Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-07-15

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

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

15 JULY 1998

CONTENTS

[01] TOPRAKBANK REDUCES INTEREST RATES - ETIBANK DECREASES CAR LOAN INTEREST RATES

[02] ILLER BANK TO OPEN TENDER FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SEWER SYSTEM IN CIKCEKDAGI WITH ESTIMATED COST OF 1.5 TRILLION LIRAS

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

[04] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN ALBANIA

[05] TURKEY'S REACTION TO GREEK SPOKESMAN - ATACANLI, FM DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''WE CONSIDER THE EXPRESSION'S OF REPPAS ABOUT MR. DENKTAS AS UGLY'' ''REPPAS ONCE AGAIN DESERVED TO BE COMDEMNED BY HIS EXPRESSIONS WHICH ARE CONTRARY TO DIPLOMATIC ETIQUETTE''

[06] CENSURE MOTION AGAINST YILMAZ TO BE DISCUSSED IN PARLIAMENT

[07] OZER CILLER, HUSBAND OF TANSU CILLER, QUESTIONED AFTER LETTER ROGATORY FROM HIGH CRIMINAL COURT NO.3

[08] TERRORIST ATTACK IN ASKALE - PRESIDENT DEMIREL HARSHLY CONDEMNS TERRORIST ATTACK

[09] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM MEETS MILO, ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

[10] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[11] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[12] ENEREM, OSCE PARLIAMENTARIAN ASSEMBLY TURKISH GROUP CHAIRMAN ''ALL DRAFT RESOLUTIONS AGAINST TURKEY REJECTED IN THIS YEARS' OSCE MEETING''

[13] RESULTS OF BUDGET IMPLEMENTATIONS IN FIRST HALF

[14] TERRORISTS KILL 2 FIRST LIEUTENANTS, 8 SOLDIERS, AND 7 VILLAGE GUARDS IN KAMISLI VILLAGE

[15] GURKAN, CHP IZMIR DEPUTY RESIGNS FROM HIS PARTY

[16] ADANA AGAIN SHAKEN BY TWO MILD EARTHQUAKES

[17] SUNA INAN KIRAC FOUNDATION REQUESTS TO UNDERTAKE RESTORATION AND REPAIR OF SANTA CLAUS (SAINT NICHOLAS) CHURCH IN DEMRE

[18] LAURA PAPI, ANALYST OF GERMAN DEUTSCHE BANK FOR TURKEY: - ''ISSUE OF CIVIL SERVANTS' SALARIES WILL BE THE FIRST EXAM FOR TURKEY''

[19] EUROPEAN UNION-TURKEY - AUSTRIAN TERM PRESIDENCY DICLOSES ACTIVITY REPORT

[20] TURK TICARET BANK AND BAYINDIR BANK REDUCE THEIR RATES OF INTEREST

[21] THE LANDS BELONGING TO TURKS IN SYRIA - THE PROFITS OF THE LANDS BELONGING TO 2,500 TURKS WHICH ARE NATIONALIZED AREN'T PAID - IN SPITE OF THE EXISTENCE OF REAL ESTATE AGREEMENT BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA, THE PROBLEM CONTINUES FOR 40 YEARS

[22] ACTORS AND ACTRESSES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO COME TOGETHER IN ANKARA - ''THIRD ANKARA THEATRE FESTIVAL'' TO BEGIN ON 19 NOVEMBER

[01] TOPRAKBANK REDUCES INTEREST RATES - ETIBANK DECREASES CAR LOAN INTEREST RATES

The Toprakbank said that it decreased the interest rate for one-month term TL deposits from 66 percent to 64 percent; three-month term TL deposits from 71 percent to 68 percent; six-month term TL deposits from 76 percent to 74 percent and one-year term TL deposits from 85 percent to 82 percent.

Meanwhile, the Turkish Etibank reduced its interest rates for car loans to be valid as of Wednesday.

The Etibank said that it dropped the three and six-month car loan interest rate from 6 percent to 5.60 percent; nine-month car loan interest rate from 6.15 percent to 5.75 percent; 12 month car loan interest rate from 6.65 percent to 5.75 percent; 18 month car loan interest rate from 6.65 percent to 6.25 percent and 24 month car loan interest rate from 6.90 percent to 6.50 percent.

[02] ILLER BANK TO OPEN TENDER FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SEWER SYSTEM IN CIKCEKDAGI WITH ESTIMATED COST OF 1.5 TRILLION LIRAS

According to the Iller Bank's announcement published in the Official Gazette, the tender will be carried out with the sealed bidding method.

The announcement said that the bid bond for the tender, which will be made on the estimated cost of 1.5 trillion Turkish Liras, is 45 billion Turkish Liras.

The specifications of the tender are available at the Iller Bank's Chairmanship of Accounts and Financial Affairs Department during working hours.

The bids should be submitted to the Iller Bank's General Document Service by 10:00 a.m. on 27 July 1998.

[03] 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, Kocbank, Sumerbank, 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 that every bank which wanted, could join this system, adding that with this partnership the number of ATMs of the 16 banks would increase to 500 and the number of cards would increase to one million and their aim is to increase the number of the ATMs to one thousand and cards to two million by the end of 1998.

[04] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN ALBANIA

Bilateral relations and improvement of these relations formed the focus point of the interdelegational talks which started under the chairmanship of President Suleyman Demirel and the Albanian Head of State Rexhep Meydani.

Establishment of a free trade region in Albania as well as construction of the Motorway of Eastern-Western corridor (8th Corridor) and participation of the Turkish companies in the tenders in Albania were also taken up in the meetings.

Overcoming problems in the repayment of the 15 million US dollar credit which the Turkish Eximbank opened for Albania, the joint business council meeting and environmental issues are among the issues on the agenda.

Meanwhile, it was also reported that the Albanian President Meydani requested Turkey's help in restructuring the Albanian Armed Forces.

In a written statement issued from the Albanian Foreign Ministry following a meeting between Demirel and Meydani, it was reported that being a President of a NATO member country, Meydani requested help from Demirel for the restructuring of the Albanian army and police.

The statement said that Demirel expressed readiness to meet all the requests of the Albanian side.

Demirel also met with Iskender Gjinusi, the Albanian Republic Assembly Chairman and said that Turkey closely followed what happened in Albania after it was transformed to a democratic regime.

Mentioning the Kosovo problem, Demirel said that the tragedy experienced in Bosnia-Herzegovina shouldn't be repeated here, ''everyone is responsible for preventing this. I appreciate the attitude of the Albanian Parliament which seeks a peaceful solution. I hope that the international community won't be late like it was in Bosnia.''

Gjinushi recalled that there was an ongoing armed clash in Kosovo and pointed out, ''we are concerned to this end and we want this problem to be solved. There is no parallelism between the incidents in the region and in Bosnia. The Albanian Parliament wants rights which were given to the other Yugoslav people to be given to the people of Kosovo.''

Demirel later attended a dinner given in his honor.

A total of four agreements on social security, communications with the TRT, mutual cooperation and technical aid agreements with the Anadolu Ajansi are expected to be signed.

Within the framework of the technical agreements signed between the Anadolu Ajansi and Albania, 24 computers will be donated to this country.

[05] TURKEY'S REACTION TO GREEK SPOKESMAN - ATACANLI, FM DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: ''WE CONSIDER THE EXPRESSION'S OF REPPAS ABOUT MR. DENKTAS AS UGLY'' ''REPPAS ONCE AGAIN DESERVED TO BE COMDEMNED BY HIS EXPRESSIONS WHICH ARE CONTRARY TO DIPLOMATIC ETIQUETTE''

Atacanlı, in a written statement in response to a question, said, ''the attitude of Turkey and the TRNC concerning the S-300 missiles has been very clear since the beginning. Turkey will take every required measure against any threat towards Turkey and the TRNC. Turkey won't permit the existing balances in the Eastern Mediterranean to be upset.''

Stating that they consider the expressions of Reppas about Denktas as ugly, Atacanlı said, ''the TRNC is an independent state, and Mr. Denktas is the elected President of this state. Turkey is very sensitive about continuing her relations with the TRNC as two sovereign equals, and always take the views and proposals of Mr. Denktas as a basis concerning Cyprus.''

''In spite of this, it is very difficult to say that the Greek Cypriot leader Clerides finds this opportunity,'' Atacanlı said, ''It is known by everybody that the Greek Cypriot administration purchased the S-300 missiles with the imposition of which country. In fact, it is a known fact that the decisions concerning Cyprus are made in Athens and the Greek Cypriots learn many of these from the press.''

''The Greek spokesman Reppas once again deserved to be condemned by his expressions which do not conform to diplomatic etiquette,'' Atacanlı said.

Reppas had claimed that Turkey was a ''war supporter'' and that the TRNC President Denktas was a ''puppet'' of Ankara.

Concerning the statements of Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz on a TV program who stressed that Turkey will take the necessary precautions in case the Greek Cypriots deploy the S-300 missiles on the island, Reppas had said, ''Turkey's intention is revealed. Turkey is an advocate of war, and Rauf Denktas is the puppet of Ankara.''

[06] CENSURE MOTION AGAINST YILMAZ TO BE DISCUSSED IN PARLIAMENT

Yasin Hatipoglu, the Acting Speaker of the Parliament, who chaired the session, following the votes of rejection by the ANAP, DSP and DTP said, ''there is no hesitation, the censure motion against Yilmaz will be taken onto the agenda.''

It was reported that 213 deputies used rejection votes, while 225 deputies used acceptance votes for the censure motion.

Hatiboglu said that discussions related to the Commission report about the renewal of the Parliamentary General Hall, couldn't be discussed during the working hours and that it would be negotiated on Wednesday.

According to Article 99 of the Constitution, the discussion day of the censure motion would be specified by the Consultation Commitee.

In order to oust the Council of Ministers and a minister, a vote of unconfidence of 276 deputies is required.

Meanwhile, it was reported that the Parliamentary Investigation motion against Ibrahim Gurdal, the Minister of Tourism, was rejected at the Parliamentary General Assembly.

The General Assembly secondly took 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, but decided to reject it.

Mustafa Dedeoglu, the Mugla Deputy of the True Path Party (DYP), said that Gurdal, the Minister of Tourism, instead of solving problems in the tourism sector, announced tourism areas in Istanbul and thus provided benefits for his supporters and to several circles.

[07] OZER CILLER, HUSBAND OF TANSU CILLER, QUESTIONED AFTER LETTER ROGATORY FROM HIGH CRIMINAL COURT NO.3

Ciller, who came to the Court with his lawyers Bulent Acar and Omer Asim Livanelioglu, testified for ten minutes.

Ozer Ciller said that he is a shareholder of the Marsan Holding but not the responsible person so he didn't have any responsibility for those offenses. Ciller said that they deposited the money, which was asked for payment, in order not to lead to a misunderstanding among the public, although there wasn't any unlawfulness after the executive proceeding. Ciller denied the accusations and asked for his acquittal.

Ciller, after his testimony, left the Ankara Courthouse.

The Aydin High Criminal Court demands a 13.5 year imprisonment for both Ciller and Mengi.

[08] TERRORIST ATTACK IN ASKALE - PRESIDENT DEMIREL HARSHLY CONDEMNS TERRORIST ATTACK

The Presidential Press Center said that President Demirel issued a message concerning the terrorist attack. Demirel said in his message, ''I felt very sorry for our five innocent citizens' losing their lives and one person being injured in the terrorist attack on Tokca Village. I harshly condemn this terrorist attack. I offer my condolences to the relatives of the victims.''

[09] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM MEETS MILO, ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

Sermet Atacanli, the Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman, said Milo once again stressed that the Kosovo issue was very important, adding that they expected Turkey's support on international platform with this objective.

Cem said that Turkey's attitude related to the Kosovo question was definite and that everybody should fulfill their obligations to stop the incidents in Kosovo from turning into the tragedy in Bosnia.

Cem pointed out that the question should be solved peacefully within the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and by avoiding violence, adding that Turkey expended every necessary effort to solve the question.

The ministers also discussed the obstacles which are confronting the repayment of the Eximbank credits. Cem said that new credit possibilities could be found if this problem is solved.

Recalling that the Turkish companies took over tenders in the construction of the eastern-western corridor, Cem said if opportunities are given to the Turkish businessmen, then momentum could be added to the other sectors.

Cem proceeded to the city of Tropoja on Wednesday where there were refugees from Kosovo.

There are approximately 11,000 people in the refugee camp who fled from Kosovo and are sheltering in Albania.

[10] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

DEMIREL IN ALBANIA
President Suleyman Demirel's two-day visit to Tirane, Albania, started yesterday. The agenda of the visit will mainly be the peaceful solution of the Kosovo problem and the development of Turkish-Albanian relations. During an official meeting with the Albanian President Rexhep Mejdani, Demirel said, ''we want a solution on which the international community will agree''. According to a statement made by the Albanian Foreign Ministry, Mejdani stated during the meeting that they wanted Turkey to assist in the reconstruction of the Albanian Armed Forces. Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, Nami Cagan, the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Yucel Seckiner, the Minister of State and many businessmen are accompanying Demirel. Following the meeting with Mejdani, Demirel met with Fatos Nano, the Albanian Prime Minister.

Demirel held a meeting also with Iskender Gjinusi, the Speaker of the Albanian National Assembly. Demirel pointed out during the meeting that the painful incidents experienced in Bosnia-Herzegovina shouldn't occur in Kosovo. Today Demirel will share a working breakfast with Sali Berisa, the former Albanian President, and later deliver a speech at the Albanian Parliament. After signing joint agreements, Demirel will return to Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/

NEW DEVELOPMENT IN MISSILE CRISIS
Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot Leader, noted yesterday that they had decided that the Russian-made S-300 missiles system would be deployed at Southern Cyprus in one stage and that they had conveyed this to Moscow. Clerides, who is in Moscow for an official visit, met with Boris Yeltsin, the Russian Head of State, and Yevgeni Primakov, the Foreign Minister two days ago. Clerides yesterday held a press conference regarding his meetings and said that the missiles would be delivered to the Greek Cypriot Administration on a specific date, but he didn't disclose just when that would be. Clerides stated that cooperation between Russia and the Greek Cypriot Administration would continue and if necessary new weapons would be purchased from Russia.

Clerides said,''However, if negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus problem resume and important developments are achieved in this process, then we can review the delivery date. Provided there is an agreement for the disarmament of Cyprus, we can cancel the contract. But even though we cancel the missile contract, we will certainly carry out our financial obligations towards Russia''.

/Cumhuriyet/

COOPERATION WITH ISRAEL
Uri Bar Ner, the Israeli Ambassador to Turkey, yesterday visited Ahat Andican, the Minister of State, regarding cooperation with Israel related to projects in the Turkish-Speaking Republics. Andican noted during the meeting that the Turkish-Israeli relations were further developing with each passing day and pointed out Turkey's importance in Israeli policies directed at the Central Asian and Turkish-Speaking Republics. Ner said, ''we want to see the Caspian oil transported through Turkey'' and added that Israel was closely interested in the energy issue in Central Asia. /Cumhuriyet/

AKIN: ''S-300 MISSILES ARE AIMED AT TURKEY''
Kenan Akin, the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said yesterday that the Russian-made S- 300 missiles to be deployed at southern Cyprus weren't aimed at the TRNC but at Turkey. Akin stressed that since the 1950s to 1974, when the Peace Operation was carried out, a human tragedy has been played out on Cyprus, but after the operation, peace arrived on the island. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKISH-MADE CORDLESS PHONE IN WORLD MARKETS
The Turkish Basari Electronics Company is going to sell the KAAN Dect 901 cordless phone which weighs 109 mg. to the world markets. The phones called ''Developed Cordless Phones'' (DECT) can only be produced in developed countries. The phone was first exhibited at the CeBIT'98 Technology Fair in Hannover, Germany. The Chairman of the company, Ferda Yildiz said that they aimed to become a giant İnternational company producing high technology. /Hurriyet/

TEKEL-R.J. REYNOLDS COOPERATION
Eyup Asik, the Minister of State, said that the Reytek Company, which was established last year with the cooperation of Tekel and J.R. Reynolds to produce American Virginia and Burley tobacco, was bringing in more foreign exchange. He added that it was planned to increase the production capacity of Reytek. /Hurriyet/

26 SEPARATISTS KILLED IN SOUTHEAST OPERATIONS
Twenty-six people have been killed during clashes between security forces and PKK terrorists in various places in the east and southeast. In recent operations, security forces killed 13 terrorists in the provinces of Van, Bingol, Tunceli, Hakkari,

Diyarbakir and Sirnak. A security forces member was also killed in the clashes.

In a separate incident, a group of terrorists raided a village last night in the eastern province of Erzurum, killing five civilians, including the village guard. Security forces in Van found the bodies of four terrorists when they returned to an area of conflict the night before. Meanwhile a group of terrorists unsuccessfully tried to raid a village in Bingol.

Three of them were killed by the village guards. /Milliyet-Hurriyet/

[11] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

JOURNALISTS SENTENCED BY MILITARY COURT
A Military Court has sentenced Yasar Kaplan, writer for the daily Akit newspaper, and Murat Balibey, editor-in-Chief of the same newspaper, to 14 months in prison each for carrying out activities detrimental to the relations between superior and subordinate officers and for weakening the respect of subordinates for superiors. /Milliyet-Sabah/

TENDER FOR PILOTLESS PLANES
To meet the needs of the Turkish Armed Forces a tender for long

and medium range ''Unmanned Aircraft'' is being opened. According to the news published by Defense News, a top US defense sector publication, invitations to bid have been sent to 17 firms in seven countries. These firms are invited to enter bids for the

350 million US dollar tender with a Turkish firm in a joint venture. /Milliyet/

KURDISH LEADERS GATHER AROUND PEACE TABLE
Mesut Barzani, the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Celal Talabani, the leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) will again meet around a peace table following the initiatives by the US.

In the delegation, which will be headed by David Walsh, the Deputy Chairman for the Middle East Desk of the US Department of State, British and Turkish representatives will also be present. The aim of this meeting is to bring the conflicts between the two regional forces to an end. /Milliyet/

GERMAN ECONOMIC DELEGATION IN ANKARA
Hans-Olaf Henkel, the Chairman of the German Industry Confederation, said yesterday that he was worried that

Turco-German relations could be damaged because of recent misunderstandings. During a press briefing about the German economic mission's contacts with Turkish officials in Ankara and Istanbul which are starting today, Henkel praised Turkey's burgeoning economy.

The representatives of the German Confederation will be received by President Suleyman Demirel, Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament Ankara. They will also meet with officials from the Turkish Association of Industrialists and Businessmen (TUSIAD) and the Turco-German Chambers of Industry and Trade, to exchange opinions about ways to intensify economic ties between the two countries. /Milliyet/

US WANTS MORATORIUM ON CYPRUS
Gen. Ismail Hakki Karadayi, the Chief of General Staff, who is currently visiting the United States, will be presented with a merit award by US officials at the Pentagon, the headquarters of the US Department of Defense in Washington, D.C. Although it is considered a farewell visit, a lot of political and military issues will be on the agenda for the meetings with Karadayi, US officials noted. The US officials will again suggest that Turkey should initiate a military moratorium on Cyprus to build a confidence on the island. The proposal is a part of the US efforts to halt the deployment of the Russian-made S-300 missiles by the Greek Cypriot administration, say the officials, noting that a Turkish initiative for a military moratorium could in return prompt the Greeks to be more agreeable on political and military issues.

/Milliyet/

GREEK BULLETIN'S CLAIMS ON TURKISH-ISRAELI MILITARY COOPERATION
According to a bulletin published by the Institution of Foreign Relations at the Panteion University in Greece, the Israeli F-16 warplanes regularly fly over the territory of the Greek Cypriot Administration for Turkish military interests. This is part of the intensifying cooperation between the Israeli and Turkish intelligence services, states the report.

Referring to the March 1998 edition of ''Defense News'', a US military magazine, the bulletin claims that the Greek Cypriot administration and Russia asked Israel not to intervene in the missiles issue, concerning the deployment of the Russian-made missiles by the Greek Cypriot Administration. /Milliyet/

SECURITY ADMINISTRATION REPORTS ON PKK
The General Directorate of Security Administration has issued a new report on the PKK terrorist organization. The report notes that the PKK offices in the Balkan countries guide the PKK activities in Turkey and that Abdullah ''Apo'' Ocalan is trying to make the Caucasus the second coordination center of the PKK. On the orders of ''Apo'', the PKK'S leading members have started contacts with the Russian and Armenian officials to increase their political activities in the Caucasus. /Milliyet/

[12] ENEREM, OSCE PARLIAMENTARIAN ASSEMBLY TURKISH GROUP CHAIRMAN ''ALL DRAFT RESOLUTIONS AGAINST TURKEY REJECTED IN THIS YEARS' OSCE MEETING''

Addressing a press conference staged at the Parliament, Enerem briefed about the seventh General Committee meeting of the OSCE held in Denmark between 7 and 10 July. Noting that as the Turkish group they performed a successful activity, Enerem recalled that Turkey became the target of many unjust and bad willed criticisms of the Western Parliamentarians in particular at the international forums.

Enerem said that all draft resolutions aimed and carried out for damaging the image of Turkey and the known exploitations were rejected in the OSCE General Committee meeting.

''Resolutions made in the Copenhagen Declaration and adopted in the OSCE General Committee, were discussed separately in the Political Affairs and Security, Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment, Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Problems Committees and voted.

Also, the tragedy in Kosovo occurring in the center of Europe was also discussed and a section, including the resolution on the issue, was included in the Copenhagen Declaration.

Enerem said that the OSCE's resolution about Kosovo was appropriate for the policy followed by the Turkish Government, adding that it aimed at protecting the rights of the Turkish minority in Kosovo.

[13] RESULTS OF BUDGET IMPLEMENTATIONS IN FIRST HALF

A total of 3 quadrillion 294 trillion TL were used for domestic and foreign interest payments from the budget whose deficit was 1 quadrillion 886 trillion TL.

The General Directorate of Accounts of the Ministry of Finance announced the results of the first six-month Budget Implementations in 1998.

According to the written statement, the rate of budget revenues meeting budget expenditures was 72.7 percent as of the end of June.

A total of 3 quadrillion 70 trillion TL of domestic and 224 trillion TL of foreign interest payments were realized from the budget. The budget surplus excluding interest was 1 quadrillion 408 trillion TL.

The consolidated budget revenues in the first half of 1998 increased 143.6 percent to 6 quadrillion 898 trillion TL compared to the same period in 1997.

During the January-June 1998 period, the personnel expenditures increased 93.5 percent to 1 quadrillion 685 trillion TL, other current expenditures grew 159.1 percent to 328 trillion TL, the investment expenditures inclined 63.6 percent to 235 trillion TL and the transfer expenditures increased 175.1 percent to 4 quadrillion 650 trillion TL.

The share of personnel expenditures in the total budget expenditures was 24.4 percent, the share of the other current expenditures was 4.8 percent, the share of investment expenditures was 3.4 percent and the share of transfer expenditures was 67.4 percent.

In the same period, the largest stake in the total transfer expenditures of 4 quadrillion 650 trillion TL was composed of domestic borrowing interest payments of 3 quadrillion 70 trillion TL.

The share of the domestic borrowing interest payments, which increased by 260.7 percent in the first half of 1998 compared with the same period last year, was 44.5 percent in the total expenditures.

In the first six months of 1998, the foreign debt interest payments increased 87.4 percent to 224 trillion TL, the transfers to the State Economic Enterprises grew 39.4 percent to 70 trillion TL, the State Operations Contribution Share inclined 47.8 percent to 12 trillion TL and the refusal and returns climbed 187.9 percent to 230 trillion TL.

The consolidated budget incomes increased 134.8 percent to 5 quadrillion 12 trillion TL in the first half of 1998 compared with the same period last year.

During the January-June 1998 period, the tax revenues increased 122 percent to 3 quadrillion 931 trillion TL, the normal incomes excluding tax grew 262.9 percent to 550 trillion TL, the special revenues and funds inclined 151.7 percent to 448 trillion TL and the supplementary budget equity revenues climbed 136.9 percent to 83 trillion TL.

[14] TERRORISTS KILL 2 FIRST LIEUTENANTS, 8 SOLDIERS, AND 7 VILLAGE GUARDS IN KAMISLI VILLAGE

Terrorists last night ambushed the team which patrols the area. In the clashes, 10 soldiers, including two first lieutenants, and 7 village guards died.

Wide range operations started in the region to capture the terrorists.

[15] GURKAN, CHP IZMIR DEPUTY RESIGNS FROM HIS PARTY

Addressing a press conference at the Parliament Gurkan said that he felt uneasy about the party system, the culture and the morals.

With the resignation of Gurkan, the number of deputies of the CHP decreased to 55 and the number of Independent Deputies increased to 12.

Thus the latest distribution of the seats in the Parliament is as follows:

FP........: 145
ANAP..: 138
DYP.....: 96
DSP......: 62
CHP......: 55
DTP......: 20
BBP......: 8
MHP.....: 3
DP........: 1
DEPAR.: 1
INDEP..: 12
VACANT: 9

[16] ADANA AGAIN SHAKEN BY TWO MILD EARTHQUAKES

The officials from the Kandilli Observatory said that the first quake with a preliminary magnitude of 3.4 on the Richter scale occured at 11:43 p.m. on Tuesday.

Officials said the earthquake, which was felt in Ceyhan county and the surrounding region of Adana, did not cause any damage.

The second mild earthquake shook Adana at 6:32 a.m. on Wednesday.

Officials said the second earthquake measuring 3.9 on the Richter scale did not cause any damage.

The number of aftershocks occured following the major earthquake on 27 June in Adana and the surrounding region reached 102 together with these latest quakes.

[17] SUNA INAN KIRAC FOUNDATION REQUESTS TO UNDERTAKE RESTORATION AND REPAIR OF SANTA CLAUS (SAINT NICHOLAS) CHURCH IN DEMRE

Muammer Karabulut, the Chairman of the Santa Claus Foundation, which earlier wanted to repair and restore the Church, said that they were making efforts to keep the Church out of politics and religious biases.

When the General Directorate of Monuments and Museums gave a ''negative'' response to the request of the Suna-Inan Kirac Foundation, Istemihan Talay, the Minister of Culture, sent this letter of application including the request to the General Directorate for the Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage for re-evaluation. The General Directorate said that the request of the Foundation for the transfer of title for 20 years was against the regulations.

Meanwhile, the Santa Claus Foundation proposed cooperation with the Ministry of Culture to save the Church as it was confronted with a great danger stemming from the problems in its drainage system. The Foundation had prepared a protocol including its proposal for cooperation and submitted it to the Ministry of Culture.

[18] LAURA PAPI, ANALYST OF GERMAN DEUTSCHE BANK FOR TURKEY: - ''ISSUE OF CIVIL SERVANTS' SALARIES WILL BE THE FIRST EXAM FOR TURKEY''

Responding to the questions of the A.A correspondent about the latest developments in Turkey's economy, Papi reminded that Turkey has undertaken to realize the macroeconomic objectives within the framework of the agreement.

Noting that Turkey's commitment to the mentioned agreement can positively influence the cost of the external debts, Papi noted that the IMF's banks loan to Russia will affect Turkey favorably.

According to the Turkish evaluation by the German Deutsche Bank, Turkey has provided an unexpected realization of the bugdet compared with the estimates of the IMF.

The Deutsche Bank noted that the average inflation will be 40 percent in Turkey in 1999 and the value of the US dollar will be 301.2 thousand Turkish Liras at the end of this year.

The German Deustsche Bank stressed that Turkey has great investment opportunities for the foreign investors.

[19] EUROPEAN UNION-TURKEY - AUSTRIAN TERM PRESIDENCY DICLOSES ACTIVITY REPORT

Addressing a meeting at the European Parliament (EP), Schussel informed about the activities of Austria related to the Term Presidency which she will carry out for six months.

Schussel said they attributed a great importance to Turkey's stability and her attitude of supporting Europe, adding that they would expend efforts to initiate dialgoue soon on Turkish-Cyprus, the Aegean and human rights issues.

Schussel said that the realization of the ''European Strategy for Turkey'' was one of the issues to which the Austrian term presidency attached importance.

Mentioning the Cyprus question in his speech Schussel said that the EU would continue efforts to initiate a peace process under the auspices of the UN.

Noting that the proposal to include the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in the full membership negotiations that will be held with the EU, Schussel said that full membership negotiations which the two sides would attend would positively affect the peace process.

Turkey, at the end of the Luxembourg Summit, in order to protest the exclusion of Turkey from the other candidate countries, and bringing the subjects of human rights and the Cyprus question as a pre-condition to develop relations, suspended the political dialogue with the EU.

Schussel said his country, during the term presidency, will give priority to problems like expansion, structural reforms, the common monetary unit and unemployement.

[20] TURK TICARET BANK AND BAYINDIR BANK REDUCE THEIR RATES OF INTEREST

Officials from both banks told the A.A correspondent that they have reduced interest rates for the Turkish Lira (TL) deposits by 1-3 points, which will be valid as of today.

The Turk Ticaret Bank has decreased its one-month deposit interest rate from 65 percent to 63 percent, its three-month deposit interest rate from 70 percent to 68 percent and its six-month deposit interest rate from 75 percent to 73 percent.

The Bayindir Bank has decreased its one-month deposit interest rate from 68 percent to 65 percent, its three-month deposit interest rate from 71 percent to 70 percent, its six-month deposit interest rate from 80 percent to 77 percent, and per annum deposit interest rate from 85 percent to 83 percent.

[21] THE LANDS BELONGING TO TURKS IN SYRIA - THE PROFITS OF THE LANDS BELONGING TO 2,500 TURKS WHICH ARE NATIONALIZED AREN'T PAID - IN SPITE OF THE EXISTENCE OF REAL ESTATE AGREEMENT BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA, THE PROBLEM CONTINUES FOR 40 YEARS

Sources told the A.A that the problem couldn't be solved even though it was brought onto the agenda by all the Turkish governments since then.

In response to the attitude of Syria, Turkey nationalized 397,779 hectares of land belonging to Syrians in Turkey, taking into consideration the related laws.

These lands are rented in Turkey by National Real Estate Directorate, and the profit is collected in a fund.

The officials said that the Turkish government approved the Turkey-Syria Real Estate Agreement in 1983. Following this, a delegation of 40 people, including two ministers from Syria, visited Ankara, and signed an agreement to return the lands which are less than 600 hectares to their owners. However, the protocol which had to be implemented on 31 March 1983, was rejected by Syria.

The 2,500 Turkish families, who wanted to have their own lands and to obtain the profit of the crops on their lands, asked for the allocation of the lands in Turkey belonging to the Syrians until the problem is solved, and their losses are compensated.

[22] ACTORS AND ACTRESSES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO COME TOGETHER IN ANKARA - ''THIRD ANKARA THEATRE FESTIVAL'' TO BEGIN ON 19 NOVEMBER

Along with the amateur theatres, several professional theatres such as the Friends Theatre, the Ankara Art Theatre and the Turkish Folk Theatre, will take part in the performances.

Ankara will host theatre groups from the United Kingdom, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Azerbaijan during ten-day festival.

Within the framework of the festival several panel discussions, seminars, and talks will be organized along with the theatre plays.

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