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

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

05 APRIL 1998

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN TUNISIA - PRESIDENT DEMIREL MEETS ZINE AL-ABIDINE BEN ALI, THE TUNISIAN PRESIDENT

[02] TURKEY PROTESTS GREECE FOR PERMITTING SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION TO OPEN AN OFFICE IN ATHENS - NEZERITIS, THE GREEK AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY: ''THERE IS NO PKK OFFICE IN ATHENS''

[03] ANDICAN, MINISTER OF STATE, MEETS WITH SHAIMIEV, PRESIDENT OF TATARSTAN

[04] JAMES BAKER, THE US FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE: ''THE ATTITUDE OF OUR EUROPEAN FRIENDS AGAINST TURKEY IS UPSETTING''

[05] IRANIAN-TURKISH JEC MEETING SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE IN TEHRAN IN JUNE

[06] YAVUZ EGE, THE UNDERSECRETARY OF TREASURY: - ''THE TRADE BETWEEN TURKEY AND JAPAN IMPROVES IN FAVOUR OF JAPAN''

[07] SUKRU SINA GUREL, THE MINISTER OF STATE: ''THE REASON WHY NO RESULTS WERE ACHIEVED DURING HOLBROOKE'S CONTACTS IS THE WRONG ATTITUDE OF THE EU WHICH STARTED MEMBERSHIP NEGOTIATIONS UNILATERALLY WITH THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE''

[08] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

[09] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

[10] TURKEY IN BRIEF - MAY 5, 1998

[11] TURKEY IN BRIEF - MAY 5, 1998

[12] GUNES TANER, THE MINISTER OF STATE: - ''INFLATION WILL ENTER A SHARP DECLINE BY JUNE AND JULY''

[13] FM CEM: ''MEASURES TAKEN FOR KOSOVO ARE FUNNY AND INSUFFICIENT''

[14] 75 TRILLION TURKISH LIRAS SPENT FOR THE BIRECIK DAM - 35 PERCENT OF THE DAM CONCLUDED

[15] MILD QUAKE SHAKES KUTAHYA

[16] SENTRASBAT'98 MANEUVER MEETING - A DELEGATION FROM GENERAL STAFF TO REPRESENT TURKEY AT THE MEETING

[17] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS MEETS WITH FEISSEL

[01] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN TUNISIA - PRESIDENT DEMIREL MEETS ZINE AL-ABIDINE BEN ALI, THE TUNISIAN PRESIDENT

President Demirel invited the Tunisian President to Turkey and said that this visit should be realized as soon as possible.

President Demirel and his wife Nazmiye Demirel participated in a reception held by Huseyin Pazarcı, the Turkish Ambassador to Tunisia.

Meanwhile, Isın Celebi, the State Minister met Taoufik Baccar, the Tunisian Economy Minister. Responding to question of A.A correspondent after the meeting, Celebi said that the two countries reached an agreement to start ''free trade agreement'' negotiations.

Istemihan Talay, the Minister of Culture met Abdelbaki Hermassi, the Tunisian Minister of Culture and they signed ''Cultural Programme'' between the two countries.

Later, the Tunisian President Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali hosted a dinner in the honour of President Demirel.

Addressing the dinner, President Demirel said that Turkey and Tunisia are uneasy about the fact that the Middle Eastern problem could not be solved for 50 years in spite of all efforts.

''The social development model of Tunisia is appreciated by many countries today,'' said President Demirel, adding that there is a big similarity between the points of views of Turkey and Tunisia concerning international and regional developments.

Noting that there are not any problems between the two countries, President Demirel said that the two countries also launch great efforts to install peace and stability in their regions and in the world.

Pointing out that Turkish foreign policy attributes great importance to protection of legitimate rights of Palestinian people, President Demirel said ''Turkey, which is a responsible member of the international community, has also a special status in the Middle East. In this respect Turkey will continue to extend support to the Palestinian people and she appreciates the support of Tunisia extended to the Palestinian administration.''

''Middle Eastern countries suffer a lot from international terrorism and have to make cooperation against this problem. Turkey has the right to protect her territorial integrity and security of her people. It should be known that those who permit the murderers to take shelter in their countries, are responsible for that,'' said President Demirel.

''Turkey signed customs deal with European Union (EU) and Tunisia was the first country of the Middle East which signed association agreement with EU, '' said President Demirel, adding that improvement of relations between the two countries will not only serve to their interests, but it will also contribute to installation of prosperity, stability and peace in Mediterranean and the Middle East.

[02] TURKEY PROTESTS GREECE FOR PERMITTING SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION TO OPEN AN OFFICE IN ATHENS - NEZERITIS, THE GREEK AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY: ''THERE IS NO PKK OFFICE IN ATHENS''

Responding to a question while leaving the Foreign Ministry, Nezeritis said that ''it was not an official thing, it was only a press briefing, which was held in Athens.''

Nezeritis stressed that the Greek government issued a statement, condemned terrorism, violence and said that Greece does not permit organizations which uses violence against other governments, to be organized in Greece.

Noting that ''there is no PKK office in Athens'' and Turkey has misunderstood the incident, Nezeritis claimed that the activities of the separatist terrorist organization PKK in Greece are not different from the ones in other European countries.

The Foreign Ministry phoned Greek Ambassador to Turkey on May 1 to summon him to the Foreign Ministry, but there was no body at the Greek Embassy in Ankara that day.

Responding to a question, Nezeritis said he was outside the city on May 1, because it was holiday.

[03] ANDICAN, MINISTER OF STATE, MEETS WITH SHAIMIEV, PRESIDENT OF TATARSTAN

State Minister Andican, who came to Kazan to pay an official visit, met with Head of Tatarstan State Shaimiev.

Shaimiev said after the meeting that the cooperation in the field of culture and the relations in the field of education between Turkey and Tatarstan are successful and satisfactory but the economic relations could not reach the sufficient level.

''Russia doesn't impede the economic cooperation between Turkey and Tatarstan. Moscow should show understanding when there are political patterns in the relations between our two countries. Thus the politics is one of the most important factors in our lives. Russia's concerns were based upon right basis some three or four years ago. The improvement in the foreign relations of Tatarstan is also advantageous for Russia and Russia is now aware of this,'' Shaimiev said.

State Minister Andican said, ''as Head of State Shaimiev stated, the more developed relations between Turkey and Tatarstan, the more increase in our relations with Russia.''

Andican said that Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz may visit Kazan during his visit to Moscow planned to take place in summer.

Stressing that the defense industry field should be included in the scope of the cooperation between Turkey and Tatarstan, Shaimiev said that his country has superb installations in the field of defense industry.

Recalling that Turkey would invest in the Tatar defense industry in the next ten years, Ahad Andican said, ''Turkey is a NATO country. She has to realize production appropriate to the NATO standards. This issue may be covered during the visit of Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz. I will convey my own views to Prime Minister.''

[04] JAMES BAKER, THE US FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE: ''THE ATTITUDE OF OUR EUROPEAN FRIENDS AGAINST TURKEY IS UPSETTING''

''Turkey is a very important country for the US and also for the free world, '' Baker added.

Addressing a meeting in Washington, Baker said that the increase and improvement in the commercial, economic and military relations between Turkey and Israel was an important development.

James Baker underlined the fact that the Turkish-Israeli cooperation was a very good development for both Turkey and Israel and also for the US.

Baker said, ''Turkey has a very important geostrategical importance for not only the US but also for the free world. Turkey wants to be a part of the West but our European friends make this issue difficult and this is an upsetting development. Turkey is a NATO country.''

[05] IRANIAN-TURKISH JEC MEETING SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE IN TEHRAN IN JUNE

A Turkish delegation led by Mehmet Ezen, the General Director of Foreign Ministry's Department of Economic Affairs, arrived in Tehran to carry out the preparation studies for the JEC meetings.

Mehmet Ezen after meeting with the Iranian officials told the A.A correspondent that Turkey wants to have her bilateral economic relations with Iran reached to a level which suits the neighbouring countries.

Pointing out that the Iranian-Turkish JEC will convene in Tehran in the first week of next month, Ezen said that Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, and Kemal Kharrazi, the Foreign Minister of Iran, decided during the meeting of the Organization for Islamic Conference (OIC) in Doha that it would be useful to hold a preparation meeting before the JEC meetings.

Pointing out that within this framework, they were now in Tehran to carry out the JEC preparation studies, Ezen said, ''we came to Tehran to accelerate and strengthen the bilateral economic relations.''

Mehmet Ezen and the accompanying delegation were received by the Iranian Prime Minister Kharrazi and later met with the officials from the Iranian Ministries of Industry, Trade, Foreign Affairs and Petroleum.

Presenting the written message of Foreign Minister Ismail Cem to the Iranian Foreign Minister Kemal Kharrazi, General Director Mehmet Ezen also conveyed the messages of Isin Celebi, the Minister of State; Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources; Necdet Menzir, the Minister of Transportation and Rifat Serdaroglu, the Co-Chairman of the Turkish- Iranian JEC, to the Iranian ministers.

[06] YAVUZ EGE, THE UNDERSECRETARY OF TREASURY: - ''THE TRADE BETWEEN TURKEY AND JAPAN IMPROVES IN FAVOUR OF JAPAN''

Addressing the 11th Joint Meeting of the Turkish-Japanese Business Council, Undersecretary Ege said that the trade volume between the two countries does not reflect the existing potential.

''Foreign trade between the two countries has been improving in favour of Japan. However, Turkey is a country which has a sufficient potential to realize much more exports. We want a balanced trade between our countries, '' Ege said.

Pointing out that the stake of the Japanese companies in the total foreign capital investments in Turkey has increased to six percent in recent years and now a total of 51 Japanese companies are dealing with business in Turkey, Yavuz Ege said, ''Turkey should be considered together with her geographical situation. Turkey has very important roles in the regional organizations like the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) and the Economic Cooperation Organization(ECO). Besides, the stake of the small and medium scale companies in economy is increasing day by day. Meanwhile, Turkey has liberated her foreign trade and economy since entering the Customs Union with the European Union (EU). The rate of customs due decreased to 5 percent from 11 percent.''

Yavuz Ege said that the imports of car tyres to Japan have decreased while the imports of carpets, pileless carpets and canned food have increased in recent years.

[07] SUKRU SINA GUREL, THE MINISTER OF STATE: ''THE REASON WHY NO RESULTS WERE ACHIEVED DURING HOLBROOKE'S CONTACTS IS THE WRONG ATTITUDE OF THE EU WHICH STARTED MEMBERSHIP NEGOTIATIONS UNILATERALLY WITH THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE''

Addressing the journalists, said that he informed the cabinet about the contacts of Richard Holbrooke, the US Special Representative to Cyprus (TRNC) on the island.

''The understanding of Theodoros Pangalos, the Greek Foreign Minister, who considers the Turkish Cypriots as a minority and the statements of Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader, who said ''their aims are political and when the Greek Cypriot side enters the EU, the 1960 Guarantee System will be invalid, so the rights of the Turkish Cypriots will be undermined,'' explains why Holbrooke couldn't achieve any results on the island. We appreciate the efforts of Holbrooke and believe that the US administration can be objective in evaluating the realities on Cyprus,'' said Gurel.

Gurel stressed that the Declaration which was issued on April 23 is a statement which shows how Turkey evaluates the Cyprus question, recalling that the statement pointed out that a progress can only be reached concerning the Cyprus question by the principle of two states.

''Our close cooperation with the TRNC will continue also in the future,'' said Gurel.

Responding to a question about the statement of Holbrooke who said that the insistence of Denktas on the withdrawal of the Greek Cypriot side from the EU membership process is unaceptable, Gurel said ''Mr. Holbrooke didn't say that the start of the full membership negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side by EU was a right step.''

[08] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN TUNISIA
President Suleyman Demirel went to Tunisia yesterday for a two-day visit as the official guest of his Tunisian counterpart Zeynel Abidin Ali. After a welcoming ceremony at Kartaca Airport, Demirel and Ali held a meeting at the Kartaca Palace. Bin Ali decorated Demirel with the ''7 November 1987 Medal'', the highest Tunisian award. Bin Ali also gave a dinner in honour of Demirel. In his speech at the dinner, Demirel warned countries supporting terrorism of the consequences of their actions.

Isin Celebi, the Minister of State and Istemihan Talay, the Minister of Culture, who are accompanying Demirel during the visit met yesterday with their Tunisian counterparts and signed cultural and tourism agreements. /Cumhuriyet/Sabah/

YILMAZ REQUESTS JAPANESE CAPITAL
Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz requested Japan to continue trusting Turkey as a safe place for investments and to work with the country for regional cooperation. He stressed that Turkey was determined to institute healthy and stable economic policies. The 11th joint meeting of the Turkish- Japanese Business Council was held at the Turkish-Japanese Cultural Centre yesterday morning. In the opening speech of the meeting, Yilmaz said that in spite of the huge geographic distance between the two countries, the Japanese share in foreign investments in Turkey was rising.

Gunes Taner, the Minister of State, also made a speech at the meeting, saying that the Turkish stock exchange was both stable and profitable and that everyone investing in it would obtain profits. Taner noted that the Turkish economy was strong, lively and transparent. Taner added that he would fly to Japan on May 18 and would invite the Japanese investors to Turkey. /All papers/

CEM ARRIVES IN STRASBOURG
Ismail Cem, the Turkish Foreign Minister arrived in Strasbourg yesterday to participate in a conference on ''Turkey, France and the EU'' chaired by Pierre Moscovici, France's Minister of European Affairs. The conference- debate is organized by the French-Turkish Parliamentary Friendship Group and the Turkey-France Committee.

Yesterday evening, Cem attended a banquet given in his honour by Daniel Tarchys, the General Secretary of the Council of Europe and made some bilateral contacts. Cem will participate in a meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe today. /Hurriyet/

CLERIDES CAN'T REPRESENT TURKISH CYPRIOTS
Richard Holbrooke, the US Special Cyprus Envoy made a statement yesterday and declared that the Greek Cypriot Leader Glafcos Clerides wasn't in a position to represent the Turkish Cypriots. This statement caused joy in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). No result has been achieved from Holbrooke's contacts on Cyprus to date, however Holbrooke added that he would continue with his efforts to find a solution to the problems on the island. Prior to his departure from the island, Holbrooke held a press conference and pointed out that the positions of the two communities on the island should be re-evaluated. Holbrooke said that Thomas Miller, the Coordinator of the US Department of State would visit the island again at the end of this month. He added that he would also visit Cyprus if he received an invitation to do so and if he believed that it would be useful.

Meanwhile, Rauf Denktas, the TRNC President held Greek Cyprus and Greece responsible for the inconclusive efforts of Holbrooke. Denktas thanked Holbrooke and said, ''Holbrooke's visit gave an important message to Greek Cyprus. This message states that Turkish Cyprus won't accept any view imposed by force''. /Hurriyet/

MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS
A meeting of the Council of Ministers headed by Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz convened yesterday. During the meeting, the Cyprus issue was especially discussed. Sukru Sina Gurel, the Minister of State, made a statement to the press and said that Greek Cyprus' unilateral negotiations with the EU had deteriorated the balance on the Cyprus issue. /Hurriyet/

MASSIVE BLOW AGAINST THE PKK
As a result of the ''Murat'', ''Cudi Mountain'' and ''Panther'' military operations carried out by the Turkish Armed Forces in Southeastern Anatolia to eradicate the PKK terrorist organization, 115 terrorists have been either killed or wounded. During the operations, much ammunition has also been confiscated. /Hurriyet/

AGAR AND BUCAK FACE HIGH COURT ACTION
The Istanbul State Security Court No. Six (DGM) decided yesterday that Mehmet Agar, the former Minister of the Interior and Elazig True Path Party (DYP) Deputy should be tried at the Constitutional Court, and that his case should be tried separately from the main Susurluk court case. Agar's file will be transferred to the Constitutional Court, because he was the Minister of the Interior during part of the time period being investigated. The court announced that the Sirnak DYP Deputy Sedat Bucak's case would be combined with the main Susurluk court case being tried at the Istanbul DGM. In that case, 12 individuals, eight of whom are members of the special police forces are being tried on charges ranging from murder to money laundering. /All papers/

[09] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

OCIFT FOUNDED TO PROMOTE TURCO-FRENCH COOPERATION
The Turco-French Organization for Developing Cooperation and Investment (OCIFT), will try to improve commercial, industrial and technological cooperation between Turkish and French companies. OCIFT will cooperate with the Board of the Administration for Developing and Supporting Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (KOSGEB) and with the International Promotion Agency for French Companies and Technologies (CFME ACTIM). The OCIFT will provide Turkish and French companies with basic information concerning financial and legal issues. It will also organize meetings between the two countries for technology development and transfer. /Hurriyet/

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION UP
Production in industry increased by 6 percent in March. According to the State Institute of Statistics (SIS), the largest increase was realised in mining with 17.2 percent in March compared with the same period of last year. During the first quarter of 1998, the increase in industry was 8.1 percent compared with the same period of 1997. /Sabah/

SACIRBEY: ''TURKEY SHOULD BE IN CONTACT GROUP''
Muhammed Sacirbey, the UN Representative for Bosnia-Herzegovina, who attended the New Atlantic Initiatives meeting in Istanbul, said in a special report to the Cumhuriyet daily newspaper that there were similarities in the attitudes of the EU member countries towards Turkey and Bosnia, both of which are Muslim countries. He added that Turkey is a part of Europe and she is an important country in her region so she should have a place in the Contact Group. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKEY SENDS NOTE TO GREECE
Turkey has sent a protest note to Greece, following the Greek permission to the PKK terrorist organization to open an office in Athens. In the note Turkey stressed that it was against the principles of the United Nations (UN) to support terrorism. Dimitrios Nezeritis, the Greek Ambassador to Turkey, was summoned to the Foreign Ministry yesterday and given the protest note. The note said that Greece has acted against both the UN and the NATO principles.

Meanwhile, Eksusia, the Greek daily newspaper, claimed yesterday that Prime Minister Kostas Simitis hadn't been informed about the matter, and had since shown a strong reaction asking the responsible authorities to ban the activities of the office. Dimitris Reppas, government speaker also said that they wouldn't allow the office to be active in Athens. /Cumhuriyet/Milliyet/

STATE MINISTER ANDICAN IN TATARSTAN
According to a statement issued by the government, Ahat Andican, the Minister of State, is visiting Tatarstan between 4-7 May as the official guest of Farid Mehammet Sin, the Prime Minister of Tatarstan. Andican is accompanied by a delegation including businessmen. This visit is the first official visit between the two countries at the ministerial level.

ACCORD COMMISSION TO VISIT FRANCE AND GERMANY
A delegation, headed by Hasan Korkmazcan, Chairman of Accord Commission acting between the parties of the Parliament, went to France on May 3 and will proceed to Germany on May 6 to examine the voting facilities available to Turkish citizens living abroad. The delegation is scheduled to hold contacts with Parliament administrators, friendship group members and the administrators of Turkish associations. The delegation aims to obtain details about the election systems in France and Germany.

WORLD'S RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN KUSADASI
The Kusadasi district of Izmir will host the fifth International Faith Tourism Congress organized by the Vatican prior to the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ. The Congress will last until May 7. During the congress, attended by many religious leaders from 46 countries, celebrations to be held in 2000 and visits to holy places by Christians will be discussed. /Hurriyet/

PATARA: THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACH IN THE WORLD
A British newspaper, The Sunday Times, elected Patara near the Kalkan district of Antalya, as the ''most beautiful beach in the world''. Patara beach received more than half of the votes in a survey made by The Sunday Times among over 100 travel agencies. France's La Baule beach ranked second while Greece's Koukounaries ranked third. /Hurriyet/

[10] TURKEY IN BRIEF - MAY 5, 1998

The Parliamentary delegation met with Xaviar Devillepin, the Chairman of the French Senate's Commission for Foreign Affairs.

The delegation then attended a meeting organized by the Union of French- Turkish Associations.

The Parliamentary delegation will proceed to Germany after wrapping up its contacts in Paris.

ANKARA - The Council of Ministers approved on Tuesday a 50 million 156.5 thousand US dollars loan agreement signed between Turkey and the Council of Europe Social Development Fund.

The approval related to the agreement, signed in Paris on December 19, 1997, was published in the Official Gazette the same day.

The loan will be used to finance several construction and rehabilitation projects.

ANKARA - Murat Basesgioglu, the Minister of the Interior, will leave for Romania on Wednesday as the official guest of Gavril Dejeu, the Minister of the Interior of Romania.

Basesgioglu will hold contacts in Romania within the framework of the security cooperation agreement signed by the two countries to prevent drug smuggling.

Basesgioglu will return to Turkey on May 8.

ANKARA - Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz received on Tuesday the members of the Turkish-Japanese Business Council.

Kazuhira Seki, the Chairman of the Japanese-Turkish Economic Committee; Toshifumi Takei, the Chairman of the Ishikawajima-Harima Industry company; Motomasa Higashisono, the member of the Executive Board of the Isuzu Motors; Sarik Tara, the Co-Chairman of the Turkish-Japanese Business Council and Aslan Onen, Korkmaz Ilkorur, Taner Demir and Atilla Yurtcu, the Co-Chairmen of the Council participated at the meeting.

ANKARA - The 27th Europe Regional Conference of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) will be held in Dubrovnik, Croatia, between May 13 and 15, it was reported on Tuesday.

Yalcin Cakici, the Chairman of the Interpol Department of the Directorate General of Security, will represent Turkey at the conference.

The parties will discuss and cooperate on the subjects of the criminal analyses of the European working groups, the DNA analysis, fingerprint identification, standard fingerprint training and information technology crimes with the objective of providing an international standard on these subjects.

The Interpol European Committee members will be elected in the conference in which the agreement to be signed with the World Customs Organization will be evaluated.

[11] TURKEY IN BRIEF - MAY 5, 1998

The Parliamentary delegation met with Xaviar Devillepin, the Chairman of the French Senate's Commission for Foreign Affairs.

The delegation then attended a meeting organized by the Union of French- Turkish Associations.

The Parliamentary delegation will proceed to Germany after wrapping up its contacts in Paris.

ANKARA - The Council of Ministers approved on Tuesday a 50 million 156.5 thousand US dollars loan agreement signed between Turkey and the Council of Europe Social Development Fund.

The approval related to the agreement, signed in Paris on December 19, 1997, was published in the Official Gazette the same day.

The loan will be used to finance several construction and rehabilitation projects.

ANKARA - Murat Basesgioglu, the Minister of the Interior, will leave for Romania on Wednesday as the official guest of Gavril Dejeu, the Minister of the Interior of Romania.

Basesgioglu will hold contacts in Romania within the framework of the security cooperation agreement signed by the two countries to prevent drug smuggling.

Basesgioglu will return to Turkey on May 8.

ANKARA - Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz received on Tuesday the members of the Turkish-Japanese Business Council.

Kazuhira Seki, the Chairman of the Japanese-Turkish Economic Committee; Toshifumi Takei, the Chairman of the Ishikawajima-Harima Industry company; Motomasa Higashisono, the member of the Executive Board of the Isuzu Motors; Sarik Tara, the Co-Chairman of the Turkish-Japanese Business Council and Aslan Onen, Korkmaz Ilkorur, Taner Demir and Atilla Yurtcu, the Co-Chairmen of the Council participated at the meeting.

ANKARA - The 27th Europe Regional Conference of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) will be held in Dubrovnik, Croatia, between May 13 and 15, it was reported on Tuesday.

Yalcin Cakici, the Chairman of the Interpol Department of the Directorate General of Security, will represent Turkey at the conference.

The parties will discuss and cooperate on the subjects of the criminal analyses of the European working groups, the DNA analysis, fingerprint identification, standard fingerprint training and information technology crimes with the objective of providing an international standard on these subjects.

The Interpol European Committee members will be elected in the conference in which the agreement to be signed with the World Customs Organization will be evaluated.

[12] GUNES TANER, THE MINISTER OF STATE: - ''INFLATION WILL ENTER A SHARP DECLINE BY JUNE AND JULY''

Responding to the questions of the reporters before the meeting of the Council of Ministers, Taner said he guessed that inflation would decrease in specified rates every month.

''The inflation will enter a sharp decline by June and July,'' Taner said.

''The system starts to work better. The private sector should realize that the high pricing is not in favour of it. We don't put pressure on anyone. We, as the government, are creating an economic climate. Thus the expectations related to the future are more important than the transition performance within this climate. Everybody should make contributions to these expectations. It means that people shouldn't raise the price of the goods that they can't sell.''

[13] FM CEM: ''MEASURES TAKEN FOR KOSOVO ARE FUNNY AND INSUFFICIENT''

Addressing the Council of Europe (COE) Committee of Ministers meeting, Cem said that Turkey is uneasy about the possibility that the Kosovo problem can resemble the Bosnian conflict and stressed that people should be more sensitive about this problem.

Noting that the Kosovo problem is at a deadlock at the moment, Cem pointed out that the embargo on weapons is violated and the economic embargo isn't sufficient. Stressing that the situation is getting worse in Kosovo, Cem emphasized the news which notes that there is a migration in Kosovo.

[14] 75 TRILLION TURKISH LIRAS SPENT FOR THE BIRECIK DAM - 35 PERCENT OF THE DAM CONCLUDED

The irrigation of the Lower Euphrates River region will be realized and energy will be produced by the HPP and the dam.

The Birecik Dam, which is being realized with the built-operate-transfer model, will produce 2,516 GWH of energy annually and will cost 2 billion 262 million German marks.

The construction of 35 percent of the dam, whose foundation was laid by President Suleyman Demirel on April 4, 1996, was concluded.

Half of the Dam and the HPP will be constructed by the Turkish firms and the consortium including German, Austrian, Belgian and French companies will be responsible for the construction of the other half.

[15] MILD QUAKE SHAKES KUTAHYA

The officials at the Kandilli Observatory told the A.A correspondent that the quake was measuring 3.0 on the Richter scale and occurred at 12:48 p.m.

Officials said that the earthquake whose epicenter was Emet County was also felt in the surrounding region.

No casualties or financial damage were reported.

[16] SENTRASBAT'98 MANEUVER MEETING - A DELEGATION FROM GENERAL STAFF TO REPRESENT TURKEY AT THE MEETING

A delegation from General Staff Chairmanship will represent Turkey during the meeting, in which the representatives from the regional countries and the NATO member countries will participate.

During the meeting the participants will discuss where and when the ''Sentrasbat'98'' meeting will take place. The sides will also evaluate applying a part of the maneuver in Kyrgyzstan.

A wider range attendance at the maneuver is expected this year when compared with last year. Last year Russia attended the maneuver with small number of troops and this caused criticism.

[17] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS MEETS WITH FEISSEL

The last developments on the island and the contacts of Richard Holbrooke, the US Special Representative to Cyprus, were discussed at the meeting.

Feissel stated that his task will be ended in June and he will leave Cyprus at the end of June.

Denktas came together with David Madden, the British Commissioner for Lefkosa, after his meeting with Feissel.

Feissel and Madden also met with Glafcos Clerides, the leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration.

Addressing the journalist at the Greek Cypriot side, Feissel said that the two sides shouldn't put forward conditions for the beginning of the negotiations between the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots.

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