Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-06-25

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

25 JUNE 1998

CONTENTS

[01] RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND THE EU - DINI, ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: ''EU SHOULD SUPPORT TURKEY'S PARTICIPATION IN EXPANSION PROCESS''

[02] BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''BRITAIN FULFILLS HER OBLIGATIONS AS GUARANTOR STATE'' - ''WE ARE OPPOSED TO THE DEPLOYMENT OF S-300 MISSILES ON CYPRUS''

[03] SEZGIN, NATIONAL DEFENCE MINISTER, RETURNS TO TURKEY

[04] CETIN, PARLIAMENT SPEAKER RETURNS TO TURKEY: ''WE'VE REACHED CONSENSUS OF OPINION TO IMPROVE INTERPARLIAMENTARY RELATIONS WITH BULGARIA AND ROMANIA''

[05] NEZERITIS, GREEK AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY: ''THERE ARE THIRD COUNTRIES WHICH WANT TO DAMAGE RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND GREECE''

[06] PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR MOLDOVA

[07] PRIME MINISTRY OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION FORESEEING LIFTING OF PARLIAMENTARY IMMUNITY OF SAGLAR SUBMITTED TO PARLIAMENT CHAIRMANSHIP

[08] SEZGIN, THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER EVALUATES COEPA'S REPORT ON SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY: ''THE REPORT IS ABOUT THE SAME OLD STORY''

[09] STATE MINISTER TANER IN WASHINGTON, D.C. - TANER TO SIGN TWO AGREEMENTS WITH THE WORLD BANK

[10] THE NINTH TERM OF MILITARY TRAINING GIVEN TO THE ARMY OF THE FEDERATION OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA TO START ON 6 JULY

[11] ULUGBAY, NATIONAL EDUCATION MINISTER, AND ZEYBEK, CHAIRMAN OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF HOCA AHMET YESEVI INTERNATIONAL TURKISH AND KAZAKH UNIVERSITY SIGN A PROTOCOL CONCERNING THE OPENING INFORMAL EDUCATION CENTER IN STRUCTURE OF THE UNIVERSITY

[12] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

[13] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

[14] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (3)

[15] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN MOLDOVA - PRESIDENT LUCINSCHI OF MOLDOVA WELCOMES DEMIREL - DEMIREL: ''WE AIM TO IMPROVE RELATIONS WITH MOLDOVA'' - LUCINSCHI: ''WE ARE PROUD OF RELATIONS WITH TURKEY''

[16] ''TURKISH LOBBY'' TAKES ACTION IN FRANCE - FRENCH FIRMS WHICH ENGAGE IN BUSINESS WITH TURKEY COLLECT SIGNATURES FROM FRENCH DEPUTIES TO APPLY TO THE FRENCH CONSTITUTIONAL COUNCIL CONCERNING DRAFT LAW ON THE SO-CALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS

[17] TURKEY IN BRIEF - 25 JUNE 1998

[18] MEETING ON PRICING AND REGISTRATION OF FUEL - FINANCE MINISTER TEMIZEL: - ''MOST OF THE PROBLEMS IN THE PRICING SYSTEM ISSUE WERE SOLVED'' - ''PROPORTIONAL TAX WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON THE SYSTEM WHICH WILL START ON 1 JULY''

[19] WEU ASSEMBLY CHAIRMAN DUE IN TURKEY

[20] TURKEY AIMS TO DEVELOP RELATIONS WITH AFRICA

[01] RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND THE EU - DINI, ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: ''EU SHOULD SUPPORT TURKEY'S PARTICIPATION IN EXPANSION PROCESS''

Addressing the meeting with Gil Robles, the Speaker of the European Parliament, who is in Italy for an official visit, Dini noted that Turkey can overcome the dangerous feelings of exclusion and remain committed to Europe and its value system only if she is included in the expansion process.

Mentioning the constitutional reform process of the EU, Dini pointed out, ''the Union has two or three years to realize these reforms''.

[02] BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''BRITAIN FULFILLS HER OBLIGATIONS AS GUARANTOR STATE'' - ''WE ARE OPPOSED TO THE DEPLOYMENT OF S-300 MISSILES ON CYPRUS''

A spokesman of the British Foreign Ministry reminded the A.A correspondent on the phone that Britain requested the sides on the island not to accelerate the tension in the region.

Stressing that Britain is aware of her obligations on the island, just like the other two guarantor states, Turkey and Greece, the spokesman pointed out, ''Britain fulfills her responsibilities''.

The spokesman also emphasized that Britain is strongly opposed to the deployment of the Russian made S-300 missiles at Southern Cyprus and the Greek Cypriot side's attitude is accelerating tension in the Eastern Mediterranean.

[03] SEZGIN, NATIONAL DEFENCE MINISTER, RETURNS TO TURKEY

Addressing the journalist at the Esenboga Airport, Sezgin described his visit to Poland as very productive and positive.

Reminding that he held talks with the Polish President, Prime Minister and the Chairman of the Defence Commission of the Polish Parliament, Sezgin told the reporters that the two countries share the same views on many regional and international issues.

Sezgin pointed out, ''Turkey will support Poland in every field including the F-16 warplanes. Poland is an important country for the security of Europe. We support Poland's membership in the NATO, defender of permanent peace and stability in Europe''.

Ismet Sezgin also added that the visit contributed to the relations between Turkey and Poland.

[04] CETIN, PARLIAMENT SPEAKER RETURNS TO TURKEY: ''WE'VE REACHED CONSENSUS OF OPINION TO IMPROVE INTERPARLIAMENTARY RELATIONS WITH BULGARIA AND ROMANIA''

Addressing a statement at the Esenboga Airport, Cetin stated that they reached a consensus of opinion to improve and institutionalize interparliamentary relations during his contacts with the Bulgarian and Romanian Parliament Speakers.

Hikmet Cetin said that the cooperation with Bulgaria is carried out successfully not only bilaterally, but also in the international arena, adding that Turkish businessmen are successful in this country.

''Our economic and commercial relations continue between the two countries. There is the issue of the free trade agreement, which will enter into force by the beginnning of 1999. The trade volume between Turkey and Bulgaria is 550 million US dollars and it is expected to double,'' Cetin said.

Noting that he participated in the fifth foundation anniversary of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Parliamentary Assembly (BSECPA) during his visit to Romania, Cetin pointed out that the aim of the member countries is to transform the Black sea into a sea of peace. ''The BSEC has become an institution, which has confirmed itself at the international level,'' he said.

Cetin added that he had the opportunity to meet with the leaders of the BSEC countries, including the Romanian President, the Romanian, Albanian and Russian Parliament Speakers.

[05] NEZERITIS, GREEK AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY: ''THERE ARE THIRD COUNTRIES WHICH WANT TO DAMAGE RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND GREECE''

Nezeritis visited Erdal Ata, the Govenor of Rize, and Hizir Hop, the Mayor of Rize, and responded to the questions of the members of the Rize Journalists' Society.

Noting that the basic aim of his visit was to strengthen friendship between the two countries adding, ''Turkey and Greece should improve relations by finding out the common points between them''.

[06] PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR MOLDOVA

Addressing a press statement at the Esenboga Airport before his departure, President Demirel said that he will hold contacts in Moldova aimed at further strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Turkey and Moldova.

Noting that he will pay a two-day official visit to this country, Demirel said that he will be accompanied by a delegation including Isın Celebi, the Minister of State, Murat Karayalcın, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Commission, university rectors, historians and writers.

Demirel pointed out that he attributes importance to his visit to Moldova in order to see this country's developments in the political, economic and social fields since Moldova gained her independence and to show Turkey's support for the stability of this country.

''We'll search for ways to broaden our economic and commercial cooperation and we'll sign an agreement on the prevention of dual taxation and a protocol concerning cooperation in the field of pharmaceutics. We'll further improve our cooperation in the field of education,'' he added.

Noting that he will also have the opportunity to visit the Gagavuz Place in Moldova, Demirel said ''the Gagavuz people strengthen the friendship between the two countries. We'll also start a project aimed at providing drinking water to three cities in the Gagavuz Place by appropriation of a part of the Eximbank credit to Moldova.''

[07] PRIME MINISTRY OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION FORESEEING LIFTING OF PARLIAMENTARY IMMUNITY OF SAGLAR SUBMITTED TO PARLIAMENT CHAIRMANSHIP

The official communication wants to lift the parliamentary immunity of Saglar for ''opposing the Law on the National Intelligence Organization and the State Intelligence Services.'' The official communication has also been submitted to the Constitutional and Justice Joint Commission.

Two suits had earlier been filed against Saglar for lifting his immunity, but the Joint Commission had postponed discussion of the issue at the end of the parliamentary term.

[08] SEZGIN, THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER EVALUATES COEPA'S REPORT ON SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY: ''THE REPORT IS ABOUT THE SAME OLD STORY''

Responding to the questions of journalists during a reception hosted by Benjamin Lukman, the Slovenian Ambassador to Turkey on the ''Slovenian National Day,'' Sezgin said ''these kinds of reports aren't new. Unfortunately, international institutions wish to discuss the same issues which are brought by the ''friends'' of Turkey time after time. Let's see the report, it is probably the same old story. In fact, the government tries to struggle with organized crimes and terrorism in a democratic order which respects human rights and the supremacy of law.''

Noting that the 55th government took a series of measures and adopted laws to develop the region in economically and socially, Sezgin said ''we took measures to encourage people to invest in the region and to help people to return to the region which they left due to terrorism. There is a society in the region, which lives in peace without the Turkish-Kurdish separation. The people of the region are equal citizens and they have had important missions in the political, economic, social, industrial and cultural life of Turkey. The lack of sufficient development in the region stems from the struggle against terrorism, which has been continuing for 15 years, but we take measures to overcome the difficulties in the region.''

[09] STATE MINISTER TANER IN WASHINGTON, D.C. - TANER TO SIGN TWO AGREEMENTS WITH THE WORLD BANK

Taner will sign two agreements with the officials of the World Bank. One of the agreements is about the first 300 million US dollars part of the loan of 600 million US dollars that will be given to the Ministry of National Education for the eight year compulsory education in the framework of the Adaptable Project Lending by the World Bank. The other agreement is concerning the World Bank's loan of 270 million US dollars for the Turkish Electricity Production Corporation (TEAS) to use for the modernization of the national electricity transmission network.

James Wolfenson, the Chairman of the World Bank, will signed the agreement with Taner.

Gunes Taner is scheduled to present the letter on the Turkish Government's 18 months plan in the framework of the staff monitoring programme, to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

It is expected that the IMF Administrative Board will approve the agreement on 23 July.

Taner will also meet with Lawrence Summers, the US Deputy Secretary of the Treasury.

[10] THE NINTH TERM OF MILITARY TRAINING GIVEN TO THE ARMY OF THE FEDERATION OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA TO START ON 6 JULY

The General Secretariat of the General Staff said in a written statement that the eighth term of the training will end on 26 June, adding ''the activities concerning assistance for training and equipment that will be given to the armed forces of the Bosnian Fededation is carried out within the framework of the common programme, prepared by the contributing countries during the peace period after the Dayton Agreement. In this context, the tank and artillery troops of the Bosnian Federation are trained in Turkey as it is foreseen under the Turkish-Bosnian Military Training Agreement signed on 22 January 1996. The ninth term of training will start on 6 July 1998. The personnel, whose training ends, will be sent to Bosnia-Herzegovina on 30 June 1998 in planes belonging to the Turkish Air Forces and those who will be trained for the coming term will come to Turkey in the same planes.''

[11] ULUGBAY, NATIONAL EDUCATION MINISTER, AND ZEYBEK, CHAIRMAN OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF HOCA AHMET YESEVI INTERNATIONAL TURKISH AND KAZAKH UNIVERSITY SIGN A PROTOCOL CONCERNING THE OPENING INFORMAL EDUCATION CENTER IN STRUCTURE OF THE UNIVERSITY

Addressing the signing ceremony, Ulugbay pointed out that the center will contribute to the education of the Kazakh people.

Namik Kemal Zeybek noted that the Hoca Ahmet Yesevi University was established with the support of Turkey and stressed that it is the first university established with the joint efforts of two countries.

The protocol foreesees that courses on hairdressing, carpet weaving, ready- to-wear clothing and machine-knitted wear will be opened, and the necessary equipment and educational staff will be provided by the Ministry of National Education.

[12] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

EGYPTIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER IN TURKEY
Fethi El-Sazli, the Egyptian Deputy Foreign Minister, who arrived in Ankara yesterday, met with Sukru Sina Gurel, the Minister of State, today. The Egyptian delegation, headed by Sazli, will have contacts on bilateral and regional issues until Friday.

TURKS REBUILDING MOSCOW
A recent article in Time magazine emphasized that Turkish contracting companies are rebuilding Moscow. One of the Turkish companies, ABKA, has undertaken 14 projects worth 87 million US dollars. Together with the French CIBEX firm, ABKA started initiatives for the reconstruction of the Moscow Finance Academy and for two huge projects worth 14 million US dollars for the construction of a new Russian bank. ABKA is also carrying out projects in Kazakhstan and the Ukraine. /Milliyet/

ERCEL AND DINCMEN IN US
Yener Dincmen, the Undersecretary of the Treasury, and Gazi Ercel, the Chairman of the Central Bank, went to Washington, D.C., yesterday to hold contacts regarding a Staff Monitoring Programme to be signed between Turkey and the IMF on Friday. /Milliyet/

RETIREMENT AT 60
Isin Celebi, the Minister of State Responsible for the Economy, and Nami Cagan, the Minister of Labour and Social Security, signed a protocol yesterday, which includes the principles that will be in the proposed draft reforms. According to the protocol, the retirement age for men will be 60, while for women it will be 57. However, this implementation will only include people who will start working by 1.1.1999. The protocol was submitted to Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit yesterday. /Milliyet/

POLISH PRESIDENT'S STATEMENT TO MILLIYET
The Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski said in a statement to Milliyet daily newspaper yesterday that Poland understood Turkey's problems in her relations with Europe. Kwasniewski said, ''Poland has been excluded from Europe for many years. We don't want Turkey to suffer the same pain''.

CYPRUS NOTE TO LONDON
Turkey has called upon Britain, one of the guarantor countries for Cyprus, to carry out her responsibilities in connection with preventing the negative developments on the island. Turkey handed a note to Britain yesterday within the framework of the 1960 Guarantee Agreement. According to a written statement made by the Turkish Foreign Ministry yesterday, diplomatic initiatives are continuing to stop the activities of the Greek Cypriot Administration and Greece to upset the balances, stability and security on Cyprus. /Milliyet/

HACI SABANCI PASSES AWAY
Haci Sabanci, the Chairman of the Haci Omer Sabanci Foundation and Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board of the Sabanci Conglomorate, died in Istanbul yesterday. The body of the noted businessman will be buried in Adana tomorrow. /Milliyet/

DYNAMITE EXPLODES: FIVE DEAD
Five workers died and two others were injured yesterday as the result of a dynamite explosion during road construction in the Ermenek District, of Karaman Province. /Milliyet/

[13] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

ANKARA REITERATES IT ISN'T HIDING DOCUMENTS ON NAZI GOLD
Accused of supplying Nazi Germany with hard currency and chrome during World War II, Turkey reiterated yesterday that she isn't hiding any facts related to that period. Sukru Sina Gurel, the Minister of State, said in a press conference yesterday that even before the issues of Nazi gold and German assets were brought to international attention in late 1996 and in 1997, Turkey's clear and open position on the matter had been revealed by the Turkish statesmen and diplomats. He added that the US report on the issue was not objective because it was based only on American records; documents belonging to France and Britain, who entered the war two years before the US, weren't taken into account. /All papers/

EUROPEAN COUNCIL CONFERENCE
During a European Council-Local Autonomy Condition Conference, which ended in Trabzon yesterday, the financial autonomy of local administrations was discussed and it was agreed that without financial autonomy, democracy couldn't succeed. Experts from the European Council and representatives from Turkey, Russia, Bulgaria, the Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, Moldova and Romania attended the conference. /Cumhuriyet/

SOLINGEN OFFENDER TO PAY 18,000 DM
The first decision taken on an arson attack, which happened in the Solingen district of Germany five years ago and caused the death of five people, has been announced at the Wuppertal Provincial Court. According to the decision, Christian R., who was sentenced to 10 years in prison, will pay compensation worth 18,000 DM to the husband and daughter of Gulsum Ince, who died during the incident. /Sabah/

BIR: ''REPUBLIC WILL CONTINUE TO LIVE''
Gen. Cevik Bir, the Deputy Chief of General Staff, gave a briefing to a delegation from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Parliamentarians' Union and a delegation from the Turkish Parliamentarians' Union regarding the Cyprus issue yesterday. During the briefing, the deployment of the Russian-made S-300 missiles at the Greek Cypriot side was mainly discussed. Fundamentalist activities in Turkey were also discussed at the briefing. Gen. Bir said, ''we established the Republic and we will keep it alive''. /Sabah/

TURKEY RAISES DUTY RATE ON DIESEL
The Cabinet has decided to raise the duty rate on diesel brought into the country from Northern Iraq from 60 percent to 80 percent. Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, Ahat Andican, the Minister of State, said ''the diesel coming from this region under the heading of border trade is responsible for treasury losses of 1.5 billion US dollars. By raising the tax level and limiting the regional trade, its impact on the national economy will be avoided''.

MUFTI SENTENCED ONCE AGAIN
A Greek court in Western Thrace has sentenced Mehmet Emin Aga, an ethnic Turkish Mufti (Muslim clergyman), to 14 months in prison as a result of three separate lawsuits.

TURKISH CLOTHING, TEXTILE EXPORTS UP 5 PERCENT
Turkey's textiles and clothing exports rose 5 percent in the first five months of 1998 from 4,356 billion US dollars in the same period last year to 4,581 billion US dollars, the Istanbul Textiles and Clothing Exporters' Union reported yesterday.

TURKEY PARTICIPATES IN CHEMICAL DISARMAMENT SYMPOSIUM
Turkey is participating in a chemical weapons disarmament symposium staged in the Middle East for the first time. Jordan is hosting the two-day symposium which is being held between 24-25 June.

[14] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (3)

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

TRNC PRESIDENT IN VIENNA
Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), said yesterday that the Greek Cypriot side had given an open cheque to the Russians with the S-300 missiles contract in order to upset the balances in the Mediterranean. Denktas, in Vienna for a three-day official visit, met with Kurt Waldheim, the former UN Secretary-General and former Austrian President and detailed recent developments on Cyprus.

BASESGIOGLU SENDS LETTER TO BSEC COUNTRIES
Murat Basesgioglu, the Minister of the Interior, sent letters yesterday to the interior ministers of the member countries of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), requesting them to cooperate in the struggle against terrorism and drug smuggling.

NEGOTIATIONS FOR FREE TRADE AGREEMENT
Negotiations held between Turkey and Bulgaria for the signing of a free trade agreement have been concluded. The Undersecretariat of the Treasury said that the agreement, which was initialled on

19 June, is expected to be signed during the forthcoming visit to Turkey of the Bulgarian Prime Minister.

TURKEY EXPORTS CAPITAL
Yener Dincmen, the Undersecretary of the Treasury, said that Turkish contracting companies undertook nearly 30 billion US dollars worth of construction business abroad and realized 1,457 billion US dollars in direct exports of capital. Recalling that the US, Europe and Japan want to enter the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) market via Turkey, Dincmen said that this would play an important role in bringing foreign capital into Turkey.

GREEK AND TURKISH PRESIDENTS VISIT CYPRUS
Greek President Stefanapulos is going to the Greek Cypriot administration to pay an official four-day visit. The president will leave Cyprus on 28 June when Suleyman Demirel, President of Turkey, will go to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). /Hurriyet/

TURKEY, EGYPT SIGN NATURAL GAS TREATY
Turkey and Egypt signed yesterday an agreement which foresees the construction of a pipeline under the Mediterranean Sea for the transports of natural gas that Turkey will buy from Egypt. At least five billion cubic metres of natural gas will be conveyed from Egypt to Iskenderun, an eastern Mediterranean port. /Hurriyet/

BRITISH TRADE MINISTRY PROMOTES INVESTMENTS IN TURKEY
The British Ministry of Trade and Industry has started a campaign for upgrading economic relations with Turkey. The official opening of the campaign will be made during a conference to be attended today by Isin Celebi, the Minister of State, and Lord Clinton Davis, the British Minister of Trade. Britain, which increased her exports to Turkey by 12 percent last year, wants to further increase the trade volume between the two countries and is encouraging British firms to invest in Turkey. David Logan, the British Ambassador to Turkey, and officials from the British Ministry of Trade and Industry in their comments noted the stability in Turkey and said that Turkey had a huge trade capacity. /Hurriyet/

GERMANY BLOCKS TURKISH ARMS PRODUCTION
Germany has once again blocked the Turkish defence industry by not allowing a German firm to make equipment for the Turkish Machine and Chemical Industry (MKE). The Heckler-Koch goup won the MKE a bid worth 22.5 million DM in November 1997, for producing automatic bomb launchers in Turkey but couldn't start because of the German government's disapproval. The MKE officials are planning to transfer the project to Spanish, Israeli or US firms which also participated in the bidding. /Hurriyet/

[15] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN MOLDOVA - PRESIDENT LUCINSCHI OF MOLDOVA WELCOMES DEMIREL - DEMIREL: ''WE AIM TO IMPROVE RELATIONS WITH MOLDOVA'' - LUCINSCHI: ''WE ARE PROUD OF RELATIONS WITH TURKEY''

Addressing the journalists at the Kishinev Airport after the welcoming ceremony, Demirel pointed out that the relations between Turkey and Moldova have developed rapidly after Moldova gained her independence, and stressed that there is no problem between the two countries.

Noting that Turkey aims to cooperate with Moldova in every field,

Demirel reminded that it is his second visit to Moldova. He added that meetings on bilateral and regional issues will help relations to be further developed, noting ,''we will search for ways to develop our economic and commercial cooperation and we'll sign an agreement on the prevention of dual taxation and a protocol concerning cooperation in the field of pharmaceutics''.

Demirel stressed that Turkey places great importance on the Komrat University, and he said, ''we will also have the opportunity to visit the Gagavuz Place in Moldova. The Gagavuz people strengthen the friendship between the two countries. We will start a project aimed at providing drinking water to three cities in the Gagavuz Place by appropriation of a part of the Eximbank credit to Moldova.''

President Petru Lucinschi of Moldova described Demirel as a leading figure in world policy and a close friend of the Moldovans, noting that they are proud of the relations with Turkey.

Isın Celebi, the Minister of State, Murat Karayalcın, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Commission, university rectors, historians and writers are accompanying Demirel during his two day visit to Moldova.

Demirel will pay a visit to the Stefan Cel Mare Monument in the capital later today.

[16] ''TURKISH LOBBY'' TAKES ACTION IN FRANCE - FRENCH FIRMS WHICH ENGAGE IN BUSINESS WITH TURKEY COLLECT SIGNATURES FROM FRENCH DEPUTIES TO APPLY TO THE FRENCH CONSTITUTIONAL COUNCIL CONCERNING DRAFT LAW ON THE SO-CALLED GENOCIDE ON ARMENIANS

An official of a French firm said that the signatures of the 60 deputies which are necessary to cancel the draft law on the so-called genocide on Armenians will be completed soon.

The draft law, which was adopted by the French Parliament and which is expected to be taken up by the French Senate, will be discussed by the Constitutional Council due to the application of 60 deputies. If the Council decides that the draft law is against the Constitution, then it won't be adopted as a law.

The official told the A.A correspondent that the draft law is an inconvenient step, adding ''this has to be absolutely prevented, because the worsening of relations between Turkey and France will give damage to France.''

The Turkish lobby in France will apply to the Constitutional Council by benefitting from the Article of the Constitution saying, ''the right to determine the foreign policy of the country belongs to the President and the government,'' and the parliament can't determine the foreign policy of the country.

The official added that even if they aren't succesful in reaching their goal, the draft law won't come onto the agenda before October.

France, which comes first for foreign investments in Turkey with her investments of five billion US dollars, aims to have a share of 45 billion US dollars in energy and defense tenders in the coming ten years.

[17] TURKEY IN BRIEF - 25 JUNE 1998

The group played the compositions of Debussy, Faure and Ravel at the concert.

The 12th International Izmir Festival will host the Paris Orchestra at the Ephesus Ancient Theatre on 28 June.

DUSSELDORF - The Ankara State Opera and Ballet presented a performance in Dusseldorf in the framework of its Germany tour, it was reported on Wednesday.

The group played the ''7th Symphony'' of Beethoven, the ''Bolero'' of Ravel and the ''Unfinished Symphony'' of Shubert.

The German critics praised the performance of the Turkish group.

The Ankara State Opera and Ballet will give a concert to 900 people in Ulm on 27 June.

ANKARA - The third of the Third Countries Education Programme for Central Asia, Azerbaijan and Bosnia-Herzegovina named ''Research and

Evaluation of the Underground Sources'' between the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and General Directorate of the Mineral Research and Exploration Institute (MTA), will be councluded on 29 June, it was reported on Wednesday.

The Japanese Embassy's written statement pointed out that at the seminar that began on 1 June 1998, the people coming from the Central Asian countries, Azerbaijan and Bosnia-Herzegovina, receive information about the research and evaluation of the underground sources.

The MTA applies an training programme to the mentioned countries in accordance with the agreement signed between Turkey and Japan in 1996. The JICA provides financing of the seminars.

[18] MEETING ON PRICING AND REGISTRATION OF FUEL - FINANCE MINISTER TEMIZEL: - ''MOST OF THE PROBLEMS IN THE PRICING SYSTEM ISSUE WERE SOLVED'' - ''PROPORTIONAL TAX WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON THE SYSTEM WHICH WILL START ON 1 JULY''

''Proportional tax will be implemented on the system which will start on 1 July ,'' he said.

Temizel and Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, held a meeting at the Prime Ministry Center Building with the concerned bureaucrats and took up the issue of the ''automatic pricing system'' and ''registration of fuel brought to Turkey with the border trade''.

Following the meeting, Finance Minister Temizel said that they reviewed the decisions on the automatic pricing system and registration of fuel brought to Turkey with the border trade and discussed some arrangements.

Pointing out that the debate for fixed or proportional tax was concluded, Temizel said that the proportional tax implementation will start on 1 July.

Responding to the questions related with the Tax Draft Law, which is being discussed in the Parliament, Temizel said, ''the bill foresaw the current stock exchange price instead of purchase price and enabled the Treasury to realize long-term borrowing. It included a provision foreseeing the evaluation of shares, whose term was more than two years, with the purchase price. This was removed with a proposal.''

''If that provision wasn't cancelled, then the Treasury would have a great chance for the long-term borrowing. Now all of the shares have been made equal,'' he added.

[19] WEU ASSEMBLY CHAIRMAN DUE IN TURKEY

Sermet Atacanli, the Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman, addressing the weekly news conference said that Puig will come to Turkey within the framework of an official visit and is scheduled to be received by President Suleyman Demirel and Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament.

Atacanli said that within the framework of his contacts, the guest Chairman will meet with Ismet Sezgin, the Minister of National Defense and Sukru Sina Gurel, the Minister of State and deputies who form the Turkish Group of the Western European Assembly (WEU).

[20] TURKEY AIMS TO DEVELOP RELATIONS WITH AFRICA

Sermet Atacanli, the Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman addressing a weekly news conference said that the Turkish ambassadors on the African continent were summoned to Ankara for consultations.

Atacanli said a series of meetings will be held in Ankara between 26 and 30 June to inform the concerned ministries, public institutions and private sector about opening facilities in Africa.

Atacanli said that concrete measures will be taken in the fields of the economy, trade, culture and politics in these meetings where the Turkish Ambassadors stationed in Africa will attend.

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