Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-02-22

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AA Daily

22 February 1999 Monday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] HEALTH OF CHIEF TERRORIST - PREMIER ECEVIT: ''ALL KINDS OF HEALTH MEASURES HAVE BEEN TAKEN''

[03] TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN SOUTHERN PROVINCE OF ADANA - EIGHT PEOPLE DIE, 17 OTHERS INJURED - 19 WORKERS INJURED IN ANOTHER TRAFFIC ACCIDENT

[04] PRESIDENT DEMIREL MEETS WITH PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT ESTRADA IN PHILIPPINES - COOPERATION AGREEMENTS SIGNED

[05] BELGIUM PREPARING TO INVESTIGATE THE BROADCASTS OF ILLEGAL TERRORIST TV CHANNEL, MED-TV

[06] DEMONSTRATIONS OF TERRORIST PKK SUPPORTERS AGAINST TURKEY IN TEHERAN, IRAN

[07] TURKEY WARNS THE EU: ''GREECE HAS VIOLATED THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE EU''

[08] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: - ''GREECE SUPPORTS THE TERRORIST ACTIVITIES OF PKK'' - ''TODAY, EVERY CIVILIZED COUNTRY HAS CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF STRUGGLE AGAINST TERRORISM'' - ''GREECE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF COUNTRIES SUPPORTING TERRORISM'' - ''SUCH A COUNTRY CAN ONLY BE DEFINED AS AN ILLEGAL STATE'' - ''IF GREECE PREFERS TO CONTINUE HER ILLEGAL ATTITUDE, WE RESERVE OUR RIGHT TO TAKE LEGITIMATE SELF-DEFENCE MEASURES STEMMING FROM INTERNATIONAL LAW''

[09] THE ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTER AKTAS: - ''WE REGARD THE BAKU-CEYHAN CRUDE OIL AND TURKMENISTAN NATURAL GAS PIPELINES AS THE MOST PRIOR PROJECTS'' - ''WE WANT TO SIGN THE AGREEMENTS IN MARCH BEFORE THE ELECTIONS''

[10] PRESIDENT DEMIREL ADDRESSES TO PHILIPPINE BUSINESSMEN: - ''TURKEY HAS A KEY ROLE IN THE EUROASIAN GEOGRAPHY WHICH EXTENDS FROM ATLANTIC TO PACIFIC'' - ''TURKEY'S SALE OF GOODS TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES INCREASED BY 11 PERCENT ON THE AVERAGE BETWEEN 1990-96''

[11] VAN DEN BOSSCHE, THE BELGIAN MINISTER OF INTERIOR: ''MED-TV CAN BE CLOSED''

[12] OECD TURKEY DESK OFFICIAL BIBBEE: - ''TURKEY CAME OUT OF 1998 WITH SUCCESS'' - ''THE DROP IN THE INFLATION CONTINUES'' - ''THE MOST DYNAMIC ELEMENT IN TURKISH ECONOMY IS THE PRIVATE SECTOR''

[13] SANBERK, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO LONDON, SENDS LETTER TO THE TIMES - ''DON'T ASSURE WRONG EXPECTATIONS TO KURDISH GROUPS, WHICH ARE A PART OF OUR SOCIETY AND DON'T ENCOURAGE THEM'' - ''OTHERWISE, BOTH BRITAIN AND OTHER WEST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES WILL BE OBLIGED TO EXPERIENCE THE RESULTS OF THIS''

[14] GENERAL RYAN, CHIEF COMMANDER OF U.S. AIR FORCES, IN TURKEY

[15] PRODUCTION AT TOFAS RECESSED UNTIL MARCH 8

[16] THE LAST SOLAR ECLIPSE OF THE CENTURY - MANY FOREIGN TOURIST ARE EXPECTED TO COME TO TURKEY WHERE THE SOLAR ECLIPSE CAN BE OBSERVED FOR A LONG TIME - KARTOPU, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MAGISTER TOURS: - ''2,000 FOREIGN TOURISTS HAVE RESERVED UNTIL NOW''

[17] ULUGBAY, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: - ''WE CONSIDER MEETING WITH THE IMF IN THE SECOND WEEK OF MARCH IN WASHINGTON''

[18] HEAVY SNOWFALL AND STORM PARALYZE THE DAILY LIFE - A TOTAL OF 409 VILLAGE ROADS CLOSED TO TRAFFIC IN SIVAS, ZONGULDAK AND KARABUK PROVINCES - 197 OF 207 CLOSED ROADS IN KAYSERI RE-OPENED TO TRAFFIC

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) FIRST CONFESSIONS
Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the terrorist organization PKK, started to confess many things on Imralı island. ''Greek officials gave me the Greek Cypriot diplomatic passport which was found on me when I was captured. Greece has extended support to the PKK for years. Greeks have always given us both arms and rockets. Semdin Sakık violated the ceasefire without taking my permission and committed the massacre which resulted in killing of 33 soldiers in Bingol-Elazıg highway.''

CHIEF TERRORIST TO BE BEFORE COURT TOMORROW
Besides State Security Court prosecutors Nuh Mete Yuksel, Talat Salk, Hamza Keles, who came to Imralı from Bursa province on Sunday, officials from the General Staff, National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and security officials attend the interrogation of the chief terrorist. After the 48 hour-interrogation of Ocalan, he will be brought before the alternate judge of the State Security Court on Imralı island.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

ECEVIT:I'M AGAINST DEATH SENTENCE
Giving message to the world in the press briefing he addressed yesterday for the foreign journalists, Premier Ecevit said ''our party, Democratic Left Party (DSP) is against death penalty, however I can't talk on behalf of other parties and the structure that will be formed after the general elections.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

CHIEF TERRORIST'S MEAL IS TASTED TWICE
In order to prevent the poisoning of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the terrorist organization PKK, who is on Imralı island, the meal of Ocalan is tasted twice before it is given to him.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

D'ALEMA APPLIES EU FOR OCALAN
Italian Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema applied to the European Union (EU) requesting it to call on Turkey for just trial of the chief terrorist by respecting human rights.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

PROSECUTORS ON IMRALI
The State Security Court alternate judge who came to Imralı island together with prosecutors changed the decisions of arrest of Ocalan ''in absentia'' to his arrestment ''in his presence.''

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

''TRIAL OF OCALAN IS OUR INTERNAL ISSUE''
Premier Bulent Ecevit told a press briefing he held for foreign journalists that ''trying Abdullah Ocalan, the chief terrorist is our internal issue,'' adding he won't manipulate the capture of the chief terrorist during the election campaign. Noting that his party is against death penalty, Premier Ecevit pointed out that he can't talk on behalf of other parties concerning this issue.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

FIRST TURKISH PRESIDENT IN PHILIPPINES
President Suleyman Demirel arrived in Philippines on Sunday as an official guest of Philippine President Joseph E. Estrada. The visit of President Demirel constitutes the first visit of a Turkish President to this country and it's in return to the visit of Fidel Ramos, the previous President of Philippines, to Turkey in 1995.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] HEALTH OF CHIEF TERRORIST - PREMIER ECEVIT: ''ALL KINDS OF HEALTH MEASURES HAVE BEEN TAKEN''

Responding to questions of journalists, Premier Ecevit stated that he took up the interrogations of the chief terroist on Imralı island and technical information about the conditions there during his meetings with Selcuk Oztek, the Minister of Justice and Atasagun, the Undersecretary of National Intelligence Organization (MIT) the same day.

[03] TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN SOUTHERN PROVINCE OF ADANA - EIGHT PEOPLE DIE, 17 OTHERS INJURED - 19 WORKERS INJURED IN ANOTHER TRAFFIC ACCIDENT

The wounded people were taken under medical treatment and an investigation is underway concerning the accident.

Meanwhile, another traffic accident took place in Kozan county of Adana province the same evening when the tyre of a small lorry carrying workers from Isıklı village to Kozan county, came off carrying the lorry to the shoulder of the road.

The investigation is underway concerning the accident.

[04] PRESIDENT DEMIREL MEETS WITH PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT ESTRADA IN PHILIPPINES - COOPERATION AGREEMENTS SIGNED

President Demirel started his official contacts on Monday and met with Joseph Estrada, the Philippine President. After the meeting, the two presidents headed the interdelegationary meetings.

After the meetings, cooperation agreements namely ''Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement'' and ''Agreement on the Reciprocal Encouragement and Protection of Investments'' were signed and the ''Agreement Foreseeing Visa Exemption in Official Passports'' was initialled between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the memorandum of understanding which foresees participation of Turkey in the U.N. Development Programme which is implemented in Mindanao region, in south of Philippines where moslem people are in majority was initialled.

Addressing statements to the press together with Philippine President Estrada after the signing ceremony, President Demirel said that ''my being accompained by a broad delegation reflects our determination to improve our relations with Philippines in all fields. Mr. President and I think that our main target for the future is to have intense political relations, to realize broader economic cooperation and to improve our commercial relations.''

Noting that the world faces with a series of problems which cross borders such as organized crime, drug trafficking, laundering black money and terrorism, President Demirel stated that international cooperation is needed to struggle with these crimes.

''Turkey is a party to international agreements and documents signed within this framework and signed bilateral agreements with 43 countries to strengthen international cooperation mechanisms in these fields. I've also told President Estrada that we are ready to sign an agreement with Philippines in this field,'' said President Demirel, adding that Turkey will give technical assistance to Philippines in the field of small and medium scale enterprises.

President Demirel invited Estrada, the Philippine President to Turkey.

Joseph Estrada, the Philippine President said in his part that a Turkish president visited his country for the first time, adding that there is a high potential to improve economic relations between the two countries.

Estrada added that the participation of Turkey in the U.N. Development Programme in Mindanao region where moslem people are in majority are very important in respect of the moslem people living in this country, thus Turkey will contribute to peace efforts in this region.

[05] BELGIUM PREPARING TO INVESTIGATE THE BROADCASTS OF ILLEGAL TERRORIST TV CHANNEL, MED-TV

Belgium officials at the Ministry of Interior said that Staatsveiligheid, the Belgian intelligence service recorded the broadcasts of illegal Med-TV channel in the last 24 hours, adding that these broadcasts called on people to stage terrorist activities against all Turks without distinguishing between civilian and military targets. Officials added that this broadcast is being translated and later it will be submitted to the court.

Belgian officials pointed out that Turkish people are openly threatened to death in these broadcasts and this aims at upsetting the internal security of Belgium.

The same evening, Luc Vandenbosche, the Belgium Federal Minister of Interior told a Belgian television channel VTM that ''I won't permit such kind of broadcasts, journalism, and propaganda,'' noting that he has information concerning MED-TV, the mouthpiece of the terrorist PKK, which provokes people to increase violance against Turkish institutions and Turkish people.

Vandenbosche pointed out that they will continue to examine the issue from now on, they have submitted the broadcasts of the illegal television channel, which were recorded to the court and they are being examined.

[06] DEMONSTRATIONS OF TERRORIST PKK SUPPORTERS AGAINST TURKEY IN TEHERAN, IRAN

A group composed of Iranians of Kurdish origin whose majority was university and high school students, gathered in front of the U.N. Office in Teheran and held a demonstration to protest the capture of the chief terrorist.

The demonstrators who shouted slogans against Turkey, Ataturk-the founder of modern and secular Turkey- Israel, the U.S. and Europe, carried the pictures of the chief terrorist.

A few Iranian police officers took security measures in front of the U.N. Office during the demonstration that lasted for 1,5 hours, they did not intervene with the group and it has been seen that the tendency to violence was more when compared to former demonstrations.

After reading a statement stressing their demands, the supporters of the terrorist PKK said that they would continue to stage such protests in the coming days.

[07] TURKEY WARNS THE EU: ''GREECE HAS VIOLATED THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE EU''

Akyol stressed that ''in spite of the promises given by Greece while being member to the EU, Greece has brought all of her bilateral problems with Turkey to the agenda of the EU and connected these problems with the development of relations between Turkey and the EU. Eventhough every country has a right to veto the issues concerning her national interests, Athens abused this right by vetoing every issue in which Turkey is mentioned even it does not directly interest Greece until now. However, the EU Council has decided that the membership of Greece to the Community will not affect 'Turkey-EU relations' (on 24 June 1975 - General Affairs Council), the EU has not fulfil this obligation which is a part of its acquirements.''

Greece supported and permitted a chief terrorist, who was known at the international level, to take shelter in Greek territories and this showed things could get out of hand that easily. This behaviour does not match with any civilized manner. In fact, Greece acted against the basic principles of the EU, international norms, and the U.N. Charter. While the EU suggests Turkey to improve her relations with Greece, Greece acted in a manner which does not abide with neighbourhood relations.''

''All the world has seen that Greece deceived her partners in the EU and intervened in an issue which concerns the territorial integrity and national security of Turkey. Moreover Turkey wishes to attract attention to the behaviours of a so-called 'EU candidate country' which helped the chief terrorist upon order of Greece and provided a false passport to him,'' said Akyol, noting that the EU should not permit the guidance of the Turkish-EU relations in a negative way by Greece.

Calling on the EU to invite Greece to act in accordance with the main principles of the EU, Akyol said that Turkey is a state of law and no body should doubt about the fact that the chief terrorist will be subject to a fair trial process in Turkey like other Turkish citizens.

Akyol also submitted the recent statement issued by the Turkish government to the EU Term Presidency.

[08] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: - ''GREECE SUPPORTS THE TERRORIST ACTIVITIES OF PKK'' - ''TODAY, EVERY CIVILIZED COUNTRY HAS CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF STRUGGLE AGAINST TERRORISM'' - ''GREECE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF COUNTRIES SUPPORTING TERRORISM'' - ''SUCH A COUNTRY CAN ONLY BE DEFINED AS AN ILLEGAL STATE'' - ''IF GREECE PREFERS TO CONTINUE HER ILLEGAL ATTITUDE, WE RESERVE OUR RIGHT TO TAKE LEGITIMATE SELF-DEFENCE MEASURES STEMMING FROM INTERNATIONAL LAW''

President Demirel told in an interview with Philippine state tv channel PTV- 4 that Greece traditionally is in an attitude supporting all elements against Turkey. Stressing that Greece supports the terrorist activities of the PKK, Demirel said:

''Greece, provides shelter to PKK terrorists who are looking for a place to take shelter, and also provides training facilities and logistic support to these. Greece has never condemned the terrorist activities of the PKK. On the contrary, Greece has declared a short while ago that she does not regard the PKK terrorist organization and its chief Ocalan as terrorist. Finally, everything about the support given to Ocalan, head of terrorist organization, by Greece before he was captured has been clearly revealed and the Greek authorities themselves confessed about this. With this development, Greece and her collaborators, the Greek Cypriots have been caught in the act in their relation with terrorism.

It has been concretely revealed that Greece has been the collaborator of bloody murders of PKK terrorism for a long time. Which is more serious is that there is still no sign of regret. On the contrary, Greece, brazenly displays her sorrow after the capture of terrorist Ocalan by justice.''

Emphasizing that the continuing support of Greece to the terrorist organization PKK means nothing but the serious violation of international law, Demirel said the following:

''Today, every civilized country is under certain obligations in the struggle against terrorism. Within this framework, Greece who was caught in the act while she was in cooperation with terrorism, has revealed that she does not belong to the community of civilized countries. Consequently, Greece must be included in the list of countries which support terrorism and abet terrorists. Such a country can be defined only as an 'illegal state'. In spite of this, we want to give Greece one more chance.

Within this framework, I once again call Greek authorities to comply with their obligations within the framework of international law as all civilized countries respecting law should do. However, if they prefer to continue their illegal attitudes, we reserve our right to take legitimate self-defence measures stemming from international law.''

[09] THE ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTER AKTAS: - ''WE REGARD THE BAKU-CEYHAN CRUDE OIL AND TURKMENISTAN NATURAL GAS PIPELINES AS THE MOST PRIOR PROJECTS'' - ''WE WANT TO SIGN THE AGREEMENTS IN MARCH BEFORE THE ELECTIONS''

''We want to sign the agreements on Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project in March before elections,'' Aktas said.

The contracts, after being signed between the host country and other governments, have to be approved by the Parliament within 90 days. This will be followed by the formation of the company which will build the pipeline and also conduct its management.

Aktas said he hoped that the oil coming from Baku would start passing through Ceyhan by the year 2003. ''We try to carry out the Turkmenistan natural gas project parallel to the Baku-Ceyhan project. If we achieve this goal, we estimate a 20 percent saving from the cost of the pipeline's construction,'' Aktas explained.

''Kazakhstan also wants to transfer its oil to Europe through Turkey. The interests of Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan converge on this point, '' he went on.

The Energy Minister stated that they agree with the U.S. over the priorities and added, ''We should be able to get natural gas from other sources too in the future but these two projects have priority for us. We are trying to get finances from international markets. We will start working on other pipeline projects once we take the necessary steps in Turkmenistan and Baku-Ceyhan projects. Otherwise we may not be able to get the necessary finances for all the ongoing projects.''

Aktas also stressed that the U.S was not against the Blue Stream project which foresees the transfer of natural gas from Russia to Turkey through Black Sea.

''They only have worries over the international finance sources. The U.S. agrees with Turkey over the priorities. This doesn't mean the cancellation of other future projects,'' Aktas concluded.

[10] PRESIDENT DEMIREL ADDRESSES TO PHILIPPINE BUSINESSMEN: - ''TURKEY HAS A KEY ROLE IN THE EUROASIAN GEOGRAPHY WHICH EXTENDS FROM ATLANTIC TO PACIFIC'' - ''TURKEY'S SALE OF GOODS TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES INCREASED BY 11 PERCENT ON THE AVERAGE BETWEEN 1990-96''

Addressing to Philippine business circles, President Demirel stated that Turkey wishes further improvement of economic and commercial relations with Philippines.

''The reforms we undertook in the beginning of 1980s, transformed the Turkish economy into a dynamic one, the private sector has become a motivating force and the role of Turkey in the global economy has changed in a considerable extent. Turkey integrated with the global economy and became a world state,'' said President Demirel, adding that the World Bank which describes Turkey as one of the ten emerging markets, now uses the term ''emerging giant'' for Turkey.

Noting that Turkey has one of the biggest economies of the region with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) more than 400 billion dollars, President Demirel said, ''75 percent of GDP stems from industry and trade and the annual growth rate has been 5 percent on the average since 1980. Our economy grew by 8.1 percent in 1995, 7.9 percent in 1996 and 8 percent in 1997. The gross domestic product per capita in respect of purchasing power is around 6000 dollars. Turkey's sale of goods to foreign countries increased by 11 percent between 1990-1996, the total trade volume of Turkey is 71 billion dollars and the percentage of industrial goods in our exports is 90 percent. Turkey also comes among the first 10 countries in the world in respect of sectors like construction. The total trade volume in the nine free trade zones has reached 5.5 billion dollars. Moreover, Turkey gains an annual income of 7-9 billion dollars from tourism.''

Stressing that Turkey makes 60 percent of its trade with Europe and Turkey is the sixth biggest trade partner of the EU, President Demirel said Turkey is an associate member of the EU and a member of the customs union since January 1996.

Pointing out that Turkey constitutes an ideal transit way for transportation of Caspian and Central Asian oil and natural gas resources worth of more than eight trillion liras to the international markets, Demirel added that the trade volume between Turkey and Philippines does not reflect the real potential.

President Demirel invited Philippine businessmen to set up a joint business council.

[11] VAN DEN BOSSCHE, THE BELGIAN MINISTER OF INTERIOR: ''MED-TV CAN BE CLOSED''

Luc Van den Bossche stressed that the terrorist organization PKK and Med-TV, which is the broadcast organization of the terrorist PKK, does not have the right to call for violence or demonstration in Belgium, adding they have warned the illegal television channel Med-TV for the last time and if they continue to stage such kinds of calls for violence, they will close this television channel in accordance with the provisions of the Belgian law on media.

The Belgian Minister of Interior pointed out that he will bring the issue to the agenda of the Belgian parliament and EU ministers of interiors meeting that will be held on Tuesday in Bonn.

Officials at the Belgian Interior Ministry pointed out that the Belgian Association of Journalists said Med-TV does not broadcast independently and several Flemish television channels protested the situation.

[12] OECD TURKEY DESK OFFICIAL BIBBEE: - ''TURKEY CAME OUT OF 1998 WITH SUCCESS'' - ''THE DROP IN THE INFLATION CONTINUES'' - ''THE MOST DYNAMIC ELEMENT IN TURKISH ECONOMY IS THE PRIVATE SECTOR''

Bibbee told the A.A that Turkish economy is at a better state compared to previous years, adding that they have achieved a better result than they aimed for in tax incomes especially after the tax reform which was implemented in 1998.

Bibbee also pointed out that despite the global crisis, the inflation was pulled down by the consistent policies that were followed.

The inflation continues to fall and the financial stability is preserved by using the same economic measures since the beginning of this year, Bibbee said.

He stated that the uncertainty caused by the elections is preventing some projects like social security and bank reforms and said he hoped a strong government which will come to power would implement these reforms.

Bibbee stated that Turkish economy will benefit from a support agreement with the IMF after the elections.

Bibbee drew attention to the coming elections and the global crisis and said these factors might cause a decline in the growth rate of the Turkish economy.

He said one of the most important problems of the Turkish economy is the unbalanced income distribution, but this should be resolved through right measures and investments. Bibbee also described the private sector as the ''locomotive'' power and the most dynamic element of the Turkish economy.

The OECD team who visited Turkey in February will present its report to its General Council. The report is expected to be published in June after the Council's approval.

The OECD was not able to prepare a report on Turkey in 1998 because of new participations.

[13] SANBERK, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO LONDON, SENDS LETTER TO THE TIMES - ''DON'T ASSURE WRONG EXPECTATIONS TO KURDISH GROUPS, WHICH ARE A PART OF OUR SOCIETY AND DON'T ENCOURAGE THEM'' - ''OTHERWISE, BOTH BRITAIN AND OTHER WEST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES WILL BE OBLIGED TO EXPERIENCE THE RESULTS OF THIS''

Stressing the friendship and solidarity between Turkey and western countries which has been countinuing since the cold war and which was revealed once again during the last Gulf crisis, Sanberk recalled that Turkey and Britain have very good social and economic relations.

Pointing out that even a newspaper or a TV channel did not mention the crimes of chief terrorist and give answer to the reason for his trial during the process started with his apprehension, Sanberk said that the British mass media is fed with ''unreal information''.

Emphasizing that the mass media also pretended not to see the violence created by the supporters of the separatist terrorist organization and their activities like burning themselves with gasoline, Sanberk said that the aim of the separatist terrorist organization was included in the statements of their chief and there is no need for an another proof to understand the separatist terrorist organization.

Sanberk said that Turkey can accelerate the measures for the economic development of Southeastern Anatolia Region with the collapse of the separatist terrorist organization.

Noting that the British press gives place to a few of those, Sanberk said that this biased attitude created question marks among the objective observers and the Turkish people.

Stating that it is upsetting to see that a considerable majority in Britain supports the armed terrorism and attacks against law, and even supports actively the division of a friendly European country, Sanberk emphasized that these circles also protect the people who stage violent attacks throughout Europe.

Pointing out that those activists are the parts of the countries where they are living like Britain and Germany, Sanberk said that it is wrong to egg them on wrong expectations and encourage them to exceed the limits in their activities, and that the western European countries, which make such things, should have to bear the excessive actions which occur at the end.

[14] GENERAL RYAN, CHIEF COMMANDER OF U.S. AIR FORCES, IN TURKEY

General Ryan, who is currently paying an official visit to Turkey, also met with General Hilmi Ozkok, the Deputy Chief of General Staff.

General Kilic said that they exchanged opinions about the issues concerning the Turkish and the U.S. Air Forces.

When asked whether or not his visit has connection with the use of the Incirlik Base as it is paid shortly after the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz'z visit to Turkey, general Ryan said, ''no, it has not any connection.''

[15] PRODUCTION AT TOFAS RECESSED UNTIL MARCH 8

TOFAS said in its statement to the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) that the units which produce cars to be exported will continue to work in this two- week period.

The statement added that the factory will start working in normal conditions on March 8, 1999.

An official from Bursa Branch of the Turkish Metal Trade Union said that the principle of the automotive sector is to produce the amount that can be sold and that they hope that the stagnation in the markets can be overcome after the elections, adding that they do not want the workers of the TOFAS company to be negatively affected from this stagnation.

[16] THE LAST SOLAR ECLIPSE OF THE CENTURY - MANY FOREIGN TOURIST ARE EXPECTED TO COME TO TURKEY WHERE THE SOLAR ECLIPSE CAN BE OBSERVED FOR A LONG TIME - KARTOPU, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MAGISTER TOURS: - ''2,000 FOREIGN TOURISTS HAVE RESERVED UNTIL NOW''

Mustafa Kartopu, Deputy Director of Magister Tours, told A.A correspondent that they carry out studies with Kandilli Observatory Center of Bogazici University and with the Earthquake Research Institute for the solar eclipse which will occur on August 11, 1999 at 2.30 p.m. and which will start from Britain and end in the Indian Ocean.

Kartopu said that many people from different parts of the world make reservations for the hotels in Turkey where the solar eclipse can be observed the best because of the climatic conditions.

Stating that two thousand tourists have made reservations in Turkey until today, Kartopu noted that the citizens of the U.S. and Japan are the ones who have made most of the reservations in Turkey.

Recalling that the solar eclipse can be observed in the belt between Cide county of the Black Sea Region and Cizre county of southeastern Sirnak province, Kartopu stressed that the efforts to set up observation parks in this line and to meet the requirements of the tourists are underway.

[17] ULUGBAY, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: - ''WE CONSIDER MEETING WITH THE IMF IN THE SECOND WEEK OF MARCH IN WASHINGTON''

Ulugbay responded the questions of the journalists in the end of the Sixteenth Natural Education Seminar.

Responding a question on the investments to be made in the Southeastern Anatolia Region, Ulugbay said, ''the resources for the complementory investments to be made in the Southeastern Anatolia Region are present. The private sector will make some of the significant part of the investments as the investments will be accelerated by some decisions taken in this issue.''

When asked whether or not they will encourage the private sector, Ulugbay said that they will.

[18] HEAVY SNOWFALL AND STORM PARALYZE THE DAILY LIFE - A TOTAL OF 409 VILLAGE ROADS CLOSED TO TRAFFIC IN SIVAS, ZONGULDAK AND KARABUK PROVINCES - 197 OF 207 CLOSED ROADS IN KAYSERI RE-OPENED TO TRAFFIC

The officials of highway teams said that the efforts to re-open these roads to traffic are underway in central Sivas and Kayseri provinces and in northern Zonguldak and Karabuk provinces.

An official from the Rural Affairs of Kayseri told A.A correspondent that 197 of the 207 village roads which were closed to traffic on Friday due to heavy snowfall were re-opened to traffic, adding that the efforts to re- open ten other village roads are underway.

Meanwhile, 349 village roads were closed to traffic in central Sivas province due to heavy snowfall which started two days ago.

The heavy snowfall in Sivas negatively affects the traffic in the highways of Sivas-Erzincan, Sivas-Tokat and Sivas-Malatya.

On the other hand, 145 of the 245 village roads which were closed to traffic due to the heavy snowfall which started three days ago in Zonguldak and Karabuk were re-opened to traffic.

The electricity which could not be given to ten villages in Karabuk was started to be given on Monday, while the crew of the vessel named ''KHARI'' which ran aground in Eregli port were trying to save the vessel by themselves.

The efforts to find and rescue a fisherman who was lost while trying to save his boat from the storm are underway.

A.A

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