situation as ''grave'', Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz called on Athens to abandon the enmity that they had agreed to show to Turkey. He added that Turkey had always kept a peaceful foreign policy and that Greece should stop increasing tension between the two countries. In a written statement yesterday Yilmaz noted that Greece had tried to block the EU- Turkey developments, increase tension in the Aegean Sea and to interfere in Turkey's domestic affairs. /Cumhuriyet/Sabah/

ZEKAI SEN: ''SCIENTIST OF THE YEAR''
Zekai Sen, the Head of the Meteorology Department of the Istanbul Technical University (ITU) and Chief Advisor to the Istanbul Water and Drainage Board (ISKI), has been elected ''Scientist of 1998'' by the International Research Council of the American Biography Institution. /Cumhuriyet/

''TURKEY LIKE A CONTINENT''
The world famous German nature magazine GEO has allocated its latest issue to Turkey. The magazine promotes Turkey with the title ''Turkey: Like a Continent''. It continues, ''With her Straits Turkey is like a continent. She has never been as modern as she is today throughout her history. Istanbul will always be a universal city in the dreams of travellers.'' The magazine stressed that Turkey is, in fact, a cultural ''mosaic''. /Sabah/

[16] THE ISSUE OF STRENGTHENING THE TURKISH KOBIs FOR WORLD COMPETION

Addressing the meeting on ''Strengthening the Turkish KOBIs'' which was organized by the Turkish and German Chambers of Trade and Industry at the Istanbul Goethe Institute, Schmidth pointed out that in Turkey the KOBIs have fewer opportunities for competition than the large enterprises have. He noted that high inflation, tax rates, bureaucratic difficulties and financial problems are causing it.

Stressing the importance of professional education for the integration of the KOBIs with the world economy, Schmidth said, ''Our aim is to set up cooperation between the Turkish KOBIs and the European KOBIs, to support the entrepreneurs and to convey the experiences of our Foundation to the Turkish KOBIs.''

[17] NEW TERRORISM REPORT OF THE US DEPARTMENT OF STATE

The US terrorism report said that the Greek Government wasn't very successful in the struggle against terrorism, adding that although the terrorist activities of the separatist PKK decreased in Germany, crime activities are still continuing.

Despite a rapprochement between Washington, D.C. and Teheran recently, the report identified Iran as the ''most active terrorist state.'' Syria, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, Northern Korea and Cuba besides Iran are countries which give support to terrorism.

The report said that 304 terrorism incidents occurred throughout the world in 1997, pointing out that 221 people were killed and 693 others were wounded.

The report identified the PKK as a Marxist-Leninist terrorist organization aimed at establishing a state in Southeastern Anatolia by getting ''mild'' support from Syria, Iran and Iraq.

The US report from last year had included the idea that the Greek government tolerated the separatist PKK, but this year's report said that the separatist terrorist organization received sympathy and support ''in some cases'' from the Greek people. It said that the 157 members of the Greek Parliament requested the chief of the separatist terrorist PKK organization to be invited to Greece officially.

The report said that as a result of the operations of the Turkish Armed Forces, activities of the terrorist organization decreased in Turkey and noted that Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of separatist PKK lived in Syria.

The US annual terrorism report mentioned the radical fundamentalist terrorist organizations such as Vasat, Hezboullah and IBDA-C. It said that the Vasat group claimed responsibility for terrorist activities occurring in southeastern Gaziantep Province on Sept 14 which resulted in the death of 24 people. The report said that there were suspicions that the IBDA-C organization directed an activity staged against the Fener Patriarch on Dec 2.

The report said that Turkey, Europe, the Middle East and Asia were the fields of activity of the separatist terrorist PKK.

The US report also included the German Federal Prosecutor's statement that the separatist PKK wouldn't be accepted as a terrorist organization from now on. The report said that the German Ministry of the Interior announced that the PKK was a crime organization and that it was ''banned'' with this quality.

The report mentioned that the number of terrorist activities of the separatist terrorist PKK decreased in Western Europe and Germany, adding that still the PKK continued its activities like illegally collecting money, attacks of violence and gathering terrorists into the organization.

The report mentioned that Greece wasn't very successful in the struggle against terrorism and that it couldn't even arrest one person from the Nov 17 organization.

The report said that Iran opposed the operations of the Turkish Armed Forces in Northern Iraq, launched against the separatist terrorist organization and that she sheltered several PKK components in her territory and that she didn't take any initiatives to get rid of them.

The US report identified the outlawed extreme leftist DHKP-C as a terrorist organization against the NATO and the US. The report said that the DHKP-C launched activities against the Turkish officials and the US interests.

Noting that the power of the organization was not known, the report said that the DHKP-C launched activities in Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir and Adana and collected money in Western Europe.

The US has officially announced the PKK and DHKP-C as terrorist organizations.

[18] SECOND WORLD TURKISH BUSINESSMEN'S CONVENTION - GUREL, MINISTER OF STATE: ''THE GOVERNMENT WILL SUBMIT A STRATEGIC PLAN TO THE EU''

Addressing a session on the ''Turkish Business World International Projects and Cooperation Opportunities'' staged within the context of II. World Turkish Businessmen's Convention, Gurel recalled that the European Union (EU), during the Luxembourg Summit, decided to exclude Turkey from the expansion process and added that ''Turkey, following the decision, announced that she would restrict her political dialogue with the EU.'' He also said that there was a Customs Union agreement lacking full membership which will also be diminished.

''Let's improve the agreement which is limited to industry. Let's include both trade and agriculture within the Customs Union. If we will improve relations with the EU, then they should fulfill their obligations for Turkey. Turkey will never step back and give concessions from her national interests,'' Gurel said.

Noting that the EU, within the framework of the Customs Union Agreement, should fulfill its promises to Turkey, Gurel said ''otherwise, we will have to review other relations as well as the political ones.''

Gurel pointed out that the government will submit a strategic plan to the EU, adding, ''we will submit a strategic plan briefing our expectations for improving bilateral relations.''

Meanwhile, Ahat Andican, the Minister of State said that Turkey would carry out her efforts to enter the EU at every platform, adding that this was a project to catch up with the competition.

Noting that Turkey's foreign trade potential had increased rapidly, Andican said the number of exports made to the Central Asian Turkish Republics had reached 1.3 billion US dollars.

[19] EARTH TREMOR IN CANKIRI

The officials from the Kandilli Observatory said that the earth tremor with a preliminary magnitude of 3.8 on the Richter scale occurred at 10:47 a.m.

The quake was felt in Cankiri and the surrounding region.

[20] SECOND WORLD TURKISH BUSINESSMEN'S CONVENTION - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''TURKEY IS A WORLDWIDE ECONOMIC CENTER''

Addressing the Second World Turkish Businessmen's Convention Yilmaz said that Turkey has a great strength with the potential she has in exports and imports. Yilmaz said that Turkey is the 17th among 185 countries from the aspect of the economy. He said that Turkey is an important country geopolitically, as well as socially and economically. Turkey is one of the most important key regions of the world.

Yilmaz said that Turkey was the unique country living in harmony with her beliefs and civilization.

''Our contractors have a justified fame in the world. We hosted a total of 1.3 million tourists in 1980 and gained 326 million US dollars in tourism income, but today we can host 10 million tourists and obtain 7.5 billion US dollars in tourism income'' Yilmaz said.

Yilmaz said that Turkey's development in transportation also continues and that Turkey has 1,583 km of motorways. This number will be doubled with those which are still under construction. Currently, we have 38 airports.''

Yilmaz said that Turkey has reached an honorable point as of the economic figures and with her dynamism in social field and her civilization. Yilmaz said, ''however, there are still problems which we have to solve and enumerated them as high inflation, unemployment and re-structuring of the state'' adding, ''we should remove the criticisms which we have to face in the fields of democracy and human rights.''

Noting that Turkey was included among the newly emerging ten countries of the world for the year 2000, Yilmaz requested the businessmen to assume responsibility in this process and to rely on Turkey.

Meanwhile, Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State addressing the convention said, ''we won't discuss a political problem with the EU which excluded Turkey from the expansion process, but we will carry out relations with the European countries without permiting any sensitivity.''

Ecevit said, ''We should improve relations with the US, because we need this not only economically, but also politically.''

Ecevit said that the US has given warnings and signals to the EU that she extends support to Turkey. The US sees what the EU can't see to improve relations with Turkey, he said.

Ecevit also asked the Turkish businessmen working in Turkey and foreign countries to invest in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and in Southeastern Turkey.

Mentioning the importance of the Cyprus issue for Turkey, Ecevit said a lasting peace, affluence, richness, democracy and freedom were provided with the Turkish Peace Operation. He said that the Greek Cypriot side increased its level of affluence with the promotions it obtained, but he added that the TRNC was in a better position now despite the embargo.

Bulent Ecevit said, ''we should strengthen the TRNC in every field. The Eastern Mediterranean will be a more important region when the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline is realized.

Meanwhile, Nami Cagan, the Minister of Labour and Social Security said that the immigration which started in 1960 reached a different dimension today. Cagan said that the concept of a ''refugee worker'' had lost its validity, adding that a Turkish presence had been formed in Europe today with its artists, academicians, athletes and scientists.

Cagan said that Turkey's responsibility to her entrepreneurs abroad will continue to be the same when they return to Turkey.

[21] FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE TRNC - MINISTER OF STATE GUREL: ''A TOTAL OF 48.3 TRILLION TURKISH LIRAS IN FINANCIAL SUPPORT WILL BE GIVEN TO THE TRNC IN 1998''

Giving a response to the written censure motion from Ertugrul Yalcinbayir, the Bursa Deputy from the Motherland Party (ANAP), Gurel gave information about the measures taken by the 55th Government regarding the economic situation of the TRNC.

Pointing out that the Council of Ministers approved a decree foreseeing the same credit implementation for the farmers, artisans and tradesmen in the TRNC at the same interest rates, Gurel said that in the 1996-1997 season, the Council of Ministers decided to give a total of two trillion TL in ''drought aid and fertilizer subsidies'' to the TRNC farmers who had a financial loss.

Noting that the second part of the loan of 250 million US dollars, that was 60 million US dollars, was given to the TRNC within the framework of the Economic Cooperation Protocol signed on January 3, 1997, between the two countries, Gurel said, ''a total of 48.3 trillion TL in financial assistance will be given to the TRNC this year. A total of 11 trillion TL of this total assistance will be given for security expenditures; 8 trillion TL for investment projects; 29 trillion TL as a loan and 300 billion TL for the power plant repayments. The agreement related to the third part of the loan, that is 29 trillion TL, was signed in Ankara.''

Pointing out that Antalya, Izmir, Istanbul and Ankara were included in the ''Context of the Offshore Trade'', Gurel said that it was decided that stopover fees wouldn't be asked from the passenger planes flying between Turkey and the TRNC.

Gurel said that Turkey and the TRNC also signed an Agreement for State Support for Investments and a Cooperation Agreement in Health.

Gurel added that the Commercial and Economic Cooperation Agreement between Turkey and the TRNC would be effective after the approval of the Parliament.

[22] CONTACTS OF IMF DELEGATION - IMF DELEGATION CONTINUES CONTACTS IN ANKARA ON A TECHNICAL LEVEL

The delegation, currently in Turkey within the context of the regular consultation talks, met with the high-ranking economic bureaucrats in Ankara.

The IMF officials held separate technical talks with the Undersecretariat of the Treasury, the State Planning Organization (DPT) and the Central Bank officials.

The IMF delegation will prepare two separate reports following their meetings in Istanbul and Ankara. One of these reports will be mainly on the economy and will be titled ''Recent Economic Developments''. It will identify the recent developments in the+ Turkish economy.

The second report will be the ''Experts Report'' and will mainly focus on comments. This report will also include policy proposals aimed at the future.

These two reports which will be prepared by the IMF delegation will be concluded in the second half of June and will be submitted to the IMF Executive Board.

The reports will be presented to the public in a press release by Michel Camdessus, the IMF chairman.

[23] FOREIGN MINISTRY SAYS KOSOVO PROBLEM MAY THREATEN THE SECURITY OF EUROPE IF AN URGENT SOLUTION CAN'T BE FOUND

The Ministry statement said that Turkey was actively following the developments regarding the Kosovo issue.

The statement said that the Contact Group member countries, formed by the US, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and the Russian Federation convened in Rome on April 29 and evaluated the recent developments in Kosovo and recalled that they make new decisions.

The statement pointed out that Turkey supported the international efforts aimed at the peaceful solution of the question, adding that within this framework the Contact Group should be in solidarity and cooperation with the regional countries.

The statement said that Turkey wanted the bloodshed to end soon and pointed out that the problem should be solved within the framework of the territorial integrity of the Yugoslavian Federal Republic, and between all concerned sides and ethnical groups, including the Turkish minority, without any pre-conditions.

The statement said that these meetings should abide by the principles of the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act and should guarantee the rights of all peoples living in Kosovo.

The statement said that Turkey has concerns that the conflict may affect the security and stability of the Balkans and Europe, if an urgent solution can't be found, adding ''we hope that the region wouldn't be dragged into an atmosphere of unconfidence and unstability, as was experienced in Bosnia- Herzegovina.''

The Contact Group statement, which condemned acts of violence in Kosovo, also requested the sides to start the negotiation process soon.

[24] FIFTH INTERNATIONAL BELIEF CONGRESS TO TAKE PLACE IN TURKEY

The Tourism Ministry information said that at the congress, organized by the Council, a unit of which belongs to the Vatican, the issue of the ''Course of Humanity Continuing the Holy Journey Towards the Eve of 2000'' will be evaluated.

The council evaluated Turkey as the ''fatherland of the Church'' and elected Turkey to this end. This meeting is very important for Turkey as this council will lead to the programs related to the celebrations that will take place for the 2000th year of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Sector experts will participate in the meeting from five continents and 48 countries. The ''emerging tourism regions'' ''traditional destinations with new shapes'' and new tourism types will be discussed at the meeting.

Ibrahim Gurdal, the Minister of Tourism, attributes importance to the meeting and is scheduled to address the closing session of the meeting.

[25] MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS (2)

Security forces took wide-range measures at Taksim and the military units and Rapid Deployment Force policemen also took measures around the Inonu Stadium.

Later, the Chairmen of the non-governmental organizations and several deputies proceeded to the Freedom Monument Square at Sisli to attend the open-air meeting.

Meanwhile, the labour unions and non-governmental organizations also celebrated the May Day in Ankara and in the other large cities.

[26] DEATH TOLL OF TERRORISTS INCREASES AT THE MURAT OPERATION

The air backed ''Murat Operation'' is being realized at the Diyarbakir- Bingol-Bitlis triangle in the region.

Officials said 11 other terrorists were killed and three others were captured in the operations on Thursday.

Meanwhile, it was reported that a group of terrorists, who infiltrated Turkey from Northern Iraq to organize terrorist activities were squeezed at the Cudi Mountain region of Sirnak and in the Hezil valley. Six terrorists were killed here.

Two terrorists, who fled from the separatist organization, surrendered to security forces in Southeastern Hakkari and Siirt Provinces.

The Murat Operation and other operations in the Sirnak region are continuing without intervals.

[27] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM DUE IN STRASBOURG

The Foreign Ministry statement said that the meeting will mainly focus on covering the issues included in the ''Final Statement and Action Plan'' adopted at the ''Second Summit of the Heads of Governments and States.''

The summit which took place between Oct 10 and 11, 1997, in Strasbourg adopted the ''Final Statement and Action Plan.'' Turkey was represented by a delegation headed by Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz.

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