Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-07-28

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

28 JULY 1998

CONTENTS

[01] BALFE, THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT MEMBER: ''GREECE IMPEDES THE ENTRANCE OF TURKEY INTO THE EU''

[02] EXPLOSION AT CAPA HOSPITAL IN ISTANBUL - ONE DOCTOR AND TWO PATIENTS DIE

[03] WASHINGTON TIMES: ''SECULAR TURKISH REGIME IS A STRONGHOLD AGAINST THE ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM IN REGION''

[04] PRESIDENT CONSTANTINESCU OF ROMANIA IN TURKEY

[05] EARLY ELECTIONS PROPOSAL - COALITION PARTIES AND CHP SUBMIT PROPOSAL TO THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAIRMANSHIP TO HOLD ELECTIONS ON 25 APRIL 1999

[06] SHEDDING LIGHT ON HISTORY OF 7000 YEARS - EXCAVATIONS AT DOMUZTEPE TUMULUS TO BEGIN UNDER CHAIRMANSHIP OF PROF. CARTER FROM CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY

[07] THE TURKISH ENERGY DELEGATION IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

[08] TURKEY STRONGLY CONDEMNS PANGALOS WHO USED THREATENING WORDS ABOUT CONSULATE GENERAL IN KOMOTINI - FOREIGN MINISTRY: - ''WE WILL RESPOND QUICKLY AND IN THE SAME MANNER TO GREECE'S INITIATIVE TOWARDS PREVENTING OUR CONSULATE GENERAL IN KOMOTINI''

[09] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[10] TURKEY PRESS REVIEW (2)

[11] GREAT INTEREST IN TURKISH PAVILION AT EXPO'98 FAIR - THYSSEN INDUSTRIE'S POLL SHOWS THAT TURKISH PAVILION HAS AROUSED MAXIMUM INTEREST AT EXPO'98 MARITIME FAIR

[12] THE REPRESENTATION OF WORLD BANK IN ANKARA TO BE TRANSFORMED INTO A ''COUNTRY OFFICE'' - AJAY CHIBBER, THE DIRECTOR OF WORLD BANK FOR TURKEY: ''PROJECT NEEDS OF TURKEY AND DEVELOPMENTS CONCERNING PROJECTS WILL DIRECTLY BE DETERMINED BY THE OFFICE IN ANKARA RATHER THAN IN WASHINGTON, D.C.''

[13] TURKEY TO BE THE HEALTH CENTER OF THE BALKANS AND THE MIDDLE EAST - STATE TO ENCOURAGE HEALTH CENTERS IN THREE CITIES

[14] CONSTANTINESCU, THE ROMANIAN PRESIDENT IN TURKEY - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''WE FULLY BELIEVE THAT ROMANIA WILL GET THE PLACE SHE DESERVES IN EUROPEAN AND ATLANTIC INSTITUTIONS''

[15] EUROPEAN POLICE TO BE TRAINED AND TAKE HOLIDAYS IN TURKEY

[16] OYMEN, TURKEY'S PERMANENT ENVOY TO NATO - ''CYPRUS PROBLEM ISN'T ON AGENDA OF THE NATO''

[17] GATES ARE OPEN TO TURKEY FOR FOREIGN DEBTS

[18] RESTORATION OF DIYARBAKIR CITY WALLS

[01] BALFE, THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT MEMBER: ''GREECE IMPEDES THE ENTRANCE OF TURKEY INTO THE EU''

Balfe visited the Chamber of Trade and Industry in the eastern province of Van and said that there are several problems between Turkey and Greece and the Cyprus question comes in first place among these problems.

''We launch efforts to make Turkey integrate with Europe. Turkey is a member of the NATO and she has friendly and good relations with the European countries. However the problems between Turkey and Greece and the Cyprus question have to be solved. If these problems are solved, then there won't be any hurdles that stand in the way of the EU membership of Turkey, '' said Balfe.

Concerning his visit to Van Province, Balfe added ''I came here to observe the differences of life between Europe and Turkey and between Istanbul and Van. I will make inquiries in the region.''

Feridun Irak, the Chairman of the Chamber of Trade and Industry said that Turkey suffered a lot due to the Gulf Crisis and particularly Eastern and Southeastern Turkey were deeply affected by this situation.

Noting that the embargo imposed on Iraq should be lifted, Irak added that the European countries should also launch efforts to this end.

[02] EXPLOSION AT CAPA HOSPITAL IN ISTANBUL - ONE DOCTOR AND TWO PATIENTS DIE

The explosion took place in a treatment center at the Hospital of the Capa Medical Faculty of the Istanbul University at around 2:00 a.m. (GMT 23.00).

The explosion led to a poisonous gas leak and dense smoke, leaving three people at the hospital dead.

Officials said that a pressure in the oxygen tanks might have caused the explosion.

Investigation is underway concerning the explosion.

[03] WASHINGTON TIMES: ''SECULAR TURKISH REGIME IS A STRONGHOLD AGAINST THE ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM IN REGION''

In an article titled ''The Strategical Importance of Turkey'' that was written by Prof. Amos Perlmutter, it was stressed that Turkey is the only secular and Moslem republic in the region, and was pointed out, ''Turkey is a strategical connection between the Caucasus, the Balkans, the Middle East and Central Asia.''

Perlmutter said that the US hasn't appreciated Turkey's important position adequately. He added that the US should maintain her support for Turkey on the natural energy resources. Pointing out that Russia tries to create an unstable condition in the region in order to control the energy resources, Perlmutter said, ''this makes necessary a Turkish-American joint strategy against Russia.''

Noting that Turkey will play a positive role in the Balkans that will contribute to stability, Perlmutter pointed out that Turkey undertakes regional initiatives to realize her aim.

Mentioning the Cyprus problem, Amos Perlmutter stressed that Cyprus can damage the eastern wing of the NATO.

Describing the good relations between Turkey and Israel as a ''strategical alliance'', Perlmutter reminded that Turkey and Israel have the most powerful armies in the region. He noted, ''this alliance has changed the strategical map of the Middle East.'' Perlmutter scrutinized the US's policy towards Turkey and emphasized that regarding the strategical importance of Turkey, the US should reconstruct her policy.

[04] PRESIDENT CONSTANTINESCU OF ROMANIA IN TURKEY

Constantinescu and the accompanying delegation were welcomed by

Yucel Seckiner and senior officials at the Esenboga Airport.

After he concludes his contacts in Turkey Constantinescu is expected to leave Turkey tonight.

[05] EARLY ELECTIONS PROPOSAL - COALITION PARTIES AND CHP SUBMIT PROPOSAL TO THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAIRMANSHIP TO HOLD ELECTIONS ON 25 APRIL 1999

The proposal foresees the holding of general elections together with the local elections on 25 April 1999 and asks the Parliament to decide on this issue according to the concerned articles of the Constitution and the regulation of the Parliament.

Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament transferred the proposal to the Chairmanship of the Department of Laws and Decisions, which later transferred the proposal to the Constitutional Commission under Article 95 of the regulation.

The proposal foresees the commencement of the election calendar on 4 January 1999 and candidates who wish to be elected as members of the Parliament and who work as civil servants have to resign from their jobs within seven days following 4 January 1999.

The High Election Board will determine the political parties which will participate in the elections within five days following 4 January.

[06] SHEDDING LIGHT ON HISTORY OF 7000 YEARS - EXCAVATIONS AT DOMUZTEPE TUMULUS TO BEGIN UNDER CHAIRMANSHIP OF PROF. CARTER FROM CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY

Muzaffer Ramazanoglu, the Acting Director of the Kahramanmaras Archaeological Museum, told the A.A correspondent that this year's excavations will begin next week under the chairmanship of Prof. Dr.

Elizabeth Carter from the California University.

Ramazanoglu noted that 36 scientists and students will take part in the excavations and Yasar Yilmaz from the Konya Archaeological Museum will superintend the works.

The excavation that is financed by the California University, is expected to be concluded in 2000.

The Domuztepe Tumulus is one of the largest tumuli in Anatolia that have the traces of the Halaf civilization. A great number of painted pots, seals, several stone implements, axes and beads were founded during the excavations in the past years.

[07] THE TURKISH ENERGY DELEGATION IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

The Turkish delegation is headed by Yurdakul Yigtguden, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and the American delegation is headed by Robert Gee, the Assistant of the US Secretary of Energy during the meetings, which are being held for the fourth time.

Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister and Federico Pena, the US Secretary of Energy reached an agreement concerning the establishment of an energy working group during the visit of Cem to Washington, D.C., last year.

The oil and natural gas pipelines which will transport Caspian energy resources to the West and the energy issues in Turkey will be taken up during the meetings, which will last for two days.

Yigitguden, who will hold a press briefing for the Turkish press members at the end of the meetings, will hold contacts in New York on Thursday.

The American administration stresses at every opportunity that the Azerbaijani oil and Turkmen natural gas should be transported to the Mediterranan by the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline. The US considers Turkey as a ''key country'' and supports her regarding the American strategies in the Caspian Basin having resources which can be an alternative to the Middle East.

The US supports the Baku-Ceyhan, on the one hand, and opposes the passage of the pipelines through Iran, on the other hand.

The US also shows a great interest in the energy tenders in Turkey.

[08] TURKEY STRONGLY CONDEMNS PANGALOS WHO USED THREATENING WORDS ABOUT CONSULATE GENERAL IN KOMOTINI - FOREIGN MINISTRY: - ''WE WILL RESPOND QUICKLY AND IN THE SAME MANNER TO GREECE'S INITIATIVE TOWARDS PREVENTING OUR CONSULATE GENERAL IN KOMOTINI''

Pangalos accused the Turkish Consulate General in Komotini with acting against the interests of Greece during his visit to Western Thrace last Sunday.

Noting that the Turkish Consulate General in Komotini has limited authorities, Pangalos pointed out,''Turkish Consolate should remain within the limits of these authorities, otherwise it will get a lesson.''

In response to the words of Pangalos, the statement of the Foreign Ministry stressed, ''these words, however, aren't amazing because they are coming from Pangalos, but a Foreign Minister shouldn't use such words for a Consulate General representing a neighbouring country and which is on duty in accordance with the international agreements. We strongly condemn the words of Pangalos.''

The statement also pointed out, ''such behaviour aimed at preventing diplomatic representations from fulfiling their responsibilities doesn't conform with the responsibility expected from a host state. We will respond quickly and and in the same manner to Greece's initiative towards preventing the activities of our Consulate General in Komotini.''

[09] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

STRATEGY REPORT ON EU-TURKEY RELATIONS
A strategy report by Turkish officials on relations between the European Union and Turkey notes the economic imbalance in economic relations. The report says that the Customs Union has created a larger foreign trade deficit for Turkey and that Turkey has so far been unable to secure sufficient foreign capital from the EU countries. Criticizing the EU by saying that it hasn't fulfilled its obligations, the report concludes that economic cooperation must be heightened and that the Association

Council must work more effectively. /Cumhuriyet/

ZAMAN CORRESPONDENT DIES IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENT
Ahmet Duran, 24, a correspondent for Zaman newspaper died yesterday in a traffic accident near Antalya. Two other employees of the paper were injured when the car they were in flew off the road at a high speed. /Cumhuriyet/

US REPLIES TO STATEMENTS BY PANGALOS
James Rubin, the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs of the US Department of State, replied yesteday to a statement by Theodoros Pangalos, the Greek Foreign Minister, in which he called on the US citizens of Greek origin to make financial contributions to the Greek Army. In the same statement, Pangalos also called the US President Bill Clinton a liar. Rubin said that the ''disgraceful'' terminology of Pangalos didn't become a minister of a NATO member country and was an interference with US domestic policy. /Cumhuriyet/

TARGET FOR INCOME EXCEEDED
In the first six months of 1998, while the targets determined for national income were exceeded by 241.4 trillion Turkish Liras, expenses stayed within the limits of the programme. Thus, the budget deficit stayed below the target of the programme by 246.8 trillion Turkish Liras. The Ministry of Finance yesterday announced the budget targets for the third quarter period and said that the government would act with determination to combat inflation and keep to the targets of the government programme. /Hurriyet/

MOSCOW TURKISH TRADE CENTRE
Groundbreaking ceremonies for the construction of a Turkish Trade Centre in Moscow to be constructed jointly by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB)and the Turkish Exporters Union (TIM) will be held in September with the attendance of Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz. The trade centre which is expected to be completed in two years and which will cover an area of 20,000 square metres, will include 250 offices, shopping centres and showrooms. /Hurriyet/

PARTIES AGREE ON EARLY GENERAL ELECTIONS
The coalition parties and the Republican People's Party have agreed to hold general elections on 25 April 1999. The Parliament will debate this motion before leaving for summer recess. /Milliyet/

STOCK EXCHANGE RISES
Agreement reached among the coalition partners for early general elections has boosted the stock exchange activity. While share trading rose by 1.31 percent, the IMKB-100 Index increased by 56 points and reached 4,326. The lifting of uncertainty about early elections and the positive messages given by the international rating firms concerning Turkey's credibility were the main reasons given for the positive trading start to the week. /Milliyet/

KHATAMI TRIES TO SOOTHE CONCERNS OVER IRAN MISSILE TEST
Iranian President Muhammed Khatami yesterday replied to criticisms following medium-range missile testing by Iran last

Wednesday. ''Iran's ability to defend herself isn't a threat against any neighbouring countries and is to the benefit of the whole Islamic world'', said Khatami referring to US President Bill Clinton's warning that the missiles, called ''Sahab-3'', will lead to further instability in the Middle East because many countries in the Middle East including Turkey, Israel and Saudi Arabia are within the 1300 km range of the missiles. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKISH SCIENTIST WINS R &amp; D AWARD

Dr. Ali Erdemir, the Turkish scientist who is currently working at the Argon Laboratories, affiliated with the US Department of Energy and Chicago University, has won an important R and D award for his invention of a kind of carbon film plating, which reduces friction and is more resistant than silver. The award is seen as the applied sciences ''Nobel'' award. Erdemir's discovery also won second place in a competition organized by ''Discover'' magazine last month. /Cumhuriyet/

WORKING GROUP MEETS FOR BLACK SEA TRAVEL SECURITY
The first meeting of the ''Black Sea Travel Security Working Group'' set up by the countries which have coasts on the Black

Sea started yesterday in Istanbul. The meeting attended by Turkey, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Romania and Georgia will last for three days. Greece is attending the meeting as an observer, it was reported yesterday. It is expected that important decisions for bilateral and multilateral projects will be made during the meetings.

''US SHOULD REVIEW HER POLICY ON TURKEY''
An article on ''Turkey's Strategic Importance'' in the Washington Times newspaper yesterday noted that the US should review her policy on Turkey. The article, written by Prof. Amos Perlmutter stated that Turkey was the only secular Islamic country in the Middle East and could play an important role in the establishment of stability in the Balkans. Perlmutter said that Turkey was acting as a fortress against fundamentalist activities directed at such countries as Egypt, Jordan and Libya. He pointed out that Turkey and Greece could use their influence in Cyprus and persuade the two sides on the island to sit at the negotiation table. /Sabah/

PANGALOS GIVES FLOWERS TO TURKISH SOLDIERS
Theodoros Pangalos, the Greek Foreign Minister, who visited Western Thrace yesterday, gave flowers to the Turkish soldiers at the Turkish-Greek border by the Meric River. Pangalos noted that the Turkish and Greek nations should live in a peaceful atmosphere. Turkish soldiers thanked Pangalos, saying, ''Efharisto'', which means ''Thanks'' in Greek. /Sabah/

[10] TURKEY PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

SAKIK: ''OCALAN HAS HUGE FINANCIAL RESOURCES IN SYRIA''
A leading terrorist from the PKK terrorist organization, Semdin Sakık captured by the security forces during an operation in Northern Iraq and later brought to Turkey, yesterday gave a 29-page testimony to the State Security Court in Diyarbakir.

Sakık noted in his testimony that Abdullah Ocalan, leader of the PKK terrorist organization, was secreting the organization's financial resources in Syrian banks and said, ''if he withdraws his money, the Syrian economy could be shaken''. /Sabah/

DIPLOMATS VISITING PIPELINE COUNTRIES
Two leading diplomats from Ankara and Washington, D.C., are on a tour of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan with letters from the US President Bill Clinton and Turkish President Suleyman Demirel which emphasize the importance of both the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline and the trans-Caspian energy corridor. Yaman Baskut, the Deputy Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry and Richard Morningstar, Clinton's advisor on the Caspian energy issues, will convey their president's messages to the Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev and Turkmen President Saparmurad Niyazov Turkmenbasi.

PRODI VISITS TURKEY
''We must take concrete steps to decrease tensions in the region (Cyprus)'' said Romano Prodi, the Italian Prime Minister. Prodi, on a one-day working visit to Turkey yesterday, was speaking at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz in Istanbul, following a Bosphorus boat cruise. Prodi added, ''the situation is damaging the economies of both Greece and Turkey and is increasing the military spending of both countries''. He said, ''Italy is in favour of increasing relations with Turkey''. The Italian Prime Minister added that Italy supports Turkey's membership in the EU. ''Turkey and the EU are obliged to be together in the long run. Their destiny is for cooperation and mutual understanding. Italy shares a great responsibility for peace in the Mediterranean and peace between the Christian and the Moslem world. Turkey is a key country in the equation''. Yilmaz noted that economic ties between Italy and Turkey had increased over the past five years and that the trade volume between the two nations stood at 6 billion US dollars in 1997. He said that 145 Italian companies had direct investments in Turkey at the end of last year, accounting for 4.5 percent of all the foreign investments. Yilmaz invited Italian companies to take part in Turkey's defense and energy projects as well as her huge privatization programme. The two prime ministers discussed the escalation in violence in Kosovo, Turkey's bid for EU membership and the continuing Cyprus impasse at their meeting, officials from the two countries said. /All papers/

ANKARA CRITICIZES SWITZERLAND FOR ANTI-TURKISH ATTITUDE
Ankara has condemned Switzerland for permitting the convening of a Kurdish meeting in Lausanne on Friday, which ended with the endorsement of statements praising the PKK terrorist organization and attacking Turkey, as well as allowing an anti-Turkey demonstration to be held in the same city on Saturday. ''We condemn the Swiss federal government for the insensitive stance it has adopted on anti-Turkey activities in her country, despite repeated warnings from Turkey'' a Foreign Ministry statement said yesterday. /All papers/

DEMIREL URGES ACTION ON KOSOVO
President Suleyman Demirel has sent letters to his counterparts from the Contact Group and some regional countries, requesting them to take urgent measures adequate for the gravity of the violent situation in Yugoslavia's province of Kosovo. In the letters, which he conveyed in the wake of his visit to Albania on 14-15 July, Demirel emphasized that the present situation in Kosovo was a ''serious threat to stability and security in Southeastern Europe'' and that Turkey was ready to take part in ''any initiative to solve the problem, including a multinational peace force'' a statement from the Presidential office said yesterday.

In addition, Demirel has also sent a letter to the Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, requesting an immediate dialogue between the fighting parties, withdrawal of the Yugoslav security forces from Kosovo and the establishment of favourable conditions for the refugees to return. He has emphasized that the growing flow of refugees fleeing from Kosovo has negatively affected the international community's conception of the dispute. /All papers/

ROMANIAN PRESIDENT TO VISIT TURKEY
President Emil Constantinescu of Romania will come to Turkey tomorrow as the official guest of his counterpart President Suleyman Demirel. A statement of the Foreign Ministry pointed out that Constantinescu will visit Turkey within the framework of the regular negotiations set up between the Romanian and Turkish presidents.

DENKTAS: ''TRNC SHOULD HAVE ITS OWN CURRENCY''
Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has said that the country should mint its own currency in line with structural requirements for an independent state. ''We can put a stamp on Turkish banknotes signifying that this is TRNC money and tell the world that this is our currency'' Denktas said the TRNC daily Cyprus.

MOUNT NEMRUT ERODING
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Turkey, Mt. Nemrut, which attracts thousands of visitors each year to see its wonderful sunrise, is eroding due to natural causes and lack of proper care. The peak that contain the tumulus of Antiochus the First has eroded down to 50 metres from 75 in 2,000 years. Mt. Nemrut, which is among the 440 historical sights listed as a ''World Heritage'' by UNESCO, is also on the list of the most damaged heritage sites in the world. Zulfu Livaneli, the Ambassador for UNESCO in Turkey, announced that he was going to bring the damage on the peak of Mt. Nemrut to the attention of UNESCO. ''I will give priority to Mt. Nemrut at the UNESCO meetings, but first of all it's our duty to protect these historical places'' he said.

TURKISH ECONOMY IS ON RIGHT TRACK
Marie Cavanaugh, Turkey analyst for leading US financial rating institution Standard and Poor's, said they would closely follow the Staff Monitoring Programme the Turkish government has signed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), adding that the programme accord was very important for Turkey's credibility. Cavanaugh stressed that the economic programme shouldn't be damaged for the sake of populist policies such as public sector wage hikes, noting that if the programme signed with the IMF was strictly enforced, then the inflation rate would drop in the medium and long-term.

WORLD MARITIME SCIENCE AWARD FOR TURKEY
Ass. Prof. Guldem Cerit, Chairman of the Department of Maritime Enterprises and Management at the Dokuz Eylul University who presented a paper on ''Maritime Transports as an Area of Competitive Superiority in International Marketing'' at the ''Eighth Transport Research Conference'' organized in Antwerp, Belgium, was awarded with the ''Maritime Science Award'' yesterday.

[11] GREAT INTEREST IN TURKISH PAVILION AT EXPO'98 FAIR - THYSSEN INDUSTRIE'S POLL SHOWS THAT TURKISH PAVILION HAS AROUSED MAXIMUM INTEREST AT EXPO'98 MARITIME FAIR

The poll made by Thyssen Industrie shows that the Turkish pavilion has aroused the maximum interest at the fair.

The Thyssen Industrie has began to organize visits to the Turkish pavilion for its important customers.

A sultanate caique that is 35 metres long, a documentary related with the beauty of the Bosphorus and an embroidered flag belonging to the Ottoman sultan are at the Turkish pavilion.

[12] THE REPRESENTATION OF WORLD BANK IN ANKARA TO BE TRANSFORMED INTO A ''COUNTRY OFFICE'' - AJAY CHIBBER, THE DIRECTOR OF WORLD BANK FOR TURKEY: ''PROJECT NEEDS OF TURKEY AND DEVELOPMENTS CONCERNING PROJECTS WILL DIRECTLY BE DETERMINED BY THE OFFICE IN ANKARA RATHER THAN IN WASHINGTON, D.C.''

Ajay Chibber, who is still working as the Director for Turkey in the central office of the World Bank in Washington, D.C., stated that he has been appointed to his new post at the Ankara office and he will start his mission by the end of August.

Noting that the project needs of Turkey and developments concerning the projects will be determined at the office in Ankara rather than the one in Washington, D.C., Ajay Chibber said that Macedonia will be at this office in Turkey.

Giving information about his contacts in Turkey, Ajay Chibber said ''I have been here for 10 days and I have gotten information about the measures aimed at decreasing the inflation within the framework of the agreement signed between Turkey and the IMF.''

Pointing out that he is pleased with the progress reached in Turkey concerning the tax reform and privatization, Chibber said that ''the additional increase in salaries of civil servants will bring a burden of 500-700 million US dollars. Deviation from the applied programme, meaning from the budget targets will decrease the international credibility of the programme. The World Bank will monitor how the Turkish government will meet the additional expenditures.''

Recalling that the World Bank continues to support such programmes in Turkey like education and energy, Ajay Chibber stated that the World Bank will provide its guarantee to the private sector credits in Turkey from now on, including the tube tunnel project at Izmit Bay.

Responding to a question, Chibber noted that there is a good accord among the experts in the Turkish economy, but the most important thing is political compromise, which has to be further strengthened in Turkey in order to decrease the inflation.

Stressing that any governmnet which comes to power after the elections should implement this economic programme somehow, Chibber said that the World Bank will continue to assist every government in Turkey.

[13] TURKEY TO BE THE HEALTH CENTER OF THE BALKANS AND THE MIDDLE EAST - STATE TO ENCOURAGE HEALTH CENTERS IN THREE CITIES

Halil Ibrahim Ozsoy, the Minister of Health, told the A.A correspondent that they will realize the project in order to improve health tourism in Turkey. He added that centers will be constructed within this framework in three cities and the state will encourage the project.

Noting that a brain surgery center will be constructed in Istanbul, a heart and vein surgery center in Izmir and an in vitro fertilization center in Ankara, Ozsoy pointed out that they aim at the patients from the Balkans and the Middle East coming to Turkey for medical treatment.

A meeting will be held in Istanbul next week in order to discuss the financial side of the project.

[14] CONSTANTINESCU, THE ROMANIAN PRESIDENT IN TURKEY - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''WE FULLY BELIEVE THAT ROMANIA WILL GET THE PLACE SHE DESERVES IN EUROPEAN AND ATLANTIC INSTITUTIONS''

Addressing the ceremony, President Suleyman Demirel said that there aren't any problems between Turkey and Romania, adding that the economic and potential relations between the two countries also constitute an example for other countries.

''We fully believe that Romania will get the place she deserves concerning her integration with the European and Atlantic Institutions as soon as possible,'' said President Demirel, adding that they will discuss the possible contributions that can be made for the protection of peace and stability in the Balkans as two important countries in the Southeastern European region.

''We are deeply upset by the situation in Kosovo, we will discuss what we can do at the bilateral level and together with the international community to solve this problem by preventing bloodshed,'' he added.

Constantinescu, the Romanian President said ''we have good relations and friendship between our states which incorporate the fields of culture, politics, military, economy and other issues.''

Noting that his aim in visiting Turkey is to improve political consultation and economic cooperation, Constantinescu added ''we would like to explain our views concerning political issues, the situation in the Balkans and in the region to our Turkish friends. We came together as two neighbouring states and partners of the NATO in the Partnership for Peace and we'll take up the issue of overcoming difficulties in the economy.''

[15] EUROPEAN POLICE TO BE TRAINED AND TAKE HOLIDAYS IN TURKEY

Turkey has become a member of the IPA as a result of initiatives of Necati Bilican, the General Director of Security Department, and Ersin Yilmaz, the Deputy General Director.

According to the agreement, policemen from the European countries will be trained at the facilities of the Police Academy in Didim County of Aydin Province as of 15 August.

Officials from the General Directorate of Security Department told the A.A correspondent that the project is very important for promoting Turkey and Turkish policemen.

[16] OYMEN, TURKEY'S PERMANENT ENVOY TO NATO - ''CYPRUS PROBLEM ISN'T ON AGENDA OF THE NATO''

Responding to questions of the A.A correspondent, Oymen reminded that Javier Solana, the Secretary General of the NATO, said in a press conference in the US that the deployment of the Russian made S-300 missiles on the island will be a great mistake. He added, ''but on the other hand the NATO never discusses the Cyprus problem.''

Pointing out that Solana aims to deepen the initiatives between Turkey and Greece concerning the confidence-building measures, Oymen stressed that the representatives of Turkey and Greece continue their negotiations with the participation and supervision of the Secretary General of the NATO, but they have reached an accord not to make a statement to the public opinion until they have reached a conclusion.

Describing the information concerning the Kosovo problem as ''disturbing'', Oymen pointed out that the clashes have been becoming intensified and the number of the missing people and the immigrants are increasing in Kosovo.

Oymen told the A.A correspondent, ''the NATO is in an approach that doesn't exclude any alternatives, and it is ready to fulfill the obligations, but the joint aim of the member states of the NATO is to find a political solution instead of a military intervention. The main target of the Alliance is to find a peaceful solution for protecting the territorial integrity of Yugoslavia.''

[17] GATES ARE OPEN TO TURKEY FOR FOREIGN DEBTS

Salomon Smith Barney experts told the A.A correspondent that the most appropriate market, with cyclical periods, is regarded as the US market.

The experts said that Turkey had two times gone to the US market and evaluated the US market as the most attractive one for Turkey. They defended the view that medium term, Euro-Dollar bonds could be sold to this market.

Recalling that the confidence of the entrepreurs for the developing markets was reduced due to the Asian crisis, the experts said that the medium-term bonds increased nearly 50 points following the crisis.

Experts said that the markets will be revived after September, adding that Turkey may start foreign debts after getting the outcomes of the credit points.

[18] RESTORATION OF DIYARBAKIR CITY WALLS

Addressing the ceremony, Nafiz Kayali, the Governor of Diyarbakir, said that the historical city walls that are 5.100 metres long, are the second longest city walls in the world.

Noting that Diyarbakir is a cultural center, Kayali pointed out, ''protecting history is the duty of all of us. We provided 90 billion Turkish Liras from the bugdet of the Provincial Administration and the Ministry of Culture will send 64 billion Turkish Liras. Restoration of the historical city walls will cost a total of 154 billion Turkish Liras.''

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