Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-06-01

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

01 JUNE 1998

CONTENTS

[01] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER CETIN IN ITALY

[02] FIREBOMB ATTACK ON A BOOKSHOP SELLING RELIGIOUS BOOKS IN ISTANBUL

[03] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT IN CHINA - ECEVIT MEETS QIAN QICHEN, THE CHINESE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

[04] TORRENTIAL RAINS IN CENTRAL KAYSERI PROVINCE - 120 HOUSES AND BUSINESS PLACES INUNDATED

[05] FIRST REGULAR CONVENTION OF DTP - CINDORUK RE-ELECTED AS THE LEADER OF DTP

[06] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''WE HAVE BOTH ECONOMIC POLICIES WHICH WILL STRENGTHEN OUR COUNTRY AND ALSO A CIVILIAN, DEMOCRATIC AND LIBERALIST POLICY''

[07] CITIZENS PROTEST THE FRENCH DRAFT LAW ON THE SO-CALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS IN FRONT OF FRENCH CONSULATE IN TAKSIM, ISTANBUL

[08] TURKEY IN BRIEF - JUNE 1, 1998

[09] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

[10] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

[11] S-300 MISSILES ALSO CONSTITUTE A THREAT AGAINST REGIONAL COUNTRIES - S- 300 MISSILES' BLIND RADARS CAN'T DETERMINE COUNTRY OF THE AIRCRAFT IN THEIR RANGE

[12] EARTHQUAKE IN AFGHANISTAN - PRESIDENT DEMIREL ORDERS EFFORTS TO BE LAUNCHED IN ORDER TO SEND HUMANITARIAN AID TO AFGHANISTAN

[13] TURKISH-SLOVAKIAN JEC MEETING - STATE MINISTER SECKINER LEAVES FOR SLOVAKIA

[14] KARS-TBILISI RAILWAY PROJECT

[15] ANNOUNCEMENT FROM CENTRAL BANK: - ''COMPULSORY FOREIGN EXCHANGE AND EFFECTIVE TRANSFERS AND SALES WON'T BE MADE IN JUNE AND JULY 1998''

[16] DRUG SMUGGLING - 18.6 KG OF HASHISH SEIZED IN ISTANBUL

[17] SECURITY OF THE STRAITS - ERKAYA, THE PRIME MINISTRY CHIEF CONSULTANT: ''RUSSIA THINKS OF HER INTERESTS MORE THAN THE SECURITY OF THE STRAITS''

[18] STATE MINISTER CELEBI: ''WE WILL ACHIEVE OUR TARGET TO CUT INFLATION TO 50 PERCENT BY THE END OF THE YEAR''

[19] MARCOMET-98 MEETING TO BE HELD IN ISTANBUL

[01] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER CETIN IN ITALY

Cetin said that the issues of terrorism and immigrants would be discussed in the bilateral meetings he would hold within the framework of the conference to start on Monday.

Pointing out that Turkey has some troubles with immigrants and that Europe knows only the statements of the people who immigrated to Europe, Cetin said that in the bilateral meetings, he would convey the views of Turkey regarding the issue.

Cetin added that he would meet with the French, Spanish and Italian Speakers of the Parliaments on Monday.

Nicola Mancino, the Floor Leader of the Italian Senate; Luciano Violante, the Speaker of the Italian Parliament and Antoni G. Diaz, the Deputy Speaker of the European Parliament will address the conference on Monday.

The issues of ''the role of the Parliaments of the Mediterranean countries in the European-Mediterranean cooperation'', ''commercial and financial coperation'', ''immigration waves'', ''support to economic reforms'' and ''cooperation in human rights'' will be discussed at the conference. The agenda of the next conference in Palma de Mallorca will also be specified at the conference.

[02] FIREBOMB ATTACK ON A BOOKSHOP SELLING RELIGIOUS BOOKS IN ISTANBUL

Police found a total of three firebombs thrown at the bookshop in the basement of a building in Guybag Street, Mecidiyekoy. Police said two of the firebombs didn't explode.

The residents of the building and the staff of the bookshop put out the fire.

The investigation is underway.

[03] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT IN CHINA - ECEVIT MEETS QIAN QICHEN, THE CHINESE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Ecevit met with Qian Qichen, the Chinese Deputy Prime Minister and interdelegationary meetings headed by them started the same day.

Addressing a statement to journalists after the meeting, Ecevit stated that he had a very beneficial and friendly meeting with Qian.

Noting that Turkey and China are two very important countries in Asia, Ecevit said ''we focused on the similarities in the political approaches of Turkey and China. For instance China has problems concerning maritime rights and many islands, but China thinks of solving these problems not by appliying to courts, but through consultation. This is also our approach to our problems in the Aegean.''

Pointing out that he explained Turkey's views on the Cyprus question to the Chinese side, Ecevit said, ''I told them that the military concentration of Greece on the island, the decision of the EU to accept the Greek Cypriot side for full membership and the decision of Russia to send missiles have sabotaged the initiative of the UN Secretary General concerning the solution of the Cyprus question.''

Ecevit said that the attitudes of the two countries are very similar concerning Iraq and the two countries desire the latter to fully abide by the limitations regarding armament and also want the abandonment of the embargo upon Iraq and the establishment of Iraqi territorial integrity.

''The Chinese side expressed its reactions to the Pakistani and Indian nuclear tests and I told them that we think the same way, adding that the common sense of China is very important in this regard,'' said Ecevit.

Ecevit said that there is possibility to further improve the economic relations between Turkey and China, adding that the Chinese side expressed its concern about Taiwan, Eastern Turkistan and the Xinjiang regions.

[04] TORRENTIAL RAINS IN CENTRAL KAYSERI PROVINCE - 120 HOUSES AND BUSINESS PLACES INUNDATED

The basements of 100 houses and business places at the Mimarsinan, Fevzicakmak, Hurriyet, Aydinlikevler, Gazi Osman, Fatih, Argincik and Keykubat Districts of Kayseri and the basements of 20 houses and business places at Yesilhisar County were flooded due to the heavy rains starting in the afternoon on Sunday.

Water removal activities are continuing in these houses and business places in Kayseri and Yesilhisar County. There were no reported casualties, but there are great damages in these houses and business places.

[05] FIRST REGULAR CONVENTION OF DTP - CINDORUK RE-ELECTED AS THE LEADER OF DTP

Cindoruk won 1,072 votes of the 1,083 delegates in the voting.

A total of 11 votes were invalid.

[06] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''WE HAVE BOTH ECONOMIC POLICIES WHICH WILL STRENGTHEN OUR COUNTRY AND ALSO A CIVILIAN, DEMOCRATIC AND LIBERALIST POLICY''

''We won't give any concessions from our struggle against inflation, by taking into account political calculations or election possibilities,'' said Yılmaz, addressing the television channels.

Stressing that high inflation has been the main reason for many difficulties and problems experienced in Turkey for many years, Yılmaz described the rate of inflation as a political illness which steals the peace, security and income of the people.

''Inflation is the most unfair tax and it constitutes a burden on the low- income groups,'' said Yılmaz, adding that the rate of inflation rate can't be decreased in a very short-term.

''More investments, more employment, more production and more exports are the main targets of our economic policy,'' said Yılmaz underlying the fact that the 55th government has taken inflation under control since February 1998 and inflation has a tendency to decrease now.

Reiterating that the rate of inflation will decrease to 50 percent at the end of this year, Yılmaz stressed that the government won't adopt an additional budget.

''We call on our political parties for cooperation in the Parliament, meaning that we expect them to support our draft laws to struggle against inflation,'' said Yılmaz noting that the government isn't the only owner of the economic policies which will strengthen Turkey, but also it pursues a civilian, democratic and liberalist policy.

[07] CITIZENS PROTEST THE FRENCH DRAFT LAW ON THE SO-CALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS IN FRONT OF FRENCH CONSULATE IN TAKSIM, ISTANBUL

Approximately 500 people who are members of the nationalist group, namely the ''Ulku Ocakları'' convened at Taksim Square and then walked to the French Consulate at Istiklal Street.

Addressing a press briefing in front of the Consulate, Mehmet Bulent Karatas, one of the leaders of the nationalists, said that the French National Assembly took an unfair decision.

Noting that the draft law is distant from historical realities, Karakas stressed that the Turkish people didn't commit genocide against the Armenian people, on the contrary, they attribute importance to them and this draft law is a part of the games played against Turkey.

Another group composed of approximately 50 Azerbaijani students also condemned the draft resolution.

[08] TURKEY IN BRIEF - JUNE 1, 1998

More than 10 thousand people attended the conference at which Mehmet Erdogan was re-elected unanimously as the General Director of the Federation.

The Turkish Federation and the idealist organization were established 30 years ago with the name of the ''Sindelfingen Workers' Society''.

ISKILIP - The Iskilip-Tosya motorway was closed to traffic on Sunday due to a landslide.

A landslide occurred at the 5th km of the Iskilip-Tosya motorway on Sunday, totally destroying a 100 meters-part of the motorway.

The activities to re-open the motorway to traffic are continuing.

ANKARA - The 87th anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish Air Forces was celebrated at the Military Air Bases in the country, it was reported on Sunday.

The airshow activities of the Turkish Air Forces planes were cancelled due to bad weather conditions.

ANKARA - The Ninth Transportation Council will convene on June 8, it was reported on Monday.

The transportation policy of Turkey for the 21st century will be specified at the three-day council.

ANKARA - Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources left on Monday for Azerbaijan.

Cumhur Ersumer will hold several contacts in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku and participate at the Fifth International Caspian Petroleum and Natural Gas Conference.

Ersumer will return to Turkey on June 3.

ANKARA - The Turkish exporting goods fair ''Turkish Days in Jordan'', which was held between May 19-22 in Jordan, enabled the Turkish exporter companies to enter the Middle Eastern markets, it was reported on Monday.

A total of 90 Turkish companies had stands at the fair which was visited by 200 Palestinian businessmen and three thousand industrialists from the Middle Eastern countries.

ISTANBUL - Ersin Taranoglu, the Minister of Forestry, left on Monday for Portugal to attend the ''Third Ministers' Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe''.

The Forestry Ministers will discuss the issues of ''protection and management of forests in Europe'', ''creating only one mechanism for sustainable development'' in the Conference organized by Portugal and Austria.

[09] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

INTERVIEW WITH OCALAN CONFIRMS PKK-SYRIA TIES
The latest issue of the ''Middle East Quarterly'' covers an interview with the leader of the PKK terrorist organization, Abdullah ''Apo'' Ocalan, which indicates ''organic ties'' between the PKK and Syria. Michael Gunter, a professor from Tennessee, in the US, met with Ocalan in the Syrian capital of Damascus between March 13-14. Ocalan talked about how he organized the PKK and the PKK's ties with Syria and the ruling party of Greece, PASOK. It is remarkable that a part of the interview was made in a PKK camp and that ''Apo'' met with two PASOK parliamentarians during the interview. /Cumhuriyet/

DEMOCRAT TURKEY PARTY CONGRESS
At the first annual congress of the Democrat Turkey Party (DTP), held yesterday, Husamettin Cindoruk was unanimously reelected as the party's chairman. The opposition front within the party lagged behind and the former members of the party's ruling board were reelected. /Cumhuriyet/

PRIME MINISTER'S TV STATEMENT
Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, making a statement on TV yesterday, said that his government was determined to fight against inflation and added that they were open to every proposal and called upon the other parties to cooperate in the struggle. Yilmaz noted that the public should be patient because the positive signals in the economy would be seen soon. /Hurriyet/

TAI F-16 AIRCRAFT PROJECT
The Turkish Aviation Industry (TAI) is about to complete its F-16 project to produce aircraft to meet the need of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF). TAI has also started studies to produce remote control aircraft. TAI has already delivered 197 F-16 aircraft out of a first order of 243 to the TAF. /Sabah/

19 BILLION US DOLLARS FOR GAP
The Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP), which is the largest project in the Republic of Turkey and one of the leading regional development projects in the world, is envisaged to be finished with a further 19 billion US dollars in costs. To date, 41 percent of the GAP has been completed with a total public sector expense of almost 13 billion US dollars. According to information of the Office of the GAP Regional Development Administration, the public sector expenditures of 168.5 trillion TL are likely to be spent on completing the GAP project. /Hurriyet/

ECEVIT VISITS CHINA
Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State, noted that the new relations initiated by Turkey with China and the Far East would soon be yielding results and said, ''We have begun to re-discover the roots of Turkey in Asia''. Ecevit, who went to Beijing two days ago as the guest of Qian Qichen, the Deputy Prime Minister of the People's Republic of China, visited the Great Wall of China yesterday. Unal Unsal, the Turkish Ambassador to China and officials from the Chinese Foreign Ministry also accompanied Ecevit. Later Unsal gave a luncheon in Ecevit's honour at the Turkish Embassy. Delivering a speech, Ecevit said that Turkey's breakthrough towards China and the Far East began during the period of Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey. /Hurriyet/

[10] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

13 PKK TERRORISTS KILLED
Two terrorists of the PKK terrorist organization have been killed near Kantar Village in the Gercus District of Batman, one in the Seyh Mehmetttepe Region of Sirnak and 10 near Cevre Village in the Semdinli District of Hakkari. During the clashes, four members of the Turkish security forces died. /Hurriyet/

KARADAYI TO VISIT US IN JULY
Gen. Ismail Hakki Karadayi, the Chief of General Staff, whose visits abroad have attracted attention due to their strategic impact, is now preparing to travel to the US on July 14 for a week-long visit. Regional strategic cooperation will be the main item on the agenda during the talks. Karadayi will voice Turkish concerns to the US officials about the planned delivery of the controversial Russian-made S-300 missiles to Greek Cyprus by Russia. Karadayi and the delegation which will accompany him during his visit to Washington, D.C., will also hold talks with the Pentagon regarding Turkey's air defense needs. /Sabah/

TOBB CONVENTION MEETS IN ANKARA
The Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) held its regular 53rd general convention in Ankara over the weekend. The election for the Board of Directors was held yesterday. While the current TOBB chairman, Fuat Miras, received 103 votes, Cengiz Kaptanoglu received 111 votes, the highest in the election. /Hurriyet/

PARLIAMENT'S SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz's expected meeting with Deniz Baykal, the leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP), on Monday is likely to determine the Parliament's working schedule for the week. The government will again propose to the CHP that nighttime working hours and Fridays be added to the Parliament's official schedule. /All papers/

BRITAIN RE-EVALUATES CYPRUS MILITARY PLANS
It is reported that Britain has re-evaluated its military plans for Cyprus because of the Greek Cyprus Administration's deployment of the Russian-made S-300 missiles next month. Accordingly, the British Defense and Foreign Ministries are preparing to set-up a huge air-bridge to evacuate 250,000 British citizens from the island. According to the Sunday Times, the British government will also cooperate with British Airways. The paper goes on to say that at the moment the British Government will not send additional forces to the island in order to avoid cause for any further reactions. /Milliyet/

TALABANI: ''WE WANT TO REBUILD RELATIONS WITH TURKEY''
Celal Talabani, the leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), said in a special interview with the daily Milliyet newspaper that they would like to rebuild their relations with Turkey. He continued, ''After Turkey closed her doors to us, Iran became the only alternative for us to open up to the world. We want to rebuild our relations with Turkey. We have started initiatives and asked the US to help us. However, we haven't gotten any results yet. Turkey must believe that we didn't provide any military camps for the PKK. And we don't approve of the PKK using Northern Iraq as a base from where it can attack Turkey.'' /Milliyet/

BRITISH TRADE DELEGATION TO VISIT TURKEY
A delegation comprised of the representatives of the Middle East Trade Committee (COMET) in England and top British tradesmen and investors will visit Turkey between June 7-13, when they will meet with officials of the Turkish Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade who will inform them about the foreign trade capacity of Turkey and the rules to which foreign investors must conform. /Cumhuriyet/

TASAR PARTICIPATES IN FAO MEETING
Mustafa Tasar, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, participated at the 21st European Conference arranged by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Estonia last week. Tasar said yesterday that he briefed participants about Turkish agricultural policies. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKISH PC FIRM ACCLAIMED BY US MAGAZINE
Nova Computer, one of the five Turkish computer firms active in Chicago, was evaluated as the best system producer by ''PC Today'', a noted magazine on computer technology. The firm is also developing computer systems for the US Naval Forces submarines. /Cumhuriyet/

[11] S-300 MISSILES ALSO CONSTITUTE A THREAT AGAINST REGIONAL COUNTRIES - S- 300 MISSILES' BLIND RADARS CAN'T DETERMINE COUNTRY OF THE AIRCRAFT IN THEIR RANGE

Diplomatic sources said that the S-300 missiles can take all airplanes that take off from Israel into their control range, adding that Israel is uneasy about that. Israel isn't in the range of fire, however Israeli military aircraft, which fly over the Mediterranean for training flights can enter into the fire range.

Military officials said that the blind radars of the S-300 missiles can't be modernized by an electoronic system in the near future. In this respect, an Israeli plane flying from the south to Cyprus can be an open target for the missiles, which have a wide radar network. Moreover Israel is uneasy about the regular control of its flights.

Diplomatic sources pointed out that one should take into account the fact that the S-300 missiles, which are presented as an ''air defense system'' can cause a regional and international deadlock.

The Greek Cypriot side and Greece can't take steps back due to the pressure of their public opinion, although they accept their mistake concerning the S-300 missiles.

In response to the scenarios imagined by the Greek Cypriot side and Greece that Turkey won't hit the S-300 missiles, diplomatic sources stressed, ''all limits which Turkey can permit have been exceeded.''

[12] EARTHQUAKE IN AFGHANISTAN - PRESIDENT DEMIREL ORDERS EFFORTS TO BE LAUNCHED IN ORDER TO SEND HUMANITARIAN AID TO AFGHANISTAN

The Presidential Press Office said that President Demirel shares the sorrow of the Afghan people, sends his condolences to those Afghan people who lost their relatives and hopes that the damage and number of people who died in the quake won't further increase.

[13] TURKISH-SLOVAKIAN JEC MEETING - STATE MINISTER SECKINER LEAVES FOR SLOVAKIA

Prior to his departure from the Ataturk Airport, Seckiner said that the aim of the JEC meeting is to improve the economic relations in parallel with the good political relations between the two countries.

Pointing out that the first-round negotiaitons of the Agreement on Mutual Encouragement and Protection of Investments would be held and the Cooperation Agreement in the field of Standardization would be covered during the meetings, Seckiner said, ''also, the existing relations between our two countries in the fields of free zones, banking, tourism, energy, agriculture, mining, transportation, science and industry will be reviewed and we will discuss the probable opportunities for cooperation.''

''Meanwhile, the Free Trade Zone Agreement, which was signed last year, will also be reviewed and at the end of the meetings, the First Term JEC Protocol will be signed,'' he added.

Emphasizing that the Turkish-Slovakian Business Council meeting would be synchronized in Slovakia, Seckiner said that a total of 20 Turkish companies would participate in the COOPEXPO'98 International Trade Fair scheduled to take place in the city of Nitra.

Seckiner said that he would also meet with the Slovakian Prime Minister.

[14] KARS-TBILISI RAILWAY PROJECT

Tekin Cinar told the A.A correspondent that a total of four consortiums were bidding for the project, adding that the project would be realized with credits and that there was a decision of the Higher Planning Council regarding the issue.

Pointing out that Georgia hadn't yet given a bid for the project, Cinar said that the they would give the start for the project at the same time with Georgia.

Tekin Cinar said that they planned to start the project this year and conclude it within the next two and one half years.

''Central Asia will be connected to Europe and the Mediterranean with this shortest route. The capacity of the project was planned to be 8 million tonnes. However, this amount will be increased to 40 million tonnes in the future,'' he said.

''Both Turkey and Georgia will benefit from the project. The economies of the two countries will make use of the opportunities of this railway, regarding the raw materials and oil, as it will be the in transit route. Turkey and Georgia will send their goods to Central Asia from this shortest route,'' he added.

[15] ANNOUNCEMENT FROM CENTRAL BANK: - ''COMPULSORY FOREIGN EXCHANGE AND EFFECTIVE TRANSFERS AND SALES WON'T BE MADE IN JUNE AND JULY 1998''

The Central Bank said in a written statement that from this perspective, the foreign exchange and effective transfers and sales rate was specified to be ''0 (zero)'' in June and July 1998.

Recalling that the circular related to that arrangement was published in the Official Gazette on May 30, 1998, the statement said that the implementation was brought into force by taking into consideration the recent increases in the official foreign exchange reserves and the positive developments in the balance of payments.

[16] DRUG SMUGGLING - 18.6 KG OF HASHISH SEIZED IN ISTANBUL

Acting on a tip-off, the narcotics officials captured and took into custody Yilmaz Aktari, Abdurrahim Piral, Sakir Kacmaz, Suleyman Dolmaz, Nihat Erden, Emin Alpsar and Ilyas Gezer who were trying to sell the hashish.

The investigation is underway.

[17] SECURITY OF THE STRAITS - ERKAYA, THE PRIME MINISTRY CHIEF CONSULTANT: ''RUSSIA THINKS OF HER INTERESTS MORE THAN THE SECURITY OF THE STRAITS''

Writing an article in the first edition of ''Defence'' a magazine, Erkaya said that the project on the ship traffic services system will be ready for implementation on January 1, 2000, and the security of cruising through the straits will be provided by then.

Noting that Russia wishes to transport her oil through the straits without any limitation by claiming the free passage principle foreseen in the Montreux Convention, Erkaya stressed that the traffic of commercial ships that pass through the Straits changed a lot since the Montreux Convention was signed.

Erkaya stressed that 4,500 ships passed annually through the Straits in 1938, while this number reached 50,942 in 1997.

Pointing out that almost no risky substances were transported through the Straits in 1936, Erkaya stressed that ships weighing 400 tonnes pass through the Straits today, while ships having a length of more than 100 meters didn't pass through the Straits in 1936.

Stressing that the population of Istanbul which was 900,000 in the 1940s reached 11 million today, Erkaya said, ''the increase in population means also an increase in ships and boats which carry people through the Straits.''

Erkaya stressed that Turkey accepts the principle of free passage through the straits, but she is uneasy about the increasing risk at the Straits.

Noting that the Vessel Traffic Services System (VTSS) is an important system which will secure the passages through the Straits, Erkaya added that this system will provide information to those people who sail the ships and this will decrease the risk of accidents at the Straits.

[18] STATE MINISTER CELEBI: ''WE WILL ACHIEVE OUR TARGET TO CUT INFLATION TO 50 PERCENT BY THE END OF THE YEAR''

After participating at the meeting organized upon the introduction of the Turkish Confederation of Employers' Unions (TISK) observation on ''Change and Turkey'', Celebi responded to the questions of reporters.

Responding to a question, Celebi said that they prepared the automatic pricing efforts to be implemented on July 1, 1998.

When asked whether or not the flood disaster would affect the stability programme, Celebi said, ''we add insurance technically when we prepare the budget. There is an insurance system for these disasters, so it can't affect the stability programme.''

Responding to the question ''will the public sector price increases continue?'', Celebi said, ''the price increases hadn't been frozen. The prices will be arranged within the framework of the costs. We will try to achieve our target of 50 percent inflation within the framework of the budget discipline.''

Pointing out that Turkey should realize the structuring appropriate to the system in the globalizing world, Celebi said, ''the number of people using the Internet increased to 100 million in the world last year. Turkey should achieve the same success in her economic and commercial development and in the issues of democracy and human rights.''

[19] MARCOMET-98 MEETING TO BE HELD IN ISTANBUL

The General Secretariat of the Naval Forces said in a written statement that the commanders from Turkey, Italy, Greece, Spain, Romania, Albania, Georgia, the Ukraine and an observor from Bulgaria, representatives from the NATO Secretariat, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers, Europe (SHAPE) and the British Representative to the NATO will participate in the Marcomet- 98 meeting.

The recent developments in the NATO, the future of the NATO, the relations between naval forces in the NATO Southern Region and relations with the PFP countries will be taken up during the meeting.

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