Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-04-15

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AA Daily

15 April 1999 Thursday

CONTENTS

[01] DENKTAS, TRNC PRESIDENT MEETS WITH FINNISH OFFICIALS - DENKTAS: ''THE DECISIONS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT CANNOT AFFECT THE POSITION OF TRNC AND TURKEY''

[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[03] NUMBER OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES IN TURKEY REACHES TO 9,238

[04] TAN, TOURISM MINISTER: ''ESPECIALLY THE EUROPEAN PRESS TRIES TO CREATE AN ARTIFICIAL CRISIS''

[05] AID FROM TRNC TO KOSOVAR REFUGEES - BORA, LEFKOSA MAYOR: ''WE CAN UNDERSTAND THE TRAGEDY OF THE KOSOVAR REFUGEES VERY WELL''

[06] U.S. CITY CAPITAL COMPANY TO MAKE A FILM FROM A BOOK WHICH COVERS A PART OF ATATURK'S LIFE

[07] ONE WHO WANTS TO ILLEGALLY ENTER INTO TURKEY DIES WHEN SECURITY FORCES OPEN FIRE IN TURKISH-SYRIAN BORDER

[08] TOURISM WEEK TO START ON THURSDAY - TURKEY IS 19TH IN LIST OF COUNTRIES WHICH ATTRACT TOURISTS THE MOST AND 18TH IN LIST OF TOURISM REVENUES OF COUNTRIES

[09] GERMAN KIDS VOTE FOR ANTALYA'S CLUB ALI BEY HOLIDAY RESORT

[10] TURKISH WOMEN WHO LEARN HOW TO READ AND WRITE ENJOY A HIGHER STATUS IN THEIR FAMILIES

[11] PROFILE OF EXPORTS FROM GAP REGION - IN FIRST THREE MONTHS, 23 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS EXPORTED

[12] WESTERNERS LOOK FOR THEIR ROOTS IN TURKEY

[13] REPRODUCTION OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT'S SARCOPHAGUS TO BE TAKEN TO TURKISH TOWN IN JAPAN

[14] ERCEL, DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL BANK: ''TWO EXPERTS FROM TURKISH CENTRAL BANK WILL TAKE PART IN THE CONTACTS OF THE IMF IN TAJIKISTAN AND UZBEKISTAN''

[15] TOURISM WEEK - PREMIER ECEVIT: ''GAINING THE SYMPATY OF THE TOURISTS COMING TO TURKEY WILL INCREASE OUR POWER IN INTERNATIONAL ARENA''

[16] PREMIER ECEVIT LEAVES FOR CORUM COUNTY

[17] TURKEY HIRES TWO MILITARY AIRCRAFTS TO JORDAN - A PROTOCOL ON HIRING AIRCRAFTS SIGNED BETWEEN KILIC, AIR FORCES COMMANDER, AND ABABNEH, JORDANIAN AIR FORCES COMMANDER

[18] BLOMBERG, FINNISH FM UNDERSECRETARY: - ''THE CONTINUATION OF THE CYPRUS ISSUE CANNOT BE USEFUL FOR ANYBODY''

[19] FOREIGN DEBT PAYMENTS - 2 BILLION 267.5 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS PAID IN FOREIGN DEBT SINCE JANUARY 1, 1999

[20] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES OF CENTRAL BANK DECREASE BY 21 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS IN ONE WEEK

[21] SABANCI HOLDING AND DUPONT SET UP JOINT VENTURE IN POLYSTER

[22] A TOTAL OF 1.6 MILLION IMMIGRANTS COME TO TURKEY BETWEEN 1923 AND 1998

[23] PACKAGE WHICH CONTAINS IODINE-131 RADIOISOTOPE FALLS DOWN AT ATATURK AIRPORT - UNLU, STATE MINISTER: ''WE HAVE OVERCOME THE INCIDENT WITHOUT ANY DAMAGES BY RAPID AND SUITABLE MEASURES''

[24] MISSILE TESTS OF INDIA, PAKISTAN AND IRAN - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''A SENSIBLE POLICY SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT TO PREVENT THE PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION''

[25] LOGAN, BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA: - ''TURKEY'S COOPERATING WITH GREECE IN KOSOVO CRISIS IS PLEASING'' - ''NO OTHER GOVERNMENT CAN WISH EU MEMBERSHIP OF TURKEY, WHICH CONCLUDED HER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AS MUCH AS US''

[26] TURKEY IN BRIEF - 15 APRIL 1999

[01] DENKTAS, TRNC PRESIDENT MEETS WITH FINNISH OFFICIALS - DENKTAS: ''THE DECISIONS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT CANNOT AFFECT THE POSITION OF TRNC AND TURKEY''

After meeting with Jaakko Blomberg, the Finnish Foreign Minister, and Pasi Patokaltio, the Finnish Ambassador in the Greek Cypriot side; Denktas noted that they explained the Finnish officials the position of the Turkish Cypriots and told them that it is impossible for the Turkish Cypriots to leave the Island.

Pointing out that Finland will take over the Term Presidency of the European Union (EU), Denktas stated that the efforts for clarification will continue.

When recalled the draft resolution of the European Parliament, that is in favour of the Greek Cypriots, which is under dıscussıon at the moment ın EP and which foresees imposing pressure on the TRNC and Turkey, Denktas stressed that such decisions of the similar unıons can not effect the posıtıon of Turkey or theır case.

Patokaltio said that two sides should be listened and the communities should benefit from the views of both sides in order to have successful initiatives in finding a solution to the Cyprus issue.

Stressing that Finland believes that her officials should meet with the officials of the two sides to support the United Nations (U.N.) initiatives, Patokaltio noted that their contacts for this issue will continue.

[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) TURKISH SOLDIERS ARE READY
Ankara has decided to send a hundred soldiers to Albania to work at the tent city on Kosovo border. The tent city is currently hosting ten thousand refugees. The Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit confirmed the news but said ''we are only giving humanitarian aid but nothing else.'' Turkish soldiers had previously took part with F-16's in NATO's Yugoslavia operation for only defense purposes. This is the first time Turkish forces will be in charge on land. The Turkish soldiers will retaliate in case of an attack by Serbs.

TERRORISTS START FLEEING TO IRAN
The terrorists who were previously trying to settle in Northern Iraq, started fleeing towards the Iranian border after the intensive operation began against the terrorist organization, PKK. Serious splits have occured in the organization after the capture of the chief terrorist Ocalan. The terrorists have suffered big losses while their camps have been destroyed, it was reported.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

PKK KILLS TWO PERSONS
Mehmet Ali Turker, the Governor of Tunceli, said that terrorists who waylayed the Tunceli highway, abducted Sait Celik (27) and Cuneyt Kutlu (18). The dead bodies of the two were later found near the highway.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

CHILDREN FROM 31 COUNTRIES TO COME TO TURKEY
Hundreds of children from 31 countries will come to Turkey in order to participate at the celebrations of the 23 April National Sovereignty and Children Festival. Overall preparations for the 21th International 23 April Children Festival were completed by the Turkish National Radio and Television Broadcasting Organization (TRT).

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

RADIKAL (LEFT)

ALI UYAR RESIGNS FROM ANAP
Ali Uyar, a deputy from the Motherland Party (ANAP) resigned from his party. Following the resignation of Uyar, the number of the ANAP deputies reduced to 128, while the number of the independent deputies increased to 31 in the parliament.

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

THEY FLY TO ETERNITY
Dead bodies of six crew of the Turkish Airlines (THY) airplane namely ''Trakya'' which crashed near Ceyhan county of southeastern Adana province last week, were buried in tne Edirnekapi Martyrs Cemetery. Relatives and friends of pilot Kivilcim Tuncer, the co-pilot Orhan Bezcioglu, and the hostesses Hatice Misirlioglu, Gonul Topal, Nida Guler and Deniz Desen, burst into tears during the funeral.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

GENERAL KIVRIKOGLU IN BELGIUM
General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, Chief of the General Staff, arrived in Belgium to attend the extraordinary NATO Military Committee meeting. The Military Committee, which is the highest military decision-making organ of NATO, will convene later on Thursday in order to discuss the latest developments and plans on the Kosovo crisis.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[03] NUMBER OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES IN TURKEY REACHES TO 9,238

The officials from Kapikule Police Organization told A.A correspondent that 61 more Kosovar refugees entered into Turkey from the border on Tuesday night.

The officials said that the number of refugees who come via highway and enter into Turkey from the border decreased because Bulgaria does not permit the transition of these refugees via her territories.

A total of 5,808 refugees; including 2,158 children 1,014 women, 1,636 men, entered from Kapikule Border Gate since March 22 while a total of 3,430 refugees came to Turkey by planes in the mentioned period.

The official stated that two new planes carrying Kosovars will probably come to the Corlu Airport on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the number of the Kosovars staying at the guest-house in northwestern Kirklareli province reached 3,376.

The officials from the guest-house said that 534 refugees left the guest- house to stay with their relatives in various cities of Turkey.

I. Kemal Onal, Kirklareli Governor, said that 100 buildings, 544 huts and 1, 050 tents are present in the guest-house; adding that all the buildings and huts are full while only 267 tents are full.

Onal stressed that they expect 1,400 or 1,500 more refugees in the following four days.

Stressing that the international aid institutions have not applied to send aid for the refugees in Turkey, Onal noted that a great deal of aid which was collected in various cities of Turkey has reached the guest-house.

Noting that the Red Crescent carries out storing and the distribution of the aid materials and that the gendermarie forces are responsible from the protection of the guest-house and the warehouses, Onal emphasized that they distributed most of the aid materials to the refugees and that they do not face any food problem in the guest-house.

[04] TAN, TOURISM MINISTER: ''ESPECIALLY THE EUROPEAN PRESS TRIES TO CREATE AN ARTIFICIAL CRISIS''

Addressing a speech in the meeting which was held by the Turkish Union of Travelling Agencies (TURSAB) in Istanbul, Tan noted that Turkey is successful in fighting against terrorism and that some problems can occur due to all this struggle.

Emphasizing that the problems will be overcome by the power of the state, Tan said, ''Turkey realized a unique record in the past decade. A total of 100 million tourists came to Turkey since 1980. This is a success in the tourism sector. The state only protected these people. No other country in the world could host so many tourists in a period when the terrorism was so intensive.''

Drawing the attention that Turkey is the 12th in the list of the tourism revenues of the countries in the world, Tan stated that tourism in Turkey is tried to be hampered, especially by an artificial crisis formed by the European press.

An official from TURSAB said that most of the reservations have been cancelled following the propagandas which are against Turkey and that the demand for Europe stagnated due to the Kosovo dispute, adding that the tourism is facing a hard time at the moment.

Noting that the state should take the necessary measures to prevent the decrease of demand for Turkish tourism, the official emphasized that the Tourism Ministry should set up a promotion campaign and the price of the petrol used in the planes should be decreased by 51 percent while the prices of the services in the airport should be recessed by 25 percent.

[05] AID FROM TRNC TO KOSOVAR REFUGEES - BORA, LEFKOSA MAYOR: ''WE CAN UNDERSTAND THE TRAGEDY OF THE KOSOVAR REFUGEES VERY WELL''

Bora, who launched aid campaigns for the Kosovar refugees in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), told A.A correspondent that the Turkish Cypriots are very interested in the aid campaign.

Stressing that a great deal of clothes was collected, Bora requested that the people should not make more clothing aid to this end and that the ones who want to make aid for the Kosovars can deposit money in Turk Bank.

Stating that a total of 14 billion Turkish liras should be collected for the first party of the aid campaign, Bora noted that only two billion Turkish liras has been collected until today.

Bora stressed that the first party of the aid campaign which is set up by medicines and clothes will be distributed to the Kosovar refugees in northwestern Kirklareli province and that they plan distributing some part of the aid campaign to the ones who need help in Tirana, the capital of Albania.

Meanwhile, one lorry which will transfer medicines and food stuff will depart from Girne Harbour at 10.00 p.m. local time and the lorry which will transport clothes will depart at 12.00 a.m. on Thursday. The two lorries will depart for Kirklareli after they reach the Directorate General of Red Crescent in Ankara.

[06] U.S. CITY CAPITAL COMPANY TO MAKE A FILM FROM A BOOK WHICH COVERS A PART OF ATATURK'S LIFE

The written statement of Ibrahim Polat Holding said that an agreement was signed between Polat Holding and City Capital company to make a film from the mentioned book.

Under the provisions of the agreement which was signed in the U.S., the established international partnership will undertake the production and the management of the film with the original name ''Blond Wolf''.

The U.S. company will meet 60 percent of the expenditures of the film which is determined to cost 52 million U.S. dollars and Polat Holding will meet the rest of the expenditures.

It was reported that some part of the income from the film in which Ataturk is thought to be played by a foreign actor will be given as a support to the Kosovar refugees.

[07] ONE WHO WANTS TO ILLEGALLY ENTER INTO TURKEY DIES WHEN SECURITY FORCES OPEN FIRE IN TURKISH-SYRIAN BORDER

Gokhan Aydiner, Hatay Governor, said that two unidentified persons wanted to enter into Turkey from the Syrian border in the area which is under the responsibility of Meric Police Station.

The person died when she did not stop although the security forces asked them to do so, while the other escaped to Syria.

Aydiner noted that the efforts to find out the identity of the woman and the operations are underway.

[08] TOURISM WEEK TO START ON THURSDAY - TURKEY IS 19TH IN LIST OF COUNTRIES WHICH ATTRACT TOURISTS THE MOST AND 18TH IN LIST OF TOURISM REVENUES OF COUNTRIES

The share and efficiency of tourism which is one of the most-developing sectors in the world increases gradually in Turkish economy despite the economic crisis and the problems which Turkey face.

The figures of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) indicated that the tourism sector will increase by 3.7 percent until 2000 and that the share of Turkey in this sector will increase by 2.08 percent in 2000.

The figures also pointed out that the tourism revenues of Turkey will reach 10.6 billion U.S. dollars and Turkey will become one of the ten countries which can gain from tourism the most in the world.

The WTO thinks that Turkey will host 15 million tourists in the years 2000.

The figures of the Tourism Ministry indicate that Turkey, which is the 19th in the list of the countries which attract the tourists the most, is the 18th in the list of the tourism revenues of the countries in the world.

Some of the figures of the WTO which are related with Turkish tourism are as follows:

-The number of tourists coming to Turkey increased from 1.6 million to 10 million in the last decade.

-The share of the tourism revenues in the overall exports revenues increased by three times in the last decade and increased to 30 percent in 1998.

-The touristic bed capacity reached 700,000.

-Turkey hosted 10 million tourists and gained 8.3 billion U.S. dollars in 1998.

-The tourism sector provided employment for 70,000 people in Turkey in the years 1990.

-Turkey became the 13h in the list of the tourism revenues of the countries in the world while she became the 19th in the list of the countries hosting foreign tourists.

-In accordance with the figures of 1997, the share of the tourism revenues of Turkey in export revenues was 30.8 precent and 4.1 in gross national product (GNP).

-Tourism created additional demand worth of 4.2 billion U.S dollars in other sectors in the years 1990 and 38 sectors started to gain from tourism in the last decade.

[09] GERMAN KIDS VOTE FOR ANTALYA'S CLUB ALI BEY HOLIDAY RESORT

LTU, one of Germany's leading tour operators and airlines, made a survey among German families with kids who spent their vacations abroad last year. Ten thousand kids who answered the survey questions chose Club Ali Bey Holiday Resort in Antalya's Manavgat township as the most children friendly touristic facility.

Veli Gulcehre, the General Coordinator of the resort said this is very encouraging especially during a time when tourism sector is faced with serious problems in Turkey.

Gulcehre said the survey could be considered as a tourism Oscar and added that they will be given an award at the Children's Festival which will be organized at Phantasialand entertainment center near Koln on April 18.

[10] TURKISH WOMEN WHO LEARN HOW TO READ AND WRITE ENJOY A HIGHER STATUS IN THEIR FAMILIES

These women also start receiving regular pay from their husbands as a return of housework they perform at home, it was said at an evaluation meeting of a literacy program.

The women who learn how to read and write start having a higher status in their family which affects their husband and children positively. The women who complete the programs follow the news media very closely and some of them even manage to make their husbands share the housework at home.

Their confidence increases as these women get jobs and familiarize themselves with legal regulations. They use more flexible methods when raising their daughters. They show tolerance to divorced women, start questioning social issues and seek help when exposed to domestic violence.

[11] PROFILE OF EXPORTS FROM GAP REGION - IN FIRST THREE MONTHS, 23 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS EXPORTED

In the same period last year, the region exported 12 million 469 thousand U.S. dollars of industrial products.

Officials at the Directorate of Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Union, told the A.A correspondent that in the first three months of the year, they exported 7 million 179 thousand U.S. dollars in fruits; 6 million 131 thousand U.S. dollars in chemical products; 1 million 417 thousand U.S. dollars in electricity and electronics;

4 million 979 thousand U.S. dollars in textiles; 528 thousand U.S. dollars in fruit-vegetable products; 785 thousand U.S. dollars in cement and 1 million 957 thousand U.S. dollars in several industrial products.

The majority of the goods were exported to the Middle East and European countries.

[12] WESTERNERS LOOK FOR THEIR ROOTS IN TURKEY

Some of these scientists are looking for lost civilizations or mythical cities, some are searching for the roots of their history and some are looking for their ancestors in Anatolian land.

A team led by the U.S. astranoout James Irwin who is also the first man to step on the moon will look for the mythical Noah's Arc on top of the Agri Mountain while the German scientists will look for the lost city Atlantis in Truva. Michael Sanders, the British archeologist, on the other hand will try to locate traces of the Babil Tower in eastern Blacksea region.

There are also American researchers of Meluncan origin and German scientists who are working to trace down their ancestors in a village of Yozgat and Cesme respectively.

Another group of scientists from Federal Geological Research Center (BGR)in Germany will come to Turkey within a month and look for the mythical lost city Atlantis in Truva.

The Swedish proffessor, Dr. Eberhard Zangger and a research team from BGR will spend eight days under a hill which is believed to be the entrance of Atlantis from the sea.

The BGR experts, who believe that Atlantis is in north western Turkey, will try to find the lost city with sensitive dedectors which emits gama rays.

On the other hand, the British archelogist Michael Sanders suggested that the Babil tower is in eastern Blacksea region, after studying specific information he found in the Bible and some satellite pictures of NASA.

Sanders' theory is supported by Robert Ballard, an archeologist who found Titanic's wreckage. Sanders will come to Turkey next year in spring to find evidence to verify his theory.

A group of archeologists led by the American astronaut James Irwin who was the first man to step on the moon, came to Agri Mountain in 1986 and 1987 to find remains of Noah's Arc. The group said they came across some findings during their second visit however did not get a result from their researches which lasted for two weeks.

The group which came back to Turkey in 1988 was not allowed to continue their research on grounds of spying. Irwin and his team were kept under detention for a while and later were released.

In 1990, Agri Mountain was officially closed to tourism, climbing or to researchers who were after the Noah's Arc after a group of 12 guided by Alaattin Karaca, the head of Mountaineering Federation, was taken hostage by the terrorist organization, PKK.

Germans and American Meluncans also look for their roots in Turkey. A German excavation group will start excavations in May to trace down their ancestors in Tavium township of Yozgat. Prof. Strobel who will lead the excavations stated that Galats settled in this region between 272-274 B.C and Tivium was a Galat city.

Americans who live in south eastern states of the United States who believe they are the grandchildren of the Ottoman marines, seek their ancestors in Turkey. The DNA tests performed on Meluncans suggest a possibility that these people's roots might go back to Turkey, Iraq and Cyprus. Meluncans, with the hope of encountering findings to prove this theory, come to Cesme every year to carry out researches.

[13] REPRODUCTION OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT'S SARCOPHAGUS TO BE TAKEN TO TURKISH TOWN IN JAPAN

All pieces of the sarcophagus was carved separately and then put together in Sasmaz Automobile Company in Ankara. The piece carries images of Alexander the Great depicting him fighting in wars or hunting.

The sculptors worked on the sarcophagus for five months to compose the piece which is earthquake resistant due to the special technique used during its production. The piece is also resistant against salt and humidity which is at very high levels in the region.

The piece was made five percent smaller than its original to make it easy to distinguish the reproduction from the original. Also the reproduction weighs only 5 tons while the original piece is as heavy as 13 tons.

A ship has already departed from Japan to take the sarcophagus from Turkey through a journey which will last for two months. After its arrival, the piece will be installed by Turkish architects in Kasivazaki town.

[14] ERCEL, DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL BANK: ''TWO EXPERTS FROM TURKISH CENTRAL BANK WILL TAKE PART IN THE CONTACTS OF THE IMF IN TAJIKISTAN AND UZBEKISTAN''

Ercel told A.A correspondent that one official from the Directorate General of Researches of the Central Bank will participate in the contacts of IMF in Uzbekistan in the last week of April while the other from the Directorate General of Banking will participate in the contacts of the IMF in Tajikistan.

Stating that the IMF requests experts from the Central banks to participate in its contacts in various countries, Ercel noted that two experts which will go to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are the personnel of the Central Bank not that of the IMF.

Ercel stressed that the IMF's demanding experts from their bank shows that the Fund trusts in the Turkish Central Bank.

[15] TOURISM WEEK - PREMIER ECEVIT: ''GAINING THE SYMPATY OF THE TOURISTS COMING TO TURKEY WILL INCREASE OUR POWER IN INTERNATIONAL ARENA''

Issuing a message about the Tourism Week, Ecevit noted that Turkey owns unique natural, cultural and historical wealth and that benefitting from this wealth in tourism field will not only strengthen the Turkish economy but also will contribute to the introduction of Turkey.

Ecevit added that he sincerely congratulates significant initiatives and the officials in the tourism field and wished them success.

[16] PREMIER ECEVIT LEAVES FOR CORUM COUNTY

When asked prior to his departure from the Esenboga Airport in Ankara whether or not the time for sending land forces to Albania is clear, Ecevit said, ''I don't know it definitely. But I as earlier mentioned it is a decision which was taken to support humanitarian aid. However, I don't know when it will leave for Albania and the number of troops. I am sure the General Staff will brief you on these or you'll ask for information.''

[17] TURKEY HIRES TWO MILITARY AIRCRAFTS TO JORDAN - A PROTOCOL ON HIRING AIRCRAFTS SIGNED BETWEEN KILIC, AIR FORCES COMMANDER, AND ABABNEH, JORDANIAN AIR FORCES COMMANDER

A protocol on the hiring of two CN-235 CASA type military aircrafts which foresees the allocation of 27 different equipment and ground supporting equipment was signed between Kilic and Mohammed Khair Ababneh, Jordanian Air Forces Commander, in the Turkish Air Forces Commandership.

Speaking in the ceremony of signing the protocol, Kilic wished that this protocol will contribute to two countries and the regional peace.

Kilic said, ''two countries have important tasks in providing military, political, economic and social stability to maintain the regional peace. Improving the present relations between the two countries carries importance within the framework of Middle East Peace Process. The parties should give importance to the mentioned cooperation due to their geographical position in the Middle East, present power balances and general positions in international arena and national strategies.''

''I think that discussing the military cooperation between Turkey and Jordan by taking into consideration the military and political developments in the Middle East will be useful for the regional peace,'', Kilic added.

Ababneh said that they attribute importance to the peace in the Middle East and that they request that the relations between Jordan and Turkey should be improved in every field.

The project foresees that the 24 ground support personnel should be trained in a month in Turkey and that the trained personnel and five member Turkish Armed Forces Commandership personnel should take the aircrafts to Jordan and that this personnel should train the Jordanian personnel for 25 days in Jordan.

[18] BLOMBERG, FINNISH FM UNDERSECRETARY: - ''THE CONTINUATION OF THE CYPRUS ISSUE CANNOT BE USEFUL FOR ANYBODY''

Meeting with Glafcos Clerides, the leader of the Greek Cypriot side, Blomberg noted that Ann Hercus, the Special Envoy of Kofi Annan, the United Nations (U.N) Secretary General, on Cyprus, is carrying out efforts to provide development on Cyprus issue.

Jaakko Blomberg had met with Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Wednesday.

[19] FOREIGN DEBT PAYMENTS - 2 BILLION 267.5 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS PAID IN FOREIGN DEBT SINCE JANUARY 1, 1999

The Central Bank data shows that the Treasury paid 1 billion 664.84 million U.S. dollars; the International Monetary Fund (IMF) repaid 223.21 million U.S. dollars; the Central Bank repaid 124.04 million U.S. dollars; the Ministry of National Defense and the Defense Industry paid 253.17 million U.S. dollars and the Defense Fund paid 1.23 million U.S. dollars in foreign debt between January 1 and April 15, 1999.

Meanwhile, a total of 229.18 million U.S. dollars of foreign debt was repaid between April 1 and 14.

[20] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES OF CENTRAL BANK DECREASE BY 21 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS IN ONE WEEK

The Central Bank data shows that the foreign exchange reserves, which was 21 billion 193 million U.S. dollars on 2 April, dropped to 21 billion 172 million U.S. dollars on 9 April.

Meanwhile, according to the 26 March-based statistics, Turkey's total international gross reserves decreased 135 million U.S. dollars to 33 billion 684 million U.S. dollars between March 19 and 26.

The international gross reserves of Turkey were 33 billion 819 million US dollars on 19 March.

As of 26 March, Turkey's international reserves were composed of 1 billion 12 million U.S. dollars in gold reserves; 21 billion 438 million U.S. dollars in the Central Bank's foreign exchange reserves; and 11 billion 233 million U.S. dollars in the commercial banks' foreign exchange reserves.

[21] SABANCI HOLDING AND DUPONT SET UP JOINT VENTURE IN POLYSTER

The statement about the partnership was announced to the world and issued in Turkey by Sakip Sabanci, the Chairman of the Sabanci Holding Executive Board; and Omer Sabanci, the Chairman of the Sabanci Holding Chemistry Group; and in London and the U.S. by the DuPont officials.

Sabanci and DuPont, which earlier set up the KentSa in Izmit province and agreed to built joint facilities producing tyre raw materials in Brazil and Argentina, expect more than one billion U.S. dollars in annual sales from the polyster venture which will start operations in October 1999.

The venture, for which the pre-agreement was signed, will include DuPont's PTA (pureterephthalic acid) and resins businesses at Wilton, Britain; and Dacron filament and staple businesses at Pontypool, Britain; and Uentrop, Germany.

It would also include Sabanci's polyester subsidiary SASA, with its polyester filament, staple, resins, bottles and DMT (dimethyl terephthalate) plants based in Adana and other sites and Sabanci's texturizing plant in Garforth, Britain.

[22] A TOTAL OF 1.6 MILLION IMMIGRANTS COME TO TURKEY BETWEEN 1923 AND 1998

Turkey opened her gates to many refugees from foreign countries including Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Romania and Greece since 1923 under the provisions of the agreements she signed between the countries where the Turkish people live.

Turkey passed new laws concerning the inflow of refugees after 1970.

Meanwhile, the number of the Kosovars who escaped from the violence and ethnical cleanness of Serbians and came to Turkey reached 9,464.

A total of 5,819 Kosovars came to Turkey from the Kapikule Border Gate via highway, 3,440 Kosovars entered into Turkey from Corlu Airport and 215 people from Ataturk Airport.

A total of 3,376 Kosovars were placed in the guest-house in northwestern Kirklareli province while the others sheltered in the houses of their relatives in Turkey.

[23] PACKAGE WHICH CONTAINS IODINE-131 RADIOISOTOPE FALLS DOWN AT ATATURK AIRPORT - UNLU, STATE MINISTER: ''WE HAVE OVERCOME THE INCIDENT WITHOUT ANY DAMAGES BY RAPID AND SUITABLE MEASURES''

Unlu noted that the package which was brought from London, the capital of Britain, to Turkey by the Luftansa Airlines was transferred to the Cekmece Nuclear Researches and Education Centre (CANEM).

Issuing a written statemet, Unlu recalled that the package containing Iodine-131 radioisotope which was imported to be used in the diagnosis of cancer fell down in the warehouse of the Ataturk Airport and that the forklift which was serving at the moment smashed the package.

Stressing that the officials informed Turkish Atom Energy Institution (TAEK) about the incident since the package which was one and a half kilos had a sign saying that it contained radioactivity and that the CANEM experts interfered with the situation as soon as possible, Unlu emphasized that the officials could not find out any contamination in the warehouse and its vicinity.

Stating that the package was opened, the samples were taken and the test of leakage was carried out, Unlu stressed that in the end of all the investigations, it was revealed that only the tin container of the package was smashed and that the lead transportation can in the container was not damaged.

Unlu said that nobody including the workers in the warehouse was exposed to radiation, adding that the incident was overcome without any problems by the quick and suitable measures.

[24] MISSILE TESTS OF INDIA, PAKISTAN AND IRAN - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''A SENSIBLE POLICY SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT TO PREVENT THE PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION''

The Foreign Ministry statement said that Turkey is in favour of the Missile Technology Control Regime since 1997 and that she wishes that the last missile tests in the region where India, Pakistan and Iran are situated would not lead to a new armament competition.

The statement noted that the developments in the Balkans indicate that the regional stability is very important for the peace in the world.

[25] LOGAN, BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA: - ''TURKEY'S COOPERATING WITH GREECE IN KOSOVO CRISIS IS PLEASING'' - ''NO OTHER GOVERNMENT CAN WISH EU MEMBERSHIP OF TURKEY, WHICH CONCLUDED HER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AS MUCH AS US''

Staging a conference on ''Turkish-European Union (EU) Relations'' at the Dokuz Eylul University in Izmir, Logan claimed that Turkey's refusal of the EU conditions for the full-membership didn't suit with candidacy.

Pointing out that Turkey's status of EU candidacy still continues despite everything, Logan said, ''no other country can wish the EU membership of a prosperous Turkey, which concluded her economic development, as much as Britain.''

Recalling that Turkey refused the dialogue with the EU on the Aegean problems, Cyprus and human rights issues, Logan said, ''Turkey's refusal of dialogue with the EU on the Cyprus issue is a matter which can prevent her EU membership. The EU wants to see a bi-communal, bi-zonal and federal Cyprus among its members. Such a structure may be advantageous for both Turkey and Greece. Such a federal state can be put into effect without giving harm to the Turkish Cypriots.''

Claiming that the human rights field is another issue that Turkey doesn't accede to a dialogue, Ambassador Logan said, ''the EU doesn't interfere in Turkey's internal affairs concerning this issue, it requests Turkey to abide by international norms.''

[26] TURKEY IN BRIEF - 15 APRIL 1999

The Iranian was handed over to Istanbul Police Organization.

ISTANBUL - Turkish Taekwondo National Team went to Brussels, the capital of Belgium, to attend the International Belgium Poomse Tournament which will be held between April 17 and 18 in different categories.

ISTANBUL - Seventh Istanbul International Beauty and Cosmetics Fair was opened by Yildirim Aktuna, former Health Minister.

Cosmetics, cleansing lotions, electrical aesthetic and dermatologic devices, cremes, dyes, shampoos, brushes, parfumes, deodorants are displayed in the fair which will end on April 18, 1999.

IZNIK - The scientists from 37 countries who participated in the symposium on ''Science and Education in Ottoman World'' visited the historical places in Iznik county of Bursa province in the Marmara Region.

ANTALYA - Second Internatioal Champions Tournament in which the Graeco- Roman and Free Wrestling national teams will participate in southern Antalya province between April 23 and 24, 1999.

Turkey, Korea, Uzbekistan, France, Romania, Ukraine and Poland will join the tournament.

A.A

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