Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-05-13

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AA Daily

13 May 1999 Thursday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF TRNC: - ''GREEK CYPRIOTS HAVE BEEN ENDEAVOURING FOR VICTORY OF GREECE FOR 36 YEARS, BUT TRNC IS A SIGN OF THAT THESE EFFORTS WILL BE PREVENTED FOREVER''

[03] RUBIN, SPOKESMAN OF THE U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT: - ''TURKEY PLAYS A VERY SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN KOSOVO''

[04] 14.7 MILLION DOLLARS DRIED FRUITS EXPORTED IN FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1999

[05] TURKISH TOURISM ON INTERNET

[06] IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY PROPOSES COOPERATION TO TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO INVESTIGATE KILLINGS ON TURKISH-IRANIAN BORDER

[07] MUSEUMS WEEK TO START ON MAY 18

[08] TURKEY'S FIRST ARCHEOLOGICAL INVENTORY PROJECT STARTS IN ANTALYA

[09] TISK CONSULTATIVE ASSEMBLY CONVENES - BAYDUR, CHAIRMAN OF TISK EXECUTIVE BOARD: ''THE ESSENTIAL DUTY OF THE PARLIAMENT IS TO RAPIDLY PROVIDE POLITICAL COMPROMISE AND FORM A GOVERNMENT WHICH WILL MAKE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS IN ECONOMIC FIELD'' - ''HEADSCARF ISSUE AT THE PARLIAMENT IS A NEW REFLECTION OF THE UNDERSTANDING OF 'GROWTH WITH THE HELP OF DEMOCRACY TILL ITS DESTRUCTION' WHICH HAS BEEN ADOPTED BY THE SHARIAH SUPPORTERS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF MULTI-PARTY REGIME''

[10] ILLEGAL HEADSCARF DEMONSTRATION IN MALATYA - 20 MORE DETAINEES ARRESTED

[11] CONTACTS OF BRITISH TRADING DELEGATION - WILSON, BRITISH MINISTER OF TRADE, VISITS AKTAS, ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTER

[12] TURKISH-TRNC COOPERATION PROTOCOL INITIALED

[13] EFFORTS TO FORM GOVERNMENT - PREMIER ECEVIT DISCLOSED THAT HE WILL PRESENT THE PROPOSALS TO THE PROBABLE COALITION PARTNERS ON MONDAY

[14] CONTACTS OF BRITISH TRADING DELEGATION - WILSON, BRITISH MINISTER OF TRADE, VISITS ILIKSOY, MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SETTLEMENT

[15] NUMBER OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES IN TURKEY REACHES 15,500

[16] OECD MAKES A PRE-EVALUATION FOR TURKEY

[17] EIZENSTAT, U.S. DEPUTY SECRETARY OF TREASURY, SAYS HE SUPPORTS TURKEY'S ECONOMY POLICY

[18] TURKEY AND BRITAIN SIGN A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

[19] RADIC, CROATIAN DEPUTY PM, ARRIVES IN ANKARA

[20] FRIENDLY MESSAGE OF KHATAMI, IRANIAN PRESIDENT, TO PRESIDENT DEMIREL: - ''I HOPE THAT OUR RELATIONS WILL IMPROVE TO THE LEVEL WHICH THE TWO NATIONS DESIRE''

[21] CONTACTS OF SUBANOV, KYRGYZ MINISTER OF DEFENSE - SUBANOV VISITS TURK, NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER

[22] 15TH MEETING OF ISEDAK FOLLOW-UP COMMITTEE ENDS

[23] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''DESPITE EVERYTHING, TURKEY DID NOT GET INVOLVED IN THE CRISIS WHICH WAS AFRAID AND TURNED INTO A NIGHTMARE LAST YEAR''

[24] NATO'S AIR OPERATION AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA - TURKISH F-16 WAR PLANES ACCUMULATE A TOTAL OF 1,341 FLIGHT HOURS

[25] TURKISH-BRITISH COOPERATION - TURKEY AND BRITAIN SIGN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

[26] TRNC DELEGATION IN GAP - NAYIR, SANLIURFA DEPUTY GOVERNOR: - ''OUR WEALTH IS THE WEALTH OF TRNC''

[27] PRESIDENT DEMIREL INAUGURATES PETROLEUM'99 FAIR: ''OIL IS BLOOD VESSEL OF ECONOMIC LIFE''

[28] AKTAS, MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES ADDRESSES PETROLEUM'99 FAIR

[29] VESTEL SETS UP A TV PRODUCTION AND MOUNTING INSTALLATION IN ETHIOPIA

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

SECRET PROTOCOL
The protocol draft prepared by the Democratic Left Party (DSP) to be given to the National Movement Party (MHP) and the Motherland Party (ANAP) is consisted of 45 articles. The protocol was prepared by Prime Minister Ecevit, Husamettin Ozkan and Hikmet Ulugbay, the Deputy Prime Ministers, and Zekeriya Temizel, the former Minister of Finance. However, the MHP's unwilling approach to the two articles causes tension. These two articles are about the eight years of compulsory education programme and wearing of headscarf in public institutions and schools.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

Also according to the U.S. laws, if a U.S. citizen takes an oath of allegiance to another country, this can constitute an excuse to denaturalize that person.

SAKIK APPLIES STATE SECURITY COURT TO BE WITNESS AGAINST OCALAN
Another blow came to Ocalan from his so-called commander Semdin Sakik. Sakik applied to the State Security Court to be present as a witness at the trial that will take place on May 31 on Imrali Island. Sakik held Ocalan responsible for everything and said ''Apo does not want peace. While he was eating good food in palaces, those who fight on the mountains were in terrible conditions. He wants to shed blood.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

CONSTITUTIONAL COURT ASK FOR MORE EVIDENCE FROM SAVAS
The Constitutional Court, after it carried out its first inquiry into the case opened by Chief Prosecutor Vural Savas to close the Virtue Party (FP), asked for more evidence from Savas to support his case. During the meeting on Wednesday, the Constitutional Court decided to ask for more 'concrete' evidence showing that the leader, deputies and the mayors of the FP committed provocative actions. Savas, upon this request, sent video-tapes showing Kavakci's entering the Parliament wearing a headscarf and the FP deputies applauding her.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

It was mentioned that Kavakci, whose U.S. citizenship became clear, will be denaturalized with a Council of Ministers' decision. The State Security Court is preparing itself to give orders for detention of Kavakci for interrogation.

SEVEN THEOLOGY VOCATIONAL HIGH-SCHOOLS TO BE CLOSED
The Institution of Higher Education (YOK) decided to close seven theology vocational high-schools.

YOK thinks the theology undergraduate programme, which was opened last year to increase the education level of the personnel at the Chairmanship of Religious Affairs, is sufficient, and adopted that any other religious education excluding this programme should be realized only at the theology faculties.

TREASURY'S EURO BORROWING
The Treasury announced that the issue of debenture bonds was increased from 800 million Euro to 1 billion Euro.

Together with this borrowing, the Treasury's indebtment from international markets since the beginning of the year reached 1.7 billion U.S. dollars.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

At the second round, all of the calculations in Ankara will be formed according to the attitude of the MHP against headscarf issue.

SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT TO BE ELECTED NEXT WEEK
The deputies failed to elect the person to direct the parliament in the new term at the first round of voting.

The third round of voting will be held on May 18. The absolute majority of votes is required at this voting and it equals to 276 votes. If the candidates fail to receive the absolute majority of votes, the fourth round will take place. The two of the candidates who took the highest votes at the previous round will attend this round, and the candidate who receives highest vote will be the speaker of the parliament.

''IMMUNITY'' RESIGNATION OVER HEADSCARF
Mustafa Bayram, a Virtue Party (FP) deputy who said, ''I resigned due to Kavakci issue'', had sent his resignation petition before the opening of closure case against the FP.

Meanwhile, the dossier of the lawsuit with which he is tried with charges of killing two people with the request of punishment up to 30 years in prison, was stolen from the Van Courthouse by unknown peosons. The lawsuits opened against Bayram at the Diyarbakir and Ankara DGMs with charges of smuggling 131 kg heroin and 12 kg base morphine continue.

Meanwhile, after this resignation. the number of FP seats at the parliament decreased to 109.

The Court can't try Bayram for a long time as he has political immunity.

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

The business world harshly criticized creation of an artificial agenda at the parliament.

Sakip Sabanci said, ''the economy has several problems. What kind of an agenda is this? We are all faithful to God and believers. Exploitation of this does not suit the 21st century.''

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

''Don't consider the instigations, don't harm this nation by being deceived by external provocations. We have to love and trust each other,'' he stressed.

PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''SITUATION OF KAVAKCI IS ILLEGAL''
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said Merve Kavakci didn't get permission from Turkey for U.S. citizenship.

''Her deputyship is now impossible even if she takes off her headscarf. Kavakci became a U.S. citizen on March 5, 1999. Her taking loyalty oath earlier to the U.S. while preparing herself for an oath here is unacceptable,''

RATIFICATION FOR NATO BASES
We opened the air bases in Balikesir, Bandirma and Corlu for the ''Kosovo air operation'' over the request of the NATO.

At first stage, 18 F-16s will be deployed in Bandirma; 36 F-15s will be deployed in Balikesir and 9 tankers will be deployed in Corlu.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

It was mentioned that the Office sent the petition to the Ankara DGM for evaluation.

[02] PRESIDENT DENKTAS OF TRNC: - ''GREEK CYPRIOTS HAVE BEEN ENDEAVOURING FOR VICTORY OF GREECE FOR 36 YEARS, BUT TRNC IS A SIGN OF THAT THESE EFFORTS WILL BE PREVENTED FOREVER''

Addressing a reseption organized by the TRNC Eastern Mediterranean University, President Denktas reminded that the Eastern Mediterranean University is the locomotive of improvement of universities in the TRNC.

Noting that they they have applied to the Turkish government and the Institution for Higher Education for the Turkish universities to open faculties on the island, Denktas pointed out that such an initiative will further strengthen relations between Turkey and the TRNC.

Recalling that Glafcos Clerides, the leader of the Greek Cypriot side administration, boasts with realizing a 100 percent integration between Greece and the Greek Cypriot side in every field, President Denktas emphasized that Clerides, now, aims at legalizing this integration through the European Union (EU).

Responding to a question, President Rauf Denktas remarked that both Turkey and the TRNC should bring several laws into force in accordance with the economic protocols, and added although Turkey has fulfilled her obligations, the TRNC was late to realize some of them. Referring to statement of Hikmet Ulugbay, the State Minister responsible for the economy, over the issue, President Denktas said, ''I hope that this warning will be effective for these laws to come into force in the coming days. As a result, investments in the TRNC will be encouraged considerably.''

When asked over his policy in case of acceptance of the Greek Cypriot's full membership to the EU, Denktas told reporters, ''We insist on confederation and state-to-state negotiations. There will not be negotiations any more if the Greek Cypriot side becomes full member of the EU under the title of whole Cyprus. The TRNC will then realize a full integration with Turkey.''

Meanwhile, President Denktas left Turkey for the TRNC on Wednesday night after he completed his contacts in Turkey.

[03] RUBIN, SPOKESMAN OF THE U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT: - ''TURKEY PLAYS A VERY SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN KOSOVO''

Addressing a press conference, James Rubin stressed that Turkey has allowed NATO war planes to be deployed on her territories.

Reminding that Hungary and Turkey have been fully participating in the operation against Yugoslavia as two NATO members, Rubin pointed out that this participation also envisages possible deployment of military planes on ally countries' territories.

James Rubin underlined that the Turkish government has admitted deployment of the NATO tanker planes and war planes in Turkey.

Meanwhile, when reminded that Greece do not allow war planes that take off from Turkey in her air space, an official from the U.S. State Department said that there are different alternatives, adding both Bulgaria and Romania have allowed NATO to use their air space. NATO sources said that the U.S. KC-135R tanker planes, and F-15, F-16 war planes are expected to be deployed in Turkey.

[04] 14.7 MILLION DOLLARS DRIED FRUITS EXPORTED IN FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1999

In the same period last year, a total of 17 million 345 thousand U.S. dollars of dried fruits were exported.

As a result of this decrease, the share of dried fruits in the total exports from the region decreased from 10 percent to 8 percent.

Abdulkadir Cikmaz, the Chairman of the Southeastern Anatolia Dried Fruits Exporters' Union, said that they exported 1 million 255 thousand U.S. dollars green pistachios, 12 million 235 thousand U.S. dollars of dried apricots, 513 thousand U.S. dollars pine nuts, and 694 U.S. dollars of various products in the first four months of the year especially to Britain, the U.S., France, Australia, Germany, Israel, Canada, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, Romania, and Greece.

[05] TURKISH TOURISM ON INTERNET

TURIZMNET, run by the Ministry of Tourism, provides link between the Tourism Ministry and its foreign representatives abroad through its data processing service. There is also a reservation network that can be reached through the internet. The web-pages of the Ministry use tr-net service provider.

The web-pages have been prepared in English. The foreign bureaus of the Ministry of Tourism have web-pages also written in German, French, Italian, and Japanese.

The web-pages are formed by several parts including tourist attractions, Turkish food, traditions, daily life, activities for tourists, how to go to Turkey, and news about Turkey.

[06] IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY PROPOSES COOPERATION TO TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO INVESTIGATE KILLINGS ON TURKISH-IRANIAN BORDER

Ozsoy told A.A. that Azar, during their talks, asked for cooperation between Turkish and Iranian border officials to investigate an incident that occured on the border on May 7. Ozsoy told Azar that Turkey has always been willing to cooperate, and he reminded that there are established mechanisms for this, and there are two commanders who were assigned mutually by both countries to carry out cooperation in the border.

Ozsoy said that any claim can be enlightened by means of suitable mechanisms, and that he will convey this demand to Turkey.

According to a piece of news written depending on the information of the eye witnesses which appeared in Keyhan newspaper published in Iran, it is claimed that Turkish soldiers killed seven Iranians after tying their hands and then left their dead bodies next to border fence in Silvana village of Rezge region.

The news was totally denied by the Governor of Yuksekova county close to the border.

[07] MUSEUMS WEEK TO START ON MAY 18

The Museums Week will start at Anatolian Civilizations Museum in Ankara with a ceremony and continue with slide shows, exhibitions, and guided tours which will last for a week.

Istemihan Talay, the Minister of Culture said they will give information about what is being done to protect national cultural heritage, to restore historical objects, and transfer them to next generations.

Pointing out that museums are also educational institutions, Talay stated that they will try to raise awareness among school children and people about prevention of smuggling of historical objects.

[08] TURKEY'S FIRST ARCHEOLOGICAL INVENTORY PROJECT STARTS IN ANTALYA

The inventory will be prepared by the joint efforts of Antalya Provincial Cultural Directorate, Antalya Museum and the Archeology Department of Akdeniz University.

''This is a very difficult and expensive project. There are about 200 antique cities in and around Antalya. The project might take up to ten years to complete. For this reason, we are planning to publish five or six books on the project's process. I am hoping that the first book will be ready for print by the end of this year,'' Seyirci explained.

The first book will cover the city center and will contain information about Kaleici, Megydos, Varsak (Lyrboton-Kome), Duden (Neapolis), Trebenna, Kelbessos, Doyran, Hurma, Arapsuyu, Hisancandir, Gedeller, Dosemealti, Dogu Garaji, and Karacalli.

Likya, Pamfilya, Kilikya, and Pisidya areas will be described in the following issues.

[09] TISK CONSULTATIVE ASSEMBLY CONVENES - BAYDUR, CHAIRMAN OF TISK EXECUTIVE BOARD: ''THE ESSENTIAL DUTY OF THE PARLIAMENT IS TO RAPIDLY PROVIDE POLITICAL COMPROMISE AND FORM A GOVERNMENT WHICH WILL MAKE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS IN ECONOMIC FIELD'' - ''HEADSCARF ISSUE AT THE PARLIAMENT IS A NEW REFLECTION OF THE UNDERSTANDING OF 'GROWTH WITH THE HELP OF DEMOCRACY TILL ITS DESTRUCTION' WHICH HAS BEEN ADOPTED BY THE SHARIAH SUPPORTERS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF MULTI-PARTY REGIME''

The TISK's most authorized organ, the Consultative Assembly convened at the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul.

Addressing the opening remarks, Baydur said the fate of economy and work life almost became indexed to the political factor.

Baydur said the headscarf issue at the parliament was a new reflection of the understanding of ''growth with the help of democracy till its destruction'' which has been adopted by the Shariah supporters since the beginning of multi-party regime.

''This attempt, which was understood that it has connections with abroad, aims at escalating social tension, destroying internal peace, wearing down and annihilating the Republic of Turkey by targeting its basic principles based on secularism and democracy. Is this atmosphere of dispute, which was brought into agenda, a coincidence while the Parliament was opened with fresh hopes? Didn't a similar scenario erupt as a Kurdish oath following the polls in 1991? To spoil such games and not to give rise to increase of social tension while doing this is the duty of everyone who believes in democracy ahd human rights,'' he stressed.

Emphasizing that inciting religious and ethnic differences and terrorism and using psychological war means, are important parts of the international domination game in the new world, Baydur said that the target of improving democracy and human rights for the countny should never be given up while acting with the consciousness of this.

Noting that among 55 Moslem countries in the world, Turkey is the only country having a privilege of living the religion within understanding of the real freedom, Baydur said, ''the Ataturk reform is a wholeness and completeness which brings us into contemporaneity with its political, social, cultural, and economic dimensions.''

[10] ILLEGAL HEADSCARF DEMONSTRATION IN MALATYA - 20 MORE DETAINEES ARRESTED

Thirty more persons who participated in the illegal demonstration on May 7, appeared at the Malatya State Security Court (DGM) Prosecutor's Office following their interrogation at the Security.

The Prosecutor's Office released seven of them while transferred 23 demonstrators to the DGM Alternate Judgeship.

The DGM Alternate Judgeship released three of those persons while it decided to arrest 20 of them.

It was mentioned that a lawsuit will be opened against those arrested suspects in accordance with Article 312 of the Turkish Penal Code.

Earlier, a total of 161 people including 28 women were arrested.

[11] CONTACTS OF BRITISH TRADING DELEGATION - WILSON, BRITISH MINISTER OF TRADE, VISITS AKTAS, ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTER

Two ministers held a bilateral meeting for 15 minutes and then presided the inter-delegationary meetings.

Addressing a statement prior to the inter-delegational meeting, Aktas said that Turkey and Britain has economic and commercial relations which go back to old times and that the Energy Ministry has joint initiatives with Britain.

Stressing that the British companies are very interested in the projects of the Energy Ministry, Aktas noted that the British companies want to make investments in Turkey in some sectors including the power plant and dam construction, the natural gas and oil projects, and irrigation projects.

Wilson said that Britain aims at being included in the project list of the Energy Ministry.

Noting that they want to see the British companies in some construction projects and in management fields in Turkey, Wilson stated that the memorandum of understanding which will be signed by himself and Hikmet Ulugbay, the Deputy Prime Minister and the State Minister Responsible From Economy, in the afternoon is a confirmation of the improvement of the economic and commercial relations between the two countries.

Wilson added that the memorandum of understanding foresees the cooperation of Turkey and Britain in sectors like energy, environment, transportation and small and medium scale enterprises.

[12] TURKISH-TRNC COOPERATION PROTOCOL INITIALED

Addressing the ceremony, Mithat Seref, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, said that the protocol was initialed when the cooperation between the ministries was finalized.

Stressing that the cooperation between the two countries aims at restructuring the Social Security Reform in the TRNC, Seref said that he believes the protocol will be in benefit of both countries.

Ahmet Alper, the Undersecretary of the TRNC Ministry of Labor, Housing and Social Security, said that the cooperation between the two ministries which has been continuing since 1992 will be further developed with the protocol.

With the protocol, the annulment of various cooperation protocols, which were earlier signed but lost their actuality, and the specification of cooperation principles will be arranged.

Besides, the protocol targets recovery of the TRNC social security system, work life, social insurance, financing, legal labor, exchange of experts, and make use of socal facilities.

The cooperation protocol will be signed in the fourth week of May by the Turkish and TRNC Ministers of Labor and Social Security.

[13] EFFORTS TO FORM GOVERNMENT - PREMIER ECEVIT DISCLOSED THAT HE WILL PRESENT THE PROPOSALS TO THE PROBABLE COALITION PARTNERS ON MONDAY

Speaking to the journalists, Ecevit said he would visit President Suleyman Demirel on Saturday and convey his impressions and opinions regarding the formation of the new government.

Noting that his party would convene on Sunday under the regulations of DSP, Ecevit said he would present their proposals to the probable coalition partners on Monday.

Prime Minister Ecevit expressed regret that the coalition protocol they worked on was reflected to the public by a newspaper before it was submitted to the coaliton partners, adding that it would not be true to name this study as ''state protocol''.

Ecevit said he felt sorry for three things today. He said the first one was that government protocol draft was leaked out to the public by a newspaper, ''In my opinion, the text we prepared was not something that could not be agreed on. I would like to present the protocol draft to the probable coalition partners before it was disclosed to the public.''

Ecevit said, ''I hope our probable coalition partners would express understanding to this.''

Prime Minister Ecevit said the second news he felt sorry has links with that, ''as thought I prepared text which is called as state protocol and wanted Mr. Bahceli to sign this and he refused it. This did not happen. I had just finished my studies on the protocol. Besides, something which is called as state protocol is not in question.''

Ecevit said the third thing he felt regret was a statement which was issued attributing to Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP). Recalling that the statement included allegations saying that he gave up forming the new government and that he would return the assignment to President Suleyman Demirel, Ecevit said these were regardless of question.

''I have not proposed coalition partnership to any party. As you know, I have learned about the views of the leaders of the parties represented in the Parliament during my visits to them. I did not enter into details during the meetings. Parliament agenda was focused on. I had called on the views of the leaders on the issue of a probable coalition. I want to mention that the statement attributed to Mr. Yilmaz was not right in this respect.''

Ecevit said he spoke as ''attributed to Yilmaz'' because he did not think Yilmaz could use such statements. ''I would like to visit President Suleyman Demirel on Saturday to relay my views and impressions regarding coalition studies,'' he said.

[14] CONTACTS OF BRITISH TRADING DELEGATION - WILSON, BRITISH MINISTER OF TRADE, VISITS ILIKSOY, MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SETTLEMENT

Addressing a statement prior to the meeting, Iliksoy said that the economic and commercial relations between Turkey and Britain improved in this globalization world.

Stressing that the trade plays an important role in the relations between two countries in today's world, Iliksoy noted that the mutual imports and exports between Turkey and Britain increased in 1998.

Iliksoy stated that they aim at improving the trade between Turkey and Bratain as with other countries.

Wilson said that Britain wants to improve the present commercial relations with Turkey and that British companies participate in the construction and infrastructural initiatives in Turkey; adding that the British companies are interested in the tenders announced in Turkey.

Wilson stressed that they will sign a memorandum of understanding in the afternoon and that they will set up working groups for trade and investment sectors within the framework of the memorandum of understanding.

[15] NUMBER OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES IN TURKEY REACHES 15,500

The Interior Ministry issues a statement saying that 6,928 Kosovar refugees have entered Turkey from the Kapikule Border Gate in Edirne; 6,939 others have arrived at the Corlu Airport in Tekirdag and 1,633 of them have arrived at the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul as of 10:00 local time on Thursday.

It said 6,604 of those Kosovar refugees are hosted at the Gaziosmanpasa Immigrants' Guesthouse in Kirklareli.

[16] OECD MAKES A PRE-EVALUATION FOR TURKEY

The pre-evaluation emphasized that Turkey implemented successful policies when struggling against inflation in the last two years and that she realized a tax reform.

The evaluation said that the struggling against inflation program should be supported with some other structural programs including privatization, social security and banking in order to make this inflation program permanent.

Pointing out that Turkey should implement reforms in agricultural supports and subsidies for the State Economic Enterprises (SEE), the evaluation noted that the social security reform should have the priority since it leads to high rate of public finance deficit and inflation.

The evaluation stressed that the structural reforms are important because Turkey can reach the foreign finance sources and can gain the thrust of the foreign investors with these reforms.

Meanwhile, the economy bureaucrats took this pre-evaluation under investigation.

The economy bureaucrats who will go to Paris this weekend and hold consultations with OECD officials, are making some additional evaluations on this OECD pre-evaluation.

The OECD Turkish desk officials will hold contacts with the Turkish delegation which will be headed by Orhan Guvenen, the State Planning Organization (DPT) Undersecretary, in Paris.

The OECD officials will try to give a final shape to this Turkey Report which is expected to be issued in the end of June.

The OECD investigates the economies of the member countries in every two years and issues a report.

[17] EIZENSTAT, U.S. DEPUTY SECRETARY OF TREASURY, SAYS HE SUPPORTS TURKEY'S ECONOMY POLICY

Eizenstat, the U.S. State Department Undersecretary Responsible For International Trade and Economy, closely follows the economic developments in Turkey.

Eizenstat, who met with Hikmet Ulugbay, the Deputy Prime Minister and the State Minister Responsible From Economy, within the framework of the meetings with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), supports the economy policy of Turkey.

Recalling that they do not usually hold contacts with U.S. Secretary of Treasury in their visits to the U.S., the economy officials said that the person with whom Turkey has contacts, is the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State because he/she is responsible from international economy, and that to this end, Eizenstat will have very positive effects on Turkey.

The economy officials noted that Eizenstat will have an important role in a financial support agreement between Turkey and IMF because he is responsible from international organizations including the World Bank and the IMF.

Having a significant effect on the IMF and the World Bank, the U.S. is in a determinent position in financial supports of these organizations.

Stuart Eizenstat was the chief consultant of Jimmy Carter, a former U.S. President, in 1970s.

Larry Summers, who was carrying out the post of Deputy Secretary of Treasury was brought to the office of U.S. Secretary of Treasury and Eizenstat was appointed as the Deputy Secretary of Treasury after Robert Rubin, U.S. Secretary of Treasury, resigned on Wednesday.

[18] TURKEY AND BRITAIN SIGN A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

Hikmet Ulugbay, the Deputy Prime Minister and the State Minister Responsible For Economy, and Brian Wilson, British Minister of Trade, signed the memorandum of understanding in a ceremony held in the Treasury Undersecretariat.

The memorandum of understanding aims at improving the economic, commercial and financial relations between the public and private sectors of Turkey and Britain.

[19] RADIC, CROATIAN DEPUTY PM, ARRIVES IN ANKARA

Radic and his delegation were welcomed by the officials from the Foreign Ministry at the Esenboga Airport of Ankara.

Radic and his delegation are expected to start their contacts on Friday. The Crotian delegation is expected to be received by Premier Bulent Ecevit and to meet with Sukru Sina Gurel, the State Minister, and Ahmet Tan, the Tourism Minister.

Radic and his delegation will leave for Antalya and Istanbul following their contacts in Ankara and will leave Turkey on Sunday.

[20] FRIENDLY MESSAGE OF KHATAMI, IRANIAN PRESIDENT, TO PRESIDENT DEMIREL: - ''I HOPE THAT OUR RELATIONS WILL IMPROVE TO THE LEVEL WHICH THE TWO NATIONS DESIRE''

Khatami, who was flying to Syria today, said that he is very pleased about the good neighbourly and friendly relations between Iran and Turkey, when he was flying over the Turkish air space.

Khatami noted that he hopes that the relations between the two countries will improve to the level which the two nations desire.

[21] CONTACTS OF SUBANOV, KYRGYZ MINISTER OF DEFENSE - SUBANOV VISITS TURK, NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER

Addressing a statement after the meeting, Turk said that Kyrgyzstan is a friendly country and that Turkey attributes importance to Kyrgyzstan.

Recalling that Turkey was the first country which recognized Kyrgyzstan after she declared her independence in 1991, Turk noted that diplomatic relations were set up between the two countries since 1992.

Pointing out that the two countries signed nearly 70 agreements and protocols concerning military cooperation, Turk recalled that a protocol on training the officers of Kyrgyz Air Forces in Turkey was also signed.

Noting that they think that the cooperation in military training and the other military issues will increase, Turk stated that Kyrgyzstan needs the support and aid of Turkey to become a strong country in her region and to set up the necessary structure for this and that Turkey is ready give all kind of support and aid to Kyrgyzstan.

Turk said, ''what kind of cooperation will be made will start to be implemented by the technical meetings that will become more concrete with the agreements. To this end, the visit of Subanov is a very important step taken in this issue.''

[22] 15TH MEETING OF ISEDAK FOLLOW-UP COMMITTEE ENDS

Addressing a closing speech, Orhan Guvenen, the State Planning Organization (DPT) Undersecretary who presided the meeting, drew the attention that the information and speed will gain importance in the 21st century and pointed out that the ISEDAK should be improved not to be underdeveloped in the 21st century.

The preparations about the later sessions on ''the Improvement of the Human Resources for a Permanent Development in the OIC member countries'' which will be discussed in November meeting, were revised in this meeting.

The attendants also discussed the economic cooperation studies of ISEDAK in various fields and the Report of the Secretariat General of OIC on the position of the implementation of OIC Economic Cooperation Action Plan.

Meanwhile, the attendants decided that the member countries should inform each other about the pratical expriences they gained in commercial field.

[23] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''DESPITE EVERYTHING, TURKEY DID NOT GET INVOLVED IN THE CRISIS WHICH WAS AFRAID AND TURNED INTO A NIGHTMARE LAST YEAR''

Addressing the opening ceremony of ''5th House Textile Fair'', Demirel said Turkey recorded five percent economic development in the past 10 years despite the negative conditions. Demirel said exportation which was 12 billion U.S. dollars in 1990's reached to 27 billion U.S. dollars in 1998.

Pointing out that 90 percent of Turkey's exportation was industrial products, Demirel said ''this shows that Turkey is a successful country in industry. We are an industrialized country even if we don't consider ourselves as industrialized.''

Demirel said most of today's problems were transitory, adding that some of these problems stemmed from the Far East, some from Russia and some of them from the functioning of the system.

''It depends on the Turkish entrepreneur to make Turkey more stronger. We are in an effort to exclude the state from economic, financial, and trade activities,'' Demirel said, adding that ''we want the citizens of our country to undertake the responsibility of developing the country.''

Demirel said Turkey is obliged to promote itself, and pointed out that ''this is confidence to yourself. We can not install this confidence if we don't recognize ourselves. Discussions in Turkey should be turned into efforts launched to be successful in national targets.''

[24] NATO'S AIR OPERATION AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA - TURKISH F-16 WAR PLANES ACCUMULATE A TOTAL OF 1,341 FLIGHT HOURS

The General Staff Information Center issued a statement saying that the NATO aircrafts returned to base afted flying for 568 hours on Wednesday and early on Thursday without any losses while Turkish aircrafts flew for eight hours.

Meanwhile, a total of 859,088 Kosovar people were forced to leave their homes so far. According to the latest figures, there are 13,931 refugees in Turkey; 50 thousand in Serbia; 63,900 in Karabakh; 430,000 in Albania; 239, 000 in Macedonia; 18,500 in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and 43,757 in other countries.

A total of 13,931 Kosovar refugees including 5,068 women, 4,020 men and 4, 843 children 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 6,604 Kosovars have been sheltered at Gaziosmanpasa Refugee Camp in Kirklareli.

Turkey has provided shelters for a total of 9,700 Kosovar refugees in camps in Macedonia and Albania. Both camps have capacity to host 20 thousand refugees.

[25] TURKISH-BRITISH COOPERATION - TURKEY AND BRITAIN SIGN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

Hikmet Ulugbay, the Deputy Prime Minister and the State Minister Responsible For Economy, received Brian Wilson, the British Minister of Trade who is currently paying an official visit to Ankara.

Ulugbay and Wilson signed the memorandum of understanding on the improvement of the present economic, commercial and financial cooperation between Turkey and Britain after having a meeting for 20 minutes.

Addressing a statement after the signature of the memorandum of understanding, Ulugbay said that this memorandum of understanding will play an important role in the improvement of mutual investments and business opportunities.

Stressing that Britain realized investments worth of one billion U.S. dollars in Turkey in the last decade, Ulugbay noted that Britain is a significant trading partner of Turkey.

Noting that this memorandum of understanding will create new investment opportunities, Ulugbay stated that a forum which will be set up by the participation of the representatives of the private sectors in the two countries will play an important role in the improvement of the investment and business opportunities between Turkey and Britain.

Ulugbay said, ''in this context, the memorandum of understanding will improve the cooperation in energy, transportation, environment and other fields. I believe that this memorandum of understanding will carry our relations to a more healthy and more developed level.''

Brian Wilson said that this memorandum of understanding will be a very important step in improving the present trade and investments between the two countries.

Stating that this memorandum of understanding encourages the businessmen of the two countries to make investments in the two countries, Wilson noted that this memorandum will improve and increase the present economic, commercial and financial relations between Turkey and Britain.

Emphasizing that there is a possibility that the eximbanks of the two countries can support the exports by credit guarantee, Wilson stressed that the memorandum of understanding will encourage the cooperation between Turkish and British businessmen and with the third countries.

Ulugbay and Wilson then responded the questions of the journalists.

Responding a question, Ulugbay recalled that Turkey and Britain always encourage the Turkish-British relations and said, ''there was not a similar document like the one signed today in the earlier times. The governments of the two countries created a situation for improving the bilateral relations.''

''There is not definite things like a specific finance model. There is a large framework in Turkey to realize many projects. This framework can be used in any time. The memorandum of understanding aims at improving the cooperation,'' Ulugbay added.

Emphasizing that the memorandum of understanding has a symbolic importance, Wilson said that both countries put forward that they want to be in good relations with each other and that they aim at improving their relations.

Wilson emphasized that both countries are equal and that this agreement will provide opportunities to the joint studies of public and private sectors.

Responding a question, Wilson pointed out that the Turkish businessmen who want to go to Britain do not face any problems in providing a visa and that they gave visa to 95 percent of the ones who apply for a British visa.

When asked the Turkish-European Union (EU) relations, Wilson said that Britain want to see Turkey in the EU but that Turkey can integrate with the EU after fulfiling some terms and conditions; adding that Britain is ready to give any kind of support to Turkey in this issue.

The memorandum of understanding foresees cooperation in energy, transportation and environment sectors and carrying out intitiatives for improving the small and medium scale enterprises of the two countries.

A forum will be set up to carry out studies about the financial resources and the new finance models for the possible cooperations. This forum which will ensure the participation of the representatives of the sectors and related institutions, foresees the regular meeting of the parties.

The Turkish and British delegates decided to exchange views about realizing the possible investments within the framework of build-operate-transfer (BOT), build-operate (BO) and transfer of right of operation models.

[26] TRNC DELEGATION IN GAP - NAYIR, SANLIURFA DEPUTY GOVERNOR: - ''OUR WEALTH IS THE WEALTH OF TRNC''

Nayir, the Sanliurfa Deputy Governor, received the TRNC delegation.

Nayir said that the wealth which will be gained by the completion of irrigation systems in the GAP region will be very enormous and that he believes that the project will bring peace and wealth to not only Sanliurfa and Turkey but also to the whole region.

Stressing that they are very pleased when they see that the delegations which come to the region are hopeful, Nayir noted that a total of 13 billion U.S. dollars are spent for the project which is worth of 32 billion U.S. dollars and that the wealth which the GAP will bring is the wealth of not only themselves but also their wealth.

Osman Ertug, the TRNC Foreign and Defense Ministry Undersecretary and the head of the delegation, said that they are very proud of the importance of GAP for Turkey and for the region; adding that they are now in the region to see the things they hear about the region with their own eyes.

Noting that they believe that the wealth of Turkey will also be their wealth, Ertug stated that the power of Turkey is their power also and that they have their power from Turkey.

Stating that they try to solve the water problem of TRNC by carrying water from Turkey with ballons, Ertug stressed that they will then carry water by the pipes which are placed under the sea.

Ertug emphasized that they will realize a project which they call mini GAP by the inspiration and resources they get from Turkey.

The delegation will carry out investigations in Ataturk Dam, in the fields that are open to irrigation, in southeastern Mardin and Adiyaman provinces and then will depart the region on May 17, 1999.

[27] PRESIDENT DEMIREL INAUGURATES PETROLEUM'99 FAIR: ''OIL IS BLOOD VESSEL OF ECONOMIC LIFE''

Inaugurating the Third International Fair of Oil, Gas and Service Equipment (Petroleum'99) held in Istanbul Technical University (ITU), President Demirel said that oil comes one of the issues which are widely discussed in Turkey for 50 years.

''In 1950s, we wondered whether or not there was oil in Turkey, but we didn't have sufficient capital, technological equipment. Today we have refineries having a capacity of 35 millon tonnes and they meet the needs of Turkey. If we buy processed oil rather than crude oil, we have to give more money to abroad,'' said Demirel, adding Turkey has also modernized its refineries.

''As there is not sufficient oil and natural gas in Turkey, she has to buy them from the world in the safest and best conditions. We've carried Northern Iraqi oil with a pipeline of 100 million tonnes to our country,'' said Demirel, noting Turkey wishes today to build pipelines to transport Caspian oil and Central Asian oil to Mediterranean.

Reiterating the view that oil is the blood and soul of economy, President Demirel stated that Turkey meets 42-45 percent of her energy need from abroad.

[28] AKTAS, MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES ADDRESSES PETROLEUM'99 FAIR

Addressing the Petroleum'99 Fair held in Istanbul Techinal University (ITU), Aktas stated that fights take place for oil in some places of the world and Turkey wishes oil to be a reason of reconciliation rather than one of war and fight.

Noting that three fourths of the oil reserves in the world are in the region where Turkey is, Aktas said Turkey has to benefit from this advantage.

Ziya Aktas stressed that Turkey wants to make Baku-Ceyhan pipeline and Turkmen pipelines to be active and use them for the prosperity of the regional countries.

Pointing out that the Law on Oil has to be re-arranged due to changing conditions, Ziya Aktas said the Turkish oil sector has to be also restructured.

[29] VESTEL SETS UP A TV PRODUCTION AND MOUNTING INSTALLATION IN ETHIOPIA

Foreign Ministry said that the inauguration of the installation the Vestel group set up together with ''Tebarek and Family P.L.C.'' firm was held on May 8.

Ethiopian Minister of Trade, high ranking government officials and bureaucrats opened the installation, which will produce 100 televisions daily. The statement noted that in two years the production capacity of the installations are planned to be increased to 100,000 televisions annually.

The televisions which will be produced in these installations in Ethiopia will also be sold in markets of Kenya, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

The installation which will provide employment for 165 people in the first stage and 350 people in the second stage, will have a share of 35 percent in domestic production market.

''The joint investment of Vestel Companies Group and Tebarek and Family P.L.C. will contribute to further development of Turkish-Ethiopian commercial and economic relations. It will also be a successful example which can encourage Turkish firms to invest in Ethiopia and in other African countries'' added the Foreign Ministry.

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