Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-10-12

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

12 OCT 1998

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: ''AMR MOUSSA, THE EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, WILL BRING A MESSAGE FROM MUBARAK, THE EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT, TO PRESIDENT DEMIREL''

[03] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ'S BILATERAL CONTACTS IN ANTALYA

[04] FM CEM MEETS WITH HIS YUGOSLAVIAN AND ALBANIAN COUNTERPARTS IN ANTALYA

[05] GREEK AND BULGARIAN PRIME MINISTERS AND FOREIGN MINISTERS ARRIVE IN ANTALYA

[06] BALKAN COUNTRIES' SUMMIT STARTS

[07] PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN AZERBAIJAN - AZERBAIJANI AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY: ''I BELIEVE THAT ELECTION RESULTS WILL BE BENEFICIAL FOR BOTH TURKEY AND AZERBAIJAN''

[08] STATE MINISTER TURK: - ''SYRIA IS RUNNING AFTER AN IMPOSSIBLE DREAM''

[09] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[10] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[11] THE SUMMIT OF THE BALKAN COUNTRIES - YUGOSLAVIA WILL BE INVITED TO ABIDE BY THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS

[12] SERDAR DENKTAS, THE TRNC DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: ''GUZELYURT IS WITHIN THE BORDERS OF TRNC AND IT WILL REMAIN SO''

[13] NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER SEZGIN: - ''THE UNITS IN THE REGION ARE CARRYING OUT THEIR NORMAL TRAINING AND EXERCISES''

[14] BAKU-CEYHAN PROJECT - ERSUMER, THE MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES: ''BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE ISN'T A NATIONAL POLICY, BUT RATHER AN ECONOMIC AND STRATEGIC POLICY''

[15] ''INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S 75TH YEAR REPUBLIC CUP HANDBALL MATCHES'' TO BE HELD IN DIYARBAKIR

[16] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM LEAVES ANTALYA FOR ANKARA

[17] NEW PLANES TO NAVAL FORCES - SSM, TAI AND CASA SIGN CONTRACT FOR PURHASE OF NINE ADDITIONAL CN-235 TYPE PLANES

[18] THE SUMMIT OF THE BALKAN COUNTRIES - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''THE SUCCESS OF THE PROCESS WILL CREATE AN APPROPRIATE ATMOSPHERE FOR INTEGRATION IN SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE''

[19] TURKISH-IRISH BUSINESS COUNCIL MEETING

[20] AMR MOUSSA, THE EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ARRIVES IN ANKARA

[21] CEM, THE FM: ''WE EXPECT SYRIA TO TAKE THE STEPS WE WANT HER TO TAKE''

[22] TURKISH-FRENCH COOPERATION IN GAP REGION

[23] TURKEY'S INTEREST BURDEN STEMMING FROM DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN BORROWINGS INCREASE EIGHTY-SIX-FOLD IN LAST 20 YEARS

[24] RUANGYI, CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY: ''THERE WON'T BE A DEVALUATION IN CHINA''

[25] THE SUMMIT OF THE BALKAN COUNTRIES - SIMITIS, THE GREEK PRIME MINISTER: ''THE SUMMIT CONSTITUTES AN IMPORTANT BASIS CONCERNING THE KOSOVO PROBLEM''

[26] 12TH OIL CONFERENCE - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''BAKU-CEYHAN IS THE ONLY ROUTE VIA WHICH THE OIL CAN BE SAFELY TRANSPORTED TO WORLD MARKETS FROM THE CASPIAN REGION''

[27] THE SUMMIT OF THE BALKAN COUNTRIES - BULATOVIC, THE YUGOSLAVIAN PRIME MINISTER: ''THE MILITARY THREATS OF NATO CAN'T BE ACCEPTED''

[28] MOUSSA, THE EGYPTIAN FM MEETS WITH PRESIDENT DEMIREL AND FM CEM

[29] HERCUS' MISSION ON CYPRUS IS THE PLAN OF THE US AND BRITAIN

[30] TURKEY-STOCK EXCHANGE - IMKB SECOND SESSION - NATIONAL-100 INDEX RISES TO 2,160.72 WITH AN INCREASE OF 83.80 POINTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) TURKEY TO INTIMIDATE SYRIA WITH 50,000 SOLDIERS
Turkey will give her toughest message to Syria by ''Resolution Exercise'' which will be carried out on 6 November. Real bullets will be used and Turkish soldiers will exercise the operation near the Turkish-Syrian border. Special units from the Land, Air and Naval Forces will also participate in the exercise which will last for one week. On the second day of the exercise, a state summit will be held on the border.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

SABAH (LIBERAL)

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

RADIKAL (LEFT)

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

BAKU CEYHAN IS IN DANGER
Large oil companies decided to transport the Caspian oil via Supsa city of Georgia rather than Ceyhan.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: ''AMR MOUSSA, THE EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, WILL BRING A MESSAGE FROM MUBARAK, THE EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT, TO PRESIDENT DEMIREL''

Responding to the questions of journalists after his meeting with Jivadin Jovanovic, the Yugoslavian Foreign Minister, in Antalya, where the Summit of the Heads of States and Governments of the Southeastern European Countries will be held, Cem said ''I don't consider these kinds of initiatives such as the message from Mubarak to President Demirel as a signal of moderation.''

Ismail Cem stated that he took up the Kosovo problem with Jivadin Jovanovic, the Yugoslavian Foreign Minister, adding that ''I hope that we will reach a result by these kinds of negotiations.''

[03] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ'S BILATERAL CONTACTS IN ANTALYA

Prime Minister Yılmaz was briefed by Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, the Deputy Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry, and Umit Pamir, the Prime Ministry Consultant on Foreign Policy concerning the summit.

Prime Minister Yılmaz also met with Radu Vasile, the Romanian Prime Minister, the same night.

[04] FM CEM MEETS WITH HIS YUGOSLAVIAN AND ALBANIAN COUNTERPARTS IN ANTALYA

Ismail Cem took up Turkish-Yugoslavian relations and regional issues with Jivadin Jovanovic, the Yugoslavian Foreign Minister, while he discussed the issue of the inclusion of Kosovo issue in the final declaration of the summit with Pascal Milo, the Albanian Foreign Minister.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry officials added that Cem and the guest foreign ministers also discussed good neighbourhood relations and security issues in their meetings.

The Summit of the Southern European Countries' Head of States and Governments will mainly discuss the issue of the joint declaration which will be prepared after the summit.

Officials pointed out that Albania exerts efforts to convict Yugoslavia in the joint declaration concerning the Kosovo issue, adding ''there is the Kosovo problem in the joint declaration which will be published. Activities are underway to find the method of including this problem in the joint declaration. Differences of opinion exist between Yugoslavia and Albania. Albania tries to convict Yugoslavia. Turkey is seeking for a just and permanent solution to overcome the problems in Kosovo. If Albania isn't persuaded concerning the Kosovo issue, then a separate declaration can be signed.''

Officials added that an agreement will be signed during the summit in order to establish a Balkan Regional Trade Centre and the issue of common security will also be discussed at the meeting.

[05] GREEK AND BULGARIAN PRIME MINISTERS AND FOREIGN MINISTERS ARRIVE IN ANTALYA

Costas Simitis said at the Antalya Airport ''I am sure we'll have a productive meeting in Antalya,'' and he expressed pleasure at being in Antalya to participate at the second meeting of the Southeastern European Countries' Head of States and Governments.

[06] BALKAN COUNTRIES' SUMMIT STARTS

Costas Simitis, the Prime Minister of Greece; Theodoros Pangalos, the Foreign Minister of Greece; Momir Bulatovic, the Prime Minister of Yugoslavia; Jivadin Jovanovic, the Foreign Minister of Yugoslavia; Pascal Milo; the Foreign Minister of Albania; Rado Vasile, the Prime Minister of Romania; Andrei Plesu, the Foreign Minister of Romania; Branko Crevenkovski, the Prime Minister of Macedonia; Blagoy Handziski, the Foreign Minister of Macedonia; Ivan Kostov, the Prime Minister of Bulgaria; and Nadezha Mikailova, the Foreign Minister of Bulgaria, are participating at the Summit, which is being held within the framework of the Cooperation Process of the Southeastern European Countries.

Officials from Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia are attending the Summit as observers.

[07] PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN AZERBAIJAN - AZERBAIJANI AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY: ''I BELIEVE THAT ELECTION RESULTS WILL BE BENEFICIAL FOR BOTH TURKEY AND AZERBAIJAN''

Mamed Aliyev, the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Turkey said that the participation of the Azerbaijani citizens in the elections was high in Ankara, adding ''I believe that the election results will be beneficial for both Turkey and also for Azerbaijan.''

Noting that Haydar Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, is a great statesman, Aliyev stated ''Aliyev has to be elected for another five years in order to solve all the large problems in Azerbaijan. Our President is a great friend of Turkey and he will realize great projects, particularly the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline.''

The Azerbaijani Ambassador to Turkey pointed out there are more than 2,000 registered Azerbaijani citizens in Turkey.

[08] STATE MINISTER TURK: - ''SYRIA IS RUNNING AFTER AN IMPOSSIBLE DREAM''

Speaking to reporters, Turk said, ''We think the Syrian government will carry out the necessary evalution of Turkey's rightful demands. As you know, Turkey is struggling against a separatist movement which has external support. This separatist movement is trying to establish an independent state on Turkey's territories. Actually, if this movement were successful, not only Turkey but also the countries where the Kurdish people are living will be badly affected. For instance, Syria, Iraq and Iran will also be affected.''

''The Turkish Armed Forces have nearly eradicated this movement. The terrorism in the Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia Regions has been taken under control. However, the eradication of this separatist movement is impossible if it is always supported by other countries,'' Turk stressed.

''Syria is the country which has been giving the major support to this separatist movement since the beginning. Syria is the country which has been protecting the terrorist chief Ocalan in her capital and which has been providing training opportunities for this movement since the emerginig of this separatist movement. This external support should be cut down to achieve a definite result in our struggle within our territories. Turkey has now come to this level,'' he mentioned.

Pointing out that the hostile attitude of Syria against Turkey is obvious, State Minister Turk said, ''the attitude of Syria on the Hatay issue, on the Mediterranean issue and on the territorial waters issue is obvious. But, now we expect Syria to stop her support to the separatist terrorist PKK organization.''

''I suppose Syria is in a position to comprehend Turkey's seriousness in her demand and I suppose Syria is in a position to carry out a necessary evaluation about the results of an operation, which will be launched on the condition of refusing Turkey's demands. Thus, we think Syria won't make a mistake which will result in such a war,'' Turk added.

[09] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

YILMAZ WARNS DAMASCUS
Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz maintained his tough stance towards Syria, saying, ''If any one has an eye on our territory, it is our duty to get rid of that eye''. ''We can't go on like this. Enough is enough,'' Yilmaz said, adding that the Kurdish separatists will be completely destroyed if Syria ceases supporting them and providing a safe haven for their leader. Meanwhile, Amr Moussa, the Egyptian Foreign Minister, is returning to Turkey for the second time in one week, and is believed to be carrying in his diplomatic briefcase ''Syria's expectations from Turkey''. Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, who was in Antalya to attend the summit of leaders of the Southeastern European countries, will be flying back to Ankara on that day to briefly attend the talks with Moussa. Hafez al-Assad, the Syrian President, who panicked due to the determined stance assumed by Turkey, began to send messages to Ankara saying that he understood the seriousness of the issue. al-Assad, who sent his first message last week to Turkey with Kamal Kharazzi the Iranian Foreign Minister, will send his second message with Amr Moussa, the Egyptian Foreign Minister. /All papers/

BALKAN SUMMIT IN ANTALYA
The Balkan Summit of leaders of the Southeastern European countries, which will last for two days, will begin in Antalya today. Also on Monday, Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz will have a face-to-face meeting with his Greek counterpart Costas Simitis. The meeting is scheduled to last just half an hour and won't have a definite agenda. Yilmaz will also have bilateral meetings with his other counterparts. Yilmaz met with Yugoslavian Prime Minister Momir Bulatovic yesterday. The Kovoso problem was discussed during the meeting. Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, had talks with Zivadin Jovanovic, the Yugoslavian Foreign Minister and Pascal Milo, the Albanian Foreign Minister. /Sabah/

TURKISH ARMENIAN PATRIARCH ELECTION
The Armenian churches across Turkey held elections to select the 79 civil delegates who will make up the General Delegation Board during upcoming elections to determine the 84th Patriarch of the Turkish Armenians. After the death of Patriarch Karekin II on 10 March 1998, the members of the Spiritual Assembly chose 10 spiritual delegates who will join the 79 civil delegates in selecting the new patriarch in elections to be held on 14 October. /Sabah/

SARKYILDIZI BEGINS TRIAL PRODUCTION
The first sugar plant constructed by Turkish entrepreneurs in Uzbekistan has started its trial production. The sugar plant established in the Horezm Province of Uzbekistan will begin to produce sugar with an official ceremony to be attended by high-level officials in November. The plant has cost nearly 80 million US dollars. /Sabah/

[10] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

AFSIN-ELBISTAN POWER PLANT
The Turkish government, which has signed the bidding agreements for four large natural gas power plants two days ago, laid the foundation of a huge power plant at Afsin-Elbistan yesterday. Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and the Japanese Ambassador to Turkey representing the Mitsubishi firm, one of the partners of the construction consortium attended the foundation laying ceremony for the new power plant at Elbistan County at the southeastern province of Malatya yesterday. The 1,400 megawatt-Afsin-Elbistan Power Plant will meet 7.5 percent of Turkey's total energy consumption. /Sabah/

AZERBAIJANIS IN TURKEY VOTE DURING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
The Azerbaijani people living in Turkey voted in the new term presidential elections attended by six nominees including the Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev at the ballot boxes at the Azerbaijani Embassy in Ankara and at the Consulate General in Istanbul. Mamed Aliyev, the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Turkey, said that participation in the elections was high in Ankara. /Sabah/

FIRST LADIES MEET IN SOFIA
Berna Yilmaz, the wife of Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, said that the most important investment for people was education. Berna Yilmaz attended a conference on ''Women in the Twenty-First Century'' and noted that education should be organized according to the requirements of the contemporary period. Hillary Clinton, the wife of the US President Bill Clinton, also participated at the conference. /Sabah/

EXPORTERS GO TO EGYPT
A delegation of 100 exporters led by Yavuz Ege, the Undersecretary of the Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade, will visit Egypt between 16-19 October to promote Turkish export products. In a statement made by the Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade, the visit to Egypt will be organized by the Uludag Union of Exporters. Exporters from various sectors such as textiles, automotive, forestry, machinery, chemicals, construction, food, electric-electronic, packaging and iron-steel will join in the visit. /Hurriyet/

SYMPOSIUM ON TURKISH-JAPANESE RELATIONS
A symposium on the history of Turkish-Japanese relations was held at the Bogazici University last week. Seven professors working at various universities in Japan, Bogazici University professors who contributed to the improvement of relations between the countries and students who received scholarships from these universities attended the symposium. The symposium ended on 9 October. Prof. Selcuk Esenbel, the Chairman of the History Department at the Bogazici University, said, ''this symposium organized at the end of 10 years of activities have shed light on the history of Turkish-Japanese relations''. /Hurriyet/

ALIYEV: ''WE ARE BACKING TURKEY AGAINST SYRIA''
Haydar Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, touched upon the crisis between Turkey and Syria while casting his ballot and gave full support to Turkey. Aliyev said, ''Turkey and Azerbaijan are one. We have always supported Turkey in her struggle against terrorism and will continue to do so. We are backing Turkey.'' Vefa Gulizade, the Foreign Policy Consultant of President Aliyev, said, ''we know the problem of the PKK. We have information that anti-Turkish forces support this organization. The Kurds are good people, but the PKK cannot represent them. Syria is sheltering terrorists and allocating comfortable villas for them. Terrorists then organize attacks against Turkey. Turkey cannot remain indifferent towards this policy''. /Hurriyet/

TURKISH MARKET FOR ENGLAND
England is ready to take the place of Germany and France, with which Turkey's trade has been decreasing due to economic and political reasons. Last week, a delegation of 40 English businessmen led by Eddy Warrington, the Chairman of the English-Turkish Chamber of Industry, came to Turkey. The delegation which inquired about the fields of cooperation with Turkey, especially dwelt on the fresh fruit-vegetable trade and met with the leading representatives of this sector. Warrington stated that, the English Chamber of Trade put Turkey high on the list of countries having great importance for trade. He added, ''this is an important development. England which for years hasn't given any importance to Turkey, is declaring her to be her most important market. It has shown Turkey as a target for English capital.'' /Milliyet/

''STOP SUPPORTING INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST PKK ORGANIZATION''
The US administration requested Syria to stop her support for the PKK. William Cohen, the US Secretary of Defense, stressed last week that the Syrian administration shouldn't let the international terrorist PKK organization conduct activities on her territories. Also, Dana Bauer, the Deputy of the Director of the Southeast European Desk of the US Secretary of State, said that the US administration strongly advised Syria to stop supporting the PKK. In his speech at an annual meeting of the Assembly of the Turkish-American Associations (TADA) Bauer stressed that the US administration had declared the PKK as an international terrorist organization. /Cumhuriyet/

HOPE FOR TURKEY'S EU MEMBERSHIP
Gerhard Schroeder, the Leader of the Social Democratic Party, who won the general elections in Germany, said that Turkey's application to the European Union (EU) membership would be re-evaluated. It is announced that Turkey would contribute 4.7 billion US dollars annually to the budget of the EU. /Cumhuriyet/

[11] THE SUMMIT OF THE BALKAN COUNTRIES - YUGOSLAVIA WILL BE INVITED TO ABIDE BY THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS

This cooperation process aims at bringing together once a year the foreign ministers and prime ministers of the Southeastern European countries.

Two documents, which will stress the ''good neighbourhood relations'' are expected to be adopted at the summit.

A high ranking official from the Foreign Ministry said that a document which will discuss economic and social issues will also attribute importance to the principle to good neighbourhood relations and it will also discuss the issue of improvement of cooperation and the atmosphere of dialogue in the region.

The documents which are foreseen to be accepted also aim at institutionalizing the Summit of the Southeastern European Countries.

The state officials of the participating states will also discuss the results of Kosovo problem concerning regional security and stability and establishment of a regular negotiation process concerning this issue.

The countries will also discuss the humane dimension of the Kosovo problem and stress the importance of protecting human rights in the region by referring to the 280,000 persons who were forced to leave their homes and international assistance that should be given to them.

The countries are also expected to invite Yugoslavia to abide by the UN Security Council Resolution No. 1199 and launch efforts for establishment of an ''international observor'' system for the Kosovo problem.

The first step for the Cooperation Process of the Southeastern European Countries was taken in 1988 in Belgrade under the name of the ''Balkan Multilateral Cooperation''. The second meeting of the cooperation process was held in 1990, however the dissolution of Yugoslavia and the war in Bosnia interrupted the process and no meeting was held until 5-6 July 1996 when the foreign ministers of the countries came together in Sofia after the Dayton Peace Agreement was signed in Bosnia.

After the meeting held in Sofia in 1996, the process started to be called ''the Cooperation Process of the Southeastern European Countries''. The Foreign Ministry officials said that the reason for this change stems from the fact that firstly regional countries want to forget the history of the Balkans and secondly they believe that the name of ''Southeastern Europe'' will strengthen the state of the region belonging to Europe.

According to the action plan adopted during the Meeting of Foreign Ministers held in Salonika in 1997, the goals of the Cooperation Process of the Southeastern European Countries is as follows:

-strengthening of political cooperation,

-strengthening of economic cooperation,

-preparation of a joint action plan concerning environmental protection,

-strengthening of cooperation in humane, social and cultural fields,

-improvement of cooperation against organized crime, terrorism, drug trafficking and weapons smuggling and

-providing coordination in Southeastern Europe with other regional cooperation initiatives.

[12] SERDAR DENKTAS, THE TRNC DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: ''GUZELYURT IS WITHIN THE BORDERS OF TRNC AND IT WILL REMAIN SO''

Serdar Denktas reacted to the demonstration held by the Greek Cypriots on the border near Guzelyurt and the message sent by Yannakis Casulides, the Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister to the demonstrators. Casulides said that they wouldn't accept a solution on the island as long as Guzelyurt wasn't given to the Greek Cypriots.

Requesting the Greek Cypriot side to give up her adventurous attitude, to accept the realities on the island, Serdar Denktas pointed out that the Greek Cypriot side has to give a positive response to the confederation proposal which will create cooperation possibilities between the two states on the island.

Stressing that the confederation proposal of Rauf Denktas, the TRNC President, to Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader is an important step taken for solution of the problem, Serdar Denktas added that the Greek Cypriot side is still playing with fire.

Denktas also condemned the foreign parliamentarians who participated in the demonstration the same day.

[13] NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER SEZGIN: - ''THE UNITS IN THE REGION ARE CARRYING OUT THEIR NORMAL TRAINING AND EXERCISES''

Speaking to reporters, Sezgin said that they want Syria to abide by the UN decisions, international law, friendship, brotherhood and neighborhood relations and not to support international terrorism and to save herself from the definition of a terrorist state.

Noting that they want Syria not to shelter the terrorist chief Ocalan on her territories; not to support the separatist terrorist PKK and not to consider the support for terrorism as a state policy, Sezgin said that there were some Syrian officers among the people who were recently killed within the gangs which were released by the terrorist PKK into Turkey.

Stressing that this event proved the organic connection between Syria and the separatist terrorist PKK, Sezgin said, ''Syria should put an end to these. Otherwise, we won't be the responsible side. We are in favor of solving these by diplomacy, peace and dialogue. If Syria won't stop her support to terrorism, then she will carry out an indirect attack against Turkey in accordance with the UN principles and decisions. This is an offense. This offense should be punished. We will obliged to punish this offense. This is self-defense. This is the protection of our people, independence, sovereignty, borders and the people who were killed by the terrorist PKK. We, as a firend of Syria, warn them once more: if you won't stop your support to terrorism, then you'll be the responsible side and we won't show compassion.''

[14] BAKU-CEYHAN PROJECT - ERSUMER, THE MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES: ''BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE ISN'T A NATIONAL POLICY, BUT RATHER AN ECONOMIC AND STRATEGIC POLICY''

Addressing the opening speech at the 12th International Oil Congress held at the Middle East Technical University (METU), Cumhur Ersumer said that the news published in the New York Times which claimed ''the Baku-Ceyhan Pipeline is in Danger,'' didn't reflect the truth.

Pointing out that efforts are underway to prevent the construction of Baku- Ceyhan pipeline and to ''dilute'' the basis of this project, Ersumer said ''an article was published in a newspaper in the US and the information was presented to the public opinion in Turkey in a way which contradicts with the existing situation.''

Ersumer said that the project is underway, Turkey conveyed the studies concerning the project to the Azerbaijani and Georgian sides and she expects a response from the other countries.

[15] ''INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S 75TH YEAR REPUBLIC CUP HANDBALL MATCHES'' TO BE HELD IN DIYARBAKIR

This Handball Tournament was organized by the Turkish Handball Federation, the Emergency Rule Governor's Office and the Diyarbakir Governorship within the framework of the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the founding of the modern Republic of Turkey.

The national handball teams of Turkey, Austria, Iceland, Croatia, Portugal and the Netherlands will participate at the tournament which will be concluded on 18 October.

Meanwhile, the European Handball Federation announced that the referee course will be held in Diyarbakir this year.

[16] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM LEAVES ANTALYA FOR ANKARA

Foreign Minister Cem will welcome Amr Moussa, the Egyptian Foreign Minister at the Esenboga Airport, who is launching efforts to overcome the tension between Turkey and Syria.

Amr Moussa will be received by President Suleyman Demirel the same day during his contacts in Ankara.

[17] NEW PLANES TO NAVAL FORCES - SSM, TAI AND CASA SIGN CONTRACT FOR PURHASE OF NINE ADDITIONAL CN-235 TYPE PLANES

The TAI issued a written statement saying that the TAI won't only produce these nine CN-235 type planes, but also be responsible for the engineering and integration activities by carrying out the installation of the special mission equipment in accordance with the requirements of the Turkish Armed Forces.

Meanwhile, the contract for the CASA's offset package remaining from the Light Cargo Plane project, was also signed.

With this package, the TAI will produce a total of 200 sets of items for the Airbus's A319/320/321 type planes.

This project carries great importance for the TAI as it will produce items for both the Airbus and the Boeing.

Meanwhile, the CN-235 Light Cargo Plane Production Programme, for which the contract was signed on 11 December 1990, was concluded following the delivery of the 50th plane.

[18] THE SUMMIT OF THE BALKAN COUNTRIES - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''THE SUCCESS OF THE PROCESS WILL CREATE AN APPROPRIATE ATMOSPHERE FOR INTEGRATION IN SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE''

Addressing the opening speech of the Summit of the Southeastern European Countries' Head of States and Governments, Prime Minister Yılmaz said that the security issues of the region will be discussed at the summit.

''Instability and regional clashes have increased in the region and local clashes, ethnical nationalism, racism and international terrorism endanger regional security and stability,'' said Yılmaz, noting that regional countries can't stay indifferent to undesirable developments, international society exerts efforts to establish a multi-ethnical state in Yugoslavia and it is important to provide the full implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Referring to the Kosovo problem, Yılmaz said ''the Kosovo problem threatens regional peace and stability with the human tragedy which is going on there. Therefore, an urgent, permanent and valid solution has to be provided peacefully and through a serious dialogue. The legitimate rights of the Albanians, Serbians, Turkish people and others have to be protected within the framework of a just and democratic constitutional order.''

Noting that the establishment of stability in Albania is very important for regional cooperation, Yılmaz said that the Cooperation Process of the Southeastern European countries constitutes a comprehensive framework for the establishment of an atmosphere of peace in the region and for the solution of existing problems.

Prime Minister Yılmaz stressed that the success of the cooperation process will create an appropriate atmosphere for the integration process in Southeastern Europe.

Pointing out that the foreign ministers of the regional countries convene regularly, Prime Minister Yılmaz said that Article 5 of the Dayton Peace Agremeent has to be supported for regional stability.

Prime Minister Yılmaz stated that economic cooperation is an important part of the process, adding that the region, which is living in a transition period, is confronted with several difficulties.

Stressing that reforms are implemented in the regional countries in all fields despite political difficulties, Yılmaz stated that the economies of the regional countries are in an increasing trend concerning trade.

Yılmaz said that an agreement will be signed on Tuesday concerning the establishment of a ''Regional Commerical Promotion Centre.''

''Our aim is to transform Southeastern Europe into a region where cooperation and reconciliation dominate rather than clashes and we can realize this by joint efforts,'' added Yılmaz.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Yılmaz met with Costas Simitis, the Greek Prime Minister the same day.

[19] TURKISH-IRISH BUSINESS COUNCIL MEETING

Addressing the opening speech of the meeting, Celik Arsel, the Co-Chairman of the Turkish-Irish Business Council, said that he was pleased with the further development of economic relations between Turkey and Ireland, adding, ''but, there is visa problem. We expect you to help us in the removal of this problem.''

Giving information about the Turkish economy, Arsel said that Turkey is one of the top ten developing countries, adding that the Irish Embassy in Ankara will be opened next month.

Michael Hannon, the Co-Chairman of the Turkish-Irish Business Council, said that they will exchange information on the subjects of food, textiles, financial services and transportation during their bilateral contacts in Turkey.

Noel Davem, the Irish Minister Responsible for Agriculture and Food, said that food constituted 22 percent of their total exports, adding that they want the Irish food sector to enter into the Turkish market.

Pointing out that Turkey's and Ireland's common characteristics are tolerance and hospitality, Murat Ersavci, the Turkish Ambassador to Ireland, said that both Turkey and Ireland have young and dynamic industrial sectors.

Stressing the investment opportunities in Ireland for the Turkish entrepreneurs, Ersavci said, ''this meeting is an important opportunity for specifying the investment fields.''

[20] AMR MOUSSA, THE EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ARRIVES IN ANKARA

Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, Muhammed Al-mahdi Fathala, the Egyptian Ambassador to Turkey and other officials welcomed Moussa at the Esenboga Airport.

After being received by President Suleyman Demirel, Moussa is expected to leave Turkey on Monday.

Responding to the questions of journalists, Amr Moussa said that he hopes to issue a statement after the completion of his contacts.

The guest Foreign Minister is expected to visit Damascus, the capital of Syria after Ankara.

[21] CEM, THE FM: ''WE EXPECT SYRIA TO TAKE THE STEPS WE WANT HER TO TAKE''

Referring to the tension between Turkey and Syria in the southeastern province of Antalya where the Summit of the Southeastern European Countries' Heads of States and Governments is held, Ismail Cem said that they expect Syria to take concrete and effective steps.

Responding to the claims saying that Syria is sending some positive messages, Cem told journalists, ''this problem can't be solved by sending messages or signals. We expect Syria to take the necessary steps concerning terrorism and the separatist terrorist PKK organization as soon as possible.''

[22] TURKISH-FRENCH COOPERATION IN GAP REGION

The GAP Regional Development Administration's General Directorate officials told the A.A correspondent that Hasan Sahin Cengiz, the Deputy Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the French delegation were welcomed by the high-ranking officials from the GAP Regional Development Administration.

Officials said that the delegation including the officials from the Turkish and French Ministries of Agriculture will carry out research at the Ataturk Dam, at the lands opened to irrigation in Sanliurfa and on the Harran Plain and at the pilot-irrigation fields.

The delegation will leave the region on 14 October following their research at the Rural Affairs Research Institute's Reserach Station in Koruklu and at the greenhouse facilities in Karaali Village.

[23] TURKEY'S INTEREST BURDEN STEMMING FROM DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN BORROWINGS INCREASE EIGHTY-SIX-FOLD IN LAST 20 YEARS

The Ministry of Finance and the Undersecretariat of the Treasury statistics show that the money Turkey is paying for the domestic and foreign borrowings had been gradually increasing.

Twenty years ago, Turkey had repaid a total of seven billion Turkish Liras (TL) of foreign and domestic debts, while today this amount has reached 5 quadrillion 187.4 trillion TL in the first nine months of 1998.

Turkey's total domestic and foreign borrowing repayments from 1978 until the end of the first nine months of 1998 and their values in today's currency in return for the US dollar are as follows:

Repaid Interest Today's Currency

Year (Billion TL) (Billion TL)

-------- ---------------- ------------------
1978 7 80,818
1979 15 110,452
1980 28 101,828
1981 67 168,047
1982 77 132,288
1983 181 223,392
1984 375 284,231
1985 596 317,926
1986 1,081 446,514
1987 2,346 758,065
1988 3,378 657,407
1989 6,181 805,856
1990 12,486 1,355,768
1991 24,071 1,596,132
1992 40,298 1,617,768
1993 116,470 2,931,373
1994 298,284 2,776,549
1995 558,115 3,376,378
1996 1,497,401 5,102,858
1997 2,277,917 4,159,349
1998 First 9 months 5,187,400

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[24] RUANGYI, CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY: ''THERE WON'T BE A DEVALUATION IN CHINA''

The Chinese Ambassador Ruangyi, who visited Mustafa Kusdil, the Mayor of Bursa, said in the meeting that the volume of trade between Turkey and China should be increased.

Pointing out that the volume of trade between the two countries was 600 million US dollars in 1997, Ruangyi said that their goal is to double this amount within the next two years.

Noting that the Turkish businessmen can establish commercial relations with China especially in the fields of energy, agriculture, food, construction and textiles, Ruangyi said that a businessman from Bursa will open a Turkish restaurant in China in the near future.

[25] THE SUMMIT OF THE BALKAN COUNTRIES - SIMITIS, THE GREEK PRIME MINISTER: ''THE SUMMIT CONSTITUTES AN IMPORTANT BASIS CONCERNING THE KOSOVO PROBLEM''

Addressing the summit meeting held in the southern province of Antalya, Simitis stated that the foreign ministers' meeting held in Istanbul in June created disappointment and the countries have to prevent the repetition of this.

The foreign ministers of the Southeastern European countries which convened in Istanbul last June wanted to issue a joint declaration including the Kosovo problem, but this didn't come true due to the opposition of Yugoslavia and a separate statement was issued concerning this problem.

Noting that a united Europe can be created by forgetting the differences between the concerned countries in the past, Simitis said ''I believe that the European integration can't be fully realized if the Southeastern European countries don't participate in it.''

''Ethnical and religious differences have brought the issues of autonomy, self determination and minority rights onto the agenda, which had earlier been ignored by former regimes in regional countries,'' said Simitis, stressing that countries have to abide by several principles such as respect for territorial integrity, non-intervention with internal affairs and avoiding the use of force or the threat to use force.

''It isn't enough to sign joint declarations, we have to implement our decisions,'' said Simitis, adding that Southeastern Europe should be the basic route for the transport of Central Asian oil to the Western markets.

Prime Minister Yılmaz and Simitis, the Greek Prime Minister, are expected to meet with each other the same day and discuss problems, particularly the Kosovo problem which concerns the two countries.

[26] 12TH OIL CONFERENCE - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''BAKU-CEYHAN IS THE ONLY ROUTE VIA WHICH THE OIL CAN BE SAFELY TRANSPORTED TO WORLD MARKETS FROM THE CASPIAN REGION''

Addressing the ''12th Oil Conference'' held at the Middle East Technical University's Conference Hall, President Demirel said, ''if a total of 100 million or 50 million tonnes of crude oil is drilled from the sources in Central Asia, how can this oil be transported to the world markets? I want to emphasize that we purchase oil from everywhere because we have shores on the Black Sea, Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. The oil is brought to our seaports wherever we want to purchase. Making use of this oil isn't an important issue for us. We offer facilities in working for every country. We say that they can use our seaports in the Mediterranean. If they want to transport this oil via the Black Sea and the Straits, it is impossible and infeasible. Thus, the Baku-Ceyhan is the primary route for the transports of 50 million tonnes of oil. The world has to evaluate this seriously.''

''The Baku-Ceyhan has another advantage. The natural gas can also be transported via this route. Saparmurad Turkmenbasi, the President of Turkmenistan, sent me a letter two weeks ago saying that they accepted the project for the transports of natural gas below the Caspian Sea. Thus, the Baku-Ceyhan is the only route via which the Turkmen natural gas and the Caspian oil can be safely transported to the world markets, because there isn't any other project to replace it. The Baku-Ceyhan will absolutely be constructed. Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey are resolved to construct it. Also, the US has supported this project up until now,'' President Demirel stated.

[27] THE SUMMIT OF THE BALKAN COUNTRIES - BULATOVIC, THE YUGOSLAVIAN PRIME MINISTER: ''THE MILITARY THREATS OF NATO CAN'T BE ACCEPTED''

Speaking at the opening session of the Summit of the Southeastern European Countries' Head of States and Governments, Bulatovic alleged that military factors which are outside the region seriously threaten the independence of the European countries, adding that these threats don't only harm international law and regional interests, but they will also adversely affect the interests of each country in the region.

''National rights and the rights of the national minorities are manipulated for the sake of separatist and hegemonic interests,'' said Bulatovic, adding that Yugoslavia is a multicultural and multiethnical country which is based on the equality among federal units.

Referring to the summit of the concerned countries' heads of states and governments held on Crete Island of Greece last year, the Yugoslavian Prime Minister pointed out that the joint declaration which was issued at the end of this summit should be a basis for the meetings which will be held in the future.

Noting that Yugoslavia establishes good relations with neighbouring countries and with the other European countries, Bulatovic stated ''we respect the principle of non-intervention with other countries' internal affairs, territorial integrity and independence.''

Mentioning the recent developments in Albania, Bulatovic pointed out that a crisis in this country also threatens the regional countries.

The Yugoslavian Prime Minister added that a free trade zone has to be established among the regional countries.

[28] MOUSSA, THE EGYPTIAN FM MEETS WITH PRESIDENT DEMIREL AND FM CEM

Foreign Minister Cem also participated in the meeting between Demirel and Moussa.

Korkmaz Haktanır, the Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry, Ugur Ziyal, the Deputy Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry, Aykut Cetirge, the General Director of the Middle East Department and Muhammed Al-Mahdi Fathala, the Egyptian Ambassador to Turkey were also present at the meeting.

The guest minister Moussa also met with Foreign Minister Cem after his meeting with Demirel.

[29] HERCUS' MISSION ON CYPRUS IS THE PLAN OF THE US AND BRITAIN

Ann Hercus had earlier announced that she would start a shuttle diplomacy to bring the two leaders together.

The US and Britain wanted Ann Hercus to hold contacts on the island in the field of security and they extended full support to the UN Representative to that end.

Hercus will bring some of her proposals about confidence building measures between the two sides on the island onto the agenda. Therefore, several measures will be taken all through the Green Line on the island and proposals such as the decrease in number of soldiers can come onto the agenda.

According to the US and British plan, if the two leaders can take concrete steps in the field of security, then an appropriate basis will be found to persuade Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader to give up the deployment of the S-300 missiles on the island.

[30] TURKEY-STOCK EXCHANGE - IMKB SECOND SESSION - NATIONAL-100 INDEX RISES TO 2,160.72 WITH AN INCREASE OF 83.80 POINTS

At the close of the second session, the financial index increased 136.03 points to 2,608.71, the industrial index rose 37.66 points to 1,788.25 and the services index climbed 19.79 points to 3,006.97.

The financial shares gained 5.50 percent in value, the industrial shares gained 2.15 percent in value and the services shares gained 0.66 percent in value compared with prices at the close of today's first session.

A total of 167 of the 276 shares gained in value and 60 shares lost in value while the prices of 49 shares didn't change.

The trading volume in the second session was 41.1 trillion Turkish Liras.

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