Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-07-14

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

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

14 JULY 1998

CONTENTS

[01] GENERAL KARADAYI, CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF, IN THE US

[02] SUPPORT OF ITALIAN SENATORS TO TURKEY - SENATORS FROM ''FORZA ITALIA'' PARTY REQUEST GOVERNMENT TO MAKE EFFORTS FOR TURKEY AND THE TRNC

[03] HEALTH SITUATION OF JOURNALIST FIKRET BILA - BILA UNDERGOES TWO MORE SURGICAL OPERATIONS AFTER A SEVEN-HOUR BRAIN OPERATION

[04] 637TH HISTORICAL KIRKPINAR WRESTLING WEEK BEGINS

[05] GARANTI BANK DECREASES ITS RATES OF INTEREST - NEW RATES TO BECOME VALID ON TUESDAY

[06] PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR ALBANIA - DEMIREL: ''WE DON'T ACCEPT A WAR IN KOSOVO AS AN ALTERNATIVE. ALL PEACEFUL METHODS SHOULD BE USED'' - ''THE BLOODSHED MUST STOP, AND THE PROBLEM SHOULD BE SOLVED BY ALL SIDES IN DISCUSSIONS WITHOUT PRECONDITIONS''

[07] RETALIATION DECISION OF THE EU AGAINST TURKEY - THE EU REDUCES QUOTAS ON EXPORTS OF WATERMELONS, TOMATO PASTE AND HAZELNUTS

[08] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[09] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[10] ARMED ATTACK AT ASKALE - TERRORISTS KILL 5 PERSONS IN TOKCA VILLAGE

[11] UNMANNED AIR VEHICLES FOR TURKISH ARMED FORCES - TENDER INVITATION TO 17 COMPANIES FOR PROJECT OF 23 SYSTEMS

[12] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''I THINK ELECTIONS AT THE END OF THIS YEAR WOULD BE BETTER IF THIS GOVERNMENT WON'T BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK''

[13] 50TH YEAR OF KULTEPE-KANIS EXCAVATION - PROF. DR. TAHSIN OZGUC LEADS EXCAVATIONS FOR 50 YEARS - ARCHAEOLOGISTS SO FAR FIND 20 THOUSAND WRITTEN DOCUMENTS DATING BACK TO AROUND 2000 B.C.

[14] SEKERBANK DECREASES ITS RATES OF INTEREST

[15] REACTION TO THE EU'S QUOTA RETALIATION - MIRAS, CHAIRMAN OF TOBB: ''WE HAVE TO REACT BY APPLYING QUOTA ON THE GOODS COMING FROM THE EU''

[16] OPERATION IN SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA - 13 TERRORISTS DIE DURING OPERATION

[17] OPEN SKIES AGREEMENT

[18] GENDARMES CAPTURE 251 PEOPLE TRYING TO ESCAPE TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES BY SEA IN THE AEGEAN SINCE THE BEGINNING OF 1998

[19] CELEBI, THE STATE MINISTER, EVALUATES DECISION OF EU: - ''RESPONDING WITH RETALIATION WON'T BE BENEFICIAL''

[20] EXPORTS TO EU COUNTRIES - EXPORTS FROM SOUTHEAST IN FIRST HALF INCREASE 20.7 PERCENT TO 52.3 MILLION US DOLLARS

[01] GENERAL KARADAYI, CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF, IN THE US

The officials from the Turkish Embassy in the US and the Turkish Armed Forces Military Attaché will give General Karadayi several briefings today.

Karadayi is scheduled to visit Langley Airbase in Norfolk, Virginia.

An official ceremony will be held in honour of General Karadayż at the Pentagon on Thursday morning. General Henry Shelton, the US Chief of General Staff, will confer the Medal of Merit on his Turkish counterpart. This medal is known as the highest medal that the US Chief of Staffs can give to their colleagues. Karadayż and Shelton will hold contacts after the ceremony.

General Karadayż will be given a briefing on the ''global aspect'' by Admiral Dennis Blair, the US Director of General Staff. He will come together with William Cohen, the US Secretary of Defense, after the brifing. Karadayż will also meet with Sandy Berger, the Adviser of US President Bill Clinton for National Security, in the White House the same day.

The meetings are expected to focus on the Aegean and Cyprus problems. Along with these problems, bilateral, regional and international issues will also be discussed during General Karadayi's contacts in the US.

The official visit of General Karadayż to the US came a week after the visit last week of Akis Tsohatzopoulos, the Greek Minister of Defense. Javier Solana, the Secretary General of the NATO, is scheduled to be in Washington, D.C. this week.

The US Administration that has failed in her efforts to provide a positive progress on Cyprus, has begun to consolidate the initiatives on the confidence-building measures in the Aegean. The Pentagon is working in coordination with Solana and trying to find a formula for preparing a written text.

The American officials said that they believe the confidence-building measures will provide a facility between Turkey and Greece, and this facility will positively influence the Cyprus problem.

While expansion of the NATO is continuing, American officials are having a nightmare of possible armed-clashes between Turkey and Greece, two member states of the NATO.

[02] SUPPORT OF ITALIAN SENATORS TO TURKEY - SENATORS FROM ''FORZA ITALIA'' PARTY REQUEST GOVERNMENT TO MAKE EFFORTS FOR TURKEY AND THE TRNC

The motion that was presented to the Italian Senate with the signatures of Cosimo Ventucci, Antonio D'Ali and Enrico Pianetta, requests the Italian Government to make effective efforts for Turkey's membership in the European Union and the rights of the Turkish Cypriots and the Turkish minority in Western Thrace to be recognized.

Responding to the questions of the A.A correspondent, Antonio D'Ali reminded that he visited both Turkey and the TRNC, and described Turkey as a window of Europe opening to the East.

Noting that the pre-conditions are ready on Cyprus for a federal solution, D'Ali told the A.A correspondent that the Cyprus problem should be solved before the full membership negotiations between the Greek Cypriot side and the EU are concluded.

Emphasizing the geo-strategical importance of Turkey, the motion points out that Turkey is in a process of great development. It reminds that Turkey is member of the international organizations such as the NATO, the United Nations, the European Council, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

The motion also notes that the Greek Government doesn't carry out her obligations in accordance with the Lausanne Agreement.

[03] HEALTH SITUATION OF JOURNALIST FIKRET BILA - BILA UNDERGOES TWO MORE SURGICAL OPERATIONS AFTER A SEVEN-HOUR BRAIN OPERATION

Bila was operated on for his broken facial bones after he had undergone a seven-hour brain operation. A third surgical operation was performed for the broken arm bones.

The doctors pointed out that all the surgical operations were concluded successfully.

[04] 637TH HISTORICAL KIRKPINAR WRESTLING WEEK BEGINS

Addressing the opening ceremony, Mehvet Canseven, the Governor of Edirne, said, ''a nation that doesn't have heroes and traditions, cannot exist. Which nation has a tradition that has been continuing for 637 years?''

Mustafa Sahin, the Acting Kirkpinar Agha, described the Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival as an organization that will promote Turkey worldwide, and wished success to all the wrestlers.

Along with Canseven and Sahin, Hamdi Sedefci, the Mayor of the city of Edirne, Ali Yazoglu, the Chairman of the Traditional Sports Federation, the former Kirkpinar Aghas and officials were in attendance at the opening ceremony of the festival.

Following the opening speeches, displays with model planes and bailing out with parachutes were held by the Turkish Aviation League.

The wrestling competitions will start on July 17 and the final competition will be held with the attendance of President Suleyman Demirel on July 19.

[05] GARANTI BANK DECREASES ITS RATES OF INTEREST - NEW RATES TO BECOME VALID ON TUESDAY

Officials from the Garanti Bank told the A.A correspondent that the deposit rates were decreased between 2 percent and 7 percent. The Garanti Bank decreased its one-month deposit interest rate from 65 percent to 63 percent, its three-month deposit interest rate from 70 percent to 67 percent, its six-month deposit interest rate from 80 percent to 73 percent, and per annum deposit interest rate from 86 percent to 80 percent.

The new rates of interest will become valid on Tuesday.

[06] PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR ALBANIA - DEMIREL: ''WE DON'T ACCEPT A WAR IN KOSOVO AS AN ALTERNATIVE. ALL PEACEFUL METHODS SHOULD BE USED'' - ''THE BLOODSHED MUST STOP, AND THE PROBLEM SHOULD BE SOLVED BY ALL SIDES IN DISCUSSIONS WITHOUT PRECONDITIONS''

The Presidential Press Center said that Demirel, who left for Albania for a two day official visit on Tuesday held an interview with the Albanian papers. ''In any case, the bloodshed must stop, and the problem must be solved in discussions in which all sides participate without preconditions and which are based on mutual trust,'' Demirel said.

He also stressed that the territotial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia must be respected. If Belgrade and Pristina reach an agreement to grant freedom for Kosovo, then we will applaud this; but if Kosovo wants to take the freedom, then it doesn't have the international support.

Stating that Turkey always played an important role for providing peace and stability in the Balkans on the one hand, and to create an environment which will lead to close cooperation in all fields on the other hand, he said that Turkey supported the Helsinki and Paris Documents.

Demirel pointed out that Turkey is a responsible member of the international community, especially the UN, and the OSCE. ''We are committed to international legality. The redrawing of the maps in the region or somewhere else, will only create further tension and instability. This situation will open a Pandora's box and will cause more pain,'' he said.

He stressed that Turkey will be pleased to see that stability is established in Kosovo.

Responding to a question concerning the status and borders of Kosovo, Demirel said ''in fact, that's an international problem. I don't think that I can discuss this problem. This must be discussed at the international platform. Everybody accepts that Kosovo must have the rights guaranteed by the 1974 Yugoslavia Agreement. Everybody accepts that Kosovo must have autonomy, or even autonomy plus, but everything must be the result of the discussions. Discussions must continue until the last point. War isn't a solution from any perspective.''

Demirel also said that the NATO's intervention is a sensitive issue and it must be dealt with very carefully. ''Every intervention must have a strong legal base. In this case, the will of the international community must express itself by means of the United Nations Security Council,'' he added.

Demirel said that he hoped that in the case of Kosovo the international community will not repeat its mistakes in Bosnia.

Responding to a question concerning Turkey's role in the Balkans, Demirel said, ''Turkey is a strong country, but Turkey doesn't rule the Balkans. There are international agreements. Turkey respects her responsibilities. What we are trying to do is cooperate with all the peace-loving countries. We don't want a war. We can't defend bloodshed. We can't defend banditry. We can't defend injustice. We are serious. We want the problems be solved with discussions.''

Demirel also said that Turkey extended support for the people who are forced to leave their homes in the region.

Stressing that Turkey respects and trusts Dr. Rugova, and he will be welcomed in Turkey whenever he wants to visit, Demirel said that Turkey aims to support a developed autonomous status which respects the citizenship rights of everybody who lives in Kosovo, whatever their ethnic origin.

In the speech he made at the Esenboga Airport prior to his departure, Demirel said that they will discuss the East-West corridor, a highway project which will connect Durres to Varna, and they will sign some agreements to strengthen the legal infrastructure of the bilateral relations between Turkey and Albania.

Demirel said they will also exchange views concerning the Kosovo problem.

[07] RETALIATION DECISION OF THE EU AGAINST TURKEY - THE EU REDUCES QUOTAS ON EXPORTS OF WATERMELONS, TOMATO PASTE AND HAZELNUTS

In accordance with the agreement, the EU has determined the quotas as 30 thousand tonnes for tomato paste, 14 thousand tonnes for watermelons and 9.6 thousand tonnes for hazelnuts at the beginning of this year, but the EU has lifted the mentioned quotas and began to apply the former ones.

The sources of the EU say that the retaliation decision will cause Turkey to pay more taxes estimated at 3.5 million ECUs (nearly 4 million US dollars).

Turkish sources point out that there won't be problems for the hazelnuts and watermelons, but difficulties can be appear on subject of tomato paste.

Turkey hasn't bought live stock or meat products from the EU countries since August 1996 because of health reasons.

The EU defends, ''Turkey doesn't fulfill her obligations on the meat imports according to the Agricultural Agreement. Turkey's manner has caused a loss of about 30 million US dollars for the EU. Meanwhile, nearly one million illegal live stock have been brought from the Eastern countries.''

The Council of the EU also points out that it will scrutinize the mentioned decision in case Turkey changes her attitude on the meat exports.

[08] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN ALBANIA
President Suleyman Demirel is leaving for Tirane, the capital of Albania, to pay a two-day official visit. Demirel, who was invited by Recep Meidani, the President of Albania, will stress Turkey's influential position in the Balkans. Demirel and an accompanying delegation will hold various meetings and emphasize that Turkey is ready to do everything in her power to help Albania during Albania's current transitional period./Hurriyet/

CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF VISITS US
Ismail Hakki Karadayi, the Chief of General Staff, went yesterday to the United States. Karadayi will visit the city of Norfolk, Virginia, where the US Atlantic Fleet is based. Karadayi will also participate in meetings to be held on Thursday at the Pentagon, the headquarters of the US Department of Defense. /Milliyet/

FIVE ARRESTED FOR INVOLVEMENT IN ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM
Following the apprehension of a number of Hezbollah militants in Kocaeli, a team from the security administration in Sakarya arrested yesterday five persons allegedly involved in an Islamic fundamentalist movement led by Metin Kaplan, who replaced his father Cemalettin ''black voice'' Kaplan, known as the ''black voice'', after his death. After searches in the suspects' houses and offices, the police confiscated propaganda materials including videos, cassette tapes and illegal publications. The police also found ''letters from individuals vowing to follow their chief, Kaplan.'' These letters are used to recruit new members for the organization. /Milliyet/

EU AND GERMAN AID FLOWS TO PKK
Grants worth millions of German marks, sent by the EU to Northern Iraq as humanitarian aid, are said to be conveyed by ''Medico International'' to the PKK. ''Medico International'' based in Gottingen, Germany, is known for its support of anti-Turkish groups. ''Medico International'', which has been helping the PKK to organize demonstrations under other names, after being banned in Germany, is also seeking ways to have the ban lifted./Hurriyet/

PKK: TRYING TO GAIN A FOOTHOLD IN THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT
The PKK, which is on the verge of collapse due to the military blows it has been given within Turkey, is trying to survive at the international arena. According to intelligence sources, the PKK cells abroad are trying to arrange a meeting between Abdullah Ocalan, the PKK leader, and Lord Avery, the Chairman of the Human Rights Group of the British Parliament. /Hurriyet/

INVESTMENTS IN AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR INCREASE
Investments in the automotive sector in 1997 showed an increase of 57.2 percent when compared with the previous year.

According to data given by the June bulletin of the Automotive Industry Association, total investments of 220 million US dollars in 1996, this year reached 346 million US dollars, with an increase of 126 million US dollars. /Hurriyet/

AUTHORITIES BLAST REPORTS OF BUILDING AIRBASE FOR ISRAEL
A weekend report in the US based Christian Science Monitor claimed that Ankara was building an airbase exclusively for Israel's use in Eastern Turkey. The Turkish military and diplomatic officials as well as their Israeli counterparts have denied the claims saying that there would be no logic behind building an airbase in Turkey specifically designed for excercises by Israeli aircraft. A statement from the Foreign Ministry in Ankara said that the report in the Monitor was deliberately aimed at disrupting ties between Turkey and Israel and added that the military cooperation between Turkey and Israel wasn't aimed against any third country. Ilhan Kilic, the Commander of the Air Forces, also denied the report. /Hurriyet/Cumhuriyet/

[09] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

SCHUSSEL: ''RELATIONS WITH TURKEY TOPS AUSTRIA'S EU AGENDA''
Addressing a European Union (EU) Council meeting on Monday, Wolfgang Schussel, the Austrian Foreign Minister and current EU Term President, said that Austria will put special emphasis on the EU relations with Turkey. He said that reviving the Turkish accession process and making use of the EU's Strategy for Turkey was a priority issue for them. On the Cyprus problem, Schussel stressed the importance of the Turkish Cypriots taking part in the accession talks along with Greek Cyprus. /Hurriyet/Cumhuriyet/

SONMEZ APPOINTED TO CONSTITUTIONAL COURT
Rustu Sonmez, a new member of the Constitutional Court, began his official duties on Monday following a swearing-in ceremony. President Demirel, Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament, Ahmet Necdi Sezer, the Chairman of the Constitutional Court, members of the Constitutional Court and Oltan Sungurlu, the Minister of Justice, were present at the ceremony. /Hurriyet/Cumhuriyet/

EL-MASUR: ''SYRIA USES PKK''
The Syrian Prof. Abdul Aziz El-Mansur said in an article on the Arabicnews.com Internet site that his country uses the PKK as a political weapon against Turkey. ''Regarding the water issue Syria has two choices; one is cooperation in trade and economy and political pressure by establishing an Arab alliance against Turkish-Israeli military cooperation. This alliance includes strategic relations with the PKK and Iran,'' said El- Mansur. /Sabah/

DENKTAS: ''S-300 MISSILES WILL GET A RESPONSE''
Boris Yeltsin, the Russian President and Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader, confirmed on Monday in Moscow that a controversial deal on the transfer of the Russian-made antiaircraft S-300 missiles to Greek Cyprus will proceed as agreed.

Meanwhile, Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), repeated warnings that they would retaliate if the Greek Cypriots deploy the S-300 missiles on the island. ''Our position today stands at a point where you will get a response to whatever you do,'' said Denktas. /All papers/

MISSILES COVERED IN GREEK CYPRUS ADMINISTRATION PRESS
Newspapers published at the Greek Cypriot administration report that there is a possibility that the Russian-made S-300 missiles will be either sold to other countries or will be deployed outside of Cyprus. A decision to delay or cancel the delivery of the missiles will be given by the Greek Cypriot administration. /Milliyet/Cumhuriyet/

[10] ARMED ATTACK AT ASKALE - TERRORISTS KILL 5 PERSONS IN TOKCA VILLAGE

Officials told the A.A correspondent that the separatist terrorists, who came to the village on the Erzurum-Erzincan border last night, killed five people including Hanifi Polat, the Headman of Tokca Village and injured one.

Operations are underway in the region in order to capture the separatist terrorists.

[11] UNMANNED AIR VEHICLES FOR TURKISH ARMED FORCES - TENDER INVITATION TO 17 COMPANIES FOR PROJECT OF 23 SYSTEMS

The American Defense News magazine wrote that 17 companies from seven countries, Belgium, the United Kingdom, China, France, Israel, Spain and the US, will be sent tender invitations this month. These companies will be requested to make a joint-production with a Turkish firm for the tender of 350 million US dollars.

Turkish officials told the A.A correspondent that the package of 23 systems is planned for the Air, Navy and Armed Forces. A total of 15 of the 23 systems will be long-ranged and eight of them will be medium-ranged. Each of the systems includes six air vehicles and land-control equipment.

The long-ranged systems have the ability of 24-hour-flight on areas of more than 300 km. The medium-ranged systems can remain in the air for less than 24 hours on areas between 200-300 km.

The amount of the domestic contribution will be critical in the evaluation of the offers, and offers can be sent until the end of this year.

Turkey asked for information about the UAV from 34 companies last year and 17 of them responded. The tender of 350 million US dollars is the first stage of the project.

An UAV system of 14 million US dollars was bought from an American company based in San Diego in 1995.

[12] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''I THINK ELECTIONS AT THE END OF THIS YEAR WOULD BE BETTER IF THIS GOVERNMENT WON'T BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK''

Ecevit visited Fikret Bila, a journalist from the Milliyet newspaper, who was injured in the accident that occurred in Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz's convoy during a visit to Macedonia. After his visit, Ecevit answered the questions of the reporters. Responding to a question concerning ''the last point in the issue of elections'', Ecevit said that the environment of indefiniteness must be left behind as soon as possible because the government has to work very rapidly.

Stating that they expend efforts for the reforms even the one-party governments couldn't handle, Ecevit said that if the government isn't left alone to work functionally, then it will be better to go to the polls at the end of the year.

Ecevit also pointed out that these are his personal views, and doesn't bind his party. He also said that he will talk about these views in his party.

[13] 50TH YEAR OF KULTEPE-KANIS EXCAVATION - PROF. DR. TAHSIN OZGUC LEADS EXCAVATIONS FOR 50 YEARS - ARCHAEOLOGISTS SO FAR FIND 20 THOUSAND WRITTEN DOCUMENTS DATING BACK TO AROUND 2000 B.C.

The first excavation was in 1949 at the Kultepe-Kanis tumulus, at the 28th km of the Kayseri-Malatya highway.

The most important part of the archaeological works found in the tumulus are the written documents of Assyrian Trade Colonies dating back to 2000 B.C.

These documents which are displayed at the Kayseri Archaeology Museum, the Ankara Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, and the museums in Aydin, Bursa and Sinop, show that the Assyrian Trade Colonies were the ancestors of the Hittite art.

Seals, 20 thousand written documents, a great deal of pots and pans, metallic knives, spears and bronze brooches were found during the excavations.

[14] SEKERBANK DECREASES ITS RATES OF INTEREST

The written statement of the Sekerbank points out that the new rates will become valid as of today.

According to the statement, the Sekerbank decreased its one-month deposit interest rate from 65 percent to 63 percent, and its three-month deposit interest rate from 70 percent to 68 percent. The other deposit interest rates remained unchanged.

[15] REACTION TO THE EU'S QUOTA RETALIATION - MIRAS, CHAIRMAN OF TOBB: ''WE HAVE TO REACT BY APPLYING QUOTA ON THE GOODS COMING FROM THE EU''

Fuat Miras, the Chairman of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), told the A.A that ''we should respond to the EU by applying quotas on the goods imported from the EU.''

Stating that the EU retaliated because Turkey didn't want to import meat from the EU countries, Miras said, ''if they impose a fund, it will be very harmful for us. Then we should respond by putting quotas on the goods coming from the EU. We should impose quotas for the imports of any machinery, raw materials and automobiles and automotive parts from the EU.''

Miras said that it will be useful to talk about the issue with the related ministers and their counterparts in the EU.

Stating that in case the EU starts to apply this decision, Turkey should react accordingly, he said, ''we will then have some concrete proposals as the TOBB.''

[16] OPERATION IN SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA - 13 TERRORISTS DIE DURING OPERATION

Officials from the Governorship of the State of Emergency Region said that one security official lost his life during the operation.

Operations against the terrorists are underway in the region.

[17] OPEN SKIES AGREEMENT

The written statement issued by the Secretary General of General Staff pointed out that in the meanwhile a Multinational Inspection Team formed by 9 people with the participation of the Belgian, Danish and Hungarian inspectors, lead by Turkey, went to the Ukraine and realized the inspection in the two troops deployed in Chernomoskaya and Limanskoya, within the scope of European Convensional Forces Agreement.

The inspection team of the General Staff returned to Turkey on

4 July.

The statement also noted that an inspection team lead by Sweden came to Turkey between 30 June and 4 July, and realized the inspection at the 5th Army Corps region in Thrace within the scope of the 1994 Vienna Document. The members of the delegation have determined that Turkey fulfills her obligations in accordance with the document and left Turkey on 3 July.

[18] GENDARMES CAPTURE 251 PEOPLE TRYING TO ESCAPE TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES BY SEA IN THE AEGEAN SINCE THE BEGINNING OF 1998

Colonel Mecit Korkut, the Chief Commander of the Gendarmes Regiment in Izmir, told the A.A correspondent that they captured 85 Turks, 75 Iraqis, 54 Pakistanis, 14 Afghans, 9 Bangladeshis, 6 Nigerians, 3 Iranians, 2 Indians, 2 Greeks and 1 Algerian since the beginning of 1998.

Colonel Korkut said, ''we determined that the 'human smugglers' mostly use the Karaburun Dikenci Bay, Menderes Baradan Bay and the Ahmetli, Selcuk- Pamucak, Foca-Alsanburnu, Seferihisar-Catalkaya and Urla-Zeytinler coasts for these escapes. We take 24 hours a day measures in these regions.''

Pointing out that they also seized one lorry, one boat and three automobiles together with these illegal immigrants, Colonel Korkut said, ''the capture of human smugglers in Istanbul as well has played an important role in the decrease in the number of escapes.''

[19] CELEBI, THE STATE MINISTER, EVALUATES DECISION OF EU: - ''RESPONDING WITH RETALIATION WON'T BE BENEFICIAL''

Responding to a question at the press conference, Celebi said, ''responding to the decision of the EU with retaliation wouldn't be beneficial for the solution of the issue.''

Stressing that Turkey should realize exports of meat in specified amounts from the EU within the framework of her commitments in the Customs Union agreement with the EU, Celebi said, ''while the imports of meat aren't allowed, there is now an illegal entrance of nearly three million live stock into Turkey. Most of these animals are diseased and this was proven by the laboratories in the United Kingdom and France. This entrance threatens the health of people.''

Noting that Turkey should review her stock-breeding policy, Celebi said, ''thus I accept that the EU was right in its implementation. We have made a mistake on this issue. We have to correct this.''

[20] EXPORTS TO EU COUNTRIES - EXPORTS FROM SOUTHEAST IN FIRST HALF INCREASE 20.7 PERCENT TO 52.3 MILLION US DOLLARS

The exports from the region in the same period in 1997 were 43 million 363 thousand US dollars.

The officials from the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Unions said that they exported 799 thousand US dollars in animal products; 927 thousand US dollars in grain-cereals; 10 million 528 thousand US dollars in dried fruits and 40 million 96 thousand US dollars in textiles to the EU countiers in the Jaunary-June 1998 period.

Officials said that a total of 20 million 670 thousand in goods were exported to Italy, which was followed by Germany with 7 million 318 thousand US dollars and by Britain with 4 million 858 thousand US dollars.

Meanwhile, dried apricots, cotton thread, synthetic thread, pistachio nuts, sheep intestines, cotton, woven and synthetic fabrics and towels, macaroni, biscuits, chocolates, cakes, candies and dried beans were exported to the EU countries in the same period.

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