Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-03-12

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AA Daily

12 March 1999 Friday

CONTENTS

[01] ACET, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO BELGRADE, IN KOSOVO - KOSOVO TURKS: ''WE WANT MORAL SUPPORT FROM MOTHERLAND''

[02] SEMINAR ON ''DEVELOPMENTS IN SECURITY AND DEFENSE OF WEST IN 21ST CENTURY AND TURKEY''

[03] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[04] IMF PLEASED WITH DEVELOPMENTS IN TURKEY - IMF SPOKESMAN WILLIAM MURRAY: - ''TURKEY PROGRESSED IN SLASHING HIGH INFLATION AND ADVANCING FISCAL REFORM''

[05] CYPRUS TURKISH JOURNALISTS' ASSOCIATION REQUESTED A HOTEL IN MARAS

[06] CELEBRATIONS FOR 700TH ANNIVERSARY OF FOUNDATION OF OTTOMAN EMPIRE - MINISTRY OF CULTURE TO ORGANIZE A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES IN TURKEY AND ABROAD

[07] BILICAN, POLICE CHIEF: - ''WE WILL CAPTURE THE BOMBERS WITHIN ONE OR TWO DAYS''

[08] PARLIAMENT TO CONVENE IN AN EXTRAORDINARY MEETING ON SATURDAY UPON MOTION OF 116 DEPUTIES

[09] TURKISH-CHINESE RELATIONS - YILMAZ, THE STATE MINISTER: ''THE TRADE VOLUME BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES NEITHER SUITS TURKEY NOR CHINA''

[10] TURKEY AND TURKMENISTAN SIGN PRELIMINARY AGREEMENT FOR PURCHASE AND SALE OF TURKMEN NATURAL GAS

[11] TURKEY AND TURKMENISTAN SIGN PRELIMINARY AGREEMENT FOR PURCHASE AND SALE OF TURKMEN NATURAL GAS - AKTAS, MINISTER OF ENERGY: ''WHEN WE PURCHASE OIL AND NATURAL GAS, WE DON'T WANT TO BE DEPENDENT ON A FEW COUNTRIES''

[12] TURKEY AND CHINA SIGN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AIMING AT IMPROVEMENT OF COMMERCIAL AND ECONOMIC RELATIONS - EGE, UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN TRADE: ''OUR AIM IS TO FURTHER INCREASE THE TRADE VOLUME BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES''

[13] CONTACTS OF INDYK, THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR THE MIDDLE EASTERN AFFAIRS IN ANKARA

[14] TURKISH-TRNC RELATIONS - JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE CONVENES IN GIRNE - KOLOGLU, PRIME MINISTRY DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY: ''TRNC GOVERNMENT HAS RESPONSIBILITIES IN STRUCTURAL TRANSFORMATIONS IN ECONOMY''

[15] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN ROMANIA: - ''I THINK THOSE WHO DEFEND ELECTIONS HAVE THE SUFFICIENT POWER IN PARLIAMENT'' - ''TERRORISM HAS FOREIGN SUPPORT WHICH INCLUDES OUR NEIGHBOURS''

[16] TURKEY-IMF MEETINGS - DINCMEN, UNDERSECRETARY OF TREASURY: ''IMF DECIDED TO WORK TOGETHER WITH TURKEY ON A POSSIBLE PROGRAM SUPPORTED FINANCIALLY BY ITSELF AFTER ELECTIONS''

[17] SPAIN EXTENDS CREDIT TO TURKEY

[18] EU COMMISSION TO REMAIN SILENT TILL ELECTION RESULTS IN TURKEY

[01] ACET, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO BELGRADE, IN KOSOVO - KOSOVO TURKS: ''WE WANT MORAL SUPPORT FROM MOTHERLAND''

The residents of Mamusa said they lived as the people constituting the majority after the Balkan Wars but they continue to exist under difficult conditions like all Kosovo Turks who became the minority today.

Stressing that they are determined to continue to exist under the colours of the Turkish Democratic Unity, the Turks living in Mamusa said they want Turkey to give moral support instead of financial support to their problems of unemployment and education.

Ambassador Acet said they welcome the demands of Kosovo Turks like establishment of Turkish colleges and dual citizenship and Turkey will always support and protect the Kosovo Turks.

Noting that Kosovo is facing a tough period, Ambassador Acet said that the Kosovo Turks have to protect their existence in this difficult period and they have to be ready to live appropriate to the new conditions formed by the agreement which will be signed at Rambouillet.

Emphasizing that Washington D.C., London, Brussels, and Vienna, are aware of a Turkish existence in Kosovo, Acet said the Turkish existence in Kosovo will no longer be denied.

[02] SEMINAR ON ''DEVELOPMENTS IN SECURITY AND DEFENSE OF WEST IN 21ST CENTURY AND TURKEY''

Addressing the seminar, Prof. Yonah Alexander, a professor at the Washington University, said that it is easy for organizations like PKK to supply arms within international structure, adding, ''some countries support terrorist organizations in accordance with their profits.''

Noting that it is supposed terrorist groups will mostly use biological and chemical weapons in the 21st century, Alexander said that PKK earlier threatened that it can use mass destruction weapons and he believes that threat will continue in the next century.

Alexander said that the terrorist organization can bring terrorist activities into international area as of the next century.

Responding to a question about the Med-Tv, the broadcast organ of the terrorist organization, Prof. Yonah Aleksander said, ''we can say that the countries like Britain are indirectly supporting terrorism as lons as something isn't done against the institutions like Med-Tv.''

Kevin Tebbit, the Permanent Undersecretary of the British Defense Ministry, said that apprehension of chief terrorist Abdullah Ocalan by Turkey constitutes a good example for the world, congratulating Turkey for her successes.

Pointing out that Med-tv is supervised by independent TV organization ITC not by the British government and the necessary investigation is underway, Tebbit said they show understanding to Turkey's sensitivities to the issue.

Stressing Turkey's importance in defense of Europe, Tebbit said he wants the countries like Turkey, which is a NATO member but not a European Union (EU) member, play a great role in this new European defense mechanism.

[03] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) WE'RE ASKING TO WEST: ''WHAT ABOUT THE DRIVER'S RIGHT OF
LIVING?''
Ufuk Akdogan was thirty years old. He was working as a cab driver to purchase the furniture of the house his fiance and he were dreaming of. They were counting down to their wedding in September.

However, the bomb, which was left to the back seat of his taxi by terrorists, easily took his right of living from him two days ago.

BLACK SEA TURNED UPSIDE DOWN
A total of 20,000 security forces launched a full-scale operation in the rural areas in Black Sea Region.

Three terrorists were killed in the rural areas of Tokat, Sivas and Corum provinces. They captured two members of illegal TIKKO organization and revealed almost 20 depots in the forests.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

According to a poll carried out in Istanbul by A&amp;G Poll Company, 89 percent of the people wants the elections to be held on 18 April 1999 while 88 percent of people said, ''the upset deputies' initiative was wrong'', and 31 percent said, ''they will convene for their profits'' and nine percent said ''Turkey will face a chaos if the elections is postponed''.

ECEVIT VOWS
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit opened the Saltikova Airport which will connect Zonguldak, Karabul and Bartin to the world.

Ecevit said the tenders for the construction of dams in Bartin wil be opened this year.

The bans were damaged in a flood last year.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

The manoeuvre of Erbakan to lift the ban on him, created trouble for the FP. Chief Public Prosecutor Savas started initiatives upon the news claiming that ''the 35 FP deputies, who signed the motion for parliament's extraordinary meeting, received oroers from Erbakan'' and ''Erbakan called them to go to the Parliament on Saturday.''

Savas, who started to collect evidences, will make researches on Erbakan's power on FP. If Savas reaches a result proving the claims, he will open a lawsuit to close the FP as it is the continuation of banned RP.

POLICE ON ALERT
The same kind of bombs were used in the blasts in Bakirkoy and Atakoy districts in Istanbul.

Police, which is on the alert, increased inspections and checks in crowdy places. It controls car parks with detectors.

Police took into custody 20 people.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Kutan's senior aide Cemil Cicek, who is opposed to bargaining attitude of FP, said, ''the people who expect profits from the upset deputies for democratization cannot get a resutl and the price of this will be heavy.''

OCALAN IN GOOD HEALTH
Lawyer Ahmet Zeki Okcuoglu, who arrived on Imrali Island upon a permission of the State Security Court, said Abdullah Ocalan is in good health and doctors are examining him two times a day.

Okcuoglu said Ocalan stays in a room which was well decorated.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

Rebuking FP Leader Recai Kutan by saying, ''can you fell comfortable by entering the pools without me?', Erbakan does not take into consideration the FP's calls to give up that insistence.

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

It said the security forces successfully continue their struggle against terrorism with the support of the Turkish nation.

''The effect of PKK for staging armed attacks was taken under control, Abdullah Ocalan was captured with a special operation taking the risk of war,'' it said.

IMF SHOWS THE HEADS
Michel Camdessus, the Chairman of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), gave yellow light to the loan agreement, which was planned by Turkey for after polls.

IMF administration openly said, ''the Turkish government's efforts to decrease the inflation to one-digit numbers are pleasing. However, there is a need for a tight and comprehensive programme.''

BRIEFING ON ''TERRORISM'' TO CIVILIANS
The Foreign Ministry gave a briefing to the representatives of leading business circles and nor-governmental organizations on Turkish foreign policy and terrorism.

It was specified at the briefing that ''Greece is obliged to cut her ties with PKK and give up her enmity policy against Turkey.''

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

Abdullatif Sener, the Acting Chairman of the FP Group, said they won't contribute to convention of parliament, they won't give concession from the polls but they will participate in the activities if parliament convenes.

FP wants Parliament to forgive Necmettin Erbakan, the former leader of the banned Welfare Party (RP) who was banned from politics for five years, by lifting Article 312.

''The 55th government sent the Article 312 to the Parliament. We are calling Bulent Ecevit to agree on Article 312 and lift it,'' Sener said.

MESUT YILMAZ: ''THE MAVERICK DEPUTIES ARE SELF-SEEKING''
Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP), said any effort can't change the schedule of polls.

Harshly criticizing the deputies who called the Parliament to hold an extraordinary convention, Yilmaz said, ''some people in Ankara are trying to escape from the polls. Because, they are seeking personal benefits. Polls in near future is in favor of Turkey.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Abdullatif Sener, a senior aide of FP leader Recai Kutan, gave a message to Ecevit saying that they can reach an agreement on the issue of ''Article 312'' of the Constitution.

Necmettin Erbakan, the former leader of the banned Welfare Party (RP), who was banned from politics for five years, is being tried in accordance with Article 312.

[04] IMF PLEASED WITH DEVELOPMENTS IN TURKEY - IMF SPOKESMAN WILLIAM MURRAY: - ''TURKEY PROGRESSED IN SLASHING HIGH INFLATION AND ADVANCING FISCAL REFORM''

Giving information about the talks with the Turkish delegation led by Hikmet Ulugbay, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of State responsible for economy in Washington D.C., William Murray, the Spokesman of IMF, said they will follow and review the developments after the polls on 18 April and make an evaluation on financial support.

''It was agreed that substantial progress has been made, notably on inflation and fiscal adjustment. An IMF delegation will visit Turkey after the elections. It will review developments and discuss the authorities' policy plans in more detail with a view to possible support from fund resources,'' Murray said.

Murray said a ''reinvigoration'' of efforts on both structural and macroeconomic policies would be needed without any delay after the elections and that the Turkish authorities agreed to continue to work on a comprehensive disinflation programme to be implemented after the elections.

After the talks held in Ankara in February, IMF said it would consider a support programme for Turkey after the elections but it linked the cash to progress on privatization, banking and social security reforms.

Turkey signed an 18-month staff monitoring agreement with IMF last summer to take under control the chronic inflation and adopt structural reforms. However, this agreement doesn't include any financial support.

[05] CYPRUS TURKISH JOURNALISTS' ASSOCIATION REQUESTED A HOTEL IN MARAS

The Association submitted the concerning letter of request to Rauf Denktas, the President of the TRNC.

Noting that the journalists working for the Turkish Cypriot press under tough conditions can't find the opportunity to have holiday due to economic reasons, the letter said the Association got information that some part of Maras, which has been abandoned since 1974 and thus changing into ruins, will be opened to settlement.

The letter requested the TRNC President Rauf Denktas to allocate a hotel building for KTGB members and Turkish journalists who visit the TRNC in Maras region.

[06] CELEBRATIONS FOR 700TH ANNIVERSARY OF FOUNDATION OF OTTOMAN EMPIRE - MINISTRY OF CULTURE TO ORGANIZE A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES IN TURKEY AND ABROAD

The Ministry issued a statement saying, ''these activities aim at introducing the Ottoman heritage's cultural values, which will shed light to today's world as from the perspective that our Republic is the inheritor of the Ottoman history, transferring them to the youth, intensifying our ties with their history and transferring to the youth the impressions of the Ottoman civilization on the countries it ruled during Ottoman era.''

The activities will start on 4 March in Ankara and cover also France and Croatia and the capitals of the Ottoman Empire.

The state ceremony for the activities will take place at the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul on 5 September 1999 with the participation of the heads of states in the regions ruled by the Ottoman Empire but later gained their independence.

[07] BILICAN, POLICE CHIEF: - ''WE WILL CAPTURE THE BOMBERS WITHIN ONE OR TWO DAYS''

Bilican, who concluded his visit to Jordan he paid within the framework of the ''Security Cooperation Agreement'' between Turkey and Jordan, returned to Turkey the same day.

Speaking to reporters at the Ataturk Airport, Bilican said Jordanese officials and he discussed especially cooperation in struggle against terrorism, drug smuggling and organized crimes.

Noting that Turkey and Jordan don't have any problems between them, Bilican said Turkey tries to express clearly to the world her attitude against terrorism especially after the apprehension of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the terrorist PKK organization.

Responding to a question about the recent car bomb explosions, Bilican said there is a powerful state against the terrorist organizations which stage illegal and bloody activities in Turkey.

''Their terrorist activities are nothing, they are only sensational. These illegal activities upset Turkish people. These should not happen. Thus we are taking tight measures,'' Bilican said.

[08] PARLIAMENT TO CONVENE IN AN EXTRAORDINARY MEETING ON SATURDAY UPON MOTION OF 116 DEPUTIES

Parliament Speaker Hikmet Cetin will convene the parliament at 15.00 local time after the 116 deputies called for an extraordinary meeting to evaluate the developments in the country and abroad after the parliament decided to hold early elections.

If the number of deputies who participate in the meeting reaches 184 on Saturday, the preliminary meeting to discuss the motion on general meeting request concerning the measures that can be taken about internal and external developments will be held.

If the necessary number is not reached, the parliament will convene again after an hour and if the number is not sufficient again, the call on extraordinary meeting will fall through.

[09] TURKISH-CHINESE RELATIONS - YILMAZ, THE STATE MINISTER: ''THE TRADE VOLUME BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES NEITHER SUITS TURKEY NOR CHINA''

Yılmaz received Chen Xinhua, the Chinese Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation and the accompanying delegation.

Addressing the reception, Yılmaz stated that the trade volume between the two countries which was 621.6 million dollars in 1996 increased to 831.8 million dollars in 1997 and reached 777.8 million dollars in 1998. ''However, this trade volume is far from reflecting the potential of our countries,'' he added.

Noting that the trade between the two countries was not advantageous for Turkey for the last ten years except in 1993 and 1994, Yılmaz said ''in this respect we are ready to provide the commodities we have already promised to export to China during the

12th term JEC meeting. We expect the Chinese side to give priority to the purchase of the mentioned commodities.''

Chen Xinhua said in his part that although there is not a sufficient trade volume between the two countries, there has always been a good commercial relation.

''We have to launch efforts to search for possibilities of cooperation and to improve them,'' said Chen, adding China restricted its infrastructural services and started to produce steel and ''this situation decreased the amount of steel we buy from Turkey.''

''China started to produce also fertilizer, the principles of free trade is dominant in China and the balance between supply and demand determines the trade,'' said Chen, noting the two countries can make cooperation in various different fields.

[10] TURKEY AND TURKMENISTAN SIGN PRELIMINARY AGREEMENT FOR PURCHASE AND SALE OF TURKMEN NATURAL GAS

Addressing a statement before the signing ceremony, Ziya Aktas, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources said that the agreement is a concrete example of the efforts launched by President Suleyman Demirel and Turkmen President Saparmurat Turkmenbası to connect the two countries.

Noting that the natural gas pipeline that will be constructed between the two countries will not only be a natural gas pipeline, but a ''bridge of friendship and brotherhood.''

Batır Sarıcayev, the Deputy Turkmen Prime Minister said in his part that BOTAS, the Turkish pipeline oil transportation company assured guarantee for the annual purchase of 16 billion cubic meters of natural gas in a period of 30 years by the preliminary agreement.

Stressing that the natural gas will reach Turkey in 2002, Sarıcayev said that the 14 billion cubic meters of natural gas will reach Europe via Turkey.

Batır Sarıcayev added that the price of the natural gas will be determined by the contract that will be signed till May 30.

[11] TURKEY AND TURKMENISTAN SIGN PRELIMINARY AGREEMENT FOR PURCHASE AND SALE OF TURKMEN NATURAL GAS - AKTAS, MINISTER OF ENERGY: ''WHEN WE PURCHASE OIL AND NATURAL GAS, WE DON'T WANT TO BE DEPENDENT ON A FEW COUNTRIES''

Addressing statements to press members after the signing ceremony of the preliminary agreement on purchase and sale of natural gas between Turkey and Turkmenistan, Aktas said that they wish to buy oil and natural gas from various countries, ''if this is the case, Turkey will have a comfortable status in respect of price and competition.''

''We have taken an important step for meeting the natural gas demand of Turkey within the coming 30 years,'' said Aktas, pointing out that the agreement will create solidarity and friendship not only between Turkey and Turkmenistan, but also with Azerbaijan and Georgia, where the pipeline will pass through.

''On the principle we still support our agreement with Iran, but we've given pirority to Turkmen natural gas and Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline. This does not mean that the project with Iran has been cancelled,'' added Aktas.

Batır Sarıcayev, the Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister told A.A correspondent that the Turkmen natural gas will reach Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and then to China, besides Pakistan via Afghanistan and then to India till 2005.

Nadir Bıyıkoglu, the Deputy Director General of Botas, the Turkish pipeline oil transportation company said that Turkey is foreseen to get five billion cubic meters of natural gas for the first year and 7.2 cubic meters of natural gas for the second year.

Bıyıkoglu said that this amount will increase till it reaches 16 billion cubic meters, adding the construction of the pipeline which will reach Turkey by passing beneath the Caspian Sea, belongs to the concerned consortium up to the Turkish border and after the Turkish border BOTAS has the responsibility of purchasing, transfer and transportation of the natural gas starting.

[12] TURKEY AND CHINA SIGN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AIMING AT IMPROVEMENT OF COMMERCIAL AND ECONOMIC RELATIONS - EGE, UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN TRADE: ''OUR AIM IS TO FURTHER INCREASE THE TRADE VOLUME BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES''

Responding to questions of journalists, Chen, the guest deputy minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation said that the China's not making devaluation is an important effect in overcoming the global crisis.

Yavuz Ege, the Undersecretary of Foreign Trade said in his part that Turkey aims at further increasing the trade volume between the two countries in a balanced way. ''We attribute great importance to improvement of not only commercial relations, but also economic cooperation,'' Ege said.

Yavuz Ege pointed out that construction of power stations and services like metalurgy industry, construction equipments, food processing industry, telecommunication, railways, leather processing, construction and counselling have been determined as joint cooperation fields.

[13] CONTACTS OF INDYK, THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR THE MIDDLE EASTERN AFFAIRS IN ANKARA

Addressing a statement after the interdelegationary meetings convened under the leadership of Ugur Ziyal, the Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary and him, Indyk stated that they have taken up all the regional issues that concern the U.S and Turkey and they have exchanged views about the developments about Middle Eastern Peace Process, Iraq, and Iran at the meetings.

Noting that they understand the interests and concerns of Turkey about the region, Indyk said that ''Turkey and the U.S. have common interests concerning the installation of peace and stability in the region.''

Responding to a question about the future of Iraq, Indyk pointed out that the U.S. understands the policy of the Turkish government on Iraq and the U.S. is loyal to the promises she made concerning the protection of Iraqi territorial integrity.

Stressing that the most important danger for the region is Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi Head of State, Indyk stated that the U.S. does not want the Iraqi people to suffer and they wish the Iraqi people to have a government which is open to cooperation with the U.S.

Pointing out that Iraq can't be accepted to international society with the existing government, Indyk said that ''if Iraq has a cooperative government, Iraq can play a role in the region to install stability.''

Responding to a question about the sensitivity of Turkey about the recent bombardments in Iraq, Indyk stated that ''the principles of Northern Watch are open and we abide with them.''

Later Martin Indyk left Ankara.

[14] TURKISH-TRNC RELATIONS - JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE CONVENES IN GIRNE - KOLOGLU, PRIME MINISTRY DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY: ''TRNC GOVERNMENT HAS RESPONSIBILITIES IN STRUCTURAL TRANSFORMATIONS IN ECONOMY''

The committee will evaluate whether or not the decisions and measures taken at the previous meeting within the framework of the Economic Cooperation Protocol signed on January 3 are being implemented.

Addressing the opening of the meeting, Ahmet Zeki Bulunc, the Turkish Cypriot Co-Chairman of the Committee said that the problems determined in the previous meeting of the Committee was overcomed in a considerable extent at this meeting and the decisions taken have been put into force.

Bulunc pointed out that problems of health certificate and agricultural documents in exportation of food to Turkey have been overcomed by the decisions taken at the Committee, adding that efforts are underway to form a joint economic area between the two countries.

Dr. Fusun Kologlu, the Co-Chairman of the Committee from the Turkish side said in her part that the TRNC government has also missions to fulfil for structural transformations in economy.

''There are some issues which can't be solved by the Committee, the government has to adopt some laws immediately,'' she added.

[15] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN ROMANIA: - ''I THINK THOSE WHO DEFEND ELECTIONS HAVE THE SUFFICIENT POWER IN PARLIAMENT'' - ''TERRORISM HAS FOREIGN SUPPORT WHICH INCLUDES OUR NEIGHBOURS''

Addressing a short press briefing for the Turkish press in Sinaia, Romania, President Suleyman Demirel stated that ''terrorism has foreign support which includes our neighbours, Europe and various other centres. Turkey will continue to break off the foreign support to terrorism.''

Noting that Turkey suffers from terrorism, President Demirel stated that Turkey has to overcome this terrorism problem.

Referring to the bomb attacks, President Demirel said that Turkey can't accept such kind of demonstrations.

''We'll continue to carry out our struggle with terrorism, but of course we will do that by respecting the laws,'' he added.

President Demirel later left Romania for Turkey.

[16] TURKEY-IMF MEETINGS - DINCMEN, UNDERSECRETARY OF TREASURY: ''IMF DECIDED TO WORK TOGETHER WITH TURKEY ON A POSSIBLE PROGRAM SUPPORTED FINANCIALLY BY ITSELF AFTER ELECTIONS''

Dincmen informed A.A correspondent about the meetings of Turkish delegation headed by Hikmet Ulugbay, the State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister with IMF officials in Washington D.C. and said that the meetings between the two sides, which have been continuining from the beginning of this week will end the same day.

Stressing that IMF will work in cooperation with Turkey on a programme financially supported by itself, Dincmen said that structural reforms have to be implemented immediately.

''Structural reforms must be the first articles at the agenda of the political authority after the elections,'' said Dincmen, adding that Turkish officials did not take up the issue of money concerning the program at the meetings with IMF officials.

''When the macro size of the program comes out, the money that is necessary for that will also be seen,'' said Dincmen, noting that they have drawn the general framework of the program that will be carried out with IMF so that it can be implemented by the political authority.

[17] SPAIN EXTENDS CREDIT TO TURKEY

Undersecretariat of Treasury said that Spain will give 400 million dollars of credit to Turkey to be used in financing projects between 1998-2001 and a donation of 10 million dollars to finance the feasibility studies.

Treasury recalled that the Joint Working Group composed of officials from the two countries is foreseen to convene at least once a year to determine the projects that will benefit from the financing opportunities. In this framework, the meeting of the Joint Working Group was held in Ankara on Thursday and Friday.

Turkish and Spanish officials revised the possible projects which are likely to benefit from the Spanish government's credit and donation in the fields of transportation, education, and health at the Group meetings.

[18] EU COMMISSION TO REMAIN SILENT TILL ELECTION RESULTS IN TURKEY

Noting that Turkey is regarded as an important partner of the EU and they favour to revive the political dialogue with Turkey, Broek said such kind of a willing attitude is not seen on the Turkish side.

Broek pointed out that efforts are launched regarding technical studies, adding the EU prefers to remain silent and wait for the results of the elections in Turkey.

Meanwhile Greek deputies issued a statement at EU meetings of interior and justice ministers in order to have support regarding the fair trial of Ocalan, the chief terrorist, but the other EU ministers did not support that.

A.A

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