Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-07-10

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

10 JULY 1998

CONTENTS

[01] FREE ZONE TO BE SET UP IN SOUTHEASTERN GAZIANTEP PROVINCE

[02] 22 AFTERSHOCK EARTHQUAKES SHAKE IZMIR PROVINCE AND SURROUNDINGS OVERNIGHT

[03] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM RETURNS TO TURKEY - CEM: ''WE NEVER USE OUR RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL AS AN ISSUE OF BARGAINING IN ORDER TO SET UP GOOD RELATIONS WITH ANOTHER COUNTRY''

[04] EARTHQUAKE IN IZMIR PROVINCE - ISIKARA, DIRECTOR OF KANDILLI OBSERVATORY: - ''TURKEY IS A COUNTRY OF EARTQUAKES''

[05] WORLD BANK SUPPORT TO GAP - PREPARATION AGREEMENTS OF TWO PROJECTS TO BE CARRIED OUT IN GAP REGION SIGNED IN ANKARA

[06] MALTESE FLAGGED TANKER RUNS AGROUND IN FRONT OF HAYDARPASA BREAKWATER HARBOR

[07] CELEBRATION AT TURKISH EMBASSY IN IRAN - STUDENTS WHO CONCLUDED TURKISH LANGUAGE COURSE, RECEIVE CERTIFICATES

[08] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[09] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[10] TURKEY AND GERMANY SIGN FINANCIAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT

[11] HAYDARAGA, ALBANIAN DEFENCE MINISTER, VISITS SEZGIN, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF DEFENSE - DONATION AGREEMENT THAT FORESEES MILITARY AID OF 5 MILLION US DOLLARS TO ALBANIA, WAS SIGNED - SEZGIN: ''WE ARE OPPOSED TO ANY ACTION DAMAGING PEACE AND STABILITY IN THE BALKANS''

[12] PIPELINE MOBILIZATION FROM TEKFEN

[13] S-300 MISSILES - TURKEY INSISTS ON HER ATTITUDE CONCERNING THE DEPLOYMENT OF MISSILES ON ISLAND - ATACANLI, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN OF FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''THOSE WHO CREATED MISSILES PROBLEM, SHOULD SOLVE IT''

[14] OPERATION IN BORDER REGION - KDP PESHMERGAS CHASE TERRORISTS WHO FLED TO ZAP VALLEY

[15] BLAST IN EGYPTIAN BAZAAR IN EMINONU DISTRICT - BASESGIOGLU, MINISTER OF INTERIOR: ''WE METICULOUSLY INVESTIGATE EVEN THE SMALLEST EVIDENCE RELATED TO THE EXPLOSION''

[16] LEADERS' SUMMIT - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ, ECEVIT, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, AND CINDORUK, LEADER OF DTP, MEET TO DETERMINE RATE OF INCREASE IN SALARIES OF CIVIL SERVANTS

[17] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ DUE IN BULGARIA - YILMAZ TO OPEN SOFIA BRANCH OF ZIRAAT BANK - TURKEY AND BULGARIA TO SIGN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT

[18] FLOOD DISASTER IN KYRGYZSTAN - PRESIDENT DEMIREL CALLS PRESIDENT AKAYEV OF KYRGYZSTAN TO EXPRESS HIS REGRET ABOUT DISASTER

[19] ATM NETWORK FROM BANKS - 16 LEADING BANKS IN TURKEY COME TOGETHER AND FORM ''MUTUAL POINT ATM SHARING GROUP''

[01] FREE ZONE TO BE SET UP IN SOUTHEASTERN GAZIANTEP PROVINCE

Tasar said in a written statement that the Council of Ministers approved the decrees on the establishment of a free zone in Gaziantep and the Research Institute in Islahiye County, stressing that the free zone and the institute would make a considerable contribution to Gaziantep and the Turkish economy.

Pointing out that the free zone would play an important role in achieving the targets of the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP), Tasar said that the Islahiye Research Institute would contribute to the improvement and development of viniculture and olive-raising in the region.

The draft related to the establishment of the Gaziantep Free Zone was transferred to the Prime Ministry by the Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade in June 1998.

[02] 22 AFTERSHOCK EARTHQUAKES SHAKE IZMIR PROVINCE AND SURROUNDINGS OVERNIGHT

The Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory Earthquake Research Institute officials said that the epicenter of the earthquake was in the sea near Seferihisar County of Izmir Province.

Following the first earthquake occurring at 20:36 p.m., 22 aftershock earthquakes occurred in Izmir overnight. The earthquakes measuring between 2.5 and 3.8 on the Richter scale, shook the province and surroundings.

Officials told the A.A correspondent that the aftershock earthquakes can continue to shake Izmir Province in the coming days. No casualties or financial damages were reported at the earthquake.

[03] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM RETURNS TO TURKEY - CEM: ''WE NEVER USE OUR RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL AS AN ISSUE OF BARGAINING IN ORDER TO SET UP GOOD RELATIONS WITH ANOTHER COUNTRY''

Addressing the journalists at the Ataturk Airport, Cem noted that his contacts focused on the Middle East Peace Process. He pointed out, ''Turkey is a significant country in the region. Therefore, she should take part in solving the peace process that has been in a deadlock for a long time. If the Israeli Knesset takes a positive step towards reviving the peace process and if Palestine accepts it, then the peace process can be realized. Terrorist actions and policies will be effective in the region if we can't revive the peace process''.

Cem emphasized that Turkey never uses her relations with Israel or with any country as an issue of bargaining in order to set up good relations with another country, adding, ''we never used our relations immorally and will never do so in the future. Relations between Turkey and Israel are exaggerated by several countries. I warned the Israeli public opinion on the issue''.

Ismail Cem described his contacts in Israel as very positive.

Mentioning the economic relations between the two countries, Cem reminded that mutual trade has reached one billion US dollars with the increasing commercial relations between Turkey and Israel. He stressed that they reached an accord during his visit to contribute to each other in order to enter the US and European markets.

Emphasizing that he also held very useful contacts in Palestine, Cem reminded that he had an opportunity to meet with Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian Head of State.

Noting that the Palestinian officials requested Turkey to use effectively the good relations with Israel in order to accelerate the peace process, Cem also pointed out that the Palestinian officials expressed satisfaction with Turkey's concern for the peace process. Cem stressed that Turkey wants to host the Palestinian and Israeli businessmen in Istanbul, and added that they have begun an initiative towards this aim.

Ismail Cem also criticized some distorted and untrue news concerning his contacts in Palestine.

[04] EARTHQUAKE IN IZMIR PROVINCE - ISIKARA, DIRECTOR OF KANDILLI OBSERVATORY: - ''TURKEY IS A COUNTRY OF EARTQUAKES''

Stressing that there is no connection between the earthquakes that shook Adana and Izmir Provinces, Isikara reminded that an earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale occurred in Iran overnight.

Isikara pointed out that people should be made conscious of what to do during an earthquake in order to prevent a panic.

[05] WORLD BANK SUPPORT TO GAP - PREPARATION AGREEMENTS OF TWO PROJECTS TO BE CARRIED OUT IN GAP REGION SIGNED IN ANKARA

The GAP City Planning Project and Village Development Project at the Sanliurfa-Harran Plateau, were signed between the GAP Regional Development Administration and the World Bank in a ceremony which was also attended by State Minister Yildirim.

Addressing the ceremony Yildirim said that the 55th Government attributed a great importance to the GAP, adding that the government was attempting to conclude the GAP by 2010.

Identifying the GAP as the ''largest development project in the history of the Republic'', Yildirim said that 13 billion US dollars was spent so far for the project with a total worth of 32 billion US dollars.

Yildirim said that the GAP changed the life conditions and increased the quality of life of the people in the GAP region, ''the signed agreement shows the willingness of the World Bank on the issue of aid to the GAP.''

[06] MALTESE FLAGGED TANKER RUNS AGROUND IN FRONT OF HAYDARPASA BREAKWATER HARBOR

The 247 meters long Maltese flagged tanker, named ''Seaselvia'' weighing 54, 000 tonnes, was coming from Russia carrying 80,000 tonnes of crude oil. The tanker ran aground at 9:35 p.m.

It was reported that there was no leakage from the tanker. Efforts started early on Friday morning to rescue the tanker.

[07] CELEBRATION AT TURKISH EMBASSY IN IRAN - STUDENTS WHO CONCLUDED TURKISH LANGUAGE COURSE, RECEIVE CERTIFICATES

Addressing the ceremony held at the Turkish Embassy in Iran, Sencar Ozsoy, the Turkish Ambassador to Iran, pointed out that there are close historical and cultural ties between Turkey and Iran.

Ozsoy stressed that the citizens of the two countries who learn each other's languanges will help to improve the cultural relations. Noting that the Turkish Cultural Center in Teheran was established in order to set up close relations between the two nations, Ozsoy added that cultural raprochement will encourage the cooperation between Iran and Turkey.

[08] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

ALBRIGHT'S LETTER TO CLERIDES
In an effort to ward off the installation of the Russian-made S-300 missiles in Southern Cyprus, Madeleine Albright, the US Secretary of State, has sent a letter to the Greek Cypriot Leader Glafcos Clerides, suggesting that the S-300 missiles be stored outside Cyprus or be replaced by rockets with a shorter range than that of the S-300s, according to the Greek Cypriot daily Philelephtheros. Christos Stylianides, the Spokesman of the Greek Cypriot Administration, confirmed yesterday that the letter was sent, but declined to comment on its content./All papers/

ANKARA REITERATES GREEK MILITARIZATION
Turkey reasserted yesterday that Greece's militarization of her Eastern Aegean islands was a flagrant breach of international law and urged Athens again to comply with the international agreements, defining the status of the islands. Turkey conveyed a verbal note to Greece last week, protesting against the militarization of the Eastern Aegean islands, which were demilitarized under the 1923 Lausanne and 1947 Paris treaties. Referring to the note, Greece accused Turkey on Tuesday of stirring up tension in the region and dubbed Turkey's arguments as ''historically unacceptable''. ''Greece's attitude shows that she has no respect for the Lausanne and Paris treaties which established a sensitive balance between Turkey and Greece in the Aegean. Turkey calls on Greece to obey international law'' a Foreign Ministry statement said yesterday. /All papers/

TURKEY A KEY COUNTRY
The Clinton Administration which supports the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project for the transport of oil and natural gas resources from the Caspian region to the world markets, stated yesterday that Turkey was a key country in the US energy policy. Speaking at the Congress, Marc Grossman, the Deputy Secretary of State, said that Turkey had become the leading country in the Caspian Basin energy policies and added that the US administration would work to strengthen Turkey's position and continue cooperating with Ankara to complete the project./Cumhuriyet/

DEMIREL GOES TO ALBANIA
President Demirel will pay an official visit to Albania between 14-15 July. During this visit he is expected to call on the Yugoslav Administration to solve the Kosovo problem peacefully. /Cumhuriyet/

ECEVIT: ''WE DON'T BARGAIN OVER MISSILES''
Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State, said yesterday that the deployment of the S-300 missiles by the Greek Cypriots on the island won't be made an issue to bargain over. The US is willing to explore the possible creation of a ''no-fly'' zone over the divided island of Cyprus as a way to ease the tension there, William Cohen, the US Secretary of Defense has said. Regarding this issue, Bulent Ecevit said, ''we can't make our security an issue to bargain about''. /Hurriyet/

KARADAYI ON CYPRUS
Gen. Ismail Hakki Karadayi, the Chief of General Staff, will go to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) today. Meanwhile, the Greek Cypriot newspapers describe Karadayi's one-day visit as a ''new provocation''. /Hurriyet/

LAKE'S REPORT CONCERNS ATHENS
A new report by Michael Lake, the EU Permanent Representative to Turkey, is mainly about Athens. The report sent only to the EU prior to his departure from Ankara by Michael Lake, who worked in Ankara for eight years until recently, blamed Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration for the Turco- Greek tension and the S-300 missiles. The Greek newspapers described Lake as a ''Turkish spy''. /Hurriyet/

TURBULENCE INJURES SIX
A Turkish Airlines (THY) 340-type Airbus, flying from Istanbul to Tokyo two days ago, flew into turbulence over the Ural Mountains. Six Japanese passengers, who didn't fasten their safety belts, were injured. /Hurriyet/

GERMAN INDUSTRIALISTS TO VISIT TURKEY
A mission from the German Confederation of Industry (BDI), which includes the largest industrialists' groups in Germany, is to visit Turkey at the invitation of the Association of Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen (TUSIAD). During the visit, leading German and Turkish industrialists will have contacts aimed at boosting economic ties between the two countries. The mission will also be received by President Suleyman Demirel and Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz. /Milliyet/

[09] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

STANDARD AND POORS VISITS FINANCE MINISTER
Representatives of Standard and Poors (S and P), a well-known US credit rating institution, met yesterday with Zekeriya Temizel, the Minister of Finance. During the meeting, also attended by the Treasury officials, the S and P representatives were given details about tax reforms and improvements in the tax procedure. The S and P also visited the Central Bank. Today they will go to Istanbul where they will meet with the private sector representatives. /Milliyet/

QUAKE ROCKS AEGEAN ANATOLIA
Yesterday evening an earthquake which registered 5.3 on the Richter scale rocked the Aegean cities of Izmir, Manisa and Aydin and the surrounding area. Still deeply concerned by a recent earthquake's destruction in the Adana region, which killed 145 and seriously damaged thousands of buildings, people were alarmed by the 10 seconds long quake. No casualties have so far been reported, but some houses received minor damages. /Milliyet/

ANKARA DISAPPROVES SUGGESTIONS TO STOP FLIGHTS OVER CYPRUS
Officials in Ankara voiced yesterday that they didn't approve a recent Greek suggestion that the Greek Cypriot administration will not deploy the Russian-made S-300 missiles if military flights over Cyprus are banned. ''Suggestions to stop all military flights over Cyprus can't even be discussed,'' said officials in Ankara while the Spokesman of the Greek Foreign Ministry said that they were pleased with the positive reaction of William Cohen, the US Secretary of Defence, to the Greek proposal. /Milliyet/

GREEK CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION TESTS S-300 MISSILES IN RUSSIA
Trained by Russian experts, military officers from the Greek Cypriot administration tested yesterday the Russian made S-300 missiles which are being planned to be deployed in the Greek side of the island of Cyprus. According to a statement made by an anonymous Russian Defence Ministry official to the Interfax News Agency, the tests were also observed by officials from the Greek Cypriot administration. The Russian official also claimed that the test firings had been successful. /Milliyet/

PKK-TIKKO COOPERATION
PKK members yesterday killed the Kurukopru Village Headman in Zara, and TIKKO terrorists killed the Cakilsu Village Headman in Tasova. Both the PKK and TIKKO terrorists were wearing military uniforms to prevent the local people from informing the security forces.

In another incident in Gevas of Van Province, one soldier was killed and one was wounded yesterday as the result of clashes between separatists and security forces.

Turkish security forces have started operations in the Turkey-Iran-Iraq triangle near the Semdinli District of Hakkari Province. The operation is being supported by the air forces. /Sabah/

AUSTRIAN PRAISES TURKEY
The weekly Austrian Liberal News Magazine praises Turkish tourism in its latest issue. The magazine says that Turkey has the most suitable price- quality combination among touristic countries for the 1998 tourism season. /Sabah/

WORLD CARTOONISTS IN ISTANBUL
World famous cartoonists from all around the world are meeting in Istanbul to attend the 18th International Nasreddin Hodja Cartoon Festival, organized by the Istanbul Cartoonists Association. Results of festival cartoon competitions will be announced today in the historical Yerebatan Cistern. /Sabah/

EXPLOSION AT THE MISIR CARSISI
An explosion at the Yeni Cami entrance of the historic Misir Carsisi (Egyptian Bazaar) in Eminonu, Istanbul, caused enormous panic. The explosion occurred at exactly 2:00 p.m. yesterday next to a buffet at the entrance to the market. After catching fire, the gas canisters in the buffet blew up. Initial police reports say that seven people were killed and at least 120 people were injured, 10 seriously. It was also reported that there were 11 foreigners among those injured. /All papers/

[10] TURKEY AND GERMANY SIGN FINANCIAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT

The Undersecretariat of the Treasury stated that the agreement signed by Aydin Karaoz, the General Director of the Foreign Economic Relations of the Undersecretariat of the Treasury, and Hans Joachim Vergau, the German Ambassador to Turkey, foreesees to donate

35 million German marks of the obligated 80 million German marks. The donation will be used for the projects of infrastructure and protection of the environment. The remaining part of the agreement, 45 million German marks, concerning a credit without repayment for 10 years, and with a 30 years fixed-term, will be signed later this year.

[11] HAYDARAGA, ALBANIAN DEFENCE MINISTER, VISITS SEZGIN, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF DEFENSE - DONATION AGREEMENT THAT FORESEES MILITARY AID OF 5 MILLION US DOLLARS TO ALBANIA, WAS SIGNED - SEZGIN: ''WE ARE OPPOSED TO ANY ACTION DAMAGING PEACE AND STABILITY IN THE BALKANS''

Addressing the meeting, Sezgin stressed that Turkey gives great importance to the stability and security of the Balkans, and added, ''we are opposed to any action damaging peace and stability in the Balkans''.

Sezgin pointed out, ''it is very important for us to prevent the humanitarian tragedy in Bosnia-Herzegovina being repeated in Kosovo, and the crisis being spread to the other Balkan countries and endanger the peace and security in the region. I want to stress within this framework, the significance of the security and stability of both Albania and Macedonia''.

Sezgin thanked Haydaraga for accepting his invitation in order to discuss bilateral and regional issues, improving the relations between the two countries and signing the donation agreement.

Noting that there are close historical links between Turkey and Albania, Sezgin pointed out that the joint history, geography and culture help relations between the two countries to be improved.

Emphasizing the importance of the mutual high-level visits between the two countries on the improvement of the cooperative relations, Sezgin said that President Suleyman Demirel's visit to Albania on 14 July is a sign of the significance which Turkey gives to the relations with Albania.

Noting that Turkey is ready to support Albania in every field,

Sezgin pointed out that Turkey will send military aid of 5 million US dollars to Albania within the framework of the donation agreement. He added that Turkey wants Albania to receive her deserved place on the international platform, and also said that they defend Albania for becoming a member state of the NATO.

Luan Haydaraga expressed Albania's satsfaction with the donation agreement and said that such aids will contribute to the cooperative relations between Turkey and Albania.

He noted that the high level visits of Turkish and Albanian officials will accelerate the relations between the two countries.

Reminding that the Balkans, especially Kosovo, is in a critical condition, Haydaraga pointed out, ''turbulence in Kosovo can endanger peace and stability in the Balkans. We want the Kosovo problem to be solved diplomatically, otherwise we will have to use force''. Haydaraga thanked Turkey for the training of 600 Albanian military staff by the Turkish Armed Forces.

After the meeting, the donation agreement foreseeing Turkey's sending military aid of 5 million US dollars to Albania, was signed by Sezgin and Haydaraga.

[12] PIPELINE MOBILIZATION FROM TEKFEN

The spare parts required for the repair of the pipeline can only be imported with the permission of the UN. The UN officials said that three contracts were conveyed to the sanctions committee so far.

The contracts submitted to the committee are investigated for one week and if none of the members of the committee reject them, then the contracts will automatically be confirmed.

The Iraqi government had earlier told the UN Security Council that the oil installations and oil pipelines were extremely worn out, so it was impossible to increase the capacity to 5.2 billion US dollars before being repaired and asked for permission from the UN to import the spare parts.

The UN Security Council, with a decision adopted on 19 July, permitted the import of the spare parts worth 300 million US dollars to provide for the Iraqi pipelines working at full capacity.

[13] S-300 MISSILES - TURKEY INSISTS ON HER ATTITUDE CONCERNING THE DEPLOYMENT OF MISSILES ON ISLAND - ATACANLI, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN OF FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''THOSE WHO CREATED MISSILES PROBLEM, SHOULD SOLVE IT''

Addressing the weekly press conference, Sermet Atacanli, the Deputy Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, stressed that Turkey is determined to take all the necessary measures against the missiles and won't use the weapons as an issue of bargaining.

Responding to a question about the proposal of Greece to make the island a ''no-fly zone'', Atacanli noted that Turkey warned the concerned countries after the purchase of the missiles on the possible dangers of the deployment of the missiles on the island. He added, ''Turkey stated many times that she is determined to take all the necessary measures in order to provide security for herself and for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)''.

Atacanli stressed, ''we aren't the ones who created the missiles problem, therefore they should solve the problem''.

Meanwhile Atacanli said that President Suleyman Demirel intends to visit the TRNC in July, but gave no further details about Demirel's visit to the island.

[14] OPERATION IN BORDER REGION - KDP PESHMERGAS CHASE TERRORISTS WHO FLED TO ZAP VALLEY

Security forces, together with the village guards, started an operation against the separatist terrorists who fled to Iraq after operations in the Cigili, Oramar, Orencik and Balikli Regions in Semdinli County in southeastern Hakkari Province.

The Peshmergas of the Iraqi Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) in the Amadia Region started a beseiging operation to render the terrorists ineffective.

The air-backed Turkish security forces, tried to squeeze the terrorists who fled to Iraq's Kani Ras, Durjan, Mari Mulla, Ari, Siyahkaya and Hakhurk Regions. The terrorists have great losses in hot clashes which erupt from time to time.

[15] BLAST IN EGYPTIAN BAZAAR IN EMINONU DISTRICT - BASESGIOGLU, MINISTER OF INTERIOR: ''WE METICULOUSLY INVESTIGATE EVEN THE SMALLEST EVIDENCE RELATED TO THE EXPLOSION''

Responding to the questions of reporters about the incidents, Basesgioglu said that there was no new development about the explosion. Noting that there was no evidence proving that it was a bombing, sabotage or arson attack, Basesgioglu said even the most smallest evidence was being investigated meticulously in the laboratories. He said there was no evidence found so far proving that there was an explosive device.

Basesgioglu came to the spot together with Kutlu Aktas, the Governor of Istanbul, and Hasan Ozdemir, the Chief of the Security Department and got information from the experts about the explosion at the Egyptian Bazaar.

Responding to the questions of reporters, Basesgioglu said ''the possibility on which we are concentrating is the gas leakage. The reason for the explosion will be revealed after the studies of the experts.''

Recalling that seven people were killed and 118 people were injured in the explosion, Basesgioglu said ''40 of the injured are still being treatment at two hospitals.''

Meanwhile, Istanbul Republic Chief Prosecutor's Office initiated an investigation related to the explosion.

[16] LEADERS' SUMMIT - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ, ECEVIT, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, AND CINDORUK, LEADER OF DTP, MEET TO DETERMINE RATE OF INCREASE IN SALARIES OF CIVIL SERVANTS

Husamettin Cindoruk, the Leader of the Democratic Turkey Party (DTP), Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Leader of the Democratic Left Party, Gunes Taner, the Minister of State Responsible for the Economy, Zekeriya Temizel, the Minister of Finance, and Husamettin Ozkan, the Minister of State are in attendance at the meeting.

[17] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ DUE IN BULGARIA - YILMAZ TO OPEN SOFIA BRANCH OF ZIRAAT BANK - TURKEY AND BULGARIA TO SIGN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT

Yilmaz will attend to the opening ceremony of Sofia Branch of the Ziraat Bank, that is the first Turkish Bank in Bulgaria.

Mesut Yilmaz is scheduled to meet with his Bulgarian counterpart

Ivan Kostov, and President Petar Stoyanov of Bulgaria in order to discuss the latest developments in the region including the Kosovo problem, and bilateral relations between Turkey and Bulgaria. He will also meet with Prime Minister Radil Vasile of Romania.

Meanwhile the free trade agreement that is described as the most important agreement signed between Turkey and Bulgaria, will be signed by Isin Celebi, the Minister of State, and Valentin Vasilev, the Bulgarian Minister of Trade and Tourism during the official visit. The agreement foresees the establishment of free trade zones and the gradual lifting of the customs taxes on the industrial goods until 2002.

Along with Celebi, Ismet Sezgin, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources will accompany Yilmaz during his visit to Bulgaria. Mesut Yilmaz and the acompanying delegation will return to Turkey the same day.

[18] FLOOD DISASTER IN KYRGYZSTAN - PRESIDENT DEMIREL CALLS PRESIDENT AKAYEV OF KYRGYZSTAN TO EXPRESS HIS REGRET ABOUT DISASTER

The statement of the Presidential Press Center pointed out that

Demirel expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the disaster.

[19] ATM NETWORK FROM BANKS - 16 LEADING BANKS IN TURKEY COME TOGETHER AND FORM ''MUTUAL POINT ATM SHARING GROUP''

Among the founders of the Sharing Group are the Alternatifbank, Anadolubank, BankKapital, Citibank, Denizbank, EGSBank, Esbank, Finansbank, Iktisat Bank, Interbank, Kentbank, Koçbank, Sümerbank, Sekerbank, Tekstilbank and the Turkish Economy Bank.

Ilhan Sungur, the Chairman of Kentbank Credit Cards, who is the Director and Executive Chairman of the Group, told the A.A correspondent that the establishment of the partnership will add momentum to the broadening of the ATM network and marketing of cards.

Sungur said every bank, which wanted, could join this system, adding that with this partnership the number of ATMs of the 16 banks increased to 500 and the number of cards increased to one million.

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