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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-06-10

Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

10 JUNE 1998


CONTENTS

  • [01] TERRORISTS ABDUCT THREE CHILDREN AND WOUND ONE VILLAGE GUARD IN EASTERN AGRI
  • [02] TURKISH DEPUTIES MEET FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER VEDRINE - MUMTAZ SOYSAL: ''THE DRAFT LAW IS ALSO CONTRARY TO THE FRENCH CONSTITUTION''
  • [03] EXPORTS OF TEXTILE PRODUCTS - GAP REGION EXPORTS 110.4 MILLION US DOLLARS IN TEXTILES IN FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1998
  • [04] BATU, THE TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO ITALY: ''TURKEY DOESN'T NEED TO CONFIRM THAT SHE IS EUROPEAN''
  • [05] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE S-300 MISSILES WILL BE DEPLOYED AT THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE, THIS WILL BE MADNESS''
  • [06] INTERIOR MINISTER BASESGIOGLU IN THE US - BASESGIOGLU MEETS WITH SCHELTER, UNDERSECRETARY OF GERMAN MINISTRY OF INTERIOR
  • [07] THE US WARNS GREEK-CYPRIOTS AGAIN ''S-300 MISSILES WILL BE A MISTAKE''
  • [08] GUREL, THE STATE MINISTER IN GERMANY: - ''TURKEY IS RESOLVED NOT TO DISCUSS POLITICAL ISSUES AND THE CYPRUS QUESTION WITH EU'' - ''THE REALITY OF TWO SIDES SHOULD BE ACCEPTED ON CYPRUS''
  • [09] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)
  • [10] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)
  • [11] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (3)
  • [12] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (4)
  • [13] NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER SEZGIN LEAVES FOR BRUSSELS - SEZGIN: ''S-300 MISSILES CAN'T BE DEPLOYED ON CYPRUS''
  • [14] THE US WARNS THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE THAT TURKEY IS RESOLVED AND POWERFUL ENOUGH TO HIT THE S-300 MISSILES
  • [15] HOLBROOKE, THE US SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO CYPRUS: ''TURKEY AND GREECE ARE VERY IMPORTANT COUNTRIES FOR THE SECURITY OF THE US. WE CAN'T LEAVE TURKEY ALONE IN A DANGEROUS REGION''
  • [16] INTERIOR MINISTER BASESGIOGLU IN THE US - BASESGIOGLU: ''TERRORIST PKK EMERGED SHORTLY AFTER THE ANNIHILATION OF TERRORIST ASALA. NEAR COLLAPSE OF TERRORIST PKK BRINGS A CONCERN THAT THE ASALA TERRORISM WOULD RISE AGAIN''
  • [17] ARMED ATTACK ON BIRDAL, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION - GULALTAY AND OZANSOY ARRESTED
  • [18] TURKISH-JORDANESE MILITARY COOPERATION
  • [19] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN KAZAKHSTAN - PRESIDENT DEMIREL PARTICIPATES IN OFFICIAL CEREMONIES HELD IN ASTANA, THE NEW CAPITAL OF KAZAKSHTAN
  • [20] 21 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAPTURED
  • [21] INCREASE IN EXPORTS IN AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR CONTINUES - FIVE-MONTH INCREASE IN EXPORTS WAS 15 PERCENT
  • [22] ANADOLU AJANSI

  • [01] TERRORISTS ABDUCT THREE CHILDREN AND WOUND ONE VILLAGE GUARD IN EASTERN AGRI

    AGRI, June 10 (A.A) - The separatist terrorists carried out on Tuesday a raid on Atadami Village in Diyadin County of eastern Agri Province and kidnapped three children after wounding one village guard.

    During their descent on that village, a group of terrorists clashed with the village guard after killing 165 sheep and goats and 35 cattle on the village plateau. Sadik Ozturk, a village guard, was injured in that clash.

    Terrorists later abducted three children Mahmut Ozturk (13), Idris Ozturk (9) and Veysi Istil (12).

    Security forces launched an immediate and large-scale operation to capture the kidnapper terrorists.

    [02] TURKISH DEPUTIES MEET FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER VEDRINE - MUMTAZ SOYSAL: ''THE DRAFT LAW IS ALSO CONTRARY TO THE FRENCH CONSTITUTION''

    PARIS, June 10 (A.A) - The Turkish parliamentary delegation, which holds contacts in France concerning the draft law on the so-called genocide on Armenians, met with Hubert Vedrine, the French Foreign Minister on Tuesday.

    The Turkish parliamentarians expressed the concern of the Turkish public opinion about the draft law and told Vedrine that this draft will damage the Turkish-French economic relations.

    Mumtaz Sosyal, a deputy from the Democratic Left Party (DSP) said that the draft law is also contrary to the French Constitution, adding that the French Parliament should be controlled by the Constitution Commission.

    Vedrine said that the draft law was submitted to the Parliament with the initiatives of the parliamentarians, not by the government. Noting that France has always extended support to the relations between Turkey and the European Union (EU), Vedrine stated that Turkey shouldn't make wrong evaluations due to this draft law.

    Stressing that the Turkish Government can't be hold liable for things which happened in the past, Vedrine added that France attributes great importance to improving relations with Turkey.

    The Turkish parliamentarians headed by Mumtaz Soysal, stress that the draft law will strike a blow to Turkish-French relations and they ask the French Government to take steps in order to prevent the approval of the draft law by the French Senate.

    [03] EXPORTS OF TEXTILE PRODUCTS - GAP REGION EXPORTS 110.4 MILLION US DOLLARS IN TEXTILES IN FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1998

    GAZIANTEP, June 10 (A.A) - The exports of textiles from the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) Region in the period between January-May 1998 increased 38.2 percent to 110 million 474 thousand US dollars, it was reported on Wednesday.

    The share of textile products in the exports from the region increased from 30.3 percent in the same period last year to 53.6 percent.

    The officials from the Southeastern Anatolia Textile and Raw Materials Exporters' Union told the A.A correspondent that the exports of thread increased 37 percent to 45 million 229 thousand US dollars; the exports of cotton fabrics rose 35 percent to 57 million 757 thousand US dollars and the exports of various textile products climbed 82 percent to 7 million 488 thousand US dollars in the first five months of the year.

    The officials said that the textile products were exported especially to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Romania, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, France, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Portugal, Jordan, Spain, Lebanon, Iran, the US, Israel, Italy, Greece, Algeria and Russia.

    [04] BATU, THE TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO ITALY: ''TURKEY DOESN'T NEED TO CONFIRM THAT SHE IS EUROPEAN''

    ROME, June 10 (A.A) - Inal Batu, the Turkish Ambassador to Italy met with the Turkish and Italian journalists on Tuesday and responded to their questions about the Turkish-Italian relations and the Cyprus question.

    Inal Batu praised the Italian foreign policy which extended support to Turkey's membership in the European Union (EU), ''we can understand the interest of Italy in the Cyprus question,'' he said.

    Noting that Italy, which deals with the Cyprus question with a balanced and constructive attitude, Batu said that she also pursues a constructive attitude about the Turkish-Greek relations.

    Batu pointed out that the decision of the Italian Foreign Ministry to give up selling Aspide 300 missiles to the Greek Cypriot side shows its common sense.

    Stressing that Turkey has been included in Europe for 150 years and she doesn't need anyone to confirm that, Batu said that Turkey has a volume of trade of seven billion US dollars with Italy, which is her second most important trade partner after Germany and 150 Italian firms work in Turkey.

    Batu pointed out that Italy comes in seventh on the list of countries which invest in Turkey and in the economic relations Turkey has a trade deficit of three billion US dollars.

    Batu added that the number of Italian journalists in Turkey should increase.

    [05] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE S-300 MISSILES WILL BE DEPLOYED AT THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE, THIS WILL BE MADNESS''

    ISTANBUL, June 10 (A.A) - Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Tuesday that he doesn't believe that the S-300 missiles will be deployed at the Greek Cypriot side. Noting that this will be complete madness and he thinks that there are rational men in Greece and on Cyprus, Denktas added that ''this is a process for bringing Russia to Cyprus.''

    Responding to a question, Denktas said ''this won't create a situation which will be to the advantage of the Greek Cypriots. This means nothing other than provocating Turkey. This issue isn't only an issue for Turkey, it also concerns the US, Israel and Britain. It is a process for disturbing the balance in the region. Everybody should stop this and I think that they will stop it, but if it isn't the case, then we have to take measures. I don't expect a war, because I don't believe that this will happen.''

    [06] INTERIOR MINISTER BASESGIOGLU IN THE US - BASESGIOGLU MEETS WITH SCHELTER, UNDERSECRETARY OF GERMAN MINISTRY OF INTERIOR

    NEW YORK, June 10 (A.A) - Murat Basesgioglu, the Minister of the Interior, who is representing Turkey at the UN Summit on the Struggle Against Drugs, met on Tuesday with Kurt Schelter, the Undersecretary of the German Ministry of the Interior. Schelter guaranteed that the ban decision for the separatist terrorist PKK organization continued to be implemented in Germany.

    Referring to the statement of Kay Nehm, the German Chief Prosecutor asking for the removal of the PKK from the category of terrorist organizations, Schelter said, ''don't be offended by the statements of irresponsible persons.''

    Basesgioglu said, ''the drug smuggling via Turkey is in connection with the terrorist PKK organization and if a success is wanted to be achieved in the struggle against drug trafficking, then the activities of the separatist terrorist PKK organization should absolutely be taken under control in Germany.''

    Speaking to the Turkish reporters after the meeting, Basesgioglu said that he was pleased with the German authorities' sharing the view, ''the struggle against drug smuggling should be implemented in parallel with the struggle against terrorist organizations''.

    Basesgioglu asked Germany to review her attitude in response to demands for political asylum. Recalling that a lot of people had escaped to Germany and requested political asylum when investigations and inquiries were opened about them, Basesgioglu asked Germany to request information from Turkey in such events.

    Basesgioglu stressed that human smuggling was also organized by the separatist terrorist PKK organization. Schelter proposed an ''agreement to return the illegal immigrants'' between Turkey and Germany. Basesgioglu said that the Turkish national law allows the acceptance of the returned people, thus it wasn't necessary to sign such an agreement.

    Basesgioglu, in his meeting with Schelter, invited Manfred Kanther, the German Minister of the Interior, to Turkey.

    [07] THE US WARNS GREEK-CYPRIOTS AGAIN ''S-300 MISSILES WILL BE A MISTAKE''

    WASHINGTON, D.C., June 10 (A.A) - The US administration again warned on Tuesday the Greek-Cypriots not to deploy the S-300 missiles on the southern part of Cyprus.

    Responding to the news regarding the deployment of the S-300 missiles at the Greek-Cypriot side, James Rubin, the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs of the US Department of State, said ''we weren't informed with such a report. Our attitude is very clear and everybody is aware of this. We believe the deployment will be wrong. We believe Turkey's threatening a military action to destroy the missiles is also wrong.''

    Pointing out that an instability may occur in the Balkans where Turkey and Greece, the two NATO member countries are also located, if the incidents in Kosovo get out of hand and if lots of people escape to Albania and Macedonia, Rubin said that the experts believe the losing of control over the events would adversely affect the national interests of Turkey and Greece.

    [08] GUREL, THE STATE MINISTER IN GERMANY: - ''TURKEY IS RESOLVED NOT TO DISCUSS POLITICAL ISSUES AND THE CYPRUS QUESTION WITH EU'' - ''THE REALITY OF TWO SIDES SHOULD BE ACCEPTED ON CYPRUS''

    BERLIN, June 10 (A.A) - Sukru Sina Gurel, the Minister of State, said on Tuesday that Turkey is resolved not to discuss political issues and the Cyprus question with the European Union (EU).

    Addressing a conference held in Berlin, Gurel said that Europe refrains from giving a full membership perspective to Turkey.

    ''Our aim was to be included in the 12 countries, we had relayed our wish to our European friends before the Luxembourg Summit,'' said Gurel, adding that Turkey has never thought that ''we will apply to the EU today and we will become a full member tomorrow.''

    ''However Europe has missed this chance,'' said Gurel, pointing out that the Turkish public opinion is very sensitive about the Cyprus question. Noting that Turkey had earlier warned the EU not to start full membership negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side, Gurel said, ''Turkey will do her best to help the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to carry on her existence.''

    Mentioning the S-300 missiles, Gurel said that Turkey will never bargain on this issue.

    Graham Fuller, the representative of the American Rand Corporation and an expert on intelligence said that Turkey has a very important strategical importance in the Middle East concerning Turkish-EU relations and Europe has to see it.

    Martin Schultz, the European Parliament expert on Turkey said that Europe has to decide on the membership of Turkey in the EU as soon as possible.

    Addressing a press briefing at the end of the conference, Gurel said ''everybody has to accept the reality that there are two sides on Cyprus.''

    Noting that the ''Northern Ireland model'' or ''a peace agreement like Dayton'' won't be successful on Cyprus, Gurel stressed that ''the status of Cyprus is different. The two communities on the island themselves should decide whether or not they want to live side by side or together.''

    Responding to a question of a German journalist who asked whether or not the first part of the S-300 missiles have been sent to the island, Gurel said ''I hope the island won't be 'hot' in the summer. Turkey has never preferred to use violence. The side which is armed on the island is the Greek Cypriot side.''

    ''There is a terrorism problem, not a Kurdish problem in Turkey, but terrorism has become marginal. The social and economic investments will be rapidly implemented in the Southeastern region,'' Gurel added.

    Morton Abramovitz, the former US Ambassador to Turkey, who participated at the press briefing said that Turkey will be a ''super power'' in the 21st century concerning strategy, adding that this power will contribute to the EU and this is also in the interest of world peace.

    Noting that the Europeans made an ''historical mistake'' by isolating Turkey at the Luxembourg Summit, Abramovitz stressed that ''the EU should revise its decision and take a step backwards concerning this issue.''

    Abramovitz added that the participation of the Greek Cypriot side in the EU enlargement negotiations will cause tension.

    [09] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

    These are brief summaries of some of the leading stories in Turkey's press on June 10, 1998. The Anadolu Agency doesn't verify these stories and doesn't vouch for their accuracy.

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

    DEMIREL VISITS KAZAKHSTAN
    President Suleyman Demirel, who is attending the 5th Summit of Leaders of the Turkish Speaking Countries in Kazakhstan, said in his speech at the summit that the economic potentials of the Turkish speaking countries had been developing considerably and that regional energy resources enabled them to look to the future with confidence. Before the summit Demirel meet with the Azerbaijan President Haydar Aliyev in Astana, and after the summit he attended a ceremony to make Astana the new capital of Kazakhstan. /Cumhuriyet/

    BASESGIOGLU IN NEW YORK
    Murat Basesgioglu, the Minister of the Interior, who is attending a New York summit on fighting against drug smuggling, met yesterday with Kurt Schelter, the German Undersecretary of the Ministry of the Interior. Schelter assured Basesgioglu that restrictions continued in Germany against the PKK terrorist organization. Basesgioglu asked Schelter to re-evaluate a recent decision on the applications of political asylum. /Cumhuriyet/

    LE FIGARO WARNS FRENCH SENATE
    Commenting on how a draft resolution about an alleged Armenian massacre by Turks at the turn of the century will affect Turco-French relations, the noted French daily Le Figaro states that approval of the draft could cause France to lose an important economic partner. The paper recalls that French- Turco relations were frozen in the 1970s because of the construction of an Armenian memorial monument in France and adds that the Senate must be aware that annual trade volume between France and Turkey is over 21 billion French francs.

    Another comment came from Laurent Fabius, the Speaker of the French Parliament, who expressed yesterday his concern over the impact of the draft resolution on Turco-French relations. ''I hope nothing will change in our friendly relations. This draft reflects only the French Parliament's outlook on historical events and has nothing to do with modern Turkey'', said Fabius in a press conference yesterday during a visit he is making to Russia. /Hurriyet/

    NINE PKK TERRORISTS KILLED
    During operations carried out in rural areas near Siirt and Erzincan in southeastern Anatolia, nine PKK terrorists were killed yesterday by the Turkish military forces. /Hurriyet/

    ITALIAN RETURNING FOR COURT HEARING
    An Italian citizen, deported from Turkey because of his attempts to provoke the Kurdish people against the security forces in Diyarbakir in March, is returning to Turkey in order to appear at the Diyarbakir State Security Court where his case will be tried on June 16. /Hurriyet/

    CARGO VESSEL BLAZE
    The Greek cargo vessel ''Marianna'' burst into flame yesterday off the coastal town of Ahirkapi, while it was making a transit passage through the Bosphorus to the Black Sea. Fourteen crew members were rescued by the Coast Guard Security Teams, who extinguished the fire. /Sabah/

    AGREEMENT WITH IMF IN JULY
    Following the IMF First Deputy President Stanley Fischer's contacts in Istanbul, Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said in a speech at his Mortherland Party (ANAP) Group meeting yesterday that an agreement would be signed with the IMF in July. He added, ''This won't be a financial agreement or a stand- by. We told them to recall what they earlier said about us to the whole world. That is the kind of support we want to receive. I think we will receive it in July.''

    Yilmaz stressed that positive economic developments in Turkey would continue and that important structural arrangements would be put into practice as soon as possible. He stated that the Parliament had assumed all responsibility for the promulgation of the social security and tax reforms. Martin Hardy, the Chief of the IMF-Turkey Desk and his team is expected to visit Turkey this month. The IMF and Turkey are working on a ''new agreement text''. Following the visit of the IMF delegation, an agreement is expected to be signed with Turkey. /Sabah/

    [10] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

    These are brief summaries of some of the leading stories in Turkey's press on June 10, 1998. The Anadolu Agency doesn't verify these stories and doesn't vouch for their accuracy.

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

    COOPERATION BETWEEN GERMANY AND TURKEY
    New infantry guns for land troops will be produced jointly by the Turkish Machinery and Chemicals Industry Board (MKEK) and the German Heckler Koch company. An initial agreement has been reached between the German firm and the Turkish Armed Forces. The 18 million US dollar agreement, which foresees the production of 200,000 guns in a period of 10 years by the Heckler Koch firm is expected to be signed in the near future. /Sabah/

    TENSION IN THE AEGEAN SEA
    The Sea Wolf '98 exercise, one of the most important maneuvers carried out by the Turkish Naval Command, is continuing. The first stage of the exercise was completed yesterday, but tensions built when a Greek assault- vessel tried to speed through the Turkish fleet. The assault-vessel only just managed to save itself from being crushed by the Turkish cruisers in the fleet.

    The exercise, which will last 27 days, is being participated in by 53 vessels, seven helicopters and 7,000 soldiers. The second stage of the exercise will begin on June 12 and the Turkish naval vessels will sail towards the coast of Cyprus. President Suleyman Demirel and Gen. Ismail Hakki Karadayi, the Chief of the General Staff, will observe the second stage of the exercise which will also be supported by the Turkish Air Force jets. /Sabah/

    HOLBROOKE WARNS ABOUT CYPRUS
    Richard Holbrooke, the US Special Envoy to Cyprus, has warned that the most dangerous regional issue is Cyprus and the Turco-Greek problem. During an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Holbrooke noted that the EU, which didn't include Turkey among its candidates for full membership, humiliated Turkey. Therefore, Turkey blocks every development on Cyprus, while Greece prevents the extension of financial aid to Turkey within the framework of the Customs Union''. Holbrooke drew similarities between the Turco-Greek problem and the Indian-Pakistani relations. /Sabah/

    OECD EVALUATES TURKISH ECONOMY
    According to a report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the current downward trend in inflation in Turkey will continue into 1999 because of Turkey's monetary policy aimed at reducing borrowing. As long as Turkey maintains her anti-inflationary policies the report also estimates that the rate of inflation in Turkey in 2003 will be down to 35.7 percent.

    Although the Turkish economy has maintained an upward trend for the last three years, the budget deficits and high inflation have still been the stumbling blocks states the report, which gives wide coverage to issues affecting the Turkish economy including social security, taxation reforms, privatization, the possible effects of an expected early election and the impact of the Asian crisis on the Turkish economy.

    [11] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (3)

    These are brief summaries of some of the leading stories in Turkey's press on June 10, 1998. The Anadolu Agency doesn't verify these stories and doesn't vouch for their accuracy.

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

    SYRIAN MINISTER TO VISIT TURKEY
    Adnan Omran, the Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister, will pay an official visit to Ankara on July 1. Omran will be received by Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, and Isin Celebi, the Minister of State. /Sabah/

    TURK DIES AFTER GERMAN TRAIN ACCIDENT
    It is reported that following the recent high-speed train accident which happened in the village of Eschede near Hannover in Germany, a Turk (Nihat Gul, aged 31) died from injuries sustained in the crash. The body of Gul will be brought to Turkey today. /Sabah/

    ISTANBUL DECLARATION SIGNED
    The Southeastern European Countries' Foreign Ministers' Meeting ended yesterday in Istanbul after an ''Istanbul Declaration'' was issued. At the end of the meeting two official reports were also issued. The first report on the Istanbul Declaration said that lifting military, ideologic and economic borders in Europe would be a way to improve cooperation, adding that Europe couldn't be accepted as a whole without the Southeastern European countries. The second official report, initiated by the foreign ministers of six Balkan countries, excluding the Yugoslavian Foreign Minister, condemned the recent violent attacks in Kosovo and asked representatives of the Belgrade and Kosovo regions to continue dialogue to reach an enduring peace and full agreement.

    At the end of the meeting, Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, and Theodoros Pangalos, his Greek counterpart, held a joint press conference. At the conference Cem said that Turkish-Greek relations would be better in the near future. Pangalos said that there had always been contact between the two countries and that these relations would continue in the future. /Cumhuriyet/

    TURKISH DELEGATION MEETS VEDRINE
    A Turkish Parliamentary delegation yesterday met with Hubert Vedrine, the French Foreign Minister, in Paris. The Turkish delegation stressed that approving a draft bill about the Armenian massacre by Turks would seriously damage Turkish-French economic relations. They claimed that the bill was against the French constitution and that the draft bill should be examined by the French Parliamentry Constitutional Commission. Vedrine said that the bill wasn't being presented by the government but through the initiatives of the French parliamentarians. /Cumhuriyet/

    [12] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (4)

    These are brief summaries of some of the leading stories in Turkey's press on June 10, 1998. The Anadolu Agency doesn't verify these stories and doesn't vouch for their accuracy.

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

    CEMIL CICEK JOINS FP
    Cemil Cicek, the Ankara deputy, has joined the Virtue Party (FP). The number of FP seats in parliament now number 144. The FP is the largest parliamentary party. /Cumhuriyet/

    CAGAN IN ILO GENERAL COUNCIL
    Nami Cagan, the Minister of Labor and Social Security, said in a speech yesterday at the 86th Working Conference of the General Council of the International Labour Organization (ILO), that technical cooperation between Turkey and the ILO should be improved. He added that recent effective and sustainable efforts of the organization would contribute to meeting the expectations of international opinion. /Cumhuriyet/

    ''TURKEY SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE EU''
    The Confederation of European Unions will hold a meeting today in Istanbul to discuss the ''European Parliament and Expansion''. Peter Seideneck, the consultant to the General Secretary of the Council, said, ''The foundation of Turkey's European Union (EU) membership was laid with the Ankara Agreement and the agreement still has validity. We believe that Turkey should be included in the expansion process and treated equally with the other candidates.'' /Cumhuriyet/

    ARSLAN: ''TERROR COSTS VERY HIGH''
    Aydin Arslan, the Governor of the Emergency Rule Region, said yesterday that Turkey had lost 84 billion US dollars during the 14 years in the fight against terrorism. He added, ''Besides the loss of lives, terrorism has caused great economic damage in the southeastern regions. It has blocked economic development and investments. According to the 1997 surveys there has been a 70 percent decrease in terrorist activities in the region, which means that terror is now under control.'' Hurriyet/

    SUCCESS OF TURKISH PROFESSOR
    The Turkish Prof. M. Celal Kocakullah has been elected as ''Professor of the Year'' by the Indiana University from among 400 other candidates. Economy Prof. Kocakullah has also been honoured with a City Bank special award. Kocakullah still continues his studies in America. /Hurriyet/

    ''THE BEST DOCTOR''
    In an article in the daily Milliyet newspaper, Talat Halman, the former minister, reports that a Turkish woman doctor, Dr. Pinar Atakent, has been elected ''best doctor'' in her medical branch. He adds that in its latest issue, the New York Magazine highly commends the success of Dr. Atakent. /Milliyet/

    [13] NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER SEZGIN LEAVES FOR BRUSSELS - SEZGIN: ''S-300 MISSILES CAN'T BE DEPLOYED ON CYPRUS''

    ISTANBUL, June 10 (A.A) - Ismet Sezgin, the Deputy Prime Minster and the Minister of National Defence, said on Wednesday that the S-300 missiles can't be deployed on the southern part of the island.

    Minister Sezgin left for Brussels to attend the ''NATO Defense Ministers' Spring Term Meetings''.

    Prior to his departure from the Ataturk Airport, Sezgin said that the ''Nuclear Planning Group'', ''Defense Planning Committee and North Atlantic Council'', ''Europe Atlantic Partnership Council'', ''NATO-Russian Permanent Council'' and ''NATO-Ukraniam Commission'' meetings would be held in Brussels.

    Pointing out that also the latest situation in the Balkans would be evaluated at the meetings, Sezgin said that especially the Kosovo issue would be discussed.

    ''The international community wants a peaceful solution for the Kosovo issue before it reaches a dimension that will threaten other countries in the region and conveys to the NATO its expectations,'' he said.

    Responding to a question related to the deployment project of the S-300 missiles on the island, Sezgin said that Turkey took the required measures since the beginning of the S-300 missiles rumors in the world's public opinion. ''I want to re-emphasize that the S-300 missiles can't be deployed on the Greek-Cypriot side. The deployment will be a madness,'' he said.

    Noting that it was impossible for the two NATO-member countries, Turkey and Greece, to welcome such an event that would cause negative results, Sezgin said he believed that the western organizations were of the same opinion. Sezgin defined the S-300 missiles issue as the ''initiative of Greek- Cypriots to increase their bargaining margin.''

    Sezgin added that the necessary measures would be carried out if the deployment is realized.

    [14] THE US WARNS THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE THAT TURKEY IS RESOLVED AND POWERFUL ENOUGH TO HIT THE S-300 MISSILES

    ANKARA, June 10 (A.A) - The US warned on Tuesday the Greek Cypriot side, which ordered the S-300 missiles from Russia, by saying ''if you take delivery of the S-300 missiles to the island, you will pay a heavy price.''

    The American diplomats warned the Greek Cypriot side that Turkey is resolved and powerful enough to hit the S-300 missiles.

    The plans of Britain to return her citizens living on Cyprus and the US initiatives to inform her citizens on the island of their addresses and telephone numbers in case of war are evaluated as serious warnings within the same framework.

    Diplomatic sources said that the attitudes of the US and Britain aim to explain the seriousness of the situation, rather than putting pressure upon the Greek Cypriot side.

    It is very clear that the efforts of the Greek Cypriot side to make the S- 300 missiles an element of bargaining will cost a lot, besides sources said ''we aren't playing with table tennis balls. This issue needs a serious responsibility. It is also difficult to take a step back.''

    As Greece declared the hitting of the missiles by Turkey as casus belli, the possibility to give up the delivery of the missiles to the island decreases. Diplomatic sources point out that if Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader gives up bringing the S-300 missiles to the island, then he will be in a position to pay a very heavy political price.

    The same sources stress that the resolution of Turkey not to take a step back doesn't absolutely mean that she will hit the missiles. Turkey had earlier said that she would take all kinds of measures, if the missiles were delivered to the island and she wouldn't hesitate to do that. Turkey will probably bring more special weapons or soldiers to the TRNC if the missiles arrive on the island, rather than hitting the missiles immediately.

    [15] HOLBROOKE, THE US SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO CYPRUS: ''TURKEY AND GREECE ARE VERY IMPORTANT COUNTRIES FOR THE SECURITY OF THE US. WE CAN'T LEAVE TURKEY ALONE IN A DANGEROUS REGION''

    LOS ANGELES, June 10 (A.A) - Richard Holbrooke, the US Special Representative to Cyprus said on Tuesday ''Turkey and Greece are very important countries for the security of the US. We can't leave Turkey alone in a dangerous region.''

    Responding to the questions of the Los Angeles Times, Holbrooke compared the Cyprus question to a puzzle and claimed that the preconditions of the Turkish side didn't help for the solution of the Cyprus question.

    Holbrooke alleged that the conditions of the Turkish Cypriot side for recognition and its wish concerning the withdrawal of the Greek Cypriot side from the European Union have frozen the peace negotiations.

    ''While the EU has kept Turkey outside the Union, it opens its door to 11 countries, including Bulgaria and Slovakia. In return, Turkey brings the issue of suspension of the developments concerning the Cyprus question. In the meantime, Greece intervenes with the economic relations between Turkey and the EU. This is a very complicated issue,'' said Holbrooke.

    Noting that Cyprus isn't a quiet place, Holbrooke said ''everytime something happens on Cyprus and these events make us come between Turkey and Greece.''

    Holbrooke compared the situation of Turkey and Greece to India and Pakistan, adding that the non-existence of nuclear weapons in the region is a ''lucky situation.''

    [16] INTERIOR MINISTER BASESGIOGLU IN THE US - BASESGIOGLU: ''TERRORIST PKK EMERGED SHORTLY AFTER THE ANNIHILATION OF TERRORIST ASALA. NEAR COLLAPSE OF TERRORIST PKK BRINGS A CONCERN THAT THE ASALA TERRORISM WOULD RISE AGAIN''

    NEW YORK, June 10 (A.A) - Murat Basesgioglu, the Minister of the Interior, said on Wednesday that the separatist terrorist PKK organization has emerged shortly after the annihilation of the ASALA terrorism and that the level of near collapse of the terrorist PKK brought the concern that the ASALA terrorism will rise again.

    Speaking to reporters, Basesgioglu, who is in New York for the UN Summit Against Drugs, said that he is concerned about the arising of Armenian and ASALA terrorism again, adding that the concerns stemmed from the experiences in the past.

    ''Turkey is uneasy with the rule of an extreme nationalist administration, especially in Armenia and with the adoption of the draft law on the so- called genocide on Armenians by the French Parliament,'' he said.

    Pointing out that terrorism against Turkey is originating abroad, Basesgioglu said that he conveyed the distress of Turkey on this issue at every international platform and bilateral contacts.

    Noting that the terrorist organizations are directed from abroad, Basesgioglu said that the so-called leaders of these organizations were giving orders from abroad.

    ''Syria's support to the terrorist PKK is very clear. Recently, Greece was included in this category. The terrorists, who stage suicide-bombings, are trained at the camps in Greece. This was proved by the confessions of the terrorists captured by the security forces,'' he stressed.

    [17] ARMED ATTACK ON BIRDAL, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION - GULALTAY AND OZANSOY ARRESTED

    ANKARA, June 10 (A.A) - Semih Tufan Gulaltay and Namık Zihni Ozansoy, who took part in the armed attack on Akın Birdal, the Chairman of the Human Rights Association, were arrested, it was reported on Tuesday.

    Gulaltay and Ozansoy, who were captured in Istanbul and who have been in custody for four days, testified for approximately four hours.

    After the interrogation by the prosecution, Gulaltay was arrested for ''setting up an organization to commit a crime, encouraging the killing of someone for political aims and participation in the murder of someone,'' while the Retired Major Namık Zihni Ozansoy was arrested for ''conceiving the crime and having a false identity card.''

    Gulaltay and Ozansoy were later put in prison in Ankara.

    [18] TURKISH-JORDANESE MILITARY COOPERATION

    ANKARA, June 10 (A.A) - Turkey and Jordan reached an agreement in principle to include the Air and Naval Forces into the scope of the military cooperation agreement signed between the two countries to realize mutual military training of the Land Forces by the exchange of personnel, it was reported on Wednesday.

    Pointing out that the Turkish-Jordanese military cooperation has a history of ten years, the diplomatic sources said that several serious steps were taken in last two years to deepen that cooperation within the framework of the exchange of personnel, mutual visits and joint training. The training cooperation, which is being realized within the framework of the mutual exchange of land forces, will include firstly the air forces and then the naval forces.

    Turkey and Jordan had reached an agreement in principle to open the Turkish airspace to Jordan during the visit to Jordan last week of Gen. Ilhan Kilic, the Chief Commander of the Air Forces. The Turkish F-16s will perform training flights in Jordan in the coming months, while 16 Jordanese F-16 pilots will be trained in Turkey.

    Suha Umar, the Turkish Ambassador to Jordan, told the A.A correspondent on the phone, ''Turkey considers the cooperation with Jordan as reciprocal. This doesn't and can't have any connection with Israel.''

    [19] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN KAZAKHSTAN - PRESIDENT DEMIREL PARTICIPATES IN OFFICIAL CEREMONIES HELD IN ASTANA, THE NEW CAPITAL OF KAZAKSHTAN

    ASTANA, June 10 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Wednesday that he shares the happiness of the Kazakh people concerning the introduction of Astana as the new capital of Kazakhstan.

    Addressing the official ceremonies held in Astana, President Demirel said that changing the capital of a country isn't a geographical choice, but it is a political and strategic decision and a turning point in the history of a country.

    ''Astana will be transformed into an important political, economic and cultural center in the coming period with the efforts of the hardworking Kazakh people. Kazakhstan can trust Turkey for the construction and reconstruction of Astana,'' President Demirel added.

    After the official ceremonies, President Demirel left for Ankara.

    [20] 21 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAPTURED

    VAN, June 10 (A.A) - The Gendarmes captured on Wednesday 21 Iraqi people in Gurpınar County of Van Province, who entered Turkey illegally.

    The Gendarme teams stopped a lorry for a control near the Mustafabey region of Gurpınar County, which was on its way to the Ozalp region.

    The Gendarmes captured 21 Iraqis who hid under the canvas of the lorry and they were later taken into custody for violating the Turkish borders and the passport law.

    Officials said that the Iraqis will be deported once the legal proceedings are completed.

    [21] INCREASE IN EXPORTS IN AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR CONTINUES - FIVE-MONTH INCREASE IN EXPORTS WAS 15 PERCENT

    BURSA, June 10 (A.A) - The exports of the Turkish automotive industry increased 15 percent to 718.8 million US dollars in the first five months of the year, compared with same period in 1997, it was reported on Wednesday.

    The officials from the Uludag Motor-Vehicles and Sub-Industry Exporters' Union said that a total of 431.6 million US dollars in sub-industry products were exported in the January-May 1998 period.

    The lowest exports in the main industry (automotive) were realized in the bus-minibus-midibus category. These exports decreased to 97.4 million US dollars from 100.8 million US dollars.

    The statistics related to the exports realized in the first five months of 1998 are as follows:

    Name of Product Exports (Thousand US dollars)

    -------------------- -----------------------------
    Tractor 5,497

    Bus-minibus-midibus 97,450

    Passenger car 61,587

    Trailer 9,840

    Special Motor-vehicle 974

    Work machine 3,443

    Ships 41,128

    Aircraft and spacecraft 50,384

    Bicycle and motorcycle 11,938

    Agricultural machinery 2,381

    Tank and armoured vehicles 2,487

    Automotive sub-industry 431,666

    [22] ANADOLU AJANSI


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