Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-01-13

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AA Daily

13 January 1999 Wednesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS CAN'T ONLY BE SOLVED BY THE GOVERNMENT OR POLITICAL PARTIES'' - ''I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE IRAQI CRISIS''

[03] MINISTRY OF FINANCE ALLOCATES 19.6 TRILLION LIRAS TO SUPREME BOARD OF ELECTION FOR THE COMING ELECTIONS

[04] KYRGYZ ''SILK ROAD GROUP'' IN ISTANBUL - SARBAGISHEVA, KYRGYZ CONSUL GENERAL IN ISTANBUL: - ''KYRGYZSTAN AIMS AT REACHING HER OWN PAST AS SHE SEARCHES FOR THIS GREAT HISTORY''

[05] EXPORT OF DRIED APRICOT FROM THE SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA REGION INCREASES 11.7 PERCENT

[06] NEW MINE-DETECTING SHIP FOR THE NAVAL FORCES

[07] HAZELNUT EXPORTS - TURKEY OBTAINES 3.8 BILLION US DOLLARS FROM HER EXPORTS OF HAZELNUTS WITHIN FIVE YEARS

[08] NATO REQUESTS METU OCEANOGRAPHY INSTITUTE TO CARRY OUT ''THE CASPIAN SEA INVENTORY'' PROJECT

[09] EURO'S EFFECT ON TURKEY - EURO EXPECTED TO INCREASE THE FOREIGN TRADE OF TURKEY

[10] EURO'S EFFECTS ON TURKEY

[11] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF THE TRNC MEETS WITH HERCUS

[12] THE VESSEL WHICH POLLUTED THE SEA IN MERSIN, WAS FINED TO 19 BILLION TL

[13] PRIME MINISTRY ISSUES CIRCULARS - ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL COORDINATION COMMITTEES ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE COORDINATION AMONG ORGANIZATIONS SERVING FOR TURKISH REPUBLICS AND THE TURKISH COMMUNITIES

[14] RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''TURKEY GAVE ASSURANCES THAT NEWS REPORTS SAYING THAT CHECHEN LEADER APPOINTED AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY, ARE BASELESS''

[15] PRIME MINISTRY ISSUES CIRCULAR - STUDIES RELATED WITH TURKISH REPUBLICS, MUSLIM STATES AND COMMUNITIES IN BALKANS AND OTHER TURKISH COMMUNITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT BY FOREIGN MINISTRY

[16] COMOTINI COURT OF APPEALS ACQUITS THREE MORE WESTERN THRACIAN TURKISH PARENTS FROM ''BOOK CASE''

[17] TURKISH INVESTMENTS IN BULGARIA IS EXPECTED TO REACH 1 BILLION US DOLLARS BY THE END OF 1999

[18] TURKEY IN BRIEF JAN 13, 1999

[19] HERZOG, PRESIDENT OF GERMANY: ''NEW TURKISH GOVERNMENT HAS UNDERTAKEN AN IMPORTANT DUTY''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) ATTENTION:THE LAST TWO DAYS
We have entered into two critical days concerning the coming elections and those people who are not registered, won't be able to vote in the elections on April 18. The election carries great importance for Turkey in two aspects: not only the political parties that will be govern the country, but also the mayors who will govern the municipalities will be elected.

KIRCI:WHY DID YOU CAPTURE ME ALIVE?
Haluk Kırcı, one of the key names concerning Susurluk scandal refrains from issuing any statement during his interrogation by four expert policemen and two prosecutors. Kırcı told the police that ''why did you capture me alive? I won't talk about anything.'' Kırcı is on a hunger strike and was taken to the hospital yesterday. A police official said that Kırcı accepts the fact that he killed seven members of the Turkish Workers' Party (TIP) in Bahceliveler district in Ankara in 1978.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

BOMB EXPLODES IN MHP OFFICE
A hand grenade exploded in an election office of National Movement Party (MHP) in Uskudar district of Istanbul around 22.00 local time last night. Young people who were at the office were injured and two of them were wounded seriously. Two assailants who staged the bomb attack escaped from the scene after the incident. Police is investigating the incident. The wounded people were taken to Haydarpasa Numune Hospital.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

RADIKAL (LEFT)

RAPID APPOINTMENT TO ITALY
Necati Utkan, the Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, will be appointed as the new Turkish Ambassador to Italy. Inal Batu, the former Turkish Ambassador to Rome, has resigned from his post in the Foreign Ministry in January 11 to become a candidate for deputyship from the Republican People's Party (CHP) in the upcoming general election.

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

STAGNATION TO CONTINUE IN 1999
The State Planning Organization (DPT) announced the targets of the Turkey's economy for 1999. The DPT stressed that economic stagnation continue in 1999 while the global crisis is expected to influence Turkey's export markets considerably. The DPT envisages that the growth rate of Turkey in 1999 will be 3 percent.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

THE US: OCALAN SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE
James Rubin, the Spokesman of the US State Department, said that the US attributes great importance to trial of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of separatist terrorist organization PKK. Evaluating the latest developments regarding Ocalan who has been in Italy since November 12, 1998, Rubin stressed that they maintain efforts with the aim of providing a concensus of opinion between Turkey and Italy over the issue of Ocalan to be brought to justice.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS CAN'T ONLY BE SOLVED BY THE GOVERNMENT OR POLITICAL PARTIES'' - ''I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE IRAQI CRISIS''

Responding to questions live on a private television channel, Prime Minister Ecevit said that the global economic crisis has also effected Turkey, noting that the 55th government has taken some measures concerning this issue and the 56th government will take additional ones if necessary.

''When I was prime minister in June 1978, I asked the Turkish Workers' Labour Union (Turk-Is) to make a social agreement which would incorporate all the economic and social problems. Then we made a productive work with Turk-Is in 1979 including the Confederation of Revolutionary Workers' Labour Union (DISK) and we reached good results,'' Ecevit said.

Stressing that the Economic and Social Council has to have a very serious function in Turkey, Ecevit said that he will convene the Council after the holiday in order to find a solution to the ongoing economic and social problems.

Responding to the claims saying that the elections would be postponed, Prime Minister Ecevit said that ''there is no such tendency in the parliament. I think the elections will definitely be held on April 18.''

Pointing out that he is concerned about the Iraqi crisis, Ecevit said the US and the Iraqi administrations have entered in the process of reciprocal escalation of tension.

''I also don't understand what the US is trying to do,'' said Ecevit, noting that ''I think she does not have a clear policy, she has some tactics, but she does not have a policy or strategy.''

Noting that the US does not have any decision concerning the Iraqi crisis, Ecevit said ''if there was such a decision; this would be announced till now, because the US administration does not keep anything secret.''

''I am worried that air raids will increase after the end of Ramadan,'' Ecevit said, adding ''while I hope Iraq will be in more accordance with the world, I also hope that the United States will produce peaceful solutions, ''

Responding to a question, Ecevit said he hopes taking over the EU Term Presidency by Germany would be an opportunity for Turkey, noting that in comparison to the conservatives, the German social democrats seemed as if they are more tolerant towards foreigners and their rights in Germany, but this will be clear when Germany actually takes over the EU Term Presidency.

[03] MINISTRY OF FINANCE ALLOCATES 19.6 TRILLION LIRAS TO SUPREME BOARD OF ELECTION FOR THE COMING ELECTIONS

The Board has completed more than 80 percent of its work concerning the infrastructure of the elections by the additional payment of four trillion liras it received last year. However the Board spent all of its money when it started the election term on January 4, 1999.

The Ministry of Finance allocated 19.6 trillion Turkish liras to the Supreme Election Board for the election proceedings when Tufan Algan, the Chairman of the Board complained of material impossibilities.

The Ministry immediately freed five trillion liras of this payment, while three trillion liras of the payment will be freed in the coming month and the remaining 11.6 trillion liras will be freed in March.

While the Board has relaxed by this payment, officials pointed out that 22.7 trillion liras are foreseen for the election expenses, but this amount won't be also sufficient.

[04] KYRGYZ ''SILK ROAD GROUP'' IN ISTANBUL - SARBAGISHEVA, KYRGYZ CONSUL GENERAL IN ISTANBUL: - ''KYRGYZSTAN AIMS AT REACHING HER OWN PAST AS SHE SEARCHES FOR THIS GREAT HISTORY''

The group aims at searching the history of the Silk Road and visiting the countries which take place on the route of the Silk Road.

Addressing a press conference, Dilde Sarbagisheva, the Kyrygz Consul General in Istanbul, stressed that Kyrgyzstan attributes great importance to the studies and researches regarding the Silk Road.

Sarbagisheva noted, ''Silk Road was connecting the civilizations and nations to each other. Kyrgyzstan aims at reaching her own past as she searches for the great history of the Silk Road.''

Mentioning the ''Silk Road Diplomacy'' of the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry, Sarbagisheva reminded that a comprehensive report regarded with the Silk Road was submitted to the United Nations two years ago.

Murat Aliev, the Chairman of the Silk Road Group, said in his part that they will make a documentary film with the informations and images which they collect during their tour. He added that their visit to Turkey will last for two days, and then they will proceed to Europe.

Meanwhile the Kyrgyz Modern Photograph and Handicrafts Exhibition was opened in the Firat Culture Center in Cemberlitas District of Istanbul Province.

[05] EXPORT OF DRIED APRICOT FROM THE SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA REGION INCREASES 11.7 PERCENT

Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union told the A.A correspondent that they exported 19.8 thousand tonnes of dried apricot and obtained an income of 45.6 million US dollars.

In the same period of 1997, the region had exported a total of 15.2 thousand tonnes of dried apricot and obtained 40 million 825 thousand US dollars.

Officials pointed out that they exported dried apricot mainly to the US, France, Britain, Austria, Israel, Canada, Italy, Russia and Saudi Arabia.

[06] NEW MINE-DETECTING SHIP FOR THE NAVAL FORCES

The Secretariat General of the General Staff issued a statement saying that the mine-detecting ship will be taken to Turkey in February after the port and marine trainings are completed in France.

[07] HAZELNUT EXPORTS - TURKEY OBTAINES 3.8 BILLION US DOLLARS FROM HER EXPORTS OF HAZELNUTS WITHIN FIVE YEARS

Officials at the Black Sea Union of Hazelnut Exporters told the A.A correspondent that Turkey exported 202.9 thousand tonnes of hazelnuts and obtained an income of 925.6 million US dollars in 1997.

In 1998, Turkey exported 201.8 thousand tonnes of hazelnut and Obtained 866.3 million US dollars.

Turkey exports hazelnut to 80 countries.

The hazelnut export and income of Turkey in the last five years are as follows:

Year   Export (Tone) Income (Dollars)
-----  ------------- ----------------
1994      186.401       712.146.000
1995      242.632       771.356.919
1996      198.366       612.999.000
1997      202.909       925.651.050
1998      201.883       866.313.561
----- ------------- ----------------
TOTAL   1.032.191     3.888.466.530

[08] NATO REQUESTS METU OCEANOGRAPHY INSTITUTE TO CARRY OUT ''THE CASPIAN SEA INVENTORY'' PROJECT

Prof. Dr. Ilkay Salihoglu, the Director of the Institute, which will carry out the ''Caspian Sea Inventory'' project of NATO, told the A.A correspondent that the study will be a first one in Caspian Sea.

Salihoglu said that they will hold a meeting in Istanbul on January 27 by the participation of Black Sea Countries' Institutes of Oceanography and start working after holding another meeting in Baku between 15-16 February, 1999.

Noting that the regional countries approach positively to the project, Salihoglu said that Turkmenistan will give the necessary ship for the research to be carried out, adding that the biological, physiological and geological inventory of the Caspian Sea will be prepared at the end of the research.

''Caspian Sea has an original atmosphere, it is such kind of sea which attract scientists. This project will contribute to us in respect of science,'' he added.

[09] EURO'S EFFECT ON TURKEY - EURO EXPECTED TO INCREASE THE FOREIGN TRADE OF TURKEY

The competition will increase in Europe due to the new system and it will be benefical for Turkish firms to search for partnership with European firms.

A report prepared by Foreign Trade Undersecretariat Directorate General of Economic Researches and Evaluation namely ''Transition to Single Currency, Euro in Economic Monetary Union Process'' evaluated the possible effects of the EURO on world trade and on Turkey.

Recalling that approximately 50 percent of the foreign trade of Turkey is realized with the EU, the report pointed out that EURO carries great importance in respect of Turkey.

Noting that 45 percent of the foreign debt stock of Turkey is composed of European monetary units, the report pointed out that the share of EU countries in foreign investments undertaken in Turkey is around 70 percent in the last five years.

Meanwhile three million Turkish citizens live in EU countries and they have savings worth of 21 billion marks in Central Bank, the report stressed that EURO is important for Turkey as she is the only country which signed customs deal with the EU. The report stressed that EURO will particularly affect the foreign trade of Turkey in the short term.

The evaluation states that the possibility of increase in Turkey's foreign trade with Europe will be high as long as the EURO is accepted by Turkish markets. If the Turkish foreign trade sector is active, it can enter European markets because there are huge differences in prices in European markets, the report says.

Stressing that EURO will be stronger than the national currencies of the EU member states and this decreases the possibility of instability, the report said this will protect Turkish exporters from the risk of foreign exchange rate and decrease the hedging costs.

''By the implementation of EURO, importers and exporters which work with more than one EU country will have the freedom to carry out their transactions with single currency and this will provide important savings in cost of transactions. The prices will be transparent within the EU,'' the report says.

The Turkish importers and exports will have the chance to sign contracts with the EU countries in EURO rather than in national currencies.

The report recalled that the Central Bank will consider the foreign exchange basket as ''one dollar+0.77 euro.''

Meanwhile the contracts which had earlier been signed between EU contries and third countries in national currencies will keep their validity.

[10] EURO'S EFFECTS ON TURKEY

On the other hand, countries will maintain tough monetary and finance policies in 1999 to realize the Maastrich Criterion in order to participate at the Union. As a result of this implementation, domestic demands and the growth rate in the participant countries can reduce for the next several years. The import of the EU countries, therefore, may slow down. Contraction of demands in these countries can effect Turkey's export negatively.

Competition is expected to increase in Europe with Euro. Turkey should further improve commercial relations with the EU to increase her competition power. Turkey should create a convenient macro economic athmosphere, enabling industrialists and exporters to make long-term plans. Within this scope, Turkey should give priority to the reconstruction activities and search for the partnership opportunities with the European firms.

According to the evaluation of the Directorate General of Economic Researches and Evaluation Department of the Undersecratariat of the Foreign Trade, Turkey should realize the macro economic stability to reach her target of full membership to the EU.

Turkey's obligations caused from the eurobond exports until 1999, will not change, but after 1999 the bond to be exported should be in EURO.

[11] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF THE TRNC MEETS WITH HERCUS

The meeting was held within the framework of the Hercus' contacts with the leaders of the two sides on the island.

No detailed information was given about the agenda of the meeting.

Meanwhile Hercus will leave the island later today for Britain. She is scheduled to meet with Robin Cook, the British Foreign Secretary.

She will then proceed to the US and come together with Kofi Annan, the Secretary General of the United Nations, in New York.

Hercus is expected to return to Cyprus on Saturday.

[12] THE VESSEL WHICH POLLUTED THE SEA IN MERSIN, WAS FINED TO 19 BILLION TL

Bulent Yurekli, an official fom Mersin Municipality, said that the environmental protection teams, which acted on a tip-off, arrested the vessel named ''Kırklareli'' which belonged to ''Deniz Nakliyat'' (Sea Transportation) in the act when it was discharging bilge water and waste water to the sea. The vessel was fined to 19 billion Turkish liras on charges of polluting the sea.

The officials released the vessel on a guarantee letter of the owner company saying that it will pay the fine.

[13] PRIME MINISTRY ISSUES CIRCULARS - ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL COORDINATION COMMITTEES ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE COORDINATION AMONG ORGANIZATIONS SERVING FOR TURKISH REPUBLICS AND THE TURKISH COMMUNITIES

The Prime Ministry issued a circular saying that Turkey attaches great importance to social, cultural, economic, commercial, scientific and technological cooperation among the turkish Republics and other Turkish communities.

The circular said that with this objective, an Economic Coordination Committee including the Undersecretaries of the Ministries of Energy and Natural Resources, Industry and Trade, Agriculture and Rural Affairs; the Undersecretaries of the State Planning Organization, Treasury and Foreign Trade; the Chairman of the Turkish International Cooperation Agency (TICA); the General Director of Turkish Eximbank; and the Secretary General of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) had been established within the structure of the Foreign Ministry.

The Social and Cultural Coordination Committee will hold meetings with the participation of the Undersecretaries of the Ministries of National Education and Culture; the Undersecretaries of National Intelligence Organization (MIT), State Planning Organization and Treasury; the General Director of the Turkish Radio and Television (TRT), the Head of Religious Affairs; and the Chairmen of the Institution of Higher Education (YOK) and the Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK).

Also, the representatives of the ministries and public institutions and organizations can be invited in accordance with the agenda of the meetings of these committees which will convene once a month at the Foreign Ministry.

In accordance with the circular, the Economic Coordination Committee will carry out activities aiming at improving and evaluating the economic strategies for the Turkish Republics and other Turkish communities.

The Social and Cultural Coordination Committee will realize activities to develop cultural strategies covering the turkish Republics and other Turkish communities.

Meanwhile, a Foreign Contracting, Engineering and Counselling Services Coordination Committee was established under the chairmanship of the concerned minister of state with the aim of improving the services in question.

[14] RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''TURKEY GAVE ASSURANCES THAT NEWS REPORTS SAYING THAT CHECHEN LEADER APPOINTED AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY, ARE BASELESS''

Vladimir Rahmanin, the Ministry Spokesman, told reporters that they have brought the issue to the attention of Turkish authorities following the statements of Chechen side and received the response that ''such allegations contradict with the attitude of Turkey respecting territorial integrity of Russia.''

Mairbek Vacagayev, spokesman of Chechen leader, issued a statement on Sunday and claimed Chechen leader signed a decree regarding the appointment of Isa Abzatov to Turkey as ''ambassador.''

Rahmanin's statement said, ''Turkey said they did not have a talk beforehand related with the appointment of Chechen ambassador. This situation proves that Chechnya's efforts to be recognized in international field still continue and that the world community rejects such efforts.''

[15] PRIME MINISTRY ISSUES CIRCULAR - STUDIES RELATED WITH TURKISH REPUBLICS, MUSLIM STATES AND COMMUNITIES IN BALKANS AND OTHER TURKISH COMMUNITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT BY FOREIGN MINISTRY

The Prime Ministry issued a circular saying that the Foreign Ministry would carry out the studies aiming at improving the cooperation among the Turkish Republics, Muslim states and communities in the Balkans and other Turkish communities in every field.

The circular said that the Foreign Ministry would undertake the necessary coordination among the concerned institutions and organizations regarding the activities aiming at accelerating the process of the Turkish Republics' transition into free economy and developing counselling services and researches with this objective.

''The Foreign Ministry will be responsible for the specification of the education principle and system for the students, who come to Turkey from the Turkish Republics and other Turkish communities to receive medium and higher education, in coordination with the concerned institutions and organizations, and with this objective, it will undertake the work, duty and operation of the Chairmanship of the Central Committee, which is composed of the representatives of the Ministries of Interior and National Education; the Directorate Generals of Chairmanship of Higher Education Council and Higher Education Credit and Dormitories Institution; and Turkish Language Centers of Ankara, Gazi, Abant Izzet Baysal Universities, '' the circular said.

The circular stated that local committees, which will work in coordination with the Chairmanship of the Central Committee and which will include the deputy governors, general directors of national education departments, chairmen of concerned dormitories, representatives of universities and directors of schools, will be responsible for the arrangements concerning the guest students in the provinces.

[16] COMOTINI COURT OF APPEALS ACQUITS THREE MORE WESTERN THRACIAN TURKISH PARENTS FROM ''BOOK CASE''

Those three parents, who are the members of Council of Barakli village in Comotini, had been sentenced to imprisonment terms between 10 and 14 months by sub-courts on charges that they carried out thievery and destroyed the public security and order by participating in the protest in question.

Twelve of those parents, who were tried with the same accusation, had been acquitted by the same court on 11 January.

The books were prepared by the Greek Ministry of Education for children of Turkish minority in Greece without taking into consideration the international agreements which arrange this issue and later distributed to the Turkish schools in 1992. But the books were then collected by the Western Thracian Turkish parents and left in front of the Greek Education Ministry building in Athens.

The protest was staged under the leadership of Dr. Sadik Ahmet, who was killed in a traffic accident. A total of 160 Turkish parents, who were claimed to attend the protest in question, were sentenced to imprisonment term reaching 900 months.

[17] TURKISH INVESTMENTS IN BULGARIA IS EXPECTED TO REACH 1 BILLION US DOLLARS BY THE END OF 1999

Turkish companies, which are interested in chemical, iron and steel, food, textile, paper and tourism sectors, purchased many enterprises within the privatization process in Bulgaria, which is in the period of transition to democracy and liberal economy.

It is expected that the Turkish investments in Bulgaria will reach to one billion US dollars by the end of 1999.

Greece felt uneasy about the increasing share of Turkish companies in Bulgarian economy in the last two years. The Greek companies which lost the chance of competition in Bulgarian market try to gain their previous share by benefiting from their former political connections with Bulgaria.

Meanwhile, the environments which felt uneasy about the inflow of Turkish capital in Bulgaria try to prevent the enterprises of Turkish companies by the blackening campaigns which they carry out in many different canals, including the press.

It is observed that a blackening campaign is being carried out against the Turkish companies which are interested in significant investments in Bulgaria. Despite all these campaigns, the Turkish companies continue to increase their investments in Bulgaria.

The ''Sodi devniya'' factory, which is purchased by Sise-Cam by the partnership of Belgian Solvei company; ''Selhard'' paper factory, purchased by Isıklar Holding; Devniya Sugar Factory and two big hotels are the examples of the Turkish investments in Bulgaria.

In case the transfer of ''Kremikovtsi'' iron and steel factory is realized, this will be the most significant and biggest Turkish investment in Bulgaria. Erdemir, Turkish iron and steel factory in the Black Sea region, plans to invest a total of 450 million US dollars to this factory.

A consortium, which is formed by the partnership of Sabanci Holding, a Spanish and a Portuguese company, will submit tenders for the privatization of Bulgarian Telephone Administration, which will lead to a competition between Turkish consortium and Greek telephone company that also plan to submit tenders to this contract.

[18] TURKEY IN BRIEF JAN 13, 1999

The Higher Education Board (YOK) delegation under the presidency of Kemal Guruz, the head of YOK, held contacts in Bishkek concerning the opening of these new departments in Manas University.

The faculty of medicine is expected to be opened in 10 years, while the higher training school of agriculture will be completed in three years. The students will be educated in medicine departments of Gazi University and Hacettepe University of Ankara until the construction of school of medicine in Kyrgyzstan is fulfilled.

ISTANBUL - The ''Is Bank Directorate Complex'', which is the highest building between Dubai-Frankfurt and which is the biggest project realized in these last years, was presented to the press.

The complex, with one 52 floor-dome and two 36-floor-domes, is expected to start serving this year. The complex has an auditorium, a gallery, an independent autopark area, exhibition galleries and a meeting hall.

SOFIA - Huseyin Kivrikoglu, Chief of the General Staff, continues to hold contacts and investigations in Bulgaria, where he went as the guest of Miho Mihov, his Bulgarian counterpart.

Kivrikoglu attended a briefing concerning the training, deployment and armed capacity of the Rapid Deployment Force in Bulgaria.

Kivrikoglu will return Turkey on Thursday after meeting with Georgi Ananiev, Bulgarian Defense Minister.

[19] HERZOG, PRESIDENT OF GERMANY: ''NEW TURKISH GOVERNMENT HAS UNDERTAKEN AN IMPORTANT DUTY''

Talking with Ambassador Ulucevik during the reception held at the Presidential Palace Bellevue in the German capital of Berlin, Herzog said the duty of the 56th goverment led by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit was very important.

Pointing out that he believed the new government would successfully carry Turkey to clean and fair general elections scheduled to take place on 18 April, Herzog told Ambassador Ulucevik, ''I wish stability for Turkey. I request you to convey my best wishes to this end to President Suleyman Demirel.''

Ambassador Ulucevik also held a brief discussion with Joschka Fischer, the Foreign Minister of Germany.

Fischer, who was briefed on the newly formed government of Turkey by Ambassador Ulucevik, said that he was pleased with Ismail Cem's taking a post in the cabinet as the Foreign Minister.

''I believe Mr. Cem and I can set up a good cooperation and dialogue. Both Turkey and Germany experience an important period. Germany has taken over the European Union Term Presidency,'' Fischer said.

A.A

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