Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-10-09

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

09 OCT 1998

CONTENTS

[01] A FISHING BOAT CARRYING PASSENGERS SINKS NEAR BOZCAADA KILLING ONE PERSON - SIX PERSONS STILL MISSING

[02] PARLIAMENTERAY GENERAL ASSEMBLY - PREMIERSHIP MEMORANDUM RELATED WITH SENDING SOLDIERS TO KOSOVO ACCEPTED AT PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY

[03] ANNUAL MEETINGS OF ASSEMBLY OF TURKISH-AMERICAN ASSOCIATIONS BEGINS IN THE US - THE US PRESIDENT CLINTON: - ''TURKEY IS A SOURCE OF STABILITY IN THE REGION''

[04] TURKISH-SYRIAN TENSION - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''IT IS SYRIA'S ATTITUDE WHICH WILL DETERMINE FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS''

[05] TURKISH-SYRIAN TENSION - CETIN, PARLIAMENT SPEAKER: ''THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION. IT IS SYRIA WHICH SHOULD TAKE A STEP''

[06] TENSION WITH SYRIA - PIPES, EXPERT ON MIDDLE EASTERN AFFAIRS: - ''TURKISH ARMY IS VERY POWERFUL, SYRIA CAN'T CONTEND WITH IT''

[07] ECONOMIC INFLUENCE OF EURO - SONDERGAARD, UNDERSECRETARY OF EUROPEAN COMMISSION TURKISH REPRESENTATION: ''EURO TO HAVE POSITIVE EFFECTS ON TURKISH ECONOMY''

[08] BAKI ILKIN, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO THE US, REQUESTS TURKISH PEOPLE LIVING IN THE US TO ACT IN SOLIDARITY''

[09] TRNC FOREIGN AND DEFENSE MINISTRY REACTS DECISION OF THE EU - ''THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF EU'S EFFORTS TO DIVIDE CYPRUS IN A LASTING MANNER''

[10] TANER, MINISTER OF STATE CONCLUDES CONTACTS IN WASHINGTON, D.C. - TANER GIVES THE MESSAGE ''HAVE CONFIDENCE IN TURKISH ECONOMY''

[11] KHARRAZI, IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER STARTS CONTACTS WITH PRESIDENT DEMIREL AND FOREIGN MINISTER CEM

[12] FROM DENKTAS TO US: ''GREEK CYPRIOT-GREEK LOBBY WILL NEVER LET YOU RECOGNIZE TRNC''

[13] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[14] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[15] MARK PARRIS, THE US AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY: - ''DETERMINATION OF THE GOVERNMENT LEAD BY YILMAZ, REDUCES TURKEY'S RATE OF INFLATION'' - ''UNDER THE ABLE LEADERSHIP OF UGUR BAYAR THE TURKISH PRIVATIZATION AGENCY TRANSFERS 4 BILLION US DOLLARS TO PRIVATE SECTOR'' - ''TURKEY IS IN A STRONG POSITION COMPARED WITH OTHER MARKETS'' - ''TURKEY AND THE US HAVE A GOOD ENERGY COORDINATION''

[16] SYRIA COMES FOURTH AMONG THE 10 COUNTRIES USING THE TURKISH STRAITS

[17] SEZGIN, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: ''WE HOPE TO OVERCOME PROBLEM WITH SYRIA THROUGH DIALOGUE''

[01] A FISHING BOAT CARRYING PASSENGERS SINKS NEAR BOZCAADA KILLING ONE PERSON - SIX PERSONS STILL MISSING

Officials told the A.A correspondent that following the cancellation of the journey of the ferryboat named Kasimpasha, 13 passengers waiting for the ferryboat, got on the fishing boat in order to leave for Bozcaada, but the bad weather conditions and high waves have caused the accident.

Birol Uslu (aged 26) were killed in the accident.

Muhittin Albayrak, Hamit Cevik, Ercan Yurdakul, Sefer Erguder, Hasan Ersoz and Omer Tasoren were rescued and taken to the Bozcaada Health Center.

Rescue works are underway in order to find the six other persons who are still missing.

[02] PARLIAMENTERAY GENERAL ASSEMBLY - PREMIERSHIP MEMORANDUM RELATED WITH SENDING SOLDIERS TO KOSOVO ACCEPTED AT PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The Parliament authorized the govenrment to decide on the number of troops and the amount of equipment to be dispatched and their location.

The Cabinet decided in August to send Turkish troops to Kosovo in the event of a possible multinational intervention. Under Article 92 of the Constitution, the Parliament has to approve the Cabinet decision when the Turkish Armed Forces are being sent to foreign countries.

Turkey is reportedly ready to contribute four F-16 warplanes to a possible strike in Kosovo.

[03] ANNUAL MEETINGS OF ASSEMBLY OF TURKISH-AMERICAN ASSOCIATIONS BEGINS IN THE US - THE US PRESIDENT CLINTON: - ''TURKEY IS A SOURCE OF STABILITY IN THE REGION''

More than 50 Turkish-American organizations come together within the structure of the TADA. The TADA acts as one of the most effective organizations aimed at making the Turkish people living in the US and the Americans of Turkish origin to be heard in the US. Organizations such as the TADA have great importance in the US where several financially powerful lobbies work against Turkey.

The meetings have begun with the opening speeches of Baki Ilkin, the Turkish Ambassador to the US, and Mark Parris, the US Ambassador to Turkey.

President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is expected to address the two-day meetings.

Meanwhile, the US President Bill Clinton has sent a message for the beginning of the meetings of the TADA and congratulated the 75th anniversary of the Republic of Turkiy in his message.

Describing Turkey as a source of stability in the region where the dramatic changes has been occurring in recent years, Clinton stressed that Turkey has been playing a key role in the region since 1923.

Pointing out that Turkey acts with the ''peace in the nation, peace in the world'', principle of Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, when she has participated in the peacekeeping forces in Bosnia Herzegovina and given support to the Caucasus and the Central Asian countries, Clinton noted, ''Turkey and the US deepen the partnership between themselves. I believe that they will attain a more relieved and more peaceful era by working together.''

Sending a message to the TADA, President Suleyman Demirel emphasized that Turkey is a torch of democracy, liberalism, secularism and pluralism, and added that she sets an example for the countries gaining their democracies.

Noting that Turkey defends positive and productive relations in the region, Demirel pointed out that the dynamics of the international order creates new opportunities for Turkey at the 75th anniversary of the Republic.

Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz also sent a message to the TADA saying that Turkey has become a leading country both in the region and on the international platform.

Stressing that the secular democracy works perfectly in Turkey, Yilmaz added that Turkey's economy also improves with the appropriate policies.

Mentioning the basic points of Turkey's active foreign policy, Yilmaz pointed out that Turkey will completely realize her potential.

Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, said in his message that Turkey's foreign policy objectives are peace, stability and prosperity.

[04] TURKISH-SYRIAN TENSION - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''IT IS SYRIA'S ATTITUDE WHICH WILL DETERMINE FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS''

Responding to the questions of reporters, Yilmaz said that instant developments shouldn't be expected in this respect, adding that Turkey's decision has been announced to the third parties.

When asked if a response came from this announcement, Yilmaz said ''no official response has arrived, but as a natural outcome of Hosni Mubarak, the President of Egypt, who has visited Damascus, information will be relayed to us.

[05] TURKISH-SYRIAN TENSION - CETIN, PARLIAMENT SPEAKER: ''THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION. IT IS SYRIA WHICH SHOULD TAKE A STEP''

Responding to the questions of reporters at Kemer County of southern Antalya Province where he came to participate at the ''9th International Antalya Security and Cooperation Conference'' staged by the Turkish Atlantic Council, Cetin said ''this issue should be solved peacefully.''

Answering a question related to the conference that will start on Saturday, Cetin said they will review Turkish-NATO relations, regional problems and the developments in the world.

Noting that borders were lifted in the world, Cetin said that the NATO continued to preserve its importance in this period, pointing out that the function of the NATO should change.

Cetin said ''Kosovo is on the agenda of the NATO. This is an important organization in this region of the world for preserving peace and stability.''

[06] TENSION WITH SYRIA - PIPES, EXPERT ON MIDDLE EASTERN AFFAIRS: - ''TURKISH ARMY IS VERY POWERFUL, SYRIA CAN'T CONTEND WITH IT''

Addressing the panel ''Turkey and the Middle East'' at the annual meetings of the Assembly of the Turkish American Associations (TADA) in Washington, D.C., Pipes stressed that country blocs have been started in the Middle East, and added that Turkey and Israel act in an axis that is supported by the US.

Giving information about the past of the disagreements between Turkey and Syria, Pipes pointed out that Damascus which continues to support the separatist terrorist PKK organization, has exhausted Turkey. Emphasizing that the Turkish Army has been improving for the last two decades, Pipes reiterated, ''Syria is in a disadvantageous situation, she can't contend with such a force.''

Alan Makovsy, an American expert on Turkey, noted that Turkey has ''several military alternatives'' which she can put into practice against Syria.

Addressing another panel organized within the framework of the TADA meetings, Sukru Elekdag, the former Turkish Ambassador to the US, pointed out that Turkey has started a process against Syria. He stressed, ''Syria should stop using terrorism against Turkey.''

Meanwhile, several senior US officials participating at the meetings, expressed concern about the escalating tension between Turkey and Syria. These officials stressed that the two countries should solve the problem by establishing dialogues.

[07] ECONOMIC INFLUENCE OF EURO - SONDERGAARD, UNDERSECRETARY OF EUROPEAN COMMISSION TURKISH REPRESENTATION: ''EURO TO HAVE POSITIVE EFFECTS ON TURKISH ECONOMY''

Addresing a meeting on the ''Economic Influence of the Euro'', Sondergaard pointed out that Euro, which will be used within the European Union (EU) on 1 January 1999, will provide facilities with Turkey in trade relations and he identified Turkey as one of the important trade partners of the EU.

Noting that the EU Commission carried out activities to easily use the Euro with the third countries in trade relations, Sondergaard said that the Euro will be an international monetary unit.

[08] BAKI ILKIN, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO THE US, REQUESTS TURKISH PEOPLE LIVING IN THE US TO ACT IN SOLIDARITY''

Addressing the annual meetings of the Assembly of the Turkish American Associations (TADA), Ilkin pointed out that one of the most important dimensions of Turkey's foreign policy is good relations and cooperation with the US.

Mentioning the Cyprus question, Ilkin stressed, ''President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has been representing his country's rightful cause and successes.''

Reminding that Turkey will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Republic, Ilkin described Turkey as an example for the countries who are on the course to ''independence and modernization.'' He stressed that the improvement of democracy in Turkey is connected closely with the principle of secularism.

Noting that Turkey and the US share similar opinions and purposes in many fields, Ilkin pointed out that the traditional defence and security relations have become diversified by branching into the fields of energy and trade.

Stressing that Turkey's position makes her an energy distribution center, Ilkin added, ''we have the will and capacity to use such an important and strategical function.''

Mark Parris, the US Ambassador to Turkey described Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz's visit to the US at the end of last year as extremely successful, emphasizing that the relations on the energy issues between the two countries has taken place at the top of the agenda.

Emphasizing the importance of Turkey's role in the transfer of the Caspian energy sources to the Western countries, Parris pointed out that the Trade and Development Agency (TDA), Overseas Private Investments Corporation (OPIC) and the American Eximbank will open offices in Ankara soon.

Reminding that the quotas applied to Turkey on several textile products have been increased, Parris praised Turkey's tax reform and struggle against inflation.

Parris also expressed gratification at the confidence-building measures in the Aegean.

[09] TRNC FOREIGN AND DEFENSE MINISTRY REACTS DECISION OF THE EU - ''THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF EU'S EFFORTS TO DIVIDE CYPRUS IN A LASTING MANNER''

The written statement issued by the ministries said that the EU which approved the unilateral and illegal application of the Greek Cypriot administration despite all the warnings of the Turkish side and which gave candidacy status to Southern Cyprus as if it confirmed the policy of the Greek Cypriot side, proved that it preferred to continue its mistakes related to Cyprus rather than to help with the efforts to find a peaceful solution on the island.

The statement said that the EU, in its document related to the expansion, claimed that the membership of Southern Cyprus to the EU will help peace and compromise in the island, and that TRNC evaluated this as a continuation of a grave mistake.

The statement said that the EU, on one hand, continues its mistake to this end, and on the other hand, didn't refrain from rejecting the basic rights and status of the Turkish Cypriot people which was confirmed by international agreements.

The statement said ''this situation reiterates the validity of our proposal for a confederation which aims at resolving the Cyprus question with reciprocal compromise basing on an absolute equality and which also brings a new expanson on the issue of the EU''.

It said that the TRNC people and government for years have been resolved to protect their equality and sovereignity rights. ''Our people, with the same determination, won't allow the Greeks and Greek Cypriot side to realize their known aims by using the EU'' it added.

[10] TANER, MINISTER OF STATE CONCLUDES CONTACTS IN WASHINGTON, D.C. - TANER GIVES THE MESSAGE ''HAVE CONFIDENCE IN TURKISH ECONOMY''

Taner, during his last day in Washington, D.C., participated at the meeting of the IMF and World Bank Governor's Committe.

Taner, during his stay in the US met with high ranking officials of the IMF and World Bank and the representatives of many banks and finance organizations.

In all the contacts, Taner stressed that the Staff Monitoring Agreement, reached between Turkey and the IMF, fulfilled the purposes of the targets and that the indicators of the Turkish economy were strong.

Taner pointed out that the crisis which shook Asian countries didn't affect Turkey and that Turkey wasn't a country that is a candidate for the crisis. Taner also mentioned that 50 percent inflation which they targeted for the end of this year won't be deviated and that they were insistent to this end.

An IMF delegation, within the framework of the Staff Monitoring Agreement reached between Turkey and the IMF, will come to Turkey next week.

Taner is expected to proceed to New York and address a meeting that will be staged by the Egebank.

[11] KHARRAZI, IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER STARTS CONTACTS WITH PRESIDENT DEMIREL AND FOREIGN MINISTER CEM

Ugur Ziyal, the Deputy Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry, , Aykut Cetirge, the General Director of the Middle East Department, r and Huseyin Lavasani, Iran's Ambassador to Turkey participated at the meeting.

No statement was issued before the meeting.

[12] FROM DENKTAS TO US: ''GREEK CYPRIOT-GREEK LOBBY WILL NEVER LET YOU RECOGNIZE TRNC''

Denktas addressed the annual meetings of the Assembly of the Turkish American Assocations (TADA).

Nelson Ledsky, the former Cyprus Coordinator of the US, speaking before Denktas said ''no one should wait for the UN and US to recognize the TRNC'' adding that the role of the UN should be strengthened for the solution of the Cyprus question and proposed to the US that she should act in a ''facilitating'' role.

Diego Cordovez, the UN Secretary General's Private Respresentative to Cyprus, addressing the meeting said that this problem could only be solved through negotiations, adding ''I know the sides on the island want a solution.'' Cordovez also said that Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary General, attributed importance to a solution on Cyprus, adding ''a solution which is acceptable to the two sides on the island should be found.''

Bruce Fein, one of the analysts of the Washington Times, who made a presentation at the panel discussion and who was known as a defender of the Turkish thesis on the Cyprus question, called Denktas ''President'' and the Greek Cypriot leader as ''Mr. Clerides''. Fein also pointed out that Denktas is a great leader.

Addressing the panel discussion, TRNC President Denktas said ''I refuse to recognize the Greek Cypriot administration as the legal government of Cyprus. I won't recognize any decision showing them as the government and condemning my people.'' Denktas also said that recognition of the Greek Cypriot side as the legal government only postponed the solution.

Denktas said that the Greek Cypriot side took billions of dollars as the Cyprus Government and damaged Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots through embargos.

Denktas pointed out that the Greek Cypriot side destroyed the partnership in 1963 which was established by international agreements, to be the government of the island. They don't need a solution if they could give damage to the Turkish Cypriots, because they have reached their goals.''

Responding to the allegations of Nelson Ledsky, Denktas said ''you have said that the US will never recognize TRNC, yes, it is true that the Greek and Greek Cypriot lobby will never let you recognize us.''

However, Denktas also emphasized that the US, as a leading country, should be fair and stressed ''don't threaten those who want to recognize us by saying that you will cut aid to them.''

Denktas said that the Turkish Cypriots didn't accept the oppression of the Greek Cypriots and opposed Greece'a trying to colonize the island ''this is the only mistake of my people and we are proud of this mistake.''

Denktas identified the agreements which established the Cyprus Republic in 1960 as a ''honorable solution'' which excluded annexation and recognized the two communities as equal ''but, Makarios wasn't an honorable man. He wanted to make Cyprus a Greek island.''

Denktas also pointed out that Turkey will never allow the annexation of the island by Greece or the Greek Cypriot side, adding ''we need the presence of the Turkish soldiers on the island until a solution is reached.''

[13] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

DAY OF DECISIONS
Following a ''summit'' of government leaders today, a new package of diplomatic measures to deal with the crisis with Syria will be revealed. The packet will contain the options that Turkey will offer as final solutions to Damascus. Although top government officials have already declared that Turkey prefers a diplomatic solution, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit again stressed yesterday that ''Turkey won't wait much longer for Syria to end her support to PKK terrorism.'' Turkey meanwhile has briefed world institutions including the UN on Turkey's position with regard to bringing an end to the terrorism that has cost thousands of Turkish lives. Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, has sent letters to the Arab states outlining Turkey's proposed diplomatic initiatives and Ankara now awaits Hafez al-Assad, the Syrian President's reply to Ankara's conditions to end the tension as sent to Syria through the good offices of Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptian President, earlier this week. While Ankara debates both diplomatic and military alternatives, the Washington, D.C., administration has again warned Syria that Turkey's threats to use force to make Syria cut her ties with PKK terrorism ''must be taken seriously.'' Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament, also stressed yesterday that the current situation between Turkey and Syria was very serious. He noted during a conference on security being held in Antalya that Turkey had taken the steps needed and that now the ball was in Syria's court. ''Our every move has been towards ending this crisis peacefully. Now Syria has to do something'', said Cetin. In yet another initiative to resolve the issue without resorting to military action, Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi went to visit Damascus yesterday. After talking with the Syrian leaders it is expected that he will come to Ankara to convey Syria's response to Turkey's demands for an end to the Syrian-supported terrorism. The Cyprus Greek Cypriot administration has declared that it has taken the side of Syria. /All Papers/

SYRIAN SUMMIT AT CANKAYA PRESIDENTIAL RESIDENCE
A summit to discuss the recent crisis between Turkey and Syria will be held today at the Cankaya Presidential Residence in Ankara. Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Chief of General Staff Huseyin Kivrikoglu, Undersecretary of the Intelligence Services, Senkal Atasagun, commanders of the Armed Forces and other officials will attend the summit to be held under the chairmanship of President Suleyman Demirel. /Hurriyet/

WALL STREET JOURNAL ''TURKISH ARMY HAS THE EDGE''
The Wall Street Journal discussed in yesterday's issue the reasons for the Turco-Syrian crisis and predicted possible results. The report claimed that water supplies and the PKK were the most serious problems dividing the two countries. The newspaper noted that the Turkish army is one of the best trained and disciplined armies in the world, adding that if there was a war, the Turkish army would have the advantage. /Hurriyet/

US WARNS SYRIA
The United States has asked Turkey to be patient and for Syria to take the necessary steps to diffuse the crisis. In a statement following talks with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, the US Deputy Secretary of State Martin Indyk said, ''Cairo and Washington agree that the situation has to calm down prior to evaluating the Turkish concerns''. Noting that the US will exert efforts to ease the situation, Indyk said that the best way to eliminate the tension was through serious dialogue. Completing a visit to Athens, Igor Sergeiev, the Russian Minister of Defence, stated that Russia was ''extremely distressed'' over the tension between Turkey and Syria. Sergeiev also said that he would go to Damascus and meet with officials there and that Russia would seek diplomatic solutions to the problem. In another development, Kamal Kharrazi, the Iranian Foreign Minister, has gone to Damascus for talks with officials about the tension between the two countries, and following his visit to Damascus, Kharrazi will come to Turkey to meet with Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister./Sabah/

''APO STILL IN DAMASCUS''
According to the Turkish Intelligence Services (MIT), Abdullah Ocalan, ''Apo'', the PKK leader, is still in Damascus. It is noted that Ocalan met with members of the Muhaberat, Syrian intelligence, four times this week. It is also on record that Syria is trying to mislead Turkey on issues related to the whereabouts of Ocalan. /Hurriyet/

OPERATION AGAINST SYRIAN BOMBER IN THE BLACK SEA REGION
Security Forces are after a Syrian terrorist code named ''Rodi'', who came to Turkey in 1995 and trained separatists in bomb attacks in the rural regions of southeastern Turkey. He was recently seen in the regions of Sivas, Tokat and Ordu. As a result of the operations to catch him, two of the terrorists with him have surrendered and three of them have been killed. An official said yesterday that the operations were continuing. /Hurriyet/

[14] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

AGREEMENTS SIGNED FOR NATURAL GAS POWER STATIONS
Contracts for four natural gas power stations which will be implemented on a ''build-operate'' model were signed yesterday with the participation of Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz. A total of 70 percent of the power station investments worth 3 billion US dollars will be met by foreign capital, while the remaining 30 percent will be met by firms participating in consortiums. Out of the four power stations, three will be constructed by a consortium formed by the ENKA Holding of Turkey and Intergen of the US, and one by another consortium named ''Baymina'' comprised of the Bayindir, Mimag and National Power firms. Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, said at the signing ceremony that contacts for 21 dam projects planned to be built on the ''build-operate'' model were continuing and that his ministry aimed at finalizing a tender for a nuclear power station. /Milliyet/

WORLD BANK VICE PRESIDENT TO VISIT TURKEY
Jozef Stiglitz, the Vice President of the World Bank, a leading economist, will come to Turkey on 23 October to present a 1998 World Development Report. /Milliyet/

CENTRAL BANK FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES UP
Foreign exchange reserves of the Central Bank increased by 542 million US dollars and reached 22 billion US dollars, 20 million over a one week period between 25 September - 2 October. /Milliyet/

PARRIS PRAISES TURKISH ECONOMY
Mark Parris, the US Ambassador to Turkey, praised the Turkish economy in a speech he delivered during a ''traditional'' meeting held in Washington, D.C., for marking the 19th anniversary of the Assembly of the Turkish- American Associations. According to a statement released yesterday by the US Embassy in Ankara, Parris said that the ''US continuously supports the Turkish governmennt in its efforts to implement the reforms of what it describes as delayed structural reforms''. Parris praised the resolution of the government in reducing the inflation rate and maintaining the ''close monitoring programme'' imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). /Milliyet/

BULGARIAN PRAISE FOR ATATURK
A scientific conference on ''Kemalist Ideas and the 75th Anniversary of the Republic of Turkey'' organized jointly by the Bulgarian National Strategic Research and Study Centre and the Atlantic Club yesterday began in Sofia, Bulgaria. The conference was opened by Todor Kavalciev, the Bulgarian Vice- President, who stated that Ataturk was the most successful statesman of the twentieth century. /Sabah/

AIR OPERATION IN GABAR
As silence prevails at the Turkish-Syrian border, warplanes taking off from the Diyarbakır airbase, carried out air strikes against terrorists on Mt. Gabar near Sırnak. After fixing the location of the terrorist groups, the Diyarbakır Second Tactical Air Force Command was asked for air support. The F-16 and F-4 warplanes taking off from their base bombed Mt. Gabar used by terrorists for infiltrating into Turkey. /Hurriyet/

PARLIAMENT APPROVES TROOPS FOR KOSOVO
On Thursday the Parliament unanimously approved Turkish participation in a multinational NATO force, currently being prepared for possible intervention to stop the continuing ethnic turmoil in the Yugoslav province of Kosovo. The Parliament has authorized the government to decide on the number of troops and the amount of equipment to be dispatched and the deployment of the units involved./All papers/

TANER, ''TURKISH ECONOMY IS SOLID''
Gunes Taner, the Minister of State, who is in Washington, D.C., to attend the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank autumn meetings, completed his visit on Thursday and went on to New York. Taner met with Michael Camdesus, the IMF Chairman and with representatives from Nomura Int., West LB, Credit Suisse, First Boston, Vereins Bank, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, Nordic Investment Bank and Bank Boston Securities. The Minister also attended the IMF-World Bank Governors Council meeting before going to New York. Taner stressed in his meetings that the Turkish economy was improving in accordance with the determined targets, and that despite the Asian and Russian financial crises the Turkish economy was ''solid.'' /Hurriyet/

BALKAN SUMMIT IN ANTALYA
The continuing ethnic turmoil in Yugoslavia's province of Kosovo will be the top issue on the agenda of the upcoming summit of state and government heads of the Southeastern European countries, which will be held between 12- 13 October in Antalya. Political directors from the six participating countries, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Yugoslavia and Turkey, will have a preliminary meeting on Saturday to prepare the agenda and outline the framework of a final declaration to be adopted at the end of the summit. Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, will represent Turkey. Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos of Greece are expected to be among the leaders attending the summit. A face-to-face meeting is expected between Yilmaz and Simitis. /Milliyet/

AWARD TO TURKISH PUBLISHER
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Union of International Publishers and the Union of German Publishers have given an ''International Publications Freedom Award'' to Ayse Nur Zarakolu, the owner of Belge Publications. Dr. Gerhard Kurtze, the Chairman of the German Book Stock Exchange, yesterday congratulated Zarakolu for her efforts to increase freedom of expression and the press and human rights in the world of publishing. /Hurriyet/

FISH EXPORTS TO JAPAN
Fish caught in Mordogan Bay on the Aegean Sea coast, which is the cleanest deep water along the Turkish coasts, are being exported to Japan. Because of continuous circulation, the bay is very clean and all kind of Aegean fish lay their eggs in the bay. The Aegean fishermen said yesterday that there were a great abundance of fish this year and that they were exporting fish to Japan. /Hurriyet/

TURKISH ACTRESS GIVEN MERIT MEDAL IN GERMANY
Renan Demirkan, an actress and author of Turkish origin living in Germany, was among 54 persons, including Peter Ustinov, Uschi Glas and Marie Luise Marjan, who were presented with a ''merit medal'' during a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Berlin. German President Roman Herzog praised Demirkan when he presented her with the medal. /Milliyet/

[15] MARK PARRIS, THE US AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY: - ''DETERMINATION OF THE GOVERNMENT LEAD BY YILMAZ, REDUCES TURKEY'S RATE OF INFLATION'' - ''UNDER THE ABLE LEADERSHIP OF UGUR BAYAR THE TURKISH PRIVATIZATION AGENCY TRANSFERS 4 BILLION US DOLLARS TO PRIVATE SECTOR'' - ''TURKEY IS IN A STRONG POSITION COMPARED WITH OTHER MARKETS'' - ''TURKEY AND THE US HAVE A GOOD ENERGY COORDINATION''

Parris stressed that energy is at the top of the agenda between the two countries, noting that Turkey and the US are in coordination in order to bring the energy sources of Central Asia and the Caspian to the world markets via Turkey and to meet Turkey's own growing needs for electrical power.

Mentioning the new ''East-West Energy Transport Corridor'', Parris stressed that this corridor will include a Baku-Ceyhan main export oil pipeline and a parallel gas pipeline across the Caspian from Turkmenistan.

Parris annouced that three US overseas credit agencies, the Trade and Development Agency (TDA), the American Eximbank and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) will open a joint office within the US Embassy in Ankara soon in order to provide Turkish officials, other regional officials and private counselors with information and advice.

Mark Parris emphasized, ''the US has given consistent support to the Turkish Government's efforts to carry out what Turkey recognizes are overdue structural reforms. We applaud the passage of a long-waited tax bill this summer. The admirable discipline of the Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz's government has been reducing Turkey's rate of inflation and has concluded the Staff Monitored Agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).''

Mentioning the privatization efforts in Turkey, Parris noted, ''Under the able leadership of Ugur Bayar, the Chairman of the Turkish Privatization Agency, the agency will transfer up to 4 billion US dollars to the state- owned firms and the private sector by the end of this year. The measures combined with the decisive steps taken by Yilmaz in August and September in the wake of the worldwide stock selloff, took courage. They put Turkey in a strong position compared with other emerging markets in the period of current global uncertainties. That will remain as long as the government maintains its impressive discipline and commitment to structural reform they have shown to date.''

Parris emphasized that the US has worked for over a year to meet Turkey's legitimate concerns about the health of its livestock.

Describing the close and effective cooperation between the military establishments of two countries as vital in the region where the democratic gains of recent years remain fragile, Parris told the participants, ''the high-level visits in both directions will strengthen the bilateral security cooperation between Turkey and the US. The US has supported Turkish initiatives to open a Partnership for Peace Training Center in Ankara in June and to establish a Multilateral Peacekeeping Force for Southeastern Europe.''

Parris noted that the US has been disappointed after Ankara gave no sufficient support to the US' efforts towards bringing the two sides on Cyprus together in order establish dialogue.

Pointing out that the US never abandoned the Cyprus question, Parris stressed that they remain convinced that with the passage of time it will become more difficult to solve.

Parris added, ''on the Aegean we are gratified that there has been some progress since the beginning of the year in de-escalating tension. Turkey's initiative in February to improve the relations with Greece was welcomed in this regard. But there is still much work to do.''

Mark Parris pointed out that regional governments and energy companies related with the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Trans-Caspian pipelines should make definitive decisions in a few months.

Mentioning human rights, Parris said, ''the gap between expectations raised by the Turkish Government last winter on human rights issues and the actual progress is becoming a serious liability. We want to see as much progress as possible. It is such that so far there has been little to justify earlier predictions that 1998 would be a 'Year of Human Rights'.''

[16] SYRIA COMES FOURTH AMONG THE 10 COUNTRIES USING THE TURKISH STRAITS

A total of 2,088 of the 50,942 cargo ships which passed through the Istanbul Straits in 1997 carried the Syrian flag. It was also determined that Russia used the Straits the most.

The officials of the Chambers of Maritime Trade told the A.A correspondent that the Syrian flagged ships transferred the goods they bought from Russia and the Ukraine through the Istanbul and Canakkale Straits and brought them to the Mediterranean.

[17] SEZGIN, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: ''WE HOPE TO OVERCOME PROBLEM WITH SYRIA THROUGH DIALOGUE''

Addressing the 9th International Antalya Security and Cooperation Conference staged by the Turkish Atlantic Council, Sezgin said that Turkey, which is getting prepared for the 2000s, is situated in the middle of the triangle of the Balkans, Caucasus and the Middle East, where balances couldn't be established yet and which is full of instabilities and uncertainties.

Noting that this situation in Kosovo formed the most important security issue in the Balkans today, Sezgin said that this problem has the potential to be spread to the other regions of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and other countries.

Sezgin said Turkey felt a deep concern about the clashes in Kosovo, adding that according to the estimations of the UN High Commission for Refugees, more than 230,000 persons became refugees. Sezgin also said that unstability in the Caucasus, the Nagorno-Karabakh problem between Armenia and Azerbaijan couldn't be solved yet and that those are the important problems of the region.

Sezgin said that Turkey, despite this negative scene, is resolved to do her best with her national possibilities to provide peace and stability in the region.

Noting that the atmosphere of uncertainty revealed in the Northern part of Iraq still continued following the Gulf War, Sezgin said that despite all her economic losses, Turkey meticulously implemented the embargo imposed on Iraq.

Sezgin pointed out that the Cyprus issue was a security problem not only for Turkey, but also for the region as well, adding that ''the Turkish Cypriot people are under the guarantee of Turkey. There are some authorities and assignments given to guarantor countries stemming from international agreements. The Turkish soldiers are on the island within this framework. Peace prevails on the island for the past 24 years.

Sezgin said that Turkey, which is located in the middle of the region where there are unstabilities and uncertainties, will continue to be an island of stability with her secular and democratic structure, administrative structure based on the supremacy of law, her market economy and multidimensional cultural structure.

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