Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-07-23

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

23 JULY 1998

CONTENTS

[01] SUSSMUTH, SPEAKER OF GERMAN FEDERAL PARLIAMENT, IN ANKARA - SUSSMUTH VISITS CEM, FOREIGN MINISTER

[02] THE WHITE HOUSE: ''TURKEY DIDN'T INVADE CYPRUS''

[03] AN INTERESTING OFFER FROM ISRAEL - MAJER, ISRAELI TRADE ATTACHE: - ''YOU CAN EXPORT TO THE US VIA ISRAEL, THERE IS NO CUSTOMS OR QUOTA OBSTACLE''

[04] A SLIGHT QUAKE SHAKES HATAY FOR THE SECOND TIME

[05] DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE STRAITS CONTINUE AT IMO - TURKEY PROPOSES TO IMPLEMENT SYSTEM OF ''REPORTING'' AT THE STRAITS, WHILE GREECE OPPOSES IT

[06] THE DRAFT LAW ON TAX REFORM ADOPTED BY PARLIAMENT WITH 219 VOTES AGAINST 79 - THE TAX LAW MAKES CHANGES IN 12 TAX CODES

[07] TAX REFORM LAW - TEMIZEL, FINANCE MINISTER: ''LAW WILL CONTRIBUTE TO STRUGGLE AGAINST INFLATION''

[08] NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL TO MEET IN ISTANBUL ON 24 JULY

[09] 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LAUSANNE TREATY - REPUBLIC OF TURKEY WINS HER FIRST SUCCESS ON INTERNATIONAL PLATFORM WITH THE LAUSANNE TREATY

[10] TOWARDS WIND ENERGY - GUCBIRLIGI HOLDING AND LOCKHEED MARTIN ESTABLISH A JOINT COMPANY WITH A CAPITAL OF 335 BILLION TL

[11] SPANISH PRIME MINISTER AZNAR MEETS WITH TURKISH BUSINESSMEN

[12] TURKEY-TRNC PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL - PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF THE TRNC RECEIVES TURKISH DELEGATION

[13] COURT OF APPEALS CHIEF PROSECUTION ASKS FOR THE APPROVAL OF 33 DEATH SENTENCES GIVEN CONCERNING THE SIVAS CASE

[14] OPERATION IN DIKILI COUNTY OF IZMIR - 12 MEMBERS OF ILLEGAL ''COMMUNIST PARTY-FORMATION ORGANIZATION'' CAPTURED

[15] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[16] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[17] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (3)

[18] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (4)

[19] CORSTEN, CHAIRMAN OF ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD OF INTERNATIONAL TOURISM UNION: - ''TURKISH TOURISM WILL APPREHEND THE RECORD IN 1997'' - ''TOURISM QUALITY IN TURKEY HASN'T CHANGED''

[20] PRIME MINISTER PRODI OF ITALY DUE IN TURKEY

[21] A SLIGHT QUAKE SHAKES ADANA PROVINCE

[22] CETIN, SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT, MEETS WITH SUSSMUTH, SPEAKER OF GERMAN FEDERAL PARLIAMENT - CETIN: ''TURKEY GIVES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO RELATIONS WITH GERMANY, BUT SHE WILL WORK ON IMPROVING TURKISH DEMOCRACY WITH OR WITHOUT EUROPE''

[23] PRESIDENT DEMIREL DUE IN TRNC ON SATURDAY

[01] SUSSMUTH, SPEAKER OF GERMAN FEDERAL PARLIAMENT, IN ANKARA - SUSSMUTH VISITS CEM, FOREIGN MINISTER

Sussmuth met with Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister. Addressing the meeting Cem noted that he is very pleased to host Sussmuth, and added that Sussmuth's visit to Turkey will be useful for further improving the relations between Turkey and Germany.

Describing the meeting as productive and friendly, Cem pointed out that several issues concerning both countries were discussed at the meeting.

Rita Sussmuth said that they give great importance to the relations with Turkey. She noted that the Turks living in Germany should vote in the elections both in Turkey and in Germany.

Thomas Kossendey, the Chairman of Turkish-German Friendship Group in the German Parliament and Leyla Onur, the Deputy Chairman of the Group, also take part in the accompanying delegation.

Hans Joachim Vergau, the German Ambassador to Turkey, gave a dinner in honour of Sussmuth and the accompanying delegation.

Sussmuth's visit to Turkey is significant for normalizing the relations between the two countries that became tense after the mutual statements of Prime Minister Helmut Kohl of Germany and Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz.

[02] THE WHITE HOUSE: ''TURKEY DIDN'T INVADE CYPRUS''

A Greek journalist claimed that ''Turkey invaded Cyprus 24 years ago illegally by using American weapons,'' and asked Michael McCurry, the White House Press Secretary for comments on this issue.

After laughing for sometime, Michael McCurry used the word ''conflict'' for the events which occurred in 1974 on the island.

McCurry said, ''24 years has passed since 1974 and this shows the fact that the time has come to solve this problem,'' adding that this has to be realized through consultations with the concerned sides and those who launch efforts in the international community for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

''Was it a conflict or invasion,'' asked the same Greek journalist to McCurry, who responded to him by saying ''this was a conflict. The thing which is necessary on the island is less conflict and more opportunity to overcome the divergence of opinion between the two sides.''

Referring to the meeting between Samuel Berger, the Assistant to the US President for National Security and General Ismail Hakkı Karadayı, the Chief of General Staff last week, Michael McCurry stated, ''the issues concerning the Aegean and NATO were discussed,'' stressing that Turkey is a close NATO ally.

[03] AN INTERESTING OFFER FROM ISRAEL - MAJER, ISRAELI TRADE ATTACHE: - ''YOU CAN EXPORT TO THE US VIA ISRAEL, THERE IS NO CUSTOMS OR QUOTA OBSTACLE''

Addressing the meeting at the Bursa Chamber of Trade and Industry BTSO), requested businessmen from Bursa to engage in more trade with Israel.

Pointing out that Turkey is a significant exporter in the fields such as textiles, automotive industry and food, but the quotas of the EU and the US create difficulties for her, Majer stressed that Israel has been exporting freely for nine years in accordance with the Free Trade Agreement signed in 1990.

Adding that Israel has signed a similar agreement with Canada and will sign another one with Mexico, Majer noted that Israel has exports of 43 billion US dollars and imports of 31 billion US dollars.

Majer said, ''we aim to sign free trade agreements with all the South American countries in the coming years. If you have difficulties in exports, do your exports via Israel. There are no quota or customs obstacles.''

Marie France Majer also emphasizing that the relations between Turkey and Israel have accelerated since the Gulf War and the collapse of the USSR.

Mutlu Uraz, the Chairman of the Bursa Chamber of Trade and Industry, said that Bursa realizes exports of 10 million US dollars to Israel annually, and this amount is below the potentials of the two countries.

[04] A SLIGHT QUAKE SHAKES HATAY FOR THE SECOND TIME

The Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory Earthquake Research Institute officials told the A.A correspondent that the epicenter of the earthquake measuring 3.6 on the Richter Scale, was Samandag County.

A slight earthquake measuring 3.6 on the Richter Scale had occurred in Hatay Province on Wednesday morning.

No casualties or financial damages were reported.

[05] DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE STRAITS CONTINUE AT IMO - TURKEY PROPOSES TO IMPLEMENT SYSTEM OF ''REPORTING'' AT THE STRAITS, WHILE GREECE OPPOSES IT

Greece rejects the proposal of Turkey, which thinks to implement the system of ''reporting'' at the Straits, by claiming ''this will be contrary to the conditions of Montreux Treaty.'' Turkey stresses that the IMO isn't the place to discuss the Montreux Treaty, recalling that the organization has the mission of discussing and reaching results concerning only the technical issues.

The proposal of Turkey foresees notification of the flag, amount and quality of the load, features of the ship, the time and duration of the passage by the ship before its passage through the Straits. This notification will be made to the institution which administrates the traffic at the Straits.

Turkey adds that the arrangement of traffic at the Straits will be possible and the security of the environment and navigation will be provided with this system.

Discussions will continue until the IMO Working Group on Ship Coursing decides on Thursday evening whether or not to write a report about the Straits. If the Working Group decides to discuss the issue at the coming meetings, then a report won't be written.

If the Working Group prepares a report, then this is expected to be discussed by the General Council of the IMO Sub Committee of Navigation Security on Friday. The report will be voted on together with the other reports submitted at the General Council meeting the same day.

[06] THE DRAFT LAW ON TAX REFORM ADOPTED BY PARLIAMENT WITH 219 VOTES AGAINST 79 - THE TAX LAW MAKES CHANGES IN 12 TAX CODES

The discussions held at the Parliament about the draft law on the tax reform, started on 17 June 1998 and ended on 22 July.

The description of ''income'' is renewed, the tax proportions of salaried persons is decreased by 5 points retroactive to 1 July 1998 with the new tax law, which also urges soccer players to pay income tax which varies with a rate between 25 to 45 percent.

The lowest tax rate which is applied to the income of salaried persons will decrease from 25 percent to 20 percent retroactive to 1 July 1998 and it will decrease to 15 percent starting as of 1 January 1999.

Persons who attempt to evade taxes will be liable to pay a fine of 75 million Turkish Liras, while higher-income merchants, who don't give information or who don't present tax ledgers and documents when asked will be held liable to pay a fine of 100 million Turkish Liras and lower-income merchants, farmers, whose income can be easily determined will have to pay a fine of 50 million Turkish Liras in a similar situation.

The tax reform also foresees the punishment of administrators of public institutions, if they refrain from giving information. They will be liable to pay a fine of 25 million Turkish Liras in such a case.

The tax reform foresees to sentence those persons who cheat or conceal tax ledgers and records, from six months to three years imprisonment.

The Tax Administration will search for ways to reach a compromise with the taxpayer concerning his/her unpaid taxes and punishments.

The law brings down the ranges of income tax from 25-55 percent to between 15 and 40 percent next year. Corporate taxes will rise from 25 to 30 percent, but there will be no changes in the rates of value added tax (VAT), which range between one and 40 percent according to the product.

The tax reform also foresees the establishment of a ''Finance Higher Education Centre'' which will teach modern administration techniques to the personnel of the Ministry of Finance.

[07] TAX REFORM LAW - TEMIZEL, FINANCE MINISTER: ''LAW WILL CONTRIBUTE TO STRUGGLE AGAINST INFLATION''

Addressing the Parliament following the adoption of the law, Temizel noted, ''We have worked out a tax system which we sincerely believe will play a large role in restoring Turkey's economy and struggling against inflation.''

Temizel pointed out that they will provide detailed information to the public in the coming days, and thanked the deputies for their contributions to the law.

[08] NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL TO MEET IN ISTANBUL ON 24 JULY

The monthly meeting of the National Security Council will focus on the internal and external security issues.

[09] 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LAUSANNE TREATY - REPUBLIC OF TURKEY WINS HER FIRST SUCCESS ON INTERNATIONAL PLATFORM WITH THE LAUSANNE TREATY

The story of the Lausanne Treaty began just after the Mudros Armistice. The Parliament determined in a secret session the delegation that would join the Lausanne Conference on 2 October 1922. Ismet Inonu, the Foreign Minister at that time, expressed the method that would be followed at the Conference to the deputies on 3 October with the words, ''the National Pact of 1920, and the agreements will form the basis of our actions at the conference.'' The delegation lead by Ismet Inonu, went to Lausanne by train on 11 October 1922. Inonu pointed out the determination of the young republic in a speech at Paris on 15 October, ''we are in Lausanne in order to make peace with the countries that are at war with Turkey. The only aim of our struggle is nothing other than full independence.''

The Lausanne Conference began on 20 October. The Turkish delegation composed of Riza Nur, the Deputy from Sinop, Hasan Saka, the Deputy from Trabzon, and Ismet Inonu, joined the first session on 21 October, but the Conference was interrupted for a while after the negotiations which lasted for two months.

The Entente Countries decided at the meeting in London on 31 March 1923 to request the Republic of Turkey to send a delegation to Lausanne again. The delegation went to Lausanne on 18 April in order to restart the negotiations.

The historical agreement was signed between the Turkish government and the Entente Countries on 24 July 1923.

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk expressed the importance of the agreement to the Turkish Nation, ''the agreement takes our full national independence under guarantee. This gives us the greatest happiness.''

The young Republic of Turkey put her signature on a great success with the Lausanne Treaty.

[10] TOWARDS WIND ENERGY - GUCBIRLIGI HOLDING AND LOCKHEED MARTIN ESTABLISH A JOINT COMPANY WITH A CAPITAL OF 335 BILLION TL

Within this framework, the Gucbirligi Holding and the Lockheed Martin Investment Holding have established a joint company named ''Ares Alacati Wind Powerhouse Industry and Trade Company'' with a capital of 335 billion Turkish Liras (TL).

The Gucbirligi Holding and Lockheed Martin Holding have equal shares in the company based in Izmir Province.

The company will construct wind powerhouses, operate the powerhouses and sell the energy in accordance with the model of autoproductor or the build- operate model.

[11] SPANISH PRIME MINISTER AZNAR MEETS WITH TURKISH BUSINESSMEN

Uzeyir Garih, a businessmen told the A.A correspondent after the meeting that Aznar wants to increase the trade volume between the two countries to two billion US dollars, adding that the Turkish businessmen told Aznar that the commercial relations between the two countries should be carried out in a balanced manner.

Garih said that the Guest Prime Minister told the Turkish businessmen that the two governments will open the course to further improve the commerce and cooperation between Turkey and Spain, but the main responsibility lies in the hands of the businessmen.

Recalling that Spain extended support concerning the joining of Turkey to the Customs Union with the European Union (EU), Garih said Aznar is positive about the membership of Turkey in the EU.

Responding to a question, Garih stated that Spain has developed industrial and financial opportunities, adding that the cooperation between Turkey and Spain can also be realized particularly in the Central Asian and third countries.

The existing situation and business opportunities, the privatization programme in Turkey and the opportunities for cooperation between Turkey and Spain in third countries will be discussed during the Turkish-Spanish Business Council meeting, which started after this meeting.

[12] TURKEY-TRNC PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL - PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF THE TRNC RECEIVES TURKISH DELEGATION

Addressing the journalists at the Ercan Airport, Gurel said that those who make unrealistic plans about the future of the island, will draw back because of the determined attitudes of Turkey and the TRNC.

Reminding that the first meeting of the Council was held last March, Gurel pointed out that the second meeting will focus on the economic issues along with the latest developments on the island. Gurel stressed that Turkey insists on protecting peace and stability in the region and the interests of the TRNC on the island.

Welcoming the members of the delegation at the airport, Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu of the TRNC told the reporters that the Partnership Council to be held in Lefkosa will give meaningful messages to the world. He added that the relations between the two countries develop continuously.

The members of the delegation were later received by President Rauf Denktas of the TRNC.

Addressing the meeting, Denktas expressed his happiness to host the meeting of the council.

Sukru Sina Gurel said that the relations will be further improved between Turkey and the TRNC in every field.

[13] COURT OF APPEALS CHIEF PROSECUTION ASKS FOR THE APPROVAL OF 33 DEATH SENTENCES GIVEN CONCERNING THE SIVAS CASE

The verdict of the State Security Court in Ankara were appealed and the file came before the Court of Appeals.

The Chief Prosecution of the Court of Appeals asked for the approval of the State Security Court verdict, which sentenced 33 suspects to the death penalty, imprisonment of four suspects for 20 years, one suspect for 15 years, 26 suspects for seven and half years and one suspect for five years.

The Chief Prosecution also asked for the approval of the acquittal of 14 suspects, while it asked for the release of one suspect, who was sentenced to five years imprisonment by the State Security Court.

The indictment of the Chief Prosecution doesn't bind the Court of Appeals.

[14] OPERATION IN DIKILI COUNTY OF IZMIR - 12 MEMBERS OF ILLEGAL ''COMMUNIST PARTY-FORMATION ORGANIZATION'' CAPTURED

The Anti-Terrorism Office in Izmir said that 12 members of the illegal organization including the so-called general secretary of the organization who was working in Belgium, were captured in a cell villa with three weapons, bullets and organizational documents.

The Communist-Party Formation Organization separated from the illegal Marxist Lenist Communist Party Organization (MLKP) in 1995, by ''saying that the struggle of the organization is wrong.''

[15] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

NEW IRANIAN AMBASSADOR SENDS LETTER TO TURKISH PARLIAMENTARIANS
Huseyin Lavasani, the new Iranian Ambassador to Turkey, states in a letter, sent to all the Turkish MPs, that Iran wants to open a new era in Turkish- Iranian relations. In the five-page letter, which he sent with the approval of Mohammad Khatami, the Iranian President, he asks the Turkish MPs to help improve relations between Turkey and Iran. /Hurriyet/

TURKEY VOICES CONCERNS ABOUT STRAITS
Despite obstructive efforts by the Greek and Russian officials, the Turkish officials attending a meeting of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London yesterday, succeeded in including Turkish concerns about the Turkish straits in an international report. In the current London meeting, the Turkish officials pointed out that a report on the Turkish straits must be absolutely just and balanced. Other participants accepted the Turkish argument that the Turkish concerns on this issue mustn't be ignored. /Hurriyet

TURKEY PREPARES ALTERNATIVE EU REPORT
Written by a group of officials from several ministries led by Sukru Sina Gurel, the Minister of State, and submitted to the Council of Ministers, a report on ''Strategies for Developing EU-Turkey Relations'' criticizes a ''strategy report'' by the European Commission released in March 1998. In a statement to the Hurriyet newspaper, Gurel said that their report aims to emphasize the obligations of both sides. The report, which has been sent to the EU member countries, generally deals with technical and economic issues with reference to their impact on Turkey-EU relations. /Hurriyet/

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE GIVES AQUACULTURE PRODUCTS UNDERTAKING
During a briefing about his ministry's work over the past year, Mustafa Tasar, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, said yesterday that a file including all the details about an EU commission's decision to stop Turkey's aquaculture products exports to the EU countries and a letter in which Turkey undertakes further responsibilities were sent on 17 July to the EU by his ministry which wants the EU to review its decision. /Hurriyet/

GERMAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER IN ANKARA
Rita Sussmuth, the German Speaker of the Federal Parliament, arrived yesterday in Ankara for a two day official visit. Sussmuth met with Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister. She will also meet today with President Suleyman Demirel and Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament. /Hurriyet/

FRENCH TOURISTS VISIT TURKEY
It is reported that the number of French tourists visiting Turkey has increased compared with the previous years. According to a statement made by the Adviser of the Paris Tourism Office, the number of French tourists, which was 143,068 during the first six months of 1997, increased 29.4 percent and reached 185,181 in the corresponding period this year. The statement said that 45,000 French tourists visited Turkey in June alone, an 18 percent increase when compared with the same month of last year. /Sabah/

ARMENIANS ALSO CELEBRATING 75TH YEAR OF REPUBLIC OF TURKEY
Turkey's Armenians will also participate in the celebrations organized for the 75th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey. Archbishop Mesrob Mutafyan, the Deputy Patriarch of Turkey's Armenian community, heading a meeting organized to evaluate activities conducted by the Armenian Patriarchate in Turkey, said, ''the Armenians in Turkey will certainly share in celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey. We have grown up as the children of this Republic. Therefore to celebrate her foundation is our national duty''. /Sabah/

[16] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

JAPANESE PRINCESS AT ANITKABIR
Japanese Princess Akiko, the daughter of the Japanese Prince Tomohito Mikasa, visited yesterday the Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey. Princess Akiko laid a wreath at the Mausoleum and signed the Anitkabir Special Visitor's Book and then toured the Anitkabir Museum. /Sabah/

FOUR NEW SUBMARINES FOR TURKISH NAVY
The Turkish Naval Force will order four new submarines from the German HDW Company. It was stated by the Navy representatives that the Defense Ministry had reached an agreement yesterday with the German company for four new submarines, each of them weighing 1.4 thousand tons. The agreement was signed by Lieutenant-General Tuncer Kılınc, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of National Defense, and Dirk Rathjens, the Director of the HDW. Ismet Sezgin, the Minister of National Defense and Vice-Admiral Salim Dervisoglu, the Commander of the Naval Forces also attended the signing ceremony. /Sabah/

TWO PKK TERRORISTS KILLED IN RIZE
Operations carried out by the Turkish Armed Forces against the PKK terrorist organization are also continuing in the Black Sea region. During operations carried out for 15 days against the PKK terrorists in Rize, one terrorist was killed last week and one who was injured, fled. During operations two days ago in the rural areas of Kalkandere in Rize, two terrorists were killed and two others were captured. /Sabah/

HEROIN OPERATION IN BOLU
During operations carried out by the Gendarmerie in Dikmeli Village, Bolu, eight grammes of heroin were seized. Follow-up operations led, however, to the discovery of 843 kilogrammes of Indian hemp and 6.4 kilogrammes of heroin with a market value of 2.5 billion TL. /Sabah/

ADDITIONAL SECURITY MEASURES IN AEGEAN
It is reported that following an implementation which prohibits holding military exercises in the Aegean until August, representatives from Turkey and Greece are expected to come together to discuss additional ''Confidence- Building Measures in the Aegean''. Turkey conveyed a note to Greece calling for peace on 12 February proposing the implementation of the Confidence- Building Measures which were agreed upon by Turkey and Greece in 1988. /Sabah/

FAREWELL CEREMONY FOR NAVAL MILITARY ACADEMY STUDENTS
A farewell ceremony was held yesterday for students from the Tuzla Naval Military Academy, about to join a intensive training programme off the coasts of France, Spain, Tunisia and Portugal. The students will return to Turkey on 20 August. /Cumhuriyet/

BOEINGS FOR THY
Boeing, unable to deliver 49 Boeing 737-800 type aircraft with a 155 passenger capacity to the Turkish Airlines (THY), have sent two MD-90 aircraft for a temporary utilization. The THY officials noted yesterday that the two aircraft would be in service in two or three days' time. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKISH MEMBER FOR IPRA
Ceyda Aydede has been elected to the executive board of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA). The election to office was held in London last week. Aydede will carry out her official duties for two years. /Cumhuriyet/

[17] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (3)

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

FOREIGN TRADE PARTNERS
Turkey's foreign trade rose to 29,537 billion US dollars during the first five months of this year. The US, Germany, Italy, France and Britain are the leading countries on the list. Italy's share increased from 7.8 percent to 8 percent, while the US share rose from 9.6 percent to 9.7 percent, France from 5.3 percent to 6 percent and that of Britain from 5.5 percent to 5.9 percent. /Cumhuriyet/

EXPORTS FROM SOUTHEAST TO US
Agricultural products worth 7,588 million US dollars were exported from the Southeastern Anatolia Region to the US, a 15.3 percent increase, during the first six months of this year. /Cumhuriyet/

AZNAR: ''EU CONDITIONS FOR TURKEY SHOULD BE EQUAL''
Jose Maria Aznar, the Spanish Prime Minister, on an official visit to Turkey, stressed on Wednesday that Turkey's European Union (EU) membership bid shouldn't be dependent on criteria different from the parameters applied to the other 11 aspirants. As a result of face-to-face talks between the delegations from the two countries, Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and his Spanish counterpart Aznar signed a joint action plan which emphasized the intention of the two parties to boost bilateral relations, particularly in the economic and commercial realm. The two sides agreed that the Turco-Spanish Joint Economic Council will gather in Madrid between 19-20 October to outline further joint economic strategies. Commenting on the state of bilateral political relations, both Yilmaz and Aznar expressed satisfaction and pledged to jointly struggle against terrorism, organized crime, drug-trafficking and illegal immigration. The Spanish Premier was yesterday received by President Suleyman Demirel and in the morning he visited Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of Atatürk. Today he is scheduled to participate in a meeting of Turkish and Spanish businessmen in Istanbul and then leave for Spain. /Milliyet/Sabah/

CEM: ''TURKEY SEEKING PIVOTAL ROLE IN EURASIA''
Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, speaking at a presentation of the Foreign Ministry's new ''Turkey and the World in 2010-2020'' report, said that Turkey would ''seek a pivotal economic and political role in Eurasia''. Cem added that Turkey was no longer confined to the outskirts of Europe, but was emerging as a global power. Turkey aimed at being the central and determinative country in ''the emerging Eurasian reality'', said Cem adding that the new climate after the Cold War had provided Turkey with a great number of opportunities. The report, presented on Wednesday, draws a rosy picture concerning Turkey's economic development in the next two decades and predicts that she will become one of the five major economies within the OECD. /Sabah/Milliyet/

''SPRING'' IN TURKISH-GREEK ECONOMIC RELATIONS
There is ''a feeling of spring'' in Turkish and Greek economic relations despite the tension between Ankara and Athens regarding the Aegean and Cyprus issues. Turkish and Greek businessmen have enlivened economic relations by ''getting closer by cooperating''. The trade volume between the two countries was 308 million US dollars in 1994 whereas it reached 725 million US dollars at the end of 1997. It is expected that it will have increased three-fold by the end of 1998. /Milliyet/

[18] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (4)

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

NSC TO MEET IN ISTANBUL
An ordinary meeting of the National Security Council will be held tomorrow in Istanbul. Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, Gen. Ismail Hakkı Karadayı, the Chief of General Staff, Bulent Ecevit, the Deputy Prime Minister, the ministers and force commanders will come together under the chairmanship of President Suleyman Demirel. It has been announced that security at civilian airports, domestic security and terrorism, and the Aegean and Cyprus issues are going to be on the agenda of the meeting. After the meeting President Demirel will attend a graduation ceremony at the Military Academy. /Milliyet/

BRITAIN ASKS GREEK CYPRIOTS TO CANCEL DEPLOYMENT OF MISSILES
Tony Blair, the British Prime Minister, has sent a message to Glafcos Clerides, the leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration, requesting him to cancel the deployment of the Russian-made S-300 missiles on the island in order to prevent a further increase in the tension between Ankara and Athens. Sir David Hannay, the British Special Envoy to Cyprus, who handed the message to Clerides, also wants the Greek Cypriot administration to lift the embargo imposed on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), restart the Cyprus negotiations and have the Turkish Cypriots agree to attend the European Union (EU) membership negotiations.

Meanwhile the French daily newspaper, Le Figaro, claimed yesterday that there would be the risk of war on the island if the S-300 missile crisis isn't solved. The newspaper noted, however, that both Greece and Turkey have tried hard to find a way to solve the problem. /Milliyet/

ALIYEV SUPPORTS BAKU-CEYHAN OIL PIPELINE
Haydar Aliyev, the Azerbaijani President, who is still in Britain for an official visit, said yesterday at the Royal Institute of International Relations that they preferred the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline project for transporting the Caspian oil to the Western markets.

He pointed out that for the transports of early oil, the Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline was already operating, the Baku-Supsa pipeline would be completed next year, but added that Azerbaijan accepted the Baku-Ceyhan route as the second and largest pipeline alternative. He noted that they attached special importance to ending the debate on the Baku-Ceyhan route as soon as possible. /Milliyet/

TURKISH-RUSSIAN BUSINESSMEN IN ISTANBUL
A Turkish-CIS Business Council Meeting was held yesterday in Istanbul. Tunc Ulug, the Chairman of the Turkish-Confederation of Independent States, said that there was a good business relationship between Turkey and the CIS, adding that well-known Turkish firms had made successful investments in Russia and in the Confederation of Independent States. Gennady Seleznyev, the Speaker of the Russian State Duma, said that both sides shared economic and political principles that gave direction to their trade relations. He added that they would do their best to solve commercial problems between Turkey and Russia. He also thanked the Turkish contractors for their efforts in Russia. /All papers/

[19] CORSTEN, CHAIRMAN OF ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD OF INTERNATIONAL TOURISM UNION: - ''TURKISH TOURISM WILL APPREHEND THE RECORD IN 1997'' - ''TOURISM QUALITY IN TURKEY HASN'T CHANGED''

Corsten noted that bookings have been increasing in Turkey since the end of the France'98 Cup, in his statement to the German Frankfurter Allegmeine newspaper.

Stressing that there isn't a structural crisis in Turkish tourism, Corsten pointed out that Turkey is still a country attracting tourism.

Emphasizing that the ratio between price and service in Turkish tourism is ''excellent'', Corsten noted that there are many high quality hotels and beaches in Turkey.

Corsten said that the quality of tourism in Turkey hasn't changed, but the probability of a new Gulf War and traffic accidents affect tourists negatively.

[20] PRIME MINISTER PRODI OF ITALY DUE IN TURKEY

The statement of the Foreign Ministry pointed out that Prodi and Yilmaz will meet in Istanbul.

The two prime ministers will address a press conference after the meeting and Prodi will leave Turkey the same day.

[21] A SLIGHT QUAKE SHAKES ADANA PROVINCE

The Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory Earthquake Research Institute officials told the A.A correspondent that the earthquake occurred at 10:51 p.m.

No casualties or financial damages were reported.

[22] CETIN, SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT, MEETS WITH SUSSMUTH, SPEAKER OF GERMAN FEDERAL PARLIAMENT - CETIN: ''TURKEY GIVES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO RELATIONS WITH GERMANY, BUT SHE WILL WORK ON IMPROVING TURKISH DEMOCRACY WITH OR WITHOUT EUROPE''

Addressing the meeting, Cetin noted that Turkey gives great importance to the relations with Germany, and added, ''both countries have the joint values such as democracy, human rights and a secular republic. But Turkey will maintain her struggle to improve these values with or without Europe.''

Noting that Turkey and Germany are ally countries, Cetin said, ''furthermore nearly 2 million Turks have been living and working in Germany for years. All of these form the joint values between the two countries.''

Prof. Dr. Rita Sussmuth said that friendly relations between the parliaments of Turkey and Germany have begun in 1989 and have been continuing up until the present.

Pointing out that there is a strong friendship between Turkey and Germany, Prof. Dr. Sussmuth said, ''this friendship eased many problems in the past.''

Meanwhile, early today Sussmuth and the accompanying delegation visited Hasan Korkmazcan, the Acting Speaker of Parliament. Korkmazcan gave information about the activities aimed at improving democracy in Turkey and the reason for the closure of the Welfare Party by the Constitutional Court, to the members of the German delegation.

[23] PRESIDENT DEMIREL DUE IN TRNC ON SATURDAY

The Foreign Ministry statement said that Ismet Sezgin, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, Sukru Sina Gurel, the Minister of State, Hikmet Ulugbay, the Minister of National Education, Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Ibrahim Gurdal, the Minister of Tourism, Murat Karayalcin, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Commission, high ranking officials and businessmen as well as media will accompany Demirel during the visit.

The statement said that relations between Turkey and the TRNC and recent developments on the Cyprus issue will be evaluated during the visit.

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