Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-05-07

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

07 APRIL 1998

CONTENTS

[01] ''ATMOSPHERE OF GOOD WILL'' BETWEEN TURKEY AND IRAN

[02] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM IN NORWAY

[03] TURKISH-IMF MEETINGS - DINCMEN, THE UNDERSECRETARY OF THE TREASURY: - ''I THINK THE POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE, WHICH STEMS FROM THE RECOVERY IN THE ECONOMY, WILL TURN INTO CONVICTION AND CONFIDENCE AFTER JUNE''

[04] THE US ADMINISTRATION ASKS GREECE FOR INFORMATION: ''THE PKK IS A TERROR ORGANIZATION WHICH KILLS PEOPLE''

[05] 2ND MEETING OF EU-TURKISH COAL AND STEEL CONTACT GROUP TO START IN ISTANBUL ON THURSDAY

[06] PRESIDENT DEMIREL ADDRESSES THE TUNISIAN TELEVISION: ''TURKEY IS READY TO IMPROVE HER RELATIONS WITH TUNISIA AS MUCH AS TUNISIA WANTS''

[07] US-TURKEY-TEXTILE QUOTAS - STATE MINISTER CELEBI: ''NO CONCESSIONS WERE GIVEN TO GAIN FLEXIBILITY DURING THE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE US REGARDING THE TEXTILE QUOTAS''

[08] THE US DEPARTMENT OF STATE: ''DE FACTO DIVISION ON CYPRUS IS A REALITY''

[09] TURKEY IN BRIEF - MAY 7, 1998

[10] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM IN NORWAY - CEM TO TAKE INITIATIVES TO ESTABLISH THE BASIS FOR MULTILATERAL COOPERATION WITH NORWAY

[11] ''THE MURAT OPERATION'' - FIVE TERRORISTS KILLED, ONE CAPTURED ALIVE

[12] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

[13] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

[14] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (3)

[15] THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL'S NEW DEPUTY SPECIAL ENVOY TO CYPRUS TO ASSUME DUTIES IN JULY - RUSSIA'S INITIATIVE FOR TURNINIG HER DISARMAMENT PROPOSAL INTO A DRAFT RESOLUTION

[16] CETIN, PARLIAMENT SPEAKER IN NEW YORK - CETIN: ''EU ACTED UNJUSTLY TOWARDS TURKEY AND DISTURBED THE BALANCE BETWEEN TURKEY AND GREECE''

[17] POLICE SEIZE 51.5 KG OF HEROIN IN BILECIK PROVINCE

[18] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM'S VISIT TO BULGARIA - BULGARIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN VLAYKOV: ''WE ATTRIBUTE GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE VISIT''

[19] ROCKET ATTACK ON A TAXI IN SOUTHEASTERN HAKKARI PROVINCE

[20] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS GIVES INFORMATION TO THE LEADERS OF THE POLITICAL PARTIES ABOUT THE LATEST SITUATION ON THE ISLAND

[21] 5TH INTERNATIONAL BELIEF CONGRESS

[22] A POLITICAL NEGOTIATION MECHANISM TO BE ESTABLISHED BETWEEN TURKEY AND NORWAY

[23] TURKISH-SLOVENIAN BUSINESS COUNCIL MEETING

[24] BAR NAR, NEW ISRAELI AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY PRESENTS LETTERS OF CREDENCE TO DEMIREL

[25] REPAYMENTS OF THE FOREIGN DEBTS

[26] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''NO CONCESSION TO BE GIVEN FROM FREEDOM''

[01] ''ATMOSPHERE OF GOOD WILL'' BETWEEN TURKEY AND IRAN

The Foreign Mnistry said in a written statement, ''it has been observed during the recent contacts of Mehmet Ezen in Teheran that the atmosphere of good will exists which is needed to improve bilateral relations.''

Ezen, who wrapped up his two-day visit on Tuesday, held contacts in Teheran within the framework of the agreement signed between the two foreign ministries to improve economic rrelations.

The statement noted that the commercial and economic relations with Iran have been discussed and the two sides exchanged views about the possibilities of increasing the bilateral volume of trade and to further improve cooperation in various fields.

Kemal Kharrazi, the Iranian Foreign Minister, Momeni, the Deputy Minister of Transportation, Ali Mohacedi, the Deputy Minister of Petroleum, Bahadırani, the Deputy Minister of Industry and Vahaci, the Deputy Minister of Commerce received Ezen during his visit.

[02] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM IN NORWAY

Ismail Cem, who proceeded from Strasbourg, where he participated in the Council of Europe (COE) Foreign Ministers' meeting, was welcomed by officials in Norway from the Norwegian Foreign Ministry and Osman Koruturk, the Turkish Ambassador to Norway.

Ismail Cem will be received by the Norwegian King and hold various contacts during his stay in Norway.

[03] TURKISH-IMF MEETINGS - DINCMEN, THE UNDERSECRETARY OF THE TREASURY: - ''I THINK THE POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE, WHICH STEMS FROM THE RECOVERY IN THE ECONOMY, WILL TURN INTO CONVICTION AND CONFIDENCE AFTER JUNE''

Briefing the reporters on the meetings with the International Montary Fund (IMF) delegation that was continuing its contacts in Ankara, Yener Dincmen said that the economic performance had followed an ''encouraging and hopeful'' trend up until now, stressing that the IMF delegation had the same opinion.

Pointing out that the financial and economic policies should be implemented with the same determination until the end of the year within the framework of the three-year programme, Dincmen said, ''I hope the economy at the end of June will be better than the statistics in the first quarter. Thus, I think the positive atmosphere in the economy and optimistic expectations will turn into confidence and conviction after June.''

Recalling that the IMF delegation came to Istanbul on April 28, Dincmen said that the IMF delegation had met with the officials from the Association of Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen (TUSIAD), several banks, the Association of Banks, the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) and with industrialists and the representatives from the private sector.

Noting that the IMF delegation later proceeded to Ankara and continued its studies, Dincmen said that the delegation had held contacts at the Undersecretariat of the Treasury, the State Planning Organization, the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank, the Chairmanship of Privatization Administration, the Ziraat Bank, the State Institute of Statistics and the Ministry of Transportation and Communications.

''The IMF delegation is holding contacts at several banks and ministries to gather different information about different issues. This time, the meetings aren't being held at one centre. They are making studies at several units of the Treasury during the same day,'' Dincmen added.

''Meanwhile, it is certain that the issues on which the delegation is making observations are the macro balances, the budget incomes and revenues, the balance of payments, the monetary volumes, the balances of the State Economic Enterprises, the administration of cash and borrowing, the developments in the real economy and in privatization,'' he added.

Stressing that the report, which would be prepared by the IMF delegation in accordance with Article 4 of the Fund agreement, was very important for Turkey, Dincmen said, ''this report is very important for us, because it is an economic report about Turkey. The world will read this report.''

[04] THE US ADMINISTRATION ASKS GREECE FOR INFORMATION: ''THE PKK IS A TERROR ORGANIZATION WHICH KILLS PEOPLE''

Lee McLenny from the US Department of State said, ''the United States cooperates closely with Greece in combating both domestic and international terrorism. We are seeking the views of the Greek government on whether or not a new PKK office is in fact being established in Athens. We view the political support offered to the PKK by some individual members of the Greek Parliament to be inconsistent with both a responsible stance toward international terrorism and the goal of reducing the tension between Turkey and Greece.''

McLenny noted that the US declared the PKK as a foreign terrorist organization, adding ''The PKK ruthlessly targets civilians, including children, to sow terror and advance its political aims. Sympathy for the people the PKK asserts to be its constituency shouldn't obscure the group's essential terrorist nature.''

James Foley, the Deputy Spokesman for the US Department of State, said the same day that the US took up the relations between Greece and PKK with the former.

The US describes the separatist PKK as a ''bloody and violent terrorist organization.'' Annual reports of the US Department of State note that Syria, Iran and Iraq are among those countries which support the separatist terrorist organization. The recent report of the US stressed that there is a widespread sympathy and support for the PKK in the Greek public opinion.

The American officials say that the support of terrorism by a NATO country against another NATO member is ''unacceptable.''

Korkmaz Haktanır, the Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry had submitted a file to the US officials concerning the connection between Greece and the separatist terrorist organization, during his visit to the US.

The US Department of State said in its report last year that the Greek government was tolerant towards the separatist terrorist PKK organization.

[05] 2ND MEETING OF EU-TURKISH COAL AND STEEL CONTACT GROUP TO START IN ISTANBUL ON THURSDAY

The EU Commission Representation in Turkey said in a written statement that the European Commission Experts' delegation, the officials from the Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade and the representatives of the Turkish public and private sectors would attend the two-day meeting.

It said that the European Commission Experts' delegation would be led by Salvatore Salerno, a European Commissioner, and the Turkish delegation would be led by Munir Etkin, the General Director of the Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade's Departmant of EU Relations.

The statement said that the issues of ''the existing situation of the bilateral trade in steel products, ''problems of competition'', ''state assistances in the sector'' and ''restructuring of the sector'' would be discussed during the meeting.

It said that the parties would also discuss the issues of ''the rules of origin in Turkey regarding steel and coal products'' and ''technical aid''.

Meanwhile, the contact group is expected to visit the Karadeniz Eregli Iron- Steel Enterprises on May 8.

[06] PRESIDENT DEMIREL ADDRESSES THE TUNISIAN TELEVISION: ''TURKEY IS READY TO IMPROVE HER RELATIONS WITH TUNISIA AS MUCH AS TUNISIA WANTS''

President Demirel, who wrapped up his official visit to Tunisia the same day, addressed the Tunisian Television.

Noting that Turkey and Tunisia are two friendly countries and they don't have any problems between them, President Demirel said that ''we want to have greater cooperation with Tunisia in the fields of education, culture, tourism and in other fields and the aim of this visit is to prepare the atmosphere, which is necessary to achieve this goal.''

Noting that the nearly 200 million US dollars in trade volume between Turkey and Tunisia should reach 500 million US dollars, President Demirel stated, ''Tunisia has to sell more goods to Turkey and we have to sign a free trade agreement to this end. We have taken up this issue with the Tunisian President.''

Responding to a question, President Demirel said that Tunisia is an element of stability and signed an association agreement with the European Union (EU) and Turkey appreciates and supports the Maghreb cooperation which was started by the initiatives of Tunisia.

President Demirel stressed that he discussed not only the bilateral relations, but also other issues that concern the region with Zine Al- Abidine Ben Ali, the Tunisian President, adding that the two countries have political cooperation both within the structure of the United Nations (UN) and the Organization for Islamic Conference (OIC).

''Turkey doesn't have territorial aims on the lands of her neighbours and she is against the division of Iraq. Turkey has lost 35 billion US dollars since the Gulf Crisis and the terrorists, who use Northern Iraq due to the lack of authority, are damaging Turkey. Turkey defends the territorial integrity of Iraq more than Iraq does and she should be correctly understood by the Arab countries. The Arab world should ignore the propaganda made against Turkey. Turkey is a country of peace, a world country and has an important role in her region,'' said President Demirel.

[07] US-TURKEY-TEXTILE QUOTAS - STATE MINISTER CELEBI: ''NO CONCESSIONS WERE GIVEN TO GAIN FLEXIBILITY DURING THE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE US REGARDING THE TEXTILE QUOTAS''

Celebi said in a written statement that the demands of the Turkish side for providing flexibility in the five categories of the textile exports to the US had been officially conveyed to the US side with oral and written statements during the Fourth Term Meeting of the Turkish-US Joint Economic Committee in Washington, D.C., in December 1997.

Pointing out that the Turkish side later repeated those demands, Celebi said, ''at the end of the negotiations in Geneva, an opportunity to realize additional exports of 80 million US dollars for 1998 was provided, and in addition to this, an adventage, which was better than our preceding demand, was provided on the occasion of spreading the flexibilities over more than one year. Thus, an opportunity to realize additional exports of 750 million US dollars for the next seven years was created.

''No other issue, except the textile quotas, was included in the memorandum of understanding signed after the negotiations,'' he added.

[08] THE US DEPARTMENT OF STATE: ''DE FACTO DIVISION ON CYPRUS IS A REALITY''

Responding to a question about his views concerning the statement of Holbrooke, who said that ''the Greek Cypriots can't govern the Turkish Cypriots,'' James Foley, the Deputy Spokesman of the US Department of State said that he can't evaluate the statements of Holbrooke, the US Special Representative to Cyprus, adding that ''however there is a reality that the island is divided and we are launching efforts for a peaceful solution on the island.''

James Foley stressed that the two communities on the island are separate from and just like foreigners to each other, noting that the US favours a bi-zonal and bi-communal federation on Cyprus.

Pointing out that although the US recognizes only one Cyprus government, Foley said that not everybody considers himself/herself as a part of this government.

James Foley stressed that Thomas Miller, the US Special Coordinator to Cyprus will visit the island again at the end of this month, pointing out that the US can't impose a solution on the island.

Responding to a question, the US Deputy Spokesman said that the US supports the integration of Turkey with the EU and defends constructive relations between Turkey and the EU. Noting that Turkey is a part of Europe, Foley said that the economic integration of Turkey with the EU is vital.

[09] TURKEY IN BRIEF - MAY 7, 1998

The delegation will meet with the parliamentarians. the members of the friendship groups and the members of the executive boards of the Turkish associations in Bonn, Cologne and Berlin.

After wrapping up its contacts in Germany, the delegation will return to Turkey on May 9.

AYDIN - The Third Industry and Trade Fair, which was organized by the Aydin Municipality, was opened in Aydin on Wednesday.

The fair at which the automotive, computer, electrical appliances, telecomunications and agricultural machines and equipment are being exhibited, will remain open for ten days.

KAHTA - The military attach&eacute;s of 35 countries visited on Wednesday the land of the giant statues belongigng to the ancient Kommagene Kingdom at the Nimrod Mountain.

The Nimrod is defined as the ''Eighth Wonder of the World'' and was included in the World Cultural Heritage List of the UNESCO.

ISTANBUL - The ''Expotecnia'99' Fair, which was organized by the Spanish Institute of Foreign Tade (ICEX), will be held in Istanbul between April 24- 29, 1999, it was reported on Wednesday.

The Spanish companies from different sectors will participate at the Fair.

ANKARA - The Parliament Planning and Budget Commission approved on Wednesday the draft laws including the approval of two agreements signed between Turkey and Russia.

The Commission approved the ''Agreement on Prevention of Double Taxation on Incomes'' and the ''Protocol Regarding the Taxation System in the Contracting Companies''.

ANKARA - The first step of the ''Implementation Project of the European Union (EU) Environmental Management Standards (EMAS) Environmental Management and Controlling System in Turkey'' will be discussed in a working meeting that will be organized in Ankara, it was reported on Thursday.

The meeting will be held on May 11.

[10] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM IN NORWAY - CEM TO TAKE INITIATIVES TO ESTABLISH THE BASIS FOR MULTILATERAL COOPERATION WITH NORWAY

Cem will explain the importance of the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline for Turkey to the Norwegian officials. Statoil, a Norwegian oil firm, has an important share in Azerbaijani oil and Cem will stress the dangers the Straits can be confronted with concerning the transports of oil through Straits and he will try to activate the sensitivity of Norway towards the environment.

Diplomatic sources say that the support of Norway, which is the second oil producing country in the world after Saudi Arabia, for the Baku Ceyhan pipeline is important, adding that ''Northpol,'' a Norwegian firm which deals with environmental protection, which makes a research in the Straits, noted that the Straits can't support the burden of the Azerbaijani oil.

The same sources stated that Cem aims to increase the 280 million US dollars in trade volume between Turkey and Norway, adding that the trade between the two countries has improved between 1996-1997 and these commercial relations changed to the benefit of Turkey within the first months of 1998.

Noting that Turkey and Norway are northern and southern flank countries of the NATO, the diplomatic sources pointed out that the two countries are also members of the Western European Union (WEU). The visit of Cem to Norway is also important, because Ismail Cem is the first Turkish Foreign Minister who visited Norway since 1978.

[11] ''THE MURAT OPERATION'' - FIVE TERRORISTS KILLED, ONE CAPTURED ALIVE

The Emergency Regional Governor's Office said that the number of terrorists who were made ineffective up until today during the ''Murat Operation'' which covers a wide area including the provinces of Diyarbakır, Bingol, Mus and Bitlis, reached 95.

The Murat Operation is underway.

[12] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

DINCMEN: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS ARE HOPE-INSPIRING
Yener Dincmen, the Undersecretary of the Treasury noted yesterday that economic developments in Turkey were ''hope-inspiring'' and said that great strides have been made in reforms. Furnishing information about the IMF contacts in Turkey last week, Yener stated that the IMF delegation had held contacts and meetings with the public economy-oriented institutions and said that they also regarded the Turkish economy as hope-inspiring. /Milliyet/

NEW INCENTIVES FOR PRIORITY DEVELOPMENT REGIONS
According to an official notice published in the Official Gazette yesterday, the minimum amount for investments in the priority development regions will total 25 billion US dollars and 50 billion US dollars in the developed regions. /Milliyet/

INTERIOR MINISTER VISITS ROMANIA
Murat Basesgioglu, the Minister of the Interior, who is currently in Romania, has held contacts in Bulgaria and Croatia within the framework of a programme which he launched six months ago in order to cut the Balkan route used by the PKK terrorist organization. Basesgioglu, accompanied by a security delegation headed by Deputy Chief of Security Halil Tug, who arrived in Bucharest as the official guest of Gavril Dejeu, the Romanian Minister of the Interior, attended meetings between the delegations of the two countries. The Turkish delegation emphasized the importance of the struggle against terrorism, trafficking in drugs and people, and organized crime. The Turkish delegation also requested assistance from the Romanian officials to block the passage of ammunition used by the PKK via Romania to Turkey. /Milliyet/

TURKISH MILITARY UNIT IN HUNGARY
A Turkish military unit, which will participate at the Cooperative Lantern 98 Exercise between 11-15 May in Hungary, was seen off with a ceremony at the Corlu Military Airport yesterday. Commander of the Turkish Unit, Infantry Staff Colonel Muharrem Bayram noted that peaceful efforts initiated in Korea were continuing in various countries and added that these kinds of exercises were needed to follow technological developments. /Milliyet/

MURAT OPERATION IS CONTINUING
A total of 128 PKK terrorists have been either wounded or killed during the ''Murat Operation'' being carried out by the Turkish Armed Forces in Diyarbakir, Bingol, Mus and Bitlis. Two Turkish soldiers died during confrontations in Tunceli. /Milliyet/

TURKISH CITIZENS TO VOTE ABROAD
The Constitutional Accord Commission of the Turkish Parliament, which is trying to prepare a draft for securing the voting rights of Turkish citizens living abroad, has received a positive response from French officials. French officials have agreed that Turks can cast their votes at the consulates and similar Turkish government offices. /Milliyet/

BAHATTIN YUCEL JOINS ANAP
Istanbul Deputy Bahattin Yucel, who recently resigned from the True Path Party (DYP), joined the Motherland Party (ANAP) yesterday. Thus the number of ANAP seats in Parliament has reached 140 and the number of independent deputies has fallen to 15. /Milliyet/

US REQUESTS INFORMATION ABOUT PKK OFFICE IN ATHENS
The US administration has requested information about the PKK office in Athens. Lee McLenny, a Spokesman of the US Department of State said in a statement yesterday that the US was cooperating with Greece in the struggle against both national and international terrorism. He added, ''we requested information from Greece about whether or not a new PKK bureau has been opened in Athens. Some members from the Greek Parliament have stated that extending political support to the PKK was against the aim of reducing tension with Turkey and Greek international responsibility. The US has officially declared that the PKK is a terrorist organization. The PKK massacres many innocent people including children''. /Milliyet/

AUSTRIA SUGGESTS NEW POLICY FOR TURKEY
Thomas Klestil, the Austrian President, said that he was thinking of inviting the Turkish President Suleyman Demirel to Vienna. Klestil, who will be the EU Term-President in July, said in a statement to journalists yesterday that he didn't approve of the policy pursued by the EU against Turkey. He noted that the EU should provide a long-term European perspective for Turkey. He added that the alternative to full EU membership for Turkey was Islamic fundamentalism, which wasn't to the advantage of the EU. /Milliyet/

[13] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

CEM ATTENDS PARIS CONFERENCE
Ismail Cem, the Turkish Foreign Minister, who has gone to Paris as the guest of the French-Turkish Friendship Association, attended a conference organized by the association at the French Parliament yesterday. Pierre Moskovici, the French Minister for European Affairs was also present at the conference during which Turkish-EU relations and Turkish-Greek problems were discussed. /Milliyet/

SYRIAN CLAIMS REGARDING HATAY
Velid El Muallim, the Syrian Ambassador to the United States said in a statement to the ''Arab Network of America'' TV channel that they would bring the issue of Hatay onto the agenda after they acquire the Golan Heights from Israel. The Hatay Province, which is Turkish, is still being shown as a part of Syria on the Syrian maps. /Sabah/

TURKISH WOMEN IN DUTCH ASSEMBLY
Following general elections held in the Netherlands yesterday, Turkish candidates Nebahat Albayrak (Labour Party) and Fadime Orgu (Liberal Party) joined the Dutch Parliament. In the elections, parties on the right have lost votes, and leftist parties have boosted their votes. /Sabah/

DEMIREL: ''SYRIA TRYING TO HARM TURCO-ARAB RELATIONS''
President Suleyman Demirel on Wednesday said that there were efforts being made to harm the Turco-Arab relations. Answering reporters on his way home from Tunisia, President Demirel said that anti-Turkish feelings were trying to be provoked in the Arab states. Demirel also said that Syria was agitating the Arabs against Turkey. Demirel stressed that the Turco-Israeli relations weren't directed against the Arabs. /Cumhuriyet/

PAPANDREU: ''GREECE NO DIFFERENT FROM EUROPEAN COUNTRIES''
Yorgo Papandreu, the Deputy Greek Foreign Minister claimed on Tuesday that his country doesn't follow a policy on the PKK terrorist organization that is in any way different from the other European countries. During a press conference on the occasion of the upcoming Greek presidency of the European Council, Papandreu said that if any organization, including the PKK, doesn't engage in terrorist activity in his country, then there was no problem. /Sabah/

CETIN SPEAKS AT THE WASHINGTON INSTITUTE
Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of Parliament delivered an address at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy yesterday. In his speech Cetin painted the picture of a robust Turkey which will continue on her secular, democratic way ''with or without the European Union.'' Later Cetin held a press conference with the Turkish journalists at the Turkish Embassy.

Completing his contacts in Florida and Washington, D.C., Cetin continued on to New York where he will meet with representatives of the city's Jewish- American community groups, as he did in Florida. /Hurriyet/

CEM OFF TO NORWAY
Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister will pay a two-day working visit to Norway between 7-8 May on the official invitation of his Norwegian counterpart Knut Vollabeak. According to the Foreign Ministry, Cem will be received by the Norwegian King Harald and Prime Minister Bondevik. Bilateral relations and international issues will be on the agenda of their meetings. /Cumhuriyet/

ECEVIT: ''HOLBROOKE'S MISSION USEFUL''
Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister said on Wednesday that despite the apparent failure of Holbrooke's recent mission to Cyprus, it had been ''useful'' due to the realistic and unbiased approach that he had followed. He also stressed that for the first time, Holbrooke had mentioned the ''Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)'' and didn't refer to the Greek Cypriot Leader Glafcos Clerides as ''President''. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKEY SUPPORTS POLAND'S NATO MEMBERSHIP
Ismet Sezgin, the Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister received Romuald Szeremietiew, the Polish Deputy Minister of Defense yesterday in Ankara. At the meeting Sezgin said that Poland had shown great progress in her democratization process. He added that Turkey would continue to support the Polish NATO membership process. /Cumhuriyet/

HOLBROOKE VISITING CYPRUS IN JUNE
According to diplomatic sources, Richard Holbrooke, the US Special Presidential Envoy to Cyprus is expected to pay another visit to the island in June following the planned visit of Madeleine Albright, the US Secretary of State to Ankara and Athens in late May. /Cumhuriyet/

[14] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (3)

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

''CYPRUS FEDERAL STATE''
Russia on Wednesday revealed the full text of her proposal for a fully- fledged demilitarization on Cyprus, in which the future structure of the state there was described as the ''Cyprus Federal Republic''. The five-page proposal, entitled ''Russia's Initiatives for a Solution on Cyprus'' was handed over to the United Nations last Thursday.

The Russian plan suggests the following basic points: the Cyprus Federal Republic shouldn't have any armed forces or reserves, except for coast guard duties; the utilization of civilians as paramilitary forces should be banned; the two entities of the federation (the Turkish Cypriot and the Greek Cypriot communities) should have their own police forces; and the security of the federation and its entities should be guaranteed. /Cumhuriyet/

GREEK CYPRIOTS SYMPATHIZE WITH PKK
Yannakis Kassulides, the Foreign Minister of the Greek Cypriot Administration declared yesterday that they didn't view the PKK as a terrorist organization and expressed sympathy for the Kurdish struggle. Answering questions on his government's policy towards the Kurds at a meeting of the Human Rights Commission of the Greek Cypriot Parliament, Kassulides said that to condemn the PKK as a terrorist organization, a court decision was required and that no such decision had been reached. /Hurriyet/

DUTCH AKZO-NOBEL IN JOINT VENTURE WITH MONOPOLIES
The General Directorate of Monopolies has agreed to a joint venture with the Akzo-Nobel Chemical BV group based in the Netherlands. Their aim is to modernize the Camalti Salt Plant by increasing production and improving management. According to a joint letter of intent released in Istanbul, 53 percent of the joint venture corporation shares will be owned by Akzo- Nobel. /Hurriyet/

RUSSIA TO ATTEND THE TURKISH SUMMIT
Martin Hardy, the Chairman of Southeastern Europe and Turkey for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will be speaking at the First Economic Summit of Turkish Speaking States organized by the Social and Strategic Research Fund of the Marmara Group. The summit, which will be attended by representatives from Turkey, the Turkish Speaking States, the EU, the IMF, the World Bank and the UN, is considered to be a ''Turkish Davos''. The summit, which will be held on the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of Turkey, will be attended by the Russian Federation. This is the first time the Russian Federation will be participating in an international meeting with the Turkish Speaking States. /Hurriyet/

KOC CONGLOMERATE LAUNCHES GAP EDUCATION PROGRAMME
An integrated educational facility was opened yesterday by Trakmak A.S., one of the companies of the KOC conglomerate, a leading Turkish business and industry organization. The non-profit facility, aims to provide agricultural education in the GAP region. /Hurriyet/

IMKB, OECD COLLABORATION
The Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) signed a protocol yesterday for a joint project, aiming to develop IMKB information exchange links, especially those related to the newly founded republics in Eurasia. /Hurriyet/

MOODY'S COMMENTS ON TURKISH ECONOMY
A high level manager from Moody's, one of the leading credit rating organizations in the US, said yesterday that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) might well give a verbal promise of support after a review by the IMF to be carried out in Turkey and added that even a verbal promise could provide Turkey with financial advantages in international circles. /Hurriyet/

INTEL NOTES GROWTH IN TURKISH COMPUTER MARKET
Answering questions by journalists in a seminar held yesterday in Istanbul, Craig Barrett, who is expected to become the Chairman of the Intel Corporation, a leading software producer, said noting the fast technological growth in Turkey that the computer software market in Turkey was one of their target markets. /Hurriyet/

[15] THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL'S NEW DEPUTY SPECIAL ENVOY TO CYPRUS TO ASSUME DUTIES IN JULY - RUSSIA'S INITIATIVE FOR TURNINIG HER DISARMAMENT PROPOSAL INTO A DRAFT RESOLUTION

Ann Hercus, will take over the position of Gustav Feissel, the present Deputy Special Envoy to Cyprus.

The official statement regarding the appointment of Ann Marcus is expected to be made by the UN Secretariat in coming days.

The UN sources said that the consultations with the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides were continuing and that both sides approached this appointment positively.

Meanwhile, Russia that had presented a letter to the Secretary General last week proposing disarmament on the island, is now trying to submit her proposal to the Security Council by changing it into a draft resolution.

According to the disarmament proposal, ''the Turkish and Greek Cypriots will establish their own police organizations. However, the Republic of Cyprus, which will be established, won't have its own national army.

The plan also includes rules preventing the two sides from purchasing arms from foreign countries. The S-300 missiles were also included in these rules.

The Russian plan suggests that the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides and the Turkish and Greek sides convene to make the schedule to remove the Turkish and Greek military units from the island.

[16] CETIN, PARLIAMENT SPEAKER IN NEW YORK - CETIN: ''EU ACTED UNJUSTLY TOWARDS TURKEY AND DISTURBED THE BALANCE BETWEEN TURKEY AND GREECE''

Hikmet Cetin, who wrapped up his contacts in Washington, D.C., and Florida and proceeded to New York on Wednesday night, participated at the reception hosted by Fuat Tanlay, the Chief Consul to New York and in a dinner hosted by Turkish Businessmen's Forum.

Addressing the dinner, Cetin said that the Turkish private sector has attained great success in the last 20 years, in spite of all the negative influences in the economy and Turkish businessmen have carried out a total of 26 billion US dollars in projects abroad, particularly in Russia and Central Asia.

Noting that Turkey is one of the countries in the world which has a young population, Cetin said, ''if we can teach modern technology to 14 million students, then nobody can catch up with Turkey.''

Mentioning the EU-Turkish relations, Hikmet Cetin said, ''Turkey has always acted together with the West. Turkey lost more than 35 billion US dollars due to the embargo imposed on Iraq. We stand that in order to comply with the principles. In this respect, the EU doesn't have the right to tell Turkey that it doesn't need her.''

''I don't know any country other than Turkey, which has a wrong image in the world. All of us are responsible for changing this wrong image. There are lobbies which want to obscure Turkey. These lobbies are so effective that they can even prevent the transport of the military materials for which Turkey had paid the money,'' Cetin said. Responding to the questions of the Turkish journalists, Hikmet Cetin said, ''I am ready to lift all the obstacles that stand in front of human rignts in Turkey.''

Pointing out that Turkish-American relations are negatively influenced from the factors outside the two states, such as the Cyprus question, Hikmet Cetin said that there aren't any problems in bilateral relations.

''Cyprus was established with an agreement and it is such a state, which is based on the balance between Turkey and Greece in the Eastern Mediterranean. If you upset this balance, then the parameters change. The EU has upset the balance on the island by starting full membership negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side,'' Cetin added.

[17] POLICE SEIZE 51.5 KG OF HEROIN IN BILECIK PROVINCE

Acting on a tip-off, police seized 51.5 kg of heroin hidden in hauls in a private car driven by Sefer Ozcanan.

Sevki Dincal, the Chief of Security in Bilecik, said that the heroin was purchased from Iran and it was on its way to Istanbul.

Dincal said that the investigation is underway and those who are taken into custody will be brought to court.

[18] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM'S VISIT TO BULGARIA - BULGARIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN VLAYKOV: ''WE ATTRIBUTE GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE VISIT''

Speaking to the A.A correspondent Vlaykov said that relations between the two countries had improved in every field, adding that Cem's scheduled visit is a concrete example of this development.

Noting that relations between Turkey and Bulgaria were carried out in an atmosphere of good neighbors, friendship and mutual security, Vlaykov said that a cooperation protocol will be signed between the Foreign Ministries during the visit.

Vlaykov said that bilateral relations as well as recent developments in the region will be discussed.

Cem will proceed to Romania on May 14, after concluding official contacts in Bulgaria.

[19] ROCKET ATTACK ON A TAXI IN SOUTHEASTERN HAKKARI PROVINCE

The incident happened when terrorists attacked the taxi with rockets and long range weapons.

Sergeant Sait Kaya died and the other sergeants Huseyin Tankus, Mehmet Canpolat and the taxi driver Mecit Tekin were wounded.

The terrorists fled after the clash which erupted following the attack. Wide-scale operations have been launched in the region.

[20] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS GIVES INFORMATION TO THE LEADERS OF THE POLITICAL PARTIES ABOUT THE LATEST SITUATION ON THE ISLAND

Hakki Atun, the Speaker of the Parliament, Dervis Eroglu, the Prime Minister, Serdar Denktas, the Minister of State and the Deputy Prime Minister, Taner Etkin, the Foreign Minister and Minister of Defence, and the leaders of the political parties attended the meeting organized at the President's Office .

Addressing the journalists after the meeting, Eroglu pointed out that they remained true to the government's view, and every one knows it. The TRNC Government decided before that the negotiations concerning the Cyprus problem can be held only in the framework of two separate states.

Meanwhile the Greek Cypriot Administration National Parliament will hold a meeting and discuss the latest developments on the island.

[21] 5TH INTERNATIONAL BELIEF CONGRESS

Noting that Turkey has a great cultural assets in the history of religion, Gurdal said that Turkey wants to share these assets with the Christians and all of humanity.

After the meeting, Gurdal held talks with Pier Luigi Celata, the Vatican Ambassador to Turkey, and Yusuf Cetin, the religious leader of the Syriac society.

Celata wanted Gurdal to prepare a detailed programme for the celebration of the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ. A total of 200 religious leaders, including 29 bishops from 46 countries, who came to Turkey to attend the three-day-meeting, joined in a religious service at the Church of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus.

[22] A POLITICAL NEGOTIATION MECHANISM TO BE ESTABLISHED BETWEEN TURKEY AND NORWAY

Ismail Cem, who arrived in Norway within the framework of an official visit, met at breakfast with the Norwegian Foreign Minister Vollebaek and staged a joint news conference following the breakfast. The two Foreign Ministers said they reached a consensus of opinion to improve bilateral relations towards mutual benefits.

Cem said their meeting was very beneficial and added that Turkey and Norway have joint interests in the transport of Central Asian oil to the Western Markets, in the Middle East Peace process and in the defense of NATO.

Cem noted that the two countries have to consult each other to this end and added that the two countries have a consensus of opinon about the growing racism in Europe.

Responding to a question about human rights, Cem said that the government has reform activities on the issue and stressed, ''I don't say that Turkey is a perfect country on human rights. Such problems are experienced in many countries.''

Cem also said that several issues about Turkey were misunderstood in European countries and noted that they approached with a prejudiced point of view.

Foreign Minister Cem said that the Turks never made a discrimination based on racism, including the Ottoman Empire period and pointed out, ''the Speaker of the Parliament is of Kurdish origin.''

When a Norwegian journalist asked about the closure of the Welfare Party (RP) Cem said, ''it is written in our Constitution that a party which politically contradicts with the secular and democratic state structure will be closed. The closure of the RP should be evaluated within this framework.''

Responding to a question of whether or not the expansion of NATO will be approved in the Parliament, Cem said the Turkish government was in favor of expansion.

Vollebaek said that the EU shouldn't establish new borders in the region and that regional countries like Turkey should be allowed to enter the union.

Vollebaek said that the Middle East Peace process, expansion of NATO, security in the Balkans, Cyprus and bilateral relations were brought onto the agenda, adding that they would initiate studies to increase political dialogue between the foreign ministries.

Responding to a question related to the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline, Vollebaek said that the realization of this line was wholly a trade activity, so that he couldn't give a political view.

When he was reminded of the dangers in case the Azerbaijani oil passes through the Straits, Vollebaek said this issue is within the context of trade activity and defended that it may be overcome with some discussions.

Meanwhile, Norwegian diplomatic sources said that the Norwegian Statoil company officials, which has an important share in the Azerbaijani oils, will come to Turkey in the coming days and will hold observations related to the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline.

Cem was later received by the Norwegian King Harald.

[23] TURKISH-SLOVENIAN BUSINESS COUNCIL MEETING

Addressing the opening speech at the meeting, Emre Aykar, the Chairman of the Turkish Wing of the Council, noted that the council was set up by President Suleyman Demirel during his visit to Slovenia and a free trade zone agreement was signed between the two countries on May 5. He added that the commercial relations will be developed between Turkey and Slovenia with this agreement.

Pointing out that the trade volume increased 56 percent compared with the figures in 1996, Aykar stated that the protection of mutual investments and incentives agreement and the prevention of double taxation agreement were signed to start joint investment activities. He said that Slovenia has the better economic indices among the Central European countries, adding that Slovenia will contribute to the Turkish economy as a passageway through Eastern Europe and Central Europe.

Andrej Polenc, the Head of the Slovenian Delegation, said that both countries aim to accelerate the economic relations and to expand the trade opportunities and fields with each other.

Requesting the businessmen from the two countries to cooperate, Polenc pointed out that with the free trade zone agreement the markets of both countries will be opened to each other.

[24] BAR NAR, NEW ISRAELI AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY PRESENTS LETTERS OF CREDENCE TO DEMIREL

Bar Nar presented his letters of credence to Demirel in a meeting where Korkmaz Haktanir, the Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry was present.

Uri Bar Nar, who arrived in Turkey ten days ago, spent most of his 35-year diplomatic career in the US and has very positive relations with the US.

It is reported that the target of Bar Nar is to increase cultural, economic, industrial and trade relations and to increase the Turkish-Israeli volume of trade to one billion US dollars as of the end of this year. Last year the Turkish-Israeli volume of trade was 650 million US dollars.

Ehud Toledano was earlier appointed as the Israeli Ambassador to Turkey, but the Foreign Ministry didn't give accreditation to Toledano, who was a university professor, due to his speech which he made earlier claiming that the Turks had comitted the Armenian genocide.

[25] REPAYMENTS OF THE FOREIGN DEBTS

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

3.3 billion US dollars was repaid for the Treasury, 105.9 million US dollars for the Central Bank, 793.3 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 up until May 6.

[26] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''NO CONCESSION TO BE GIVEN FROM FREEDOM''

Addressing the foundation-laying ceremony of the new headquarters of the Turkish Cypriots' Public Workers' Union (KAMU-SEN), Denktas said, ''this foundation is the proof that the TRNC will live on''. He reminded that the Hak-Is's participation at the ceremony shows Turkey's great support of the Turkish Cypriots.

Pointing out that an Azerbaijani official also attended the ceremony, Denktas said that they want to set up political contacts between the TRNC and the Turkish Republics in the near future.

Salim Uslu, the Chairman of the Hak-Is, said that their support to the KAMU- SEN will continue.

Ilyas Aliyev, the Deputy Director General of Azerbaijan Confederation of Trade Unions, said that the Azerbaijani people have great problems just like the Turkish Cypriots and keep up their hopes that their lands will be saved from the Armenian occupation.

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