Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-10-15

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

15 OCT 1998

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] BATU, THE TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO ITALY, TO RETURN TO HIS WORK ON THURSDAY

[03] TALBOTT, THE US DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE SPEAKS ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS, DEMOCRACY AND SOUTHEASTERN PROBLEM IN TURKEY

[04] GENERAL STAFF: ''NONE OF THE TURKISH ARMED FORCES MEMBERS CAN SUPPORT AN ILLEGAL DEMONSTRATION AIMED AT OVERTHROWING THE BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE REPUBLIC''

[05] CENSURE MOTION AGAINST TOPCU, THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HOUSING, REJECTED

[06] SEZGIN, THE NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER: ''I DON'T SUPPOSE THAT SYRIA WILL PERMIT PKK TO TAKE SHELTER IN HER TERRITORIES FROM NOW ON''

[07] GEORGIAN MINISTRY OF NATIONAL SECURITY: - ''SEPARATIST TERRORIST PKK ORGANIZATION DIDN'T CARRY OUT ACTIVITIES IN GEORGIA'' - ''KURDS CAN'T SABOTAGE OIL PIPELINE''

[08] TURKISH-FRENCH RELATIONS - DONDOUX, THE FRENCH STATE SECRETARY RESPONSIBLE FOR FOREIGN TRADE: ''THE RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND FRANCE HAVE FURTHER IMPROVED AFTER THE CUSTOMS AGREEMENT''

[09] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

[10] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

[11] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (3)

[12] DEMACI, THE KOSOVAN LIBERATION ARMY'S POLITICAL REPRESENTATIVE: ''WE WANT TO SEE TURKEY NOT BEHIND EUROPE AND THE US, BUT AS A LEADING COUNTRY IN THE REGION''

[13] ZULFIKAROV, THE AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTER: ''WE CONDEMN ALL THE TERRORIST ACTIVITIES INCLUDING THE ONES DIRECTED AGAINST THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY''

[14] ''FULL SUPPORT'' FROM THE US FOR BAKU-CEYHAN ROUTE - MORNINGSTAR, THE US PRESIDENT'S SPECIAL CONSULTANT FOR CASPIAN REGION: - ''THERE ISN'T ANY OTHER ALTERNATIVE AND SOLUTION EXCEPT THE BAKU-CEYHAN''

[15] TURKEY-STOCK EXCHANGE - IMKB FIRST SESSION - NATIONAL-100 INDEX RISES TO 2,082.05 WITH AN INCREASE OF 84.71 POINTS

[16] ERSUMER, MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES, RECEIVES LEBEDEV, RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY

[17] BATU, THE TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO ITALY LEAVES FOR ITALY

[18] ANOTHER AGREEMENT IN ENERGY - FIRST UNIT OF CAN THERMAL POWER PLANT THAT WILL COST 374 MILLION US DOLLARS, WILL START OPERATING IN 2001

[19] DEMACI, THE KOSOVAN LIBERATION ARMY'S POLITICAL REPRESENTATIVE: ''WE WANT TO SEE TURKEY NOT BEHIND EUROPE AND THE US, BUT AS A LEADING COUNTRY IN THE REGION''

[20] FROM THE WRITTEN DEFENSE OF SAKIK, SEPARATIST TERRORIST: ''IF PKK WANTS PEACE TO COME, FIRST OF ALL APO SHOULD LEAVE DAMASCUS''

[21] ANOTHER AGREEMENT IN ENERGY - CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT OF CAN THERMAL POWER PLANT SIGNED IN A CEREMONY AT WHICH PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ PARTICIPATED

[22] STATE MINISTER BATALLI TO LEAVE FOR IRAQ - BATALLI TO BE RECEIVED BY IRAQI DEPUTY PRESIDENT RAMAZAN

[23] ANTIPERSONNEL LAND MINES - TURKEY EXTENDS MORATORIUM IMPLEMENTATION ON LAND MINE EXPORTS AND TRANSFERS FOR ANOTHER THREE YEARS

[24] OFFICIAL WELCOMING CEREMONY FOR ESTONIAN PRESIDENT - PRESIDENT DEMIREL ''TURKEY SUPPORTS ESTONIA'S DESIRE TO PARTICIPATE IN EUROPEAN-ATLANTIC ORGANIZATIONS''

[25] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER CETIN LEAVES FOR SWITZERLAND

[26] TURKEY REPAYS 435.6 MILLION US DOLLARS IN FOREIGN DEBTS IN FIRST TWO WEEKS OF OCTOBER

[27] CENTRAL BANK'S FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES INCREASE TO 22 BILLION 311 MILLION US DOLLARS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) 16 MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY FORCES DIE
Security Forces killed 42 terrorists in a clash which erupted with a group of 170 PKK terrorists in the rural areas of Catak County of the eastern province of Van. Sixteen village guards and two soldiers died in the clash and three village guards were wounded. Officials said that the number of the terrorists killed can increase.

CASSETTES SHAKE THE GOVERNMENT
The cassettes which include the speeches between Korkmaz Yigit, who bought Turkbank for 600 million US dollars and Alaattin Cakıcı, a notorious Mafia boss shook the government in Ankara. The connection between privatization and the Mafia are being examined.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

STORM IN POLITICS
The number of the Democrat Turkey Party (DTP) deputies in the Parliament decreased to 19, therefore the DTP lost its required majority to establish a group in the Parliament. Husamettin Cindoruk, the leader of the DTP said that their seats will be transferred to deputies from the Republican People's Party (CHP). Therefore, ''the role of the CHP in the government will increase,'' he added.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

JUDGES AND PROSECUTORS TO BE INTERROGATED
The Ministry of the Interior started an investigation about 40 judges and prosecutors due to the report of the Prime Ministry Investigation Council. The Council said in the report that 40 prosecutors and judges have connections with sects, play roles in the organization of sects, don't shake the hands of women and don't stay together with women in the same room.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

THE NEW ARMENIAN PATRIARCH ELECTED
Archbishop Mesrob Mutafyan, who is known as a reformist, was elected as the 84th Patriarch of the Turkish Armenians yesterday.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

WE'LL ALSO OVERCOME THE 99 CRISIS
Isın Celebi, the Minister of State, said that there are measures taken in the 1999 budget against the possibility of a crisis, adding that we'll reach our targets in 1999. Celebi said that the government reached 90 percent of its goals for 1998.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] BATU, THE TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO ITALY, TO RETURN TO HIS WORK ON THURSDAY

The officials at the Turkish Embassy in Rome said that Batu, who was recalled to Ankara on 2 October, met with President Suleyman Demirel and Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament, in Ankara.

At these meetings, Batu took up the meetings of the so-called Kurdish parliament in exile in Italy and the draft law on the so-called genocide on Armenians which is expected to be discussed by the Italian parliament.

Noting that the Italian government has understood the withrawal of Inal Batu, diplomatic sources pointed out that the Italian government didn't recall the Italian Ambassador to Turkey as it considered the reaction of Turkey as right.

The same sources stressed that an interparliamentary visit can be held in the future between the two countries to revive the bilateral relations.

[03] TALBOTT, THE US DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE SPEAKS ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS, DEMOCRACY AND SOUTHEASTERN PROBLEM IN TURKEY

Talbott delivered a memorial lecture in honour of the late Turkish President Turgut Ozal and said ''sometimes issues of democracy and human rights cause conflict between Turkey and the US''.

Noting that the US recognizes the right of self defense of Turkey against terrorism, Talbott said the United States believes that there ''can be no solely military solution to the problems that continue. Any enduring answer to Turkey's southeastern problem will depend on the willingness of the Turkish government to safeguard the human rights of all the people of Turkey.''

Reiterating the view that the US supports the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline, which plans to transport Azerbaijani oil to the Mediterranean, Talbott said that the US supports the establishment of a bizonal and bicommunal federation on Cyprus and it opposes the deployment of the S-300 missiles on the island.

Strobe Talbott urged the European Union (EU) to say ''clearly and unequivocally'' that it is reserving a place for Turkey when she is ready for EU membership. He pointed out that such an EU declaration will be the best guarantee for the Turkish progress on human rights and other issues that have prevented the EU from accepting Turkey as a member. While encouraging a more open attitude by the EU, Talbott said that many of the obstacles which have blocked the Turkish EU membership are of Turkey's own making.

Responding to a question, he stressed that the PKK is a terrorist organization and Turkey and Syria should solve the tension between them by giving a chance to diplomacy.

Talbott added that the close relations between Turkey and Israel have a positive effect on the Middle Eastern Peace Process.

[04] GENERAL STAFF: ''NONE OF THE TURKISH ARMED FORCES MEMBERS CAN SUPPORT AN ILLEGAL DEMONSTRATION AIMED AT OVERTHROWING THE BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE REPUBLIC''

Addressing a written statement upon the claims published in a newspaper saying that soldiers supported the demonstration held in Ankara on 11 October 1998 to protest the ban on religious head scarves, by ''waving their hands,'' the General Staff noted that ''all members of the Turkish Armed Forces promised to protect the Republic of Turkey, which is a democratic, secular and social legal state, forever and if necessary they are ready to die to this end.''

''The necessary legal proceedings have been started against the newspapers which publish such biased and uncorrect news,'' the statement added.

[05] CENSURE MOTION AGAINST TOPCU, THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HOUSING, REJECTED

In the course of the debate on the parliamentary investigation motion against Topcu due to claims saying that he damaged the state in the tender opened for the construction of the Izmit tube tunnel, the True Path Party (DYP) deputies had brought a motion of no-confidence against Topcu to unseat him.

The no-confidence motion brought against Topcu, who was accused of corruption, was voted on and rejected the same day.

A total of 454 deputies participated in the voting and Topcu was supported by 205 deputies in return for 249 deputies who voted for the motion, so the necessary majority to unseat him couldn't be achieved.

[06] SEZGIN, THE NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER: ''I DON'T SUPPOSE THAT SYRIA WILL PERMIT PKK TO TAKE SHELTER IN HER TERRITORIES FROM NOW ON''

Responding to the questions of journalists about the Turkish-Syrian tension, Sezgin stated, ''we don't have any information confirming that Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization is in Russia, but I can say that he isn't in Syria, I suppose that he escaped from Syria and from now on Syria won't host Ocalan.''

Noting that the activities of the separatist terrorist organization in Syria ended for a period of time in 1992, Sezgin stated that Syria started again to permit these activities after then.

When a journalist asked ''if Syria accepts controls on her territory to check whether or not terrorist activities continue,'' Sezgin said, ''our impressions show that Syria won't permit the PKK terrorists to take shelter in her territories.''

[07] GEORGIAN MINISTRY OF NATIONAL SECURITY: - ''SEPARATIST TERRORIST PKK ORGANIZATION DIDN'T CARRY OUT ACTIVITIES IN GEORGIA'' - ''KURDS CAN'T SABOTAGE OIL PIPELINE''

The Georgian Ministry of National security issued a written statement saying that the activities of the Kurdish associations in Georgia are under control.

The statement, which was issued following the Prime News agency's news titled ''the Kurds in Georgia collect money from the Turkish businessmen by threatening'', said that the issue will be inspected.

The statement stressed that the separatist terrorist PKK organization can't sabotage the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline which was planned to pass via Georgia.

Pointing out that the Turkish Embassy in Tbilisi gave a note to Georgia concerning the activities of the terrorist PKK, the Georgian Ministry of National Security recalled in its written statement that as a result of the Turkish and Georgian security forces' joint operation a few months ago, a separatist terrorist with a so-called code name Medet was extradited to Turkey.

Meanwhile, Muraz Osamyan, the Chairman of the International Kurdish Culture and Information Bureau in Tbilisi, said that the Bureau was carrying out activities within the framework of the Georgian laws and that the news about the Kurds' collecting money from the Turkish businessmen by threatening was baseless.

[08] TURKISH-FRENCH RELATIONS - DONDOUX, THE FRENCH STATE SECRETARY RESPONSIBLE FOR FOREIGN TRADE: ''THE RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND FRANCE HAVE FURTHER IMPROVED AFTER THE CUSTOMS AGREEMENT''

Addressing a press briefing at the French Embassy in Ankara, Dondoux said that they discussed agricultural issues during his contacts in Ankara, adding that agriculture is very important for the future of Turkey.

Noting that they have told the Turkish officials that they favour regulating the Customs Union in such a way which will provide for the free movement of agricultural products, Jacques Dondoux said that ''we want Turkey not to limit her imports from France concerning wine and meat. We import Turkish wine in a considerable amount,'' said Dondoux. ''The business volume which was 700 billion francs in 1996 reached 2.3 billion francs in 1997. We guess that the business trade will reach 4 billion francs in 1998,'' he added.

Pointing out that the Customs Union will further contribute to improvement of relations, Dondoux said that the foreign trade between the EU and Turkey develops against Turkey and they believe this unbalance in foreign trade will be corrected in the coming years.

''Turkey is a large market, which has realized and is realizing important reforms and she pays her debts on time in spite of the inflation problem. Not every state can pay her debts on time,'' said Dondoux, recalling that Turkey and France invest together in Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.

Responding to the questions of journalists, Jacques Dondoux said that the Turkish industrial sector is attractive for them and they will participate in the tank tender opened by Turkey.

[09] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)

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

CETIN TO VISIT LAUSANNE
Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament, will go to Lausanne today to participate in celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey and the signing of the Lausanne Treaty. /Cumhuriyet/

FOREIGN MINISTRY: CONFIRMATION IS REQUIRED ON APO'S WHEREABOUTS
The Foreign Ministry on Wednesday said that recent claims that Abdullah Ocalan, the PKK leader, has left Syria, ''have to be confirmed''. Sermet Atacanli, the Deputy Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry said yesterday in a weekly press conference that ''Turkey needs confirmation on whether or not Ocalan is out of Syria''. ''If Syria really wishes to end the tension or prevent that tension from assuming different dimensions, she should cease supporting the terrorist organization without questions having to be asked, '' Atacanli told reporters. Atacanli also said that no meeting between Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, and his Syrian counterpart, Faruq al- Shara has been planned. In addition, Atacanli reiterated Turkey's complaints about Greece and their support of the PKK. /Hurriyet/

TURKEY COMPLAINS ABOUT SYRIA TO EUROPEAN UNION
Turkey brought Syrian support of the PKK onto the agenda of a meeting among terrorism specialists from the member countries of the EU, the US, Canada and Israel which was held yesterday by the European Council. Bahattin Gursoz, the Foreign Ministry Advisor, told the meeting that Syria continued to permit Abdullah Ocalan, the PKK leader, to reside in Damascus and that Ankara had concrete evidence to prove it. He said that normalization of relations with Syria would be impossible if Damascus continues her support of the terrorist organization, adding that every country has the right of self defense if its security is threatened. Gursoz noted that to date almost 40,000 people have been killed because of the PKK terrorist activities. ''Nevertheless Kurdish society and PKK terrorism should not be linked to each other,'' stressed Gursoz. /Hurriyet/

''APO ISN'T IN RUSSIA''
Ismet Sezgin, the Minister of Defense, noted yesterday that there was no information confirming that Abdullah Ocalan (Apo), the leader of the PKK terrorist organization, is in Russia. Sezgin, who attended a promotion reception for the upcoming 1999 Defense Fair, replied to questions from press members and said, ''there is no news corroborating that Ocalan is in Russia. I can say however, that Ocalan isn't in Syria and I hope that Syria won't harbour Ocalan anymore.'' /Sabah/

TURKISH ARMENIANS ELECT NEW PATRIARCH
Archbishop Mesrob Mutafyan was chosen the 84th patriarch of the Armenian community in Turkey following an election held on Wednesday. He received 74 votes from 89 delegates representing Turkish Armenians and the Armenian religious establishment. /Hurriyet/

YILMAZ OPENS ''EXPO-SHIPPING''
Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz opened an international expo-shipping exhibition in Istanbul on Wednesday and pledged to continue supporting Turkey's fast growing shipping industry. He urged foreign companies to invest in the Turkish shipping industry, one of the most profitable sectors of the economy. The shipping industry earns at least 2 billion US dollars a year for the domestic economy. /Hurriyet/

[10] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)

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

HAKKARI DEPUTY ZEYDAN LEAVES DTP
With the resignation of Mustafa Zeydan, the Democrat Turkey Party (DTP) Hakkari Deputy on Wednesday, the number of DTP seats in Parliament have fallen from 20 to 19 and the party has lost its right to have a group in Parliament. Just after his resignation, Zeydan announced that he would be joining the True Path Party (DYP), increasing that party's seats to 96. /Hurriyet/

48 TERRORISTS KILLED IN SOUTHEAST
Security forces have killed a total of 48 PKK terrorists in recent operations, particularly in the southeastern province of Van. According to the same dispatches, a total of 16 members of the security forces, 14 of whom were village guards, have also been killed. /Hurriyet/Sabah/

TEMA OAK TREE PLANTING CAMPAIGN
The Turkish Foundation for Combatting Soil Erosion, Reforestration and Protection of Natural Habitats (TEMA) has organized a 10 billion oak tree seed planting project which was officially opened yesterday with a ceremony at the Presidential Residence attended by President Suleyman Demirel. Speaking at the ceremony, Demirel said, ''we are declaring this a national project, a national movement and a national target, and we are announcing it to everyone''. Imren Aykut, the Minister of the Environment, said that the world in the new century would be saved through mitigating the damage human beings have done and by attempting to save nature. /All papers/

CEM: ''TURKEY IS DETERMINED''
Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, said yesterday that Turkey was determined to resolve the Syrian issue. ''Syria's stopping support for the separatist terrorist activities is Turkey's top priority. There have been signs of positive developments, but Syria must bring Turkey concrete evidence about this,'' said Cem. He added that Turkey is against the establishment of a security committee. /Hurriyet/

AMBASSADOR BATU BACK TO ROME
Inal Batu, the Turkish Ambassador to Italy, is going back today to his post in Italy. Batu was called to Ankara to inform the Turkish government about a meeting of the so-called Kurdish Parliament-in-Exile in the Italian Parliament between 28-29 September. /Hurriyet/

CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THERMAL POWER PLANT
A construction contract for a thermal power plant in Can (pronounced Chan) near Canakkale will be signed today. Turkey signed construction contracts for four natural gas transformation power plants last week. Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz is expected to attend the signing ceremony to be held at the General Directorate of the Turkish Electricity Production-Distribution Corp. (TEAS). The construction of the first unit of the plant will be concluded within 34 months and the construction of the second unit will finish within 36 months following the conclusion of the contract negotiations.

[11] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (3)

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

DHKP-C OPERATIONS
A statement made by the Istanbul Department for the Struggle Against Terrorism yesterday said that 27 members of the illegal DHKP-C organization had been taken into custody. The statement noted that some people working at the Kurtulus newspaper had extended logistic support to the organization. /Cumhuriyet/

AKHISM CULTURE WEEK CELEBRATED
An ''Akhism Festival'' organized by the Ankara Municipality within the framework of the Akhism Culture Week was held yesterday. Melih Gokcek, the Mayor of Ankara, and Ali Riza Ercan, the Chairman of the Ankara Union of Chambers of Tradesmen and Artisans, delivered speeches at the festival. Ercan said that Akhism, a philosophy promoting brotherhood, was very important for the future of Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/

ROMANIAN CLAIM
Radu Vasile, the Romanian Prime Minister, has claimed that Turkey wants to purchase 124 fighter-helicopters to be produced jointly by Romania and the US Bell Textron company. Prime Minister Vasile said in a statement following the Balkan Summit held in Antalya during the last few days that officials from the Turkish Defense Ministry were expected to visit Romania in the upcoming days. /Cumhuriyet/

RESTORATION OF CHURCH OF ST. PAUL
St. Paul's Church in Antiocheia, an ancient city in Yalvac County of Isparta Province, will be restored and opened for religious belief tourism. Dr. Mehmet Taslialan, the Director of the Yalvac Museum, said yesterday that for the restoration of the church, which is the oldest and the largest church in the world, an additional allocation of 34 billion TL had been sent. /Cumhuriyet/

GOOD NEWS FOR TURKISH CITIZENS LIVING IN GERMANY
At a coalition meeting yesterday between the Social Democrat Party led by Chancellor-designate Schroeder and the Union/90 Greens Party, it was agreed that foreigners living in Germany had the right to dual citizenship. Thus, a new and positive era has started for hundreds of thousands of Turkish citizens living in Germany. Foreigners living in Germany for eight years without committing any crimes will have the right to obtain German citizenship without having to abandon their original nationality. This period will be reduced to five years for young people growing up in Germany. German citizenship will be given to third generation foreigners at birth. /Milliyet/

NEARING THE POINT OF SOLUTION
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak yesterday said that within the framework of a goodwill mission initiated by Egypt to solve the crisis between Turkey and Syria, they have reached a point where there is increasing hope for a solution. In a statement he made during a visit to the Egytian Air Forces Command, Mubarak said, ''We have neared a point which gives hope for a solution to the crisis between Turkey and Syria and soon measures will be taken towards that end''. Reviewing his efforts to avert threats to the stability of the region, Mubarek added that he was pleased to see that both President Suleyman Demirel and Hafez al-Assad, the Syrian President, had objectively analyzed various aspects of the crisis. /Milliyet/

NO PROBLEMS ABOUT BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE PROJECT
Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, who received Jacques Dondoux, the French Foreign Trade Minister, yesterday stated that there were no problems concerning the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project. Ersumer said that Turkey had invited Azerbaijani working groups to Turkey to prepare an intergovernmental agreement to be signed on 19 October./Sabah/

[12] DEMACI, THE KOSOVAN LIBERATION ARMY'S POLITICAL REPRESENTATIVE: ''WE WANT TO SEE TURKEY NOT BEHIND EUROPE AND THE US, BUT AS A LEADING COUNTRY IN THE REGION''

Noting that Turkey has a rooted history in Kosovo which continued for a long time, Demaci pointed out that Turkey shouldn't think that autonomy is enough for Kosovo.

Demaci stressed that they want to see Turkey not behind Europe and the US, but they want Turkey to have a leading status in the region concerning the Kosovo problem and issues that concern the Balkans.

[13] ZULFIKAROV, THE AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTER: ''WE CONDEMN ALL THE TERRORIST ACTIVITIES INCLUDING THE ONES DIRECTED AGAINST THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY''

Zulfikarov said that they are seriously worried about the recent developments concerning Turkish-Syrian relations, adding that if the political will exists, then the problems can be solved peacefully.

Noting that all the countries in the region are concerned about terrorism, Zulfikarov invited all the regional countries to take joint steps in the struggle against terrorism.

[14] ''FULL SUPPORT'' FROM THE US FOR BAKU-CEYHAN ROUTE - MORNINGSTAR, THE US PRESIDENT'S SPECIAL CONSULTANT FOR CASPIAN REGION: - ''THERE ISN'T ANY OTHER ALTERNATIVE AND SOLUTION EXCEPT THE BAKU-CEYHAN''

Ambassador Richard Morningstar, the US President Bill Clinton's Special Consultant for the Caspian Region Energy Policies, said that it would be a surprise for him if the International Consortium, which will drill and market the Azerbaijani oil, choses the Baku-Supsa route on 29 October.

Ambassador Morningstar stressed, ''there isn't any other alternative except the Baku-Ceyhan. Ankara should solve the issue with the companies.''

Speaking to reporters, Morningstar defined the news published in the New York Times claiming that the consortium operations company AIOC will prefer the Baku-Supsa route, as ''a very early and untimely news''.

Morningstar emphasized that the oil companies still continue ''intense talks'' with both the Turkish and Azerbaijani governments and that the decision, which will be announced by the AIOC on 29 October, will only be a ''recommendation''.

Morningstar recalled that the issue of ''the passage through the Turkish Straits'' was known and that Haydar Aliyev, the Azerbaijani President, announced that he supports the Baku-Ceyhan.

''Even I don't know what kind of a decision or recommendation the AIOC will make, but the Baku-Supsa will be a surprise for me,'' he stated.

Noting that the oil companies take into consideration the commercial productivity and lower costs, Morningstar stressed that the Turkish government should solve the issue with the companies.

''The support of the US for the Baku-Ceyhan is definite and full. I am saying this categorically. We are giving political support to this. We are launching great effort to reach a solution between the companies and governments. There isn't any alternative and solution except the Baku- Ceyhan, because, the route via the Turkish Straits isn't a long-term solution. We are encouraging Turkey and the oil companies to reach an acceptable solution. We are working on financing as well. Turkey is an allied country of us and we absolutely know Turkey's sensitivity about the issues of the Starits. The agreement should show validity for trading and this issue should be solved between Ankara and the oil companies,'' Morningstar added.

[15] TURKEY-STOCK EXCHANGE - IMKB FIRST SESSION - NATIONAL-100 INDEX RISES TO 2,082.05 WITH AN INCREASE OF 84.71 POINTS

At the close of the first session, the financial index increased 124.52 points to 2,536.61, the industrial index rose 43.60 points to 1,706.28 and the services index climbed 63.07 points to 2,863.01. The financial shares gained 5.29 percent in value, the industrial shares gained 2.62 percent in value and the services shares gained 2.25 percent in value compared to Wednesday's second session close.

A total of 222 of the 281 shares gained in value, 25 shares lost in value while the prices of 34 shares didn't change.

The trading volume in the morning session was 27.6 trillion Turkish Liras.

[16] ERSUMER, MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES, RECEIVES LEBEDEV, RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY

Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Cumhur Ersumer said that Ambassador Lebedev and he discussed the Turkish-Russian joint projects and cooperation opportunities in the field of energy.

Ersumer said that they also exchanged opinions about the visit that the Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz planned to pay to Russia in the near future.

Ambassador Lebedev said that Russia doesn't show her hospitality to Abdullah Ocalan, the terrorist chief.

Responding to the question ''is it true that the terrorist chief Ocalan in now in Russia?'', Lebedev said, ''I can't say anything about this. Because, I didn't see him. I don't believe in such speculations. The PKK can't carry out activities in Russia although it is supported by some people. Russia's hospitality won't be shown to him.''

Responding to another question about the Baku-Ceyhan Crude Oil Pipeline, Lebedev said, ''my own view is that I'm in favor of a Turkish-Russian cooperation if the project is realized. We don't want to put an obstacle in front of Turkey. We want to cooperate.''

[17] BATU, THE TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO ITALY LEAVES FOR ITALY

Responding to the questions of journalists at the Ataturk Airport, Batu said that he will launch efforts to further improve the Turkish-Italian relations.

Noting that the further improvement of relations between Turkey and Italy depends on the parliaments of the two countries, Batu stressed that the letter sent by Violente, the Italian Speaker of the Parliament, to Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament, has been evaluated as a ''positive and constructive'' message.

[18] ANOTHER AGREEMENT IN ENERGY - FIRST UNIT OF CAN THERMAL POWER PLANT THAT WILL COST 374 MILLION US DOLLARS, WILL START OPERATING IN 2001

The agreement was signed at the General Directorate of the Turkish Electric Production and Transmission Corp. (TEAS) where Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and Cumhur Ersumer, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources attended.

The Thermal Power Plant will cost 374 million US dollars. The first unit of the power plant will be completed within 32 months and the second unit will be concluded within 34 months. A total of 2.4 billion kilowatt hours of energy will be produced following the implementation of the second unit.

A consortium composed of the French capital Gec Alsthom and Turkish Teknotes companies won the tender related to the power plant last July.

[19] DEMACI, THE KOSOVAN LIBERATION ARMY'S POLITICAL REPRESENTATIVE: ''WE WANT TO SEE TURKEY NOT BEHIND EUROPE AND THE US, BUT AS A LEADING COUNTRY IN THE REGION''

Demaci evaluated recent developments on the Kosovo question to the A.A correspondent. Demaci said that they needed the contributions of Turkey to the Kosovo issue, adding ''we want Turkey to expend further efforts to this end.''

Demaci said ''we have entered into a process in which the problems are solved. The solution is far away but the process has started. The world will not allow a country to threaten world peace on behalf of its internal problems.''

Demaci said ''establishment of an administration for the interests of Albanians, until real elections are held in real conditions, is very important. We believe that the Albanian people have the right to determine their own fate.''

Demaci said ''we are insistent on a referendum in Kosovo'' adding that ''this is a condition and any agreement that will be signed with Serbia without obtaining the consent of the people won't be beneficial.''

[20] FROM THE WRITTEN DEFENSE OF SAKIK, SEPARATIST TERRORIST: ''IF PKK WANTS PEACE TO COME, FIRST OF ALL APO SHOULD LEAVE DAMASCUS''

Sakik, in his written defense given to the Diyarbakir State Security Court (DGM) which was prepared in handwriting, he briefed about the terrorist organization.

Noting that Syria entered into a development process as she didn't have a serious interior or exterior war for 20 years, and that they succeeded in ''exporting'' the war to neighboring countries, they could demand territory from Turkey and Israel, Sakik said that Syria has a key role in all the ongoing problems in the Middle East.

Sakik said ''the PKK should re-evaluate Apo. I have never been a member of the separatist terrorist organization. Although I was with them for a long time, I couldn't fully understand this organization. The PKK leader is getting more brutal to the Kurds and all humanity. The PKK means Apo. The first aim of the PKK became to protect Apo. The PKK isn't like the contemporary organizations, but like the sects which appeared in Japan or the US.''

Sakik said that he was shown as responsible for 191 offenses, including the killing of 33 soldiers, but he added that he didn't participate in any activity ''I made general plans and gave orders. I didn't participate in any activity. I was interested in the theory of armed struggle.''

[21] ANOTHER AGREEMENT IN ENERGY - CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT OF CAN THERMAL POWER PLANT SIGNED IN A CEREMONY AT WHICH PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ PARTICIPATED

The agreement for construction of the Can (pronounced Chan) Thermal Power Plant, which will meet the energy needs of Canakkale was signed in Ankara on Thursday with a ceremony at which Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz also participated.

Addressing the signature ceremony Yilmaz pointed out that the realization of Turkey's targets related to the coming century depends of the realization of this progress realized in the energy field. Yilmaz stressed that if this target can't be realized in energy, then other targets in the fields of exports or production can't be realized.

Yilmaz pointed out that they have never neglected protection of the environment while they were trying to meet Turkey's energy needs, adding ''Hydroelectric and natural gas power plants, of course, are the most healthy and preferable investments in the field of the environment. Power plants working with nuclear energy can be evaluated within the same framework. We should meet the needs of our country by preserving the existing resources.''

Yilmaz said ''on the other hand, we will face the danger of depending on foreign countries, this is a strategic danger which Turkey can't risk.''

Yilmaz said the total energy consumed in Turkey is approximately 115 billion kilowatt hours, adding that the energy need in the year 2010 will be 270 billion kilowatt hours.

Yilmaz said that financing models, which are used in the most modern countries in the world, are used in Turkey in the field of energy.

[22] STATE MINISTER BATALLI TO LEAVE FOR IRAQ - BATALLI TO BE RECEIVED BY IRAQI DEPUTY PRESIDENT RAMAZAN

The Ministry of State issued a written statement saying that Batalli and the accompanying delegation, who will leave for the Jordanian capital of Amman late on Thursday, will later proceed to Baghdad.

Batalli and the accompanying delegation will discuss the measures aimed at providing the development of commercial and economic relations between Turkey and Iraq and the problems of some Turkish companies about their receivables.

The delegation after concluding their official visit to Iraq will return to Turkey on 20 October.

Batalli will meet with the Iraqi Ministers of Transportation and Communications, Trade, Oil and Health, and will be received by Taha Yasin Ramazan, the Deputy President of Iraq.

The representatives of the private sector and high-level officials from the Ministries of Transportation and Finance; the Undersecretariats of the Treasury, Foreign Trade and the State Planning Organization; Turkish Telekom, BOTAS, TUPRAS and TPAO will accompany Batalli during his official visit to Iraq.

[23] ANTIPERSONNEL LAND MINES - TURKEY EXTENDS MORATORIUM IMPLEMENTATION ON LAND MINE EXPORTS AND TRANSFERS FOR ANOTHER THREE YEARS

The Foreign Ministry statement said that Turkey unilaterally implemented a comprehensive moratorium on the exports of ALMs and similar transfers on 17 Jan 1996 under the resolution of the UN Security Council for a three year period and decided to extend this period for another three years before the expiration date.

The statement said that Turkey contributes to the efforts expended regarding the ALMs within the Disarmament Conference, adding ''Turkey, at the same time, holds contacts at the bilateral level with neighboring countries for a border region which is purified from the land mines.''

''We believe that our decision to extend the period of the moratorium will help the efforts to ban the ALMs completely.''

The statement also said ''the land mines are used by various terrorist organizations targetting people, even the women and children, despite the sensitivity of the international community to this end.''

[24] OFFICIAL WELCOMING CEREMONY FOR ESTONIAN PRESIDENT - PRESIDENT DEMIREL ''TURKEY SUPPORTS ESTONIA'S DESIRE TO PARTICIPATE IN EUROPEAN-ATLANTIC ORGANIZATIONS''

Addressing the official welcoming ceremony staged for Lennart Meri, the Estonian President, Demirel recalled that bilateral relations between the two countries were established after Estonia declared its independence in 1991.

Noting that Turkey appreciated the reforms realized by Estonia, Demirel said, ''Turkey is one of the leading countries who support the readiness of Estonia to participate in the European-Atlantic institutions.''

Demirel said that bilateral relations as well as regional problems will be discussed during the visit, adding that there were many fields in which the two countries can improve cooperation.

Demirel pointed out that the Free Trade Agreement which took effect between Turkey and Estonia a while ago, will contribute to the improvement of volume of trade and establishment of a new free trade zone extending from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea.

Lennart Meri, the Estonian President, said that despite the geographical distance, the two countries have close relations.

[25] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER CETIN LEAVES FOR SWITZERLAND

Prior to his departure from the Esenboga Airport, Cetin recalled that the European Turkish Academicians' Union will organize a seminar on ''the Republic of Turkey from 1923 to 2023: Our Heritage-Today-Future'' in Lausanne, Switzerland, between 16-17 October.

Pointing out that he will address the opening speech of the seminar, Cetin said that he will participate at the reception to be held at the Rumine Palace where the Lausanne Treaty was signed.

Noting that he will meet with Ulrich Zimmarli, the Speaker of the Swiss Cantons Assembly, Cetin stated that Zimmarli and he will discuss specific issues concerning the two countries.

''There have been some fluctuations in our relations with Switzerland. These resulted from the biased, unfair and baseless activities attempted by some European-based circles against Turkey. Continuing of mutual dialogue is beneficial for the prevention of misunderstandings and unnecessary tensions. I hope my visit will have a function within this framework,'' Cetin added.

Cetin and the accompanying delegation will proceed to Bern on Friday and meet with Zimmerli.

Hikmet Cetin will return to Lausanne to attend the seminer organized by the European Turkish Academicians' Union.

Cetin and the accompanying delegation will return to Turkey on 18 October.

[26] TURKEY REPAYS 435.6 MILLION US DOLLARS IN FOREIGN DEBTS IN FIRST TWO WEEKS OF OCTOBER

The total foreign debt repayments realized since the beginning of 1998 increased to over nine billion US dollars.

The Central Bank data shows that between 1-14 October 1998, the Treasury realized 410.3 million US dollars and the Central Bank realized 17.7 million US dollars in foreign debt repayments while a total of 7.6 million US dollars was realized for the general and supplementary budget administrations' payments such as documentation, book prices, participation shares and membership fees.

Meanwhile, Turkey repaid a total of 9 billion 38.3 million US dollars since the beginning of the year.

The Treasury repaid 7 billion 391.3 million US dollars; the Central Bank repaid 288.9 million US dollars and the Turkish Defense Fund repaid 175.8 million US dollars in foreign debts, while Turkey realized 1 billion 182.3 million US dollars in repayments such as the general and supplementary budget administrations' payments such as documentation, book prices, participation shares and membership fees.

Turkey realized 1 billion 346.7 million US dollars in January; 916 million US dollars in February; 785.9 million US dollars in March; 765.8 million US dollars in April; 621.1 million US dollars in May; 1 billion 165.9 million US dollars in June; 1 billion 242.8 million US dollars in July; 860.9 million US dollars in August and 897.6 million US dollars in September in foreign debt repayments.

[27] CENTRAL BANK'S FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES INCREASE TO 22 BILLION 311 MILLION US DOLLARS

The Central Bank data shows that the foreign exchange reserves, which were increased by 291 million US dollars between 2-9 October, reached 22 billion 311 million US dollars on 9 October.

The bank's foreign exchange reserves were 22 billion 20 million US dollars on 2 October.

Meanwhile, according to 25 September 1998 based statistics, Turkey's total international gross reserves increased 855 million US dollars to 33 billion 765 million US dollars between 18-25 September.

The international reserves were 32 billion 910 million US dollars on 18 September.

As of 25 September, the international reserves were composed of 1 billion 125 million US dollars in gold reserves; 21 billion 478 million US dollars in the Central Bank's foreign exchange reserves and 11 billion 162 million US dollars of the commercial banks' foreign exchange reserves.

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