Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-07-13

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

13 JULY 1998

CONTENTS

[01] 29TH BALKAN YOUTHS TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIP - TURKEY BECOMES THIRD TEAM WHILE GREECE COMES IN FIRST AND ROMANIA SECOND

[02] TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ON THE WEEKEND KILL 52 PERSONS AND INJURE 105 OTHERS

[03] TURKEY-GEORGIA - GEORGIAN MINISTERS TO MEET WITH MENZIR, MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION

[04] EPHESUS EXCAVATIONS ARE 103 YEARS OLD

[05] AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR AND INVESTMENTS

[06] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[07] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[08] TURKISH MERBOLIN INC. TO SET UP FACTORY IN KAZAKHSTAN

[09] CONTACTS OF SPANISH COMMANDER - GEN. LOPEZ, COMMANDER OF SPANISH AIR FORCES, VISITS GEN. KILIC, AIR FORCES COMMANDER

[10] BILA TO UNDERGO ''CRITICAL'' SURGICAL OPERATION

[11] WTO TO OBSERVE APPROPRIATENESS OF TURKEY'S COMMERCIAL POLICIES TO AGREEMENTS

[12] SEPARATIST TERRORISTS RAID A VILLAGE IN CENTRAL SIVAS PROVINCE - TERRORISTS KILL FOUR INNOCENT PEOPLE

[13] STUDENTS, WHO OPENED BANNERS IN PARLIAMENT, RELEASED

[14] FOREIGN MINISTRY DENIES NEWS REPORT CLAIMING MILITARY AIR BASE CONSTRUCTION IN EAST FOR ISRAEL

[15] A.A SATELLITE SYSTEM REACHES ASHKHABAD

[16] SOUTHEASTERN ADANA PROVINCE AGAIN SHAKEN BY EARTHQUAKE

[17] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES BORMAN, TRNC'S AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY AND AN ACCOMPANYING DELEGATION

[18] CENSURE MOTION AGAINST PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ, AND PARLIAMENTARY INVESTIGATION AGAINST GURDAL, MINISTER OF TOURISM TO BE DISCUSSED IN PARLIAMENT'S GENERAL SESSION ON TUESDAY

[19] EU COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING - AUSTRIA, TERM PRESIDENT: ''TURKEY IS VERY IMPORTANT...''

[20] CELEBI, MINISTER OF STATE: ''TURKEY ALLOCATES ONE QUADRILLION TURKISH LIRAS FOR INVESTMENTS AND FOUR QUADRILLION TURKISH LIRAS FOR PERSONNEL EXPENDITURES''

[21] RUGOVA, LEADER OF THE ALBANIANS FROM KOSOVO WANTS TO MEET WITH DEMIREL IN ALBANIA

[22] COOPERATIVE KEY-98 MILITARY EXERCISE TO BE HELD BETWEEN 15-24 JULY IN TURKEY

[23] GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF MOTORWAYS OPENS TENDER FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF DORUKHAN TUNNEL IN ZONGULDAK

[01] 29TH BALKAN YOUTHS TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIP - TURKEY BECOMES THIRD TEAM WHILE GREECE COMES IN FIRST AND ROMANIA SECOND

In the championship which lasted for two days in Istanbul, Turkey got three gold, three silver and six bronze medals and became the third country among other Balkan countries. Greece got a total of 19 gold, 15 silver and 11 bronze medals and Romania came in second getting 14 gold, 18 silver and 12 bronze medals.

Yugoslavia came in fourth, Bosnia-Herzegovina in fifth, Bulgaria in sixth, Moldovia in seventh, Albania in eighth and Macedonia in ninth. Macedonia couldn't get any medals.

[02] TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ON THE WEEKEND KILL 52 PERSONS AND INJURE 105 OTHERS

It was reported that two entire families were killed in Niksar County in the Central Anatolian province of Tokat and Konya Province. Five persons were killed when a lorry crashed into a car in Konya Province. Five other persons were killed in another traffic accident in Niksar County.

Other accidents occurred in Osmancik County in the Central Anatolian province of Corum, in Yigilca County of Bolu Province, on the main Pozanti- Adana motorway, in Akyazi County of Sakarya Province, in southeastern Malatya Province, in Camlihemsin County in the Black Sea province of Rize and in Afyon Province.

[03] TURKEY-GEORGIA - GEORGIAN MINISTERS TO MEET WITH MENZIR, MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications statement said that the Kars-Tbilisi Railway Project, Development of the Batumi Airport, mutual cooperation in the fields of land, air and railway transportation and the enlivening of the postal and telecommunications services between the two countries will be discussed during the meetings which will last for three days.

A protocol will be signed at the end of the meetings, covering the issues on which the sides have agreed.

[04] EPHESUS EXCAVATIONS ARE 103 YEARS OLD

Responding to the questions of the A.A correspodent about the excavation activities Krinzinger said this years' excavations will last until October and noted that the world of archaeology was waiting with curiosity for the news that will come from Ephesus.

He said the works of art which have brought to light at Ephesus for the past 103 years a very few compared with those which are still remaining under the soil. Krinzinger said that the University of Austria attributed great importance to the Ephesus excavations as they are the most comprehensive excavation activities in the Mediterranean region.

Fritz Krinzinger said nearly 159 persons are working on the excavation activities this year and that the financial cost of the activities would be approximately 115 billion Turkish Liras.

[05] AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR AND INVESTMENTS

The Association of the Automotive Industry's ''June-Bulletin'' statistics showed that the total amount of investments in 1997 increased 126 million US dollars to 346 million US dollars.

The total amount of money allocated for capacity increase in 1996 was 52 million US dollars while it decreased to 37 million US dollars last year.

A total of 41 million US dollars of investments were realized in 1996 for modernization while the total amount of investments in the same field increased to 79 million US dollars in 1997.

The amount of investments in new model studies were 42 million US dollars in 1996 while it climbed to 71 million US dollars last year.

The sector spent 19 million US dollars for the investments in increases in quality last year while the total amount in 1996 was 28 million US dollars.

The total investment in activities to increase the domestic production in 1996 was 12 million US dollars while it climbed to 30 million US dollars last year.

A total of 110 million US dollars was spent for the investments in project studies last year. The amount was 45 million US dollars in 1996.

Meanwhile, the total investments in the automotive sector in 1994 was 706 million US dollars and it was 254 million US dollars in 1995.

[06] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

GENERAL KARADAYI TO GET US AWARD
General Ismail Hakki Karadayi, the Chief of General Staff, will begin a visit to the United States on 16 July to receive a medal of merit. The visit by General Karadayi will have the character of a farewell visit, as the top Turkish general retires in August. General Shelton will be presenting the medal of merit to his Turkish counterpart.

During his visit, General Karadayi will visit the NATO Command in Norfolk, Virginia. He will also meet with William Cohen, the US Secretary of Defense, for talks that are expected to focus mainly on Turkey's relations with Greece and the Cyprus issue. /Hurriyet/

TURKEY READY TO HELP KOSOVO
In a statement to Koha Jone newspaper published in Albania, President Suleyman Demirel over the weekend said that Turkey was ready to undertake her duties within the international community to prevent any more shedding of blood. Noting that an agreement between Pristina and Belgrade on the independence of Kosovo would be welcomed, Demirel stated that if Kosovo insisted on independence under the present conditions it wouldn't be accepted by the international community. /Sabah/

TURCO-ISRAELI MILITARY COOPERATION
A military mission from Turkey is holding military exercises at an airbase in Israel. Six Turkish Air Force F-16 warplanes exercised at the Sdhema Training Base which is equipped with many missile systems and radar, including systems for the Russian-made S-300 missiles. The exercises aim to test the readiness of the Turkish warplanes and pilots to launch an attack against the S-300 missiles which are planned to be deployed by the Greek Cypriot administration. Turkish military officials evaluated the maneuvers as ''perfect'', and noted that Turkey would open a similar training center. /Hurriyet/

PESHMERGES ATTACK PKK
Nearly 8,000 peshmerges affiliated with the Iraqi Kurdistan Democrat Party (IKDP) have launched initiatives against the PKK terrorist organization, which has killed many innocent people in Northern Iraq. During operations carried out by the peshmerges against the PKK, many terrorists have been killed. Meanwhile, due to a possible penetration of PKK terrorists fleeing from the attacks of the peshmerges through Turkey, units of the Turkish Armed Forces have been moved to the border regions. /Milliyet/

ISRAELI AIRBASE IN TURKEY
According to the Christian Science Monitor newspaper published in the US, Israel has constructed a special base for the use of only Israeli aircraft in eastern Turkey and Turkish jets are under training in Israel to deal with the PKK missile attacks. An article written by Scott Peterson noted that relations between Turkey and Israel are rapidly developing. /Milliyet/

JERUSALEM CYPRUS INITIATIVE
According to the Haaretz newspaper published in Israel, due to the tension caused by the Russian-made S-300 missiles to be deployed at Southern Cyprus, the Israeli government has proposed to mediate between Turkey, Greece and Southern Cyprus. However this initiative hasn't so far yielded any positive results. According to the newspaper, the Israeli government launched mediation initiatives following suggestions from Washington, D.C. A Israeli Foreign Ministry Spokesman noted that the Israeli government brought this issue onto the agenda during Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister's recent visit to Israel.

According to the newspaper, the Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu talked about the tension created by the S-300 missiles during his meeting with Ismail Cem and said that he supported finding a solution to this problem peacefully. The Israeli government thinks that the purchase of the S-300 missiles is a ''great mistake'', the newspaper added. /Milliyet/

[07] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

THIRD BOSPHORUS BRIDGE
Yasar Topcu, the Minister of Public Works and Housing, pointed out yesterday that a foundation ceremony for a third Bosphorus Bridge was planned to be held before the end of this year, while the tunnel project would be implementated by 2010 and at the latest in 2015. Topcu delivered a speech yesterday during an opening ceremony held for a new highway, which connects Altunizade to Umraniye in Istanbul. Topcu said, ''the third Bosphorus Bridge project is the largest project planned and designed for Istanbul''. /Milliyet/

TURCOLOGY DEPARTMENT IN FLORIDA
A Turcology department will be opened at the US Atlantic University in Southern Florida. Prof. James Catanese, the President of the South Florida Atlantic University and Prof. William B. Stronge, the Student Director, have visited universities in Ankara and Konya. /Milliyet/

TURKISH AND GREEK CYPRIOT FERRY BOATS COLLIDE OFF CORFU
Two ferry boats collided on Sunday off the coast of the Ionian island of Corfu, causing material damage to both ships but no injuries, the Greek Merchant Marine Ministry said. The head-on collision between the Turkish Iskenderun and the Greek Cypriot Valentino occurred 27 kms west of Corfu, the Ministry said. The Valentino had shortly before left the southern Greek port of Patras for Italy, while the Iskenderun was headed for Izmir, Turkey, from a Croatian port, the Ministry added. /Hurriyet-Sabah/

TURKISH COMPUTER WIZ
The founding member of Fore Systems, one of the three fastest growing US computer firms, is a Turk, Onat Menzilcioglu. Within the framework of the company he founded with three friends, Menzilcioglu has achieved massive success in computer technology, by developing the ATM system. /Sabah/

AUTOMOTIVE CAPACITY INCREASES
While the average rate of capacity utilization in the automotive industry totaled 51 percent during the first five months of this year, this figure rose to a huge 147 percent in the midibus sector. According to the Automotive Industry Association (OSD) data, the total capacity was 339,530 units during the first five months of this year. The midibus capacity was 2, 770 units while the total output in the automotive industry was 247,500 units. /Milliyet/

FIRE IN AYDIN
Fire brigades saved a forest in the borderland between Izmir and Aydin in the Aegean region by putting out a fire which could have spread after destroying an area of two square kilometres yesterday morning. /Cumhuriyet/

EVALUATIONS ON TURKISH ECONOMY
A review carried out by ''The Economist'', a British economics magazine, forecasts that Turkey's growth rate for this year will be 5.3 percent and 4.5 percent in 1999.

Meanwhile, representatives of Fitch IBCA, an economic rating company, said that they weren't about to increase Turkey's credit grade because of concerns over an early election planned to be held in April 1999. /Cumhuriyet/

[08] TURKISH MERBOLIN INC. TO SET UP FACTORY IN KAZAKHSTAN

Kenan Baytas, the General Director and the Chairman of the Executive Board of the Merbolin Paint Industry, Inc. and the Boyatas Paint Distribution Inc., told the A.A correspondent that the feasibility studies for the facility were concluded and that the talks with the Kazakh Minister of the Economy regarding the issue were continuing.

Pointing out that the factory would be constructed together with the Kazakh contracting companies, Baytas said that 80 percent of the raw materials would be supplied from Kazakhstan while the remaining 20 percent from Turkey and China.

Baytas said that 25-30 people would be employed at the factory, which would be built on an area of three thousand square meters and would include a packaging system.

''We proved our quality in Kazakhstan. We are exporting paints to Kazakhstan and Russia. The paints used the most in these countries are our products. Merbolin established a distribution company in Russia and we will start sending goods this week. We will also open showrooms there. Our goal is to offer products of good quality,'' he said.

Noting that they were exporting paints also to Azerbaijan, Romania and Libya, Baytas stressed that they were obliged to make high quality products as there was a great competition in the world.

[09] CONTACTS OF SPANISH COMMANDER - GEN. LOPEZ, COMMANDER OF SPANISH AIR FORCES, VISITS GEN. KILIC, AIR FORCES COMMANDER

Speaking before the meeting Kilic expressed pleasure that the Spanish Air Forces Commander was paying his first visit to Turkey.

Noting that military training cooperation with Spain wasn't at a satisfactory level, he added ''we hope to improve cooperation in this field. Turkey and Spain only cooperate in the production of CASA type planes at the Turkish Aviation Industry (TAI). We are willing to further develop relations in other fields.''

Gen. Lopez, the Spanish Commander pointed out that they knew the capacity of the Turkish Air Forces and that they would expend efforts to improve cooperation.

Responding to a question if there was a cooperation between the Turkish Air Forces and Israel in air defense training and cooperation against the S-300 missiles in particular, Kilic said ''we make use of the atmosphere of training reciprocally within the framework of the agreements signed with Israel. There is nothing more. But this doesn't only take place with Israel, for example four F-14 type warplanes are currently in a training program with the other NATO countries.

[10] BILA TO UNDERGO ''CRITICAL'' SURGICAL OPERATION

Bila underwent a surgical operation at 11:15 a.m. as the edema in his brain was leaking from his nose and with the concern that he may have an infection or meningitis.

Prof. Dr. Cengiz Kuday, head of the surgical team, said that Fikret Bila would have a ''critical surgical operation.''

[11] WTO TO OBSERVE APPROPRIATENESS OF TURKEY'S COMMERCIAL POLICIES TO AGREEMENTS

The appropriateness of Turkey's economic and commercial policies to the WTO agreements and compromises will be taken up in a meeting scheduled to be held between 12-13 October in Geneva, Switzerland.

Thus the WTO will carry out its second inspection about the commercial policies pursued by Turkey, in accordance with the mechanism adopted during the Uruguay Round meetings.

In accordance with the decisions of the WTO, the economic policies of the European Union (EU), the US, Japan and Canada, the first four largest economies in the world, are reviewed twice a year. The economies between the 5th and 20th places are subjected to this control once every four years, while other countries once every six years. Turkey is one of the countries in the second category.

The WTO carried out its first examination in 1994. The second control will be more comprehensive than the one in 1994.

The WTO Secretariat will prepare an extensive report, which will reflect all of Turkey's commercial policies, including statistics showing the economic and commercial situation in Turkey. To his end, a WTO delegation visited Turkey early in February and held contacts at several organizations and institutions. The report of the Secretariat will be sent to the WTO member countries in September and will be discussed in Geneva between 12-13 October.

Turkey prepared a limited report about her economic and commercial policies and will submit that report at the meeting.

[12] SEPARATIST TERRORISTS RAID A VILLAGE IN CENTRAL SIVAS PROVINCE - TERRORISTS KILL FOUR INNOCENT PEOPLE

A group of terrorists descended last night on the Hamucimen Settlement in Cayozu Village in Divrigi, killing Zeki Boztepe (38), Recep Turkmen (16), Sinan Turkmen and Feriha Turkmen, the residents of the settlement. The separatist terrorists later fled away after setting the houses in the settlement on fire.

The security officials launched an immediate and large-scale operation in the region.

[13] STUDENTS, WHO OPENED BANNERS IN PARLIAMENT, RELEASED

Nurdan Baysahan and Mahmut Yilmaz, two of the seven students who are being tried without being detained, and Ahmet Askin Dogan, Metin Murat Kalyoncugil, Bulent Karakas, Ozgur Tufekci and Ulas Dogu Atli, the five students under trial with detention, and their lawyers attended today's session of the trial.

The accused students and their lawyers requested the release of the students in prison. The Court later decided to release the five students from detention, by taking into consideration the imprisonment period of the five students and the probability of a change in the attribute of the offense.

[14] FOREIGN MINISTRY DENIES NEWS REPORT CLAIMING MILITARY AIR BASE CONSTRUCTION IN EAST FOR ISRAEL

The Foreign Ministry statement said, ''the news reports which appeared in the Christian Science Monitor newspaper, which also appeared in the Turkish newspapers dated 13 July 1998, claiming that an airbase was constructed in Eastern Turkey to be presented for the usage of Israel, aren't true. The news reports, which first of all appeared in the foreign press and later in the Turkish press claiming that Israel used the military airbases in Eastern Anatolia and held espionage activities against neighboring countries, are totally baseless and intentional. Several circles, despite all the denials, are still trying to spread these. It is clear that recent news reports in this respect which appeared in the media is a continuation of these allegations.''

The statement said that the Turkish-Israeli relations develop to the benefit of the peoples of these two countries. However, these relations have no objectives aimed at a third country. The Turkish-Israeli military relations are carried out regularly within the framework of military agreements signed between the two countries. It has no other aims like a strategic attribute, including missions with secret aims targetting friendly countries.

It said ''no such issue was brought onto the agenda during Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister's visit to this country.''

[15] A.A SATELLITE SYSTEM REACHES ASHKHABAD

As of 12 July, the daily news of the A.A started to reach the branch office of the A.A in Ashkhabad, the capital of Turkmenistan. Thus the A.A subscribers in Turkmenistan found the opportunity to receieve the daily news of the A.A immediately.

The A.A satellite system was earlier promoted in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Britain, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Israel.

[16] SOUTHEASTERN ADANA PROVINCE AGAIN SHAKEN BY EARTHQUAKE

The officials from the Kandilli Observatory said that the mild quake occurred at 12:27 p.m.

Officials said that the latest earthquake was one of the aftershocks after the major earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale.

[17] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES BORMAN, TRNC'S AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY AND AN ACCOMPANYING DELEGATION

Addressing a meeting with Nazif Borman, the Ambassador of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to Turkey and an accompanying delegation, Demirel said that Turkey, which provided peace on the Island since July 1974 got criticism from the international community instead of appreciation.

Noting that the security of the Turkish Cypriots was more important than anything, Demirel said ''a massacre is an alternative when there isn't any security.'' He said that the Turkish nation will live forever and that the TRNC will always be under the guarantee of Turkey.

Demirel also said he would go to the island on 25 July ''with the water'', within the framework of a project to bring water to the TRNC.

Demirel said that at the first stage water will be transported to the TRNC with balloons and later water will be brought to the TRNC from the Manavgat Stream with pipelines.

Borman said that the Turkish Armed Forces formed an atmosphere of peace on the island and that the Turkish Cypriots will live on the island forever.

[18] CENSURE MOTION AGAINST PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ, AND PARLIAMENTARY INVESTIGATION AGAINST GURDAL, MINISTER OF TOURISM TO BE DISCUSSED IN PARLIAMENT'S GENERAL SESSION ON TUESDAY

The Parliamentary General Assembly will continue to discuss the tax reform draft law on 13 July.

The Assembly at first will discuss the censure motion given by Osman Pepe, the Kocaeli Deputy of the Virtue Party (FP) and his friends, against Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz on grounds that Yilmaz allocated an area in Izmit Province to the Ford-Koc Group, which was belonging to Seka, without charge. According to the internal regulation, if they accept to take the censure motion onto the agenda, a date will be specified for the discussion.

The General Assembly secondly will take up a proposal given by Tahsin Irmak, the Sivas Deputy of the True Path Party (DYP) to open a Parliamentary Investigation against Ibrahim Gurdal, the Minister of Tourism, on grounds that he went against the regulations in specifying the new tourism centers.

The report of Parliamentary Research Commission, prepared for the allegations of corruption and irregulaties during renewal of the Parliamentary Hall, will be discussed.

The immunity files of six Deputies, including Mustafa Kalemli, the former Speaker of the Parliament and the Motherland Party (ANAP) Kutahya Deputy, and Bahattin Seker, the DYP Bilecik Deputy, will be discussed at a preparation commission established within the Constitutional Justice Joint Commission on 15 July.

The immunity of Kalemli is expected to be lifted on grounds that he abused his duty during the renewal of the Parliamentary General Hall.

The Commission is expected to discuss all the files on Wednesday and make a decision.

[19] EU COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING - AUSTRIA, TERM PRESIDENT: ''TURKEY IS VERY IMPORTANT...''

Schussel said that the stability in Turkey and her European volition is important for the Term President Austria, adding that they would expend efforts to normalize and intensify relations with Ankara.

The Austrian Foreign Minister noted that they were willing to revitalize dialogue with Turkey in every field including human rights and the Cyprus question, and added that the functioning European strategy, which was foreseen for Turkey, will be one of the prior elements.

Stressing the importance they attributed to the participation of the Turkish side in the negotiations on the issue of Cyprus's full membership in the European Union, Schussel said that the peace process could be improved through mutual dialogue and noted that the EU wanted to contribute to the solution of the question.

Jacques Santer, the Chairman of the EU Commission, which is the executive organ of the EU, said Austria, the new Term President would continue the ''European Conference'', adding that the Commission wants Turkey to participate at the European Conference. The Term Presidency should play a special and important role with this objective. He called on more determined activities to implement the European strategy for Turkey.

Klaus Kinkel, the German Foreign Minister, also mentioned the subject of Turkey and said ''two topics which will engage the Austrian Term Presidency would be Kosovo and Turkey.''

''We should establish balanced relations with Turkey as Turkey plays a central role in Europe. It is an ally of the NATO and a bridge aimed at Asia and the Arab world,'' he said.

Pierre Franco Faffino, the Italian Minister, said that they should adjust relations with Turkey and overcome the deadlock.

Yorgo Papandreu, the Greek Minister Responsible for the EU, said that they had given opportunities to Turkey at the Luxembourg and Cardiff Summits to strengthen ties, but Ankara ''unfortunately'' rejected the proposals of the EU. He also claimed that Greece would support Austria in her efforts to persuade Turkey.

Papandreu in his speech defended the initiatives of the Greek Cypriot side to deploy the S-300 missiles on the island, claiming that Turkey has heavy weapons on the island and that the Greek Cypriots have the right to defend themselves.

Lena Hjelm-Wallen, the Swedish Foreign Minister, also mentioned Turkey in her speech, adding ''the situation may be grave on Cyprus in the autumn. Deployment of the S-300 missiles would make very negative effects and such a development would negatively affect the entrance of Cyprus into the EU as a full member.

[20] CELEBI, MINISTER OF STATE: ''TURKEY ALLOCATES ONE QUADRILLION TURKISH LIRAS FOR INVESTMENTS AND FOUR QUADRILLION TURKISH LIRAS FOR PERSONNEL EXPENDITURES''

Speaking to reporters, Celebi said, ''we prepared a plan to gradually decrease inflation while we were preparing the 1997 budget. The agreement with the IMF was a confirmation of that plan.''

Pointing out that the IMF proposed a shock programme but that they didn't accept it, Celebi said, ''Turkey has a budget of 14 quadrillion Turkish Liras. Nearly four quadrillion Turkish Liras of this budget can be allocated for personnel expenditures, while only one quadrillion Turkish Liras is allocated for investments like hospitals, motorways, water and canals. We allocate more than seven quadrillion Turkish Liras for interest payments.''

''Turkey should reach the European Union (EU) standards by 2001 or 2002. Otherwise, Turkey will remain behind some countries like Greece and Spain, '' he stressed.

Responding to a question, Celebi said, ''the rate of increase in the salaries of parliamentarians should be a maximum of ten percent and the increase in the salaries of ministers shouldn't be more than twenty percent.''

[21] RUGOVA, LEADER OF THE ALBANIANS FROM KOSOVO WANTS TO MEET WITH DEMIREL IN ALBANIA

Rugova, who is reportedly in Albania, would ask for Demirel to provide support to stop the Serbian massacre in Kosovo with NATO intervention.

Rugova will also call for aid from Demirel to lift the bureucratic obstacles which delayed the aid of the Western countries to the Albanians from Kosovo who are in need of food and medicine.

The Foreign Ministry officials said that Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, invited Rugova to Turkey.

Speaking to the A.A the official said, ''we invite Rugova to Turkey. Turkey has always been interested in the Kosovo problem and expended efforts to protect the legal rights of all the minorities there.''

Kamil Bitis, the Secretary General of the Turkish-Albanian Friendship Association, told the A.A correspondent that Turkey should cover a very active policy for the solution of the Kosovo problem and should be more effective than Greece in the Balkans.

Bitis said, ''we expect support from Turkey on the international platforms for NATO intervention in Kosovo.'' Noting that Turkey should recognize the independence of the Republic of Kosovo, Bitis said, ''the Republic of Kosovo will be established soon.''

[22] COOPERATIVE KEY-98 MILITARY EXERCISE TO BE HELD BETWEEN 15-24 JULY IN TURKEY

The Secretariat General of General Staff said that the Cooperative Key-98 Military Exercise would be carried out between 15-24 July and based at the airbases in Ankara, Konya and Kayseri.

Turkey, the US, Portugal, Italy, France, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Moldova will participate in the exercise actively while Azerbaijan, Macedonia, Hungary, Latvia, the Ukraine and Uzbekistan will give personnel support or participate as observers.

A total of 49 airplanes including 29 combat planes and 11 support planes and six helicopters will participate in the exercise. Turkey will join the exercise with four TF-16 planes, three C-130/160 planes, one TCN-235 CASA plane and one UH-1H helicopter and provide personnel support for the direction and control of the military exercise.

The Cooperative Key-98 will be directed and controlled by the Southern European Allied Air Forces Commandership in accordance with the directives of the Southern European Allied Forces Commandership.

Turkey, as the host country, will be responsible for the coordination.

[23] GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF MOTORWAYS OPENS TENDER FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF DORUKHAN TUNNEL IN ZONGULDAK

According to the General Directorate's announcement published in the Official Gazette, the tender will be carried out by the sealed bidding method and a discount will be applied to the whole reconstruction on the condition that every unit price will be valid.

The announcement said the bid bond of the tender, which will be made on the estimated cost of 1.3 trillion Turkish Liras, is 38.8 billion Turkish Liras.

The unused cash loan and the letter of guarantee loan shouldn't be more than one-tenth of the estimated cost.

The tender was scheduled to take place on 31 July 1998 at the Chairmanship of the Construction Department at the headquarters in Ankara.

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