Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-01-15

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

AA Daily

15 January 1999 Friday

CONTENTS

[01] CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF RETURNS TO TURKEY CONCLUDING CONTACTS IN BULGARIA

[02] SLIGHT QUAKE SHAKES SOUTHERN ADANA PROVINCE

[03] ECEVIT, PRIME MINISTER: ''THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY OF RETURNING FROM APRIL 18''

[04] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[05] DEMONSTRATION IN KOCATEPE MOSQUE - 30 PEOPLE WHO WANT TO PROTEST BAN ON HEAD SCARVES TAKEN UNDER CUSTODY

[06] PENTAGON: ''TURKEY REQUESTED FOR PATRIOT MISSILES''

[07] THE U.S. POSITIVE ON TURKEY'S REQUEST FOR PATRIOTS

[08] ENERGY PRODUCTION - 10.6 BILLION KWH ENERGY PRODUCED IN ATATURK DAM HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANT LAST YEAR

[09] EXCAVATIONS IN CORUM - NEARLY 28,000 HISTORIAL WORKS OF ART BROUGHT TO LIGHT

[10] TURKEY-STOCK EXCHANGE - IMKB FIRST SESSION - NATIONAL-100 INDEX REDUCES TO 2,398.59 WITH A DECREASE OF 156.00 POINTS

[11] PRESIDENT DEMIREL DUE IN ALGERIA

[12] PRODUCTION OF TUPRAS REFINERY IN BATMAN - ERDEM, DIRECTOR OF REFINERY: - ''WE HAVE OBTAINED A TOTAL OF 28.9 TRILLION TURKISH LIRAS OF PROFIT IN 1998''

[13] LEMMON, THE US AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA: - ''WE ATTRIBUTE GREAT IMPORTANCE TO COMMERCIAL LINE WHICH WILL CONNECT AZERBAIJAN TO TURKEY VIA ARMENIA''

[14] EURO AND ITS EFFECTS TO TURKEY - FOREIGN TRADE UNDERSECRETARIAT: ''EURO TO AFFECT TURKEY'S FOREIGN TRADE AND COMPETITION POWER IN SHORT TERM''

[15] PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION IN GREECE - GREEK PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS RECEIVES TURKISH DELEGATION LED BY HAKAN TARTAN

[16] FOREIGN TRADE DATA

[17] TWO AFTERSHOCK EARTHQUAKES SHAKE ADANA PROVINCE

[01] CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF RETURNS TO TURKEY CONCLUDING CONTACTS IN BULGARIA

General Staff General Secretariat issued a statement concerning Kivrikoglu's visit to Bulgaria and said Chief of General Staff visited Bulgaria between Jan 12 and 14 as the official guest of Miho Mihov, Bulgarian Chief of General Staff.

Kivrikoglu, during his visit, held bilateral talks with Peter Stoyanov, Bulgarian President, Yordan Georgiev, Bulgarian Parliament Speaker, Miho Mihov, his Bulgarian counterpart and with several high ranking officials.

The statement said the sides exchanged views about the activities within the context of bilateral relations of Turkish and Bulgarian armed forces basing on military training cooperation principles and within the framework of preservation of regional peace and stability.

The statement expressed belief that such visits, which take place reciprocally every year, contribute a lot to positive relations and cooperation between the two countries and that it will form the base of friendship that will increase in the future.

[02] SLIGHT QUAKE SHAKES SOUTHERN ADANA PROVINCE

The quake, measuring 4.2 on the Richter Scale, shook Adana at 04:04 a.m. The epicenter of the tremor was Ceyhan county of Adana province. The tremor was also felt in Hatay province.

A small financial damage has been recorded in the quake.

[03] ECEVIT, PRIME MINISTER: ''THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY OF RETURNING FROM APRIL 18''

Responding to the questions of reporters regarding the convening of so- called ''kurdish parliament in exile'' in Spain, Ecevit said ''I am informed about the issue. Yet, I don't think Spain will enable this meeting.''

When recalled the news reports saying that Turkey would get Patriot missiles from the US, Ecevit said ''I hope the US will welcome this need of Turkey. Deployment of such a missile in Turkey, which is one of the most sensitive regions of the world, is important for Turkey and its allies.''

When recalled the statement of Martin Hardy, Chief of IMF Turkey Desk, that an early election in Turkey will be an obstacle in front of a Standby Agreement, Ecevit said ''If Turkey has a long time till elections, it will also have time to further improve relations with the IMF and other international financial institutions. Yet, there is no possibility of returning from April 18.''

Responding to a question if they will be insistent on a Standby Agreement with the IMF despite the early elections, Ecevit said ''we attribute importance to foreign economic relations. We will evaluate any possible opportunity. We expended every kind of effort to rescue Turkey economically before the IMF and will continue to do so.''

Ecevit said, ''we are covering the economic situation. We make preparations for the government program talks that will take place in the Parliament on Friday.''

[04] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

TURKISH WAR PLANE IN GREEK ISLAND
It was claimed that a Turkish war plane held several strolls around Mikonos, one of the most touristic islands of Greece, two days ago and returned to Turkey. Elefterotipia, a serious Greek newspaper, made fun of Greek fleet as it was announcing the news report and said ''as Turks were examining the island where they will take their holiday, our naval forces were sleeping.'' But Turkish military sources denied the allegations of the Greek newspaper.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

AN ALLIANCE IS SEARCHED
Recai Kutan, leader of Virtue Party (FP), called on Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), True Path Party (DYP), New Democracy Party (YDP) and Democrat Party (DP) to make alliance. Sadi Somuncuoglu, deputy chairman of MHP, which DYP and DTP also want to make alliance, said they will enter the elections by themselves.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

TURBAN DEMONSTRATION IN KOCATEPE MOSQUE
A group of people wanted to hold a demonstration following night prayer in Kocatepe mosque with the pretext of ban on turban. Police intervened to the group which wanted to chant slogan supporting shariah. A total of 30 people were detained in connection with the incident. Police took strict security measures around the mosque.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

PATRIOT MISSILES TO COME
Turkey, upon the escalation of tension in Northern Iraq, wanted the US to deploy Patriot missiles temporarily. Washington administration welcomed this request of Turkey. Number and the deployment place of the missiles has not been determined yet. The missiles will be operated by the US in case it comes.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

THE MOST GENEROUS POLITICIAN
Husamettin Cindoruk, who will transfer leadership of Democratic Turkey Party (DTP), said ways of Chairmanship should be opened to every member. Voicing his support to Yalim Erez, whom he will transfer the leadership, Cindoruk said ''he will disperse the other countries like a spear.'' Cindoruk said more deputies from DYP and ANAP will participate in his party.

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

SUPPORT FROM THE GIANTS TO THE GOVERNMENT
Sakip Sabanci, Chairman of Sabanci Holding and Rahmi Koc, chairman of Koc Holding, said they hoped 56th government, under the leadership of Bulent Ecevit, will focus on the economic problems of the country and will not implement election economy. Sabanci called on Turkish people to recover their morals, adding ''of course, we will pass through these difficulties. I will not be demoralized.''

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

FAREWELL FROM CINDORUK
Husamettin Cindoruk, leader of Democratic Turkey Party (DTP), which entered the government without entering the elections, left Chairmanship before the elections. It was reported that Cindoruk will leave the chairmanship to Yalim Erez, Independent Deputy from Mugla province. Meanwhile, Erez said he will not be a ''king.''

[05] DEMONSTRATION IN KOCATEPE MOSQUE - 30 PEOPLE WHO WANT TO PROTEST BAN ON HEAD SCARVES TAKEN UNDER CUSTODY

Security forces intervened to a 100-people group who gathered around the mosque to hold a demonstration. 30 people were taken under custody in connection with the incident when they refused to disperse.

[06] PENTAGON: ''TURKEY REQUESTED FOR PATRIOT MISSILES''

Michael Doubleday, acting Spokesman of Pentagon, said they are considering Turkey's request about the Patriot missiles, adding that ''we are interested in being as supportive as we can to any of our coalition partners who are involved in this operation.''

Doubleday said ''we are looking at their request and will reach a decision on that very soon.'' Doubleday refrained from commenting on where Turkey's request related with the Patriot missiles stemmed from and pointed out that they guessed the missiles will be deployed in a region near Northern Iraq.

Noting that Baghad's attitude changed to the planes supervising the no-fly zone in northern and southern parts of Iraq, Doubleday recalled that planes supervising northern parts took off from Incirlik base. He said that they are carrying out the operation in cooperation with Turkey and they appreciate contributions of Turkish government to this end.

[07] THE U.S. POSITIVE ON TURKEY'S REQUEST FOR PATRIOTS

Ankara, with security concerns upon the escalation of tension between the U.S. and Iraq, had requested for the Patriot missiles, known as ''anti- missile missiles'' and which displayed successful performances during the Gulf War.

The US officials said Ankara's request was sensible and reasonable and pointed out that the missiles will be given to Turkey. The same officials did not inform about the number of the Patriot missiles that will be given to Turkey.

Michael Doubleday, Acting Spokesman of Pentagon, earlier said they were looking at Turkey's request and would reach a decision on that very soon.

Doubleday also had recalled that planes enforcing no-fly zone in northern parts of Iraq took off from Incirlik base. He said that they were carrying out the operation in cooperation with Turkey and they appreciate contributions of Turkish government to this end.

[08] ENERGY PRODUCTION - 10.6 BILLION KWH ENERGY PRODUCED IN ATATURK DAM HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANT LAST YEAR

Ataturk Dam HPP contributed a lot in meeting the energy needs of the country from the time when it was implemented. A total of 10.6 billion kwh electricity energy had been produced in 1997.

The 2.07 billion cubic meters part of the 39.7 billion cubic meters water currently in Ataturk Dam is used for energy production.

[09] EXCAVATIONS IN CORUM - NEARLY 28,000 HISTORIAL WORKS OF ART BROUGHT TO LIGHT

Ismet Ediz, Corum Museum Director, told A.A correspondent that Corum, which has hosted many civilizations throughout the history and had been the capital city of Hittites, aroused the interests of native and foreign archeologists.

Ediz said 82 histocial works of art were found in Ortakoy Sapinuva, 30 in Bogazkoy and five in Yoruklu Huseyindede Hill region during last year's excavation studies.

It was also reported that a total of 58.000 tourists, 21.741 of them foreigners, visited the museums in Corum last year.

[10] TURKEY-STOCK EXCHANGE - IMKB FIRST SESSION - NATIONAL-100 INDEX REDUCES TO 2,398.59 WITH A DECREASE OF 156.00 POINTS

At the close of the first session, the financial index decreased 209.30 points to 2,995.60, the industrial index reduced 85.58 points to 1,781.49 and the services index decreased 250.83 points to 3,699.33.

The financial shares lost 6.53 percent in value, the industrial shares lost 4.58 percent in value and the services shares lost 6.35 percent in value compared with Thursday's second session close.

A total of 17 of the 269 shares gained in value, 243 shares lost in value while the prices of 9 shares didn't change.

The trading volume in the morning session was 22.2 trillion Turkish Liras.

[11] PRESIDENT DEMIREL DUE IN ALGERIA

Foreign Ministry statement said Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and a high level delegation will accompany Demirel during the visit.

Bilateral relations and facilities to further improve cooperation are expected to be taken up during the official visit. The sides will also exchange views on regional and international issues.

[12] PRODUCTION OF TUPRAS REFINERY IN BATMAN - ERDEM, DIRECTOR OF REFINERY: - ''WE HAVE OBTAINED A TOTAL OF 28.9 TRILLION TURKISH LIRAS OF PROFIT IN 1998''

Responding to questions of the A.A correspondent, Erdem pointed out that the refinery works with a capacity of 93 percent.

Reminding that the refinery processed a total of 360 thousand tonnes of asphalt and 50 thousand tonnes of oil in 1998, Erdem also added that the refinery meets 22 percent of Turkey's asphalt need.

[13] LEMMON, THE US AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA: - ''WE ATTRIBUTE GREAT IMPORTANCE TO COMMERCIAL LINE WHICH WILL CONNECT AZERBAIJAN TO TURKEY VIA ARMENIA''

Addressing a press conference, Lemmon pointed out that such a cooperation will be beneficial economically for the region.

Reminding that the US endeavours to revive the economic integration and commercial routes in the region, Lemmon expressed hope over the economic cooperation to further improve.

[14] EURO AND ITS EFFECTS TO TURKEY - FOREIGN TRADE UNDERSECRETARIAT: ''EURO TO AFFECT TURKEY'S FOREIGN TRADE AND COMPETITION POWER IN SHORT TERM''

Foreign Trade Undersecretariat's European Union (EU) General Directorate written statement said Euro (single currency) implementation started in 11 EU member countries, will have very important effects on European and world economy.

The statement pointed out that Turkey materialized more than half of its trade with the EU member countries, adding that Turkish companies should determine required strategies to keep up with this formation in Europe.

The statement said Euro will increase growth and stability within EU and promote investments and production and that this give facilities to countries like Turkey, who has a developed commercial integration with Europe, to present trade and service.

Meanwhile, it was also reported that Foreign Trade Undersecretariat published a booklet to give satisfactory responses to the questions, after the implementation of Euro, that may come on issues that will directly affect foreign trade section.

[15] PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION IN GREECE - GREEK PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS RECEIVES TURKISH DELEGATION LED BY HAKAN TARTAN

Stephanopoulos was given information by Tartan about the latest developments in Turkey.

Addressing the meeting, Stephanopoulos stressed that the young politicians have significant roles in providing peace and stability in the region.

Describing President Suleyman Demirel as an experienced statesman, Stephanopoulos pointed out that he had no opportunity to hold bilateral talks with him over the relations between Turkey and Greece, although they came together many times.

Hakan Tartan, in his part, expressed hope over the relations between the two countries to further improve in coming days.

Tartan also underlined the importance of function of young politicians in founding stability and peace in the region.

[16] FOREIGN TRADE DATA

Turkey's export which was 23 billion 851.8 million US dollars in 1997, reduced to 23 billion 754.2 million US dollars in Turkey, and the export that was 43 billion 617.5 million US dollars in 1997, decreased to 41 billion 659.8 million US dollars in January-November period of 1998.

The foreign trade deficit also reduced 9.4 percent to 17 billion 905.6 million US dollars in the same period.

Meanwhile, Turkey realized 2 billion 179.2 million US dollars in export and 3 billion 498.6 million US dollars in import in November 1998.

The export reduced 13.6 percent and import decreased 19.6 percent in November 1998 compared with the figures of November 1997.

The foreign trade data of Turkey are as follows:

    .           November  November Change January-November   Change
    .              1997    1998   Percent   1997     1998    Percent
    ----------   -------  -------  -----  --------  -------- ------
    Export       2.523.1  2.179.2  -13.6  23.851.8  23.754.2  -0.4
    Import       4.353.2  3.498.6  -19.6  43.617.5  41.659.8  -4.5
    Foreign Trade
    Deficit     -1.830.1  1,319.3  -27.9 -19.765.7 -17.905.6  -9.4

Meanwhile Turkey exported 2 billion 367.3 million US dollars in forestry and agriculture; 15.3 million US dollars in fishery;325.5 million US dollars in mining; 21 billion 27.4 million US dollars in industry in January-November period of 1998.

Turkey imported 41.6 billion US dollars in agriculture and forestry; 1 billion 94 million US dollars in fishery; 3 billion 442.9 million US dollars in mining and 36 billion 217.3 million Us dollars in industry.

[17] TWO AFTERSHOCK EARTHQUAKES SHAKE ADANA PROVINCE

Prof. Dr. Ahmet Isikara, the Director of the Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory Earthquake Research Institute, told the A.A correspondent that aftershock earthquakes can continue to shake Adana Province and surroundings in the coming days.

Following the major earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter Scale on June 27, 1998, a number of aftershock earthquakes shook the province and surroundings.

No casualties or financial damages were reported at the earthquake.

A.A

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