Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-05-04

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AA Daily

04 May 1999 Tuesday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN FRANCE - DEMIREL: ''ETHNICAL DISCRIMINATION AND RACISM WHICH SPREAD HATRED AND MALICE AMONG PEOPLE AND SOCITIES IS A THREAT THAT HAS TO BE RESISTED''

[03] HEADSCARF CRISIS IN PARLIAMENT - YSK ISSUES A STATEMENT: ''YSK DOES NOT HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO REQUEST A PHOTO FROM THE CANDIDIATES AND TO DETERMINE ON THE ISSUE OF HEADSCARF''

[04] FOGG, REPRESENTATIVE OF EUROPEAN COMMISSION IN TURKEY: - ''THE RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND THE EU CAN REACH A BETTER POINT. THE PARTIES SHOULD BE MORE FRANK AND CLEAR TO EACH OTHER''

[05] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN FRANCE: - ''OUR NEIGHBOURS EXTEND SUPPORT TO TERRORIST MOVEMENTS DIRECTED AGAINST TURKEY, THIS IS OBVIOUS''

[06] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN FRANCE: - ''EUROPE WITHOUT TURKEY, TURKEY WITHOUT EUROPE CAN'T EVEN BE DREAMED OF''

[07] TURKISH BUSINESSMEN GO FROM NEW YORK TO WASHINGTON D.C

[08] EMBNET PROMOTION SEMINAR FOR TURKISH BUSINESSMEN FROM TIDAF

[09] MAHMUT BAKSI, WRITER OF ''FREE POLITICS'' NEWSPAPER: ''MURDER OF MY SISTER AND 67 KURDISH YOUNG MAN BY PKK WHO WERE ACCUSED OF BETRAYAL WAS DISGUSTING''

[10] ANNUAL REPORT OF INTERNATIONAL STRATEGICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE: - ''TURKEY AND IRAN CONSTITUTE A NOTEWORTHY BALANCE OF POWER AGAINST AFGHANISTAN AND SYRIA IN MIDDLE EAST''

[11] TOBB STARTS A PROMOTION CAMPAIGN FOR TURKEY - MIRAS, CHAIRMAN OF TOBB: ''TURKEY IS WRONGLY KNOWN ABROAD''

[12] TURKISH AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR EXPORTS REACH 774.3 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS

[13] A TOTAL OF 182.7 MILLION U.S. DOLLAR EXPORTS FROM GAP REGION

[14] INTER-DELEGATIONARY MEETINGS BETWEEN TURKEY AND OMAN

[15] JAMES RUBIN, U.S. FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN ''WE HAVE FAITH IN TURKISH DEMOCRACY''

[16] DOKUZ EYLUL UNIVERSITY SENATE: ''HEADSCARF IS TRIED TO BE INTRODUCED AS A POLITICAL SYMBOL''

[17] FIRST STAGE OF TELECOMMUNICATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN VESNET AND KAZAK TELECOM SIGNED

[18] SECOND INTERNATIONAL ART AND HANDCRAFTS FAIR TO OPEN IN IZMIR

[19] TURKMENBASI, PRESIDENT OF TURKMENISTAN, RECEIVES SEVER, CHAIRMAN OF INFORMATION COUNCIL OF MENSEL, A TURKISH CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

[20] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN FRANCE: - ''TURKEY IS STILL THE BIGGEST ECONOMY IN EASTERN EUROPE, BALKANS, BLACK SEA, CASPIAN BASIN AND MIDDLE EAST''

[21] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN FRANCE:

[22] NATO'S AIR OPERATION AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA - TURKISH F-16 WAR PLANES ACCUMULATE A TOTAL OF 1,142 HOURS OF FLIGHT

[23] TUSIAD DELEGATION TO HOLD CONTACTS IN U.S. TILL MAY 7

[24] TURKISH AND OMANI FOREIGN MINISTRIES SIGN POLITICAL CONSULTATION PROTOCOL

[25] FLOOD IN BORCKA - DERISKEL RIVER OVERFLOWS, THREE BRIDGES DESTROYED

[26] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN FRANCE - DEMIREL MEETS WITH CHIRAC, FRENCH PRESIDENT, IN LUNCHEON

[27] TURKISH ARMENIANS PATRIARCHATE TO CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY OF FOUNDATIONS OF OTTOMAN STATE AND PATRIARCHATE TOGETHER

[28] LARAKI PRAISES TURKEY SAYING TURKEY IS AMONG THREE COUNTRIES EXERTING SPECIAL EFFORTS ON KOSOVO QUESTION

[29] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN FRANCE - DEMIREL: ''EU SHOULD ABIDE BY ITS COMMITMENTS STEMMING FROM CUSTOMS UNION''

[30] STATEMENTS OF SEZER, CONSTITUTIONAL COURT CHAIRMAN - OZDEMIR, GERMAN GREENS PARTY DEPUTY: ''I WELCOMED STATEMENTS OF SEZER RELATED WITH FREEDOM OF THOUGHT AND EXPRESSION''

[31] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT COMMITTEE FOR PREVENTION OF TORTURE: ''OCALAN IS NOT MISTREATED''

[32] FOGG, EU TURKEY REPRESENTATIVE: ''IMPORTS OF CONSUMER GOODS TO TURKEY INCREASED AFTER CUSTOMS UNION'' - ''A DEVELOPING COUNTRY SHOULD REALIZE MORE IMPORTS OF INVESTMENT AND INTERMEDIATE GOODS''

[33] ANNUAL REPORT OF INTERNATIONAL STRATEGICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE

[34] DEMIREL ATTENDS OPENING CEREMONY OF EXHIBITION OF '''TREASURY OF SULTAN''

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) REACTION OF WOMEN
Merve Kavakcı, a deputy of the Virtue Party (FP) who tried to take oath with headscarf during the opening ceremony of the parliament on Sunday, was protested by many women. Women organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) issued tough statements yesterday. Meanwhile Berna Yılmaz, the wife of Mesut Yılmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP) reacted to ANAP which didn't protest the incident openly. Melike Hasefe, former deputy from ANAP resigned from her party, which kept silent in the parliament on Sunday.

DEMIREL DESIGNATES ECEVIT
Bulent Ecevit, the leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) who was designated by President Suleyman Demirel to form the new government, said that his government will be a coalition among three parties. ''I will exert efforts for the formation of harmonious and productive government in a short period of time,'' said Ecevit, adding he will convene the DSP group today. Ecevit will later start to visit party leaders. Ecevit added that they won't give concessions from the principle of secularism.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

OSS TO BE HELD ON JUNE 6
Prof. Dr. Guruz, the Chairman of the Institution of Higher Education (YOK) said that the university entrance exam which was postponed, will be held on June 6 on Sunday.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

WHOLE WORLD LOOKS AT THROUGH TURKISH GLASS
Turkey exports glass products to 110 foreign countries and the Turkish glass sector takes 1.3 percent of the world production and 4 percent of the production of the European Union (EU) countries in her hands with more than one million tones of production. The figures of Istanbul Chamber of Commerce indicated that the glass production of Turkey increased by 10 percent and reached 300 million U.S. dollars in 1998 and that half of the exports were realized to the European countries, especially to Germany and Italy.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

PRESIDENT DEMIREL: GREECE HAS TO END
HER CONNECTION WITH TERRORISM
President Suleyman Demirel, who is currently in France to open the exhibition of Ottoman Palace Treasure, said that Greece was captured on the very act of supporting terrorism and this country has to end this support. Noting that some of the neighbours of Turkey have territorial claims over Turkey, President Demirel added that a Europe without Turkey and a Turkey without Europe can't even be dreamed of.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

SPRING IN INFLATION ENDS
The wholesale prices index increased 5.3 percent and the consumer prices index increased 4.9 percent in April 1999 while the annual inflation rate became 50.0 percent in wholesale prices and 63.9 percent in consumer prices.

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

ONE YEAR AND THREE MONTH IMPRISONMENT TO GUZEL, LEADER OF YDP
The Penal Court in Ankara sentenced on Monday Hasan Celal Guzel, the leader of the Re-Birth Party (YDP) to one year and three months of imprisonment for insulting President Suleyman Demirel in one of his statements.

SEVEN MEMBERS OF PKK CAPTURED IN SOUTHERN ADANA PROVINCE
A total of seven members of the terrorist organization PKK who aided and abetted the PKK and allocated staff and equipment to the rural area, were captured in southern Antalya province. Many weapons, ammunition and some organizational documents were seized in the operation.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

[02] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN FRANCE - DEMIREL: ''ETHNICAL DISCRIMINATION AND RACISM WHICH SPREAD HATRED AND MALICE AMONG PEOPLE AND SOCITIES IS A THREAT THAT HAS TO BE RESISTED''

Addressing the dinner hosted by the French International Relations Institute (IFRI) in his honour, President Demirel recalled that the NATO summit was held in Washington D.C. for its 50th foundation anniversary ten days ago, adding ''new NATO members joined us and the 19 countries confirmed once again that the determining role of the NATO will also continue in the 21st century.''

Noting that the threat of a global war does not exist today, President Demirel said the world faces new dangers which threat democracies such as ethnical nationalism, racism and new sorts of racism, terrorism, organized crime, drug and weapon smuggling, laundering of black money and destruction of environment.

''No country has the ability to solve all of these problems on its own, in this regard international cooperation has to be more effective in struggling with these problems. The members of the democratic countries should be together in the struggle particularly against aggressive ethnical nationalism and terrorism as this carries great importance in respect of our common future. We have to be successful in our struggle with an agressive dictatorship in Serbia. If this is not the case, new Milosevics will continue to threat the peace and security in Europe,'' said President Demirel.

''Turkey serves peace, stability, and common prosperity in a geography which has many conflicts. Turkey is at the heart of new political geography called Euroasia, but she is also a European country. Today, we are founding member of many European institutions like NATO, Council of Europe, and Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe, we are associate member of the EU and West European Union. Turkey also plays an active role in Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) as the only secular country among Islamic countries. We attribute great importance to the stability of Russia which we regard as an important partner in the future of Euroasia. Turkey is a strong supporter of the Middle East Peace Process and we have an important status in the Middle East. We, also as a country in the Balkans and Caucasus exert efforts to make the international legitimacy to govern these geographies,'' President Demirel added.

[03] HEADSCARF CRISIS IN PARLIAMENT - YSK ISSUES A STATEMENT: ''YSK DOES NOT HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO REQUEST A PHOTO FROM THE CANDIDIATES AND TO DETERMINE ON THE ISSUE OF HEADSCARF''

The YSK statement said that how a deputy should behave and how he/she should wear is an issue which is under the authority of the Office of the Parliament Speaker.

The statement pointed out that the comments and news on a candidate's entrance to the parliament wearing a headscarf, claimed that the YSK accepted a candidate wearing a headscarf and criticized this incident.

The statement said, ''the obstacles for being elected as a deputy are listed in the in the tenth and eleventh articles of the Deputy Election Law. The YSK requested the candidate deputy lists of the political parties fon the April 18 elections, it carried out the necessary investigations within the framework of its investigation authority, completed the deficiencies and issued the definite candidate lists in the Official Gazette of March 9, 1999.''

''The YSK does not have a responsibility to request a photo from the candidates and to determine on the issue of headscarf, but has to declare the definite candidate lists following its investigation which is carried out within a legal framework. The minutes were given to the elected deputies by the provincial election boards and a copy of these minutes was sent to the Parliament by the Higher Board of Election,'' the statement added.

The statement noted, ''how a deputy should behave and wear is an issue which is under the authority of the Office of the Parliament Speaker. Putting the YSK, one of the most respected and impartial institutions of the Turkish Republic, to a political discussion arena is not useful for the public sake.''

[04] FOGG, REPRESENTATIVE OF EUROPEAN COMMISSION IN TURKEY: - ''THE RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND THE EU CAN REACH A BETTER POINT. THE PARTIES SHOULD BE MORE FRANK AND CLEAR TO EACH OTHER''

Fogg, who was a guest of the Ege Industrialists and Businessmen Association, evaluated the Turkish-EU relations.

Fogg noted that she discussed the Turkish-EU relations with the businessmen in western Izmir province and that she is optimistic about this issues while some circles have despair on this issue.

Noting that the Turkish-EU relations can reach a better point than today's, Fogg stated that the relation is not so pessimistic as some people think and that although the Luxembourg resolutions of the Council of Europe indicated that Turkey was rejected, this incident was not evaluated like this in Brussels.

Drawing the attention that there are people who interrogates the EU in Turkey and some who interrogates Turkey in the EU, Fogg stressed that the ones who are optimistic in both parties should carry out efforts to make this relation better.

Emphasizing that the private sector should more actively work to have better relations between the two parties, Fogg pointed out that the two parties should understand each other.

Stressing that the changes among the people and the institutions in Turkey and the EU should be emphasized, Fogg stated that when these changes are emphasized, they can reach a better understanding point among the chambers, municipilaties, and non-organizational organizations and that more people in Turkey can understand the institutions and the laws of the EU.

Fogg emphasized that when all these are understood, Turkey can adopt herself more easily and quickly to the policies of the EU and that there are more things that the EU and Turkey can do.

Pointing out that the relations between Turkey and the EU should be improved in every platform, Fogg said that the parties need new dinamics and that the EU is waiting for the programme of the new Turkish government and Turkey is waiting for the resolutions of the Council of Europe meeting in Koln.

Responding a question on the trial process of Abdullah Ocalan, the terrorist chief, Fogg noted that the Ocalan issue is not the issue of the EU and that two ''observers'' of the Council of Europe will watch the trial process of the hearing because Turkish side asked them to. Fogg added that these observers will not be official observers.

[05] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN FRANCE: - ''OUR NEIGHBOURS EXTEND SUPPORT TO TERRORIST MOVEMENTS DIRECTED AGAINST TURKEY, THIS IS OBVIOUS''

Addressing the dinner hosted by the French International Relations Institute (IFRI) in his honour, President Demirel stated that Turkey plays a leading role in economic cooperation initiatives in her region like Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and Developing Eight (D-8).

''We try to form a free trade area in a broad region from the Baltics to Central Europe and Balkans. We work on opening programmes to Latin America, Africa, and the Far East in order to find new markets for the developing Turkish industry. Turkey is a big country having a population of 65 million and Istanbul is the biggest city of Europe with its population of 12 million. Turkey is the only secular and democratic country among 55 countries in the world where majority of their population are moslem. Totally, 14 free elections were held in Turkey since 1945, Turkish people are devoted to democracy. The participation rate in the recent elections held on April 18 was 87 percent. The national will was revealed and elections were held in peace. Now searches are underway to form a coalition government,'' said Demirel.

Noting that many of Turkey's neighbours have claims over the territory of Turkey, President Demirel said some of them extend support to terrorism directed against Turkey.''We expect Greece, which was captured red-handed, to end her cooperation with terrorism,'' he said.

''The World Bank report which was published last November described Turkey as the 16th biggest economy with nearly 400 billion dollars of gross national product (GNP) and 6712 dollars of income per capita. Turkey is still the biggest economy in Eastern Europe, the Balkans, Black Sea, Caspian basin, and the Middle East. Turkey is the sixth biggest trade partner of the EU. Our economy adapted itself to the tough competition conditions of the Customs Union,'' said President Demirel.

Stressing that Caspian-Ceyhan Pipelines Project will be a concrete reality soon, President Demirel said the main transportation projects, which constitute the infrastructure of the Silk Road that will connect Europe and Asia to each other, are being constructed in Turkey.

''In the next decade, Turkey will realize an energy investment program worth of 30 billion dollars; and within 30 years, a defense industry program worth of 150 billion dollars. The total construction work undertaken by Turkish contractors abroad this year exceeds 20 billion dollars. Our foreign trade volume is more than 75 billion dollars. No candidate country to European Union (EU) has such a dynamic and promising economy like Turkey,'' he added.

[06] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN FRANCE: - ''EUROPE WITHOUT TURKEY, TURKEY WITHOUT EUROPE CAN'T EVEN BE DREAMED OF''

Addressing the dinner hosted by the French International Relations Institute (IFRI) in his honour, President Demirel stated that the relations between Turkey and the European Union (EU) has an important and determining place in Turkey's foreign policy priorities in spite of the existing conjunctural problems.

''History shows that Europe without Turkey, Turkey without Europe can't even be dreamed of,'' said Demirel, adding Turkey functioned as a castle in defense of common values which she shared with Europe in the past, and today she acts as a bridge in carrying these values from Atlantic to Altay mountains. President Demirel pointed out that Turkey can contribute to the construction of the common future of Europe with her potential.

''The discrimination made against Turkey in Luxembourg Summit held in December 1997 hasn't been removed. Turkey has not been still declared openly as a candidate state to the EU, we regard full membership as a right stemming from agreements. We won't give up defending our right,'' said Demirel, adding that ''our constitutional philosophy which is based on the understanding of democratic citizenship rejects ethnical or religious discrimination. If aggressive ethnical nationalism is encouraged, the threat of ethnical cleansing will continue to be a threat.''

President Demirel said that Turkey's foreign policy is based on an understanding of the inseparableness of democracy, peace, and development.

[07] TURKISH BUSINESSMEN GO FROM NEW YORK TO WASHINGTON D.C

Volkan Vural, Turkish Permanent Representative in the United Nations (U.N.), gave a briefing to the Turkish businessmen delegation on ''how to have trade with Iraq without violating the rules of the U.N. system.''

The Turkish delegation will participate in the meetings of the American- Turkish Council (ATC) in Washington D.C. and will hold contacts with the U.S. officials especially which aim at improving Turkish textile and ready- made cloth exports to the U.S.

[08] EMBNET PROMOTION SEMINAR FOR TURKISH BUSINESSMEN FROM TIDAF

Ethnic Minority Business Network (EMBNET) which is a member of TIDAF was introduced to the Turkish businessmen during the 12 day seminar. Ihsan Oner, TIDAF Chairman led the seminar at Gustav-Stresemann Institute in Bonn.

Employers who are at the same time minorities living in Germany, Britain, France, Belgium, Sweden, Portugal, and Italy form EMBNET and they organize meetings and seminars to discuss the problems of ethnic employers.

The next EMBNET meeting will be organized under TIDAF's supervision in Germany on July 7, 1999.

[09] MAHMUT BAKSI, WRITER OF ''FREE POLITICS'' NEWSPAPER: ''MURDER OF MY SISTER AND 67 KURDISH YOUNG MAN BY PKK WHO WERE ACCUSED OF BETRAYAL WAS DISGUSTING''

An interview with Baksi titled ''confessions of a Kurdish writer who lives in exile since 1970'' published in a Swedish paper and it is said that the suspect Abdullah Ocalan is the murderer of Doctor Lamia Baksi and 67 Kurdish young people.

Noting that Ozgur Politika Newspaper is the broadcast organ of the terrorist PKK, Mahmut Baksi said that ''I've been writing once a week for Ozgur Politika newspaper, which is published in Germany in Turkish since the beginning of February. The paper's administrators are sympathizers of the PKK. I've never been a member of any Kurdish party till today. My relation with the PKK was in 1981 when I visited my sister in Syria and I met Ocalan there for the first time. My relations with the PKK were generally negative since 1984 and I felt myself under threat from time to time.''

''I condemn the murders committed by the terrorist PKK against people which is considered by the organization as 'disloyal.' I was one of the persons who opposed to the PKK for 15 years, they were also hating me and took me to their blacklist. In May 1988, Ocalan phoned me and excused me regarding the murder of my sister, adding he wished to make a television programme with me both in Turkish and Kurdish. But I rejected to participate in the MED-TV programmes as the killings of 68 people including my sister and its reason was not announced in front of the public opinion.''

''Abdullah Ocalan confessed that Lamia and her 67 friends were killed by the so-called commanders of the terrorist PKK, adding that those who did that would be punished,'' he added.

Meanwhile, Kurdo Baksi, the nephew of Lamia Baksi filed a suit on January 1999 to the Swedish courts against Abdullah Ocalan due to the killing of his aunt.

Turkish officials said that the statements of Mahmut Baksi will add new dimensions to the trial of Abdullah Ocalan which will start on May 31, 1999.

[10] ANNUAL REPORT OF INTERNATIONAL STRATEGICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE: - ''TURKEY AND IRAN CONSTITUTE A NOTEWORTHY BALANCE OF POWER AGAINST AFGHANISTAN AND SYRIA IN MIDDLE EAST''

The report pointed out that Iran and Turkey wish to change the partnerships in the region, adding Iran is not alone in her Afghan policy, Russia is besides this country, and other central Asian countries and China extend support to Iran in her relations with Taliban.

''Turkey has improved the trust in herself in her foreign policy targets in Central Asia by her close relations with Israel which is supported by the U.S.,'' said the report, adding that Turkey wishes to keep away from the concerns of Arabs.

[11] TOBB STARTS A PROMOTION CAMPAIGN FOR TURKEY - MIRAS, CHAIRMAN OF TOBB: ''TURKEY IS WRONGLY KNOWN ABROAD''

Miras told A.A correspondent that TOBB allocated ten million U.S. dollars for the promotion campaign of Turkey, and that they aim at increasing this figure in the following years; adding that they will support their campaign by other campaigns especially in the European Union (EU) countries, the U.S. and Russia.

Miras said that the reason of the problems which Turkey faces in the foreign world is not achieving to express themselves enough and that they aim at having some social and economic results out of this campaign.

Stating that they will explain the historical process of the Turkish people, the wealth, and the human potential of Turkey by their promotion, Miras noted that they will explain the truth about Turkey and Turkish people by wiping the wrong information about Turkey abroad and will introduce the production, investment, and business potential of Turkey.

Miras stated that they aim at having foreign investments in Turkey after their campaign.

Noting that Turkish economy faces a bottleneck in the last days and the exports decreased 18 percent and imports decreased 30 percent, Miras emphasized that the production rate of Turkey also decreased and that these negative developments can lead to the increase of the present unemployment.

Pointing out that Turkey needs new investments which will prevent the unemployment, Miras stressed that privatization is necessary to have a healthy structure in Turkish economy.

Miras said, ''Turkey is too late in privatization. While many former communist countries completed their privatization process, we are still discussing it. The privatization should be implemented in a correct way by changing the obstacles and deficiencies. Firstly, the Turkish people should be informed about privatization and the unemployment insurance should be put into effect. Then, the privatization should start to be implemented. Otherwise, privatization cannot be implemented.''

[12] TURKISH AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR EXPORTS REACH 774.3 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS

The Uludag Exporters Union statement said that the Turkish automotive sector exported products worth of 744.3 million U.S. dollars and that the car exports constituted the highest turnover.

The figures of the union indicated that Oyak Renault Automotive Factories Corp. have the biggest share in the increase in the exports of automative sector.

The car exportation which was 56.4 million in the first four months of 1998 reached 162.1 million U.S. dollars this year and is expected to reach 500 million U.S. dollars by the end of 1999 while the tractor exportation reached 9.6 million U.S. dollars in the mentioned period.

[13] A TOTAL OF 182.7 MILLION U.S. DOLLAR EXPORTS FROM GAP REGION

An official from the Southeastern Anatolian Exporters Union told A.A correspondent that a total of 7.5 million U.S. dollar animal products, 32.2 million U.S. dollar industrial products, 35.7 million U.S. dollar cereals, 14.2 million U.S. dollar nuts and 92.8 million U.S. dollar textile products were exported from the region in the mentioned period.

Noting that animal product exports decreased 14 percent, cereal exports recessed 25 percent and nut exports decreased 16 percent while the textile product exports increased 16 percent and industrial product exports increased 60 percent, the official said that the increase in the exports is the success of the exporters.

The official added that the exports to the Middle East and Gulf countries and Iraq will increase in case the embargo imposed on Iraq ends.

[14] INTER-DELEGATIONARY MEETINGS BETWEEN TURKEY AND OMAN

It was reported that the delegations discussed the bilateral relations in the meetings which were headed by Korkmaz Haktanir, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary, and Al-Said, Secretary General of Oman Foreign Ministry.

[15] JAMES RUBIN, U.S. FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN ''WE HAVE FAITH IN TURKISH DEMOCRACY''

Rubin last week had denied rumours that said he was uncomfortable with the Turkish election results and said that they had no worries because Turkey was a democratic country.

[16] DOKUZ EYLUL UNIVERSITY SENATE: ''HEADSCARF IS TRIED TO BE INTRODUCED AS A POLITICAL SYMBOL''

Acikgoz said the headscarf issue is being kept on the agenda deliberately by anti-secularist circles. ''All these are the products of organized groups who want to overthrow the Republic and destroy Ataturk's principles and reforms,'' he pointed out.

''D.E.U. Senate strongly condemns any behaviour unrespectful to Ataturk's principles and reforms. We call all political parties and institutions to resist against attempts to destroy the secular and democratic Turkish Republic,'' Acikgoz concluded.

[17] FIRST STAGE OF TELECOMMUNICATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN VESNET AND KAZAK TELECOM SIGNED

M.Sair Gozum, Netas General Manager said they have been competing with the world's telecommunication giants for eight years in Kazakhstan. With the new transmission system, Gozum said, Kazakhstan's telecommunication will further develop and they will be twice as powerful in competing with other telecommunication companies.

[18] SECOND INTERNATIONAL ART AND HANDCRAFTS FAIR TO OPEN IN IZMIR

The U.S., Germany, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Philippines, Iran, Kenya, Egypt, Tanzania, and Pakistan are among the 14 participating countries.

The exhibit will be mainly formed by stone and earth objects, embroidery, wood, and leather work, glass objects, jewelry, home decoration equipment and fotography. Those who wish to see the exhibit may visit the fair between 11 am and 21 pm until May 9.

[19] TURKMENBASI, PRESIDENT OF TURKMENISTAN, RECEIVES SEVER, CHAIRMAN OF INFORMATION COUNCIL OF MENSEL, A TURKISH CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

Sever submitted the message of President Suleyman Demirel to Turkmenbasi.

Demirel said in his message that the two countries have close relations and that the Turkish Republic is ready to improve and strengthen the economic relations with this country, the nation of whom is kinsmen to Turkey.

Sever and Turkmenbasi exchanged views about the future of the relations between Turkey and Turkmenistan and the structuring of Askhabat in the receival in which Oktay Ozuce, Turkish Ambassador to Turkmenistan also participated.

Turkmenbasi said that they were proud of the stadium which is constructed by MENSEL company in Ashkabat and offered to the Turkish company to build a garage construction with 1500 car capacity beside the stadium.

The representatives of MENSEL and NUROL company, another Turkish company, said that they will start the construction as soon as possible, adding that they will finish the constructions until October, 2000; the independence celebrations of Turkmenistan.

[20] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN FRANCE: - ''TURKEY IS STILL THE BIGGEST ECONOMY IN EASTERN EUROPE, BALKANS, BLACK SEA, CASPIAN BASIN AND MIDDLE EAST''

Meeting with Turkish and French businessmen within the framework of his working visit to France, President Demirel said that the economic and commercial relations between Turkey and France improves rapidly by the contributions and initiatives of businessmen.

''The world speaks about construction of a new international architecture of finance for the 21st century. I would like to stress that we have to protect and improve the concept of free trade and economic freedoms to this end. Growing economies and developing markets must put into force certain structural arrangements rapidly. In this framework, efforts to adapt national economies to global competition conditions should be speeded up. Privatization is important for developing economies and Turkey prepares herself to the 21st century by being aware of this fact,'' said President Demirel.

Noting that Turkey has not received any financial aid or support from the European Union (EU) since 1981, President Demirel said that Turkey is the sixth biggest trade partner of the EU today and the 1998 report of the World Bank describes Turkey as the biggest 16th economy of the world with her gross national product (GNP) of nearly 400 billion dollars.

''Turkey set up a free market economy before the other 11 candidate states to the EU did and she has a higher growth average from them. Particularly our finance services sector, stock exchange and our insurance institutions have been fully integrated with the global economy,'' he added.

[21] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN FRANCE:

Meeting with Turkish and French businessmen within the framework of his working visit to France, President Demirel said that Turkey's existing trade volume which is more than 75 billion dollars increases towards 100 billion dollars.

Noting that the total tourism income of Turkey reached 10 billion dollars in 1998, President Demirel said that Turkey succeeded in entering the first ten countries in tourism in 1998. The number of French tourists who came to Turkey in 1998 reached 440,000, he added.

''Another investment worth of 16 billion dollars will be carried out in Southeastern Turkey, this project is one of the biggest integrated development projects of the world with 22 dams and 19 power plants,'' said President Demirel, adding Turkey, although not a full member of the EU, is de facto within the EU for a long time.''

''The investments of Turkish people living in Europe is seven billion dollars and the number of firms they set up is 62,'' said President Demirel, adding that France is the fifth trade partner of Turkey and Turkey is the 15th trade partner of France.

Noting that the trade volume between the two countries was four billion dollars last year, President Demirel said that ''Turkey is the second trade partner of France in the rising markets.''

Stressing that France's capital in Turkey forms 21 percent of the total foreign capital in Turkey, President Demirel said that France comes the first in foreign capital stock of Turkey.

Pointing out that the number of French firms working in Turkey reached 230 and their total investment reached three billion dollars, President Demirel said that France comes after the U.S. and Germany in the category of direct investments.

''I believe that the entrepreneurs of the two countries have to set up partnerships especially in third countries, thus the developing markets of Euroasia present new opportunities. The two countries have to complete the agreement on reciprocal protection and encouragement of investments rapidly. Turkey and France are determined to set up their common future,'' he added.

[22] NATO'S AIR OPERATION AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA - TURKISH F-16 WAR PLANES ACCUMULATE A TOTAL OF 1,142 HOURS OF FLIGHT

The General Staff Information Center issued a statement saying that the Turkish F-16 war planes which are deployed at the Ghedi Airbase in Italy, stayed in air for 37 hours on May 3.

Meanwhile, a total of 749,663 Kosovar people were forced to leave their homes so far as a result of ethnic cleansing campaign in Kosovo. According to the latest figures, there are 12,704 refugees in Turkey; 50 thousand in Serbia; 63,300 in Montenegro; 382 thousand in Albania; 166 thousand in Macedonia; 9,974 in Germany; 45,500 in Bosnia-Herzegovina and 20,195 in other countries. A total of 820 thousand Albanian people who remained in Kosovo, have also been forced to move.

A total of 12,704 Kosovar refugees have entered Turkey from Istanbul, the Tekirdag-Corlu border gate, and from the Edirne-Kapikule border gate since the beginning of NATO air operation.

A total of 5,572 Kosovars have been sheltered at Gaziosmanpasa Refugee Camp in Kirklareli.

Turkey has provided shelters for a total of 5,554 Kosovar refugees in camps in Macedonia and Albania. Both camps have capacity to host 20 thousand refugees.

[23] TUSIAD DELEGATION TO HOLD CONTACTS IN U.S. TILL MAY 7

A 17-member TUSIAD delegation, which left for the U.S. to attend the meetings of the Turkish-American Business Council, will hold several contacts in Washington D.C. till May 7.

TUSIAD issued a statement saying that the delegation will hold more than 25 meetings with several senators, representatives of the Departments of State and Trade, several think-tank organizations, which have an influence over the American public opinion and administration, and representatives of the leading U.S. mass media organizations.

[24] TURKISH AND OMANI FOREIGN MINISTRIES SIGN POLITICAL CONSULTATION PROTOCOL

Turkekul Kurttekin, the General Director of Foreign Ministry's Department of Bilateral Political Affairs, and Ambassador Mohammad bin Tahir Iydid, the Chairman of the Omani Foreign Ministry's Europe Department, signed the protocol, which also foresees rotating political consultations in each country every year.

Speaking to reporters following the signing ceremony at the State Guesthouse, Korkmaz Haktanir, the Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry, said that the relations between Turkey and Oman are on a course which is developing systematically.

Pointing out that they want to hold frequent contacts with Oman and improve economic and cultural relations, Haktanir said, ''first of all, the legal frame is tried to be finalized to this end. The agreements on prevention of double taxation, promotion, and protection of investments are still being discussed. We hope these agreements will be finalized in near future.''

Stressing that Turkey and Oman possess great potentials in field of tourism, Haktanir said, ''with this respective, the two countries also foresee a cooperation agreement in field of tourism.''

Haktanir stated that the turkish Airlines (THY) is expected to arrange flights to Omani capital of Muscat for next season, and with this objective, its market search still continues.

[25] FLOOD IN BORCKA - DERISKEL RIVER OVERFLOWS, THREE BRIDGES DESTROYED

The river overflowed due to the snow which melted when the weather got warm and due to the rain. The houses which are close to the river were evacuated.

Officials said the three bridges were destroyed totally and that transportation with six villages was cut.

[26] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN FRANCE - DEMIREL MEETS WITH CHIRAC, FRENCH PRESIDENT, IN LUNCHEON

Demirel and his wife Nazmiye were welcomed with a ceremony by Chirac and his wife Bernadette, on their arrival to Elysee Palace.

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Uluc Ozulker, Foreign Ministry Deputy Undesecretary, and Sonmez Koksal, Turkey's Ambassador to Paris also attended the lunch.

[27] TURKISH ARMENIANS PATRIARCHATE TO CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY OF FOUNDATIONS OF OTTOMAN STATE AND PATRIARCHATE TOGETHER

The Turkish Armenians Patriarchate issued a statement saying that the anniversary of the fourdation of the Patriarchate by Fatih Sultan Mehmet in 1461 is celebrated every year in May.

Recalling that this year is the 700th anniversary of the foundation of the Ottoman State, the statement said that the foundations of the Ottoman State and the Patriarchate will be celebrated together with a ceremony at the Republic Monument in Taksim, Istanbul on May 5.

[28] LARAKI PRAISES TURKEY SAYING TURKEY IS AMONG THREE COUNTRIES EXERTING SPECIAL EFFORTS ON KOSOVO QUESTION

Addressing a joint news conference with Kamal Kharrazi, Iranian Foreign Minister, in Tehran, Laraki said the main target of Serbs was to throw the Moslems in Kosovo from their territories.

Laraki claimed that if Kosovar refugees are settled in other countries, that will mean ''Serbs will win by political means even if they are defeated by military means.'' Laraki said OIC, to this end, supported that Kosovars who were forced to leave their houses, should be sheltered in countries which are near Kosovo.

Pointing out that efforts were underway to settle and shelter Kosovars, Laraki said three countries exerted efforts on this issue, These are Turkey, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

Laraki also noted that Kosovo problem should be solved through political means and that they wanted all the Moslem refugees to return to their countries.

Kharrazi, Iranian Foreign Minister, said nobody could hope that Kosovo problem would be solved before an international unity is provided, adding that such a unity could be reached with mutual understanding, and through the United Nations.

[29] PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN FRANCE - DEMIREL: ''EU SHOULD ABIDE BY ITS COMMITMENTS STEMMING FROM CUSTOMS UNION''

Lionel Jospin, French Prime Minister, said France will expend efforts to normalize Turkish-EU relations.

Sermet Atacanli, Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman, briefed press following Demirel's meeting with Jospin.

Atacanli said President Demirel during the meeting pointed out that economic relations between the two countries improved increasingly, adding that French investments constituted 20 percent of foreign investments in Turkey. Demirel called on French businessmen to make more investments in Turkey.

Mentioning about Turkish-EU relations, Demirel urged EU to fulfil its commitments stemming from Customs Union.

Demirel thanked to the support France gave in struggle against terrorism and drug trafficking and stressed that this cooperation formed an example relation.

President Demirel also conveyed the uneasiness Turkey felt over the support Greece expended to terrorism although it is a member of NATO and EU.

Speaking about the trial of Abdullah Ocalan, the terrorist chief, Demirel said the case was not in a position that could be a fait accompli because this person was responsible for the killing of 30,000 people.

Demirel briefly mentioned about the elections in Turkey when Jospin brought the issue into agenda.

Atacanli said during the meeting Jospin said he understood Turkey's reaction and disappointment, adding that France will expend required efforts to normalize relations again. Jospin said Ankara should not isolate itself from Europe.

Pointing out that attacks of terrorist organization were condemned harshly, Jospin said he believed that Turkey would attribute importance to the right of defense in trial of terrorist chief.

Jospin expressed willingness to improve economic relations.

He also said Allied countries did their best on the issue of Kosovo.

[30] STATEMENTS OF SEZER, CONSTITUTIONAL COURT CHAIRMAN - OZDEMIR, GERMAN GREENS PARTY DEPUTY: ''I WELCOMED STATEMENTS OF SEZER RELATED WITH FREEDOM OF THOUGHT AND EXPRESSION''

Ozdemir issued a written statement and said Sezer showed the way that will make Turkey reach to the level of contemporary democracies and pointed out that Parliament should listen to the voice of this authorized person.

Pointing out that laws which limit freedom of thought were taken out or changed in September 12 period; thus, control could not be made to the Constitution, Ozdemir said Spain and Greece, who have experienced such type of military administration periods, changed the laws of this period at first in order to enter to EU, and noted that Turkey should follow the same path in this respect.

Ozdemir said human rights, democracy, and freedom of thought concepts of contemporary communities were independent of political views and the mutual point of all political views, adding that ''I think attitude of Constitutional Court Chairman in voicing freedom of expression in Kurdish, pointing out European Human Rights Charter, has a historical importance.''

Cem Ozdemir said recognizing and protection of identities in a community is the sine qua non principle of contemporary democracy.

Ozdemir said statements of Sezer, Constitutional Court Chairman, in a way mentioned about Copenhagen criteria, adding that Parliament should listen to this voice and make legal changes, ''so that'' he pointed out ''Copenhagen criteria could be implemented considerably.''

Ozdemir said EU will not give up Copenhagen criteria.

[31] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT COMMITTEE FOR PREVENTION OF TORTURE: ''OCALAN IS NOT MISTREATED''

The Committee members, who visited the terrorist chief on March 2 on the island, expressed their pleasure over Turkey's cooperation in that visit and thanked to the Turkish officials.

Pointing out that the Committee was satisfied with seeing that Ocalan was not at risk of physical ill treatment, the Committee stated that Ocalan's psychological situation is not good as he is staying alone.

Announcing that the Committee was pleased with Ocalan's being subjected to continual observation by psychiatrists, the Committee defended that the opportunities for setting up contact with the outer world should be increased in order to prevent worsening of Ocalan's mental health.

Recommending that terrorist chief be given radio, book, and newspaper, the Committee said the relatives of Ocalan should be enabled to meet with him in safe and without delay.

Stressing that the cell where Ocalan is staying has high-standard design, the Committee said the width of the cell is sufficient, and the bed, desk, chair, shower, toilet, washbasin, heater and the air-conditioning system are very good and comfortable.

The Committee re-called that terrorist chief was allowed to go for a walk in the fresh air for an hour before noon and for an hour afternoon when the Committee visited him.

The Committee for Prevention of Torture, which carries out activities within the structure of the Council of Europe, exerts for the prevention of mistreatment and torture at the member countries' jails and police stations through unexpected visits of its delegations including independent experts.

There is need for the consent of the concerned country for the publicly announcement of the situation in the jails and police stations which the Committee visited.

[32] FOGG, EU TURKEY REPRESENTATIVE: ''IMPORTS OF CONSUMER GOODS TO TURKEY INCREASED AFTER CUSTOMS UNION'' - ''A DEVELOPING COUNTRY SHOULD REALIZE MORE IMPORTS OF INVESTMENT AND INTERMEDIATE GOODS''

Addressing a meeting, which was organized by the Izmir German Economy Society in the Aegean Free Area, Fogg evaluated the relations between Turkey and the EU.

Stressing that Turkey's imports of consumer foods from the EU countries as a result of the CU, Fogg said, ''the thing what was seen in the developing countries like Turkey up until now, is the increase in imports of investment and intermediate goods. However, during this period, Turkey mostly imported consumer goods from the EU countries.''

Noting that Turkey's exports to the EU countries remained below the expected, Fogg said, ''we specified the reasons for the failure in increasing her exports to EU countries during my visits to the companies in Turkey. We agreed that the most important factor for this was the effect of macroeconomic situation on the banking sector. The banking sector couldn't give loans to the companies which can help them increase their exports and in accordance with their expectations.''

[33] ANNUAL REPORT OF INTERNATIONAL STRATEGICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE

The report said relations between Turkey and Western Europe were worse than everytime due to the discussions related with Turkey's membership to EU, granting candidacy status to Southern Cyprus, Ocalan issue, and the crisis which had erupted between Turkey and Italy. The report briefed about Turkey's relations with EU starting from its application for European community which was made in 1987.

Pointing out that there were several disputes due to the vetos Greece imposed to Turkey, and accepting the Greek Cypriot side's as candidate, the report said attitude of Germany could be softened because of the change in its administration. The report did not make a comment to the future of Turkish-EU relations.

The report focused on Turkish-Syrian tensions under the title of Middle East. It said Turkish-Syrian relations were detoriated due to the support Syria expended to terrorist PKK organization and due to its attitude in sheltering terrorist chief in this country. The developments recorded until Ocalan was expelled from Syria.

A commentary which was made in the end of this section said another issue which soured relations between Turkey and Syria was the water problem and recalled that an agreement was signed in southern Adana province on October 20, 1998 for the solution of problems. The commentary claimed that althought Turkey won a part of its struggle with the terrorist PKK organization and gained success in its certain regional policy, it could not be said that Kurdish problem was solved. The commentary said it is not certain that the agreement Turkey signed with Syria could be implemented or not.

It said the reason of this was the tendency of Syria not to abide by the agreements, adding that a similar agreement made in 1992 was not implemented by its close neighbour.

The report also mentioned about the developments regarding the capture of terrorist chief and the terrorist organization. Ocalan's capture in Kenya formed the most important part among these developments. The incident in question was defined as a development ''attracting the attention of the whole world to Kurdish violence'' and it was stressed that the terrorist attacks which happened in various places of Turkey following the capture of terrorist chief was thought to be made by PKK.

The report said that another dimension of capture of terrorist chief was the detoriation of Turkey's relations with several countries. The report said Ocalan was refused by many countries when he was seeking for political asylum in Europe. ''Yet'', the report said, ''this situation caused detoriation in Turkey's relations with Greece, Italy, and Russia, and many countries.''

[34] DEMIREL ATTENDS OPENING CEREMONY OF EXHIBITION OF '''TREASURY OF SULTAN''

French President Jacques Chirac was also in attendance at the ceremony.

President Demirel had stressed before, ''this exhibition is the most magnificant activity among the activities which are held abroad within the framework of the 700th anniversary of foundation of the Ottoman Empire. The exhibition is very important for the promotion of Turkey abroad.''

A total of 268 works of Topkapi Palace Museum including the Golden Throne, are being displayed in the exhibition.

Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, Fikret Unlu, the State Minister, Istamihan Talay, the Culture Minister and other senior officials were also in attendance at the ceremony.

Following the ceremony, President Demirel and accompanying delegation left France for Turkey.

A.A

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